A lot has happened since the start of NFL training camps nearly a month ago. From veteran quarterbacks with new teams to standout rookies and nagging injuries, each day brings new actionable information to the fantasy football fray.
With the final preseason games on tap later this week and plenty of fantasy drafts still on the horizon, we wanted to check back in with an update from every team. We asked our beat writers the following question: What has been the most impactful fantasy development of training camp for your team?
• Fantasy football draft kit: Rankings, sleepers, mock drafts, projections and more
• Fantasy football rankings: Updated ranks and tiers
Without Kyler Murray, it’s hard to know what to expect in the desert. The fifth-year quarterback remains on the PUP list, recovering from ACL surgery. His return remains TBD. In his absence, Arizona would be smart to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible, which means a heavy dose of Conner. In his seventh season, Conner has proved he can produce at a high level. In 2018, he rushed for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Steelers. In 2021, he rushed for 752 yards and 15 scores with the Cardinals. If he can stay healthy, he should put up numbers again. — Doug Haller
On the only series of NFL football Robinson has played (against the Bengals in the second preseason game), the rookie running back got one-third of the touches (four carries and one catch on a 15-play drive). His usage won’t be that high during the regular season, but it might not be far off. Five running backs have been taken in the top 10 in the last 10 years, and four of them topped 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie, according to TruMedia. The fifth was Christian McCaffrey, who, like Robinson, is an equally big threat in the passing game. — Josh Kendall
There seems to be a belief in the fantasy community that Andrews’ numbers could drop significantly after the Ravens added receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and rookie first-round pick Zay Flowers — in addition to welcoming back a healthier Rashod Bateman. Without a doubt, the Ravens have more pass-catching talent than they’ve had since Lamar Jackson became the starting quarterback in the second half of 2018. Still, if training camp practices are any indication, Andrews will remain Jackson’s go-to target. Jackson loves throwing the ball between the numbers to his big and athletic tight end, and they’ve built a strong chemistry. That’s just not going to go away. — Jeff Zrebiec
The Bills had high hopes for Cook coming out of the back half of his rookie season, and as a result, they didn’t make a substantial move in free agency or the draft at running back. It has paid off so far in camp. Cook has established himself as their top back, looking explosive carrying the ball and as a pass catcher. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey even used the term “three-down back” regarding Cook’s potential. He looks primed to have a substantial role in 2023 and could be more impactful as a pass catcher in Buffalo than Devin Singletary ever was. — Joe Buscaglia
While Bryce Young was learning the offense during OTAs and minicamp, the rookie didn’t air the ball out too often. But Young and Chark have connected down the field a lot during training camp. Chark’s size-speed combo convinced the Jaguars to draft him in the second round in 2018. But with the exception of a Pro Bowl season in 2019, Chark has been plagued by injuries. The Panthers are confident offseason surgery corrected a foot issue that has bothered Chark the past two years. He stayed healthy during training camp and emerged as a deep threat on a team lacking a true No. 1 receiver. — Joe Person
Chicago Bears: Don’t be afraid to have high expectations for DJ Moore
The Bears had the 32nd-ranked passing offense last season, and while it’s not going to be a top-10 unit in 2023, Moore should be incredibly productive. Justin Fields established a rapport with Moore from the start. He has been Fields’ top target by a wide margin. Moore has already shown he can put up numbers on a below-average passing offense. Don’t let last year, or any lingering concerns about Fields, dissuade you from taking Moore early in your fantasy draft. — Kevin Fishbain
The Bengals pass as much as any team in football, and as Perine proved last year, his spot can be valuable in this offense. Evans enjoyed a fantastic camp and made a compelling case for himself to be the passing-down back when the season starts. He has great hands and can be a real weapon for Joe Burrow out of the backfield, but solidifying his pass protection and downhill running is what won him the gig. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Njoku has had a phenomenal camp; he gets open every day, and a lot of passes go his way. But the Browns are dealing with the loss of speedy veteran Marquise Goodwin, who’s dealing with blood clots. Goodwin was only going to be a part-time player, but his indefinite absence makes Moore the team’s best deep-ball option and accelerated the Browns’ plans to move Njoku out of a traditional tight-end role and into more of a flexible, matchup-based option. Expect both Moore and Njoku to get a bunch of quick, safe targets the team hopes can turn into occasional big catch-and-run plays. — Zac Jackson
None of the known fantasy impact players for the Cowboys have seen much change to their stock this summer, but two noticeable players have been rookie running back Deuce Vaughn and Ferguson, a second-year tight end. Given Tony Pollard is still the lead back and Vaughn requires a little more time to see what he does against top NFL competition, Ferguson’s stock has taken a more notable upturn. The 24-year-old will be assuming the No. 1 tight-end duties following the departure of Dalton Schultz, one of Dak Prescott’s favorite targets. Ferguson showed something in a limited capacity last year and has built on it through camp. Given what the tight end position means to quarterbacks, if he continues to earn Prescott’s trust, he can be a high-volume piece of a stacked offensive skill group. — Saad Yousuf
