Camp news: Marquez Valdes-Scantling putting together solid camp

With no preseason games this year, we’ll get all of our NFL player information through practices, scrimmages and team beat writer tweets and articles. There are plenty of cliches we can count on every year, such as “he’s in the best shape of his life,” but that’s still better than, “he looks slow” or “he’s been sidelined for two weeks now.” Now with training camp in full swing and player putting on pads and starting to scrimmage, we are in the thick of information overload.

To help keep you up to date, we’ll give you the highlights from camp each day, with some fantasy football analysis layered in. We’ve also been doing a hype-train of the day article, so check those out as well.

Hype-train of the day

Jalen Reagor
Bryce Love
Chris Herndon
Equanimeous St. Brown
Allen Lazard
Jerick McKinnon
Bryan Edwards
Irv Smith Jr.
James White
Damien Harris
Trey Burton
Scotty Miller

Monday, August 31st training camp highlights

Jeff Thomas, WR, Patriots

Thomas missed a lot of training camp but he’s back and showing well. New England isn’t getting what they want out of their receivers right now, so Thomas has a legitimate chance to make the team snd see work this season. He’s just a flyer, but a strong add in dynasty leagues.

Sunday, August 30th training camp highlights

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Packers

Valdes-Scantling has looked good in practices in the past, but been unable to put his game together in real games. As has been the case for a while now, the Packers are weak at receiver after Davante Adams, so if anyone could really step forward, their upside will be good considering their fantasy price.

Devin Asiasi, TE, Patriots

Right now it looks like the starting job at tight end will either be Asiasi or Dalton Keene, with Asiasi in the lead. His fantasy upside is likely low as a rookie, but drafting the Patriots starter in deeper 2TE leagues is worthwhile.

Derrick Henry, RB, Titans

Any extra receiving touches for Henry is icing on his fantasy cake, so I think we can take this as only a positive sign. If he doesn’t end up getting more receiving work this season, he’s still being drafted where he should be.

Saturday, August 29th training camp highlights

D.J. Chark, WR, Jaguars

Chark already had his breakout last season, but it’s good to see that he has picked up where he left off. the Jaguars have a bad defense and Chark should see plenty of work as his team gets behind.

D’Andre Swift, RB, Lions

Swift looked great in his limited work to start trining camp, but his leg injury will likely end up giving Kerryon Johnson the lead work to start the season.

Friday, August 28th training camp highlights

Blake Jarwin, TE, Cowboys

We haven’t heard much good or bad about Jarwin, but Cowboys executive vice president appears to be elated with his progress. The addition of CeeDee Lamb as a target makes it difficult to get a handle on target distribution, but there’s no doubt Jarwin is the starting tight end and is in an offense that will spend a bunch of time in the red zone.

Chris Thompson, RB, Jaguars

Thompson has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons, but appears to finally be healthy and is in a good spot to pick up work in Jacksonville as a receiving back. Last season Leonard Fournette caught an amazing number of passes compared to his usual work, but he did very little with them. Thompson is much better suited for that job.

Olabsi Johnson, WR, Vikings

Justin Jefferson was supposed to be the guy to come in and win

Darrel Williams, RB, Chiefs

Williams appears to be in the lead for the No. 2 running back job, which is a useful fantasy spot to be in with the Chiefs.

Scotty Miller, WR, Buccaneers

Miller has been a steady presence in Bucs’ practice and looks like he has the lead for the WR3 job. There are a lot of mouths to feed in Tampa Bay, but the offense could be expansive enough to give him some deep league value while setting him up well if there are any injuries ahead of him.

Thursday, August 27th training camp highlights

Joshua Kelley, RB, Chargers

Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers

Roethlisberger and Claypool appear to have a good connection in camp so far. If Claypool ends up getting work early in the season, it would likely be at the expense of James Washington.

Ronald Jones, RB, Buccaneers

Jones continues to get praise while Ke’Shawn Vaughn is buried in the depth chart. I believe we can draft Jones without worrying about him losing too many touches, at least early in the season.

Wednesday, August 26th training camp highlights

Jordan Akins, TE, Texans

Akins has had a great camp according to reports. The Texans have plenty of tight ends, but have yet to have a single on take over the job. Last season Darren Fells was a touchdown maker, so DeShaun Watson likes his tight ends in the red zone at least. If one can win the majority of the work, there is some fantasy value to be had.

Trey Burton, TE, Colts

Burton landed in the best possible spot, as the Colts land Philip Rivers love throwing to tight ends. If he can stay healthy, he could outplay his ADP by a bunch.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens

Mark Ingram is still the lead back, but Dobbins has a shot at overtaking him at some point this season. Coach John Harbaugh isn’t one to give the veteran much leeway if the rookie can perform at a higher level. And if Dobbins can outperform Ingram as a receiver, he could have an edge as he learns the system.

Tuesday, August 25th training camp highlights

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins

Ryan Fitzpatrick appears to be penciled in for the Week 1 start, but Tagovailoa can punch his ticket to multiple starts if he can get on track sooner than later. It looks like he’s getting the hang of things and hopefully will start some exponential growth.

N’Keal Harry, WR, Patriots

If we heard about Harry earlier in camp, it was likely to be something negative. The last couple days have been the exact opposite, as he appears to have turned things around in a hurry. There’s a starting job just waiting for him to claim it and finally we’re seeing some positive steps from the second-year receiver.

Joe Reed, WR, Chargers

Reed should see a bump in work while Mike Williams deals with a sprained shoulder and reports out of camp have all been positive. Add in an ability to get a few rushing opportunities and there is upside for the rookie.

