Our 2024 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 daily 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 Graham Barfield’s Preseason Game Reviews for key takeaways on player performances and playing time implications from preseason action.
CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS TRAINING CAMP MARKET REPORTS
2024 NFL Training Camp News: Week of July 22 & 29
ADP in this article is based on our ADP tool’s PPR setting, which pulls from NFFC drafts over the last 14 days.
UPGRADES
Players we’re feeling more optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Deshaun Watson (Cle) — Browns GM Andrew Berry told ESPN’ Dan Graziano that the organization brought in former Bills OC Ken Dorsey to help Kevin Stefanski cater his offense more toward Watson’s strengths as a quarterback. Berry said of Dorsey, “He’s a real good quarterback guy, a real good pass-game guy, and then just philosophically, we wanted to be better in the dropback game, the RPO games and really kind of expand our use of motion in our core concepts — and also increase our tempo.” Watson threw for just 14 TDs in 12 appearances over the last two years, but he did log three top-10 fantasy performances in six appearances before suffering his season-ending shoulder injury. He averaged 18.7 FPG in his five full games, which would’ve tied him for the QB11 over the entire season.
Dorsey reiterated the plan for a more uptempo approach on Aug. 5, “I think the stress to our players is, let’s see how many plays we can run in a game. We want to run plays. The more opportunity we get on the field, the more opportunity you have to score points.” The additions of Dorsey and Jerry Jeudy have Watson’s arrow pointing up, but Watson’s ADP has plummeted from last summer. He’ll be making an appearance in our Mr. Relevant article in a few weeks. (Updated Aug. 6)
Justin Fields (Pit) — Wilson remains atop Pittsburgh’s QB depth chart despite missing much of the early part of training camp but Mike Tomlin said he’s in a competition with Justin Fields (per Brooke Pryor). The former Bears QB will have the chance to make up even more ground by starting the preseason opener while Wilson rests, and Tomlin said, “What happens in stadium is weighted heavier than what happens in a practice.” FanDuel still has Wilson as the heavy favorite to open the season as the starter at -340 odds (77.3% implied odds), but his odds are way down from when he opened as the -750 favorite (88.2%) in April. It would still be surprising if Fields opened the season as the starter but, at the very least, Fields has shortened Wilson’s leash as the starter once the season begins. Fields has a chance to tighten this competition even more in the preseason, and he’s on the radar in leagues with deep benches or in Superflex/2-QB formats since he could be a fantasy game-changer if he gets a chance to play. (Added Aug. 7)
Gardner Minshew (LV) — Aidan O’Connell is the -140 favorite at FanDuel to be Las Vegas’ starting QB in the season opener, but ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez believes Minshew has opened up a lead in the race to be the starter — Minshew is listed at +110 odds. Minshew had an “ever-so-slight lead” heading into Las Vegas’ intrasquad scrimmage, but he started “to put some distance in the race” for the job. He got the first reps with the first-team offense and threw a pair of touchdown passes with an INT on a drop by Tre Tucker, while O’Connell didn’t throw a TD pass and was picked off twice. This race will continue to play out during the preseason, but Minshew has proven he can funnel the ball to his top weapons. (Added Aug. 5)
Sam Darnold (Min) — Darnold has received all but two of the first-team reps in full-team drills through three weeks of camp — J.J. McCarthy has seen the other two reps (per Kevin Seifert). Seifert wrote that there is little question that Darnold will open this season as the starter, and the Vikings have made clear since OTAs that the team is taking it slow with the 10th overall pick. Darnold is on the radar in Superflex/2-QB leagues if you’re searching for a warm body for the first month of the season. (Added Aug. 8)
Running Backs
