Chiefs rookie RB Isiah Pacheco has been "getting good looks in training camp," according to ESPN's Adam Teacher. That has included the 6th-round pick often working ahead of Jerick McKinnon and Ronald Jones in RB drills, behind only Clyde Edwards-Helaire. It's probably a little early to consider Pacheco the #2, but this should be an open competition. And it's well worth noting that he's already factoring in that prominently, despite McKinnon and Derrick Gore being holdovers and Jones bringing much more experience.
Multiple outlets report that Sue Robinson is expected to issue her ruling on league discipline for Browns QB Deshaun Watson on Monday. The NFLPA has announced that it will not appeal the decision. Now we just wait to find the specific number of games.
The 49ers and WR Deebo Samuel have agreed to a 3-year extension. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a $71.55 million deal, with a max value of $73.5 million and $58.1 million in guarantees. The length of the contract means Samuel will hit another contract year at age 29. This should return the star WR to full practice, after a tumultuous offseason.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford gave a lukewarm update on his throwing elbow Saturday: “It’s coming along. I’m kind of right where I want to be and just continue to get it feeling better. Get it stronger. You just lose those reps through the offseason and [I’m] trying to gain some of those reps back at the moment.” On one hand, it’s nice to not get an overly positive/optimistic update from a player on his injury. On the other, we’d love to hear that Stafford is further along. We’re still not altering our outlook, but we’ll be tracking the situation throughout August
ESPN's Michael DiRocco's "educated guess" is that Jaguars RB James Robinson will lead the team in carries this season, "but Etienne could have a slight lead in total touches." It seems very likely that Etienne serves as Jacksonville's primary pass-catching back. But exactly how carries will be divided is the big question -- especially since you'll need to spend a 3rd- or 4th-round pick to land Etienne. We'll continue to keep a close eye on Jacksonville's backfield plans.
49ers beat writer Jennifer Lee Chan calls WR Brandon Aiyuk a training camp “standout.” Aiyuk, who was in HC Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse for part of last year, appears on the right track in year 3. “I like what I see out of B.A.,” LB Fred Warner said. “He works super hard. He’s starting to really getting into that mindset that he’s the guy, and he’s capable. I’m just trying to get the best out of him. That’s also just putting pressure on me. I’m also trying ways to get the best out of myself.” Only 24, Aiyuk could enter the WR3 mix if Trey Lance takes a big step forward.
Colts HC Frank Reich talked up WR Ashton Dulin's role on offense this season. “I cannot emphasize how strongly we feel about Ashton Dulin," Reich said. "He’s going to play a role in this offense. He’s proven it and he’s earned it. He’s going to have to continue to prove it to earn it, but this guy has toughness, the smarts, he plays all the positions, he knows what to do, he’s a competitor, it’s not too big for him, he’s a playmaker. We love him. We are all planning on him making a significant contribution, not only on special teams, but on offense, too.” Dulin went undrafted back in 2019 and has just 18 catches through 3 NFL seasons. So we're not ready to call him a fantasy-draft target just yet. But he's on our radar for the rest of training camp and preseason action.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Rams WR Van Jefferson will “see a specialist on Monday for a knee issue that has been plaguing him.” The wideout has reportedly been “doing maintenance” and is in danger of missing the next few weeks. Rapaport’s report includes the possibility that he’ll need surgery. We’ll watch for more after the visit. Jefferson is only a late-round pick now, carrying limited risk. You might want to back away from him for the next few days at least in best-ball drafts, though. Tutu Atwell might find a significant opportunity boost if Jefferson misses extended time
Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles on Friday highlighted WR Russell Gage as a consistently strong performer so far in training camp. "Gage has really been the one to stand out," he said, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic. The report also mentions WRs Tyler Johnson and Jaelon Darden as early leaders in competition for what might be the final 2 spots on the depth chart. Gage is locked into the top 4 with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Julio Jones. We'll continue watching camp reports and preseason signals for specific roles within 1 of the league's top pass offenses.
The Lions have declined to give a public timeline for WR Jameson Williams' return to the field, but it doesn't seem like it's coming soon. According to Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic: "That rehab schedule might stretch on for a while. Not just through training camp but, perhaps, into a chunk of the season." Williams looks like a strong candidate to open the regular season on the PUP list. Consider him no more than a late-round flyer for 2022 redraft leagues.
