Bucs rookie Sean Tucker is “a bit behind” the team’s other RBs in terms of learning the offense, per beat writer Scott Reynolds. Tucker missed the entire offseason program because of a heart issue, and for now, he appears no higher than fourth on the depth chart. Reynolds calls Ke’Shawn Vaughn the current No. 2 back behind Rachaad White, with Chase Edmonds “coming on strong" at camp.
On Monday, the Athletic's Mike DeFabo reported that Steelers WR George Pickens is making solid impressions at camp. DeFabo writes that while Pickens entered camp with a lot of buzz, he's "exceeding those expectations" between "highlight-reel grabs" and his spirited competitiveness in practice. Another interesting note in this report is that veteran WR Allen Robinson has "has only strengthened his case" to seize the starting slot role in the Steelers' offense through his performance in the "Seven Shots" red zone drill the Steelers frequently run from the two-yard line. Pickens will need to improve upon ranking 38th in drop rate (7.1%), 49th in yards after catch (110), and 40th in PFF receiving grade among 80 WRs who recorded 50+ targets last season. To his credit, Pickens ranked first in contest catch rate (67.9%) of that group in 2022. Still, greater evolution in his route tree is something both DeFabo and the Draft Sharks staff note as something to watch out for before we get too excited about him. Pickens presently sits as a high-end WR4 in our current WR rankings.
Plenty of opportunities are available in the Vikings' backfield following the offseason release of long-time starter RB Dalvin Cook. Alexander Mattison figures to be the new lead back in Minnesota, but the competition remains open for the RB2 spot behind him. According to The Athletic's Alec Lewis, neither Kene Nwangwu nor Ty Chandler seem to be winning the battle. Lewis highlights "questions about their abilities in pass protection" as big red flags and adds that "it would not surprise [him] to see the Vikings take a shot on a veteran who has experience with a considerable early-down workload," given the large number of available backs on the open free agent market. This report provides far more questions than it answers. It helps to reaffirm that Mattison is secure in his role, but that's about it. Any sort of deeper read into this situation would be mere speculation, though we'll be sure to keep our ears to the ground should any information linking a veteran back to the Vikings arise.
Bills TE Dalton Kincaid has drawn significant intrigue as a fantasy sleeper darling this offseason. The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia fueled the hype on Monday with a glowing report from camp. Buscaglia wrote that, "Almost every day, Kincaid is making himself available through excellent route running and movement skills for his size," adding that QB Josh Allen "has shown complete trust in Kincaid when on the field together." Rookie TEs immediately walking into high-end fantasy relevance is uncommon. However, the Bills' need for a reliable secondary option to WR Stefon Diggs in the passing game was made evident last season, and GM Brandon Beane said following the NFL Draft that they view the 25th overall pick as more of a WR than a TE. We'll see if this drumbeat stays steady for Kincaid, but it's tough to extract much value at a TE13 price tag in current ADP. He's not that far behind that position in our current TE rankings.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec tweeted on Monday that Ravens WR Rashod Bateman was seen running on a side field at practice. This is the first time Bateman, who remains on the PUP list while recovering from offseason foot surgery, was seen doing such activity. Zrebiec also noted that Bateman was "moving pretty well," which may signal a potential return to workouts with the team. This isn't a massive update by any means, but when paired with HC John Harbaugh's comments at the end of last week that Bateman might be back soon, it's intriguing, if nothing else. Bateman's absence has (to some degree) allowed for the spotlight to be focused on rookie WR Zay Flowers in camp. As Flowers' star ascends, Bateman's appeal in fantasy continues to dwindle. We'll continue to monitor this situation as more information becomes available. Check out where Bateman sits in our current WR rankings.
On Monday, the Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec wrote a glowing endorsement of Ravens WR Zay Flowers. Zrebiec pens, "It's hard to watch Flowers torch cornerbacks in one-on-ones with his quickness and suddenness and get targeted regularly in full-team sessions and not conclude that he'll have a significant offensive role." This report comes mere days after NBC's Peter King called Flowers his "most impressive rookie I have seen in six camps" he's visited this offseason. The former Boston College standout sits barely within the top 50 at the WR position in ADP. However, that may change as long as this drumbeat grows louder and teammate Rashod Bateman continues to miss time recovering from foot surgery. The Ravens' offense stands to throw the ball with greater frequency under new OC Todd Monken. If Flowers is one of the main focal points of this attack, he'll be a great value pick in 2023 drafts. See where Flowers slots in our current WR rankings.
Chiefs GM Brett Veach confirmed on Monday that RB Isiah Pacheco is expected to play in the season opener vs. the Lions. Pacheco underwent offseason surgeries on his shoulder and hand and missed spring workouts. He's been participating in training camp, albeit in a non-contact jersey, and has looked good by all accounts. NFL Network's James Palmer reported last week that Pacheco is expected to be fully cleared by August 20. We're projecting Pacheco as if he'll be a full-go come Week 1.
