The primary recreation of the burgeoning 2025 season is within the books, because the Los Angeles Chargers thumped the Detroit Lions 34-7 within the Corridor of Fame Recreation. A Harbaugh-led workforce within the preseason, be it Jim or John, enjoys successful meaningless video games. However except you guess on this one, you’re extra curious about how people performed, particularly these potential fantasy soccer sleepers.
Omarion Hampton – LAC, working again
The rookie rusher didn’t have a lot alternative to indicate his expertise Thursday night time, however he did get the beginning and two carries on the primary drive, exhibiting he’s at present within the lead for the common season beginning job. That information isn’t shocking, as he’s their first spherical decide and free company acquisition Najee Harris nonetheless hasn’t been capable of follow resulting from an eye fixed harm suffered throughout a fireworks accident within the offseason.
Hampton is capturing up draft boards as Harris continues to overlook time. If he can win the majority of the work, he’ll be in a superb state of affairs to be a powerful fantasy again in a run-oriented offense with a powerful offensive line. And even when Harris does get again quickly, Hampton nonetheless has an affordable likelihood to carry onto that job. Go together with the youthful again on this state of affairs till additional discover.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith – LAC, broad receiver
Lambert-Smith and Tre Harris are two rookie receivers introduced in to assist shore up a large receiver group that has weak depth. On Thursday, each gamers acquired begins as Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Jalen Reagor rested. Harris didn’t do a lot, however Lambert-Smith made an impressive 24-yard reception to set himself aside for the night time.
He has some sleeper enchantment, as Reagor is the primary receiver he must beat out to be poised for taking part in time on the X place. However in redraft, he’s nonetheless very a lot a wait to see choice. If he can construct off this recreation, he might begin getting some actual buzz as we shut in on fantasy draft season.
Tyler Conklin, Will Dissly, Oronde Gadsden – LAC, tight ends
Dissly was the first tight finish final season, ending twenty sixth in PPR factors per recreation for the place. The Chargers saved Dissly round, however did add veteran Conklin from the Jets and rookie Gadsden within the fifth spherical of the draft..
On this first preseason recreation, Conklin acquired the day without work, whereas Dissly and Gadsden have been the first offensive tight ends to begin. And per Professional Soccer Focus, Gadsden was within the recreation throughout their one non-goal line, 11-man personnel group. That exhibits that Gadsden is likely to be forward of Dissly or no less than competing with him for snaps.
We all know what Conklin can do. He’s dependable and because the major tight finish, he can have some fantasy enchantment relying on matchup. However Gadsden has extra potential to be a real weapon on offense. He’s the lottery decide at this level, particularly in the event you’re in two-tight finish leagues.
The Lions starters all sat and even some backups didn’t play. We additionally know that their starters, for essentially the most half, are all dependable fantasy gamers. Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta are all sturdy draft picks this yr. Until the Lions get stung arduous by the harm bug, there aren’t many gamers you possibly can name sleepers on this workforce.
Total, that is just the start of preseason and we nonetheless have lots to study over this subsequent month. However, we will be ok with Hampton proper now, whereas conserving a better eye on on Gadsden and Lambert-Smith as we transfer ahead
