2023 NFL Training Camps are open, and it’s time to dive into the news surrounding your favorite teams and fantasy players. Let’s take a look at the latest news and notes around fantasy football. To stay up to date on all of the latest fantasy football news, be sure to follow @FantasyProsNFL on Twitter and bookmark the FantasyPros NFL Player News page.
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2023 NFL Training Camp News
Check out the latest news and notes around the NFL.
NFL Rumors
Ezekiel Elliott leaves Patriots visit without contract
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, free agent RB Ezekiel Elliott left his Saturday visit with the New England Patriots without a deal.
Fantasy Impact
Though a deal was not made then and there, the two sides will reportedly stay in touch. To the dismay of Rhamondre Stevenson fantasy managers everywhere, the New England Patriots seem committed to the idea of bringing in a secondary veteran RB to complement the 25-year-old RB. Elliott still has the ability to be a valuable short-yardage back in the NFL and a secondary runner and remains a free agent for now.
Jordan Epp
Jonathan Taylor formally requests a trade
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, RB Jonathan Taylor has formally requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts.
Fantasy Impact
Taylor had been involved in the RB uproar regarding contracts and proper compensation as he himself is up for an extension. Colts owner Jim Irsay had expressed that the team was uninterested in extending him. Irsay and Taylor, who is currently on the PUP list, met during practice to discuss the situation. According to Stephen Holder of ESPN, Taylor had requested a contract days ago and was not told “no.” Irsay said after the meeting that they still did not plan on extending Taylor. Taylor is one of the top RBs in the NFL and in fantasy, and he can instantly boost any offense that decides to make a move for him, though they will likely have to be prepared to give him a large extension.
Jordan Epp
Injury News
Darnell Mooney practicing at full speed but limited reps
Darnell Mooney is practicing at full speed but on limited reps says head coach Matt Eberflus. The Bears are pleased with Mooney’s recovery from offseason ankle surgery.
Fantasy Impact
When healthy, Mooney should slide into the number two target role in the offense behind offseason acquisition DJ Moore. While he might not reach his 2021 totals, finishing 2023 with around 800 yards and 4-5 touchdowns as a WR4 is not out of the question. He’s a value in drafts right now.
Garrett Ball
Diontae Johnson back at practice Saturday
Diontae Johnson was back at practice on Saturday after leaving Friday’s practice for heat-related reasons.
Fantasy Impact
It’s good to hear Johnson is back at practice and that the struggle with heat was temporary. Expect him once again to be the top target in the Steelers’ offense when the 2023 season kicks off.
Garrett Ball
Kyler Murray says he has no timetable for return
Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray told reporters that he has no timetable for a return and is taking it one day at a time.
Fantasy Impact
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said recently that it was not “realistic” to expect Murray to be ready for Week 1, as he understood talking to team personnel. Rapoport said Murray is pushing to return as soon as possible, but the sentiment from the rest of the organization was that they did not want to rush their franchise QB back from his ACL injury. Murray is currently on the PUP list and played just 11 games last season before his injury. When healthy, he is a top-12 fantasy QB, but in the meantime, Colt McCoy can be expected to be the team’s Week 1 starter.
Jordan Epp
Rookie Watch
Jayden Reed settling into slot role for Packers
Jayden Reed has primarily been playing out of the slot at practice and is settling into that role.
Fantasy Impact
The Packers have high hopes for Reed in his rookie year this season after using a second-round pick on him in the NFL Draft, and it seems like he’s getting used to his new role in the slot. This could lead to him getting a high volume of targets at a short depth, which will help provide a safety blanket for QB Jordan Love while also propping up the rookie’s fantasy value in PPR formats.
Leo Sells
NFL Training Camp Notes
JuJu Smith-Schuster is as-advertised early in camp
JuJu Smith-Schuster is settling nicely into the slot in the Patriots offense.
Fantasy Impact
As the WR52 in early ADP, JuJu Smith-Schuster is a screaming value in fantasy football drafts with a full-time role locked up on the Patriots’ starting offense. The team paid him a hefty sum in free agency, and concerns about his knee have been way overblown. His target share should be substantially higher than in 2022 in the Patriots’ offense that lacks a proper alpha. He will also likely see his slot role spike after playing a career-low 42% of his snaps from inside in 2022. Former Patriot WR Jakobi Meyers played in the slot on 70% of his snaps last season. Smith-Schuster projects to take over the slot, as the team’s favorite to lead the team in target share after a one-year stint in Kansas City. For comparison, Meyers averaged a 23% target share and 30% air yards share as the WR32 in half-point scoring last season: 10.6 fantasy points per game (WR28).
Andrew Erickson
Mike Gesicki: Patriots primarily running 12 personnel in practice
The Patriots have primarily been running 12 personnel sets in practice with TE’s Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry.
Fantasy Impact
The Patriots signed Gesicki to a one-year contract in free agency this offseason, and the team intends to use both him and Hunter Henry to their fullest capabilities this season. They’ve primarily been running 12 personnel in practice, which means that they’ve both been on the field at the same time. We saw OC Bill O’Brien have a lot of success doing this in his previous stint with the Patriots, so both of these tight ends could end up having fantasy value if they can recapture that magic.
Leo Sells
Hunter Henry ‘clearly’ Mac Jones‘ favorite target
Hunter Henry is ‘clearly’ Mac Jones‘ favorite target in New England’s offense through the first few days of training camp.
Fantasy Impact
The Patriots have only been going at camp for a few days, but it seems apparent that Henry and QB Mac Jones have great chemistry. They’ve been having a lot of success together so far, and the veteran tight end seems to be solidifying himself as the young QB’s favorite target. If this trend continues through camp and into the regular season, Henry will almost certainly be a value at his TE25 average draft position.
Leo Sells
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