Mon Jul 21 10:53am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Pacheco has some concerns
This is the fifth 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.
Chiefs
The Chiefs made another trip to the Super Bowl last year but were blown out in the big game. The big thing to watch this camp is how they respond to that devastating loss. Was it the start of the end of the Chiefs’ dynasty? It is certainly to be the storyline of camp, seeing how much the Chiefs have left in the tank. Kansas City begins their quest for another Super Bowl, starting July 21 at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
Position battle: It will be interesting to see how the running back position shakes out for the Chiefs this year. Isiah Pacheco was supposed to be the clear No. 1 back for the team last year but that didn’t happen. He had some injury issues and struggled at times when on the field. Kareem Hunt served as the lead back down the stretch with Pacheco taking more of a backseat for the team. Pacheco should be the favorite to start this year, but Hunt is back and the team added Elijah Mitchell to the mix as well. You never know how the carries for the Chiefs will shake out from week to week in this offense.
Injury watch: Receiver Rashee Rice is not hurt, but he is facing a possible suspension for his legal issues regarding a car crash. The speculation is he could be suspended anywhere from two to four games. This is a big issue to watch because the length of the suspension clearly impacts his fantasy value. We should get some clarity on the situation sooner then later. Stay tuned.
Raiders
The Raiders have an all-new coaching staff in place after finishing just 4-13 last season. Veteran coach Pete Carroll takes over. So the big story of camp will be if Carroll can get this franchise headed in the right direction once again. He has a lot of work to do after several poor seasons. There are some key pieces in place, though, so maybe Carroll can work his magic and get this team competitive once again in a hurry. Carroll will get to see his team in action July 17 at the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nev.
Position battle: The Raiders have some openings at receiver behind Jakobi Meyers. He is the clear No. 1, but it gets really clouded after that. You have Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton, Jack Bech, Collin Johnson and Tommy Mellott vying for playing time. It really is a tossup with this group at this stage of the game. Any of these guys could step up and earn a big role with the team. We should get a better idea once camp gets going and the games start in the preseason.
Injury watch: The good news for the Raiders is they don’t have any big injury issues in this year’s training camp. The main offensive contributors for the Raiders are healthy and ready to go. We might keep an eye on rookie Ashton Jeanty, though. He carried a huge workload in college and is expected to follow a similar path for the Raiders. How will he hold up to all the touches? That might be the big thing to watch this camp for Las Vegas, seeing how the Raiders manage his touches to make sure he doesn’t wear down as the season progresses.
Broncos
The Broncos are a team on the rise after making the playoffs with first-year starting quarterback Bo Nix at the helm. Nix looks to be the face of the franchise for years to come in Denver. So much of this camp will be on the development of Nix, seeing just how much better he can get in this offense. The Broncos open camp July 16 at Broncos Park in Englewood, Colo.
Position battle: The Broncos used a second-round pick on RJ Harvey but also signed JK Dobbins. These two should battle it out for the right to start in what could be a very good Broncos offense. Harvey has a lot more potential because of his pass-catching ability, so most fantasy owners hope he emerges quickly as the go-to back in this offense. Head coach Sean Payton likes his veterans, though, so don’t be surprised if Dobbins were to open the season as the starter for the team.
Injury watch: JK Dobbins is another player that is not currently injured but has a very ,long injury history. He will need to prove he is healthy and can carry the load if he hopes to play a big role in the Broncos offense. Dobbins is fighting for a starting job so any injury in camp could hurt his chance to play a significant role for his new team. A healthy Dobbins can make a big fantasy impact, though.
Chargers
The Chargers turned things around in a big way in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach. The team went 11-6 and played great football much of the season. The big question for this camp will be how much better this team can get. Can they knock off the Chiefs in their division? This is a tall task but it seems Harbaugh and his team are close to getting to that next season. We will see just how good they can be, beginning July 12 at The Bolt in El Segundo, Calif.
Position battle: The Chargers are another team with some openings at the receiver position. Ladd McConkey is the top target, but nothing is certain after that. Rookie Tre Harris should get every opportunity to start, but won’t be handed anything. He will have to earn it. Quentin Johnston is still around and the team also has Derius Davis, Jalen Reagor and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. These guys will battle out to earn targets in a solid Chargers passing attack.
Injury watch: Running back Najee Harris suffered some sort of eye injury right before the start of camp. The reports are he suffered an injury from fireworks. This is obviously a concern because he is expected to miss time early in camp because of the injury. He could fall farther and farther behind rookie Omarion Hampton on the depth chart the more time he misses.
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