And So It Begins...

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (leg) is "very close" to practicing, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reports at Thursday's training camp. Jeudy is going through individual drills at Thursday's session, with the hope being that he'll be able to resume all activities and overcome a leg injury in the very near future. The 25-year-old former first-round pick out of Alabama is trying to revive his career in 2024 with star quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Browns, after posting 8.7 PPR fantasy points per game over 16 contests with the Denver Broncos in 2023. Although Jeudy begins the year as Cleveland's No. 3 target behind star wideout Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku, he could eventually become one of Watson's preferred deep threats and can be drafted in the later rounds as a post-hype sleeper WR4/5 choice this summer.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $88 million guaranteed to remain with the organization long-term. The former No. 13 overall pick out of Iowa was the team's first NFL Draft selection after adding quarterback Tom Brady ahead of the 2020 campaign, and he proved to be a significant factor in the run to Super Bowl LV. Overall, the 25-year-old has earned three Pro Bowl nods and has been named to two All-Pro teams. He will now become the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL based on total contract value.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers was an undrafted free-agent signing out of San Diego State last offseason, and according to Nick Wojton of the Bills Wire, he could be trending toward making the team's 53-man roster this season. "With a need for wide receivers, it was always likely that the "training camp darling" in 2024 was going to be a receiver. It is and it's Shavers," Wojton wrote. "[He] has made plays, leading to him getting reps with the first-team offense. He could be securing a roster spot already and Shavers is a name to watch when the preseason rolls around." The 24-year-old began his collegiate career at Alabama, meaning he was once viewed as a top talent and high-school recruit. While the odds are likely against him to make a fantasy impact in 2024, the Bills have just one receiver on the roster who has caught a pass from Josh Allen in a regular-season game (Khalil Shakir). If Shavers makes the opening roster, he can be viewed as a deep dynasty league stash, and his opportunities should be monitored early in the new campaign.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds signed a two-year, $9 million contract to join the organization this offseason, and given the lack of high-end receiving weapons on the roster, he should play a significant role in 2024. The former Los Angeles Ram, Tennessee Titan, and Detroit Lion has impressed so far during his first training camp with the team. "Look the guy that jumped out was Josh Reynolds." head coach Sean Payton said "He had three or four catches that were something else." Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright projects Reynolds to start alongside Courland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. in three wide receiver sets, but his upside could be limited catching passing from veteran Jarrett Stidham or rookie Bo Nix. Reynolds has never eclipsed the 650-yard mark despite playing in great offenses in L.A. and Detroit, so he should be viewed as nothing more than a late-round flier in deeper fantasy football setups.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain has played in just eight games since entering the NFL in 2018 as a fifth-round pick out of North Iowa. He has just two receptions for 23 yards on his resume. However, the 28-year-old got first-team reps last week while third-year wideout Jameson Williams was out of action, and he made the most of his opportunities. "Fountain was one of the standouts of June's minicamp and the lanky wideout has kept the momentum into July," Jeff Risdon of the Lions Wire wrote. "When Jameson Williams wasn't practicing on Friday, Fountain stepped into some of Jamo's first-team reps and played well. His blocking and attention to detail on his routes both received audible praise from WR coach Antwan Randle El." Risdon noted that Fountain didn't have a great day on the first day of pads, but this is still noteworthy considering Fountain is largely unknown. While it would be a surprise if he's on the fantasy football radar in 2024, the team is thin at wide receiver behind superstar Amon-Ra St. Brown and the unproven Williams. He's not worth drafting in leagues of all shapes and sizes right now, but he is worth monitoring as training camp progresses.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has hit the ground running since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Doak Walker Award winner has racked up 1,955 yards rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in his first 30 pro contents. Heading into Year 3, he has reportedly impressed the new Seattle staff in training camp. "Kenneth Walker III was the star of Monday's practice, the first one in full pads, and it reflected the sort of spring and summer he's had," NFL Insider Albert Breer wrote. "To the new staff, he looks like the kind of back you can play on all three downs, and build a running game around. And Zach Charbonnet gives the team some depth behind him." Walker has been a productive fantasy running back, but if he can command a higher opportunity share ahead of Charbonnet, he could enter the next tier. It's tough to know what to expect from the Seahawks' offense in 2024, but it sounds like Walker will remain the clear RB1, and his speed and explosiveness give him the ability to produce spike weeks.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu has seen more reps this summer than in years past, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Lewis said he remains the third back on the depth chart behind Ty Chander, but this development is still noteworthy considering Nwangwu has just 27 career carries across 37 games. The speedster has been primarily used as a special teamer early in his career, but he could now have a path toward touches if the injury bug hits the Minnesota running back room. For now, he can be ignored in traditional fantasy setups, but there are deep leagues where almost all backup and third-string running backs are rostered. He should be on the fantasy radar in those formats as a deep handcuff stash. His 4.37 speed could give him a chance to produce spike weeks if he's given any opportunities in the backfield during the regular season.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith (hip, knee) did not practice Wednesday, July 31, to rest some soreness in his hip and knee.

