Training Camp Preview: AFC East
Mon Jul 13 10:10am ET
By JEFF PAUR @jeffpaur
Sr Fantasy Writer
Jets
The Jets made progress last year, finishing 7-9 and will look to build on that this season, getting started in training camp. The team has some holdout concerns with safety Jamal Adams, which will be something to watch. Adams is a key part of the Jets defense and will need to be on board if the team hopes to reach their potential. The Jets training camp is at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham, New Jersey.
Position battle: The Jets have a lot of new options at receiver and it will be interesting to see how the depth chart shakes out during camp and preseason action. Breshad Perriman, rookie Denzel Mims, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Josh Malone area ll battling for playing time. The first three mentioned should be the top options for the Jets this year, but nothing is certain, especially when it comes to the receiver that garners the most targets. You’ll want to keep an eye on this position during camp to see if a player emerges as the go-to target for Sam Darnold.
Injury watch: Joe Flacco continues to recover from neck surgery. He is not expected to be ready for Week 1. We’ll get a better idea of his status during camp, though. Flacco will be the top backup for the Jets when healthy but his injury could jeopardize his chances to make the roster.
Patriots
The Patriots should have a very interesting training camp because of the absence of Tom Brady. The big focus of camp should be the quarterback position, seeing who will emerge as the starter for New England. We’ll get to see that battle play out at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Position battle: For the first time in a long, long time, the Patriots have an opening at quarterback. Tom Brady is gone, leaving huge shoes to fill in New England. The Patriots signed Cam Newton late in the offseason, but he is not going to be handed the job. This is going to be an open completion with Newton, Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer looking to start for the Patriots this year. Newton has the experience and a leg up but nothing is ever certain with the Patriots. They will put the best quarterback out there that they think will win them games.
Injury watch: Cam Newton has battled injury the last few seasons, including a broken foot last season. He will need to show the Patriots he is healthy if he hopes to have any chance of winning the starting quarterback job. Newton has been disappointing in recent years when having all his injury issues. He is a former MVP, though, so the ability is clearly there when he is near full strength.
Dolphins
The Dolphins have a lot of new faces this season, getting plenty of players in the draft and offseason acquisitions. This should make training camp even that more important, trying to figure out starters while all getting on the same page. Miami trains at the Baptist Health Training Facility in Davie, Florida.
Position battle: The Dolphins used their first pick in the draft to take Tua Tagovailoa. Miami hopes he is the franchise quarterback for years to come. This doesn’t mean he will be starter from day one, though. He will need to win the job, competing with Ryan Fitzpatrick for the right to start. Fitzpatrick probably has a leg up to start but don’t discount Tagovailoa if he shows well and produces in preseason action.
Injury watch: Preston Williams was having a big rookie season before tearing his ACL. He is making a strong recovery and has a decent chance to be ready for Week 1. Williams will start and play a big role in the offense as long as he is healthy. He needs to show he is back to full strength before the Dolphins put him in the starting lineup, though.
Bills
The Bills made the playoffs last year and will look to take another step forward this season. Josh Allen might be the key to that for the team. Allen had a shaky showing in the playoffs, which is a concern. He will need to show better in the big game if the Bills hope to keep getting better. Allen and the rest of the team start training camp at One Bills Drive in Orchard Park, New York.
Position battle: Second-year back Devin Singletary should be the starter for the Bills this year but the team used a third-round pick on Zack Moss. Moss is a super talented back that could challenge Singletary for carries right away. This cloud the value of Singletary some for the coming year. You will want to keep an eye on Moss this training camp to see if he makes waves with his new team. If that happens, downgrade Singletary some in your rankings.
Injury watch: The Bills don’t really have any injuries of note from last season. One player to watch is Singletary. He missed four games his rookie season because of injury. He will need to show he is durable and able to be a three-down back if he hopes to be the franchise back for the Bills. This is a concern for Singletary and probably is the reason the team used a high-draft pick on Moss.