Training Camp Preview: AFC West
Thu Jul 21 12:45pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Hardman hopes to start for Chiefs
This is the fourth 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.
Raiders
The Raiders made big waves this offseason. Las Vegas added Davante Adams to their offense and hired Josh McDaniels as their head coach. There are big expectations for this team this coming season. And it will start in training camp, seeing how quickly this team comes together. McDaniels will have a lot of pressure to get this unit going in a hurry. It will be interesting to see how McDaniels and the entire team handles it all. The Raiders hold training camp at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson, Nev.
Position battle: Davante Adams is penciled in as the top receiver for the Raiders and Hunter Renfrow will work out of the slot. But the No. 2 job opposite Adams is up for grabs in Las Vegas. Keelan Cole, Demarcus Robinson, Mack Hollins and Tyron Johnson will battle it out for playing time at that No. 2 spot in the lineup. This is a pretty wide open battle. You could see any of these players emerge.
Injury watch: Kenyan Drake broke his ankle late in the season. He recently stated he won’t be full speed for the start of training camp, but should be ready for the start of the season. The Raiders are likely to bring along Drake slowly, though, to make sure he doesn’t have any setbacks. Drake is expected to serve as the top backup for the Raiders and could have a big role in the new offense because of his pass-catching ability.
Broncos
Denver finally landed their franchise quarterback this offseason, acquiring Russell Wilson. This solves a problem that has plagued the team for a long time. Wilson immediately gives the offense new life and makes the Broncos a playoff contender. Wilson should be the focus of this training camp for all Broncos fans. Wilson and his teammates get things going at the UCHealth Training Center in Englewood, Colo.
Position battle: The Broncos dealt Noah Fant this offseason, leaving a hole at tight end. Albert Okwuegbunam is the favorite to get that starting job, but the Broncos used a high-draft pick on Greg Dulchich. He could challenge Okwuegbunam for that starting job with a strong camp and preseason. Don’t count out the rookie. The Broncos are not going to just hand the job to Okwuegbunam.
Injury watch: Jerry Jeudy suffered a groin injury during offseason workouts. He might not be 100 percent for the start of training camp because of injury. This is something to watch because Jeudy has a chance to finally have that breakout season. He needs to be healthy for that to happen, though. Hopefully, this injury isn’t too serious and Jeudy is ready to go shortly after camp opens.
Chargers
The Chargers have one of the most exciting, young offenses in football, led by Justin Herbert. This team should be considered one of the best in football, heading into the season. There is a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. The big issue is getting over the hump in the playoffs. Can this team take the next step in their development? This will be question for the Chargers as they head into training camp and the preseason. The Chargers hold their training camp at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Position battle: The Chargers are pretty much set at all their key offensive positions. The only real spot up for grabs is their backup running back job behind Austin Ekeler. The Chargers drafted Isaiah Spiller in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Spiller might be the favorite to win that top backup job. But Larry Rountree and Joshua Kelley also will be in the mix. Rountree got some action his rookie season and made some plays. This battle is pretty wide open and carries fantasy value with the Chargers talking about scaling back the workload of Ekeler a little.
Injury watch: Star safety Derwin James is still recovering from offseason labrum surgery. He has not done any offseason workouts and could be slowed in camp because of the surgery. We would expect him to be ready for the start of the season, barring a setback in camp and preseason action. James is one of the top talents in the game defensively, so the Chargers will need him healthy and on the field if this team hopes to reach their heights.
Chiefs
The Chiefs remain one of the top teams in all of football, but have some holes to fill this year. The team traded top receiver Tyreek Hill, leaving a huge hole to fill in the Chiefs offense. Do the Chiefs have enough firepower at receiver to make up for the loss of Hill? That should be the big focus of camp. Kansas City still has Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce left, so this offense should remain plenty potent. It remains to be seen if losing Hill puts a big dent in that unit. We will get an idea, starting in camp and preseason action. Kansas City trains at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo.
Position battle: As mentioned, Tyreek Hill is gone. This leaves a huge hole at receiver for the Chiefs. Kansas City added plenty of talent to help make up for that loss, but it remains to be seen how the depth chart plays out. There are a lot of talented players competing for playing time. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore, Josh Gordon and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will battle it out for targets in the Chiefs offense. This could be a tough situation for fantasy teams to figure out, seeing the player that emerges to get the most targets.
Injury watch: This is likely a make or break season for Clyde Edwards-Helaire. If he doesn’t perform, the Chiefs could be moving on from their young back. He had injury issues again last year, missing seven games. He has missed 10 games in two seasons. He needs to show he can be a durable three-down back if he hopes to continue to start in the NFL. And it starts in camp. If he has any injury issues in camp or the preseason, it could derail his entire season.
