Wed Jul 2 11:05am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Bucs hope Godwin is ready
This is the first 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 had a disappointing season, finishing 5-12. New Orleans has a lot of new this year, including a new head coach and starting quarterback. This should be the focus of camp, seeing how Kellen Moore tries to get this thing turned around in New Orleans. He has a lot of work to do with the offense, which is supposed to be his specialty. Moore will have his work cut out for him with this unit. New Orleans gets camp started on July 22 at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, La.
Position battle: The Saints are looking for a new starting quarterback for the first time in several seasons. The team drafted Tyler Shough and he should get first shot to start. The Saints won’t throw him in there, though, if he isn’t ready. He will have to earn the job. Spencer Rattler is his biggest competition. He got some work his rookie season and was erratic. Rattler has some talent, though, so you can’t totally count him out. Shough seems likely to earn the job but nothing is 100 percent certain right now. This should be a good battle.
Injury watch: Taysom Hill is returning from a torn ACL, suffered in December. He has a long road back and is likely to miss the start of the season. We should get a better idea of his status during camp, though. Maybe he gets back sooner than later. When healthy, Hill is a big part of the Saints offense, doing a little bit of everything. And with the uncertainty at quarterback this year, Hill has a chance to play an even bigger role if he can come back healthy.
Bucs
The Bucs have high expectations for this season after making a run last year. The offense will be one of the best in football, adding even more weapons to the mix. The big thing to watch might be how to keep all the weapons offensively happy. There is only one ball to go around and the Bucs have a lot of talent looking to make plays. This might be the story of camp, seeing how Baker Mayfield tries to keep everyone happy. Mayfield and his teammates open camp on July 21 at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla.
Position battle: The Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka, giving the team another very talented receiver. He should get playing time right away but will have Jalen McMillan to compete with for that No. 3 receiver job. McMillan played really well in that role last year and likely isn’t going to go away easily. And Egbuka might not be as good of a fit for the slot as McMillan, which might hurt his chances for a ton of playing time. This will be one to watch. A lot of fantasy owners are dismissing McMillan after the team drafted Egbuka, but he could still play a role in this offense.
Injury watch: Chris Godwin suffered a terrible ankle injury last year, which required surgery. He was having maybe his best season to date before the injury. Godwin has a long road back but is making good progress and could be ready for the start of the season. The Bucs are hopeful for this to happen, but we should get a good idea after seeing him perform in camp. His stock could go up if he proves to be healthy and ready for the start of the season.
Falcons
The Falcons had some issues at quarterback last year but still were close to making the playoffs, going 8-9. The big thing to watch this camp will be the development of Michael Penix, who will be the starter from day one this season. Penix has a world of talent but can have some accuracy issues. He will need to improve that accuracy if the Falcons hope to improve on last year and make a run at the playoffs. Penix will get things going on July 23 at the IBM Performance Field in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Position battle: This really isn’t a position battle but you have to wonder how Kirk Cousins handles being the No. 2 quarterback in Atlanta. He has been a top starter for years but is now serving a backup role. Cousins could end up getting traded, especially if another team is worried about their quarterback play after the start of camp. This could be a situation to monitor because a move to a new team could mean another chance to start for Cousins.
Injury watch: The Falcons haven’t released a lot of info but Kyle Pitts is dealing with some sort of foot injury this offseason. He has missed offseason workouts and there is speculation he might be slow for some of training camp. Pitts is already trending the wrong way in fantasy circles, so this injury doesn’t help matters for him. You will want to see how he looks in camp before thinking about using a draft pick on him this year.
Panthers
The Panthers had another disappointing season last year but showed progress late in the year. Bryce Young took some big steps forward and showed he could be the franchise quarterback for years to come in Carolina. And the team did well to upgrade the talent around him this offseason, setting him up for more success. So much of the camp will focus on Young and the offense, seeing if they can continue to get better. Carolina starts camp on July 21 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
Position battle: The Panthers have some openings at receiver behind new No. 1 receiver Tet McMillan. He is the clear top target for the team but after him, it is a little up in the air. Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, Hunter Renfrow, David Moore and Jimmy Horn Jr. all have a chance to get playing time for the Panthers. None of them are sure things and should be given chances in camp and preseason action to help sort out the depth chart.
