Tue Jul 16 10:16am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Godwin is moving to the slot
This is the second in a series of training camp previews. The previews give you a quick look at each team, going over position battles and injuries to watch in camp. The season is right around the corner.
Saints
The Saints were a bit of a surprise last year, winning their division. Expectations will be high for this team again, mainly because of the veteran players on the team. Their window might be closing sooner than later. There are not a ton of questions to be answered with this squad, but keeping their veterans healthy might be a big key to training camp. New Orleans gets camp started on July 16 at the University of California-Irvine in Irvine, Calif.
Position battle: Chris Olave is the clear No. 1 receiver for the Saints, but things aren’t quite as clear after him. Rashid Shaheed had his chances last year but wasn’t too consistent. He won’t be handed anything this year. A.T. Perry, Cedrick Wilson and Bub Means should be in the mix for the starter spot, opposite Olave. The job is Shaheed’s to lose, but don’t discount the other guys by any means.
Injury watch: Chris Olave is dealing with a shoulder injury he suffered in the weight room this offseason. The injury is considered pretty minor but still something to monitor. He is the top target in this offense and sporting a non-contact jersey for a lot of the offseason workouts. Olave might be brought along slowly in camp to make sure he is completely healthy for the start of the season.
Bucs
The Bucs were a playoff team last season and should have a similar competitive squad this season. Tampa has some good pieces on both sides of the ball. Much of the season might hinge on starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, who played his best football last season. He will need to continue to make strides if the Bucs hope to make another playoff run. Mayfield and his teammates open camp on July 23 at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla.
Position battle: The starting receivers are clear in Tampa, but the No. 3 is up in the air. There are three similar players looking to get that job. Trey Palmer, Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard are the top candidates to play alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. And with Godwin moving to the slot this year, the player winning that No. 3 job could have some big games in Tampa, getting some chances to stretch the field.
Injury watch: Chris Godwin was able to play a full season last year but injuries have been an issue in recent seasons. And the Bucs are moving him to the slot this year because they want to avoid him getting injured. So his health is something to watch this training camp, making sure he can remain upright and on the field. Godwin can be a fantasy difference maker when all is right with him.
Falcons
The Falcons have a lot of new this training camp, which should be the focus of camp. The new coaching staff will install a new offense for the new starting quarterback. How quickly can everyone get up to speed with the new system? This will be what fantasy owners should be watching during camp. The new offense should be a lot more exciting than last year, which should be a welcome sight for fantasy owners. All this new for the Falcons gets going on July 23 at the IBM Performance Field in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Position battle: We wouldn’t call this a position battle, but the Falcons used a first-round pick on quarterback Michael Penix, surprising everyone. He should sit behind Kirk Cousins this year but you have to wonder a little what would happen if Penix tore it up in camp and preseason action. It might put a little heat on Cousins. Penix could make things really interesting for Atlanta.
Injury watch: Kirk Cousins is returning from a torn Achilles’ tendon. This is a major injury to come back from, but he has made good progress. Expectations are he should be ready for the start of the year, but nothing is 100 percent certain. We should get a good idea of his health after watching him in camp and preseason action.
Panthers
The Panthers did a much better job this offseason of trying to surround second-year quarterback Bryce Young with more talent. Young had his struggles his rookie season, so something needed to be done to help him get it going. We will see if the Panthers did enough to help Young take some steps forward, starting in camp on July 19 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
Position battle: The Panthers upgraded at receiver this offseason, adding Diontae Johnson and rookie Xavier Legette to the mix. Adam Thielen is already on the roster, though, as is Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall. This is a suddenly crowded receiver room with a lot to be sorted. You will want to see how this all shakes out before drafting any Panthers receiver to your team.
Injury watch: Jonathan Brooks would have been a higher draft pick if not for a torn ACL, suffered late in his college career. There is a good chance he is not ready for the start of camp or the regular season. The Panthers are likely to bring along their future starting running back slowly, making sure he doesn’t have any setbacks. But once he is healthy, Brooks will be the three-down back for the Panthers, getting plenty of playing time in that role.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Atlanta Falcons rookie sixth-round wide receiver Casey Washington is already looking like a real value pick for the Falcons, as he's made some of the team's best catches in training camp and is in contention for Atlanta's fourth wide receiver role after the loss of Rondale Moore to a season-ending injury. Washington is competing with the likes of Chris Blair and KhaDarel Hodge for the No. 4 role behind Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III. The Falcons' offense is much more attractive to fantasy managers now that head coach Arthur Smith is gone and quarterback Kirk Cousins is leading the show. The 23-year-old had 49 catches for 670 yards and four touchdowns in his final season at Illinois last year. For now with just a depth role in Atlanta, Washington is one to watch in dynasty/keeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase took part in practice on Sunday despite not having secured a new long-term contract extension from the team. It is the first time that Chase has practiced with the team at training camp this summer. The 2024 regular season starts for Cincy two weeks from this Sunday -- on Sept. 8 against the New England Patriots -- so Chase is running out of time to get up to speed in the offense. It remains to be seen if Chase and the Bengals will be able to work something out on an extension before the regular season kicks off in early September, but either way, the 24-year-old should be viewed as a top-five fantasy pass-catcher with quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) back and fully healthy. Chase has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three years in the NFL and has gone over 1,000 yards receiving all three years.