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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The Paur Report
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is still with the team and is participating in throwing sessions with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Texas. Even though Toney was benched for the final three regular-season games and four more in the playoffs after his mistakes hurt the team earlier in the year, both general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid sound as if Toney is in their plans for 2024. "He is probably our most talented wideout now," Veach said. Along with mistakes, injuries have made it hard for Toney to stay on the field and consistent since being acquired in a trade from the Giants in 2022. The Chiefs are staying patient with the 25-year-old former first-rounder, though, especially with Rashee Rice facing a multi-week suspension for his involvement in a six-car crash.
From RotoBaller
The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed exclusive-rights free-agent quarterback Jake Browning to an undisclosed two-year deal on Tuesday on a contract through the 2025 season. Browning got his first real shot in the NFL last year with the Bengals when he was forced to replace Joe Burrow (wrist) after his season-ending injury. In his first nine games (seven starts) played in the NFL, he held his own and kept the Bengals competitive despite not making the playoffs, posting a league-best 70.4 completion percentage, 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The 28-year-old will return to being the primary backup to Burrow in 2024, so he won't have any real fantasy appeal unless Burrow misses time with another injury.
From RotoBaller
There remains no timetable for the return of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb (knee) after he was injured in Week 9 when chasing down Tennessee Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins when teammate Keanu Neal collided with him. "I can tell you Cole [Holcomb's] working extremely hard to get back," general manager Omar Khan said.. "I don't really have much to add on the timeline. We've discussed this, it was a major injury but he is working hard and I'm optimistic about all the effort he's going to put into getting back on the field." The 27-year-old required season-ending surgery, and many thought it might put an end to his career. However, the former fifth-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2019 out of North Carolina is working his way back and is hoping to play in 2024 after recording 442 tackles (270 solo) and 4.5 sacks in his first five NFL seasons over 58 games (56 starts).
The Houston Texans signed former Cleveland Browns free-agent linebacker Jacob Phillips (pectoral) to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, according to a source. Phillips was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft out of LSU and was with the Browns for his first four NFL seasons. However, the 25-year-old spent all of last year on Injured Reserve due to a torn pectoral muscle. It was the second straight year that he ended the season on Injured Reserve due to a pectoral injury, and Phillips has a total of 88 tackles (57 solo), three sacks, five tackles for loss and five passes defended in his three years played in the league in 20 games (eight starts). Now that Phillips appears to be past his latest pectoral injury, he'll be fighting for a roster spot out of training camp in Houston this summer.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid signed contract extensions with the Chiefs Monday, April 22. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
From TheHuddle
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields and QB Kyle Allen were added to the roster this offseason, but general manager Omar Khan is not ruling out selecting a quarterback at some point after the first round of 2024 NFL Draft since all three of the new quarterbacks are on one-year contracts.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | Quarterback Zach Wilson has been traded to Denver along with a seventh round pick in exchange for a sixth round pick. Dynasty Analysis: The Jets and Broncos will reportedly split the $5.5 million Wilson is due this season. The former #2 overall pick is acquired for what amounts to a 53 spot draft slot-swap in the final rounds of this year's draft. It's a precipitous fall for a player who was once thought of as the savior of the franchise in New York. Denver is an interesting landing spot on paper and reports indicate they've been trying to get Wilson for weeks. The Broncos sit at #12 overall in the draft and that likely won't be high enough for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or even JJ McCarthy. If they stand pat and can't secure a quarterback, the room will include Wilson, Ben DiNucci and Jarrett Stidham. Could they really go into a season like this? At this point, Wilson has a little life in his dynasty value but that's subject to change later this week.
Dynasty | Former Falcons and Colts quarterback Matt Ryan is retiring from the NFL. Dynasty Analysis: Ryan spent 14 of his 15 seasons with the Falcons and was extremely effective in his time there, both in reality and fantasy. Ryan had ten straight years with at least 4,000 passing yards and could be penciled in for between 25 and 35 touchdown passes every season. A likely future Hall of Famer, Ryan ended his season with a forgettable year in Indianapolis but will be remembered as being a solid and consistent QB1 for more than a decade. He can be safely dropped from dynasty rosters if he somehow wasn't already.
