Our 2023 NFL Training Camp News articles are intended to be a one-stop shop for the most important news from around the NFL during training camp. I’ll post a new Market Report every week during August to help our subscribers keep the pulse of what’s happening in the fantasy marketplace. I’ll update this article on a daily basis during the week so make sure to check back for the latest training camp buzz.
This article will focus mostly on news, beat reports, and injuries coming out of team practices. Be sure to check out our Preseason Reviews once the games start for key takeaways on player performances and playing time implications from preseason action.
ADP in this article is based on our ADP tool’s PPR setting, which pulls from NFFC drafts over the last 14 days.
CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS TRAINING CAMP MARKET REPORTS
2023 NFL Training Camp News: Week of July 31
INJURY UPDATES FROM PAST MARKET REPORTS
Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC) — Pacheco avoided the PUP list after sitting out OTAs because of a pair of off-season surgeries to his labrum and hand. NFL Network’s James Palmer reported that Pacheco’s shoulder is holding him back and he could be cleared for contact by Aug. 20. GM Brett Veach said the organization expects him to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 7.
Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR) — Kupp left an Aug. 1 practice early with a hamstring injury, which is the last thing the Rams wanted to see after he played in just nine games in 2022 because of an ankle injury. The only things keeping Kupp from being drafted ahead of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase are his age (he turned 30 years old in June) and durability concerns (he also missed half of 2018 for a torn ACL). HC Sean McVay gave a positive update on Kupp, calling him day-to-day with his hamstring injury.
Garrett Wilson (WR, NYJ) — Wilson left a July 27 practice early for a low-ankle sprain. HC Robert Saleh said his star second-year WR should be fine, but it’s still an issue to monitor moving forward. Wilson returned to practice on Aug. 8 and is back to participating in 11-on-11 drills.
Kadarius Toney (WR, KC) — It took just one practice for Toney to end up on the sidelines with an injury after tweaking his knee in a punt drill, which was the same knee he had a clean-up surgery on earlier this off-season. He needed yet another clean-up surgery on his injured knee on July 25, which was his third procedure since the 2022 off-season. He’s at risk of aggravating his injury and needing more extensive surgery in the future, but GM Brett Veach said the organization expects him to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 7.
T.J. Hockenson (TE, Min) — Hockenson has been sitting out team drills in the early part of training camp while he potentially holds in and looks for a contract extension as he enters the fifth and final year on his rookie contract. HC Kevin O’Connell said Hockenson is battling an illness on Aug. 7 but this is still a situation to monitor.
Kyle Pitts (TE, Atl) — Pitts avoided the PUP list to open training camp. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Pitts didn’t show any “residual effects” from the MCL surgery during an Aug. 5 practice, seeing targets over the middle and deep down the sideline.
UPGRADES
Players whom we’re feeling more optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott (DAL) — ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported from Cowboys’ training camp that HC Mike McCarthy isn’t changing a ton of the offense and they’re not going run heavy as he previously stated they would early in the off-season. An anonymous Cowboys official told Graziano, “Look at our personnel, do we look like we’re built to be a run-first team?” The Cowboys released plodder Ezekiel Elliott to promote Tony Pollard to a bigger role, and they traded for Brandin Cooks this off-season. Graziano noted McCarthy’s offenses have never been run-heavy in his 22 seasons as a head coach or coordinator. Prescott said the offense is changing more than it did when Kellen Moore took over for Scott Linehan in 2019. Prescott has seen his ADP (99, QB11) fall this summer after throwing an NFL-worst 15 INTs, but early indications are that Dallas should still have a friendly fantasy environment for a potential bounce-back campaign. (Added 8/7)
