Can you feel it? NFL training camps are starting to open this week and that means pads will be popping and helmets will be crunching as players put on their battle gear to prepare for the new season. While most of our heroes know their roles and placement on their team’s respective depth charts, there are plenty of others looking to establish themselves and win prominent roles. These are the players we’ll be focusing on in this article.
In an effort to help educate you, the fantasy football fanatic, ahead of your drafts, I’ve researched some of the most important training camp battles you’ll need to watch at the four top fantasy positions. Who knows, maybe we’ll unearth some sleepers or a few draft bargains who could help you take home a fantasy football championship!
Quarterbacks
Anthony Richardson vs. Gardner Minshew: Most folks believe this is a foregone conclusion and that Richardson will take the job. New head coach Shane Steichen won’t just hand the rookie the gig, however, so Minshew could be the starter (at least in Week 1) should Richardson stumble or need some “seasoning” in camp.
Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports
Sam Howell vs. Jacoby Brissett: Howell is the projected favorite and should open the season under center for the Commanders, but any struggles in camp could put Brissett into a position to push him. It wouldn’t be the first time the veteran backup has been pushed into a starting role, but Howell is in the driver’s seat.
Desmond Ridder vs. Taylor Heinicke: Much like the other two battles, Ridder is the younger of the duo and also the favorite to start. Heinicke has shown flashes of fantasy potential in the past, though, and any hiccups Ridder might have could open the door for his veteran counterpart. Heinicke could be a deep super-flex sleeper.
Notables: Baker Mayfield vs. Kyle Trask
Running Backs
Kenneth Walker III vs. Zach Charbonnet: I don’t see this as a true competition, to be honest, as Walker should be the starter with Charbonnet playing a secondary role behind him. But with Charbonnet being picked in Round 2 and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll suggesting a battle is coming, fantasy fans should be watching.
D’Andre Swift vs. Rashaad Penny: I can probably throw Kenneth Gainwell into this mix, too, but Swift and Penny are the two top options in the Eagles backfield. I like Swift more for fantasy purposes, in part because he’s more explosive and far more durable, but Penny could be a potential draft bargain if he earns a big role.
James Cook vs. Damien Harris: Cook is somewhat of a fantasy darling in PPR leagues and considered the best option in the Bills backfield. But I can also see a scenario where Harris and Cook rotate snaps and maybe the former is the starter. Harris, who has shown a nose for the end zone, could be the better value pick.
Khalil Herbert vs. D’Onta Foreman: Herbert, Foreman and rookie Roschon Johnson will all be battling it out in camp for the right to see a featured role in the Bears backfield. I smell a committee situation, though, don’t you? If I had to pick one player from this trio, it’s Herbert, but this could turn into a fantasy nightmare.
Notables: Raheem Mostert vs. Jeff Wilson Jr.; Antonio Gibson vs. Brian Robinson
Wide Receivers
Baltimore Ravens: The receiver battles are better split by teams, because there are more than two competitors. In Baltimore, Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman are the projected starting wideouts, but who’ll be third in the pecking order between rookie Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and Devin Duvernay?
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs proved last season they don’t need elite wideouts to win, but it’s still a situation worth monitoring. The fantasy community seems to like Kadarius Toney as the top option, but it could easily be Skyy Moore or maybe even rookie Rashee Rice. Regardless, keep tabs on who’s getting camp “buzz.”
Los Angeles Chargers: Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are the unquestioned starters in Los Angeles, but who’ll have value beyond that duo? The Bolts spent a high draft pick on Quentin Johnston, but Joshua Palmer has flashed at times during his short NFL career. One of those two could have late-round draft appeal.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers appear to have a top three of Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Terrace Marshall Jr., but whoever shines in camp could see a bump in value. Fantasy fans also like Jonathan Mingo, the rookie out of Ole Miss, as a potential sleeper. The Panthers have Laviska Shenault in the mix, too.
New York Giants: The Giants wide receivers group is a mess of “meh” dudes, including Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell, Sterling Shepard and rookie Jalin Hyatt. Oh, and I forgot Jamison Crowder. Maybe one or two of them (if we’re lucky) will hold draft appeal.
Notables: Green Bay Packers; New England Patriots; Houston Texans
Tight Ends
Dawson Knox vs. Dalton Kincaid: Kincaid was a real pass-catching dynamo in college and could be used as more of a slot or “move” tight end at the next level, but can he pass Knox on the tight end depth chart? If the rookie starts making noise in camp or the preseason, his average draft position total could rise.
Mike Gesicki vs. Hunter Henry: The Patriots could be running more 12 personnel this season with the addition of Gesicki, who is a strong pass-catching option. He will see time in the slot, but Henry could push for more red-zone chances. The fear is that the duo will cancel each other out, but keep tabs on this battle regardless.