Logan Thomas, TE, Washington Football Team

Thomas has the lead of Jeremy Sprinkle and as of now, would likely be the starting tight end. He may need to be used to block more than we’d like, with a poor Washington o-line, but he should be a useful in the red zone.

Monday, August 24th training camp highlights

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Football Team

The chemistry between McLaurin and Dwayne Haskins has been evident in training camp and the odds of McLaurin backing up his strong rookie campaign are good. Hopefully Washington’s OL can play above their ability to help the two reach their upside, but either way, McLaurin is poised for another good season.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ravens

The starting job in Baltimore is still Mark Ingram’s, but Ingram is going to feel pressure from Dobbins, especially if he can be a force as a receiver. At this point, Dobbins is likely going too high in fantasy drafts based on ability, but I’d still rather bet on Dobbins’ upside over Ingram’s depth chart placement if given the choice.

Keelan Cole, WR, Jaguars

The Jaguars passing offense is a good place to find cheaper fantasy assets, but, after D.J. Chark, it’s tough to single one player out. It appears that rookie Laviska Shenault and Cole are worth keeping an eye on.

Parris Campbell, WR, Colts

Campbell fits Rivers’ style of play well and could become a strong target this season. With T.Y. Hilton as the only receiver that we know will undoubtedly get targets, there is room for Campbell to win a good chunk, but there is plenty of competition.

Van Jefferson, WR, Rams

The rookie has room to win the WR3 spot over Josh Reynolds, especially considering the p\praise Jefferson has received this training camp. He’ll have trouble being a consistent fantasy force, but if he can win the job, any missed time from Robert Woods or Cooper Kupp could lift him into the spotlight.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Bears

It’s hard to tell if Graham is shining due to everyone else being dull, but there has now been more than one report hyping the veteran tight end. He looked washed last season in Green Bay, but could become a PPR value if this strong camp ends up giving him more targets.

Sunday, August 23rd training camp highlights

Damien Harris, RB, Patriots

Harris continues to practice well while Michel is out. He should be given a chance to carry the load in Week 1 if things continue to play out as they have so far.

Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers

After not hearing much about Godwin this training camp, it sounds like he’s having a his best day of camp. Great throw by Brady and catch by Godwin in the end zone here.

Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts

Hines is a wildcard in the Colts offense, as he is mostly a receiving back and will need plenty of targets to be a useful fantasy play. The addition of Philip Rivers is good for running back receptions, as he is adept at passing to his backs. Hines will muddy the fantasy projections for the Colts running backs, but Jonathan Taylor is still the favorite to lead.

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos

Jeudy has wowed onlookers and teammates so far in training camp. He’s locked up that No. 2 WR spot.

Preston Williams, WR, Dolphins

It’s good to see Williams showing well after tearing his ACL last season. If He continues to prove himself, he should have the No. 2 receiver job locked in for the season.

Saturday, August 22nd training camp highlights

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Packers

MVS has shown promise in the past, but has yet to put all his talents together on a consistent basis. He wasn’t 100 percent healthy last season, so health and some mental consistency could lead to a breakout year.

Chris Herndon, TE, Jets

The Herndon drum beat just keep on pounding. The Jets offense likely isn’t going to make him a 120 target TE, but he’s looking like a Top-12 tight end if the hype is even close to reality.

J.J. Taylor, RB, Patriots

“Have you seen him out there?” running backs coach Fears asked. “Same quickness, same suddenness (as Dion Lewis). He’s a hell of a pass-catcher, guy’s got great vision. Ah, there’s a (expletive) load of stuff that’s good about him. He’s got to learn to play bigger than his size.”

Taylor has a real shot at making the team after Brandon Bolden opted out this season, but would need injuries to see time this season.

Devine Ozigbo, RB, Jaguars

Ozigbo has plenty of fans in the draft evaluation pundits around the league and it looks like he’s getting a chance to show his stuff in training camp in his second year. Unfortunately he has Leonard Fournette and Ryquell Armstead blocking him from touches, but Fournette isn’t long for the team, so there is dynasty value.

Friday, August 21st training camp highlights

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seahawks

The Seahawks are blessed with two WR1s in Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. With so much talent there, it would be nice to see the coaching staff let Russell Wilson loose before trailing in the fourth quarter. Metcalf’s development could help push the team to throw more, but either way, all we’ve seen so far are rave reviews from those watching the second-year receiver.

Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals

The No. 1 pick in this year’s draft has been up to the task of an NFL training camp so far. His fantasy status isn’t clear, but a poor defense should keep him throwing the ball and so far he’s ahead of the curve.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Panthers

So far, Bridgewater appears to be having a good camp. With no offseason and a shortened training camp, his knowledge of the Saints playbook has likely helped him speed the learning curve with Joe Brady’s playbook. With playmakers at each offensive skill position, Bridgewater has a strong base to work from this season.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Buccaneers

Vaughn appears to be far behind Ronald Jones and LeSean McCoy at this point. Rookies are going to have trouble early in the season and Jones also started late due to Covid-19. There is room for him to take on more work as the season goes on, but for now he’s going to need to climb the ladder for touches.

Scotty Miller, WR, Buccaneers

Over the last few days, Miller’s name has been highlighted by reporters. He appears to be on track for the WR3 job behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. And if he can compete and produce like he has in training camp, there is a chance he’ll have some fantasy worth this season.

Auden Tate, WR, Bengals

With A.J. Green already dealing with injuries and John Ross missing time, Tate has stepped up. His skill set is strong and maybe this chance with Burrow as his QB helps elevate him and his fantasy value this season.