C.J. Stroud (Hou) — The Panthers have already named top overall pick Bryce Young their starting quarterback, and it’s starting to become just a matter of time before the Texans name #2 overall pick Stroud as their starting quarterback. Stroud took all of the first-team reps in back-to-back practices on Aug. 4-5 after splitting the reps with Davis Mills to open camp, and HC DeMeco Ryans announced he’ll start the preseason opener. He did get some bad news with RT Tytus Howard breaking his hand, which will cause him to be out “a while.” Stroud is in a similar situation to Young as QB3s in best ball and two-QB formats, and Stroud should be left to streaming duties during his rookie campaign in redraft leagues unless he surprisingly unlocks some rushing upside. (Added 8/7)
Sam Howell (Was) — HC Ron Rivera told the media last week not to sleep on Jacoby Brissett in the team’s quarterback competition, but it took until Aug. 7 for the Commanders to give Brissett his first starter snaps, 11 days into camp. Howell also took all of the first-team reps during OTAs so Washington hasn’t been having much of a quarterback competition to this point. Brissett could see significant playing time at some point with Rivera hanging onto his job by a thread, but it’s becoming clear Howell will be given the first crack to be the team’s starter unless he tanks in the preseason. He’s a long shot to come through as a QB3 (210 ADP, QB29) but he theoretically has some upside after posting 183/828/11 rushing in his final season at North Carolina in 2021. (Added 8/7)
Running Backs
Nick Chubb (Cle) — Browns RB coach Stump Mitchell said Chubb is working on third downs more than he did in the past when Kareem Hunt primarily played in those situations. HC Kevin Stefanski threw some cold water on Mitchell’s assessment of the third-down role, saying that the role has yet to be determined. He acknowledged that Chubb “can do it all” but he added second-year RB Jerome Ford could win the job or they could even use several players in those situations. Either way, Chubb appears headed toward more passing-game opportunities than he previously saw when Hunt was in the mix. Chubb posted 27/239/1 receiving last season, and he’s the favorite to lead the NFL in rushing yards at +450 odds. Any kind of bump in receiving production could give him a real chance to challenge for RB1 fantasy status, and it’s no wonder his ADP (16, RB5) has been on the rise since the start of camp. Ford also left an Aug. 7 practice early with a hamstring injury, and Stefanski said his status is “week to week.” (Updated 8/8)
Alexander Mattison (Min) — Mattison is headed toward a big role after the Vikings signed him to a two-year, $7 million deal before later releasing Dalvin Cook this off-season. Vikings OC Wes Phillips praised Mattison’s three-down ability at training camp, “[It's] the consistency of who he is every day, what he's put on tape every opportunity he's gotten: his multifaceted run game, pass protection, and then his hands in the pass game — his route-running ability. I think we're going to see a lot of good things, and maybe people didn't realize how good a player Alex Mattison really is.” Mattison averaged 19.5/79.5 rushing per game with three rushing TDs and 3.8/36.0 receiving per game with two receiving TDs in his six career contests as a bell-cow back. The Vikings could be a bit thin behind him, as well, with Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu failing to step up as the #2 option early in camp — they’re specifically struggling in pass protection. Kevin O’Connell has also said seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride has a “tall task” learning the offense quickly, so The Athletic’s Alec Lewis believes they could still make a move for a veteran RB. Mattison’s ADP (69, RB23) hasn’t gotten out of control as many expected, and he’s a fine target as an RB2 option in the sixth round. Chandler posted 11/41 rushing and 4/29 receiving in a strong showing in the preseason opener — Nwangwu rested for an undisclosed injury. (Updated 8/11)
Miles Sanders (Car) — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that the Panthers will use Sanders more in the passing game than the Eagles did in recent seasons, and the “loose expectation” is that Sanders will handle around 15 carries per game along with 3-5 catches per game. That’s an optimistic weekly catch total but there’s still been a steady drumbeat this off-season that Sanders will be involved in the passing game with his new team. His receptions (50>28>26>20) and receiving yards (509>197>158>78) fell for four straight seasons with the Eagles, and pass protection issues made him a liability in long-distance situations. Sanders’ offensive environment is significantly worse with his new team, but a three-down role could offset his incoming TD regression after scoring 11 times last season. Sanders is a solid RB2 target (62, RB19) at his sixth-round ADP, and he has the potential to far exceed expectations if he earns a bell-cow role. (Added 8/7)
Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller (NO) — The NFL suspended Alvin Kamara for three games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for his role in a fight outside a Las Vegas nightclub in February 2022. It’s a minor victory for Kamara who once looked to be headed toward a 4-6 game suspension before reaching a plea agreement to reduce his felony charge to a misdemeanor this summer. Williams (110 ADP, RB38) and Miller (141, RB46) are looking at larger roles for the first three weeks of the season (Ten, @Car, @GB), which makes them ideal targets for those who hold off on drafting RBs early in drafts. It looked like Kareem Hunt may sign with the Saints but the Colts requested their own visit. Williams and Miller may have dodged a bullet but they aren’t out of the woods just yet since the Saints are sniffing around for additional RB depth. (Updated 8/8)
Tank Bigsby (Jax) — Jacksonville’s third-round pick Bigsby has been an “unstoppable force” on inside zone and inside gap runs, per Jags writer Jordan de Lugo. His “hulking size” has also made him a force down by the goal line in early practices. Etienne handled just 44.8% of the team’s carries inside the 5-yard line and converted just 2-of-10 attempts for touchdowns from that range. He’s also been making waves as a receiver early in camp. Bigsby has also been making waves as a receiver early in camp with Doug Pederson remarking that he’s a “better pass catcher” than he showed in college. ESPN’s Michael DiRocco called him the most impressive rookie in camp who appears headed for a bigger role than initially anticipated. Bigsby is a real threat to steal goal-line snaps and potentially other work from Etienne, which makes him an ADP target (135, RB45) late in drafts. (Added 8/8)
Kyren Williams (LAR) — Cam Akers is locked into the Rams’ starting job and it appears that Williams is separating himself from rookie Zach Evans and the rest of the remaining backfield for the #2 spot. Beat reporter Cameron DaSilva wrote that Williams is making a play in the passing game in every practice, and it’s “obvious” that the second-year player will be the Rams’ third-down back and the immediate backup to Akers. Sean McVay had big plans for Williams as a rookie before two debilitating lower-body injuries slowed him down. Williams could carve out a low-end PPR role and hurt Akers a bit if he carves out a consistent passing-down role, which makes him worth a look as a free pick in deep PPR formats and best-ball drafts. (Added 8/9)
Wide Receivers
Skyy Moore (KC) — Moore has run with the first-team offense in every training camp rep that Kansas City has used two or more WRs, per the Kansas City Star. Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross have also mixed with the starting unit but have “overwhelmingly” played with the second-team offense. Moore is in a position to earn a major chunk of the 654 routes and the 135 targets left behind by JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman. GM Brett Veach said Kadarius Toney (knee) is expected back for the season opener, but Moore has a chance to keep Toney in a smaller role with a strong finish to August. Our John Hansen has been driving the Skyy bandwagon from Day 1 and there’s still room to jump on for now with his ADP slowly rising (99, WR46). (Added 8/8)
Zay Flowers (Bal) — The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec believes the Flowers’ “hype train” has gotten a bit out of control, but he admits that he’ll have a significant role based on his quickness and suddenness as a route-runner. Flowers has also earned “rave reviews” from the coaching staff for his work on and off the field. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley reported last week that the pecking order at WR remains uncertain early in camp, but he believes Flowers and Odell Beckham are solidifying themselves as the top two WRs with Rashod Bateman (foot) out of the lineup. Flowers is off to a strong start at camp and improves with each new practice, and the time to draft him is now with his ADP quickly rising (102, WR48) in the last week. (Added 8/8)
Jayden Reed (GB) — Reed, the 50th overall pick in the spring, has already “cracked the Packers’ top three wideouts” as the team’s slot WR next to Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Watson is the heavy favorite to pace the Packers passing attack but Green Bay’s pecking order is wide open with Jordan Love taking over at quarterback with first- and second-year players at the top of the WR and TE depth charts. I prefer targeting Watson (47 ADP, WR23) and Doubs (121, WR53) as prospects but it wouldn’t be shocking if Reed leads this group in receptions if you want to take a shot on him late in Underdog drafts (173, WR74). (Added 8/8)
