Tue Jul 29th 2025

Week One Training Camp Week Report

Last week was the first week of training camp, which equates to the first week of on-the-field news from coaches, players, and reporters. While dynasty managers should not believe everything they hear and see from training camp, they'd be unwise to ignore the reports. While reports may be full of fluff and spin, they may also contain nuggets of insight and truth. Each week during training camp and the preseason, I will sift through the numerous training camp reports and share what dynasty managers should take away from the week.

Here are my dynasty thoughts from training camps week one.

Omarion Hampton

• Najee Harris's fireworks accident landed him on the NFI list, giving Hampton a much easier chance to win the starting job at the start of the season rather than easing his way into it. This news is excellent for Hampton managers who feared they'd have to wait until midseason before confidently putting him in their starting lineups. The length of Harris's absence is uncertain, but it has worsened over time rather than improved, so Hampton managers are thrilled.  Harris's already dwindling dynasty value has fallen further after this accident. Hampton's already-high dynasty value has not risen, but dynasty managers will get to see him prove his value sooner than they expected. He enters this season as my 8th-ranked running back. If he looks as impressive as I expect him to be early in this season, he could quickly move into the top five.

Chase Brown and Tahj Brooks

• Coaches said that Brown will be a "focal point" of their offense this season. This news is believable given the way he performed at the end of last season and the lack of competition they brought in this offseason. The Bengals' offensive strength lies in their passing game, but the offense will be among the highest-scoring in the league this season, giving Brown many touchdown opportunities. I bought into the hype on Brown before training camp because I traded pick 1.6 (TreVeyon Henderson) for Chase Brown in one rookie draft this year. The "focal point" news from the coaches makes me even more confident in the trade. Brown's presumed backup, Zack Moss, is on the PUP list, giving their rookie, Tahj Brooks, a chance to move up the depth chart, something I expected him to do from the moment he was drafted. Brooks reportedly "looked great in the passing game" at training camp, which is where I expect him to be most involved in his rookie season. If he earns the passing downs role and the primary backup role, he could be a big surprise this season, especially if Brown misses time with an injury. I expect him to earn the backup role and help the Bengals' explosive offense.

Tank Bigsby, Trevor Etienne, and Bhayshul Tuten

• Tuten was the darling in rookie drafts this year, as many presumed he would become this year's Bucky Irving. I didn't buy into the hype, but I placed my bets on Etienne having a bounce-back season. The coaches expressed confidence in Etienne after the draft, giving me confidence in my belief in him. A report from training camp, however, stated that Bigsby has looked the best and at times appeared to be the leading back. It's just week one of camp, but this news has me confused and conflicted about what the backfield share will look like.  I would be shocked if Bigsby became the leading back, so I'm not buying this training camp report. However, the news does muddy the waters and makes me less confident in my bet on Etienne. I want to watch reports from the Jaguars' training camp more than most, regarding their running back depth chart. It is among the most open and uncertain in the league.

Jerome Ford and Quinshon Judkins

• As of the writing of this article, Judkins is the only second-round player who remains unsigned by his team. His arrest for assault on a woman is a big red flag for the Browns and his dynasty managers. He's missing training camp and facing a suspension by the league, meaning his managers may not see him on the field for quite some time. Coaches have expressed that Ford is their leading back in the meantime, making him a hidden value for dynasty managers. I expected Ford to earn the backup role behind Judkins ahead of Dylan Sampson this year, but didn't expect him to start the season as the starter. He's not poised to do so. Judkins's dynasty managers have to decide what to do with him. In one of my leagues, he was traded for a 2026 first-round pick. I offered Judkins in a deal for Emeka Ebuka and Will Shipley. The other manager thought about it for days but finally rejected my offer. Both trades are fair deals. Managers have to decide whether they want a future first-round pick or another player drafted in the first round this year for Judkins. Managers with Ford on their roster will have a surprise starter to begin the season or a very tradable asset, especially if they offer Ford to Judkins or Sampson managers.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

