Thu Jul 10 2:30pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Walker could be huge if healthy
This is the fourth 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.
49ers
The 49ers were a big disappointment last year after several great years of success. They had all sorts of injury issues, though, especially offensively. If that unit can stay healthy, a nice rebound season could be in store for San Francisco. Much of camp should be focused on Christian McCaffrey, who might be the best overall player in the game when healthy. So the 49ers will need him on the field for a full season if the team hopes to get back to big things once again. McCaffrey and his teammates get camp started July 15 at the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, Calif.
Position battle: The 49ers don’t have a lot to sort out at their major positions but they do have a kicker battle on their hands. Jake Moody just hasn’t been great since becoming the 49ers kicker. He has been up and down. The 49ers brought in veteran Greg Joseph for competition for Moody. These two will battle out for the right to be the No. 1 kicker for the 49ers.
Injury watch: Brandon Aiyuk is returning from a major knee injury, tearing both his ACL and MCL. He is making good progress, though. He was hurt in October of last year, so he has been recovering for a bit now. There is a small chance he is ready for Week 1 but likely will be out a few weeks of the season before returning. This is an injury to watch because Aiyuk is now the clear top receiver in a good offense with Deebo Samuel gone. He can make a fantasy impact when healthy.
Rams
The Rams just win games, making the playoffs once again last season. The big change this offseason was at receiver, seeing them switch out Cooper Kupp for Davante Adams. This should be an upgrade because of Kupp’s injury issues the last few seasons, but it also could cause some tension with Adams used to being the top receiver in an offense. He has Puka Nacua now to compete with for targets. And Nacua is the top dog in this offense. It will be interesting to see how Adams handles that. It might be the storyline of camp for the Rams. The Rams start camp July 22 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
Position battle: The Rams have a battle on their hands at tight end for the first time in a long time. Tyler Higbee has been the starter for a long time in Los Angeles, but the Rams brought in some competition for him this year, drafting Terrance Ferguson. He is a talented pass catcher than can stretch the field in a hurry. If Ferguson hopes to start, he will need to improve his work as a blocker. If that happens, he could unseat Higbee sooner than later.
Injury watch: Tight end Tyler Higbee was slow to recover from surgery on his knee and shoulder last offseason, which forced him to miss all but three games. He seems healthy for this year but is 32 years old and battled some injury issues in recent years. His health will be something to watch during camp. If he looks slowed at all, it could really hurt his chances to be the No. 1 tight end in Los Angeles.
Seahawks
The Seahawks made a lot of big changes offensively this offseason. This should be the story of camp. Seattle is without longtime receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes over as the new No. 1 and Cooper Kupp was brought in to start alongside him. And the Seahawks also made a change at quarterback, bringing in Sam Darnold to be their starter. There is a lot of new offensively in Seattle, making it the storyline to watch. The offense and the rest of the team get it going July 15 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash.
Position battle: The Seahawks are another team that addressed the tight end position during the draft, picking Elijah Arroyo in the second round. He should compete with Noah Fant immediately for the starting job in Seattle. Fant is the well established veteran but is pretty ho-hum at this stage of his career. If Arroyo can give the offense a spark, he will get a chance to start over Fant. But like many young tight ends, Arroyo will need to improve his blocking if he hopes to get the starter’s job.
Injury watch: Kenneth Walker suffered an ankle injury this offseason and has been limited in offseason practices. The Seahawks say it is minor but you have to be somewhat concerned based on his injury history. Walker always seems to be dealing with some sort of injury. You will want to make sure this ankle injury isn’t still lingering as training camp opens. He doesn’t need to be going into the season hurt.
Cardinals
The Cardinals missed out on the playoffs last season but had a respectable 8-9 record. The big story of camp might be the connection between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr., who didn’t seem to be on the same page last year. This led to a disappointing season for Harrison in year one. He could end up being a great buy-low candidate for this year, though, if things start to click between Murray and Harrison. We will get to see these two in action starting July 22 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Position battle: The Cardinals lack some top options at receiver behind Marvin Harrison Jr. He is the clear No. 1 but after that, there are a host of players looking to move up the depth chart and get consistent targets for the Cardinals. Michael Wilson started last year but he wasn’t overly impressive with his workload. He will need to show something in camp and preseason action if he hopes to continue to start. After him, you have Greg Dortch, Zay Jones and Xavier Weaver vying for playing time.