Michael Wilson (Ari) — Wilson, the 94th overall pick, is off to a strong start and has “consistently found himself open” in training camp. He’s headed toward a bigger role than anticipated as a rookie, and HC Jonathan Gannon plans to throw him into the fire in the preseason opener against the Broncos. Gannon’s next objective for Wilson, “see if he can get open on Pat Surtain.” I’m not a big believer in Rondale Moore and the rest of this receiving corps outside of Marquise Brown. Wilson has been one of my favorite targets in the final round of Underdog drafts since the Cardinals will be motivated to get him on the field plenty as a rookie as they look to the future. (Added 8/10)
Tight Ends
Dalton Kincaid (Buf) — Kincaid “looked the part” to start his first training camp and The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia reports nothing has changed since then with Allen showing “complete trust” in his rookie TE through the early part of August. He’s worked heavily with Josh Allen and the first-team offense with Buscaglia noting his ability to find soft spots against zone coverage while being a “chore to deal with” against man coverage. Rookie TEs have a checkered history of fantasy production but Kincaid is going to be used primarily as a WR with Dawson Knox doing most of the dirty work as the team’s inline option. GM Brandon Beane said on NFL Network’s Inside Training Camp that the plan is to play Kincaid and Knox together and they’ll use more 12 personnel than they ever have since arriving in 2017. Buscaglia noted on Aug. 9 that Kincaid is the strongest competitor for snaps behind Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Knox, and James Cook. Kincaid’s ADP (135, TE12) has risen by a round and by four TE spots since July 31 so his hype is reaching a fever pitch. (Updated 8/10)
Sam LaPorta (TE, Det) — LaPorta, Detroit’s 35th overall pick, is working with the first-team offense to open training camp. OC Ben Johnson said the rookie earned the promotion, “You saw in the springtime, he got minimal work with the first team, and he’s earned the right now to be in that first team huddle with Jared (Goff) and that offensive line.” The Lions waived reserve Shane Zylstra after he suffered a “serious” knee injury in a July 31 practice. The Athletic reported that LaPorta is “always with the starters”, is passing every test, and is the most talented TE on the roster. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that the Lions have “big plans” for their rookie TE. LaPorta has an outside chance to emerge as the #2 receiver early in the season with Jameson Williams sidelined, and he’s worth a late-round look (158 ADP, TE17) as a mid-TE2 in best ball and TE-premium leagues. (Added 8/11)
Luke Musgrave (GB) — HC Matt LaFleur told Tom Pelissero that Musgrave was the fastest player on offense during a day of practice at the start of August, beating every wide receiver in their daily charting. LaFleur went on to call his second-round TE an “exciting young prospect” who has a lot of potential, and The Athletic reported that Musgrave has been a problem for Packers defenders in drills. He played all 19 snaps with Love during the team’s scrimmage on Aug. 5, so he’s well on his way to a starting role. It should be noted that third-round pick Tucker Kraft left early with a knee issue. Rookie TEs typically struggle for consistent production, especially ones that are as raw as Musgrave, but the Packers are clearly excited about his potential and he’ll have opportunities to get on the field in a thin depth chart. The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman wrote that he could be the Packers' first consistent downfield threat at TE since Jermichael Finley. Musgrave is worth a flier pick as a TE3 in best ball drafts just in case he can quickly earn targets in a wide-open receiving corps, and I won’t be surprised if he pops for a big play or two in the preseason. (Added 8/7)
Jake Ferguson (Dal) — Ferguson has been the “clear No. 1” TE to start training camp with second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker sidelined with plantar fasciitis, The Athletic’s Jon Machota. He wrote that Ferguson is the favorite to see the majority of the targets left behind by Dalton Schultz, who saw 89+ targets in each of the last three seasons. Ferguson is a TE3 target in TE-premium formats and in Underdog drafts (199 ADP, TE26). (Added 8/8)
DOWNGRADES
Players whom we’re feeling less optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
None of note.
