Don’t have time to read every 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, two, and three of the training camp primer series here:
https://dynastyfootballfactory.com/training-camp-primer-part-1/
https://dynastyfootballfactory.com/training-camp-primer-part-2/
https://dynastyfootballfactory.com/training-camp-primer-part-3/
Takeaway:
As if Dameon Pierce fever wasn’t hot enough, this takes it to a new level. This should also give pause to anyone investing serious draft capital in Cam Akers or James Robinson this year. Mack’s release posts another mark in the post-achilles tear running back failure column.
Takeaway:
Pickens is a wild card in this draft. He is one of the most athletic wide receivers in this class with a 9.35 relative athletic score. His college career was marred by injuries but his freshman season was excellent, breaking out at the tender age of 18. He has impressed all camp and ran more snaps with the first team than Chase Claypool which is an indicator he has passed him on the depth chart already.
Takeaway:
Reports have Barkley working out as a receiver more in camp. He still has as high a fantasy ceiling as anyone not named Christian McCaffrey. He has been stuck in the quagmire of the Giant’s offense since he set the fantasy world ablaze in 2018. Barkley is also as healthy as he has been in years. I am in on him at his current ADP of RB 12.
Takeaway:
Shenault was the odd man out after the Jaguar’s spending spree this off-season bringing in Christian Kirk and Zay Jones to go along with incumbent Marvin Jones. Etienne also can be used in the same ways (and more) as Shenault. He hopes to get a fresh start with the Panthers and certainly has his fans in the dynasty community.
Takeaway:
Jimmy G is back! Trey Lance is their guy, but this is a contingency plan if he falters and the team starts losing. This is smart on behalf of the 49ers but gives cause for concern to Trey Lance owners in dynasty.
Takeaway:
Parker has battled injuries the past 2 years but when healthy has proven to be worthy of a dynasty roster spot. He did finish as the WR14 overall in PPG in 2019, his last fully healthy season. Mac Jones is a QB on the rise so Parker could benefit from his ascension.
Takeaway:
Speculation has been that Michael Carter will be the starter when the season kicks off. Hall is the prototype modern-day NFL running back. He is a 220-pound, home run hitter with sub 4.4 speed. He should take this backfield over sooner vs later. He was drafted 36th overall with an excellent college pedigree. Carter will eventually be relegated to a change of pace role.
Takeaway:
A.J. Brown has developed a nice rapport with Jalen Hurts. Temper those expectations though. The Eagles had the eighth worst passing yards per game in the NFL last year. Devonta Smith also looks to take a step forward in his sophomore campaign. Dallas Goedert, meanwhile, led all tight ends in yards per route run last year. There are mouths that need to be fed here.
Takeaway:
The Mike Evans comp has been there all dynasty rookie draft season for my rookie WR1. Nice to see another NFL WR endorse it and upgrade it.
Takeaway:
Shakir was generally thought of as a great bargain for the Bills in the fifth round of the NFL drafts. This simply reinforces what the analytics said about him. His 40.8% dominator, 3.24 RYPTPA, and 19-year-old breakout age were all excellent marks.
Takeaway:
Gesicki is still being drafted as a TE1 according to Fantasy Pro’s ADP. At that price, I am very far out. It will be hard for him to earn targets with the additions of Tyreek Hill and Chase Edmonds.
Takeaway:
I was higher than Olave than most and he graded out as my rookie WR3 in the WR1 rating. He is the smoothest route runner in this class. Olave was consistently amongst the national leaders in separation during his time at Ohio St.
Takeaway:
It’s time to see what Dobbins can do. With Edwards behind in his recovery, Dobbins has a chance to stake his claim as the workhorse in this high-run volume backfield. His efficiency may not be great as he works his way back into game shape but should improve as the season goes on. The Ravens recently signed Kenyan Drake as a depth piece but this shouldn’t discourage anyone from Dobbins.
Takeaway:
JuJu Smith-Schuster has 3 top 24 fantasy ppg finishes and is still only 25 years old. He played 100% of KC’s 1st team snaps in their first preseason game and is the top wide receiver for the NFL’s best passer. Schuster’s current ADP in redraft is WR 35. At that ADP he is of great value.
Takeaway:
The Raiders are happy with what they have seen from Zamir White. White is an athletic specimen posting an elite 9.82 grade out of 10. Josh Jacobs, hasn’t proved to be a difference maker during his time in the NFL. Drake’s release opens the door for White to get reps this year to see what they have in Zamir as a possible starter in 2023 or earlier.
Takeaway:
I’ve been beating Isaiah Likely’s drum since well before the NFL draft so this is music to my ears. I have 100% dynasty ownership on him due to how cheap he was all rookie draft season. He posted one of the all-time best-receiving yards per team pass attempt marks last year for Coastal Carolina only to be sabotaged by poor athletic testing.
Takeaway:
Edwards figures to be the primary backup to J.K. Dobbins this year once he returns from the PUP. Look for Mike Davis to fill in this role as a reliable, if uninspiring, veteran.
Takeaway:
Tyron Smith is one of the premier linemen in the NFL. He is an 8-time pro bowler. The entire Dallas offense takes a hit here. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb won’t have the same time to complete pass plays. Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard won’t have the wide-open running lanes
Takeaway:
Gallup is currently at a steep injury discount. As the #2 WR option in Dallas in 2019, he finished as the WR17 in PPG. Dallas let Cooper go to sign Gallup to a 5-year, 57m contract. He is not going on the PUP meaning he could return before 4 games. His current redraft ADP is WR64.
Takeaway:
You aren’t starting Geno Smith in fantasy unless you are desperate. The question is what does this do for DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett? It is a huge downgrade from Russell Wilson but in my opinion, it is a better option than Drew Lock. At an ADP of WR 19 and WR 38, I feel both are priced correctly.
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