• My favorite sleeper in this year's rookie class is already turning heads at training camp. Coach Quin says he has impressed him with his cutting ability and burst, and he's "very excited" to see him in pads next week. A reporter also said that he expects Croskey-Merritt to earn a role with the team. That's great news for a seventh-round pick! I don't expect Merrit to make a significant impact this season, but he'll make the team and have opportunities if Brian Robinson or Austin Ekeler get injured. I am more excited about his future opportunities in Washington, since Robinson and Ekeler are in the last years of their contracts. JCM was my most drafted rookie this year, and I am pleased but not surprised to hear this great news so early in training camp.

Elijah Mitchell

• The Chief's free agent acquisition, Mitchell, has reportedly been running with the second team during training camp, taking reps ahead of Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith. The RB-2 role in Kansas City has proven to be very important for dynasty managers in recent years, making this reported development noteworthy. Mitchell has looked awesome every time he has been given an opportunity, although he always seems to get injured. If he earns the backup role behind Isaih Pachecho, he will have productive games for his dynasty managers just as Kareem Hunt did last year. My bets, however, are on Kareem Hunt, who has already proven effective in the Andy Reid system twice in his career. I want to follow the backfield battle in Kansas City during training camp because Brashard Smith has drawn praise early in camp, too. My bets are still on Hunt, but I am willing to change my mind if reports tell me otherwise.

Jaydon Blue and Javonte Williams

• I've said all along this offseason that Jaydon Blue was over-drafted in rookie drafts and way over-drafted in best-ball drafts, as many managers believe he will win the starting job for the Cowboys. I look correct if the terrible report that broke last week about Blue being "lazy" and "not caring" about football was accurate. Some refuted the story reported last week, but there must be some truth to the report. I expect Williams to be the lead back for the entirety of the season this year and Miles Sanders to play a complementary role, with Blue's role very limited. Williams has looked healthy in training camp, giving him every right to earn the starting role for the Cowboys, which he will do.

Marvin Harrison

• Harrison did not have as bad a rookie season as dynasty managers think. He disappointed compared to what they expected and in comparison to Malik Naber's outstanding rookie season. He finished as the 29th highest-scoring wide receiver, compared to Nabers' 7th highest-scoring year. I expect the two to finish this season much closer in total points. Harrison reported to camp at 220 pounds, and he and Kyler Murray are working to get on the same page during training camp. Harrison's run-after-catch stats last season were among the worst in the league. He's bulked up to break more tackles and play more physical, and I believe he will. The "best shape of his life" narrative is one of the biggest tropes this time of year, but sometimes it's believable. More than the best shape of his life narrative, I believe that bulking up shows that Harrison cares about his game, was disappointed with his production last season, and is intent on improving this year. Call me gullible, but I believe it. He was one of the best wide receiver prospects to ever come out of college, and he will play like it this season.

Emeka Ebuka and Chris Godwin

• Every report from training camp about Ebuka has been positive. Coaches say he can do anything in the offense, and his quarterback, Baker Mayfield, calls him the "real deal." He was going to earn starting reps right away in his rookie season. Still, now that the news broke about Godwin being on PUP and having a second surgery this offseason, Ebuka's role is even more solidified to start the season. I will not be surprised at all if Ebuka becomes Mayfield's top target immediately and remains so even after Godwin returns to play. Sadly, Godwin's incredible start to last season and his new contract, which buoyed his dynasty value again, are becoming a distant memory after each glowing report on Ebuka. Dynasty manager smissed their opportunity to sell Godwin and buy Ebuka.