Running Backs
Travis Etienne (Jax) — Jacksonville’s third-round pick Tank Bigsby has been an “unstoppable force” on inside zone and inside gap runs, per Jags writer Jordan de Lugo. His “hulking size” has also made him a force down by the goal line in early practices. Etienne handled just 44.8% of the team’s carries inside the 5-yard line and converted just 2-of-10 attempts for touchdowns from that range. Bigsby has also been making waves as a receiver early in camp with Doug Pederson remarking that he’s a “better pass catcher” than he showed in college. ESPN’s Michael DiRocco called him the most impressive rookie in camp who appears headed for a bigger role than initially anticipated. Etienne has been trending in the wrong direction since Jacksonville selected Bigsby and he’s shaping up to be overvalued at his ADP (41, RB13) if he loses goal-line duties to go along with his limited passing-game contributions. (Added 8/8)
J.K. Dobbins (Bal) — Dobbins opened training camp on the PUP list after battling knee injuries the last two years and sitting out OTAs with a “hamstring injury.” He’s also in search of a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, which is related to his absence to start camp. HC John Harbaugh reiterated on Aug. 9 that “the ball is in J.K.’s court” and that he expects him back “very soon.” Dobbins doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on in contract negotiations, owning just 226 carries in 23 career games entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Ravens didn’t waste any time finding an additional RB by signing Melvin Gordon on the same day Dobbins was placed on the PUP. Baltimore’s RB depth chart remains uninspiring with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill currently the top two backs. Dobbins is still costing himself playing time early in the season by missing time in OTAs and training camp with Todd Monken installing a completely new offense. I wanted to be in on Dobbins but I can’t justify it at his current ADP (66, RB20) as he actively sabotages his value. (Added 8/9)
Alvin Kamara (NO) — The NFL suspended Kamara for three games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy for his role in a fight outside a Las Vegas nightclub in February 2022. It’s a minor victory for Kamara who once looked to be headed toward a 4-6 game suspension before reaching a plea agreement to reduce his felony charge to a misdemeanor this summer. Kamara racked up 220+ carries in each of the last two years after never reaching 195+ in his first four seasons, and he averaged 4.8 yards per touch in 2021-22 compared to 6.2 YPT in his first four seasons. He should go back to a featured receiver role with Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller added at running back and with Derek Carr taking over at quarterback. Kamara doesn’t have the same upside that he had to start his career, but he can still be an impact PPR option at a relatively cheap ADP (88, RB31). Just have a contingency plan ready for the first three weeks of the season. (Updated 8/8)
Damien Harris (Buf) — Harris is losing ground in Buffalo’s backfield on multiple fronts. James Cook has been the team’s clear top RB in camp and The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia wrote that he seems destined for “at least over half of the offensive snaps.” Harris is also dealing with knee soreness while 33-year-old Latavius Murray has been the team’s more versatile big back, showing better chops in the passing game. Harris will go down as a wasted pick (118, RB42) if he can’t even beat out Murray for short-yardage situations, and I’m staying away from him with his current standing in this backfield. (Added 8/10)
Wide Receivers
Tyquan Thornton (NE) — Thornton, a 2021 second-round pick, is off to a slow start because of poor play and availability issues — he dealt with a soft-tissue issue — in his second training camp. He’s stuck behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, and Kendrick Bourne and is working with Bailey Zappe and the second-team offense in recent practices. Thornton struggled to get open and failed to catch a pass in the first week of camp from Mac Jones — he caught his first pass from Jones on Aug. 8. There was hope that Thornton could be a deep sleeper if he could carve out a decent role in a wide-open receiving corps, but he appears headed toward a situational deep-threat role for the time being. (Updated 8/9)
Tight Ends
None of note.
