Gus Edwards has been labeled the “clear lead back” by a Chargers beat reporter. Edwards has been dealing with an injury but the expectation is he will be healthy for training camp. (Source: The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: The former Raven has been seen as the favorite for the starting job since joining the team in free agency. Edwards is more an early down bruiser and goalline back and should lead the team in overall touches. However, he doesn’t profile as a third-down option. J.K. Dobbins or rookie Kimani Vidal may see more work in that role over him.
Javonte Williams will need to earn the starting role for the Broncos over 2024 fifth-round pick Audric Estime. (Source: The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Williams struggled in 2023 coming off of an ACL injury. He simply wasn’t the dynamic back we’ve seen over his first two years in the league. With the new coaching staff in town having drafted a running back of their own, his chances of seeing a workhorse role have lessened. Williams has the talent, but his physical capability to retain the starting role is very much in question. It’s a good but low time for fantasy managers, but it does come with some risk.
Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers, the team's 2024 first-round pick and incoming rookie, will have to "earn" his opportunities in the passing game "by blocking in the run game," according to Raiders tight ends coach Luke Steckel. (Source: Tashan Reed, The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Despite his draft status as the No. 13 pick, Bowers will still need to earn his role in the passing game, says his position coach, who admits it is an "old-school mentality." Second-year TE Michael Mayer (6'4" and 265 pounds) had a 27-304-2 stat line as a rookie under. Steckel is a part of the new Raiders staff in 2024 after spending 2023 as an OL assistant with the Chicago Bears. Bowers (6'3" and 243 pounds) may have to earn his role as a blocker to see a large snap share as a rookie, though he never had a season with a sub-67.0 PFF run-blocking grade at Georgia.
Chiefs DL Chris Jones said he hopes to "skip out on training camp" again in 2024. (Source: Around the NFL on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Jones held out all of training camp last year while holding out for a new contract. He is coming off his second straight All-Pro campaign and believes some days off can benefit him. "I've already been talking to Andy about, 'Let me skip out on training camp. I'm a little older, right?'" Jones said. "I can feel it. I can feel when we have a day on training camp. Give me like two days off and one day on then, and we maybe can work something out, you know?"
Fri, Jun 28th 11:22am EDT
By Ari Koslow
The Dolphins reportedly want to pay Tua Tagovailoa, but want to do so at "market value." (Source: NFL on ESPN on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Adam Schefter pointed out the recent shift in the market value for quarterbacks this offseason following the extensions signed by Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence. He would currently be playing this season on his fifth-year option that was picked up by Miami last year. The two sides will likely look to reach a deal at some point during training camp.
Fri, Jun 28th 11:19am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Rome Odunze is reportedly "under consideration" to return punts this season for the Bears. (Source: NBC Sports)
Fantasy Impact: Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower referred to Odunze as a four-down player. “Rome is an every-down player. Rome’s a first-down player, a second-down player, a third-down player and a fourth-down player,” Hightower said. “He had three returns on the books and one of those three returns was a house call.” It is possible we see a lot of different players return kicks this season with the new rules.
Mon, Jun 24th 10:29am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Jeremy Fowler reports Aidan O’Connell “probably has the slight edge” over Gardner Minshew for the Raiders starting quarterback job. (Source: ESPN.com)
Fantasy Impact: Minshew signed a two-year deal with the Raiders this offseason so he was expected to be the starter, but O'Connell appears to have gotten off to a good start in camp. It'll likely be a battle to monitor all throughout training camp and preseason action.
Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis is focusing on his mechanics this offseason, adjusting his base and footwork and working on getting the ball out sooner as he improves his connection with his receiving corps. (Source: Jim Wyatt, TennesseeTitans.com)
Fantasy Impact: Levis has a new level of confidence this offseason as evidenced by Jim Wyatt's article on the Titans' young QB. This is understandable given his safety as the team's QB1 heading into the year. With extra reps and attention in the offseason, he is working on getting things right so his new pass catchers — Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley — can be ready to go in Week 1.
Xavier Gipson is reportedly making an impression in Jets camp. (Source: The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Gipson is seemingly battling Malachi Corley for the No. 3 wide receiver role in camp as he continues to make plays. Gipson reportedly made more plays down the field than anyone other than Garrett Wilson. This will be a situation to monitor heading into training camp.
Thu, Jun 20th 10:33am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Xavier Gipson is reportedly pushing Malachi Corley for the No. 3 wide receiver role. (Source: The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Despite initial speculation that Corley could be the clear the No. 3 receiver entering the season for the Jets, Gipson is reportedly impressing in camp. This will be a battle to monitor entering training camp.