Rico Dowdle (Dal) — The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf observed that the Cowboys are in the process of figuring out their backfield, but Dowdle has been “the face of the committee” and could be the lead back during the season based on early practices. Dowdle has shown well in pass protection and as a receiver while getting carries in “high-leverage situations.” Ezekiel Elliott has flashed but looks “nothing like his former self,” while Roye Freeman and Deuce Vaughn have missed time for injuries. Yousuf admits that no back has truly stood out in the early going, but it appears that Dowdle has the early lead in this muddled backfield. The Athletic’s Jon Machota also declared Dowdle as the favorite to lead the team in rushing. (Updated Aug. 8)
Tyrone Tracy (NYG) — Tracy appears to have the “upper hand” in a battle with Eric Gray and Dante Miller for the backup job to Devin Singletary (per Ryan Dunleavy). New York’s backup RBs haven’t had much of a role behind Saquon Barkley the last few seasons, but Singletary could be the lead back in more of a committee approach this season. Tracy primarily played receiver at Iowa and Purdue until he switched to running back last year, and he could make his impact as a receiver in passing situations behind Singletary early in the season. Tracy is worth a late-round dart in deeper PPR formats since he has an easier path to the top of the depth chart than most Day 3 picks. (Added Aug. 5)
Braelon Allen (NYJ) — The Jets notably listed fourth-round rookie Allen as the top backup to Breece Hall, ahead of fifth-round pick Isaiah Davis and second-year pro Israel Abanikanda. The Jets have a young backfield behind bell-cow back Breece Hall, but the Jets are giving Allen a vote of confidence after a strong spring and start of training camp. The Jets signed former Colt Deon Jackson for added RB depth, which is likely more of an indictment on Davis and Abanikanda. Allen won’t have much standalone value even if he earns the #2 job, but he could be a solid handcuff since he’s flashed some early passing-game ability. (Updated Aug. 8)
D’Onta Foreman (Cle) — Foreman returned to practice on Aug. 8, exactly a week after he needed to be taken to the hospital for a neck injury suffered during a kick return drill. He’s back in position to try to drill down Kareem Hunt’s old role next to Jerome Ford early in the season, which included short-yardage work. Nick Chubb started training camp on the PUP list, and he's a likely candidate to remain on the injury list through at least the first four games of the season, if not longer. He’s making his way back from a gruesome multi-ligament knee injury suffered in Week 2 last September, which required two surgeries to repair the damage. It was also the second time he sustained a multi-ligament injury to his left knee after he previously injured it while at Georgia in 2015. ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote that the organization believes he’ll play “some time” this season, but they don’t want to pressure him by putting a timetable on a return. Foreman could have a sizable role for as long as Chubb is out of the lineup, which includes goal-line opportunities, and he’s a completely free pick (243.2, RB74) for those in deeper leagues. (Added Aug. 8)
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp (LAR) — Puka Nacua is considered week to week after suffering a knee injury in practice that HC Sean McVay described as a burst bursa sac. Nacua’s injury comes as Cooper Kupp has picked up steam after a strong start to training camp. The Rams believe Kupp is all the way back from his injury-riddled last two seasons, and a source close to the 31-year-old receiver told Jeremy Fowler, “He’s on an absolute mission. He was deeply affected about not being out there for parts of last year.” Fowler noted that Matthew Stafford couldn’t stop throwing to Kupp during the practice he attended, and he wrote that the offense “clearly runs through him.” Kupp could go down as an early-round value and he could challenge Nacua as the focal point of this passing attack if he’s anywhere close to being back to full health. The nearly two-round ADP gap between Nacua (12.6, WR8) and Kupp (34.1, WR22) is set to shrink in the month of August. (Updated Aug. 7)
Malik Nabers (NYG) — New York’s sixth overall pick Nabers has been getting heavy work with the starters in his first NFL camp, and he moved on to tormenting the Lions in joint practices — he hauled in all 9 of his targets in an Aug. 5 practice. Raanan believes it’s not crazy to think Nabers could see 150 targets as New York’s #1 WR. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Nabers will be utilized in the quick passing game because of New York’s pass protection issues, which will give the rookie plenty of after-the-catch opportunities. Nabers will challenge Marvin Harrison for the highest target share among rookie receivers, but his ceiling isn’t as high playing in a Danny Dimes-led offense, which is why he’s going about two rounds later than Harrison. He’s seen his ADP a couple of spots to 33.3 (WR19) in the last week because of his positive camp reports. (Updated Aug. 6)
