🏈 4 Situations We're Watching in Training Camp

1. The Jaguars Backfield

Travis Etienne Jr. is entering a contract year. Tank Bigsby going is entering his third year. And the Jags used high-end draft capital on Bhaysul Tuten. This backfield is messy and could go in many directions for fantasy football.

Tuten offers a unique blend of speed and athleticism that can easily set him apart in this running back room if he earns the opportunity. Etienne Jr. is looking to bounce back from a supremely disappointing 2024 season where his highest PPR performance was 14.8 points in Week 2. Tank Bigsby's primary effectiveness comes in short yardage situations and occasional bursts, and he is very limited as a pass-catcher.

There is volume to be won by any one of these three players. Keep a keen eye on how this competition develops.

Another Thing in Jacksonville: Pay attention to Travis Hunter’s participation in the offense.

2. The… Entire Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns may be the first team in NFL history with genuine question marks at quarterback, running back, AND wide receiver heading into training camp.

Joe Flacco is the be presumed the starter, but Cleveland spent two draft picks on quarterbacks. And with the Browns having some of the lowest expecations in the NFL, a QB change at some point is a near certainty. Pay close attention to which of either Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett, or Dillon Gabriel earns the backup job.

The Browns backfield was Quinshon Judkins’ to lose, and after being arrested he is potentially lookin at a suspension to begin his rookie season. At this moment, the backfield competition will likely boil down to veteran Jerome Ford or rookie Dylan Sampson. Be attentive to Browns training camp news to see which running back starts the season as a fantasy football value.

The only clear-cut fantasy wide receiver on this team is Jerry Jeudy. Outside of him, Cedric Tillman has the best chance of making his mark. Pay attention to how guys like Diontae Johnson and Jamari Thrash perform in camp. There are certainly more target to go around.

3. Tyler Shough

Most people assume that Tyler Shough will win the job over Spencer Rattler… and then likely be terrible. But what if he is not? If the Saints rookie is even average, that would be massive for Alvin Kamara, Rashid Shaheed, and Chris Olave.

Shough himself is unlikely to be fantasy relevant. But if he shows flashes in training camp, that could instill confidence in fantasy players regarding the New Orleans weapons.

4. Buccaneers Wide Receivers

Chris Godwin is not expected to participate in the beginning of training camp, meaning that there could be massive opportunities for rookie Emeka Egbuka to make his mark early in the season-preparation process.

Additionally, Jalen McMillan who had a hot end to the 2024 season will be looking to take the next step. As an Z-receiver, he does not play the same role as Godwin and Egbuka, who frequently operate out of the slot. Any sort of development from him will be very important in predicting the usage of this room for fantasy football.