Injury watch: James Conner suffered a knee injury late last season and missed the final game. It seems the injury was pretty minor, though, and he should be a full go for training camp. Conner is 30 years old and has a ton of carries under his belt, so his health will be something to watch before the start of the season. You just never know with a back at this stage of his career.
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.
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Detroit Lions EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson had his 2024 season ended early thanks to a leg injury, but he "looks great" early in camp, according to quarterback Jared Goff. New Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard went further, stating, "I see a better player than we had last year." Hutchinson was one of the frontrunners for NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season, racking up 7.5 sacks in just five games before the injury. The Lions will certainly welcome Hutchinson back to the fold as they have Super Bowl aspirations heading into 2025. His return makes the Detroit D/ST worth targeting as a top-six option in fantasy drafts later this summer.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, not surprisingly, got the first running-back touches during the rush period in Friday's practice. While that doesn't come as a surprise, Elijah Mitchell worked as the No. 2 back ahead of Kareem Hunt, rookie Brashard Smith, and Carson Steele. While it's still early, it serves as a bit of a surprise to see Mitchell working ahead of Kareem Hunt, who led the team's backfield while Pacheco was injured in 2024. A lot can change over the next month or so, but Mitchell would hold a significant amount of fantasy value as a handcuff if he breaks camp as Pacheco's main backup. Stay tuned.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is impressing early in training camp. Team beat writer Nick Underhill wrote on Twitter on Friday that he is "up big time on Rashid Shaheed". Shaheed was showing signs of a breakout in 2024, hauling in 20 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns in six games before a torn meniscus ended his season early. The speedy wideout reportedly added weight in the offseason and appears primed to pick up where he left off in 2025, making him an interesting late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts later this summer as the Saints are in need of a No. 2 receiver alongside Chris Olave.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo is impressing early in training camp. According to team beat writer John Boyle, Arroyo "looks like a playmaker" and made several excellent catches on Wednesday and Thursday in practice. The fast progression for Arroyo could have played into the team's decision to release veteran tight end Noah Fant last week, which helped to clear the way for the rookie out of Miami to see the field early and often in 2025. As a rookie tight end, Arroyo is unlikely to be a major fantasy factor in redraft leagues this season, but the early reports are encouraging, especially for dynasty managers who were able to snag him in rookie drafts earlier in the summer.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Josh Palmer have shown a strong connection thus far in training camp. According to team beat writer Lance Lysowski, the on-field connection between the two has been growing every practice. The Bills brought Palmer in as a free-agent this offseason, signing him to a three-year deal. With early reports that second-year wideout Keon Coleman has been struggling in camp, Palmer has a good chance of emerging as the No. 1 option in Buffalo, as the Bills do not have a proven alpha receiver on their roster. It is still early, but Palmer has a chance to be an interesting late-round lottery ticket in fantasy drafts.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones are expected to provide one of the more interesting camp battles this summer as both vie to be the team's starting signal-caller in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. With both players splitting first-team reps thus far, Richardson has gotten off to a fast start. On Friday, he reportedly made quick reads, was efficient, and took care of the ball. There is still a long way to go for both players, but Richardson seems to be the early leader in the competition. The fantasy outlook of the Colts' skill players will hinge on who is under center this season, as Richardson hasn't shown the ability to support multiple pass-catchers in fantasy thus far in his career and would likely siphon rushing touchdowns away from Jonathan Taylor. Jones isn't as dynamic a player as Richardson, but he would probably be a better quarterback for the Indy pass catchers from a fantasy perspective.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is showing signs of taking a step forward at the onset of his second season. NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe mentioned that he was told by a member of the Patriots staff that Maye has shown increased processing speed and has had a good start to camp. Maye should be helped by the team's offseason addition of Stefon Diggs, a player who gives him a true No. 1 receiver after the rookie had limited offensive weapons to throw to in 2024. If Maye does show improvement in his second year, it would lift all New England skill players in fantasy and real life. For now, Maye's sneaky rushing upside keeps him in the conversation as a solid QB2 in fantasy drafts.