Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley says he’s not worried about learning a new playbook. “I take this stuff very seriously,” Ridley said. “I’m learning it pretty fast, I think. It’s not that hard. Just got to really study it, work hard, put in the extra hours, and it’ll be all right. I’ve played football all my life. This is normal.” The former Falcon added that he feels “100% healthy" after a year-long ban. The early returns have been promising, and there's major rebound potential alongside QB Trevor Lawrence.
ESPN's Josh Weinfuss reports that the Cardinals have added bonus money and incentives to S Budda Baker's contract. The veteran requested a trade in the offseason. This pay increase should solve any lingering issues for 2023. His deal runs through 2024 but doesn't appear to have any guaranteed money left in that final season. We'll see whether this is Baker's final year in Arizona.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow was carted off the practice field on Thursday. He went down as he escaped the pocket and grabbed at his right calf, which already had a sleeve on it. Here's video of the play. We'll update Burrow's status as soon as we know more.
Update: Burrow's injury is to his calf, HC Zac Taylor said.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup is seeing extra snaps in the slot, per HC Mike McCarthy. Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News says the “goal is for [Gallup] to develop into more of a moving piece.” Gallup ran only 8% of his routes from the slot last year and hit the same number in 2021. We're not expecting a major spike, but it's nice for Dallas to add more versatility to Gallup's role -- especially with Brandin Cooks in town. Gallup profiles as a fantasy WR5.
Jets WR Garrett Wilson suffered an ankle injury in practice on Thursday, sending him off the field with a trainer. After practice, The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt reported that Jets HC Robert Saleh isn't overly concerned, saying that Wilson will be okay. The 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year seems to have dodged significant damage, allowing fantasy managers to breathe a sigh of relief. We anticipate a big year from Wilson following a campaign that saw him finish ninth in Pro Football Focus receiving grade, 16th in yards per catch, 14th in yards after catch per reception, and 23rd in yards per route run among 41 WRs who saw 40+ targets in 2022. We'll keep an eye on this situation should anything more serious develop. See where Wilson lands in our current WR rankings.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, free agent RB Dalvin Cook is flying to New York today in anticipation of a visit with the Jets. The veteran back has received interest from multiple teams this offseason, and whatever backfield he ends up in will have a significant shakeup on their hands. When asked about the Cook visit, Jets HC Robert Saleh said he's "excited" but made clear that it's not meant to imply the health of incumbent RB Breece Hall (ACL) is a concern. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler separately reported that Cook and the Patriots are also in talks for a potential visit. It might be a while until we know where the four-time Pro Bowler suits up in Week 1, but the market is heating up meaningfully. We'll address the fantasy fallout once a definitive landing spot is known.
49ers QB Brock Purdy reportedly received all of the first-team reps in 7-on-7 drills at practice on Thursday. Purdy hasn't thrown in a public setting with the team since sustaining a UCL injury in the NFC Championship vs. the Eagles that required surgery in March. QBs Trey Lance and Sam Darnold split reps as the QB2 in practice as well. The position battle between Purdy and Lance for the starting job in San Francisco will carry significant ramifications for fantasy managers this season, and to see Purdy work as the starter upon return is notable. It's still early yet, though a smattering of offseason quotes from GM John Lynch and others indicate this is Purdy's job to lose. Keep up with us here at Draft Sharks as we learn more about this battle over the course of training camp.
Per James Palmer of NFL Network, Broncos RB Javonte Williams has been cleared for contact to open training camp. Williams, who tore his ACL and LCL against the Raiders in Week 4 last year, also avoided landing on the PUP list to begin camp just seven months after surgery. These pieces of news certainly bode well for his chances to make a fantasy impact as the lead back in a Sean Payton-led offense. Any RB returning from a multi-ligament injury requires keeping a close eye on, so we'll be sure to watch his progress as we get closer to the beginning of the season. We have Williams placed conservatively in our current RB rankings, but he could be a riser if we get further positive reports further into August.
Rams QB Matt Stafford appears to be throwing a full workload in training camp, according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue. That wasn't the case the past two summers, as Stafford dealt with injuries. “I feel a lot better physically,” Stafford said. “I feel really healthy compared to where I was at this point last year, so that’s fun for me.” There's bounce-back potential here given better health for Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp, and the Rams' offensive line.
