High Fives: Matt Jones on preseason watch list

Top 5 Quarterbacks you’ll be keeping close tabs on in the preseason

1. Jameis Winston — Was a borderline QB1 as a rookie despite showing a lot of room for growth – further command of the offense will go a long ways for Winston

1. Matt Ryan — I’m interested to learn how he’s adapting to Kyle Shanahan’s system in year two. If things finally click, I’d expect a hearty bounce back for Ryan.

1. Marcus Mariota — New toys, ancient coaches, strange organization — but some interesting talent, too

2. Marcus Mariota — Had some elite flashes as a rookie (finished top 5 fantasy QB four times) – like Winston, potential for big leap forward in Year 2, especially if he can stay healthy this time around

2. Blaine Gabbert — Actually, it’s Chip Kelly I’ll be keeping close tabs on. The resurrection of Gabbert’s career could mean a rebirth for Kelly’s reputation. As a “genius” I’m sure the team’s new HC is fully aware of – and motivated by – the connection.

2. Jameis Winston — After Blake Bortles, he was the GTP King of 2015; can he get on the same page with Mike Evans?

3. Tyrod Taylor — Is No. 26 QB in Y! ADP, but was 7th-best fantasy QB over final 6 weeks of ’15 – likely to be one of the biggest QB steals of ’16 drafts

3. Robert Griffin III — He needs to relearn the position. A greater presence in the pocket than on social media would be a good start.

3. Tony Romo — After a lost year for Romo and Dez Bryant, I’d like to see some reassuring August connections

4. Robert Griffin III — Already made an investment in Josh Gordon in a league that is very important to me, so I’m keen to see if RGIII can stir up some optimism in the CLE passing game

4. Ryan Tannehill —Surrounded by a buffet of success makers, Tanny needs to make better decisions, show improved anticipation, and prove he can lead. If he continues to struggle… he’s done.

4. Brock Osweiler — Broncos may have botched this one; Osweiler a likely upgrade from last year’s banana convention

5. Brock Osweiler — Has some nice weapons (Hopkins, Miller), and HOU was top 10 in pass attempts in ’15 so there’s some upside if he looks the part in August

5. Jared Goff — I’m not expecting heroics, but I would like to see some added bulk

5. Matthew Stafford — Year One AC: After Calvin; show me something, man

Top 5 Running Backs you’ll be keeping close tabs on in the preseason

1. Carlos Hyde — Curious to see how he looks in Chip Kelly’s high-volume run system – huge opportunity for Hyde if he can seize it

1. Arian Foster — I want to see how he runs post-Achilles surgery. Right now, I’m still all in on Ajayi.

1. Melvin Gordon — He can’t be that bad again, can he?

2. Thomas Rawls — Was a stud on a fantasy points per touch basis in ’15 – easy to imagine top 10 RB value if healthy (ankle), but that’s a big IF at the moment

2. Jeremy Langford — He reportedly added weight to improve his between the tackles ability, but I want to know if/how that might affect his speed

2. Carlos Hyde — Can he play on all three downs in a fast-paced offense?

3. Matt Jones — A physical, athletic specimen with skills in the pass game, he certainly looks the part – but needs to show more on-field consistency

3. Matt Jones — Are the reports out of DC still glowing? Or has the team gotten nervous and added veteran depth?

3. Jeremy Lankford — Rookie year was a wash other than one big play, but a bunch of carries and catches just left town

4. Melvin Gordon —Wasn’t nearly as bad as his numbers suggested as a rookie – I’ll be watching his O-line, hoping to see some signs of life

4. Isaiah Crowell — How many weeks until Terrell Watson takes his job?

4. Thomas Rawls — Flashed in limited time, but how healthy is he now?

5. Arian Foster — What does the old man have left? I’ve always been a sucker for his fantasy game, so if he shows that he’s still got something in the tank, I’ll be an interested buyer

5. Zach Zenner — Faster and more explosive than Ridley, but will he be contact-shy after suffering nasty chest injury that sent him to the IR as a rookie. If he’s lowering his shoulder and plunging ahead without hesitation, he could succeed in Joique Bell’s former role as the Lions’ big-back.

5. Matt Jones — A ton of opportunity here, but I have no clue if he’s actually any good

Top 5 Wide Receivers you’ll be keeping close tabs on in the preseason

1. Josh Gordon — I owned him for the magical ’13 ride – I’ve been addicted ever since

1. Josh Gordon — No more music festivals with Johnny Football. Please!

1. Devante Parker — Being drafted like a sure thing; justify the love, kid (same goes for Kevin White)

2. Sterling Shepard — Big fan of his game, like the aerial upside of his system – could be best rookie fantasy WR

2. Jordy Nelson — His current ADP is close to peak-value. But is his health back to 100 percent?

2. Sammy Watkins — A lottery pick at full health, but how’s the foot?

3. Devante Parker — I have high hopes given his vast talent and how strong he closed out ’15 rookie campaign

3. Steve Smith — If the 37-year-old vet can’t get back on the field soon, Kamar Aiken jumps in my rankings

3. Jordy Nelson — No pressure, just the entire offense riding on your comeback

4. Chris Hogan —One of my favorite WR sleepers, but 4 games of QB Garoppolo throws a bit more mystery into his assimilation process

4. Bruce Ellington — Thought to be nothing more than a special-teamer, Ellington is shaping up to be the team’s No. 2 WR. In Kelly’s up-tempo system he could be a PPR stud.