From RotoBaller
ESPN New York's Jordan Raanan writes that New York Giants first-round rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers might be even better than advertised. Nabers has dominated throughout training camp and looks destined to be the team's No. 1 receiver to kick off the regular season. He dealt with an ankle sprain in camp, but he was back in less than a week after the injury and had four catches on six targets for 54 yards in one half of a preseason game against the Houston Texans. "Sky's the limit," fellow receiver Wan'Dale Robinson said. Raanan thinks a monster rookie season seems plausible given the way he's thrived this summer. The 21-year-old eighth overall pick has already shown chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones and could have immediate WR2 fantasy value in his first year in the NFL if both he and Jones can stay healthy.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans rookie sixth-round wide receiver Jha'Quan Jackson has become a strong candidate for a 53-man roster spot out of training camp, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. Jackson's explosive playmaking ability is helping him in an intense competition for a backup slot role, and his return potential on special teams hasn't helped his cause, either. Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins are the team's top two pass-catchers, with Tyler Body set to start out of the slot. If Jackson wins the backup slot role over Kyle Philips, he could become interesting in deeper fantasy leagues in 2024 if Boyd misses time with an injury. The 24-year-old from Tulane is undersized at 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, but he could factor in as a deep threat occasionally for a new-look Titans offense that is expected to air the ball out much more. For now, Jackson is merely a player to monitor in dynasty/keeper formats.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge performed well in the Seahawks' preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Eskridge finished with three receptions for 19 yards and returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown. Eskridge is buried on the wide receiver depth chart. His best chance at a roster spot may be as a returner. The former second-round pick has battled injuries and poor play throughout his career. However, his speed and skills as a returner may be an asset to the team.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks second-year running back Kenny McIntosh may have wrapped up the No. 3 running back spot on Saturday. McIntosh drew the start against the Cleveland Browns and finished with one reception for nine yards and one rushing attempt for 56 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks must have felt like they saw enough from McIntosh because they turned the reins over to undrafted rookie George Holani following McIntosh's touchdown run. McIntosh was a seventh-round pick in 2023. He spent most of the year on injured reserve. McIntosh has been highly efficient this preseason. He has recorded 142 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. He should provide the Seahawks with solid depth behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.
From RotoBaller
In his final dress rehearsal on Saturday, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba showed why he was a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Smith-Njigba finished with two receptions for 32 yards on the Seahawks' masterful opening drive against the Cleveland Browns. Smith-Njigba showed off his hands and body control on a contested catch up the right sideline for 25 yards. During his rookie season, Smith-Njigba recorded 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns. He is poised to take a second-year leap in this offense. What is most encouraging is that the Seahawks primarily deployed three wide receiver sets during their opening drive. This would allow Smith-Njigba to share the field with long-time stalwarts DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. With new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb coming over from the University of Washington and introducing more creativity, Smith-Njigba may be worth a shot at his current draft price of WR39.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants quarterback Tommy Devito could be released when rosters trim down on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. DeVito was sacked eight times during the Giants' preseason finale and completed just over 50 percent of his pass attempts, which is not a great result for someone fighting to keep their job. Rapoport notes that DeVito previously expressed confidence in being signed by another team if the Giants cut him, but that's not necessarily a given following Saturday's performance. Of course, New York will keep Daniel Jones and Drew Lock on their roster, so DeVito's stint in the Big Apple hangs in the balance. If the Giants opt to roster just two quarterbacks, DeVito will be looking for a new job.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith went 4/5 for 62 yards and a touchdown on the Seahawks' opening drive against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. The drive included highlight reel throws of 25 yards to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a 21-yard touchdown to DK Metcalf. After throwing an incomplete pass to Metcalf on the opening play, Smith went 4/4 over the next four plays to drive Seattle 62 yards for the touchdown. Fantasy managers can hope to see this type of efficiency and effectiveness when the regular season kicks off in a couple of weeks. If Smith plays like this, he will be a streaming option throughout the season. Additionally, this type of play would help support the pass catchers in Seattle.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf beat his defender one-on-one for a 21-yard touchdown reception on Saturday. Metcalf finished his only drive with the lone reception on two targets. The Seahawks' offense looked sharp, and quarterback Geno Smith was accurate and on time. The Seahawks' wide receivers were primarily deployed in three wide receiver sets. This should present a chance for more creativity and create space for Metcalf in the passing game. Metcalf is a redzone and endzone machine. Fantasy managers can draft Metcalf confidently knowing that he will be a featured part of this offense.