Injury watch: Jonathan Brooks tore his ACL in Week 14 last year, his second ACL tear. He has a really long road back and has already been ruled out for this coming season. Brooks could be the franchise back for the Panthers, but his injury history really clouds that from happening going forward. His progress from this latest ACL tear will be something to watch. Brooks still has a chance to be a productive NFL player but nothing is certain at this point.
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.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, "league sources expect the (Miami) Dolphins to release (wide receiver Tyreek) Hill (knee) before the start of the next league year in March 2026." Hill suffered a devastating knee injury in Week 4 and is expected to miss the remainder of 2025. He's reportedly working towards being ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season, but it appears he'll be suiting up outside of Miami to do so. The 31-year-old has recorded over 11,000 receiving yards and 90 total touchdowns across his 10-year NFL career to this point. It remains to be seen how effective he will be coming off a serious knee injury.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop has made all seven of his field goal attempts and 14 out of 15 extra-point tries through the first four games of his NFL career. The Ravens' overall point-scoring outlook will take a hit in Week 5, as Baltimore will be without quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, Baltimore faces a difficult matchup against the Houston Texans. Through four weeks, Houston opponents are averaging just 12.8 points per game. Loop does not profile as a strict avoid for fantasy managers in Week 5, but he's a low-end starting kicker option at best.
From RotoBaller
After recording just two catches over the first two weeks of the season, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has 13 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns across his last two games. Unfortunately for Andrews, he'll be catching passes from backup quarterback Cooper Rush instead of Lamar Jackson (hamstring), who will miss Week 5 with a hamstring injury. The Ravens also have a tough matchup against the Houston Texans, whose defense has allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards (790) and second-fewest number of passing touchdowns (three) in the NFL. Finally, there's the possibility that Andrews will lose playing time with Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely getting closer to full strength after missing the first three weeks of the season. In Likely's first game in the lineup in Week 4, Andrews played 56% of Baltimore's offensive snaps after playing at least 75% of the snaps in each of the first three weeks. Andrews should be avoided by fantasy managers in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely did not see a target in Week 4, his first game of 2025 after undergoing foot surgery in August. Likely is expected to split playing time this season with fellow Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, who has recorded 13 catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. On the bright side, Likely played just five fewer snaps (25) than Andrews (30) in the first game where they were both active. Still, Likely cannot be trusted by fantasy managers in a tough Week 5 matchup against the Houston Texans until he proves he is fully healthy and re-incorporated into the offense.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been limited to the lowest-usage role of his career so far in 2025, recording five catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets through four games. Hopkins has yet to play more than 35% of the offensive snaps in any of Baltimore's games. With Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) sidelined for Week 5, it will be tough to trust that backup QB Cooper Rush will be able to get Hopkins the downfield and end zone targets he needs to be effective. Additionally, the Ravens face one of the NFL's best pass defenses in the Houston Texans, who have allowed the second-fewest number of touchdown passes (three) in the league. Hopkins should be avoided by fantasy managers in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman had just one catch in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, bringing his season-long totals to 10 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets. Baltimore's passing game will be shorthanded in Week 5, as Cooper Rush will replace Lamar Jackson (hamstring) at quarterback in a tough matchup against the Houston Texans. Houston's defense has allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards (790) and second-fewest number of passing touchdowns (three) in the NFL. Bateman is typically reliant on downfield targets for production, which may be tough to come by with Rush under center. At best, Bateman profiles as a desperation deep-league flex option in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill had a monster game last week, but should be considered only a RB4/Flex option in deeper formats in Week 5 against the Houston Texans. Hill has appeared with outsized fantasy performances from time to time during his career, but has never had back-to-back top-10 finishes as a fantasy running back. With quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) out, the Ravens are set to lean on the Derrick Henry-led running attack, which could mean fewer targets for Hill, the primary driver of his fantasy value. Against a Houston defense that allows scoring drives at the lowest rate in the NFL, managers should tread cautiously with Hill before expecting a repeat of last week.