The Athletic's Nate Taylor lists WR Justyn Ross as one of the "risers" from the first few days of Chiefs training camp. Ross has been getting first-team work with QB Patrick Mahomes. “He’s a bigger receiver, but when you watch him, he really excels at route running,” OC Matt Nagy said of Ross. “He’s learning his timing, for Pat to understand how he runs routes. It’s going to be immense growth for him, in a good way.” Ross missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury but had a buzzy spring. WR Kadarius Toney's knee injury opens up more opportunity for Ross to carve out an early-season role. We'll continue to keep a close eye on this wide-open Chiefs WR corps.
The Jets and QB Aaron Rodgers agreed to a new two-year, $75 million contract, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It's a significant pay cut from the $108.7 million Rodgers had been scheduled to make over the next two years. It's also worth noting that a big chunk of Rodgers' new deal is paid out in 2024, adding incentive for him to play a second season with the Jets. It's a slight boost to his dynasty fantasy football value.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh called the current situation with RB J.K. Dobbins "complicated." Dobbins opened training camp on the PUP list after missing time in the spring with an alleged sore hamstring. But it sure seems like his absence from the practice field has more to do with his contract. Dobbins is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is set to make just $1.39 million in 2023. “That’s a J.K. question,” Harbaugh said when asked about the RB's absence. “I wish there was a simple answer. There’s always a lot of things that go into football, but there’s some complexity to it. We’re working through all that, and we’re looking forward to when he’s out there.” We'll keep you updated on the situation. Consider Dobbins a risk/reward pick at his current late-fourth-round ADP.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll revealed that TE Noah Fant is recovering from knee surgery. No word on when the procedure occurred or what it entailed, but Carroll expects Fant back on the field soon. “He can run full speed," Carroll said. "He can do all the stuff. But we don’t want to push him yet.” Fant opened camp on the PUP list. We'll let you know when he's activated and returns to practice. Fant is coming off a TE17 finish in PPR points and faces additional target competition this year with the arrival of first-round rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Panthers WR Laviska Shenault has taken a few backfield reps early in training camp. “We do think Laviska is a guy that can be versatile,” HC Frank Reich said. “We’ll dip our toe in the water on some of that stuff and see how it goes. That’s something that doesn’t have to be in full bloom Week 1. That can be in the beginning stages in training camp, and then the more success and momentum it gets you build it.” Shenault set career-lows last year in catches (27) and yards (272). While his talent remains intriguing, we're not expecting anything close to a breakout season.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel said he’s in his best shape since his rookie season (2019). Samuel looks “decidedly sleeker and lighter on his feet” early in camp, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. The 27-year-old shared more about his new physique. “I think the heat kind of played a part because Arizona is hot,” Deebo said, referring to where he trained. “We were doing a lot of running, a lot of cardio, a lot of stuff to kind of trim the fat a little bit. A lot of track working out. Then I got into a routine of flexibility, mobility, and then I got into boxing a little bit.” Following a down 2022, Samuel hits the WR rankings as a top-20 option.
Saints rookie WR A.T. Perry passed a physical and practiced with the team on Wednesday. He was placed on the non-football injury list last week. For now, Perry's merely a dynasty stash.
Bills QB Josh Allen said WR Deonte Harty could have a “potentially bigger role” following Nyheim Hines’ ACL tear. The Bills had “semi-high hopes” for Hines on offense, per The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Now, the door opens for Harty, only 5’6, 170 pounds, to see additional short-range targets. He’s a name to monitor in deep PPR leagues.
WR John Ross was placed on the reserve/retired list. The 9th overall pick in 2017, Ross battled for a back-end roster spot in Kansas City this summer. He totaled 62 catches, 957 yards, and 11 TDs for his career.
Bills reporter Mark Gaughan writes that the team “clearly believes” TE Dalton Kincaid “has the ability to pick up schemes quickly.” Gaughan believes the Bills will “force-feed him work this summer.” Kincaid started camp hot with a pair of TDs from Josh Allen in team drills. The rookie is currently coming off the board at TE13 on Underdog Fantasy.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh gave his early assessment of WR Odell Beckham. “It seems to me that Odell has a good plan,” Harbaugh said Wednesday. “I see him working himself on a schedule to be ready to start the season. He’s definitely not where he’s going to be, but you could see the step (up) from minicamp…it was a good step in the right direction.” Beckham, 30, recently told The Athletic that he’s approaching 2023 like it’ll be his final season. If he can stay healthy, spot-start WR3 value is within reach given a more aggressive Baltimore offense.
Chiefs OC Matt Nagy gave his take on rookie WR Rashee Rice. “[Rice] comes from a no-huddle offense (Southern Methodist University). Yet it’s a little bit different with the tempo here and now, a huddle play,” Nagy explained. “Getting to the line of scrimmage, running your route, having conversions with it and yet being on time, jogging back and doing it again… He came in phenomenal shape here to this training camp — and I think every day, he’s made incremental improvements. It’s exciting for us because the sky’s the roof for his talent.” The Round 2 pick projects in a rotational role out of the gate, but there are snaps up for grabs in the Chiefs’ WR corps.
Chiefs reporter Pete Sweeney writes that the connection between QB Patrick Mahomes and WR Skyy Moore “seems to be getting better every day.” Moore looks poised for a prominent early-season role given the recent injury to Kadarius Toney. A Year 2 leap into WR3 range is within Moore’s range of outcomes.
The 49ers have a “plan” for keeping RB Christian McCaffrey healthy for Week 1, per HC Kyle Shanahan. McCaffrey sat out team drills on Wednesday, and it shouldn’t alarm you if this becomes a trend. CMC, now 27, has nearly 1,500 career touches. Our RB rankings show he remains a top-end RB1.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner believes 49ers RB Tyrion Davis-Price looks “quicker and leaner.” The 22-year-old is likely headed for the RB3/4 role in San Francisco. But recall that the team selected him in Round 3 just one year ago. He posted only 99 yards (on 34 carries) as a rookie.
Seahawks TE Noah Fant is opening training camp on the PUP list. No word yet on what's keeping him sidelined. He dealt with knee trouble last year but played in all 17 games. We'll update Fant's status when we know more.
Patriots WR Tyquan Thornton has not appeared limited in training camp so far, according to insider Alex Barth. Thornton missed time in the spring with a soft-tissue injury, but that looks to be behind him. The 2022 second-round pick has an opportunity to carve out a significant role in a New England passing game that could certainly use his speed.
Commanders RB Antonio Gibson said Wednesday that he anticipates being in the “JD [McKissic] role” this season, playing on third downs and the two-minute drill. McKissic averaged just 4.4 carries but 5.8 targets per game in Washington over the last three years. We're expecting Gibson to get more rushing work than that, but anything close to that level of usage in the passing game would be golden. Gibson is one of our 2023 Fantasy Football Sleepers.
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts was on the field for Wednesday's training-camp practice -- with a brace on his surgically repaired right knee. Pitts seemingly isn't back to 100% yet, although the fact that he's on the field at all in late July means he should be ready to roll come Week 1. We'll continue to keep a close eye on his status.
Broncos WR Marvin Mims is out with a hamstring injury, HC Sean Payton said Wedesday. Mims dealt with an injury to his other hamstring earlier this offseason. Payton expects Mims to be back in action in "about four days, five days, maybe a week." We'll see when the rookie returns to the field. He can't afford to miss too much more time if he wants to push for an early-season role.
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