Michael Pittman (Ind) — Josh Downs suffered a high-ankle sprain in an Aug. 7 practice, which will keep him out 4-to-6 weeks (per Ian Rapoport). He’ll be in a race to be ready for the season opener against the Texans, which is 4.5 weeks away. Downs is in danger of getting off to a slow start, which means Pittman could be among the league leaders in target share and first-read share in September. He ranked fifth in target share (28.1%) and seventh in first-read share (35.7%) with Downs mostly in the lineup last season. (Added Aug. 7)
Rashee Rice (KC) — Rice created a tumultuous off-season for himself with his off-the-field behavior. He was arrested in Dallas for his role in a street race in late March before allegedly assaulting a photographer at a Dallas nightclub in May. His assault charges in his nightclub incident were dropped, and it appears that the justice system is moving slowly on his street-racing case. He has a civil trial date set for Dec. 9 but no criminal trial has yet to be scheduled. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said the NFL has yet to reach out to them about a potential suspension as of late July. Rice’s ADP plummeted by multiple rounds because of the potential of a suspension, but it’s looking more likely that Rice could avoid a suspension during the 2024 season. Rice has more competition for targets since the Chiefs signed Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy, but he’s an ascending second-year player who already has chemistry with Patrick Mahomes. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini has heard that Rice has been the star of training camp and that he looks faster and more explosive than he did during his rookie campaign. Rice has league-winning upside if you’re willing to stomach some declining risk of a suspension. (Updated Aug. 6)
MIke Williams (NYJ) — The Jets activated Williams from the PUP list, which comes a little over nine months since he had ACL surgery in late October last year. In other words, Williams is right on schedule in his return from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 last season, and the Jets figure to continue to ramp him up for an early-season return. HC Robert Saleh said Williams is further ahead than anticipated, but Williams tempered expectations when he said, “We’ve got to see” when it comes to his status for the season opener against the 49ers. He still isn’t the easiest player to draft as he moves from one of the NFL’s pass-heaviest, quick-paced offenses to what is likely to be more of a ball-control offense under Aaron Rodgers. He’s also going to get limited full-speed reps with his new quarterback, and Rodgers has notably struggled to get on the same page with new receivers throughout his career. I’m expecting Williams’ ADP (137.8, WR59) to rise by multiple rounds by the end of August. (Updated Aug. 8)
Jalen Nailor (Min) — The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote that the #3 WR role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is Nailor’s to lose through the first half of training camp. ESPN’s Dan Graziano also wrote that Nailor is the “pretty clear favorite” for the #3 job. He’s been the primary third receiver in 11 personnel sets in training camp, ahead of Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield among others. Minnesota’s #3 WR spot could end up being a sneaky important job in deeper fantasy formats since Addison could be suspended for multiple games for a DUI at any point and because T.J. Hockenson could miss games early in the season. Addison was charged with two misdemeanors in Los Angeles County for his July 12 arrest on suspicion of drunken driving, and he has an Oct. 7 court appearance to be arraigned and enter his plea for charges. The NFL’s policy on substances of abuse calls for a three-game suspension for the first criminal offense regarding alcohol use, but we’ll see if Addison can push back his court date to avoid a suspension this season. (Updated Aug. 9)
Tight Ends