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has been the team's most consistent option in the passing game so far this season, recording 23 receptions for 305 yards and a touchdown on 31 targets through four games. Unfortunately for Flowers, he'll be catching passes from backup quarterback Cooper Rush in Week 5 instead of Lamar Jackson (hamstring), who is out with a hamstring injury. The Ravens also face a difficult matchup in Week 5 against the Houston Texans, who have allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards in the NFL. Rush sports a career completion rate of 60.9%, so he could supply Flowers with a consistent volume of short-area targets. Flowers profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2/high-end WR3/flex option in Week 5 against Houston.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson has been a victim of the team's offensive struggles in 2025. While he has yet to miss a kick, McPherson has only four attempts through four games, ranking 28th among all kickers. The Bengals' offense has been one of the least efficient in the NFL, sitting 30th in points per game (15.3), last in total yards per game (205.3), and dead last in time of possession (25:32). Simply put, McPherson isn't getting opportunities. The Week 5 matchup doesn't offer much upside either, as the Detroit Lions have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to kickers this season. With backup Jake Browning leading the Bengals' offense, scoring chances are unlikely to improve. McPherson remains a reliable kicker in terms of accuracy, but the lack of volume makes him unplayable in fantasy. He should be left out of starting lineups in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki has taken a major step back after his bounce-back campaign in 2024. Through four games, Gesicki has just six receptions for 46 yards and has been on the field for only 44% of Cincinnati's snaps, trailing Drew Sample (53%) and sharing time with Noah Fant (37%). His highest usage came in Week 4 at 62%, but that was primarily due to Fant missing the game with a concussion. With Fant set to return in Week 5, Gesicki's role should shrink again. The matchup isn't favorable either, as the Bengals face the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the tenth-fewest receptions to tight ends this season. Add in the Bengals' offensive line's struggles, and the Bengals' passing game remains limited without Joe Burrow. Gesicki doesn't hold enough volume or upside to be trusted in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Even without MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring), Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry still should be considered an RB1 candidate when his team takes on the Houston Texans in Week 5. The veteran running back is coming off a low-volume dud last week during a blowout loss at Kansas City, but should be the focal point of the Baltimore offense on Sunday. Houston allows opponents to score at the lowest rate in the NFL, but is only middle of the pack against fantasy running backs. The Ravens will need Henry to be involved early and often, which should keep him locked into fantasy lineups.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets placekicker Nick Folk will look to continue his flawless kicking in Week 5 when his team squares off against the Dallas Cowboys at home. Folk is a perfect 14-for-14 this season (seven field goals), as he's now missed just three total kicks since the start of 2023. The veteran has been as reliable as anyone in 2025, but New York's low scoring volume has hindered him from becoming an elite fantasy option. With the Cowboys' offense pushing the pace of play and putting up the fifth-most points per game in the league (28.5), a productive week is in Folk's range of outcomes. However, the Jets' bottom-half offense and potential to bottom out make the 40-year-old a risky option for fantasy. He's RotoBaller's K22 ahead of Week 5.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Cooper Rush is a fringe QB2/Superflex option with his team taking on the Houston Texans in Week 5. The veteran is filling in for the injured Lamar Jackson (hamstring) for what has been a highly effective offense, but obviously is not a 1:1 replacement for Jackson's part in the running game. Additionally, Rush will have a tough matchup, as Houston's defense is leading the NFL in scoring percentage (19%) by a significant margin and has been particularly hard on fantasy quarterbacks, allowing the second fewest points. Baltimore's offense has enough talent to give Rush a chance on Sunday, but only fantasy managers in deeper, two-QB formats should be considering him as a lineup option.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football through the early part of the 2025 season. He's managed just 10 receptions for 136 yards and one touchdown on 20 targets, ranking 68th in target share (17.5%), 82nd in receiving yards, and 110th in receptions. Without Joe Burrow at quarterback, Higgins has struggled to command a consistent role in an offense that looks far less dynamic than it did in 2024. In Week 5, Higgins faces the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Detroit's defense has been steady, though they were exposed in Week 2 by Bears' WR Rome Odunze, who torched them for 100+ yards and two scores. Still, Higgins' involvement has been too shaky to trust. Given his lack of volume and inconsistent production, Higgins is a very risky play in Week 5.