From TheHuddle

Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott threw nine touchdown passes during 7-on-7 and team drills at practice Wednesday, July 31, and he has yet to throw an interception through two padded sessions.

Fantasy Spin: While there has been plenty of talk about whether Prescott is worthy of a big contract extension, there is no denying his ability to put up quality numbers. He should be a reliable QB1 again this season.

From TheHuddle

Dynasty | The Dolphins have signed wide receiver Willie Snead. Dynasty Analysis: If you thought Snead had already retired or left the league, you're not alone. Remembered fondly for a nice little stint in New Orleans, Snead bounced around a bunch of practice squads before playing the last two years in San Francisco. He'll provide some depth for Miami should he make the team but this roster is loaded and it would take some kind of miracle for Snead to be relevant in a dynasty league any time soon. It's a fun story to follow but little else.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

The trio of Los Angeles Chargers Receivers Ladd McConkey, Joshua Palmer, and DJ Chark have emerged to become the main receivers working in 11 personnel for the team through six training camp practices. McConkey has "flashed" in the slot for the Chargers, stringing together multiple quality outings so far in camp. Palmer looks to be the top receiver for the Chargers after ascending to the top of the depth chart following the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The fantasy buzz hasn't been the greatest at times for the Los Angeles Chargers, as they are expected to run the ball more with the addition of head coach Jim Harbaugh and former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman. However, McConkey and Palmer are the two Chargers' receivers with the highest fantasy draft capital, going off in drafts in the middle rounds. With Justin Herbert throwing the ball, both McConkey and Palmer are WR3 candidates with upside.

From RotoBaller

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton had some praise for rookie quarterback Bo Nix after Wednesday's practice, saying he played "overall, pretty well" and that Payton "liked his progress." Nix ran with the first-team offense and it's a great sign early in camp, but there is plenty of work to be done by Nix. When Nix takes his first regular-season snap, he will be 24 years old, but Nix has a solid cast of weapons and an experienced head coach in Payton. Despite being in a competitive AFC West, the Broncos are live to be a playoff contender, especially if Nix can keep ascending. Nix's fantasy upside is capped as a streaming QB2 off of waivers when he earns a starting nod in 2024, but with a cast of weapons like Courtland Sutton, Javonte Williams, and others, Nix's cupboard isn't barren.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) worked off to the side in Wednesday's practice and was spotted running, indicating further progress on his injured foot. With a quick return to jogging and running, it's a good sign that Johnson's foot injury is progressing well. While Johnson's Week 1 status is still up in the air, it's something to keep monitoring. The 27-year-old Johnson has been a solid contributor for the Saints, with 37 receptions, 368 yards, and four touchdowns in 13 games. If Johnson is unable to begin Week 1 as the starting tight end for the Saints, those opportunities likely fall into the lap of veteran Foster Moreau and jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill. A healthy Johnson is more of a TE2 than a starting tight end in fantasy, but Johnson has been known to hit on a spike week or two as a touchdown-dependent streaming option during bye weeks.

