The NFL is back for 2025! Well, sort of: The Hall of Fame Game, the traditional exhibition opener for the preseason, saw the Los Angeles Chargers defeat the Detroit Lions 34-7 on Thursday.
The preseason's first game doesn't typically feature starters getting heavy workloads, but sometimes, fantasy football players can find nuggets from player snap counts and stats for rookies and others fighting for a consistent inseason role.
Below are a few highlights and observations from our first on-field action of this season's calendar:
Chargers RB Omarion Hampton
While it was an extremely small sample size, we saw a little flash of what has prompted Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh to rave about Hampton.
Hampton had two carries for nine yards, plus another carry on which he notched a first down that was negated by a defensive holding penalty. Most importantly, in those three total touches, Hampton broke two tackles.
Fantasy managers who had their eyes on Hampton may be happy there was nothing too noteworthy to raise his price, though Najee Harris' eye injury will certainly keep the UNC alum's value within the top 50 picks in most draft rooms.
Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa
Though Hampton was the biggest fantasy name who saw significant action, no player jumped off the screen more than TeSlaa.
The hype in camp has been building for the rookie out of Arkansas. We saw exactly why: TeSlaa caught two balls for 46 yards.
On both passes he brought in, the 6-foot-4, 214-pounder looked like the most explosive player on the field, racking up yards after the catch and fighting off defenders.
Last 2 plays:
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 1, 2025
Isaac TeSlaa 22-yard reception
Isaac TeSlaa 24-yard receptionpic.twitter.com/UpDvj6QmG8
The 23-year-old could boot Tim Patrick out of 3-wide sets as the season wears along, which might put him in flex territory for many deeper fantasy leagues.
Expect TeSlaa's fantasy buzz to grow into more aggressive sleeper territory, instead of those in the know maybe getting him in the final round of your draft.
Chargers WR Tre Harris
The rookie had minimal action in this game. Harris's lone target did come in the end zone, but it was an uncatchable throw.
The Ole Miss product still projects to frequently be used in 3-wide sets and could overtake the erratic Quentin Johnston as a secondary target in LA's typically balanced offense.
More Hall of Fame Game fantasy player notes
Chargers
QB Trey Lance: It was nice to see Lance look confident under center. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards and threw for two touchdowns. The third-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has had a rough go in his NFL journey but remains an intriguing prospect should he regain a path to starting reps.
RB Kimani Vidal: The sophomore received nine carries for 37 yards with two touchdowns. While Vidal's stat line was good and he did look impressive, he benefitted from short-field opportunities. He'll find a tough time contributing significant fantasy reps unless Najee Harris' eye injury turns out to be significant, or Harris or Hampton sustains another long-term health issue.
WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith: Lambert-Smith looked like the second-best receiver in this game (behind TeSlaa), catching two balls for 43 yards and a touchdown. Put the Auburn alum on long-term watch lists, though he has a roundabout path to achieving consistent fantasy relevance anytime soon.
Lions
RB Craig Reynolds: Reynolds always runs tough whenever he gets the opportunity. The Hall of Fame Game was no different (10 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD). He'll continue his undraftable role as No. 3 in the Lions' backfield behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.