Training Camp Preview: NFC West
Thu Jul 22 10:54am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Green looks to make an impact
This is the final preview 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. And for this season, all training camps will open at the same time with the exception of three teams. Camp will open Tuesday, July 27 for 29 of the 32 NFL teams. The Steelers and Cowboys will open July 21 because they play in the preseason Hall of Fame Game. And lastly, the Bucs got an exemption to open early because they have the first game of the regular season on a Thursday night. Tampa gets their camp started July 24. The season is right around the corner.
Rams
The big news this offseason was the Rams getting Matthew Stafford to take over as their starting quarterback. Stafford will be the focus of this training camp, looking to take this offense to a new level. Stafford and his teammates will get things going at the Microsemi Field in Irvine, Calif.
Position battle: The Rams lost Josh Reynolds this offseason, leaving a hole at the No. 3 receiver spot. Veteran DeSean Jackson is the top candidate to fill that spot. He has played just seven games the last two seasons, though, so nothing is a given with him. Van Jefferson is the top competition for Jackson. He played pretty well with his chances last year and is a young player with some upside. Don’t discount Jefferson to win the job. This will be a competition.
Injury watch: Matthew Stafford played every game last year but was beat up and came out of a few games early. He also missed half the season the year before. So he has endured a few injury issues the last two years. This is a little concern, especially if you consider he is 33 years old. Stafford will be a player to watch this training camp for various reasons.
Cardinals
Arizona had just a so-so season last year, going 8-8. Expectations were high for the team but they didn’t quite reach them because of some uneven play and a very good division. The Cardinals will look to take a step forward this year. Much of the season might depend on the development of Kyler Murray. He has been a little inconsistent to start his career. If Murray can take his game to a new level, the Cardinals could be a very dangerous team this year. Arizona trains at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Position battle: The Cardinals signed A.J. Green this offseason, hoping he still has a little something left in the tank. Green won’t be handed the starting job opposite DeAndre Hopkins, though. He will need to show he can still play at a high level and be a productive NFL starter. Christian Kirk will compete with Green for the right to start. Kirk hasn’t had that breakout season just yet but been competing with Larry Fitzgerald for targets. He could get a lot more looks if he wins that starting job. Kirk has some breakout potential.
Injury watch: James Conner was signed this offseason to bring in some competition for Chase Edmonds at running back. Conner has not done much in recent seasons and battled injury those seasons. He is yet to play a full season in the NFL and hasn’t looked quite like himself in recent years. If he can come back healthy and strong, Conner could play a big role in the Cardinals offense.
49ers
The 49ers made some moves this offseason to try to improve on their disappointing season. The big move was drafting quarterback Trey Lance. He should be the big storyline in camp, seeing if the 49ers made the right move by taking Lance. The rookie will get a chance to show his stuff at the San Francisco 49ers Complex in Santa Clara, Calif.
Position battle: The 49ers say this isn’t a competition but the team didn’t use a first-round pick on Trey Lance to just sit him on the bench. He will compete for the starting job with Jimmy Garoppolo. He might not have the job to open the year but it might be his before long, especially if he shows well in camp and preseason action. Lance is the future at the position and has a high ceiling if he can find the field for the 49ers.
Injury watch: Raheem Mostert played just eight games last year. He played well when on the field, but couldn’t stay on the field. Mostert can play a big role in this offense if he can stay healthy, but his health is a concern. Mostert has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. His injury issues make him a boom or bust fantasy player. You will want to make sure he stays heathy during camp before using a draft pick on him this year.
Seahawks
Seattle won the division last year but didn’t advance in the playoffs. Much of the same team is back from last year. If the Seahawks had a weakness last year, it was an inconsistent pass defense. That unit will need to get better if Seattle hopes to be a more complete team. So the storyline of camp for the Seahawks might be on the defensive side of the ball. The offense should be very good once again with Russell Wilson leading the way. Seattle holds training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash.