WATCH LIST
Players who we’re not ready to upgrade or downgrade but whose situations demand monitoring based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow (Cin) — Burrow left a July 27 practice early with a calf strain, which was the best-case scenario since video of the injury made it look like it could’ve been a more serious Achilles injury. HC Zac Taylor said Burrow would be out for “several weeks” but declined to answer when asked if his injury would affect his Week 1 status. The Bengals will take their time with Burrow for the next couple of weeks, given he is the next quarterback in line to get a fat new contract. Taylor was once again vague when asked about his QB’s injury, “The timeline is several weeks from when I said several weeks.” I’m not ready to hit the panic button with the season more than four weeks away but apparently, drafters aren’t either with his ADP (37, QB4) staying steady through early August. (Added 8/10)
{{Teddy Bridgewater|QB|DET} (Det) — Bridgewater and the Lions agreed to terms on a contract. He has familiarity with Dan Campbell from their time together in New Orleans in 2018-29. Bridgewater will immediately slot in as Jared Goff’s top backup with Hendon Hooker a candidate to start the season on the NFI list. Teddy could be a streaming option if he ever found himself in the starting lineup in what should be a potent Detroit offense. (Added 8/8)
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (RB, Ind) — Taylor surprisingly opened training camp on the PUP list after undergoing an “arthroscopic debridement” surgery to his right ankle in January. He called the procedure a clean-up, and he targeted a return in training camp at the time of his surgery. Owner Jim Irsay then ignited a fire in his star RB, who has been seeking a contract extension as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. He posted on July 26 that running backs don’t have a leg to stand on to change the depressed running back market under the current CBA. He then said on July 27 that they haven’t made an official contract offer to Taylor. The two sides met to clear the air on July 29, but Taylor left the meeting and announced a trade request publicly — he reportedly requested the trade days earlier per ESPN’s Stephen Holder. In that same ESPN article, Taylor’s “bitterness” toward the franchise originated with the team’s handling of his ankle injury last season and continued when the team requested to assess him in advance of training camp.
Taylor is avoiding fines in training camp since he’s on the PUP list, but he’ll need to play at some point if he wants his rookie contract's final season to accrue and get paid. This standoff has escalated quickly, with more twists and turns likely to come before a resolution is reached before the season. Taylor’s ADP has fallen four spots (20, RB6) since his trade request. Indy’s RB depth is already being tested after top backup Zack Moss broke his arm in practice on July 31, which leaves Deon Jackson and rookie Evan Hull as the top RBs currently in camp. The Colts signed Kenyan Drake on Aug. 4 to help with their current depth at the position. Taylor didn’t attend practice on Aug. 8 after receiving an excused absence to get treatment on his ankle, and the Colts scheduled a meeting with Kareem Hunt the same day, who left without a contract. HC Shane Steichen said Aug. 10 that Taylor remains without a timetable to return to the team. (Updated 8/11)
Josh Jacobs (LV) — Jacobs didn’t report for the start of training camp, which was expected since he’s not currently under contract with the Raiders. The two sides failed to reach terms on a long-term contract, and he’s yet to sign his franchise tag. Per Mike Garafolo, Jacobs turned down a $12 million per year off, and Mike Florio reported that the Chiefs and Broncos could be among the suitors if Jacobs becomes available via trade or if the Raiders rescind his franchise tag. Jacobs and the Raiders are in a holding pattern as his holdout stretches into a third week. (Added 8/7)
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery (Det) — The Lions have big plans for both of their new RBs in 2023, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Gibbs does drill work with the receivers during practice and the “loose estimate” for how many passes he’ll catch this year is around 40 to 50. Graziano also reported that Dan Campbell is a “big fan” of Montgomery, who unprompted said that Monty can “do it all” at the position. Both Gibbs (36 ADP, RB12) and Montgomery (79, RB29) will be featured in our upcoming “2023 League-Winners, Targets, and Values” article. (Added 8/11)