Ja’Tavion Sanders (Car) — Sanders has been getting reps with the starting offense because of multiple injuries at the position, which included a touchdown reception from Bryce Young during a two-minute drill on Aug. 4. Ian Thomas (calf) and Stephen Sullivan (quad) are expected to miss several weeks while Tommy Tremble (hamstring) is expected back soon. The absences have given Sanders a chance to impress in his first-team opportunities, and HC Dave Canales said he’s seen “exponential growth” in Sanders’ technique through the start of camp. He’s off the fantasy radar in all but TE-premium formats — he owns an ADP of 191.2 (TE25) in FFPC drafts — but he does have an easier path to the top of the TE depth chart than most fourth-round picks. (Added Aug. 5)
Johnny Mundt (Min) — Hockenson is ahead of schedule from his ACL and MCL surgeries, but he’s still most likely to start the season on the PUP list. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that the estimates he had heard for Hockenson’s absence ranged from three to seven games. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote that Mundt is the favorite to lead the group in snaps while Hockenson is out, and he’s been among the target leaders through the first half of training camp. Mundt delivered a pair of double-digit FP performances with a combined 9/97/1 receiving on 13 targets (17.1%) and 66 routes (75.9%) after Hockenson went down at the end of last season. Josh Oliver posted 3/48 receiving on 4 targets (5.3%) and 19 routes (21.8%) in that same two-game stretch. Mundt has a legitimate chance to be fantasy-relevant in deeper formats and as a streamer for as long as Hockenson is out of the lineup. (Updated Aug. 9)
DOWNGRADES
Players whom we’re feeling less optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
J.J. McCarthy (Min) — Sam Darnold has received all but two of the first-team reps in full-team drills through three weeks of camp — J.J. McCarthy has seen the other two reps (per Kevin Seifert). Seifert wrote that there is little question that Darnold will open this season as the starter, and the Vikings have made clear since OTAs that the team is taking it slow with the 10th overall pick. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported from camp that one of the issues holding McCarthy back is his footwork when he moves from 7-on-7 drills to live team drills. Minnesota will open the season with Darnold at quarterback, but McCarthy is unlikely to wait for too long to become the QB1. He’s a player to stash in deeper leagues and Superflex/2-QB formats, and he should be viewed as an upside low-end QB2 once he’s elevated to starter in Minnesota’s fantasy-friendly attack. (Updated Aug. 9)
Running Backs
None of note.
Wide Receivers
Puka Nacua (LAR) — Nacua is considered week to week after suffering a knee injury in practice that HC Sean McVay described as a burst bursa sac. Nacua’s minor injury comes as Cooper Kupp has picked up steam after a strong start to training camp. The Rams believe Kupp is all the way back from his injury-riddled last two seasons, and a source close to the 31-year-old receiver told Jeremy Fowler, “He’s on an absolute mission. He was deeply affected about not being out there for parts of last year.” Fowler noted that Matthew Stafford couldn’t stop throwing to Kupp during the practice he attended, and he wrote that the offense “clearly runs through him.” Kupp could go down as an early-round value and he could challenge Nacua as the focal point of this passing attack if he’s anywhere close to being back to full health. The nearly two-round ADP gap between Nacua (12.6, WR8) and Kupp (34.1, WR22) is set to shrink in the month of August. (Updated Aug. 7)
Josh Downs (Ind) — Downs suffered a high-ankle sprain in an Aug. 7 practice, which will keep him out for 4-to-6 weeks (per Ian Rapoport). He was off to a strong start in training camp, distancing himself from Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce for the #2 WR job, but he’ll now be in a race to be ready for the season opener against the Texans, which is 4.5 weeks away. Our Edwin Porras wrote that 80% of high-ankle sprains in WRs since 2014 are resolved in 0-to-4 weeks, and receivers return to 94% of their baseline production by their second week back from a high-ankle injury. Downs is in danger of getting off to a slow start, but he should be back on track by the end of September at the latest. We viewed Downs as a value at his ADP (136.2, WR58), and he could become even more of a draft-day discount after his injury. (Added Aug. 7)