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Josh Reynolds won't be a recommended option this weekend when he lines up against the visiting Dallas Cowboys. When healthy, the veteran is New York's clear-cut WR2 behind running mate Garrett Wilson, playing the second-most snaps of all wideouts in both games he's started. However, Reynolds has accrued only five targets in his two appearances, pulling in two for a total of 18 yards, and none in their loss to the Dolphins in Week 4. There are targets to go around in the Jets' offense, but the emergence of rookie tight end Mason Taylor and running back Breece Hall's ability as a receiver have all but rendered the 30-year-old useless for fantasy. He'll likely pick up more work as he's further removed from his recent hamstring injury, and may eventually have a few useful weeks. That said, they could be few and far between, and exceedingly difficult to predict. Reynolds is RotoBaller's PPR WR102 for this weekend's slate of action.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck), still on injured reserve from a preseason injury, is still slated for a 2025 return, but likely not until after Tampa's Week 9 bye. The second-year receiver sustained the injury on a frightening play trying to catch a pass, but avoided worst-case scenarios and has a realistic change to come back this season. He finished as the 55th-ranked PPR receiver last year on the strength of eight touchdown catches. McMillan's return, however, is still on the shelf for at least another month as Tampa deals with injuries at several other key positions.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor hopes to continue building on his expanded role in Week 5 when his team hosts the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. After a slow first two weeks, in which he caught 2-of-3 targets, the rookie has burst onto the scene, hauling in nine receptions across the Jets' previous two outings. Taylor still has some work to do before fantasy managers can confidently roll him out on a weekly basis, but 13 targets in two weeks is encouraging, and it appears he'll be thrust into prominence sooner than later with a lack of options outside of running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Dallas' defense presents as vulnerable opposition, and it will be a good test for the LSU product as he tries to establish himself in the pros. Taylor is RotoBaller's PPR TE22 ahead of Week 5's matchup.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis will be thrust into a more critical role in Week 5 when his team takes on the visiting Dallas Cowboys. The South Dakota State product saw his most extensive workload of the season last Monday night in their loss to the Dolphins, totaling 27 scrimmage yards on five touches (2-of-2 receiving). With backfield mate Braelon Allen not expected back until December, Davis projects to handle handcuff duties behind first-string rusher Breece Hall. Furthermore, with Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) deemed questionable, and Khalil Herbert only a member of the team since Thursday, Davis figures to handle an even more sizable role this weekend. It will be interesting to see how New York divvies up his backfield responsibilities, particularly with his prowess as a returner. Either way, he'll be challenging to depend on for standalone value until his weekly touch share increases. The 23-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR RB49 ahead of this weekend's action.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is a locked-in WR1 for this weekend's home outing against the Dallas Cowboys. The Ohio State alum has been the most productive New York pass-catcher, and it isn't close. Wilson leads the Jets in targets (38), receptions (27), yards (311), and touchdowns (three), with the next closest "receiver" being Breece Hall and his 13/108 line (19 targets). He is once again set for an enormous target share as New York hosts a vulnerable Dallas defense in Week 5. The Cowboys' defensive unit has been sieve-like thus far, yielding the most total yards (420.5) and second-most points (33.0) per game to opponents. With Dallas' inability to stop the opposition, and Wilson being the most consistent Jets' weapon, he's in store for yet another blow-up spot. The 25-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR WR5 ahead of this weekend's slate of action.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments to open the 2025 season. After finishing as the WR1 in 2024, Chase has posted just 26 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown on 35 targets, ranking as the WR21 in half-PPR formats. Three of his four outings have finished with fewer than five catches and 50 yards, with Joe Burrow's injury significantly limiting his ceiling. In Week 5, Chase draws the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts. Detroit's defense has been tough overall, but when they faced a legit WR1 in Rome Odunze back in Week 2, he torched them for over 100 yards and two scores. That leaves a window of opportunity for Chase, even with backup quarterback play. Chase is due for a bounce back, but the quarterback situation keeps his outlook in check. He should be treated as more of a WR2 heading into Week 5.
From RotoBaller