Training Camp Preview: AFC South
Wed Jul 20 10:16am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Titans need Henry back healthy
This is the third 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.
Titans
The Titans had another great season last year but came up short in the playoffs. Tennessee certainly has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but can’t seem to get over the hump. Will this be the year? The team might be running out of time with Derrick Henry another year older. The window could be closing, making this camp an important one to see if this team can take one more step forward. That Titans hold training camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn.
Position battle: The Titans traded their No. 1 receiver, A.J. Brown this offseason, leaving some big shoes to fill at receiver. The team did bring in Robert Woods and Treylon Burks to help fill that void. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine also will be in the mix to start, though, do don’t discount him. All three players will battle it out for the right to start in Tennessee. Burks is the projected top receiver but missing workouts this offseason didn’t help matters for him. He had some asthma issues, causing him to miss time. And Woods is recovering from a torn ACL, so nothing is certain with this receiver room right now. It should get sorted out this training camp.
Injury watch: Derrick Henry missed half of last season because of a foot injury, which required surgery. This is a serious injury to return, but Henry has looked great in offseason workouts and looks back to 100 percent. This is still an injury to watch going forward. Just make sure he is back to his old self in camp and preseason action before using a high draft pick on him this year.
Colts
The Colts made a change at quarterback once again this offseason. Indy traded for Matt Ryan and dealt Carson Wentz after just a season. The Colts hope Ryan can steady the ship at quarterback and take this team to a new level. Ryan certainly has the track record to help this team reach new heights. So much of the focus of this camp will be getting Ryan up to speed in the offense. Ryan and the offense will get going at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind.
Position battle: Michael Pittman is the No. 1 receiver for the Colts, but the starter opposite him is up for grabs. Parris Campbell and rookie Alex Pierce should challenge for that other starter spot. Campbell has performed well on the field but hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Pierce is a very talented rookie, but could need some seasoning before he is ready to jump into a starting role. This one is really up for grabs.
Injury watch: Parris Campbell has played 15 games in three seasons. He has a world of talent and has produced when on the field, but he can’t stay healthy. He is returning from foot surgery this time. His health will be a big thing to watch this training camp for the Colts. Campbell can be a difference maker for the offense, but needs to be on the field.
Jaguars
The Jaguars were a disaster last year because of a coaching situation that didn’t work out. The team made changes to the coaching staff once again, hoping this is the right fit. Training camp will be a good time for the coaching staff to get the team on the same page. Plus, the Jaguars made a lot of changes to the roster this offseason, hoping to find new talent for franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence. There is a lot of new in Jacksonville, which should make for an intriguing training camp. Jacksonville trains at the Episcopal School of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Fla.
Position battle: The Jaguars added plenty of playmakers offensively this offseason. The receiver spot really looks different with Christian Kirk and Zay Jones added to the mix. Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault are still around, though, and will look for playing time. These four players should battle it out for playing time this camp and preseason.
Injury watch: Travis Etienne missed his entire rookie season because of a Lisfranc injury suffered during the preseason. He is well on his road to recovery and should be all systems go for training camp and the start of the season. As long as he is healthy, Etienne will play a huge role for the Jaguars offense. He has a load of talent and can be used on a variety ways offensively.
Texans
Houston had another tough season last year, leading to another change to the head coach. Veteran Lovie Smith will look to get this team going in the right direction. The good news is the Texans have a lot of young talent and competed hard last year. This team might not be as far off as many think. We will get a better idea during training camp and preseason action, though. Houston holds training camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Texas.
Position battle: The Texans are looking for a No. 1 running back. The team drafted Dameon Pierce but he is not going to be handed the job by any means, especially since he was a fourth-round pick. Marlon Mack might be No. 1 on the depth chart right now, followed by Rex Burkhead. It would seem Pierce has the best chance to emerge, but Mack could be the one to open the season as the starter.
Injury watch: Marlon Mack has a chance to be the starter for the Texans, but will need to be healthy and at full strength to win that job. He has played six games the last two seasons. Last year he was a healthy scratch much of the season, but injuries have always been an issue for Mack throughout his career. They are always going to be a concern going forward for Mack. Hopefully, he has a clean camp and can earn a big role with the team.