Rondale Moore (Atl) — Moore’s first season with the Falcons is over before it even got started after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in an Aug. 7 practice. Ray-Ray McCloud was the team’s top slot receiver through the first half of training camp, ahead of the presumptive favorite Moore (per Josh Kendall). The Falcons acquired Moore in a trade for Desmond Ridder, and he was stuck with Michael Penix with the second-team offense. Moore theoretically had a better chance of becoming a PPR option in a Kirk Cousins-led offense, but Moore’s disappointing career rolls on after his season-ending injury. (Updated Aug. 8)
Tight Ends
Chigoziem Okonkwo (Ten) — The Titans listed Okonwko and Josh Whyle as co-starting TEs, which beat reporter Paul Kuharsky took as a credit to Whyle and a bit of slight to Okonkwo. Kuharsky believes Whyle could be more than a “first-down guy,” and the Titans coaching staff has talked about their two TEs as if they’re the co-starters since the start of training camp. HC Brian Callahan said Whyle and Okonkow are two different TEs, describing Whyle as their inline TE and Okonkwo as the move TE (per Buck Reising). These two will continue to battle it out for snaps and routes but this TE committee is likely to cannibalize each other unless one of them emerges as the clear starter. (Updated Aug. 7)
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
None of note.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell (SF) — The 49ers signed Matt Breida to help their backfield depth chart after Kyle Shanahan announced that CMC will miss the preseason for a calf strain. McCaffrey was never going to play in the preseason and our Edwin Porras believes McCaffrey is looking at a two-week issue. There’s no reason to panic in early August and CMC should remain your top pick if you’re selecting at the top of the draft. The 49ers lost rookie Isaac Guerendo with a multi-week hamstring injury at the start of camp, and Elijah Mitchell is also missing practice this week with a hamstring strain, which Shanahan described as more of a precautionary absence. Shanahan said last week that Jordan Mason was pushing Mitchell for the #2 job after a strong start to training camp. Mason is getting extra run with the first-team offense while CMC and Mitchell are out, but neither player is expected to be out long term. Mitchell will need to hold off Mason and he’d be the top waiver wire pickup if CMC missed time this season. (Updated Aug. 8)
Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce (Hou) — Mixon has yet to practice in training camp, three weeks into his first season with the Texans. His new OC Bobby Slowik called him an “absolute workhorse” before the start of camp, but he’s falling a bit behind as he tries to pick up a new offense. HC DeMeco Ryans said this spring that third-year back Pierce “put in the work” and he could form a one-two punch with Mixon. Ryans then told NFL Network that Pierce has taken advantage of his additional starter’s reps in training camp. “Dameon has done a great job since the spring. I see a guy who has a clear mind, fast feet. He’s playing decisive. He’s explosive. You’re back to seeing that rookie Dameon who can gain a lot of yards for us, and he has a physical mindset to him that I really love. I love how he finishes the runs.” Pierce had a truly dreadful first season in Slowik’s offense, ranking dead last in YPC (2.87) and yards before contact per attempt (.41) among 49 RBs with 100+ carries. It appears that Ryans and company haven’t given up on him and Mixon has some age-cliff concerns entering his eighth season at 28 years old. Pierce is a free pick at the end of drafts (188.0, RB61) after being selected as a low-end RB2 last summer. (Added Aug. 8)
Wide Receivers
CeeDee Lamb (Dal) — Lamb is currently set to play out the fifth and final season of his rookie contract, but he’s yet to report to camp, which means the Cowboys can fine him for not showing up. Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension this summer that includes $110 million guaranteed, which is the template for Lamb. Owner Jerry Jones said of the ongoing negotiations with Lamb, “I don’t have any urgency to get it done.” Lamb tweeted, “lol.” on a repost of Jones’ quote, which was subsequently retweeted by Micah Parsons. The Cowboys have been putting off some bad vibes this off-season with no deals looming for Lamb, Parsons, or Dak Prescott through early August. This contract dispute is worth monitoring but it’s not time to panic in fantasy drafts yet. (Added Aug. 9)
