It’s training camp season! Rookies are being integrated into teams, and we are getting glimpses of what depth charts may look like and players’ roles.
Below are 10 important takeaways from camp that have an impact on your Dynasty teams.
1. Steelers Beat Reporter Mark Kaboly
“TE Pat Freiermuth – Nobody performed better and more consistently for four weeks than Freiermuth. He had an instant connection with Russell Wilson and came across as a potential playmaker in Arthur Smith’s tight-end-heavy offense. The Steelers can overcome shortcomings at the receiver spot by relying more on Freiermuth.”
Reaction: Pat Freiermuth was the TE 12 overall in 2022 and had the 9th-best target share. His ceiling is limited, but he has a pretty high floor this year. The Steelers moved Diontae Johnson to the Panthers, leaving only George Pickens as a viable target for Russell Wilson. Freirmuth is a nice cheap target in Dynasty for those in need of a tight end.
2. Giants Beat Reporter Art Stapleton
Giants rookie RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been taking reps with the starters and is “already making a push” to be the team’s passing down RB.
Reaction: It took forever, but Purdue finally figured out how best to deploy Tracy’s freakish athleticism; something Iowa was unable to do.
This 9.78 out of 10 score was second in the entire running back class, behind only Isaac Guerendo.
Tracey played wide receiver for five years at Purdue before converting to running back this past year.
Tyrone Tracy has some eye-popping advanced metrics.
- 38.5% MTF/A
- 13.5% explosive run
- 4.18 YAC
Each of these was the top two in this RB class.
Devin Singletary had a solid last year in Houston but, for the most part, would be considered an NFL journeyman. Tracy has a certain path to touches in that offense.
3. Kyler Murray: “If he’s 6’3”, he’s a top 5 receiver.”
Reaction: Murray wasn’t talking about Marvin Harrison Jr. here. He was talking about Greg Dortch. Dortch has had flashes of success but was blocked from playing time by Rondale Moore, who the Cardinals spent a second-round pick on. Dortch even had 3 consecutive games of 10 targets in 2023, a feat not even many superstar wide receivers achieve. Kyler has shown a propensity to target Dortch in the past. I would expect that to continue in the future.
4. Broncos Reporter Cecil Lammey
Lammey said this on the Denver backfield: “The top Denver RB looks like Jaleel McLaughlin…will Javonte Williams even make the team?”
Reaction: This tweet caused quite a stir when it made the rounds on Twitter/X. It would be a massive fall from grace for Javonte Williams if he truly was on the verge of being released. He was the RB2 overall in Dynasty per Keep Trade Cut on August 21st, 2022. Even if it doesn’t happen, the message here is to tread lightly on any Javonte investments
5. #Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald on Jaxon Smith-Njigba
“JSN’s a great player, and expecting big things out of him. He’s had a great offseason. Works his tail off, his practice habits are awesome, moving ability is pretty elite. So, I think we’ve got a really cool plan for him. He’s definitely gonna be a massive piece of what we’re trying to do offensively.”
Reaction: Smith-Njigba had a predictably underwhelming rookie year behind target hogs D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. We need to bear in mind this man was the leading receiver in yards for an Ohio St. team that also featured Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. This may be your last chance to buy Smith-Njigba at a reasonable price.
6. Commanders RB Austin Ekeler
When asked why he left the #Chargers on Up and Adams, Ekeler said, “They wanted a guy to hand the ball off to 300 times a year… that’s not my game. There was a misalignment there, no harm, no foul.”
Reaction: We can say a lot about what Gus Edwards is not. However, what he is is exactly what Ekeler is describing: a 238-pound beast of a man who can punish opposing defenses and handle a significant workload. Edwards finished with 810 yards and 13 touchdowns last year for the Ravens. Kimani Vidal certainly has hype, but we can’t forget he fell to the sixth round of the NFL draft. The fact the Chargers waited so long tells you how much they plan to use Edwards.
7. Per The Athletic,
DeMario “Pop” Douglas was “by far the Patriots’ best and most explosive playmaker in practice this spring.”
Reaction: As of this time last year, I had 100% ownership of Douglas in Dynasty. I cashed in one share as the asset appreciated a lot but still have heavy exposure.
Of the 38 Day 3 WRs drafted the last 3 years, 5 from that group and 1 from 2024 met this criteria:
- Yards per route run (Best season) >2.5
- College Career Fantasy Points Per Game >12.5
- Breakout age <21
Those five are:
and Demario Douglas
That is very good company to be alongside.
8. Falcons Coach Raheem Morris
Morris’ plan for RB Bijan Robinson: “Get the ball to Bijan as much as you can in as many ideal situations as you possibly can.”
Reaction: In today’s NFL your talent needs to be otherworldly as a running back to be selected in the top 10 picks. Now free of Arthur Smith expect the Falcons to lean on Bijan heavily.
9. Dallas Beat
“…the team did divide between the first and second-team units…with Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Hunter Luepke…with the first-team and Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman, Snoop Conner, Malik Davis, and Nathaniel Peat…with the second-team.”
Reaction: This is the most underwhelming running back room in the NFL by a decent amount. Stay far away.
10. Daniel Popper of The Athletic
“The chemistry between Herbert and rookie receiver Ladd McConkey is continuing to blossom. McConkey has been playing mostly in the slot, and he is already proving capable of winning easily and often in short areas of the field. His route running is pro-ready. McConkey caught four passes from Herbert on Tuesday, including a third-down conversion out of the slot.”
Reaction: This is a little surprising that McConkey is being primarily used in the slot. McConkey was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the second pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Many assumed he would step into an alpha role stacked with a historically good young passer in Justin Herbert. McConkey’s profile doesn’t wow you with cumulative production statistics. But his efficiency was excellent. He trailed only Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr., Johnny Wilson, and Troy Franklin in this very important predictive metric.
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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