University of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey has seemingly been rising up draft boards since his impressive showing at the 2024 NFL Combine, and he is now favored to be a first-round pick, according to DraftKings Sportsbook's odds. DraftKings gives the 22-year-old -105 odds to be one of the first 32 players off the board. In three seasons with the Bulldogs, the speedster collected 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 216 yards and four scores. He also averaged 13.3 yards per punt return on 21 attempts. He's a dynamic and versatile weapon with real route-running juice, so WR-needy teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills could be interested in pushing the draft button on him late in the first round on Thursday.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has not formally requested a trade from the organization, but he is still in the thick of trade rumors this offseason. When asked whether or not the team has received calls regarding a trade for Aiyuk, General Manager John Lynch said "Sure. We receive calls for a lot of players." That's a vague answer and does not give fantasy managers clarity on the situation, but it's worth noting teams have reached out. Aiyuk posted a career-high 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season despite ranking 28th in total targets (125). With Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner either on or set to receive expensive contracts, it will be a tough road to locking up Aiyuk to a long-term deal. If the team does decide to trade him, a first-round pick should be coming in return. Although Lynch has stated they would like to keep the 26-year-old, it wouldn't be shocking if he's dealt on draft night.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end Mitchell Wilcox on Monday, the team announced on X. Originally undrafted out of the 2020 class, Wilcox has spent the last four years with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 48 career games, the South Florida product has hauled in 29 of his 35 targets for 211 yards and one touchdown. The Patriots re-signed Hunter Henry to a three-year, $27 million deal this offseason, so the TE1 role is occupied in Foxborough. Wilcox could have the chance to compete with Austin Hooper for the TE2 job, but Hooper is likely the favorite to back up Henry. That said, Wilcox can be ignored in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is entering the final year of his deal in 2024, and he and the organization have not begun contract negotiations. The former fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft threw for a career-high 36 touchdowns in 2023, but Dallas suffered another disappointing playoff defeat in the NFC Divisional Round. On his contract situation, Prescott said "I'm not trying to be the highest paid necessarily. We'll wait until the negotiations begin and obviously want to put this team in the best situation." If the 30-year-old is willing to take a home team discount, it could help his chances of reaching a new deal. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parson will be up for new deals soon, meaning the Cowboys have a lot to figure out over the next few offseasons.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos are acquiring former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson from the New York Jets on Monday, according to sources. The Broncos are expected to send a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Jets for Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round selection, with the teams dividing his guaranteed camp roster bonus. The Broncos released Russell Wilson this offseason and were heading into this week's NFL draft with Jarrett Stidham as their starter under center in 2024. Wilson now has a much better shot at playing time with a change of scenery in 2024 after being benched in his final season with the Jets, but it doesn't necessarily mean he'll beat out Stidham in training camp. The move to acquire Wilson also won't preclude the Broncos from selecting a QB in this year's draft, possibly as early as the first round.
From RotoBaller
Quarterback Matt Ryan officially announced his retirement from professional football on Monday as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, the team that drafted him third overall in 2008 out of Boston College. Ryan spent 14 of his 15 NFL seasons in Atlanta, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008 and an MVP award in 2016. In his lone trip to the Super Bowl in the same season he won his MVP award, the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead at halftime to lose to the New England Patriots. He made just 12 starts for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and threw for 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The 38-year-old four-time Pro Bowler ends his career as Atlanta's all-time leader in passing yards (59,735) and passing touchdowns (367). Ryan ranks seventh all-time in passing yards (62,792) and ninth in TD passes (381) as a future Hall of Famer.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots are listening and taking calls from teams looking to move up to the No. 3 overall pick in the first round of Thursday's NFL draft. General manager Eliot Wolf is running point on the team's draft, but sources are saying president Jonathan Kraft is heavily involved in the decision-making process. Most people think the Patriots will ultimately stay at No. 3 and take a quarterback of the future after moving on from Mac Jones this offseason. Teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Denver Broncos would be the most likely to trade up to No. 3 to take a QB. If the Patriots stay put and select third overall, whatever rookie signal-caller they take would be competing with veteran Jacoby Brissett for the starting gig under center this fall.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (ankle) was held out of two games in 2023 due to a right-ankle injury that required significant offseason surgery. Hubbard said that he had a complete deltoid reconstruction in his ankle and tight-rope procedure to fix his ankle. He said his ankle bothered him as early as training camp, and it became more severe later in the year. Through the first nine weeks of 2023, Hubbard ranked 28th in the NFL in pass-rush win rate as an edge rusher. But when he returned to the field in Week 12 until the end of the season, he ranked 49th out of 54 players in that category. The good news is that the 28-year-old says he'll be ready for training camp this summer. However, it's fair to wonder about how effective he'll be rushing the passer in 2024 after coming off a pretty significant surgery.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent cornerback Levi Wallace signed an undisclosed deal with the Denver Broncos on Monday, according to a source. Wallace had six interceptions and 24 passes defended over the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He'll give the Broncos some added secondary depth this week just ahead of the start of this year's NFL draft on Thursday evening. The 28-year-old entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama in 2018 with the Buffalo Bills, and he spent the first four seasons of his career in Buffalo before playing for the Steelers the last two years. In his six seasons combined, Wallace has 305 tackles (236 solo), seven tackles for loss, 12 interceptions, 54 passes defended and one fumble recovery in 83 games (70 starts).
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is expected to be disciplined by the NFL, resulting in at least a multi-game suspension. Rice is currently facing eight charges after he and another driver of a speeding car allegedly caused a crash involving a half-dozen vehicles in Dallas last month. He turned himself into police last week before being released on bond. The looming suspension for Rice could push the Chiefs, who own the No. 32 pick in this week's NFL draft, to keep a close eye on receivers in the draft. KC would have been expected to look for receiver help even before Rice's off-field troubles. They had the most drops in the league (38) in 2023. Rice was quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite target outside of tight end Travis Kelce last year, but his fantasy stock is going to take a hit going into 2024 with a suspension looming.
From RotoBaller