Denver Broncos: Greg Dulcich will be used creatively in Sean Payton’s offense
Dulcich finished second among rookie tight ends last season with 411 receiving yards — and that was while missing seven games due to hamstring injuries. Dulcich has been healthy throughout the offseason and the 6-foot-3, 245-pounder has been an active target in training camp, stretching the defense in all parts of the field. Payton has said Dulcich is a player the team can use in a “Joker” role that will help him find matchups to exploit. The Broncos acquired veteran tight end Adam Trautman in a draft-day trade, and he brings experience with Payton’s offense. But Dulcich will remain the top tight-end target, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up as the team’s third-leading receiver behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. — Nick Kosmider
When the Lions drafted LaPorta with the 34th pick, the second tight end selected in a tight-end-rich class, you knew they had plans to use him early and often. After T.J. Hockenson was traded, the Lions opted for more of a committee approach, but it wasn’t necessarily reflective of how they wanted to use their tight ends. They just didn’t have their guy. This is where LaPorta comes in. He has been with the first-team offense since the start of the training camp, and he has shown the ability to make catches in traffic, provide yards after the catch and find ways to get open. LaPorta might already be Goff’s second-favorite target behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. — Colton Pouncy
The rookie second-round pick from Oregon State has dazzled throughout camp despite sporadic drops, showcasing a combination of size, speed and pass-catching prowess that has the Packers running him on jet sweeps, go routes and everything in between. The Packers haven’t had a tight end this dynamic since prime Jermichael Finley, and Musgrave is already locked into Green Bay’s No. 1 role. At 6-foot-6, 253 pounds, and with the speed of a wide receiver, Musgrave will be a matchup problem for defenses and one of Jordan Love’s favorite targets. — Matt Schneidman
Stroud had a forgettable preseason debut, but coach DeMeco Ryans insisted there’s no panic within the organization. Stroud did, however, need to show growth in Week 2 and he did just that, rebounding from a rough opening series to complete his next five pass attempts to four different receivers. Stroud’s best play came off play-action where he faked the handoff, rolled out and made a perfect throw on the run to Noah Brown for a first down. Stroud recognized the fact that his first read was covered and then worked through his progression to find Brown on a display of great accuracy and touch. Stroud is certain to face some down moments as a rookie quarterback in the NFL, but that kind of improvement and growth is what the Texans need to see from their prized rookie. — Mike Jones
The Colts’ top wide receivers are Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, who use their big bodies to capitalize on downfield throws and contested catches. But Downs, the undersized-yet-shifty rookie out of North Carolina, brings a different feel to Indy’s receiver corps that has allowed him to become a volume target throughout training camp and the preseason. Paired with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, Downs’ fantasy owners can expect a lot of chain-moving throws in his direction. — James Boyd
Jacksonville Jaguars: Calvin Ridley has stood out among the receivers
Ridley looks really explosive and has another gear compared to the Jaguars’ other talented receivers. Although it’s reasonable to expect some type of adjustment to regular-season game speed — he hasn’t played in nearly two years and is learning a new offense — Ridley has integrated himself nicely with Trevor Lawrence. He could return to being a true No. 1 receiver this season. — Jeff Howe
A six-year veteran, James was one of the Chiefs’ most impressive players during training camp. Kansas City, of course, will pass the ball plenty, and James appears to be a reliable option for Mahomes. James has the talent to be an effective slot receiver alongside Skyy Moore. Another area where James could provide a fantasy boost is on special teams, where the Chiefs are known for their aggressiveness. James is the team’s top punt returner. — Nate Taylor
Last year, Jacobs led the Raiders with 393 touches; the next closest running back was Ameer Abdullah with 29. Jacobs still hasn’t signed his franchise tag and hasn’t participated in any team activities this offseason, which has opened the door for Las Vegas’ other running backs to show what they’re capable of. Zamir White, whom the Raiders drafted in the fourth round last year, has taken the bulk of the carries in practices. He’s a bigger back, but Jacobs is significantly faster, more elusive and a better blocker. He also has better vision and more receiving ability. Unless Jacobs’ holdout continues into the regular season, it looks like the Raiders will need to lean on him as their bell-cow running back once again. — Tashan Reed
GO DEEPER
Zamir White makes strides as Raiders continue training camp prep without Josh Jacobs
The Chargers drafted Johnston in the first round in April. But through training camp, Palmer has been earning more first-team reps in three-receiver packages alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Johnston is still in the very early stages of his development and has struggled with drops. His role early in the season will be geared toward specific concepts that allow him to play fast. Palmer, meanwhile, has the full trust of quarterback Justin Herbert and the coaching staff. He has been a regular playmaker in training camp. If fantasy managers are looking for a third Chargers receiver after Allen and Williams, Palmer is the safer bet over Johnston — at least early on. — Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams had an outstanding camp. Will it translate to the regular season?