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (calf) is "believed to be okay" after suffering an injury during Friday's practice. The wideout exited the field after sustaining the injury. Fortunately, it appears he will be fine. The 25-year-old wasn't a consistent producer for the Browns in his first two seasons in the NFL, totaling 50 receptions for 563 yards and three touchdowns. However, Tillman will have a chance to compete for more targets throughout the 2025 campaign. Without question, Jerry Jeudy is the No. 1 receiver in Cleveland. While that potentially leaves the No. 2 spot up for grabs, Tillman has some work to do before surpassing Diontae Johnson on the depth chart.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram is seemingly happy with how things are working out with his new team. "I feel really at home in this offense," said Engram. "I feel like my strengths are being used at the highest level." The 30-year-old, who agreed to a two-year deal with Denver in March, spent the last three seasons in Jacksonville. He had one of his most productive seasons in 2023, finishing with a career-high 114 receptions for 963 yards with four touchdowns. However, Engram took a step backward last season, ending with only 47 grabs and one trip to the end zone while being limited to nine games due to injury. With so much volatility at the tight end spot, Engram has a chance to once again be a top fantasy producer at the position in 2025, although he must build rapport with quarterback Bo Nix. He will also need to stay healthy.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson stood out even more in Friday's practice. "[The] passing attack is all Garrett Wilson," wrote Cimini. "No one else stepping up." The wideout, who recently agreed to a lucrative four-year, $130 million extension, surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his first three seasons. He's also coming off his best year, ending the 2024 campaign with 101 receptions and seven touchdowns. The latest update from Cimini shouldn't be a surprise. However, with more positive reports throughout training camp and heading into Week 1, Wilson could find himself climbing preseason fantasy rankings. With that in mind, the 25-year-old may have a legitimate chance of finishing in the top-10 in terms of fantasy production at the wide receiver spot, especially with the Jets lacking depth at the position.
From RotoBaller
According to Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith is "surging" due to his recent performances at training camp. The rookie, who was the No. 158 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, finished his final collegiate season at Auburn by amassing 50 receptions for 981 yards and eight touchdowns. So far, things have gone well at the professional level, with Lambert-Smith seemingly already on his way to building a positive on-field relationship with quarterback Justin Herbert. Without question, Ladd McConkey remains the top wideout on the roster. However, the No. 2 spot may be up for grabs. While there is still time before Week 1, Lambert-Smith could find himself receiving semi-regular attention from Herbert throughout the 2025 campaign, even if he is unable to surpass Quentin Johnston and second-round selection Tre Harris on the depth chart. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation. For now, Lambert-Smith may not draw consideration from fantasy managers drafting in most redraft formats, although his dynasty stock appears to be on the rise.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) is expected to miss most of training camp with a shoulder injury. He exited Friday's practice early after attempting to make a diving catch down the sideline and did not return. The severity of his shoulder injury is unknown, and Mooney is considered day-to-day for now. The 27-year-old was productive as Atlanta's No. 2 wide receiver, catching 64 of 106 targets for 992 yards and five touchdowns over 16 games. Ray-Ray McCloud III, Kyle Pitts, KhaDarel Hodge, and recently signed DJ Chark should see an uptick in snaps and targets if Mooney misses any regular season games. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation as the Falcons are expected to provide more details on Mooney's shoulder injury soon. Mooney's draft stock takes a slight hit as his status for Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is up in the air.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is back at practice after missing June minicamp due to an undisclosed injury. He had a good day on Friday when he caught a 25-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. It's nice to see the two of them building chemistry together. Westbrook-Ikhine signed a two-year, $5.99 million deal with the Dolphins over the offseason. He hauled in 32 receptions for 497 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games with the Tennessee Titans last season. He figures to be the third wideout behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
From RotoBaller