Position battle: The Seahawks have their starting tight end spot up for grabs. Gerald Everett is the favorite to start for the team but has Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson to compete with for the job. Dissly has showing flashes of good things with past chances but Everett is likely the more talented. Everett has done a pretty good job in recent seasons with the Rams. He can be a big-play threat in the passing game.
Injury watch: Chris Carson is back with the Seahawks to serve as their lead back once again. He has been very good in that role but is yet to play a full season in the NFL. He missed four games last year because of injury. Carson is a great back but won’t reach his fantasy potential if he doesn’t play a full season. You will want to monitor his health in camp to make sure he is at full strength and ready to put in a full 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.
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling visiting Chargers
- Raiders sign free agent WR Jalen Guyton
- Panthers to sign RB Rashaad Penny
- Pats waive Nathan Rourke, down to four QBs
- RB Duke Johnson retires from NFL after 8 seasons
- Former Bears QB Bob Avellini dies at age 70
- J.J. Watt leaves door open (slightly) for potential return to Texans
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- Michael Irvin out at NFL Network
- Bills sign Chase Claypool, Deion Jones, Dawuane Smoot
- Dolphins, Odell Beckham Jr. agree to 1-year deal
- Chargers add wide receiver DJ Chark
- Chiefs decline WR Kadarius Toney's 2025 option
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- Ravens sign 5 draft picks, including first-rounder Nate Wiggins
- Steelers decline RB Najee Harris' fifth-year option
- Colts guarantee edge rusher Kwity Paye $13.4M, pick up 2025 option
- Packers decline CB Eric Stokes' fifth-year option
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The Paur Report
Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. won't be assured of a roster spot out of training camp this summer as part of a crowded backfield that includes Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane and rookie fourth-rounder Jaylen Wright. The Dolphins also have Salvon Ahmed and Chris Brooks in the RB room. Head coach Mike McDaniel has an affinity for Wilson dating back to their time together with the San Francisco 49ers, but the fact remains that Mostert, Achane and Wright will be locks for the roster. The former undrafted free agent out of North Texas failed to take advantage of Achane's injuries in 2023 and only played in 10 games (zero starts) himself, running for just 188 yards and no touchdowns on 41 carries while adding 14 receptions for 85 yards and no touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Most of the beat writers for the New York Giants would be surprised if first-round rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers isn't the team's most targeted player right away in 2024, but Wan'Dale Robinson should give him a good race. A fully healthy Robinson should push for the team lead in targets, but it's obvious that Nabers, the sixth overall pick in this year's NFL draft, has much more fantasy upside, both in the short and long term. The Giants are going to need playmakers like Nabers and Robinson to step now that running back Saquon Barkley is no longer in town. The 23-year-old Robinson, who was a second-rounder in 2022, suffered an ACL tear in his rookie year before catching 60 of 78 targets for 525 yards and a touchdown in 15 games (eight starts) last year. There's potential for a Robinson to take a big step forward in 2024, but it will also depend on quarterback Daniel Jones' (knee) health.