Yes, the Rams want to see that lead-back production is possible from Cam Akers. To start, they’ll probably feature both Akers and Williams, and the rep share will be situational depending on the defense they’re facing. But where Williams could have a bigger impact is in the passing game, where he truly excelled throughout training camp. Quarterback Matthew Stafford especially seemed to get comfortable when targeting Williams as a receiver. The Rams haven’t had this kind of run/pass versatility in their running back room in many years. — Jourdan Rodrigue
Miami Dolphins: The threat of a veteran RB addition has passed
Dalvin Cook is a Jet. Ezekiel Elliott is a Patriot. So, barring an unlikely trade (hello, Jonathan Taylor?), it is now OK, even advisable, to invest in the likes of Jeff Wilson, Raheem Mostert and rookie De’Von Achane. While it remains impossible to know which of the threesome will emerge as the most valuable Dolphins back in 2023 — my guess is Wilson, who averaged 4.7 yards per carry after his trade to Miami last season — their price points make the gamble on each of them worthwhile. Particularly for Wilson and Mostert, who are both being drafted outside of the top 150 according to Sleeper ADP. The Dolphins are determined to become a more efficient running team, which means the opportunities should be there on what is widely expected to be an explosive offense. — Jim Ayello
Even before the Vikings parted ways with longtime running back Dalvin Cook, coaches expressed regret for not giving Mattison more touches in 2022. The team believes in him and it believes he is a key cog in their attempt at improved rushing efficiency. Mattison might not provide the explosive element that Cook possesses, but the Vikings are committed to providing him an every-down workload. During training camp, he has caught passes out of the backfield in multiple concepts. Simply put, do not underestimate the Vikings’ commitment to Mattison. — Alec Lewis
The Patriots’ most pleasant training camp surprise has been Douglas, an undersized sixth-round pick out of Liberty who has quickly made a strong impression. He’s getting more snaps with starters in recent practices than 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton and has a chance to take playing time away from veteran Kendrick Bourne, too. Douglas might be more valuable for dynasty owners looking for a long-term stash, but if he keeps progressing, he could end the season as New England’s No. 3 wideout. — Chad Graff
Jamaal Williams will be RB1 for New Orleans during the first three weeks of the season with Alvin Kamara serving a suspension. But Miller made his case in the Saints’ preseason win over the Chargers on Sunday to be involved in the offense in Kamara’s absence. Miller, a 2023 third-round pick in his first extended action, picked up 59 yards on 12 touches, including a 7-yard TD run and a 27-yard reception on a wheel route. Miller has dealt with a knee issue off and on since the end of last season at TCU. He looked healthy against Los Angeles, though, in multiple facets. The Saints recently signed veteran Darrel Williams, but Miller could still become a piece the Saints use early in the season. — Larry Holder
While there were questions about Hyatt’s route-tree abilities after he was drafted, the rookie receiver is becoming quite comfortable in the Giants’ offense. He has shown speed, made a few long touchdown receptions in practice and picked up his first NFL touchdown in the preseason win over the Panthers. The Giants have a deep receiving room heading into the season but there’s an opportunity for Hyatt to find success, especially with his speed. Hyatt may not be the go-to guy, but he’s a good name to keep in mind when thinking beyond the first-round rookies. — Charlotte Carroll
New York Jets: Mecole Hardman might play a bigger role than expected
The speedy wide receiver battled some injuries with the Chiefs. He was off to a fast start last year before missing time. He and Aaron Rodgers have quickly built chemistry in training camp, and Hardman has been a frequent target on Rodgers’ quick passes shortly after the snap. Hardman is perfect for those plays because of his speed and after-the-catch ability, and the Jets should be able to find creative ways to use him in this offense. Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard are locked in as the two top receivers, but Hardman is going to have a role in an offense that expects to score a lot — and his big-play ability means he should have some productive weeks if he can stay healthy. — Zack Rosenblatt