From RotoBaller

After leaving practice on Tuesday following a training camp scare where New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hip) landed on his hip, Olave returned to practice on Wednesday. Hopefully, this is more of a minor bump than anything that will linger throughout camp, but it's excellent news that the 24-year-old Olave returned to the field just 24 hours later. The bulk of the passing game targets should go directly to Olave in 2024, as Olave and Alvin Kamara are the only two members of the Saints' roster who have earned 75 or more targets in a season. For fantasy purposes, Olave is a low-end WR1 with big-time upside at wide receiver in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (quadriceps) won't play in Thursday's Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears in Canton, OH. That said, Mixon has been making steady progress in his recovery from a minor quad injury that knocked him out of practices early in training camp. After being ruled out of the opening preseason contest, Mixon should be on track soon to resume activities in his first season with the Texans. Mixon will assume the lion's share of the workload at running back for Houston with an average of 253 rushing attempts in his last three seasons as a Cincinnati Bengal. The 28-year-old Mixon is settling in as an upside RB2 thanks to his volume projection, and with the leap the Texans' offense should get in 2024, there will be plenty of touchdowns and available work for Mixon to capitalize on this season as an every-down workhorse back.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (undisclosed) was seen wearing a red shirt on Tuesday, which seems to indicate that he's unlikely to suit up for Thursday's Hall of Fame game when the Texans square off against the Chicago Bears in Canton, OH. With Brown wearing a red shirt, which indicates non-contact, it likely gives more work to some of the depth receivers on the Texans' roster, including Xavier Hutchinson, Ben Skowronek, John Metchie, and Robert Woods. Brown has been dealing with a labrum injury suffered in the Texans' playoff game against the Browns in January. The 28-year-old Brown signed a one-year deal in the offseason to remain with the Texans and is competing for touches and time on the field after the team added Stefon Diggs to Nico Collins and Tank Dell.

From RotoBaller

The Houston Texans are expected to sit their starting units in Thursday's Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears in Canton, Ohio. That will certainly include second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, as the Texans are set to start backup quarterback Davis Mills. Replaced as the starter by last season's first-round pick Stroud, Mills figures to get most of the snaps under center for the Texans on Thursday. Stroud's hype train in his second season keeps on chugging, as the Texans added Stefon Diggs to an already capable receiving unit featuring Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz. While the rushing part of the equation may not be there for Stroud, his prolific work as a passer vaults him into the top grouping of quarterbacks on draft day for fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent SE Shaka Toney (Commanders), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (Colts) and LB Justin Hollins (Chargers) are scheduled to work out for the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Aug. 1.

From TheHuddle

Free-agent DE Carl Lawson (Jets) is among the players scheduled to work out for the Dallas Cowboys Thursday, Aug. 1, according to a source.

From TheHuddle

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones has earned significant praise from offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for his versatility in the passing game, effectiveness in goal-line situations, and strong football IQ. The Vikings plan to leverage Jones in multiple roles across their offense, making him a valuable and versatile asset in today's NFL. Jones showcased his elite talents during last year's Wild Card game against the Cowboys, where he shined on national TV with 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns, leading Green Bay to a 48-32 victory. Despite his on-field success, Jones's health has been a concern; he missed six games last season and had to leave others early due to injuries. As Jones nears his 30th birthdaya significant age for NFL running backshis recent injury history adds some risk. Although the fifth round might be too early for an injury-prone player like Jones, he could be a solid RB2 if available in the sixth or seventh round in upcoming fantasy drafts. Fantasy managers should look to add a reliable RB3 on their roster to cover for the inevitable missed games from Jones.

From RotoBaller