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
The New England Patriots selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. The Patriots will open the Jerod Mayo era with a new franchise QB in Maye after the team traded former first-rounder Mac Jones to the Jaguars this offseason. The 21-year-old has prototypical size at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, plenty of arm strength and the intangibles that coaches like. However, he's much more of a project than Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, and may need to sit for a year behind Jacoby Brisset and Bailey Zappe before New England is comfortable naming him the unquestioned starter under center. Long-term, though, Maye has the talent to be a great QB in the NFL. The problem in New England, though, is that they're lacking in offensive weapons around him right now.
From RotoBaller
The Chicago Bears selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, as expected, in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Last year's draft trade with the Carolina Panthers allowed Chicago to move to the No. 1 spot this year. Williams was the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Bears for the entire pre-draft process, and it became more apparent when they dealt Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers a month ago. Not only is the 22-year-old the safest QB prospect in this year's class, but he's entering a situation in Chicago that should be conducive to immediate success in real life and in fantasy. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will be the clear top pick in rookie-only fantasy drafts this fall and should be in play in two-QB leagues in 2024 as well.
From RotoBaller
The Washington Commanders selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night. Daniels should enter Week 1 as the team's starter under center after Washington traded last year's starter, Sam Howell, to the Seahawks this offseason. The 23-year-old Heisman Trophy winner last year might be the most physically gifted QB in this draft class, although there is some concern that he might not be able to withstand the beating at the position, especially if he continues to take unnecessary hits as a runner. Like Caleb Williams, the upside is off the charts, and he'll have a strong No. 1 receiver in Terry McLaurin and a strong backfield behind him with Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has signed a three-year, $96 million contract, which is the highest for any wide receiver in NFL history. This contract keeps him as an Eagle through 2029. Brown struggled toward the end of last season, and there were growing concerns that the All-Pro was interested in leaving Philadelphia. This massive extension puts those rumors to rest. Despite the disappointing finish, the 26-year-old tallied 1456 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown will again be considered a top-tier wide receiver in fantasy drafts this year and will serve as the primary target for Jalen Hurts.
From RotoBaller
Per a league source, the current expectation is that the New England Patriots will sit tight at No. 3 overall in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night and take North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. The New York Giants (No. 6) and Minnesota Vikings (No. 11) had been linked to a potential trade up to No. 3, but the Patriots unsurprisingly have been asking for a lot in return. If the Patriots do stay in the third spot, their next challenge will be getting Maye ready after he showed plenty of inconsistencies and shaky mechanics in his final year with the Tar Heels. In an ideal world for the Pats, Maye would sit and learn behind veteran Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe in 2024 and then be ready to go as the team's starter under center in 2025. The Patriots traded former first-rounder Mac Jones to the Jaguars this offseason.
From RotoBaller
The current expectation is that the Minnesota Vikings will stay put at pick No. 11 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, and that Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be on the board when they're on the clock. The Vikings added an extra first-round pick (No. 23) to aid a potential jump into the top five to take a franchise signal-caller, but they may not need to do that after all. The Denver Broncos have been subtly linked to McCarthy as well, and they'd only have to jump from No. 12 to No. 10 to cut in front of Minnesota. McCarthy has also been linked to the New York Giants (No. 6) in recent days, but that's believed to have been a smokescreen. The Vikings are desperate for a new QB after failing to re-sign Kirk Cousins in free agency.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs have really been working to see if they can move up from No. 32 in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft. The belief around the league is that the Chiefs moving up from No. 32 would be for one of the speed wide receivers in this talented draft class at the position. It makes sense given the fact that the Chiefs are expecting second-year wideout Rashee Rice to be suspended for multiple games in 2024 after his involvement in a car accident that involved injuries. Even with Rice in the fold, KC has the need to bolster their receiving corps behind Rice and aging tight end Travis Kelce. If the Chiefs do pull off a trade up in the latter portion of the first round, they could be targeting Texas receiver Xavier Worthy.
