Training Camp Preview: AFC East

Wed Jul 23 10:59am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Diggs hopes to be back soon

This is the seventh 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.

Dolphins

The Dolphins had high expectations last year but didn’t meet those, missing the playoffs. Injury issues were a problem again, mainly being without Tua Tagovailoa for several games. His loss was huge to the offense. The Dolphins need a healthy Tagovailoa for this offense to function at a high level. Tagovailoa and his teammates get things going on July 15 at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Position battle: The Dolphins traded Jonnu Smith before the start of training camp, leaving a huge hole at tight end. The team signed Darren Waller, but he was out of football last year and is 32 years old. You have to wonder how much he really has left in the tank. Miami won’t just hand him the starting job. He will have to earn it. Waller has Pharaoh Brown, Julian Hill and Tanner Conner to compete with for the job. And it would not surprise if the team brings in another option after the start of camp. Stay tuned.

Injury watch: Tyreek Hill suffered a wrist injury early last season that seemed to really impact him the entire year. He was not himself, seeing a big dip in production. He claims to finally be over the injury that impacted him, but you will want to see for yourself in camp. If healthy, Hill could be a bargain at his current price tag. He has three straight seasons with 111 or more receptions before last year.

Bills

The Bills were close again last year but missed out on a trip to the Super Bowl. This team will have very high expectations and might be the favorites to win the AFC. There will be a lot of pressure on this team to perform. This team has a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see their focus in camp, seeing what they think they need to do to get over the hump and past the Chiefs. We will get to see the Bills in action, starting July 15 at St. John Fisher University in Rochester N.Y.

Position battle: The depth chart at receiver for the Bills is a bit up in the air. Khalil Shakir might be the only sure thing. After him, you have Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer, Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel and Laviska Shenault battling it out for targets. This should be a fierce battle that can shake out numerous ways. And to be honest, the Bills could just end up rotating all these guys on a weekly basis. That also is something to keep in mind. Hopefully, that isn’t the case, though, making it easier on fantasy owners to figure out the pecking order in Buffalo.

Injury watch: Dalton Kincaid had a knee injury last season that cost him four games and hindered his production when on the field. He had a really disappointing season. Expectations were high for Kincaid, but he failed to meet those. He could make an impact this year, though, if 100 percent healthy and getting the targets in this offense. Kincaid could be a good buy-low candidate for fantasy teams, especially if reports are solid about his fitness and production in training camp.

Jets

The Jets have a lot of new this offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The big story might be new quarterback Justin Fields. Is he the answer at quarterback for the Jets? That will be the big question of camp for this team. Their quarterback position has been an issue for a long time. Fields has a chance to solve that, but nothing is certain based on his track record. The Jets open camp on July 19 at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J.

Position battle: The Jets are another team with big questions at receiver. Garrett Wilson is the clear No. 1, but there is a host of players fighting it out for targets after him. You have Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, Arian Smith, Tyler Johnson, Malachi Colrey and Xavier Gipson as viable options behind Wilson. This really is a wide open competition for the Jets. There is little set in stone here.

Injury watch: Breece Hall had some nagging injuries last year but played through them. His production was way down, though. He really didn’t live up to lofty expectations. The Jets are also hinting at more of a timeshare in the backfield this year, so Hall will need to prove he is healthy and back to his old self if he hopes to put last year behind him. Hall can still be an elite fantasy back but will need to show in camp his big-time ability.

Patriots

The Patriots have a new head coach for the second straight season, bringing back Mike Vrabel to the organization. He brings with him offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. These two veteran coaches should be a huge plus for New England’s quest to turn things around. The offense might be the big storyline of camp, seeing if McDaniels can get second-year quarterback Drake Maye to play at an even higher level. The new offense might be the key to the Patriots season, trying to keep up with the elite offenses in their division and the AFC. The Patriots start camp July 19 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Position battle: The Patriots should have a battle on their hands for the right to start at running back this year. The team drafted TreVeyon Henderson in hopes of finding their franchise back for years to come. But Rhamondre Stevenson is still around and has a track record of success. Stevenson might not go down easily, meaning Henderson will have to take the job from him. This is a battle to watch because the starter in this offense could have good fantasy value, playing in what could be a much-improved offense.

Injury watch: Stefon Diggs is returning from a torn ACL, suffered last October. He has made great progress, though, and expects to be ready for the start of training camp. This is still an injury to watch because he could be brought along slowly. The Patriots won’t rush their No. 1 receiver back unless he is truly ready. Diggs could have a big season as the top target in the Patriots new offense. He will be a player to watch this camp.

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.

Training Camp Preview: AFC East

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