The backfield remains a guessing game with D’Andre Swift the most likely running back to grab hold of the reins. The former Lion is, in theory, a salve for an offense that was great at pretty much everything in 2022 except for passing the ball to running backs. Swift’s explosiveness has been evident, but Kenny Gainwell and Rashaad Penny are also in the mix. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both look good, but they’re being drafted as such. Goedert, though, is as integral a part of the passing game as the other top two targets but remains mired around TE7 in most drafts. Health questions persist, but he has been dominant throughout the summer and looks like a lock to outperform that draft status. — Bo Wulf
Pittsburgh Steelers: George Pickens is being George Pickens
You have seen the viral videos of Pickens in training camp making one-hand catches down the field. ESPN analyst (and former Steeler) Ryan Clark made news when he said Pickens was more athletic than Justin Jefferson. With Pickens potentially taking the second-year jump that receivers usually take and quarterback Kenny Pickett already firing all cylinders, Pickens could be a WR1 on many fantasy teams. What you might not know about Pickens is that his route tree has expanded significantly from last year. Sure, he is still going to be theatrical, but his ability to go across the middle is going to bump his targets and catches up from his rookie year. — Mark Kaboly
GO DEEPER
Which 2022 NFL draft picks are primed for breakout seasons in 2023?
A third-round pick a year ago, Davis-Price put on 14 pounds in the offseason and is now around 228, his weight at LSU. You’d never know he’s that much heavier. He’s quick and explosive and is a far better pass catcher than he was a year ago. The problem, from a fantasy perspective, is that he’s below Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell in the 49ers’ tailback pecking order, and it’s not even clear whether he’d be tapped before Jordan Mason, an undrafted rookie in 2022. Still, Davis-Price is an excellent runner. Pick him up at the end of your fantasy draft, and he could make you look like a genius. — Matt Barrows
Metcalf accounted for 25.5 percent of Seattle’s targets last season, and based on how often Geno Smith is looking the fifth-year wideout’s way in practice, that number may be even higher in 2023. Metcalf began his career as mostly an outside receiver but has evolved into a guy who can stress defenses from the slot as well. The Smith-to-Metcalf connection wasn’t very efficient last season, but that should change this year as well. — Michael-Shawn Dugar
The expectation in Bucs camp is that the veteran receiver could have more production with Baker Mayfield throwing to him than he did with Tom Brady. This seems counterintuitive on the surface, but the logic goes like this: Brady never forced a pass to any wide receiver, throwing only to where his reads led him. Mayfield is more likely to turn to the 6-foot-5, QB-friendly Evans, especially when his options are limited. Both Mayfield and backup Kyle Trask have expressed confidence in Evans. New offensive coordinator Dave Canales also may draw up more plays for the big wide receiver, especially in the red zone. — Dan Pompei
GO DEEPER
'He’s the heart of the Bucs': Mike Evans a constant amid changes in Tampa Bay
The Titans have finally found a dynamic complement to Derrick Henry — and perhaps his 2024 replacement as primary back — in the third-round pick out of Tulane. His 33-yard touchdown sprint Saturday, hurdling a safety in the process, gave a glimpse of what Spears has been showing consistently on the practice field. He will start the season as the third-down back, but he may also warrant some carries and pop up in some creative looks in tandem with Henry. Spears is at least a worthwhile handcuff because he will get most of the work if Henry gets hurt. — Joe Rexrode
With Howell having completed just 11 NFL passes, some fantasy owners are wondering if McLaurin can extend his streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons to four. It’s a fair worry, but don’t fret based on the connection these two built this summer. McLaurin has experience making plays despite a rotating crew of passers. What Howell lacks in experience he makes up for with a strong arm, mobility and poise. The shaky O-line might let them all down, but Howell has enough to keep McLaurin at the fantasy WR1 level we’ve seen before. As for the sprained toe McLaurin suffered Monday night, the team is optimistic he’ll be ready for Week 1. Besides, McLaurin isn’t the type to be easily slowed down. — Ben Standig
(Top photos: Jamie Sabau, Jayne Kamin-Oncea and Tim Heitman / USA Today)
The Football 100, the definitive ranking of the NFL’s best 100 players of all time, goes on sale this fall. Pre-order it here.
0 Comments