From RotoBaller
The Jacksonville Jaguars are calling around in an effort to move up in the first round of Thursday's NFL draft, and teams taking their calls believe they are on the hunt for a specific pass-catcher, according to a source. Even though the Jaguars signed wideout Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, it appears the Jags are looking to make a splash early in the first round this year for another weapon for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville currently holds the No. 17 overall pick. If they were to trade into the top 10, players such as Washington receiver Rome Odunze, LSU receiver Malik Nabers, and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers could all be options as they look for extra pass-catchers after they lost Calvin Ridley in free agency. Stay tuned.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Jeff Darlington reports that the Minnesota Vikings are very tense with the first round of the 2024 NFL draft just hours away from starting on Thursday night as they look to trade up to No. 3 with the New England Patriots in an effort to take a quarterback of the future. The Vikings currently sit at the No. 11 pick and were unable to re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins in the offseason. The player that has fascinated them throughout the pre-draft process has been North Carolina QB Drake Maye, but there is serious competition for the No. 3 pick, including the Patriots themselves. If Minnesota can't get Maye at No. 3, they'd likely need to jump the Giants at No. 6 in order to get Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. If they whiff on Maye and McCarthy, Washington's Michael Penix Jr. could be the fallback option for the Vikes.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers have been in trade rumors regarding star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk all offseason, but NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports the team has also talked with teams about trading fellow star wideout Deebo Samuel. Russini said one of the teams the 49ers have talked with currently holds a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, so a blockbuster deal could be in the works. Aiyuk is reportedly asking for more money than the 49ers are willing to give him, while Samuel has been in the trade rumor circles for multiple seasons. With high-priced assets like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner on the roster, the organization will have to make moves in order to re-sign quarterback Brock Purdy in the near future. If one of the wideouts is traded, they should retain plenty of fantasy value with their new team.
From RotoBaller
Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham has seemingly been a rising prospect as the 2024 NFL draft approaches, and NFL draft expert Todd McShay suggested he could be the first offensive lineman off the board on Thursday. Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt has been the popular choice to take that honor, but McShay believes the Los Angeles Chargers could draft Latham over Alt with the No. 5 overall pick. Latham played right tackle for the Crimson Tide, making him a perfect fit on the other side of stud left tackle Rashawn Slater. Los Angeles has been one of the trickiest teams to predict during this draft cycle, and new head coach Jim Harbaugh could choose to go an unconventional route.
From RotoBaller
The Indianapolis Colts hold the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reports the team has done a ton of pre-draft work on the wide receiver position, and they are interested in Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. The organization is likely trying to surround quarterback Anthony Richardson with as much pass-catching talent as possible, so upgrading his pass-catchers behind Michael Pittman Jr. makes sense. Youngsters Alec Pierce and Josh Downs have shown flashes of upside, but they are far from stud wideouts based on their early-career results. The Colts might be able to land LSU wideout Brian Thomas Jr. with the No. 15 selection, but they could also look to trade up for Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze. Additionally, the team has not had a tight end reach the 400-yard mark since 2019, so the upside of Bowers could be intriguing.
From RotoBaller
The Chicago Bears are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, but they are willing to trade down from the No. 9 overall selection, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Chicago only has four total picks in this year's draft, so moving down to acquire more selections makes plenty of sense. The team has been linked to Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner, and UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu if they stay put, but the options become plentiful if they decide to move down the board. QB-needy teams like the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders could be potential trade partners. Quarterbacks Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and J.J. McCarthy could still be available at that spot.
From RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings secured an additional first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft via a trade with the Houston Texans in March. The organization held the No. 11 overall pick after finishing 7-10 in 2023, and they sent a bundle of picks to acquire the No. 23 overall selection from Houston (via Cleveland Browns). Many believe the Vikings are trying to use their two picks to move into the range to select a quarterback, and NFL insider Peter Schrager projects the Titans to be that trade partner. Tennessee holds the No. 7 selection, which could put the Vikings in range to pick Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Schrager has the Vikings making that pick and the Titans landing Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt at pick 11. There are likely multiple avenues Minnesota can take if the speculation is current, but Tennessee could be willing to trade down since they do not have a third-round selection.
