Don’t have time to read every NFL Training Camp update? DFF has your back with our Training Camp Primer series. We dive into team beat reporters and reporter tweets and differentiate between hype and reality. What rookies are impressing early? Who is ready to step into a larger role? What injuries occurred? We sift through it all to give you a leg up on your competition.
Check out parts one and two of the Training Camp Primer series.
Takeaway
The dynasty community is expecting a huge leap from Javonte Williams this season. He is still the dynasty RB4 on the KeepTradeCut ranks. If he was not the lead back this year it would be a disappointment. Expect the Denver offense to be drastically improved with Russell Wilson at the helm leading to more touchdown opportunities for Williams.
Takeaway
The recovery timeline for torn Achilles has made miraculous advancements in the past few years. It is still a question, however, of how effective these running backs will be. Cam Akers did not look the same as he did pre-injury. Do they regain their explosiveness? Robinson certainly caps a ceiling on Travis Etienne if he is healthy. I still prefer Etienne even if Robinson is installed as the Jacksonville RB1. Etienne is explosive and will be used heavily in the passing game. He is a former first-rounder and one of the most productive backs in ACC history.
Takeaway
Even in his shortened 2020 campaign, Michael Thomas commanded a 27.9% target share good for 4th in the NFL. He also commanded a league-leading 42.5% air yard share. He has target competition with Olave, Landry, and Kamara but one thing Thomas has always done is command targets.
Takeaway
Tyquan Thornton was having an excellent training camp before this injury. Tough luck for the rookie out of Baylor.
Takeaway
This was a lot to do about nothing in my opinion. In all likelihood, he was just a 45-year-old who didn’t want to participate in training camp while his starting wide receivers were also recovering from injuries.
Takeaway
Godwin remains a great value in dynasty leagues If you can afford to be a little patient this year. It can take a few weeks of game action for ACL returnees to regain their pre-injury form. He currently sits at WR19 on KeepTradeCut after finishing the last 3 years in PPG (with 2 different QBs) at WR7, WR15, and WR2.
Takeaway
As far as dynasty, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him as a starter even in Superflex leagues. I do think this is good for D.J. Moore though. Baker is a nice upgrade over his past quarterbacks yet D.J. Moore still somehow has the sixth most receiving yards all time for a wide receiver before the age of 25.
Takeaway
The message was sent to Antonio Gibson when the Commanders drafted Brian Robinson in the third round of the NFL draft. This is an alarm sounding. If you are counting on Gibson this year you need to handcuff him with Robinson. Gibson ranked just 33rd in the NFL in yards created per touch. He ranked 47th in true yards per carry. He will need to improve that efficiency as well as his ball security if he wants to hold on to the starting job.
Takeaway
There is a lot to like about Dobbins this year in the run-heavy Greg Roman offensive scheme. If he truly is going to be ready for week one as he says then the wheels are up for the former second-round pick. Once he took over the Ravens backfield his rookie year in week 11, J.K. Dobbins was the RB8 in fantasy points per game the rest of the season. (Min 5 games).
Takeaway
50 receptions for AJ Dillon? Wow! Aaron Jones should be a lock for this but Dillon is a surprise. Dillon should be more involved in the offense either way as he is likely their second-best playmaker behind Aaron Jones. He ranked 17th among running backs in yards created per touch last year.
Takeaway
Rachaad White should move up draft boards. That said this is Lenny’s job and it will take a lot to lose it. Maybe time for him to go on the TB12 method.
Takeaway
Corral was selected in the second round of most dynasty rookie drafts. If you were holding out hope he would see some time as a starter this season that is now over. Corral posted back-to-back seasons at Ole Miss with 3,300 plus passing yards and a completion percentage above 67%. He also has the desirable trait of rushing upside with back-to-back seasons of over 500 rushing yards.
Takeaway
Mac Jones dynasty owners can breathe a big sigh of relief here. We have heard all camp long how much the Patriots offense has looked anemic. Jones looks to take a step forward in his sophomore season after ending the 2021 campaign as the most productive rookie signal caller in the NFL.
Takeaway
Let’s not overreact here. That said this is an indictment of how Daniel Jones has looked at this training camp. Without significant improvement, the Giants will be looking for a new quarterback in next year’s draft to pair with Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson.
Takeaway
Jaylen Warren is now just a Najee Harris injury away from fantasy relevance. Warren ran for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns last year at Oklahoma St. He also showed he can be an effective receiver with 25 receptions for 225 yards.
Takeaway
Sam Howell was a top QB prospect for the last two years. It was odd that his stock fell so much leading up to the draft. Clearly his pre-draft process did not go well. Nonetheless, he has weapons in Terry McLaurin and newly drafted Jahan Dotson.
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
