After you’re done catching up here, check out my all-encompassing offseason column: “15 Stats To Know For 2020 Fantasy Football Drafts”.
1. Denver Won’t Name a Starting RB
Coach Vic Fangio said, “I anticipate both playing enough where we really don’t have to designate a starter.” The Broncos obviously signed Melvin Gordon to a two-year, $16 million contract for a reason. He’ll be involved, likely as the 1A in this two-person committee. But just how involved is unknown. Despite being much larger than Phillip Lindsay, Gordon is the better pass-catching back, so I think he’ll be on third downs, but they could alternate drives or chop things up somewhat evenly across the board. It makes Gordon an even riskier pick in the third or fourth round than he already was. I have yet to draft Gordon and have instead targeted the higher-floor receivers at similar average draft positions. I laid out why that is here.
2. Swift and Kerryon “Expected” to Form RBBC
Lions beat writer Tim Twentyman believes D’Andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson will share running back duties to begin the season. It’s not a surprise given Johnson’s abilities (when healthy) and Swift’s inexperience with the offense because of reduced practice time. Swift should be the 1A in this projected committee and offers more upside as the better receiving back, a role that could be explosive with Matthew Stafford coming off a career (half) season. Swift’s average draft position has stayed in check, making him an okay target in the sixth or seventh round of fantasy drafts. Johnson rightfully is being drafted four to six rounds later.[[ad:athena]]
3. Vikings and Cook Stop Negotiating
The newly-signed CBA essentially forced Cook to show up to camp, but he hasn’t been participating in drills as his only way to leverage a new contract. It doesn’t look like a new contract is coming before the season starts, although Cook explicitly said he’s preparing for Week 1 and pushed back on reports that he was thinking about holding out. The most likely outcome at this point is that Cook suits up and tries to ball out in a contract year, but there’s a non-zero chance he pulls a fast one and misses games. If Cook signed a deal, then I’d slide him inside my top-six overall players, but the negotiations stalling is enough to keep him in the back half of my Round 1 rankings. It’s worth noting that Alexander Mattison has received almost all of the first-team reps with Cook watching. He’s an elite fantasy insurance running back.
4. Sanders is “Week to Week”
Miles Sanders left practice with an undisclosed lower-body injury, and the Eagles are listing him as week to week. It’s mildly concerning since we’re three weeks from Week 1, but ESPN’s Tim McManus reports Sanders will be ready for the season opener. For now, Sanders remains on the Round 1/2 borderline in fantasy drafts with Boston Scott operating as his primary backup in the double-digit rounds. It’s possible that Philly adds a veteran back as insurance.
5. Chubb is “Doing Well” Following Scare
The Browns had an injury scare when Nick Chubb was hit awkwardly high up in practice, but it sounds like things are relatively fine. Chubb suffered a concussion and is already “not complaining of headaches”. Expectations are that he returns to the practice field within a few days, so there’s no risk of him missing Week 1. With that said, this was a reminder of Kareem Hunt’s upside as a sixth-round pick in fantasy drafts.
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6. Kingsbury Loves His RBs
The Cardinals wanted to be a four-receiver team who airs things out, but they settled into one of the best rushing offenses last year. With Kyler Murray freezing linebackers and edge rushers, Arizona’s running backs have a ton of space for big plays, particularly because they run from shotgun and run outside. It’s why Kenyan Drake was the RB5 overall over the last five weeks of last season and is a first-round pick in 2020 drafts. Kliff Kingsbury also likes Chase Edmonds, however. “When you have two that you think can both do it at a high level, you can keep those guys fresh & healthy. That’s what we’re shooting for, finding great roles for both guys & helping the offense be as productive as possible.” I’m not sure if Edmonds, who Kingsbury described as having “starting RB” skills, sees enough volume to have standalone value, but I’m very confident he’d be a stud fantasy back if Drake were to miss time because there are only Day 3 and UDFA players behind Edmonds on the depth chart. Edmonds is my most-drafted player.
7. Washington’s Backfield is Up for Grabs
There are at least four backs with reasonable chances for touches in Washington’s backfield following Derrius Guice’s release. Adrian Peterson figures to open the season with an early-down role, but Bryce Love is knocking on the door as an early-down threat. With Peterson receiving a veteran’s day off, Love took first-team reps on Wednesday, and NBC Sports’ JP Finlay believes the reports of Love being Washington’s No. 2 back “seem quite real.” At the same time, there’s a competition for passing-down duties, and the name everyone’s excited about is Antonio Gibson. The offense has been introducing more pre-snap motion and reverses this offseason, probably to scheme touches to Gibson who’s looked as athletic in camp as he tested at the NFL Combine. Gibson will have to earn touches as the season progresses, but there’s plenty of room for him to average more than a handful of receptions per game. We have him ranked around 90th overall in the Rotoworld Draft Guide.
8. Harris Getting No. 1 Reps in New England
The Patriots’ backfield is banged up. Sony Michel (foot) hasn’t practiced and looks like a PUP-list candidate to begin the season, Lamar Miller isn’t practicing yet, and others have opted out of the season. That’s left a golden opportunity for 2019 third-round pick Damien Harris, who essentially redshirted his rookie season, to shine in training camp. He’s seen a “heavy workload” in camp and has racked up a shocking amount of receptions during 11-on-11 reps. In many home leagues, Harris is going undrafted, something that should no longer happen given these reports. We’ve moved Harris up to the 120-140th overall range in our Rotoworld fantasy rankings.
