49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has been the star of training camp the past few days. Teammates are impressed with his play. "Right now he’s having an outstanding camp," S Jimmie Ward said Wednesday. "B.A. has taken his game to another level. It’s crazy. I haven’t won a one-on-one rep with him yet." Aiyuk found himself in HC Kyle Shanahan's doghouse around this time a year ago and got off to a slow start. But he tallied a 47-730-4 line over his final 11 games, ranking 16th among WRs in PPR points. We still have some volume concerns here as Aiyuk fights for targets with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle in what figures to be a run-heavy offense. But Aiyuk is fairly priced at his current WR42 ADP.
Jets TE Jeremy Ruckert (foot) has been cleared for "football activities," according to Newsday Sports' Al Iannazzone. The 3rd-round rookie has been sidelined since the spring with plantar fasciitis. Ruckert is a fine dynasty stash but a redraft long shot behind TEs Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah.
The Athletic's Zak Keefer expects RB Nyheim Hines to be used "substantially more" this year than last. "It’s been obvious from the install days over the past week how much usage he’ll get, both with Jonathan Taylor on the field and off it," Keefer adds. "Hines has been heavily involved in the run and pass games." We don't expect Hines to steal much, if any, rushing work from Taylor. But his role should rebound in the passing game after he averaged a career low 2.4 catches and 18.2 receiving yards per game last year. Consider Hines a nice RB4 target in PPR drafts.
Saints HC Dennis Allen said Wednesday that QB Jameis Winston's surgically repaired knee is no longer a concern. "I think we're past the point where we're trying have a maintenance plan on the knee," Allen said. "I think we're in a good spot there. I think it's really just about continuing to get better at the quarterback position." Winston will be under center for the Saints come Week 1, although it remains to be seen if his movement in and out of the pocket will be back to pre-injury levels.
Saints HC Dennis Allen said Wednesday that WR Michael Thomas "looks outstanding" in camp so far. "Obviously, we're still in a progression with him," Allen added. "He got some 7-on-7 today. We plan on continuing to progress that. Hopefully soon we'll get on to some team work and keep rolling." Thomas might not be at 100% quite yet, but reports on his play in camp have been universally positive. He continues to climb our WR rankings.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is "lightning up camp," insider Albert Breer tweeted Wednesday. "Got Kareem Hunt traits, a gear Hunt didn't have," Breer adds. It's high praise -- and not the 1st time we've heard that the 7th-round rookie is having an excellent training camp. It's time to start taking Pacheco seriously as a factor in the Chiefs offense and a late-round flier in fantasy drafts.
The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue hears that Rams WR Van Jefferson's knee surgery "went great" and that "it’s realistic to believe he can return by the Sept. 8 opener." You probably won't want to be using Jefferson in Week 1 fantasy lineups, but it doesn't sound like we should be adjusting his season-long outlook much, if at all.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers praised rookie WR Romeo Doubs at training camp. “Every single day, there’s been at least one ‘wow’ play. And that’s rare for a young guy like that,” Rodgers said. “We’ve had some guys over the years do that, but they are all in the top 10 of Packers receiving history. Good start for him.” Missed time from WRs Christian Watson and Sammy Watkins have given Doubs a chance to shine alongside Rodgers. If this continues over the next few weeks, it’s quite possible he sees some run in 3-WR sets.
Patriots insider Jeff Howe tweeted Wednesday that the “expectation” is Matt Patricia will call plays this season. As Howe points out, Patricia has called most of the Pats’ offensive plays in camp. However, the long-time assistant — who’s generally worked on the defensive side — has never been an offensive play-caller at any level. He’ll almost certainly prove to be a downgrade on Josh McDaniels.
Per multiple reports, the NFL is appealing Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s 6-game suspension. Roger Goodell will determine who’ll hear the appeal. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: According to insider Jeff Darlington, the league is "appealing for an indefinite suspension that would be a minimum of one year."
Paul Dehner of The Athletic writes that WR Ja’Marr Chase “has picked up right where he left off” last season. You know, because All-Pro talents don’t just decline in their 2nd season. “It’s not a surprise, and it’s hard to imagine his stock soaring any higher, but Chase looks like he’s playing a different game,” Dehner shares. Good to know. The LSU product is currently coming off the board 3rd among WRs — and rightfully so.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles complimented the play of TE Cade Otton. “Cade’s a very cerebral player. You won’t see all the speed and power, but you look up and he’s always doing the right things, always in the right place. He has great hands and he understands how to play the game,” Bowles said. “I think a lot of young players don’t have that. He has that coming in, so that’s going to benefit him going forward.” Bowles noted that Otten needs to improve his play strength — standard language for a rookie. The 4th-round pick figures to see limited action alongside Kyle Rudolph and Cameron Brate, but he’s a name to monitor in dynasty circles.
Browns WR Amari Cooper returned to practice on Wednesday. He tweaked his right ankle on Monday, but it looks like a non-issue going forward.
Cardinals WR Marquise Brown was arrested Wednesday morning on criminal speeding charges, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM. We'll see where this goes but doubt it draws a suspension from the league. Brown, of course, missed the first week or so of camp with a hamstring issue. So it hasn't been an ideal start to his Cardinals career.
Bears RB David Montgomery has been taking reps with the special teams in training camp. “Wherever they need me, I’m going to be ready to be there,” he said. “I’ve never played special teams before. But I’m always down and excited to learn so I can be better.” Per The Athletic, "Montgomery said it was as simple as seeing his name on the depth chart and going to the special teams drills." We're not sure what to make of this. It could be the Bears just toying around with different options early in training camp. Or it could mean that Montgomery's role on offense will be scaled back this season. We'll see if we learn anything on that front in preseason action. RB Khalil Herbert notably beat Montgomery in both Pro Football Focus rushing grade and Elusive Rating last year.
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has been cleared to practice after offseason shoulder surgery. "He has no restrictions and I’m watching him throw out here right now," GM John Lynch said. "He looks pretty good." With the 'Niners turning the offense over to QB Trey Lance this year, Garoppolo has been working separately from the rest of the team. We'll see if a trade materializes ahead of Week 1.
Colts TEs Kylen Granson and Jelani Woods have been "up-and-down so far, and need to stack more consistent days together," The Athletic's Zak Keefer writes. "Granson had too many drops in the spring and hasn’t flashed much in Westfield," Keefer adds. "Woods, a rookie, is probably coming along a little slower than the team would like. He’s looked lost at times." It's not a major surprise that Granson and Woods, 24 and 23 years old, respectively, are off to slow starts. We'll continue to monitor their progress, but Mo Alie-Cox looks like a safe bet to open the season as Indianapolis' lead TE.
Ravens RB Justice Hill has "built momentum" early in training camp, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec writes. "He’s looked quick, showing no signs of the Achilles tear that sidelined him all last season," Zrebiec adds. "He’s also caught quite a few balls out of the backfield." Baltimore's backfield is a fluid situation with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards iffy for the start of the season. Hill is battling with Mike Davis and Tyler Badie for positioning on the depth chart behind Dobbins and Edwards.
Chiefs WR Skyy Moore (hip) practiced Wednesday following an early departure on Tuesday. Moore confirmed that he was fine in a social media post yesterday, and this is further proof. He remains a candidate for significant early-season snaps.
Pats RB James White remains without a “clear timetable” to come off the PUP list, per insider Jeff Howe. The possibility remains that White, who’s rehabbing a hip injury, stays on the PUP list to start the season. Rhamondre Stevenson remains the favorite for passing-down work.
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