According to Tom Pelissero, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart has signed his rookie deal on Friday. The 17th overall pick will get a four-year, $18.97 million fully guaranteed contract, which includes a $10.4 million signing bonus. After an extremely long standoff, Stewart and the Bengals finally agree to a deal. The Texas A&M product is expected to be an immediate impact player on defense this upcoming season. The Bengals are certainly going to need his help with fellow pass rusher Trey Hendrickson sitting out right now while he awaits a new contract. The Bengals can now switch their attention to getting a deal done with Hendrickson.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson is poised to take a step forward, according to the team's head coach Jonathan Gannon. Despite a quiet rookie season, the Cardinals are still high on their former third-round pick. Benson rushed for 291 yards on 63 carries while scoring one touchdown on the ground in 13 games last season. James Conner remains the lead back in Arizona and that isn't going to change this summer. Benson should enter the season as the primary backup and is hopefully going to get more involved. Despite that, Benson probably won't have weekly fantasy value unless Conner goes down at some point.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks has announced his retirement from football on Friday. This is tough news for the Browns who are now without their top two linebackers with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) currently sidelined and Hicks hanging up his cleats. Hicks played 10 years in the league with four different organizations. He recorded 952 tackles, 16.5 sacks, and 13 interceptions in 134 games in the league. Hicks spent his final season in the league with the Browns. He registered 78 tackles, two sacks, and four passes defended in 12 games with Cleveland last season. Best of luck to Hicks on his life after football. The expectation is the Browns will now use a combination of Jerome Baker, Devin Bush, and Carson Schwesinger at linebacker.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett have been splitting up the first-team reps early in training camp. Pickett got the first chance as the starter on Wednesday and then Flacco took over on Thursday. It's worth noting that Flacco got the first reps for 11-on-11 drills on Friday. It appears that the starting job for Week 1 is between these two right now. Dillon Gabriel also got a few first team reps, but seems like a long shot for the starting role. The Browns have said they plan to give all four of their quarterbacks starting reps throughout the summer. This is going to be a situation to monitor throughout training camp. Whoever wins the starting gig could have low-end streaming appeal, but probably won't be a great option given the lack of talent in Cleveland.
From RotoBaller
Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports that Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (undisclosed) was working in individual periods at training camp on Friday but did not work with the position group for the second wave of individual periods, which is basically the same participation level that he had on Thursday. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Smith is day-to-day with an unspecified injury that doesn't sound very serious. The 29-year-old had a career year in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, catching 88 passes on 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games (six starts), and now he'll reunite with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who he's played for in Tennessee and Atlanta. Fantasy managers are going to need to downgrade Jonnu in fantasy this year, though, as he will probably struggle to find weekly value while sharing targets with Pat Freiermuth.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams will hold their first padded training camp practice on Monday, ESPN's Sarah Barshop reports, and quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) is expected to participate. Stafford has been dealing with a sore back early in camp and has been working off to the side with trainers so far. While this certainly bears watching for the 37-year-old veteran as we get closer to the regular season, it doesn't quite sound like anything too serious just yet. The Rams are most likely taking extra precaution with the star QB early in camp after signing him to a two-year, $80 million contract extension in the offseason. Stafford lost receiver Cooper Kupp this offseason but gained Davante Adams, and he of course still has young stud Puca Nacua. Injuries and a lack of rushing ability give Stafford little room for error in the fantasy realm, though, making him a low-end QB2.
From RotoBaller
Veteran free-agent wide receiver DJ Chark, who spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Chark, who has also played with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers, will now head to the NFC South after going on several visits. The 28-year-old former second-rounder (61st overall) by the Jags in 2018 out of LSU spent most of last year with the Bolts injured and only managed to catch four of 10 targets for 31 yards and a touchdown in seven games (no starts). Chark's only 1,000-yard season in his seven years in the NFL came back in 2019 with Jacksonville in his second year in the league. He will give the Falcons receiver depth but will be fighting for a 53-man roster spot, so he can remain off the fantasy radar mostly everywhere for now.
From RotoBaller