4. Marvin Jones — Targets are up for grabs in Detroit, and more importantly, red-zone looks

5. Tavon Austin — When a head coach suggests a player might end up pushing 100 catches this season, that player deserves our attention, if nothing else

5. Kevin White — There’s sure to be a learning curve for White, but how quickly is he able to catch on?

5. Markus Wheaton — There’s a major opportunity for the team’s No. 2 receiver; who wants the gig?

Top 5 Tight Ends you’ll be keeping close tabs on in the preseason

1.Ladarius Green — Has the potential to be a top 3 TE if he can stay healthy – his situation is that good, not to mention his elite athleticism

1. Ladarius Green — No Bryant. No Bell (potentially). These two (even temporary) absences better Green’s chances of a long-awaited breakout… unless he’s hampered by a nagging ankle injury.

1. Gary Barnidge — Did it with mirrors last year, and QB play could be worse in 2016

2. Dwayne Allen — I’ve been waiting for him to pop for years, but mostly he’s just been a tease – finally in a position to announce his presence with authority

2. Jordan Cameron — Under the advisement of Julius Thomas, he took a pay cut to play for Adam Gase. Still an athletic freak, his usage will be key in returning to 2013 form.

2. Austin Seferian-Jenkins — Wide range of outcomes; might be a solid TE1, might be waiver-wire fodder before October

3. Jimmy Graham — Track record of returning from his type of knee injury is not good, but Seahawks maintain he’ll be ready to go Week 1 – we’ll see

3. Dwayne Allen — With Coby Fleener now in New Orleans, Allen possesses TE1 appeal at a bargain price (148 overall)… if he can stay healthy

3. Julius Thomas — I give him a fair shot at outscoring everyone but Allen Robinson on this offense

4. Tyler Eifert — Like Graham, Eifert (ankle) is looking iffy for Week 1 – with Cincy’s losses at WR (Jones, Sanu), Eifert has big upside in passing game again if he can get back on the field quickly

4. Clive Walford — The ATV enthusiast was third in team targets (just 5 fewer than Amari Cooper) over the final 5 weeks of 2105. His stock could sky rocket if Oakland’s offense continues to ascend.

4. Martellus Bennett — Doubtful the Pats show much in August, but should be a fun Bennett year

5. Antonio Gates — Another “what’s left in the tank?” watch here – QB Rivers wants to get him 8 TDs in ’16, so we should certainly keep him squarely on the radar

5. Austin Seferian-Jenkins — If ASJ can’t get it together Cameron Brate could be this year’s biggest/best surprise at the position

5. Coby Fleener — It isn’t always fun on the road, but the Saints sure play a mean pinball

Top 5 NFL teams you’ll be keeping close tabs on in the preseason

1. San Francisco 49ers — It’s hard to ignore what a Chip Kelly offense is up to

1. Baltimore Ravens — Despite question marks at nearly every offensive position, there are still fantasy points to be mined in Charm City

1. Miami Dolphins — Can Adam Gase fix these perennial underachievers?

2. Dallas Cowboys — Romo and Dez are back, and you add a dynamic rookie RB talent in Elliott – this offense could be very potent

2. Oakland Raiders — With perhaps the most improved defense in the league, the Raiders could stun the AFC West

2. Dallas Cowboys — Can’t deny the buzz potential of the triplets; please stay healthy

3. Miami Dolphins — Not sure there was an offense that frustrated me more the past couple years – curious to see new HC Gase’s impact

3. Houston Texans — The team’s marquee player is recovering from back surgery and could miss extended time. Does that change the team’s identity? Especially given all of the new offensive additions?

3. Baltimore Ravens — Feels like they have 47 backs and 73 receivers; can we find some trustable elements from this open tryout?

4. Cleveland Browns — RGIII, Josh Gordon, Duke Johnson, the impact of new HC Hue Jackson – there’s plenty to chew on here

4. Philadelphia Eagles — A return of sorts for Andy Reid via Doug Pederson, this offense feels very boom or bust

4. San Diego Chargers — The defense is still leaky and running game suspect, but Philip Rivers has exciting tools at his disposal

5. Chicago Bears — This could be this year’s Jags, a team pushed to heavy passing game volume because of a bad defense and lackluster run game

5. Tennessee Titans – Exotic Smashmouth. A reality? Or just a bunch of “Mularkey.”

5. San Francisco 49ers — No, I won’t follow Chip Kelly into a burning building — but I’m not willing to kick him to the curb, either; still intrigued