It’s training camp season! Rookies are being integrated into teams and we are getting glimpses of what depth charts may look like and roles players may have.
Below are 10 important takeaways from training camp that have an impact on your Dynasty teams.
1. Dontayvion Wicks
Packer WR coach Jason Vrable, “Dontayvion Wicks looks exceptional right now. Very please where he is at right now. When he was healthy he ran some great routes. He lived with Jayden Reed. He played competitive. He played physical. He has tremendous footwork and pad level.”
Reaction: The Packers have a great problem. They have four very young wide receivers who all have shown the ability to be NFL starters. Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Wicks make up one of the deepest WR groups in the NFL. At cost, I am betting on Wicks in Dynasty. Wicks and Reed were basically tied for the team lead in yards per route run (1.95 and 1.94, respectively). Wicks is the most versatile WR on the team and can win in a variety of roles. Reed profiles as the slot, with Watson as the deep threat. That leaves Wicks to battle Doubs for the 3rd spot in 11 formation.
2. Luke McCaffrey
Per Commanders reporter Ben Standig, Ben Standig * Luke McCaffrey lined up outside more than expected.”Â
Reaction: Luke McCaffrey played 71.7% of his snaps at slot in college, so this is an interesting development. He is my most-owned rookie in Dynasty, as I snapped him up in the late third round of most of my rookie drafts. I have 75% ownership currently. McCaffrey led all WR prospects in college career fantasy points per game started at wide receiver. His 18.6 FPPG was more than Harrison Jr, Nabers, and Odunze. He only converted to wide receiver his junior year, so he is still improving at the position.Â
3. Christian Kirk
From Jaguars beat writer John Shipley, “Christian Kirk proved to be one of the most important pieces on the Jaguars’ entire roster last year. Not only was he on pace for a second strong season in terms of production before his injury in Week 13, but his absence over the final five games proved to be a major factor in the Jaguars’ collapse. Kirk rehabbed hard this offseason after getting surgery during the season for the core muscle injury, and Monday looked like an emphatic return to the field.
“Kirk caught everything thrown his way on Monday; his chemistry with Trevor Lawrence is obviously strong entering their third year together. But beyond that, Kirk ran routes with the same crispness and explosiveness that he did before his injury. With Brian Thomas Jr. still in his early stages of development and Gabe Davis out for the day due to the birth of his child over the weekend, Kirk looked like an obvious alpha dog in the wide receiver room. Chances are he would have done the same thing even if the room was at full speed, too.”
Reaction: Kirk is a strong buy for Dynasty contenders at a cheap price on Keep Trade Cut of WR38. Kirk was the #18 WR in fantasy points per game in 2022 before his injury-riddled 2023 campaign. He is a trusted target for Trevor Lawrence, who is looking to get a huge payday next off-season. At 27 years of age, Kirk is still at the peak of his career. His WR target competition took a step back as the Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones, replacing them with Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr.
4. Ladd McConkey
Per Daniel Popper, “Herbert is already developing a connection with rookie second-round Ladd McConkey. McConkey played both inside and outside Monday, but the majority of his snaps with the first-team offense came in the slot. On the second play of the first 11-on-11 period, McConkey beat rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still down the seam, and Herbert hit him for an explosive gain. Later in practice, Herbert connected with McConkey on back-to-back competitions- one on an over route and another on an out router from the slot.”
Reaction: McConkey’s current ADP in rookie drafts is 1.12. He came in as the WR5 overall in my WR1 analytical model rankings you can view here. Herbert is still one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL and someone has to catch his passes. Josh Palmer is a nice complement but if anyone profiles to gain the favor of Herbert the most it is McConkey.
5. Jameson Williams
PrideofDetroit.com “And we’re two practices in (to OTAs), and if you said, ‘Give me one player that is the most improved from that start to finish in that time,’ and Jamo would be that guy right now,” Campbell said. “He is a man on a mission, and I’m just going to leave it at that.”
When asked to elaborate on where he had seen improvement in Williams’ game, Campbell began answering before the question was completed.
“Everywhere. Everywhere, and we’re not in pads yet,” Campbell gushed.
The Lions’ belief in Williams appears to be more than just lip service, as their offseason actions—the Lions not acquiring another starter-level receiver, despite losing Josh Reynolds in free agency—point toward the young receiver taking on a more significant role in 2024.
