Dallas Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert, who is entering Year 3 in the NFL, is battling with WR Jalen Brooks, Year 2, for the WR3 role in training camp. (Source: Nick Harris, dallascowboys.com)
Fantasy Impact: Nick Harris of the Cowboys' team site reported that both Tolbert and Brooks have shown out with impressive catches early in training camp, taking the lead to be the team's WR3. Tolbert saw a 40% snap share last season, turning it into 268 yards on 22 catches. Brooks had six catches for 64 yards as a rookie. They will both have extra opportunities this offseason given CeeDee Lamb's holdout.
Fri, Jul 26th 10:36am EDT
By Sam Wagman
Despite Russell Wilson suffering an injury, resulting in Fields taking first-team reps, he continues to look inconsistent throwing to receivers. (Source: The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Fantasy managers will like Fields getting early reps in training camp, but his window to be a reliable fantasy asset will continue to dwindle if he cannot perform at a high level.
Fri, Jul 26th 10:34am EDT
By Sam Wagman
Fresh off rumors that he could be traded or outright cut, Javonte Williams is impressing early at camp, looking leaner. (Source: Chris Tomasson)
Fantasy Impact: Williams appears to be the back most suited for a workhorse-adjacent role in the Broncos' backfield, so this bodes well for his opportunity to garner more touches in Sean Payton's offense.
Despite rave reviews during the offseason, rookie Kimani Vidal appears buried on the Chargers' depth chart to begin camp. (Source: The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Fantasy managers have been salivating over Vidal's possibility to step into a large role given J.K. Dobbins' recovery from injury as well as Gus Edwards' offseason surgery, so keep an eye on this.
Fri, Jul 26th 10:26am EDT
By Sam Wagman
Alec Pierce, who was previously dealing with a foot issue, seems to be over that, as he ran with the first-team offense during Thursday's practice. (Source: Kevin Bowen)
Fantasy Impact: Fantasy players would expect second-round pick Adonai Mitchell over Pierce, but his exclusion here could be interesting to monitor.
Fri, Jul 26th 10:23am EDT
By Sam Wagman
Alongside K.J. Osborn, Smith-Schuster is working with the first-team offense as well to start camp. (Source: Henry McKenna)
Fantasy Impact: Smith-Schuster has flashed at times in the past couple of seasons but has not lasted at the top of the depth charts. This is an interesting scenario for the Patriots.
To start training camp, K.J. Osborn is working with the first-team offense. (Source: Henry McKenna)
Fantasy Impact: This is interesting, given how much praise we have heard for rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, so it's definitely something to monitor.
Buccaneers' third-round pick Jalen McMillan is standing out in camp so far, with multiple touchdowns. (Source: Rick Stroud)
Fantasy Impact: McMillan has a ways to go to be fantasy-relevant this season, but continues to impress through the first few days of camp. He's on the radar.
Michael Wilson is running with the offensive starters in training camp so far. (Source: AZ Central)
Fantasy Impact: This is great news for Wilson bag-holders. He will be at best the third receiving option in Arizona, but could be a back-end flex play.
Jahmyr Gibbs has been cross-training as a WR at camp and could play 'a ton' in the slot this year. (Source: Detroit News)
Fantasy Impact: Gibbs has been practicing partially with the wide receivers at camp this year, which indicates that we could see him in a bit of an expanded role in 2024. In fact, it is being reported that he could play 'a ton' in the slot this year, which would be amazing for his fantasy value, especially in PPR formats. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his usage in camp to see if this is a trend that continues closer to the start of the season.
Deshaun Watson may not play in Cleveland's preseason games this year. (Source: Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Cleveland may choose to forgo playing Watson in any of their preseason games this year. It's unclear if it has anything to do with the injury that he suffered last year or if the team simply doesn't think he needs the extra reps. Unless this is because of health concerns, it shouldn't affect his fantasy value whatsoever.
