WR DeVante Parker “looks like the Patriots #1 WR” through 2 days of training camp, per beat writer Mark Daniels. It’s obviously early, and players won’t be in pads until Monday. But the early word has been all positive on Parker, who’s performed “on a different level,” per Daniels. The 29-year-old is currently coming cheaply in FFPC best balls with an ADP of WR65.
The Cowboys used RB Tony Pollard in a multitude of ways on the 1st day of training camp and are "committed to making Pollard a viable weapon in the offense," insider Clarence Hill writes. "Pollard opened 11-on-11 drills with the first-team offense as slot receiver. He ended practice as the primary third-down back in the 2-minute drill with [Ezekiel] Elliott on the sidelines." Hill adds that he expects Dallas to use Elliott and Pollard on the field together this season. We hear that a lot this time of year, but it certainly makes sense in this situation considering how good Pollard is and the fact that the Cowboys lost WR Amari Cooper and will likely be without WR Michael Gallup early on. We know Pollard is at least an elite fantasy handcuff, but he's also capable of providing standalone value this season.
Reports on Saints WR Michael Thomas' return to practice have been positive so far. "He looked fluid and had no noticeable braces or wrapping around the left ankle that was originally injured in Week 1 of the 2020 season," ESPN's Mike Triplett wrote. "He doesn’t look like he’s at all favoring his ankle ... Looked smooth," The New Orleans Advocate's Luke Johnson added. Thomas isn't participating in full team drills and admitted that he's not yet back to 100%. But he's clearly making good progress. We'll continue to keep a close eye on him and his ADP.
Falcons QB Marcus Mariota has been working with the 1st team in the first few days of training camp, per The Athletic's Josh Kendall. Rookie QB Desmond Ridders has been with the 2s. "Obviously, we’ve got a plan for each of them. Marcus is the starter,” QBs coach Charles London said. “I expect those guys to compete. Right now, Marcus is the starter, and he’s doing a great job.” Consider Mariota a comfy favorite to open the season as Atlanta's starter -- but there's still a good chance we see Ridder at some point.
Titans WR Robert Woods avoided the PUP list to open training camp. He's about 8-and-a-half months removed from tearing his ACL and isn't even wearing a brace on the surgically repaired knee. It looks like Woods will be close to 100% by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Pats RB Rhamondre Stevenson has slimmed down to 225 pounds, per insider Doug Kyed. He’s listed at 230 pounds on NFL.com, so it’s not a drastic cut. The move is believed to be because of an increased emphasis on the passing game. Per Kyed, Stevenson said he has a better understanding of 3rd-down concepts entering year 2. With James White’s health a question mark, Stevenson looks like the Pats’ primary receiving back in 2022.
Bucs RB Leonard Fournette showed up to training camp in "great shape," HC Todd Bowles said. "I don't know too many players in the offseason that are going to stay in shape year-around," Bowles added. "As long as they're in shape in training camp. He ran great in the test yesterday – he’s explosive, he's quick and we're happy with him." So the Fat Lenny Era is officially over. Fournette never moved in our RB rankings and is a nice pick at his late-2nd-round ADP.
While Bills WR Jamison Crowder has been sidelined with "general soreness," WR Isaiah McKenzie has been a "standout almost every day since camp began," The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia writes. "He is playing at the top of his game right now, full of confidence and knowing a big opportunity awaits if he stacks good days," Buscaglia adds. "If he continues to play like this and Crowder keeps missing time, McKenzie could end this battle quickly." We're not calling this one yet, but McKenzie certainly looks like the favorite to open the season as Buffalo's starting slot receiver. He's worth a look late in PPR drafts.
Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is "already a favorite" of QB Deshaun Watson, insider Albert Breer wrote after attending training camp. That follows last week's report that the front office and coaching staff are "big believers" in DPJ. The 3rd-year wideout appears to be in the driver's seat for a starting job and could deliver nice fantasy value at least when Watson is eligible to play.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that WR Michael Gallup is in the "4th quarter" of his ACL rehab. "He hasn’t had a setback," McCarthy added. "He looks really good." McCarthy wouldn't give a timetable for Gallup's return, though. Considering he underwent surgery in early February, there's still a good chance that he misses at least the first 4 games of the season on the PUP list. Gallup even admitted today that it would be a stretch for him to play Week 1.