From RotoBaller
It sounds as though the Green Bay Packers have plans to integrate rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd into their offense right away in 2024. "I would like to get him out there as much as possible," offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. The coordinator said that Lloyd doesn't bring the same type of versatility that AJ Dillon does, but the rookie brings a different speed element to their backfield, and the Packers want to get Lloyd into open spaces. The 23-year-old was taken in the third round (88th overall). Josh Jacobs is going to be the Packers' clear-cut backfield leader, but it sounds as though Lloyd is seriously going to challenge Dillon for complementary touches right away, although he'll need to secure the ball better than he did in college to stay on the field. Lloyd might not make much noise in redraft formats in 2024, but he's a fine target for dynasty/keeper managers.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent wide receiver Zay Jones, who was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars after the NFL draft, is visiting with the Tennessee Titans on Monday, according to a source. Jones has an obvious connection to Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz, as the two worked together in Jacksonville in 2023. Jones became expendable for the Jags after they drafted Brian Thomas in the first round this year. The 29-year-old oft-injured receiver played in just nine games for Jacksonville last year due to a knee injury and finished with 34 catches for 321 yards and two touchdowns on 64 targets. If Jones does land in Tennessee with Holz, he'd merely be serving in a complementary depth role behind Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks if he can stay healthy, which would keep his fantasy ceiling and floor pretty low.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) is back on the field during the team's offseason workouts. Burrow is expected to be cleared for full contact at some point this month, and barring any setbacks after having surgery in November to fix a torn ligament in his right wrist, he should be fully recovered in time for training camp in late July. The 27-year-old has developed somewhat of a reputation for being injury-prone early in his career, but when he's healthy, he also has high-end QB1 upside in an offense that remains explosive with receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The former first overall pick in 2020 out of LSU was a Pro Bowler in 2022 in his last full season, when he threw for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 16 starts. Burrow will be a fine QB1 target in fantasy after the top names come off the board.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent running back Rashaad Penny plans to sign an undisclosed deal with the Carolina Panthers, according to a source. The former first-round pick will reunite with head coach Dave Canales from their time together with the Seattle Seahawks. Penny will likely officially sign after the team's rookie minicamp, which wraps up on May 12. The 28-year-old from San Diego State was the 27th overall pick in 2018. Penny spent the first five years of his career in Seattle, displaying home run-hitting ability on the ground but struggling to stay healthy, appearing in just 42 games (11 starts). He played in just three games with the Eagles in 2023 and had only 11 carries for 33 yards. Penny will be joining another crowded backfield in Carolina that already consists of Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathon Brooks, so he's not going to be on the fantasy radar.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders signed former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jalen Guyton to an undisclosed deal on Monday. New Raiders general manager Tom Telesco also signed Guyton a few times when he was running the Chargers' front office. Guyton opened his last year with the Bolts in 2023 on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which caused him to miss the first eight games. When the 26-year-old returned, he had just 10 catches (21 targets) for 89 yards and a touchdown in eight games, even with Mike Williams (knee) missing most of the year with a season-ending injury. The former undrafted free agent out of North Texas can serve as a deep threat, but he's mostly served as receiving depth in his career and will continue to do so in Vegas behind Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker and Michael Gallup.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The New York Jets drafted running back Isaiah Davis in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Davis has an uphill climb to a roster spot with the New York Jets after being taken in the fifth round. The Jets already have Breece Hall as their starter and also took Braelon Allen to shore up their backfield. Still, he has a chance and could surprise as a late-round small school prospect. While he may need to beat out Allen to earn a spot on the team, Davis should still be kept on watch lists for the time being.
Free-agent WR Zay Jones (Jaguars) is visiting the Tennessee Titans, according to sources Monday, May 6.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent RB Rashaad Penny (Eagles) plans to sign with the Carolina Panthers following rookie minicamp, according to sources Monday, May 6. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
Fantasy Spin: Penny has always had intrigue since he became a first-round pick in 2018. With Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks already there, Penny isn't anything more than a desperation flier at the end of the roster.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is scheduled to visit the Chargers on Monday. The 29-year-old had six trips to the end zone in 2020 while still a member of the Green Bay Packers. Since then, he hasn't come close to that mark. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with Kansas City by posting career-lows in catches (21), receiving yards (315), and touchdowns (one). Valdes-Scantling's most notable contribution last season came in the postseason, with the 2018 No. 174 overall pick pulling in a 16-yard touchdown throw from Patrick Mahomes in the Chiefs 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Nonetheless, MVS will likely find work this season. But it will be difficult to tell how things will look from a fantasy standpoint until he inks a deal, although he could get looks from Justin Herbert if he signs with Los Angeles, considering the team no longer has Keenan Allen or Mike Williams on the roster.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chiefs) is scheduled to visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, May 6, per source.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent RB Duke Johnson (Bills) announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday, April 5.