Joe Mixon (Cin) — Mixon is set to go to trial on Aug. 14 for a misdemeanor charge of aggravated menacing when he allegedly pointed a gun and threatened a woman. He also had a civil suit filed against him in early August regarding the shooting of his teenage neighbor — check out Drew Davenport’s breakdown of the “harrowing” events detailed in the suit. Mixon fell in the 2017 draft for his assault of a female Oklahoma student, and he’s certainly at risk of the NFL suspending him given his growing list of run-ins with law enforcement. Mixon was one of the NFL’s worst backs last season, finishing dead last with just 18 missed tackles forced on 210 carries (.09 per attempt) per Fantasy Points Data. The Bengals have arguably the NFL’s worst backfield situation with no proven backs on their depth chart behind Mixon. I’ve been taking my chances with rookie Chase Brown late in Underdog drafts (201, RB61), especially with fifth-year reserve Trayveon Williams out multiple weeks with an ankle injury, but he’s currently running behind Chris Evans in training camp. (Added 8/10)
Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet (Sea) — Both Walker and Charbonnet missed time for injuries early in training camp, with Walker dealing with a groin issue and Charbonnet battling a shoulder injury. HC Pete Carroll confirmed that KWIII is dealing with a week-to-week injury and Charbonnet already returned to practice on Aug. 3. Charbonnet will get some first-team reps while Walker is sidelined and he’ll have the opportunity to dig into Walker’s role at the top of the depth chart. Walker missed about a month’s time last season for a hernia procedure, which elevates my concern about his groin issue. Carroll said KWIII is running in a straight line as of Aug. 9 and he’ll resume cutting in the next couple of days. Seventh-round pick Kenny McIntosh also picked up a knee injury that will sideline him for a couple of weeks, which hurts his chances of potentially earning a role in passing situations. (Updated 8/10)
Rashaad Penny, D’Andre Swift, and Kenneth Gainwell (Phi) — Penny received the first carry with the first-team offense to open training camp, ahead of Swift and Gainwell. It’s a positive first step for Penny, who is healthy from last season’s broken leg. It appeared that he was on pace to be Philadelphia’s lead runner but Gainwell has picked up steam as camp has gone along — the Eagles are fully expected to use a backfield committee. Penny said he hopes to play this season at his college weight of 225 pounds — he’s already down to 230 pounds — after playing in the 235-237 pound range in Seattle. Five different RBs have seen first-team reps (Boston Scott and Trey Sermon, as well) in early practices, and Gainwell has the most carries with the starters through Aug. 10. He’s also just one catch behind Swift in terms of most RB receptions. Gainwell, at the very least will be a change-of-pace option, but he could be more than that based on his early training camp usage — HC Nick Sirianni also trusts him enough to make him the team’s two-minute back. The early roles in this backfield committee have been split as expected. I’ve been targeting Penny (106, RB36) and Gainwell (160, RB52) at their ADPs and passing on Swift (72, RB25) at his price. (Updated 8/11)
Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, and Roschon Johnson (Chi) — Chicago’s three-headed backfield remains unsettled early in training camp, and OC Luke Getsy hopes to have a better grasp on the rotation by the end of camp. The biggest question in this backfield is who will play in passing situations. Herbert previously struggled with pass protection, and our Brett Whitefield called Johnson the best pass protector in this year’s rookie class. It’s notable then that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Foreman had an increased role in the passing game and saw “plenty of first-team reps” when he attended on Aug. 6. Fowler wrote that there’s a lot of intrigue around fourth-round pick Johnson but he needs to “figure out the pro game.” This is backfield competition to keep track of during preseason action, but early indications are that Foreman has a leg up in this RBBC entering the season. (Added 8/7)
Keaontay Ingram and Marlon Mack (Ari) — James Conner is locked into the cheapest bell-cow role in the league (75 ADP, RB26), and the hierarchy for the rest of the backfield is wide open early in camp. The Cardinals signed Mack to compete with Ingram, Corey Clement, and Ty’Son Williams. Unfortunately, Mack suffered yet another torn Achilles just days after signing with the Cardinals. Ingram is also dealing with an abdomen injury but HC Jonathan Gannon expects him back soon. Arizona’s RB depth chart is one to monitor in preseason games since Conner has missed multiple games in each of his six seasons to start his career. (Updated 8/10)
Wide Receivers