Any concerns about Jaguars RB Travis Etienne "keeping his trademark speed and explosiveness after his Lisfranc injury appear to be able to mostly be put to rest," insider John Shipley writes. "He looks like the most dangerous potential weapon the Jaguars have on offense." Shipley adds that Etienne has been moving around the formation and getting the ball in multiple ways. We'll see exactly how many touches HC Doug Pederson and staff plan to give Etienne, but he possesses RB1 upside in PPR leagues.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gave his thoughts on what the backfield should look like in a Saturday interview with NFL Network. "We gotta have Tony Pollard out there. No, seriously, Zeke's gotta be our feature, and he is our feature," Jones said. "We can feature him in a lot of different ways ... So it's critical that we make Zeke -- because he's capable of being that -- really the focus of what we're doing. Now then, Pollard, there's plenty of room for Pollard. There's plenty of room for Pollard when Zeke's in there. Pollard needs to get the ball." There's only 1 ball to go around for these 2 backs, so it'll be interesting to see exactly how touches are divvied this season. But it's clear that the Cowboys currently have no plans of significantly scaling back Elliott's volume.
"If the first three practices are any indication, George Pickens is going to be a huge factor in this [Steelers] offense," ESPN's Brooke Pryor tweeted on Friday. It reads a little hyperbolic, but Pickens has been creating consistent buzz from multiple Steelers beat writers early in camp. And we loved him as a prospect, so we wouldn't be surprised to see him make a significant rookie-year impact. Highlight Pickens as an intriguing late-round flier in fantasy drafts.
Per Ben Arthur of The Tennessean, “no lingering concerns” have been “apparent” regarding Derrick Henry’s foot. Henry, of course, missed 9 games last year before returning for the postseason. Arthur also writes that the RB has “showcased his signature burst,” so it certainly seems like he’s the Henry of old. The 28-year-old enters August with a mid-to-late Round 1 ADP.
Jon Machota of The Athletic writes that Dallas’ O-line “has more question marks than it ever has in [Dak] Prescott’s career.” Of note, LT Tyron Smith has made only 13 appearances over the past 2 seasons. Overall, the O-line will be an area we monitor closely as Dallas enters preseason action.
Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki admitted that HC Mike McDaniel’s offense has him blocking more than in past seasons. "Yeah, I mean, I don't think I took one snap from a receiver stance today," Gesicki said at training camp. "So it's definitely different. And but I mean, it is what it is. And I'm excited about it. I'm looking forward to another challenge and another opportunity.” Gesicki, 26, is likely to be an inconsistent fantasy asset this fall.
Following a day that saw Eagles RB Miles Sanders handle some 2nd-team reps, HC Nick Sirianni dismissed the notion that he’s shaking up the backfield. "Miles is our guy," Sirianni said. "It just so happened to be the way the numbers worked, but Miles was in with the [No.] 1s as well. There's no secret. Miles is our guy, and we like to rotate our backs.” Carry on.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler doesn’t expect his role to change significantly in 2022. “As far as my load, yeah, maybe it could be altered a little bit but I don’t think it’ll go down. I think it’ll just look a little different, if anything.” OC Joe Lombardi is on the same page. “I’m not expecting any kind of dip in usage with him,” the long-time coach said. “But, like any running back, unless you’re 250 pounds, sometimes there’s a pitch count on those guys. (Ekeler) isn’t someone you want to lose halfway through the season because you overused him. Just being smart with how many times he’s getting hit every game is something that you have to keep any eye on.” Ekeler saw a career-high 206 carries in 16 games last season. Perhaps that’s scaled back a bit, but there’s no reason to alter 2022 expectations here.
Bills beat writer Jay Skurski has “concern” over the team’s O-line situation. “I hate to say it, but [Josh] Allen’s ability to be healthy and play 17 games might be at stake here,” Skurski admits. Buffalo’s projected starters along the O-line have yet to practice together due to injuries (Rodger Saffold, Mitch Morse, Ryan Bates and Spencer Brown) and an absence for personal reasons (Dion Dawkins). We’re not adjusting projections, as this unit should all be together come Week 1. But that matchup — on the road against Aaron Donald and the Rams — might lead to a rocky start.
Arif Hasan of The Athletic writes that Vikings WR K.J. Osborn has appeared to lock down the team’s #3 WR role. Osborn, who enjoyed a mini breakout last year (50-655-7), is running ahead of guys like Bisi Johnson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Albert Wilson. It’s not a surprise, but it’s nice to get confirmation with Minnesota breaking in a new coaching staff. With the Vikings expected to feature more 3-WR looks, Osborn could enter the spot-start mix in deep leagues.
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