Fantasy Football 2016: Must-Adds Emerging This Preseason

Preseason football is notorious for altering fantasy football draft plans.

Whether it be injuries to starting players, developing news or unexpected players performing so well that the coaching staff is forced to find them a role, it's never safe to draft early in the preseason.

In my opinion, the best time to draft your squad is after Week 3 of the preseason, also known as the dress-rehearsal week.

Fantasy drafts will always look substantially different if you draft in July as opposed to Labor Day weekend.

In this slideshow, you will find eight players that should find a way onto your fantasy teams moving forward.

Make room for these emerging preseason studs.

Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell suffered a torn ligament in his hand earlier this preseason.

As a consequence, rookie wide receiver Tyler Boyd has been able to step in this preseason and show Bengals fans that they have a true weapon in the passing attack other than A.J. Green.

Although he has just three catches, Boyd is averaging 26 yards per reception this preseason.

From circus catches to touchdown grabs, Boyd will quickly make the football world forget about LaFell.

The Bengals don't have a ton invested in LaFell, and let's face it—Boyd is simply a better player.

A lottery-ticket draft pick, Boyd is going in the late 12th round in points-per-reception league drafts. 

Robert Griffin III, QB, Cleveland Browns

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

Now, let's not overreact, but Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III looks pretty darn good, wouldn't you say?

In the Browns' second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, not only did RG3 connect with wide receiver Terrelle Pryor for a 50-yard score, but he also dropped a beautiful pass right into the mitts of tight end Gary Barnidge for a deep touchdown on an incredible catch.

While his sliding ability is still comedic to say the least, RG3 is starting to understand that to remain in one piece he must be willing to slide. To this point, RG3 has shown a willingness to slide, rather than be crumpled like a vehicle in a junkyard.

RG3 is going in Mr. Irrelevant territory in fantasy drafts. While he may not be starting quarterback material, RG3 could be a solid quarterback streaming option if needed during the regular season.

Don't write him off just yet. Remember, he has a plethora of weapons at his disposal with solid running backs behind him.

Keith Marshall, RB, Washington Redskins

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

While his preseason performance has been less than stellar to this point, Washington Redskins rookie running back Keith Marshall has found himself in an interesting spot.

During the Redskins' second preseason game, starting running back Matt Jones suffered a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, according to Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post.

While Redskins head coach Jay Gruden doesn't expect Jones to be out long, Mike Jones of the Washington Post is reporting that the AC joint in Jones' shoulder is slightly separated.

As Dr. Selene Parekh points out, there are three types of this injury. Type I would mean he's out for two weeks, Type II for four weeks and Type III would require surgery. This sounds like it is of the "Type II" variety, meaning he could miss some regular-season time.

Besides Jones' injuries, Marshall is a legitimate handcuff to Jones.

If Jones displays the same ball security—or lack thereof—this season, Gruden may not have trouble reining Jones in in favor of Marshall.

According to Fantasy Football Calculator, Marshall isn't listed in the top 62 PPR backs, essentially making him free. 

Keeping his handcuff potential in mind, in addition to potentially being a starting running back for a game or two, Marshall should be rostered in deeper leagues.

Christine Michael, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael is no joke anymore.

I know—you've seen seemingly endless coverage of Michael, so you should be aware now that he is a draftable commodity. As a result I won't bore you with regurgitated details.

This is evident by his incredibly fast ADP rise over the last week.

While fellow (and presumed starting) running back Thomas Rawls is off the PUP list and practicing with the team, he still has yet to play in any preseason action.

The more time Rawls misses, the more infatuated the fantasy world will be with yet another year of stardom from the ultratalented running back.

So far this preseason, Michael is fifth in the league in rushing yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

Remember—Michael showed what he is capable of last season, recording 84 and 102 rushing yards in Weeks 15 and 17, respectively. Also, Michael was the primary back in the Seahawks' Wild Card Game, rushing 21 times for 70 yards. This is slightly more than just a glowing preseason showing.

Michael is going as the RB47 right now. Get him before his price gets to out of hand. 

Terrelle Pryor, WR, Cleveland Browns

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

What was thought to be a stunt to remain in the league is starting to become more and more of a reality.

This is obviously in reference to Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. As most of you already know, Pryor came into the league as a quarterback, being drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2011 supplemental draft.

An intriguing body type at 6'4" and over 230 pounds, Pryor is a matchup nightmare for opposing cornerbacks. However, the question all along was whether or not Pryor could successfully change positions in the NFL. So far this preseason, Pryor has shown he can play some type of role at the position.

In the most recent preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Pryor showed he can be a weapon, burning cornerback Desmond Trufant for a touchdown on a 50-yard go route.

So far this season, Pryor has three receptions for over 100 yards and a touchdown. While he may not be a master route-runner yet, Pryor is a big play waiting to happen.

With fellow wide receiver Josh Gordon out for the first four games, Pryor has a chance to make a place for himself in the starting lineup.

You could do a lot worse in the 13th round than a boom-or-bust flier on Pryor.

Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Before the Tennessee Titans shipped off wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham to the City of Brotherly Love, there was massive buzz around rookie wide receiver Tajae Sharpe. In fact, there was incessant speculation that the Massachusetts standout would overtake Green-Beckham's role as starting wide receiver.

Well, the speculation came to fruition after Green-Beckham was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles. With this transaction, the Titans showed they feel confident their fifth-round draft choice will step in and immediately produce.

Through the first two games of the preseason, Sharpe has seen eight targets and caught all of them, totaling 103 yards.

It's readily apparent the Titans plan to use Sharpe often this season along with fellow wide receivers Rishard Matthews and Kendall Wright.

While tight end Delanie Walker is the primary pass-catching option you want to roster from the Titans, Sharpe has a chance to pull through as the Titans' No. 1 wide receiving option in 2016.

At a price tag of WR64 in the late 13th round, that's a chance I'm willing to take—so should you.

Terrance West, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Nick Wass/Associated Press

In the Baltimore Ravens' Week 2 preseason matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, running back Terrance West left early with a jammed finger, but was able to return, according to Garrett Downing of the Ravens' official site.

West has been the talk of the preseason to this point, rushing for two touchdowns in the first week of action. Not only that, but he has displayed increased vision, burst and footwork—things that, up to this point, West had lacked during his professional career.

Second-year running back Javorius Allen will have a role no matter what due to his pass-catching ability, so he should not be seen as a threat to Wests' value if starter Justin Forsett goes down.

While it is a murky depth chart to say the least, it's quite possible that West is the go-to handcuff for Forsett based off of when the backs have been used throughout the preseason.

West is a nice addition to a squad in deeper leagues, going on the verge of the 14th round.

James White, RB, New England Patriots

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis will miss 8-10 weeks after he undergoes a second procedure to the same knee he tore his ACL in last November.

As a result, James White will step in as the Patriots' primary receiving back. 

In 2015, White finished 11th in fantasy points per opportunity in PPR leagues. 

During Lewis' absence, White will be a top-25 back with an ADP multiple rounds higher than his nonexistent ADP to this point.

Patriots pass-catching backs produce fantasy points in PPR leagues, as evidenced by Lewis' RB7 finish through the nine games he played in last season

Expect similar production from White. He needs to be rostered in all formats going forward. If you've already drafted him, congratulations on winning a mini fantasy lottery.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. All ADP references courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.