NFL Camp Battles
Often as fantasy managers, we don’t invest much in our league until it gets closer to the draft. We may do a few mock drafts or read a few articles, but the real work for many of us doesn’t start until about a week to a week and a half before we draft. But shrewd fantasy managers know to pay attention all offseason and as training camp and preseason begin. This is when teams sort out what their rosters will look like. This is our first real insight into how rookies may perform at the next level or how offenses with new staff running the show will produce. Every year there are key positional battles that arise out of training camp and preseason. Let’s look at a we might want to keep an eye on.
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB1
Russell Wilson vs. Justin Fields
There was a lot of head-scratching this offseason when the Pittsburgh Steelers not only signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, but also traded for a dual-threat signal-caller in Justin Fields. Right now it appears that the nine-time Pro Bowler is leading the competition and is the most likely QB to be under center come Week 1. But Wilson has been nursing a calf injury which has allowed Fields to get more reps and, if the reports are to be believed, he has been taking advantage of the opportunity. In their first preseason action, with Wilson sidelined, Fields went 5-6 for 67 yards and a 113.2 rating. Those are solid numbers. It would be surprising if Fields won the job, at least right away, but with about four weeks until the start of the season things could get interesting.
Minnesota Vikings: QB1
Sam Darnold vs. J.J. McCarthy
There are two schools of thought on who will, or should, be the Vikings’ starting QB on Week 1. Many managers and analysts don’t think that rookie J.J. McCarthy is ready and that he should sit for a while and learn behind Sam Darnold. Others believe we know who Darnold is and that the rookie should be given the chance right out of the gate to take over this team and develop chemistry with his teammates. After their first preseason action, Team McCarthy had to be encouraged. Against the Las Vegas Raiders, Darnold completed 50% of his passes (4-8) for 59 yards and a 74.5 rating, while McCarthy went 11-17 for 188 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a 116.8 rating. Darnold is still the favorite to go into the season as the starter, but it might be closer than we originally thought.
Tennessee Titans: RB1
Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Tony Pollard was a major offseason addition for the Titans. When he was signed fantasy managers started panicking about the value of Tyjae Spears. It looks like that panic may have been a bit premature. In fact, head coach Brian Callahan doesn’t view either as the clear starter, calling both “starting players.” This means we could have a true 1A/1B situation. It makes sense. Both backs could have durability issues, possess similar skill sets, and have yet to prove they can be a true workhorse in the NFL. This could create a headache for managers. Take their first preseason game against San Francisco. In that game it was Pollard who came out on top with the overall production with four carries for 35 yards, adding two receptions for eleven yards, while Spears added just four total yards. But it was Spears who got the short-yardage touchdown. There’s still plenty of time to figure out how the workload will be divided, but if it’s close to a 50/50 split I might steer clear altogether.
Cincinnati Bengals: RB1
Zack Moss, Chase Brown
This offseason the Bengals decided to part ways with their long-time bell-cow running back Joe Mixon, trading him to the Houston Texans. While that move is understandable, they are now looking to replace his production. The hope is that a rotation of free agent signee Zack Moss and second-year player Chase Brown will be able to fill that void. But does that mean the days of a bell-cow back in Cincinnati are gone, making way for more of an RBBC approach? If so, it might still be hard to pin down who will be at the top of the depth chart. While Moss provides good power, quickness, and vision, Brown possesses a combination of speed and explosiveness that Moss does not. But Brown was underwhelming in his first preseason action and Moss didn’t play, so the competition is still wide open, and is definitely one to watch.
Los Angeles Chargers: WR1
Josh Palmer, Ladd McConkey, D.J. Clark
The Chargers are very shallow at the wide receiver position. Palmer, McConkey, and Chark should all get plenty of opportunities. Quentin Johnston is also in the mix, but right now he appears to be fourth on the depth chart. QB Justin Herbert is currently dealing with a plantar fascia injury in his right foot but is expected to be ready by the start of the season. Herbert loves to push the ball downfield which could bode well for either Palmer or Chark. Still, McConkey may be the best route runner on the team and could find himself getting open a lot, and make good on his sleeper potential. So far not much can be assumed based on their first preseason action. Herbert, Palmer, McConkey, and Johnston were all sidelined. Yet, if I were drafting today, McConkey would be my favorite target, especially in PPR formats.
Buffalo Bills: WR1
Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir
My what a difference a year makes. Stefon Diggs is gone. Gabe Davis is gone. The team signed Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and drafted Keon Coleman, and they still have Khali Shakir. But your guess is as good as mine as to who, if any, of these wide receivers will emerge as Josh Allen’s go-to target. It’s possible that Dalton Kincaid leads the team in targets and receptions and James Cook becomes more involved in the passing game, leaving everyone else to fight over scraps. As the only receiver who has a history with Allen, Shakir (who had three catches on three targets for 28 yards in his preseason debut) could continue developing chemistry with his star QB and be valuable out of the slot, particularly in PPR formats. We all know how valuable a true WR1 in Buffalo can be, so if one emerges, you’ll want him on your team.
New Orleans Saints: TE1
Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson
After a strong end to the 2023 season where he finished inside the top 10 three of his last four weeks, Johnson was slated to be a potential breakout. But a foot injury has landed him on the active/PUP list. This has set the stage for Taysom Hill to get more reps. Hill is an interesting player. The way he scores his fantasy points is untraditional but his upside is undeniable. Still, Johnson is more of a prototypical tight-end but his injury could keep him out much of the preseason, and could extend into the regular season. This will make evaluating the situation difficult. Ultimately, this may be a tight-end room you want to avoid, even if you tend to be the last to pick one up.
Filed under: Free Articles
