Preseason Week 1 Highlights Boost Fantasy Prospects for Stribling and Bernard
Rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling and second-year tight end Germie Bernard emerged as notable fantasy football risers after the first week of NFL preseason action.
The opening week of the 2026 NFL preseason provided several signals for fantasy football managers. Rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling recorded seven catches for 63 yards on 13 targets in 22 snaps with the San Francisco 49ers' backup unit, the second-most receptions for a rookie in a preseason first half over the past decade. The performance suggests he could earn a role beyond the depth chart in the regular season.
In Pittsburgh, second-year tight end Germie Bernard saw nine routes from the slot, outpacing fellow rookie Roman Wilson’s four. Bernard’s involvement in the Steelers' preseason game positions him as a potential late-round Best Ball pick.
Other notable observations included Jeremiah Love’s strong showing for Arizona, Ja’Kobi Lane’s first career touchdown for Baltimore, and MarShawn Lloyd’s full snap count for Green Bay, confirming his status as the team’s RB2. Across the league, several players received limited or no snaps, indicating they remain outside immediate fantasy consideration.
Analysts noted that while preseason usage does not guarantee regular-season roles, the early data offers actionable information for draft strategies as the fantasy season approaches its peak.