Tyler Davis led the Packers in "true" 1st-team TE reps in Friday's Family Night practice, according to SB Nation's Justin Mosqueda. Josiah Deguara got more total playing time (15 snaps to Davis' 13) but spent a significant chunk of that in RB positions. Davis, meanwhile, spent more combined time inline or in the slot than Marcedes Lewis and others. Robert Tonyan projects as the lead receiver at the position but is still on PUP as he works back from his ACL tear. Keep Davis on your radar, though, in case Tonyan's return is delayed into the regular season (or if you're playing preseason DFS).
The Packers had a "Family Night" practice for fans at Lambeau Field that included simulated intrasquad scrimmaging. SB Nation's Acme Packing Co. blog counted up the 1st-team snaps and found rookie Romeo Doubs on for 13, compared with 18 for Allen Lazard and 16 for Sammy Watkins. That lines up with reports out of camp, with Doubs ahead of Randall Cobb (6) and others. It's certainly worth noting that fellow rookie WR Christian Watson is not yet practicing. Doubs has been moving up our WR rankings.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes that Jets WR Garrett Wilson “hit a lull when the pads went on.” Cimini noted the increased physicality from DBs during padded practices. Wilson isn’t the biggest WR; he weighed in at 183 pounds at the Combine, although the Jets list him at 6’0, 192. We’re ultimately not concerned about his play strength long-term, but it’ll be something to monitor.
Giants beat writer Dan Duggan considers Daniel Bellinger the team's "clear TE1.” He’s seen a steady dose of snaps with the starters throughout camp, and given the minimal competition, this news isn’t shocking. We’ll see if the Giants add a veteran body, but the dynasty arrow is certainly pointing up for the 4th-round rookie.
The Eagles have been running Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards as the top LBs with the 1st defense in training camp. Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that rookie Nakobe Dean worked in for some 1st-team snaps. The team is also reportedly experimenting with S K'Von Wallace taking some sub-package snaps. We'd bet the Eagles will continue using the preseason to settle out their defensive lineup. White looks like the best current bet to see full playing time among LBs. Dean's quick progression up the depth chart at Georgia -- along with his physical ability -- makes him a player worth betting on. Edwards would carry some IDP value if he hits the regular season as the #2 LB and appears headed for near-full playing time. We'll continue watching how the situation develops.
There has been plenty of buzz about the Colts planning better production for RB Nyheim Hines this season. One key factor in making that happen should be his usage in WR spots. Here's what OC Marcus Brady had to say back ahead of training camp, according to SI.com's Horseshoe Huddle: "We can put Nyheim in the slot and run routes. He runs routes like receivers well. We're going to spread him out. ... Nyheim's ability to play both [RB and WR] essentially allows us to be a little more creative." Hines hit career lows in targets, receptions and yards last season, despite the extra game. His route rate also dipped to a career low, according to Pro Football Focus, with a career-high percentage of his time spent pass-blocking. But the Colts also jumped Hines' time in the slot to a carer-high 23.2% from a previous high of 11.8% (and just 8.9% in 2020). In total, Hines lined up at WR on 36.7% of snaps, vs. a previous high of 25.9% in 2019. It's clear that coaches are expecting QB Matt Ryan to leverage Hines' receiving skills more than Carson Wentz did. The WR usage explains how Hines can get a boost without hurting Jonathan Taylor's opportunity.
Colts HC Frank Reich spoke positively this week about LB Shaquille (Darius) Leonard staying involved in training-camp practices despite not taking part physically, as he works back from June back surgery. But it still doesn't sound like the team knows exactly when he'll be back. "I know he is continuing good rehab, having progress, but we are still not in that mode," Reich said, per SI.com's Horseshoe Huddle. "I don't think it is imminent, but I think he is making progress." Jake Arthur told us Friday on the podcast that he doesn't think Leonard would need much practice time to be ready for the season once his body's good to go. We'll keep watching, though, for some indication of when that will be.
There have been multiple reports of Patriots TE Jonnu Smith showing well in training camp workouts. Sounds like new QBs coach Joe Judge is a fan. "He had a terrific offseason for us," Judge said, per ESPN's Mike Reiss. The crowd of pass-catchers in New England is the biggest concern, limiting the opportunity for a guy who got a 4-year, $50 million deal in free agency last offseason. Reiss, at least, says the mere 18% of plays that put both Smith and Hunter Henry on the field last year should increase this season. Smith might still need a Henry injury to be usable outside of best-ball fantasy football leagues.