The Lions’ offense is coming off two top-five seasons, and if Williams’ development indeed drives him to a breakout season, then watch out, because the sky is the limit for how good this group can be.
Reaction: Williams is the WR44 on Keep Trade Cut. He lost year one due to an ACL tear. So, for all intents and purposes, 2023 was his rookie season. He is the best deep threat on the Lions with his blazing speed. If he can become more consistent, he has a ceiling to work his way into fantasy lineups.
6. Taysom Hill
John Hendrix “Folks. I don’t know how else to put this, but the Taysom Hill element to this Saints offense has major potential. Today, we saw him being used as a halfback more and more. He had three plays where he was the running back and took tosses to the left and right…He was even a singleback on one of the reps. New Orleans is using a lot of motion involving Hill, including that speed motion that will surely confuse some defenses. This could get really fun really fast.”
Reaction: I know, I know. It’s Taysom Hill and we always hear this type of stuff. But would you believe Taysom Hill finished as a TE1 last year. (12th overall). For a player you can get for a 4th round pick you can do worse. I have seen an inordinate amount of news around his high usage in camp, so I felt this was worth including.
7. Braelon AllenÂ
“With Breece Hall not participating in team drills, rookie Braelon Allen has continued to shine in multiple aspects of the game. On the ground, the Wisconsin product has been decisive in his decision-making and has shown explosiveness downhill. His feel for running the ball is already at a high level…With a combination of downhill running and receiving, Allen looks to be the front-runner for the RB2 job. He has shown a skillset that compliments Hall nicely while also fulfilling similar roles in certain plays.”
Reaction: Braelon Allen is the one player who I have seen sitting atop the Sleeper ADP undrafted in my rookie drafts for the longest periods of time. He is being drafted 38th overall in rookie drafts on average. That is a 4th round pick for someone who profiles as the backup running back to a player who had an ACL tear his rookie year. That is good value and well worth a roster spot.
8. Nick Chubb
“I’m getting better every day, taking it day by day, getting better,” Chubb told media on Wednesday in his first news conference since suffering the injury last September. “Yeah, just right now, trying to get stronger.
“I like where I’m at. I’m where I need to be, I would say that. The biggest thing for me is getting better every day.”
The Browns admitted as recently as late March that they weren’t sure what kind of condition Chubb might physically be in over the coming months. Chubb himself admitted that it hasn’t been until recently that he’s been able to really crank it up.
“I was down in September,” he said. “I mean, I didn’t start moving really well until kinda lately. So now, it’s feeling good to be able to move around.”
Reaction: Chubb’s injury last year was gruesome and was to the same knee he tore up in college. This situation is one to watch as camp evolves. Ultimately, our goal in Dynasty is to win titles so the end of the season is more important than the beginning. I was able to obtain Nick Chubb while on the clock in a rookie draft for my 3.02 rookie pick. I will take the risk and hope to reap the reward for that kind of value.
9. Treylon Burks
#Titans WR Treylon Burks worked as a gunner on special teams today. HC Brian Callahan said Burks will need to prove himself as a contributor on special teams to make the gameday roster if he isn’t a full-time starter.
Reaction: RIP to Burks Dynasty value.
10. Bijan Robinson
Atlanta Journal Constitution Bijan Robinson: “I’m going to be more of a runner that does everything else… It’s like run first, like I did in college, and then still have access to go to receiver. Still have access to do creative things out of the backfield. More so, like how they use Christian (McCaffrey) down there in San Francisco. Something like that. That is kind of what the plan is here.”
Reaction: Free from Arthur Smith look for Robinson to be unleashed on the NFL this year. Robinson was drafted eighth overall in the NFL draft which is extraordinary draft capital in today’s NFL. He profiles as a true high-volume difference maker. Comping him to Christian McCaffrey‘s usage is mouth-watering for his Dynasty managers.
Source: 32 Beat Writers on X
I hope you enjoyed reading my article. My goal is to provide actionable advice you can utilize to improve your Dynasty team. You can follow me on Twitter @force_fantasy. #DFFArmy #FantasyFootball #AlwaysBeBuilding #NFL #NFLDraft #NFLTransactions #NFLTrades #AlwaysBeScouting
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