Saints QB Taysom Hill arrived to camp “noticeably slimmed down,” per Katherine Terrell of The Athletic. The change was intentional. “I think as a thrower it’s important to have a stronger backside than it is your frontside shoulder, and it’s natural to work your frontside muscles than it is your backside,” Hill said. “I can tell you for me historically when I get sore it’s all your (decelerating) motions from taking so many reps and throwing so many balls. So throughout my career here, I was always trying to find that balance of being strong enough to do what I was going to be asked to do, but still be able to throw a ball and so forth. So there was definitely a transition there.” This is the first time as a pro that he’s exclusively worked at QB, so the change in regimen makes sense. Last year alone, Hill lined up as a QB, RB, WR and TE — plus he held various special teams roles. No clear favorite has emerged as the QB1 in the early portion of training camp.
According to Jess Root of Cards Wire, Cardinals RB James Conner has sat out team drills in recent days with an unspecified injury. Jonathan Ward has reportedly stepped in for Conner's reps with the 1st team. We haven't seen any other report of a Conner injury, so we're not concerned about the situation just yet. But it'll be one to monitor, given Conner's injury history.
Benjamin Allbright of KOA Radio in Denver tweeted this week that "Melvin Gordon is CLEARLY RB1 for this team so far." That likely comes from the usage of Gordon vs. Javonte Williams over the 1st few days of training camp. It's early, of course, when many coaching staffs defer to veterans. It's noteworthy, though, that Gordon didn't appear to lose standing for the OTAs he skipped. We'll certainly be watching the usage in this backfield through the rest of camp and preseason. We're not currently excited about drafting any Denver RB in fantasy football.
Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman has "continued his ascension" early in training camp after a strong spring, The Athletic's Nate Taylor writes. "Known for his rare speed, Hardman has produced more consistent repetitions while polishing his route-running ability in the middle of the field," Taylor adds. "Hardman has run routes from each of the Chiefs’ main three receiver positions ... The first three practices have featured Hardman executing shorter routes, the types where he has to be precise in both his release and his cuts to give [QB Patrick] Mahomes a clear throwing window." Mahomes, meanwhile, has praised Hardman's improved maturity and comfort in the offense. This sure sounds like a guy ready to take a big step forward in year 3. Hardman is an upside pick at his 10th- or 11th-round price tag.
Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki has been placed on the COVID list, along with TEs Adam Shaheen and Cethan Carter. All 3 were reportedly close contacts of OC George Godsey, who tested positive for the virus. This shouldn't impact Gesicki's status for the start of the season, but we'll let you know when he's cleared to get back on the field.
Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic writes that Ravens WR Sammy Watkins looks “fresh, explosive, motivated and more importantly, healthy” early in training camp. Zrebiec also noted his the veteran’s ability to get open and make plays “all over the field.” This jives with OC Greg Roman’s recent comment about Watkins being “one of the best receivers in the NFL.” Volume is an obvious concern for the run-heavy Ravens. Watkins, though, is essentially free as the WR77 in FFPC best balls.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Colts QB Carson Wentz will "try to rest and rehab his foot injury over the next few days" in hopes that will be enough to get him ready for the season opener. "If it doesn't improve, the answer may be surgery," Rapoport adds. We'll see where this goes for Wentz. From this report, it seems we should know by the end of the week whether surgery is coming.
Vikings TE Irv Smith has been a frequent target of QB Kirk Cousins in camp so far, according to insider Judd Zulgad. "It’s become clear that Kirk Cousins is very comfortable throwing to Smith — more than he was throwing to Kyle Rudolph — and that could result in a big season for the tight end entering his third season," Zulgad writes. The Smith hype quieted a bit after HC Mike Zimmer talked up a bigger role for TE Tyler Conklin back in June. But Smith was always most likely to lead Vikings TEs in targets and fantasy points this season. He has top-10 upside.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said Sunday that WR Amari Cooper (ankle) "looks great ... Everything has been extremely positive from the strength staff." Cooper, of course, remains on the active PUP list after January ankle surgery. The tentative plan is to have him get on the practice field in mid-August. McCarthy's words are nice -- but we can't feel totally confident drafting Cooper until we see him in action.
According to SB Nation's Arrowhead Pride blog, the Chiefs "have their No. 1 and No. 2 backs in place in starter Clyde Edwards-Helaire and third-down back Darrel Williams." That would leave Jerick McKinnon fighting for 3rd on the depth chart, with Elijah McGuire, Darwin Thompson and Derrick Gore as competitors. This might be more opinion than fact, but it's also likely based on the team's usage of its RBs so far in training camp. If you're drafting, Darrel Williams should be the 2nd Chiefs RB off the board. Don't get too high on anyone other than CEH at the position for K.C., though. There's also still the possibility that the Chiefs add another RB.
