Training Camp Preview: NFC South
Wed Jul 27 10:52am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Thomas continues to battle injury
This is the seventh in a series of training camp previews. The previews give you a quick look at each team, going over position battles and injuries to watch in camp. The season is right around the corner.
Falcons
The Falcons will be without longtime quarterback Matt Ryan for the first time in a long time. So the big storyline of this camp will be the quarterback spot. Marcus Mariota is expected to take over but rookie Desmond Ridder could also be in the mix. Either way, a new player will be at the helm at the most important position on the team. There will be plenty of pressure on this new player. Atlanta holds their training camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Position battle: The Falcons have a lot of openings at receiver this year. Calvin Ridley is suspended for the entire season, leaving a huge hole at the position. The team drafted Drake London to serve a big role, but after him, it is Bryan Edwards, Olamide Zaccheaus, Auden Tate and Damiere Byrd are the top candidates to start opposite London. This is a wide open battle with a lot of similar options looking to start.
Injury watch: Calvin Ridley has been indefinitely suspended through the conclusion of the 2022 season for gambling. He can appeal the suspension, though, so that is something to watch going forward. There is a slight chance he could get the suspension reduced because his gambling offense seems pretty minor. We might get more clarity on it all before camp is out. This is a situation to watch.
Saints
New Orleans is another team that will be without a franchise staple at quarterback for the first time in several season. Drew Brees hung it up, leaving Jameis Winston as the new quarterback for the team. Winston will have a lot of pressure on him, taking over for one of the best quarterbacks of all time. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in New Orleans. Winston and his teammates train at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, La.
Position battle: The Saints gave Adam Trautman a shot to start much of last year but he wasn’t great in that role. He should get first shot again this year, but won’t be handed anything. He will need to earn that job. Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill should be the top competition for Trautman. We should get a better idea of this position battle as camp practices get underway and preseason games get started.
Injury watch: Michael Thomas didn’t play at all last year as he continued to be slowed by an ankle injury. He played just seven games the previous year. He is going to open camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start, which is not a great start for Thomas. The Saints don’t expect him to be on that list long, though. He should be practicing before long. Either way, his health is one to watch. If healthy and playing like his old self, Thomas can be an elite fantasy player.
Panthers
The Panthers had a disappointing season last year, mainly because of inconsistent quarterback play and injury. Those should be the big issues to watch in camp for the Panthers. The Panthers will have a two quarterbacks batting it out to start. And Christian McCaffrey is healthy for now, but his injury issues the last few seasons really slowed the entire offense. It is essential for McCaffrey to be healthy if the Panthers hope to have a successful season. The Panthers hold their training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.
Position battle: As mentioned, the Panthers will have quarterback battle on their hands this camp. Baker Mayfield is a heavy favorite to win, but the Panthers want him to earn the job. He will need to hold off Sam Darnold, who disappointed with his chances last year. Darnold will need to take a big step forward this year if he hopes to beat out Mayfield.
Injury watch: Christian McCaffrey might be the most important player on the Panthers. Unfortunately, he has played just 10 games the past two seasons. He has battled various injuries, which is a big concern for potential fantasy owners. McCaffrey has the potential to be the top fantasy player in the game if he is able to play a full season. That is a big “if” after his last two years, though.
Bucs
The Bucs likely get one more year out of Tom Brady, hoping to make another run at the Super Bowl. Tampa certainly has the pieces on both sides of the ball to win it all. Much of season might depend on Brady. If he can still keep performing at his usual level, this team will be tough to beat once again. Does Brady still have it in him at age 45, though? That is the question. Brady and company will start their quest for another Super Bowl at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Fla.
Position battle: Rob Gronkowski decided to retire once again, giving the Bucs an opening at their staring tight end spot. There are three candidates to start, including Kyle Rudolph, Cameron Brate and Cade Otton. Rudolph seems the most likely candidate to start, but his lack of production the last few years is a bit of a concern. He will need to show well in camp and preseason action to hold off the other two candidates.