Brandon Aiyuk (SF) — The 49ers have agreed to the terms of a “framework” trade to send Aiyuk to either the Patriots or the Browns (per Matt Maiocco), and he’s been given permission to negotiate a contract with other teams. The Browns are expected to include Amari Cooper in any potential deal for Aiyuk while the Patriots would include Kendrick Bourne in a potential trade. The Patriots are out of the running after Aiyuk declined a contract offer that would’ve made him one of the top-five highest-paid receivers, and the Steelers are still in the mix (per ESPN). The longer it takes for the 49ers to find suitable compensation and for Aiyuk to find a suitable contract from an outside team, the more likely it is he’ll return to the 49ers. Aiyuk should see his ADP dip if he’s traded to either the Browns or the Steelers, but this saga likely has another twist or turn left in before we get a final resolution. Stay tuned for more updates. (Updated Aug. 7)
Jordan Addison (Min) — Addison was charged with two misdemeanors in Los Angeles County for his July 12 arrest on suspicion of drunken driving, and he has an Oct. 7 court appearance to be arraigned and enter his plea for charges. The NFL’s policy on substances of abuse calls for a three-game suspension for the first criminal offense regarding alcohol use, but a potential suspension could easily be pushed back until 2025 by entering a not-guilty plea or if the court date is eventually delayed. Addison ran crazy hot in the touchdown department as a rookie, scoring 10 times on 108 targets (9.3% rate), and he’s seen his ADP slide since his initial arrest before settling in at 94.1 (WR43) overall. I was initially out on Addison at his sixth-round best ball ADP earlier this summer, but he’s much more appealing now with his slide since his mid-July arrest. (Added Aug. 5)
Green Bay Packers WRs (GB) — The Packers held their Family Night scrimmage on Aug. 3, which gave us our first glimpse at how HC Matt LaFleur will rotate his WRs early in the season. Jordan Love played 26 snaps and Romeo Doubs (21) and Christian Watson saw the most run with their quarterback (per Acme Packing Co.), followed by Jayden Reed (16), Dontayvion Wicks (6), Bo Melton (5), and Grant DuBose (2). Reed is the first Packers receiver drafted (68.7, WR36) out of their talented receiving corps, a round ahead of Watson (78.0, WR39) and multiple rounds ahead of Doubs (114.3, WR51). His #3 WR status in Green Bay’s scrimmage is a reminder that Reed owned just a 1.9% route share in 1- and 2-WR sets last season, which ranked dead last out of Green Bay’s WRs and well behind Doubs (69.5%), Watson (65.6%), and Wicks (38.8%). Reed is a non-full-time receiver set to experience touchdown regression — he scored on a ridiculous 10 of his 75 touches (13.3%) — and he’s being overdrafted this summer. After visiting Packers camp, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Doubs is going to be the most consistent week-to-week producer. At the same time, Watson is the equation changer for opposing defenses because of his size (6’4”) and speed (4.36 seconds). (Updated Aug. 9)
Jalin Hyatt and Darius Slayton (NYG) — Hyatt has seen more reps with the starters than Slayton through the first two weeks of training camp (per Dan Duggan). The Giants are giving the 2023 third-round pick a chance to earn a starting job in 3-WR sets as Hyatt has joined Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Nabers as the top receivers for Daniel Jones. Duggan points out that Slayton gets counted out just about every season but has led the Giants in receiving yards in four of his five seasons. (Added Aug. 5)
Tight Ends
Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft (GB) — HC Matt LaFleur said Kraft is likely to return to practice on a limited basis this week after starting training camp on the PUP list after tearing his pec in a weightlifting accident in the spring — he was activated on Aug. 5. He also said he expects Kraft to be ready for the season opener against the Eagles in Brazil. Musgrave played 20-of-26 snaps (77%) with Jordan Love during Green Bay’s Family Night scrimmage on Aug. 3 without Kraft in the mix. Musgrave, a 2023 second-round pick, opened last season ahead of Kraft, a 2023 third-round pick before he missed six games for a lacerated kidney. Kraft played ahead of Musgrave in Week 18 and the postseason after he returned from his kidney injury, but Musgrave led Kraft in YPRR (1.58>1.31), TPRR (20%>17%), and FP/RR (.36>.32) in regular season and playoff action. (Updated Aug. 6)