Keenan Allen (LAC) — I noted last week how Mike Williams has been moved into the slot more in Kellen Moore’s new offense. It also means that Allen has been shifting to the perimeter more than in previous seasons under Joe Lombardi. Keenan lamented how he was “stuck at the slot the whole time” and he’s excited to move around all over the field like CeeDee Lamb did in Moore’s offense. Allen ran 33.3% of his routes from out wide in 2022 and he surprisingly averaged more YPRR (2.36>2.29) and saw more targets per route run (.27>.26) on the outside compared to inside, per Fantasy Points Data. The change may not be as dramatic as Allen is making it sound if you consider that Lamb ran just a slightly higher rate of his routes on the perimeter than Allen did last season at 36.0%. It’s never a bad thing if the offensive play-caller is moving his receivers around to create favorable matchups, but I’m a little skeptical that we’re going to see a dramatic change in how Allen and Williams are lined up this season. (Added 8/9)
Rashod Bateman (WR, Bal) — Bateman missed the first two days of training camp before reporting and landing on the PUP list for his lingering foot injury. It’s an ominous start to his 2023 after suffering a Lisfranc injury last season and being shut down in OTAs for a cortisone shot in his healing foot. He was spotted running on a side field during an Aug. 7 practice before the Ravens activated him for the PUP list on Aug. 9. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley reported that Bateman had a good burst in his first work in individual drills and he wasn’t favoring his foot as he did during spring workouts. I prefer Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham in drafts but at least Bateman’s falling ADP (119, WR52) is finally starting to get in line with where he should be drafted. (Updated 8/10)
Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer (LAC) — First-round pick Johnston has been penciled into a big role right out of the gates by most people, but HC Brandon Staley pumped the brakes a bit. Staley said “he doesn’t have to do it all right away” with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Palmer already on the WR depth chart. ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted that Palmer stood out in the two practices he attended. It wouldn’t be surprising if Johnston gets out of the gates slowly, and he’s the type of player who you have to be patient with at his rich ADP (95, WR44) given Los Angeles’ firepower and the injury histories for Allen and Williams. Palmer has been slept on this summer and is one of my favorite final-round targets in Underdog drafts (212, WR90) after catching 72 passes in his second season. (Added 8/7)
Khalil Shakir and Trent Sherfield (Buf) — The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia reported that Sherfield has had the strongest camp in the battle for the #3 WR, ahead of Shakir and Deonty Harty. Sherfield has flashed more playmaking ability in his first-team reps while Shakir has failed to earn targets and faded into the background more in his chances. Buscaglia made clear that Sherfield isn’t running away with the job and noted that Dalton Kincaid is the strongest competitor for snaps behind Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Dawson Knox, and James Cook. At the very least, Shakir has failed to take a stranglehold on the #3 WR spot and Sherfield has opened the door to OC Ken Dorsey using a rotation behind his top two WRs. (Added 8/10).
Rashid Shaheed (WR, NO) — Shaheed and Tre’Quan Smith both picked up groin injuries in an Aug. 5 practice. Shaheed is battling Smith for #3 WR duties behind Chris Olave and Michael Thomas. Shaheed is expected to miss the next few weeks because of the injury but is expected to be ready for the season opener, per New Orleans Football Network. It’s a setback for Shaheed who is in the midst of acclimating with new QB Derek Carr. He’s still a fine late-round dart (166, WR66) after earning a 77% route, a 17% target share, and a 31% air share in his final eight games as a rookie (per Fantasy Points Data). (Updated 8/8)
Josh Reynolds, Marvin Jones, and Kalif Raymond (Det) — Amon-Ra St. Brown is the clear #1 WR in Detroit and Jameson Williams is expected to fill the #2 spot once his six-game suspension is complete, but the Lions have a bit of a logjam behind them that needs to be sorted out before the Lions take on the Chiefs in a Week 1 game that has the highest total. Reynolds has been running with the starters in camp and was listed as a first-team wideout in Detroit’s first depth chart. The Lions also listed Jones as a starter but the Lions Wire reported that he routinely worked behind both Williams and Raymond to start camp, who were listed on the second-team offense. Detroit could certainly rotate their secondary WRs quite a bit in 2023 but the early pecking order to start the season behind Amon-Ra appears to be Reynolds, Raymond, then Jones. (Added 8/9)
Tight Ends
None of note.