Injury watch: Chris Godwin suffered a torn ACL late last season, putting the start of his season this year in jeopardy. Godwin is making great progress from his injury, though, and is not even being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list as camp opens. This is a great sign for Godwin. The Bucs still might be cautious with their star receiver, though, bringing him along slowly early in the year. It is no sure thing he is in the lineup Week 1.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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- Vikings re-signing veteran G Dalton Risner
- Jets signing RB Tarik Cohen to one-year deal
- QB Stetson Bennett back with Rams after addressing mental health
- Texans extend WR Nico Collins for 3 years, $72.75 million
- Patriots sign first-round pick QB Drake Maye
- Saints DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) out indefinitely
- Retired S Tony Jefferson wants to play in '24
- Two women sue K Brandon McManus, alleging sexual assault
- Ravens convert Malik Cunningham from QB to WR
- Veteran C Billy Price (blood clot) announces retirement
- Travis Kelce weighs in on Harrison Butker commencement speech
- Raiders DE Maxx Crosby receiving $6M raise
- Sean Payton calls Broncos' quarterbacks 'orphaned dogs'
- Cardinals first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. signs contract
- Giants coach on QB Daniel Jones: 'He's making progress'
- Steelers add RB La'Mical Perine on 1-year contract
- Eagles sign WR John Ross to 1-year deal
- Falcons release TE Tucker Fisk, sign two wide receivers
- Ravens QB Lamar Jackson aims to be more elusive at lighter weight
- Roger Goodell resurfaces potential 18-game season at NFL meetings
- Fantasy Six Pack: IDP Football Green Dot Defenders
- Fantasy Six Pack: Dynasty Football Rankings
The Paur Report
New Orleans Saints TE Taysom Hill's unique skill set has been on full display during organized team activities, according to Matthew Paras of NOLA.com. For example, Hill took part in individual drills with the running backs last week and is working with the tight ends this week. 'It's been a lot of fun. It's weird to say after seven years of doing what I've been doing that I'm being asked to do things I've never done before. That is exciting to me and it's challenging, and I love to be challenged like that. I'm grateful for those guys creating unique and fun opportunities for me,' Hill said.
Fantasy Spin: According to Paras, Hill has yet to throw a ball once in a live setting this spring, but he has lined up at running back and fullback several times. Furthermore, head coach Dennis Allen apparently "entertained" a reporter's suggestion that Hill might be the Saints' version of Kyle Juszczyk in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's offense. While it is unlikely Hill will top last year's career year (114 touches for 692 yards), fantasy managers should expect him to remain a key complementary part of the offense again in 2024.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | The Texans have signed wide receiver Nico Collins to a contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: It's a three-year, $72.75 million extension that includes $52 million guaranteed. If there was any doubt about what Houston thought of Collins, this erases all of that as he gets a pretty tidy sum of money. Houston clearly thinks Collins and CJ Stroud have a special connection and Collins will now look to build on his 80/1,297/8 breakout season. As our WR21, there is still some runway for a value bump and he could actually be a "buy low" candidate should dynasty managers continue to believe his season can't be replicated with a healthy Tank Dell and newly added Stefon Diggs in the fold.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur thinks cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) is in a great place physically and mentally this offseason after he missed most of the last two years with injuries. LaFleur also said he thinks Stokes is "in the best shape" he's ever seen him in. "When you look at him physically, his body looks different. He's hitting some fast speeds out there at practice. I can tell mentally he feels like he's in a great place," LaFleur said. The former first-round pick in 2021 was great as a rookie but suffered foot and knee injuries in Week 9 in 2022 and missed the final eight games. The 25-year-old played in just three games in 2023 due to hamstring issues. It's no surprise the Packers declined their fifth-year option on Stokes, so he's now in a contract year in 2024 as he looks to stay healthy. If healthy, the speedster could start opposite Jaire Alexander.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham is embracing the team's three-man QB competition this offseason between himself, former first-round Zach Wilson and this year's first-rounder Bo Nix. "I'm not going to just sit down and let someone else walk on in here -- I'm going to work my butt off to get the job. I'm super excited about it," Stidham said. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $10 million deal prior to last season and could now be considered a mentor who could be an upset winner of the starting job this summer. Stidham, Wilson and Nix will get an equal split of the work during the offseason program, but we probably won't have a better sense of who is in the lead in the competition until training camp. Stidham has the advantage of knowing the offense from a season ago, but even if he's the starter in Week 1, he'll be on a short leash and will be a low-upside, low-end QB2 in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Former Baltimore Ravens star safety Tony Jefferson is coming out of retirement and plans to play in 2024, according to a source. Jefferson has stayed in shape, has been training on his own, and wants to play again. He intends to start talking to teams in the near future after spending last year with the Baltimore Ravens as a scouting intern. In his last year in the NFL in 2022 with the New York Giants, Jefferson played in only nine games (one start) and had 23 tackles (16 solo). The 32-year-old former undrafted free agent entered the league in 2013 with the Arizona Cardinals and spent four years in the desert before joining the Ravens from 2017-21. Jefferson hasn't played in more than nine games in a single season since 2018 but could provide some nice veteran depth for a team in need of secondary help.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) likely will not be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season but has a chance to play at some point during the season, according to head coach Dennis Allen.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars DT Arik Armstead (undisclosed) and DT Roy Robertson-Harris (undisclosed) did not participate in the voluntary workout Tuesday, May 28, because of undisclosed injuries.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is absent for OTAs. Dynasty Analysis: Chase is waiting for a lucrative long-term deal that will likely make him the highest paid receiver in the league (at least temporarily). The Bengals don't seem to be worried at the moment and dynasty managers shouldn't be, either. Chase is in the top three overall in terms of position players and there's no sense getting too concerned until Chase starts missing real practice time.