The Chiefs expect WR Kadarius Toney (knee) to play in the season opener vs. the Lions, GM Brett Veach said Monday. Toney injured his knee on the first day of camp, underwent surgery, and has been sidelined since. He's unlikely to practice much before Week 1 and won't be a bankable fantasy play in that one. But being out there for the opener would be a win for Toney -- and potentially make him a fantasy option starting in Week 2.
Texans LB Christian Kirksey has missed several recent days with a hamstring injury, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. Rookie Henry To'oTo'o has reportedly filled in for Kirksey in the starting lineup. The team interestingly listed Denzel Perryman and Blake Cashman as starting LBs alongside Christian Harris on the initial "unofficial" depth chart. That could mean nothing, of course. And Wilson reports that Kirksey is expected to reclaim his post when ready. We consider Harris to be the only lineup lock at this point. Harris sits highest among the group in our IDP rankings.
The Cowboys released their first "unofficial" depth chart of the season Monday, and it includes RB Rico Dowdle as the backup to Tony Pollard. Malik Davis follows Dowdle, with Ronald Jones fourth and rookie Deuce Vaughn fifth. These preseason depth charts often hold things that aren't close to how the regular season works out. But the rest of this particular depth chart looks legit. We'll certainly be watching Dallas' backfield competition the rest of the way. There is no clear favorite for the No. 2 job -- and still the possibility that the Cowboys import a veteran.
The Lions are signing QB Teddy Bridgewater, according to multiple reports. Bridgewater figures to back up Jared Goff. The timing of his addition could signal that Detroit wanted to see if rookie QB Hendon Hooker or journeyman Nate Sudfeld could fill that role. Bridgewater would likely be Goff with a lower floor and ceiling if pressed into duty. He went 49 of 79 passing with the Dolphins last year, averaging a career-high 8.6 yards per pass attempt. But Bridgewater sports just a 3.6% TD rate and 7.3 yards per attempt for his career. He'll turn 31 in November.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan doesn’t expect QB Brock Purdy to play in the preseason opener. Purdy will take part in joint practices with the Raiders this week. In his place, look for San Francisco to get an extended look at Trey Lance come Sunday afternoon.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco has yet to shed his non-contact jersey at training camp. The team is taking is easy on Pacheco, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery. NFL Network’s James Palmer tweeted recently that Pacheco “should be cleared for contact” by August 20. The second-year rusher carries a reasonable Underdog Fantasy ADP of RB30.
NFL insider Adam Caplan passed along some intel on QB Kenny Pickett. Following a conversation with OC Matt Canada, Caplan learned that Pickett’s arm is “way better than it had been,” noting how he’s improved his upper-body strength. Broadly, Canada shared that Pickett’s made a “big jump from Year 1 to Year 2,” per Caplan. Pittsburgh’s expected to emphasize the run in 2023. But given a strong supporting cast, Pickett profiles as an intriguing QB2 inside our QB rankings.
Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. left practice early on Monday. Per reporter Jamison Hensley, he didn’t return to the field after making a diving catch along the sideline. We should get an update on Beckham shortly.
Update: HC John Harbaugh said Beckham avoided an injury.
The Cowboys remain “in the mix” to re-sign RB Ezekiel Elliott, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. New England, meanwhile, remains “highly interested” in the 28-year-old. Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Kareem Hunt all remain free agents as of Monday afternoon.
Per Browns reporter Tony Grossi, RB Jerome Ford suffered a right hamstring injury in Monday’s practice. He hobbled off the field to get checked out by team trainers. We’ll let you know when we hear about the severity.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield will start this week's preseason opener, and QB Kyle Trask will start the second exhibition, according to Pewter Report. Mayfield and Trask have reportedly been splitting first-team reps in training camp. This is further confirmation that this remains an ongoing battle.
Cowboys TE Luke Schoonmaker made his practice debut on Monday. The rookie missed all of spring workouts and the first week+ of training camp with plantar fasciitis. He has a lot of catching up to do if he wants to earn a Week 1 role. We'll track his progress over the next month. For now, Jake Ferguson is the favorite to open the season as Dallas' lead TE.
In case you were wondering about how Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has fared in training camp so far, here's an update from The Athletic's Bo Wulf: "Hurts seems to have picked up where he left off, which just so happened to be playing the best game of his life on the biggest stage. ... There’s no doubt he’s been more consistent than ever over the first week-plus of camp." Hurts finished eighth among QBs in fantasy points in his first full season as starter in 2021 and then climbed to third last year. He's a safe bet for top-five production in 2023, with the upside to lead all QBs in fantasy points.
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