9. Chargers No. 2 RB Seems Set
Austin Ekeler will lead the backfield in touches, but the entire organization seems adamant that Ekeler needs a “tandem” back to take some of the load off him. If the Chargers’ scrimmage was any indicator, Justin Jackson will be that 1B back. He received first-team reps in short-yardage situations and played ahead of rookie Joshua Kelley when the second-team offense stepped onto the field this week. It’s going to be difficult for a rookie like Kelley to unseat a capable veteran like Jackson in a pandemic-shortened offseason. Jackson is a quality 14th-round dart throw as a back with underrated upside and the potential to have limited standalone value. RotoPat has mentioned his name more than once on the Rotoworld Football Podcast.
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10. Reporter Clears Up Raiders’ 3-WR Set
There have been bad reports and quotes floating out on Twitter suggesting Henry Ruggs isn’t in the starting lineup, but The Athletic’s Vic Tafur cleared up things here. “The primary 3-WR lineup will feature Ruggs at Z, Tyrell Williams at X, and Hunter Renfrow in the slot. OC Greg Olson didn’t mean that Ruggs would start in the slot, but just that he would play there at the time.” From a receiver skill dynamic, this is what’s made sense the whole time. Ruggs will primarily line up outside off the line of scrimmage to get clean releases, while Williams faces No. 1 corners and runs more clear out routes downfield. Ruggs is the receiver to pay attention to for 2020 fantasy leagues as a potential flex play being drafted in the early double-digit rounds. Meanwhile, third-round rookie Bryan Edwards is a player to know for dynasty leagues, particularly with Williams potentially leaving Las Vegas next offseason. Expect Edwards to see a handful of snaps per game as Williams’ direct backup and whenever Ruggs slides into the slot. I don’t envision Edwards earning fantasy value in redraft leagues barring injuries.
11. Cincy WRs Have Missed Time
When they’re all together, the Bengals receiver depth chart is strong, but that hasn’t been the case in training camp practices so far. A.J. Green left practice early with a hamstring injury, but it’s minor and the team is holding him out as a precaution. In fact, Green should return next week at the latest. Tee Higgins also has missed some time with a hammy issue, but he’s already returning. With John Ross back home to take care of his family as they deal with COVID-related issues, Higgins has a chance to emerge as the third receiver if he can handle things. The only receiver to constantly stay on the field thus far has been Tyler Boyd, who is building “nice chemistry” with Joe Burrow. All four of these receivers have affordable price tags in drafts, and the Bengals Offense in general has a higher ceiling than they’ve been given credit for. I don’t mind Burrow with his underrated rushing ability as my QB2 in drafts.
12. Campbell Showing Promise in Colts’ Camp
Coach Frank Reich said WR Parris Campbell “looks strong, fast, explosive, good hands, understands the offense, consistent.” It’s a quote that matches up with how things have shaken up on the depth chart. For now, Campbell has the inside shot at the No. 2 role behind T.Y. Hilton with second-round WR Michael Pittman also in the mix. Campbell should see plenty of slot snaps and manufactured touches early in the season as long as his health, particularly that hamstring, holds up. Campbell is a decent WR5 or WR6 option for the end of your bench, especially with Indy owning the easiest schedule according to opponent Vegas win totals.
13. Herndon and Crowder are the Jets’ Stand Outs
The NY Daily News’ Charles McDonald has made things very clear from Jets camp. The offensive line is struggling, the receiver room is bad (Jamison Crowder is “by far” the best receiver), and Chris Herndon is shining. From McDonald, “Herndon just might be Sam Darnold’s favorite target. Herndon saw numerous targets throughout Thursday’s practice and lined up all over the place. Barring injury, it’s clear that Herndon will be a huge piece of the Jets Offense.” If you watched Herndon during his rookie season in 2018, this doesn’t come as a surprise. I’m buying into the buzz, if not just for the positive game script Herndon will find himself in given the Jets non-existent defense. I moved Herndon up to TE15 overall and have constantly targeted Crowder to be my WR5.
14. Minnesota “Experimenting” with Irv Playing Outside
The Vikings will continue operating a two-tight end offense with Kyle Rudolph as their primary blocker and Irv Smith in more of a receiving role. With Stefon Diggs leaving a hole on the outside, Smith has taken more reps split off the offensive line, signaling to us that he’ll be far more involved as a pure pass-catcher. Routinely being selected as a low-end TE2, Smith offers sneaky upside as a decent athlete who’s reportedly improving as a route runner. Smith is an ideal player to have as your TE3 in deep leagues.
15. Tua Flashing “Good Mobility”
The Miami Herald’s reporting staff has been surprised by how well Tua Tagovailoa is moving inside (and outside) the pocket in Dolphins’ training camp practices. It’s a good sign that Tua’s hip is strong and that he’ll be medically cleared for the 2020 season. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start Week 1, but Miami has a tough schedule out the gate, facing the Patriots, Bills, Seahawks, and 49ers within the first five contests. When that stretch is completed, it could be time to turn the keys over to Tagovailoa.