Seahawks QB Geno Smith opened training camp with the 1st-team offense, right where he was in the spring. “Geno is in the lead. He’s ahead and he ain’t looking back,” HC Pete Carroll said. “He’s going for it. Drew [Lock] is not going to take a back seat. Something is going to happen.” What's "going to happen" probably won't be pretty. We're still expecting both of these guys to make starts this season. It's a situation to avoid in fantasy drafts.
Bengals RB Samaje Perine was activated from the PUP list on Wednesday. He operated as Cincinnati's #2 RB last season but will need to hold off 2nd-year RB Chris Evans for that job this summer.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson is sitting out team drills at training camp. Johnson, of course, is entering the final year of his rookie deal. "I acknowledge that he was less than 100% participation," HC Mike Tomlin said Wednesday. "We'll continue to manage the circumstance. But right now, my energy and focus is on those that are participating, and I think that's the appropriate mindset to have from time to time.” Johnson, 26, said he wants to stay in Pittsburgh long-term but acknowledges the business side of the league. "I learned you can't take stuff personally because it's business at the end of the day," he said. "That's what I'm learning, slowly. It's just like anything, stuff gets frustrating, but it's how you respond to it. I'm not letting that get to me at all; I am just going to keep going at it and worrying about the right things.” We’ll see if any progress is made in the coming days.
Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan in Denver had this to say Wednesday after observing early Broncos practices: "I don't think this is a running back competition between [Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams]. I think Gordon is the clear backup, and I believe he's competing with Boone for the No. 2 job." Lammey pointed out that Gordon was working in behind Williams, Boone and Damarea Crockett in drills on the 1st day of camp. It's still early for Gordon, who didn't re-sign until April, returning to find a new coaching staff. It's also unlikely that Gordon would return without at least a shot to fight Williams for touches. This will be 1 of the most interesting situations in all of fantasy football this summer. If Williams does operate as a clear lead back, there's upside from his Round 2 ADP. If Gordon commands anything close to last year's work share, though, he'll prove to be a tremendous value. And if Boone surprises ... then there will be plenty of angry fantasy players. We'll keep tracking this backfield closely.
Steelers beat writer Chris Adamski described WR George Pickens as the “clear WR3” early in training camp. As expected. Pickens’ raw talent has flashed early on, but it’ll likely take something close to a flawless performance over the coming weeks to overtake Chase Claypool. Pickens remains an intriguing redraft stash and best ball flier.
SI.com's Corbin K. Smith reports that Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny "showed up for camp in peak condition." The RB reportedly credits running sprints in the sand for "his improved conditioning and health," particularly in his surgically repaired knee and hamstrings. We'll see what comes of further camp reports on Penny and then any preseason action. But signs have pointed to the late-2021 stud getting 1st shot to lead this year's backfield in touches -- ahead of 2nd-round rookie Kenneth Walker.
Cardinals WR Marquise Brown is on the non-football injury list with a "tweaked" ankle he suffered last week, HC Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday. It was previously reported that Brown was dealing with a hamstring injury. An ankle is actually less worrisome, but we'll see when Brown is able to get back to practice.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott admitted that he was a little nervous about the status of his right PCL injury early in the offseason. "But by the time OTAs hit, I was back to 100 [percent]," he said. Elliott suffered that injury in Week 4 last season, so it's fair to assume he was never at full strength the rest of the way. It's certainly possible he has a more efficient season in 2022.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday that he thinks Allen Lazard "is ready to make a jump and be a #1 receiver." It's not the 1st time Rodgers has talked up Lazard this offseason. The advanced metrics aren't as kind to Lazard, but we know how important chemistry and trust is with Rodgers. If he's going to target Lazard like a true #1 WR, he could certainly deliver a nice profit at his WR46 ADP.
Robert Mays of The Athletic recently spent a couple of days at Rams training camp, and here was his "main takeaway" from the time: "The staff here is in love with Allen Robinson. From his approach in meetings to what he can give them in this offense. His route tree and where he can line up are more varied than they'd even hoped. Potential monster year incoming." We're not quite sure a "monster year" will be in order, given that incumbent #1 WR Cooper Kupp is coming off his own monster year (plus other talent on hand). But Robinson has undoubtedly landed in a good situation. And we're at least on board with liking him in fantasy football drafts.
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