ESPN's Mike Reiss notes that the Patriots offense has been inconsistent through training camp so far, featuring more "no chance" plays than usual. He opines that New England "experimenting with new things" has been partly to blame, but HC Bill Belichick (shockingly) also doesn't sound impressed. He said late in the week that the offense is "inching along" and that there are still "miles to go." Fortunately, the ADPs on nearly every member of the New England offense indicate that fantasy football drafters aren't especially excited. That means modest investment in whichever pieces interest you.
Those around Patriots 2nd-round WR Tyquan Thornton say he has showed impressive growth through his 1st training camp. "He's gotten better every single time he's stepped on the field," WRs coach Ross Douglas told ESPN's Mike Reiss. "He truly has a lot of gifts. It's not just his speed. His ability to change direction, ball skills. He has a good attitude and the guys in the room have embraced him. His development will be key and we'll get him there." Reiss adds that Thornton has been primarily working behind WRs Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, and that those 4 appear "locked in atop the depth chart." We're not betting on a big fantasy football return from Thornton in his rookie season. We'll see, though, whether he can buck the lackluster trend of early-round WRs under Bill Belichick over the next few years.
Jets RBs Breece Hall and Michael Carter split the workload in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. If that's how things continue to play out heading into the regular season, Carter could be a nice fantasy value. Hall, on the other hand, would see his ceiling limited. We remain more bullish on the 2nd-round rookie than the 4th-rounder from last year but will certainly track the situation through preseason.
Bryan Perez of Bears Talk writes that "no Chicago Bears player is having a better start to training camp" than TE Cole Kmet. OC Luke Getsy says they're moving the 3rd-year TE around the formation and that he's doing everything well, including running some routes from out wide. "I think he's on the brink right now of taking his game to another level," Getsy says. "So I am hopeful that by the time we get through this camp, he is ready to be a rock star for us, because we're going to need him to be." That need is key, as Kmet looks like the favorite to follow WR Darnell Mooney as top targets. Kmet has been a value pick outside the top 12 TEs in PPR drafts all year.
The Steelers’ initial “unofficial” depth chart has rookie QB Kenny Pickett 3rd behind Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. That matches with reports of training-camp reps. We’ll see whether preseason action alters the order — as well as how true the depth chart is
Saints WR Michael Thomas took part in team drills Saturday for the 1st time in training camp. It’s just another step in the return of a player who has been drawing strong reviews since he got back onto the field
Lions WR D.J. Chark has been "impressive all camp," Tim Twentyman of the team's website writes. Chark, who signed a 1-year, $10 million contract with Detroit in free agency, "had a monster practice" on Saturday, including this diving catch. Still just 25 and with a 1,000-yard season under his belt, Chark could be a strong value at his current WR60 ADP.
Eagles RB Boston Scott is sidelined with a concussion. It shouldn't impact his availability for the start of the season but is worth filing away in case he suffers another head injury. Scott is expected to open the season as Philly's #3 RB behind Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell.
Bears WR Byron Pringle has a quad injury and no timetable for return, HC Matt Eberflus said Saturday. Pringle is in the running for the wide-open #2 WR job in Chicago but can't afford to miss much time if he wants to win it. We'll see when he's able to get back on the field.
Panthers HC Matt Rhule has no plans to lighten RB Christian McCaffrey's workload. “Christian’s a dominant football player," Rhule said. "He plays a high-contact, high-percent-of-injury position. We’re going to put him out there and play him. think we’re all thinking about Christian one way only, and that’s attack.” McCaffrey, by the way, has had a healthy camp so far after missing significant time in both of the last 2 seasons. He's the odds-on favorite to lead RBs in fantasy points per game.
RB Kareem Hunt has told the Browns that he won’t take part in team drills until he gets a contract extension, ESPN reports. Hunt is in the 2nd season of a 2-year deal. He also resides in a crowded backfield. That leaves little leverage for the veteran. We’ll see where this goes, but we’re not altering Hunt’s fantasy football outlook at this point
Insider Peter King came away from Packers camp believing WR Romeo Doubs will have a "prominent role early" in this offense. That's been the general sentiment from basically anyone who's watched Packers practices over the past couple of weeks. "He's been terrific in training camp," King said. "He has shined." Doubs has quickly become a priority late-round target in fantasy drafts.
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