From TheHuddle
Running back Duke Johnson announced his retirement from professional football on Sunday. Johnson was originally taken in the third round (77th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 NFL draft out of Miami. He spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Browns before spending two years with the Houston Texans. Johnson played for the Miami Dolphins in 2021 and the Buffalo Bills in the final year of his career in 2022. The 30-year-old wraps up his career having recorded 2,265 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 532 carries, adding 311 catches on 405 targets for 2,870 yards and an additional 12 touchdowns in 97 games (21 starts) covering eight seasons. Johnson had a career-high 410 rushing yards on 83 attempts in his first year in Houston in 2019.
From RotoBaller
Dallas police will not pursue sexual-assault charges against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, with a police spokesperson saying that detectives determined there was insufficient evidence an offense was committed. The case stemmed from an alleged incident that occurred in 2017 in which a woman said Prescott assaulted her in the back of an SUV in a strip club parking lot. In March, Prescott filed a suit seeking monetary relief in excess of $1 million after receiving a letter in January from attorneys on behalf of the woman that they would "forego pursuing criminal charges, along with disclosing this information to the public, in exchange for compensating her for the mental anguish she has suffered." It's unclear if the NFL is doing their separate investigation, but either way, it doesn't appear likely that Prescott will be in danger of facing a suspension from the league.
From RotoBaller
Pass-rusher J.J. Watt isn't ruling out a return to professional football if the Houston Texans need him, but this if the final year that he'll say that. Watt retired after the 2022 season. "I told DeMeco [Ryans] last year: 'Don't call unless you absolutely need it, but, if you ever do call, I'll be there.' And he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it. This is the last year I'll tell him that, because I'm not going to keep training [the way] I've been training," Watt said. The 35-year-old and Ryans played in Houston together in 2011, which was Watt's first NFL season and Ryans' last with the Texans. It's unlikely the Texans need Watt after signing Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry this offseason to pair with impressive second-year pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. Watt is currently an analyst for CBS Sports.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs recently signed undrafted free-agent running back Emani Bailey, defensive back Miles Battle, linebacker Swayze Bozeman, wide receiver Phillip Brooks, wide receiver Reggie Brown, tight end Baylor Cupp, offensive lineman Ethan Driskell, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive lineman Fabien Lovett Sr., offensive lineman Griffin McDowell, offensive lineman McKade Mettauer, defensive back Derrick Miller, punter Ryan Rehkow, defensive back Christian Roland-Wallace, running back Carson Steele, offensive lineman Nick Torres and linebacker Luquay Washington on Saturday. All of these players will be fighting an uphill battle to make the Chiefs' final roster out of training camp this summer, but they could stick around on the team's practice squad if they impress the coaching staff.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) is set to have a follow-up MRI exam on his hip on Monday, and if all goes as planned, he's hoping to be back out on the field during the team's minicamp next weekend. The 24-year-old signal-caller suffered a subluxation of his hip on Christmas Eve last season and missed the rest of the year, which prompted the Browns to add veteran QB Joe Flacco. Thompson-Robinson has made good progress this offseason and is close to being cleared to throw during the team's offseason workouts. The Browns aren't going to rush him, though, and when healthy, he's going to be buried on the QB depth chart in Cleveland behind Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Rasheen Ali (biceps), who ruptured his biceps tendon at the Senior Bowl in late January, is taking part in some of the team's rookie minicamp after the Ravens took him in the fifth round of this year's NFL draft. Head coach John Harbaugh said he expects Ali to be fully ready for training camp at the end of July. If he's healthy and doesn't suffer a setback this summer, the 23-year-old will be competing for a spot on the team's regular-season roster as RB depth. As things stand now, the Ravens RB room consists of Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Owen Wright, Ali and fellow rookie Chris Collier.
From RotoBaller
Retired DE J.J. Watt recently told Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans that he would be willing to unretire and suit up for the team in 2024 if Ryans 'absolutely needs it.' Watt has continued to stay in playing shape since retiring at the end of the 2022 season but plans to scale back his training regimen in future years.
From TheHuddle