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars released wide receiver Denzel Mims on Sunday morning, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Mims has bounced around several NFL teams throughout his young career. Originally a Jets second-round pick, the Baylor product has also been rostered by the Lions, Steelers, and Jaguars. However, he hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2022 with New York. He played in 10 games that year, catching just 11 passes for 186 yards. He's still searching for his first NFL touchdown.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers backup quarterback Easton Stick has very little job security as the preseason wraps up, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. While Popper projects that Stick will make the team's initial 53-man roster, he notes that the Chargers could look to upgrade the backup quarterback role by signing someone who is cut by another team when rosters trim down on Tuesday. Los Angeles previously signed Luis Perez to compete with Stick, and while Perez likely didn't do enough to win a roster spot, all signs point to the Chargers seeking an upgrade over Stick. Of course, this news has minimal fantasy football implications as Justin Herbert is the Chargers' starting quarterback and has an incredibly firm hold on his job. He ranks as a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback heading into the 2024 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones has been given permission to seek a trade, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Jones, a team captain, is heading into a contract year, and the two sides have not made significant progress on an extension. As a result, Jones gets to explore his options on the trade market. The 24-year-old made a significant impact on defense last year, registering 145 tackles and 4.5 sacks over 15 games. If traded, he would represent a major addition to an NFL roster with less than two weeks until the regular season gets underway.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson is expected to have a significant role in the receiving game, especially with Lawrence Cager (groin) missing extended time, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Johnson, a rookie, is in line to open the year as New York's top pass-catching tight end after Darren Waller retired during the offseason. The Penn State product caught 34 passes for 341 yards and seven touchdowns in his final collegiate season last year. He ranks as a low-end TE2 in most redraft leagues ahead of the 2024 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Daniel Popper of The Athletic projects that Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal will make the roster and be listed third on the depth chart behind Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. The competition for the third running back slot appeared to be wide open heading into the Chargers' final preseason game, with Vidal, Jaret Patterson, and Isaiah Spiller all competing for the role. Vidal didn't play in the preseason finale, which could suggest that he's already locked up a roster spot. The rookie led the team in rushing yards during Week 2 of the preseason, and he also caught two passes. Even if Vidal is confirmed as the Chargers' No. 3 running back, he should be avoided in fantasy football given his depth role behind Edwards and Dobbins.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Boston Scott rushed 11 times for 34 yards in the team's final preseason game against the Houston Texans on Saturday. He was targeted once in the passing game but did not record a catch. Scott wasn't very efficient on his touches as he closed out his preseason. He is competing with Zach Evans for a backup role behind Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum. There wasn't much to see here as the Rams struggled to move the ball on offense as they went deep into their depth chart in the last preseason tuneup. Although Evans scored twice, neither Scott nor Evans really separated themselves in the preseason.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Zach Evans led the team's backfield with 14 carries for 45 yards and two rushing touchdowns in Saturday's preseason finale against the Houston Texans. Evans scored on runs of 4 and 3 yards. It wasn't an extremely efficient game for Evans, but he was able to find the end zone twice and out-rushed his competition in Boston Scott (11 carries for 34 yards). Evans and Scott are competing for a backup role behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins made his lone field goal attempt in a 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in preseason action on Saturday. Hopkins made his preseason debut in the game, booting a 37-yarder before calling it a night and letting Lucas Havrisik take over kicking duties. Hopkins was dealing with an undisclosed injury earlier in training camp, so his availability on Saturday is a good sign that he will be ready for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran kicker was productive for the Browns last season, hitting 33 of his 36 field goals and adding 24 extra points but he's probably not worth considering as a top-12 fantasy kicker for the upcoming season.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Michael Woods II had a big night in his team's 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in preseason action on Saturday. Woods caught five of his nine targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. The veteran wideout did his damage in the second half, catching both of his touchdowns from Tyler Huntley after halftime as he made a final push for a roster spot on Saturday. Woods wound up catching seven passes for 75 yards and two scores in preseason action for the Browns this year. If he doesn't make the Browns' final roster he could be a candidate to be added to the team's practice squad.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jamari Thrash turned in a big performance in his team's 37-33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in preseason action on Saturday. Thrash caught four of his six targets for 73 yards and a touchdown in the preseason finale. The rookie wideout's touchdown catch came on a 46-yard bomb from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the second quarter. Thrash, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft, wraps up his first preseason with 10 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown. While he will open the season buried on the team's depth chart, Thrash could see some meaningful snaps for the Browns this season if there are injuries in front of him. He's worth a stash on taxi squads in deep dynasty leagues.
From RotoBaller