Speaking with the Raiders website Saturday, HC Jon Gruden had some high praise for 2nd-year WR Bryan Edwards: "He's got great ability. I'm excited about him. You see, he looks like T.O. He looks like one of the #1 wideouts in the league." Gruden then added that WR Henry Ruggs "is putting it together; I think his experience shows." It's one soundbite from an early-camp interview. But it sure sounds -- and looks from Gruden's expression -- as though last year's Round 3 WR is impressing him more than the 1st-rounder. Gruden went on to name Willie Snead and Hunter Renfrow as "crafty little slot guys" and said he's "really excited" about TE Foster Moreau. We'll keep our eyes on the progression of this offense, which presents wide-open opportunity for roles behind lead target Darren Waller.
According to 49ers beat writer Matt Barrows, “the notion that [Trey] Lance could overtake [Jimmy] Garoppolo early in the season, which seemed so farfetched on draft day and after OTAs, appears far more realistic today.” Lance’s aggressiveness and athleticism have stood out through 4 practices. Of course, that’s a tiny sample size. But the 20-year-old — with only 17 college starts — appears on track for early-season starts. We like Lance as a QB2 stash given his rushing ability and the weapons in San Francisco.
Patriots HC Bill Belichick said last week that he’s been “impressed by the commitment” shown by RB Damien Harris. Belichick also said that Harris has “embraced” the competition for a “lead spot” in the backfield. Harris should be safely ahead of Sony Michel and rookie Rhamondre Stevenson, who recently came off the non-football injury list. An RB2 finish for the 24-year-old Harris is certainly within his range of outcomes.
Vikings rookie QB Kellen Mond tested positive for COVID ahead of the team's Saturday night practice, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. QB Kirk Cousins and backup Nate Stanley also had to sit out as "high-risk close contacts." That points to Cousins not being vaccinated. QB Jake Browning -- who is vaccinated -- did not need to quarantine with the rest of the position group and soaked up the reps. We'll see whether Cousins' vaccination status becomes an issue at any other point -- and whether a positive test comes for him.
The Saints reached a 1-year deal with RB Devonta Freeman on Saturday, following a tryout for the veteran. Freeman obviously won't challenge the roles of Alvin Kamara or Latavius Murray, but figures to compete with Tony Jones Jr., Dwayne Washington and rookie Stevie Scott for a spot behind them. Freeman averaged just 3.2 yards per rush over 54 carries with the Giants last year and made a stop on Buffalo's practice squad before getting to New Orleans. He turned 29 in March.
The Browns and RB Nick Chubb have agreed “in principle” to a 3-year extension worth $36.6 million, with $20 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The average money falls right in line with other recent RB extensions and shows we can expect Chubb to remain at the center of Cleveland’s offense for at least the next couple of seasons.
The 49ers have agreed to a deal with Jordan Matthews. The former WR for multiple teams -- San Francisco, most recently -- has added weight and is transitioning to TE. He joins a crowd at his new position. Besides George Kittle, San Francisco sports TEs Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, MyCole Pruitt and Josh Pederson. Odds seem against Matthews even making the regular-season roster, but we'll see where this goes. He should at least face an easier transition than Logan Thomas did from QB. Matthews turned 29 in July.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski says he plans to "grow the role" of TE Austin Hooper this season, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Hooper went from about 18% target share before his appendectomy last season to 15.3% after. Either of those target shares would have ranked top 9 at the position last season. Only 5 TEs cracked 18% for the year. Hooper is an easy value well into TE2 territory in current ADP.
The Ravens have reached a 1-year deal with EDGE Justin Houston. The veteran spent the past 2 years with the Colts, tallying 19 sacks. He should be in for a starting role on a Baltimore defense that let Matt Judon walk in free agency. The move to Baltimore will likely change his position designation from DE to LB on many fantasy-league hosting sites.
Patriots HC Bill Belichick said Saturday monrning, "Cam's our starting quarterback," per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. It's not surprising, of course, to hear that from the coach after Cam Newton has opened training camp taking 1st reps. And we'll expect Newton to keep the job until rookie Mac Jones overtakes him. We'll see how soon that might happen. It hasn't seemed as though either QB is wowing observers in early workouts. Newton presents more fantasy upside by virtue of his rushing. A switch to Jones, though, could boost target counts for players such as RB James White.
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