Garrett Wilson had a standout performance at the Jets minicamp. He worked well with both quarterbacks and showed improvement in his route running, speed, and catching ability. (Source: The Athletic)
Fantasy Impact: Wilson is already one of the top receivers in the league based on pure talent, but quarterback play has held him back in his first two years as a pro. If Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy this year, Wilson could have an incredible season in real life and for fantasy, much to the delight of fans all over.
Jaleel McLaughlin is reportedly standing out at camp and looks like a lock for the 2024 regular season roster. (Source: Cecil Lammey)
Fantasy Impact: As a rookie, McLaughlin turned heads for his explosiveness. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, the 23-year-old carved out a solid role on the Broncos squad. He will look to resume and potentially increase his role in the Broncos' offense going into the 2024 season.
As confirmed by his agent, New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara's holdout on the final day of the team's minicamp practices was a contract-related move. (Source: Kevin Patra, NFL.com)
Fantasy Impact: Kamara is subject to a fine as a result of his holdout; the veteran RB showed up for the start of practice but left after the walkthrough portion. Kamara has not missed any of the team's mandatory offseason activities, but this move was intentional as he seeks long-term stability. After the 2024 season, Kamara will effectively be a free agent, with his contract treating 2025 as "essentially a dummy year," per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. The Saints and Kamara have been in discussion on an extension but have seen no progress, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Saints will have RBs Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller available if the holdout lasts any longer.
Blake Corum has impressed Rams head coach Sean McVay during minicamp, with McVay saying Corum has displayed maturity and handles himself well even when things don’t go to plan. (Source: The Coachspeak Index via X)
Fantasy Impact: The rookie third round pick is in line for the number 2 role in the Rams backfield behind Kyren Williams. While it’s hard to see Corum getting a sizeable workload as long as Williams is healthy, he could nevertheless inherit workhorse role should Williams ever suffer an injury, which has happened during each of his first two professional seasons.
New England Patriots third-year WR Tyquan Thornton has struggled to show consistency during the offseason's workouts, especially during minicamp. (Source: Dakota Randall, Pro Football Network)
Fantasy Impact: Thornton, who was touted for his explosiveness heading into the NFL, has yet to show he can round out his game. According to Dakota Randall of Pro Football Network, he flashed early in OTAs but slowed down, struggling on Day 1 of minicamp before missing Day 2. Thornton is entering Year 3, and with the Patriots having a deep rotation of players trying to earn a roster spot this year, he could be facing a further potential slide.
Rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk has flashed during offseason workouts so far with his movement skills. (Source: Evan Lazar, patriots.com)
Fantasy Impact: Polk has received a lot of praise from beat reporters all offseason, and Patriots team reporter Evan Lazar highlighted where he thrived, especially during minicamp. Polk has a chance to be the team's leading receiver in 2024 in an offense that needs talent to step up.
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson will bring "real value" to the team's offense, says head coach Sean McVay. (Source: Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire)
Fantasy Impact: At his size (6'7"), Parkinson has impressed with his catch radius, according to Rams Wire's Cameron DaSilva. The incumbent veteran TE Tyler Higbee has missed the offseason due to his ACL and MCL tears, and if he is unable to play early in the season, Parkinson will have a real role in the offense to start the year. Parkinson has spent most of his career as a backup TE in Seattle (54 games, four starts, 57 catches, 618 yards and four touchdowns).
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson remains "in the pole position in the competition" for the QB1 role, according to the team's offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. (Source: Nick Farbaugh on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Smith mentioned that he expects the competition to heat up once the team gets into training camp later in the summer, but he also insisted the team has been transparent with both Wilson and QB Justin Fields on that front since they joined the team. Both Wilson and Fields are set to be free agents after 2024, and both QBs have plenty to gain and lose this season regarding their future, making the competition one to keep an eye on.
Tue, Jun 11th 1:59am EDT
By Ari Koslow
The Buccaneers expect Tristan Wirfs to report to mandatory camp, but he’s not expected to practice. (Source: Rick Stroud on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Wirfs had been holding out earlier in camp as he seeks an extension entering the final year of his rookie contract. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and could get a big pay day if the two sides can come to an agreement.
Tue, Jun 11th 1:46am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Rhamondre Stevenson told reporters he’s “pretty close” to reaching an extension with the Patriots. (Source: Chris Mason on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Stevenson is coming off a down season where he averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per carry. He also suffered an ankle injury that ended his season early. He could lose some work in the passing game to Antonio Gibson this year, but should remain the lead back on the early downs. Stevenson is entering the final year of his current contract.