David Njoku is working off to the side at Cleveland's training camp. (Source: Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Njoku was separate from most of the team on Thursday, doing individual drills off to the side. There were a few other Browns' players with him, so unless he fails to return to practice anytime soon, this shouldn't be concerning for fantasy managers.
Grant Calcaterra seems to be the early favorite for the TE2 spot in Philadelphia. (Source: Inside the Birds)
Fantasy Impact: Dallas Goedert is clearly Philadelphia's best tight end, but the TE2 spot is up for grabs. Calcaterra is reportedly the early favorite to take that job, but he'll have to beat out experienced veterans like C.J. Uzomah and Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. if he wants to officially win the job prior to the start of the season.
Jalen Hurts has reportedly been looking 'sharp' in Philadelphia's new offensive scheme throughout camp so far. (Source: Inside the Birds)
Fantasy Impact: The Eagles made a major coaching change this offseason, bringing in Kellen Moore to be the offensive coordinator for the team. He is implementing a brand new offensive scheme for the Eagles, and Jalen Hurts has reportedly taken to it well, looking 'sharp' throughout his action at training camp so far. We already know that he's going to be an elite fantasy asset this year, but it's encouraging to hear that he is adapting to the new offense well so far.
John Ross is receiving first-team reps at training camp. (Source: Inside the Birds)
Fantasy Impact: Ross signed with the Eagles earlier this offseason, and it appears that he is gaining some momentum ahead of the season. He is getting work with Philadelphia's first team at camp, which means that he could possibly earn the WR3 role on this offense behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. If that's the case, he could have some streaming value on a week-to-week basis.
Dak Prescott told the press that he wishes to remain in Dallas but isn’t afraid to move on if needed. (Source: Ari Meirov on X)
Fantasy Impact: Prescott has been in contract disputes with the Cowboys for some time now and is looking for an extension. He’s scheduled to be a free agent in 2025, with the majority of his remaining contract being tied up in void years. Dallas management has a lot on their plate this summer, with extensions due to Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons. In an offseason the Cowboys claimed to be “all in”, it certainly seems they have dropped the ball on several fronts.
Philadelphia Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell is getting some first-team reps in practice alongside veteran free agent acquisition RB Saquon Barkley. (Source: Brandon Lee Gowton on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Barkley will be the starting RB and will get the majority of the first-team snaps during training camp, but as Philadelphia proved last season, they want to give Gainwell a real chance to earn touches. He had a career-high 84 carries and 364 yards while adding 30 catches for 183 yards. Despite losing the starting job to RB D'Andre Swift early in the season, he still played on 41% of the offensive snaps in 2023 and could continue seeing real usage.
San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy has been working on adding velocity to his passes this offseason. (Source: Matt Barrows, The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Purdy spent time this offseason perfecting mechanics to help him add speed to his throws. Given that he did not have to rehab or fight for a roster spot this offseason, Purdy had the chance to work on improving his own game for the first time in his career. He also used the offseason to add some necessary weight to his frame to help him last through the difficulties of an NFL season. Purdy could continue to thrive in San Fran's offense in 2024, being drafted on average as the QB11, according to FantasyPros data.
San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel Sr. reportedly looks slimmer this offseason than in previous seasons. (Source: Matt Barrows, The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he thought Samuel "looked great in OTAs and minicamp … I think he looks better today [training camp].” The veteran WR relies on his post-catch talent more than other star receivers, and while being slimmer could impact his strength, it could help him be quicker and faster. Samuel has had 450+ YAC in four of his five seasons, per Pro Football Reference. The 49ers star is being drafted in half-PPR leagues with an ADP of WR14.
Sixth-round rookie WR Jordan Whittington is being prepared to take on a variety of responsibilities in the Los Angeles Rams offense in 2024. (Source: Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Whittington is a versatile receiver, part of why he played so often in a talented Texas offense that featured two early-round rookie WRs in Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell. He is tough and gritty and can serve as a blocker when needed as well. While saying he could be preparing to take on a Robert Woods role could lead to high expectations, he could be getting ready for a similar role, like the one WR Ben Skowronek (now a Houston Texan) played in recent seasons.