From RotoBaller
It's no secret that the Buffalo Bills need to add some wide receivers in this year's NFL draft after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and losing Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason. At No. 28 overall in the first round of Thursday night's draft, the Bills would seem to be set to take a pass-catcher. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero thinks the draft class' depth at the receiver position could lead the Bills to wait perhaps until the second round to take a receiver, potentially adding a defensive player in the first round instead. As Buffalo's depth chart stands right now, their top three receivers are Khalil Shakir, Justin Shorter and veteran Curtis Samuel. Even if the team adds a few wideouts in this year's draft, tight end Dalton Kincaid could be Buffalo's leading receiver in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams, who haven't picked in the first round since 2016, are calling up to try to get into the top 10 of the first round of this year's NFL draft on Thursday evening, according to sources. The Rams currently sit at pick No. 19, so it would take a lot to pull off a move into the top 10 this year. It's unclear who they might be eyeing if they were to pull it off, but the best bet would be to select Georgia pass-catching tight end Brock Bowers, who has been projected to go at 10th overall to the New York Jets in a lot of mock drafts. The Rams have also been rumored to be looking for a successor to aging quarterback Matthew Stafford, but it's unlikely they pull off a move all the way into the top five to take one of the high-end signal-callers in this year's draft. A defensive tackle is also on their draft wish list.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos are a contender to select a quarterback and potentially make a move in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft, even after trading for quarterback Zach Wilson earlier this week. Denver sits at No. 12 overall, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reiterated that he thinks the Broncos could trade down within the first round. They likely don't have enough draft capital to move into the top-four picks to take a high-end QB, so instead, they could move down to take a pass-rusher or even Oregon QB Bo Nix. The Broncos have been linked to Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy as well, but McCarthy's draft stock has been soaring in the lead-up to the draft, which means the Broncos would likely have to trade into the top five to get him. As of right now, Wilson is set to compete with Jarrett Stidham for the starting job under center in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants have been trying to trade up to No. 3 overall with the New England Patriots in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft, with the belief being that they want to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, according to multiple league sources. The prevailing thought is that it's a long shot to happen, though, but the Patriots are listening to all calls. The Giants and Vikings appear to be the most aggressive teams that are trying to trade into the top five in order to take a QB of the future in this year's draft. The Patriots have been open to trading down, but so far they've reportedly not received any serious enough offers, and they are also looking for a QB of their own after trading away Mac Jones this offseason. Most pundits are expecting New England to stand pat and take Maye if LSU's Jayden Daniels goes to the Commanders at No. 2.
From RotoBaller
The Washington Commanders are declining the fifth-year contract option of linebacker Jamin Davis, according to a source. It's been heading this way for on and off-field reasons. The plan in 2024 is to have the athletically gifted Davis become a "hybrid" defender, which should translate to less pass coverage and more attempts to rush the quarterback. Davis played his rookie season in 2021 at Mike linebacker before moving to the off-ball role in the team's 4-2-5 base defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he tied for the highest yards per catch allowed (12.1) last year and ranked fourth-worst in average depth of target (5.5) because of his limited coverage instincts. The 25-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Kentucky has just seven sacks in his three seasons, but he could be more productive in that category if he's rushing the passer more in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Bengals are picking up the fifth year option on the contract of Ja'Marr Chase. Dynasty Analysis: Consider this a placeholder as Cincinnati now needs to prepare to make Chase the highest paid receiver in the league. Amon-Ra St. Brown has set the market with a four-year, $120 million extension ($77 million guaranteed), so the Bengals are going to need to assemble a few armored cars here soon. Chase and Justin Jefferson should both be set to sign historic deals and while the option being picked up buys the Bengals one more season, dynasty managers shouldn't worry about him hitting free agency any time soon. Chase remains a bona fide candidate for the top overall selection in dynasty leagues.