Dynasty | Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is sitting out voluntary OTAs. Dynasty Analysis: While the Bengals are saying they aren't concerned publicly, this holdout is a little more significant than that of Ja'Marr Chase. Higgins has been franchise tagged and it seems the team has little interest in negotiating a long-term deal. Higgins was more likely to be traded during the NFL Draft than now, but this is a situation to monitor. At this point, dynasty managers need to just hold on tight and see what happens.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields said he won't return kicks this season. "Nah, I think everybody kind of interpreted it wrong," said Fields when asked about the rumor. "It's funny how serious social media takes everything." The signal-caller was traded in March after spending the last three years in Chicago. He finished his most recent season in 2023-24 by throwing for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine picks while running for 657 yards and four touchdowns off 124 attempts. Fields hopes to compete with Russell Wilson for the No. 1 spot on the depth chart. However, unless he's starting come Week 1, he won't offer much to fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton was present for Tuesday's OTAs. The wideout is coming off the best year of his career, catching 50 of his 79 targets for 770 yards and four touchdowns. As a result, he wants a new deal. While there's still time for both sides to work things out, there's also room for the situation to go in the wrong direction, especially as the offseason inches closer to training camp. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old wasn't a reliable fantasy producer throughout the 2023-24 campaign despite his increase in production. That isn't expected to change, considering the Giants added Malik Nabers out of LSU. The team also still has Daniel Jones (knee) under center, who hasn't been the most consistent fantasy signal-caller over the years.
From RotoBaller
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Texans and wide receiver Nico Collins agreed on a three-year, $72.75 million extension. The wideout, who will make $52 million in guaranteed cash on his new deal, had a breakout season in 2023-24, amassing 80 catches for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. While Houston added Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon to the equation, two players who will command targets during the 2024-25 campaign, Collins remains a viable fantasy option in any format, considering the Texans could be one of the NFL's highest-scoring offenses.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans DE Marquis Haynes (undisclosed) was waived with an injury settlement on Tuesday, May 28.
From TheHuddle
Retired S Tony Jefferson (Giants) intends to come out of retirement and resume his playing career in 2024, according to a source. Jefferson spent last season as a scouting intern for the Baltimore Ravens.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles during the offseason and will miss the entire 2024 season, according to head coach Dennis Allen.
From TheHuddle
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Amare Barno (knee) finished last year on Injured Reserve and missed the final two games of the regular season, but he's progressing nicely and was limited in organized team activities last week, according to head coach Dave Canales. "The reports we're getting are great, so he's trending in the right direction. I don't have a specific date, but he is out there working and he's got his cleats on doing stuff, so I'm looking forward to getting him back up to speed so we can get him back in a practice at some point," Canales said. Barno saw an 11% increase in defensive snaps in 2023 and even made his first career start, finishing with 21 tackles and one tackle for loss in 15 games played. The 25-year-old is likely to serve as depth at the linebacker position again this year for Carolina.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with quarterback Drake Maye on his rookie deal on Tuesday, according to a source. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is now under contract and ready to compete with veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett in training camp and the preseason for the starting job under center in New England. The 21-year-old former Tar Heel has plenty of high-end, long-term upside in fantasy at the QB position, but he wasn't quite seen as NFL-ready as much as Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, who went one and two, respectively, in the draft to the Bears and Commanders. Maye had only 26 starts in college and could benefit from sitting and learning for a year, and he doesn't turn 22 until August. Especially given the lack of standout weapons on the Patriots offense, Maye is much more of a dynasty asset than a redraft one in 2024 fantasy circles.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase wasn't present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday. Chase is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal after the team picked up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season back in April. The 24-year-old is slated to make $5 million in 2024 and remains one of the best all-around receivers in the game. His absence during voluntary offseason workouts shouldn't raise too many eyebrows, although it would be nice to see him working with quarterback Joe Burrow after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in 2023. Chase is unlikely to stage a long holdout into mandatory minicamp next month and training camp this summer, and he and the Bengals should eventually work out something long term that should make him one of, if not the highest, paid receiver in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are both not present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday as they seek new deals this offseason. Higgins has yet to sign his franchise tender for this year, so until he does, he will not be allowed to participate in offseason workouts with the team. The 25-year-old requested a trade from the Bengals when the team put the franchise tag on him just before the start of free agency in March, but he remains in Cincinnati for now as he angles for a new long-term deal. It's an offseason storyline to follow for fantasy managers after Higgins had an extremely disappointing 2023 campaign. It didn't help that quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury, but Higgins was also injured himself and finished with a career-low 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton is seeking a contract worth about $15-$16 million annually, according to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
Fantasy Spin: Sutton had a 90-772-10 season last year and came in as the WR35 in PPR leagues. He'll be the top option to throw to in Denver, but there isn't a lot of upside there as a low-end WR3.
From TheHuddle