Broncos HC Sean Payton fully believes that QB Russell Wilson will bounce back this year. “He’s still got gas in the tank," Payton said, blaming Denver's ugly 2022 season on the previous regime. “There’s so much dirt around that. There’s 20 dirty hands, for what was allowed, tolerated in the fricking training rooms, the meeting rooms. The offense. I don’t know [former HC Nathaniel] Hackett. A lot of people had dirt on their hands. It wasn’t just Russell. He didn’t just flip. He still has it. This B.S. that he hit a wall? Shoot, they couldn’t get a play in. They were 29th in the league in pre-snap penalties on both sides of the ball.” On top of what should be a much-improved coaching staff, the Broncos also bolstered their offensive line with the additions of Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers. And the pass-catching corps remains strong. In short, all the pieces are in place for a Wilson bounce back.
The Athletic's Nate Taylor lists WR Justyn Ross as one of the "risers" from the first few days of Chiefs training camp. Ross has been getting first-team work with QB Patrick Mahomes. “He’s a bigger receiver, but when you watch him, he really excels at route running,” OC Matt Nagy said of Ross. “He’s learning his timing, for Pat to understand how he runs routes. It’s going to be immense growth for him, in a good way.” Ross missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury but had a buzzy spring. WR Kadarius Toney's knee injury opens up more opportunity for Ross to carve out an early-season role. We'll continue to keep a close eye on this wide-open Chiefs WR corps.
The Jets and QB Aaron Rodgers agreed to a new two-year, $75 million contract, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It's a significant pay cut from the $108.7 million Rodgers had been scheduled to make over the next two years. It's also worth noting that a big chunk of Rodgers' new deal is paid out in 2024, adding incentive for him to play a second season with the Jets. It's a slight boost to his dynasty fantasy football value.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh called the current situation with RB J.K. Dobbins "complicated." Dobbins opened training camp on the PUP list after missing time in the spring with an alleged sore hamstring. But it sure seems like his absence from the practice field has more to do with his contract. Dobbins is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is set to make just $1.39 million in 2023. “That’s a J.K. question,” Harbaugh said when asked about the RB's absence. “I wish there was a simple answer. There’s always a lot of things that go into football, but there’s some complexity to it. We’re working through all that, and we’re looking forward to when he’s out there.” We'll keep you updated on the situation. Consider Dobbins a risk/reward pick at his current late-fourth-round ADP.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll revealed that TE Noah Fant is recovering from knee surgery. No word on when the procedure occurred or what it entailed, but Carroll expects Fant back on the field soon. “He can run full speed," Carroll said. "He can do all the stuff. But we don’t want to push him yet.” Fant opened camp on the PUP list. We'll let you know when he's activated and returns to practice. Fant is coming off a TE17 finish in PPR points and faces additional target competition this year with the arrival of first-round rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Panthers WR Laviska Shenault has taken a few backfield reps early in training camp. “We do think Laviska is a guy that can be versatile,” HC Frank Reich said. “We’ll dip our toe in the water on some of that stuff and see how it goes. That’s something that doesn’t have to be in full bloom Week 1. That can be in the beginning stages in training camp, and then the more success and momentum it gets you build it.” Shenault set career-lows last year in catches (27) and yards (272). While his talent remains intriguing, we're not expecting anything close to a breakout season.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel said he’s in his best shape since his rookie season (2019). Samuel looks “decidedly sleeker and lighter on his feet” early in camp, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. The 27-year-old shared more about his new physique. “I think the heat kind of played a part because Arizona is hot,” Deebo said, referring to where he trained. “We were doing a lot of running, a lot of cardio, a lot of stuff to kind of trim the fat a little bit. A lot of track working out. Then I got into a routine of flexibility, mobility, and then I got into boxing a little bit.” Following a down 2022, Samuel hits the WR rankings as a top-20 option.
Saints rookie WR A.T. Perry passed a physical and practiced with the team on Wednesday. He was placed on the non-football injury list last week. For now, Perry's merely a dynasty stash.
Bills QB Josh Allen said WR Deonte Harty could have a “potentially bigger role” following Nyheim Hines’ ACL tear. The Bills had “semi-high hopes” for Hines on offense, per The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Now, the door opens for Harty, only 5’6, 170 pounds, to see additional short-range targets. He’s a name to monitor in deep PPR leagues.
WR John Ross was placed on the reserve/retired list. The 9th overall pick in 2017, Ross battled for a back-end roster spot in Kansas City this summer. He totaled 62 catches, 957 yards, and 11 TDs for his career.
Bills reporter Mark Gaughan writes that the team “clearly believes” TE Dalton Kincaid “has the ability to pick up schemes quickly.” Gaughan believes the Bills will “force-feed him work this summer.” Kincaid started camp hot with a pair of TDs from Josh Allen in team drills. The rookie is currently coming off the board at TE13 on Underdog Fantasy.
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