Quentin Johnston, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Oronde Gadsden

• The Chargers and Lions were the first two teams to report to training camp, so they received the most reports. However, Johnston, Lambert Smith, and Gadsden have received a steady drumbeat of positive reports from day one in camp, and I am buying into the hype. Days after receiving positive reports, Mike Williams announced his retirement, opening up more opportunities for roles in the passing game. I acted early on the Lambert-Smith news by adding him to five of my six dynasty leagues with open waivers. Sadly, I have no shares of Johnston, but I plan to make offers for him this week. I did not draft Gadsden in any of my early rookie drafts, but I hope to in my two remaining rookie drafts. The Chargers' offense and passing game will improve this season, and the WR-2 and tight end spots on the roster are wide open. I expect Johnston to become a reliable starter this season, Lambert-Smith to earn a significant role, and Gadsden to earn the starting tight end role by the end of the season. All three Chargers are sleepers right now, but won't be for long. 

Josh Palmer

• Palmer has reportedly become a "staple in the offense and could lead the team in wide receiver snaps," making him another sleeper worth adding to rosters if he's on waivers or holding on rosters after the cut date. The Bills gave Khalil Shakir a second contract, proving they see him as a future part of their offense, but he's the only other receiver with a secure position on the team and in the passing game. I'm placing my bets on Keon Coleman to have a much better second season in the NFL and to become the most productive pass catcher on the team this season. Still, I could be wrong, and I'm far less a believer in Coleman than most managers, so I would not be surprised if Coleman bottoms out and Palmer becomes the more reliable weapon on the team.  I don't believe this report, but I'm willing to reconsider if I hear more about Palmer excelling at training camp.

Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton

• The negative news on Jack Bech is one of the most depressing to me during training camp, because I had Bech ranked higher than other dynasty managers and twice traded up to draft him in this year's rookie drafts. He reportedly has "a lot to learn" about becoming a receiver in the NFL. However, the positive training camp buzz on Dont'e Thornton is one of my favorite reports during training camp, because I added him to all but one of my leagues with waivers open and traded for him in another. If he becomes the reliable starting wide receiver in Las Vegas, I'll win more than I will lose, but I'll still be depressed about Bech. Thornton has received praise from coaches and reporters and is running with the first team during all training camp drills. Bech is not. Trey Tucker is instead. I believe these reports from Raider's camp and have acted on them, I just wish Bech and Thornton were receiving praise. 

Jalen Royals

• To my surprise, Royals has reportedly taken reps with the first team in Kansas City. Royals was one of my highest-ranked receivers before the NFL draft, but when he landed with the Chiefs, he fell significantly in my rookie rankings. To hear that he is playing well and getting first-team reps is a surprise, given the Chiefs' depth charts, but I was happy to hear it. He'll likely get more opportunities early in the season when Rashee Rice's suspension is laid down, but I don't think it will be enough to earn a starting role, even though I wish he could. I want to follow the reports on Royals and root for him, but I still believe his depth chart is too steep to climb, even with the Rice suspension looming.

Tucker Kraft

• Coaches have stated that they want Kraft to be more involved in the offense and are making plans to do so. I'm buying into the hype, and he deserves an increased role in the Packers' passing game. He's a monster after the catch and should be used more as a weapon in their offense. Jordan Love's lingering injuries caused the Packers to run a more conservative game plan last season, but that will change this season, and the passing game will benefit greatly, allowing Kraft to be this season's breakout tight end. I am confident that he will break out this season and become a second-tier tight end in dynasty for years to come. I only have one share of Kraft, but I will make him my primary target in trades this week.

Elijah Arroyo and A.J. Barner

• The Seahawks were rumored to cut Noah Fant all offseason, and they finally did last week, giving a big boost to the dynasty value of A.J. Barner and even more so to Elijah Arroyo. Reporters have said Arroyo "looks like a playmaker" so far in camp. While someone has to step up at the tight end position in Seattle with Fant gone, dynasty managers will be disappointed with both. Barner is a much better blocker, so coaches will trust him more and give him far more snaps than Arroyo, who will make some plays in the passing game this year but not be consistent. While the Fant cut opened opportunities for Barner and Arroyo, I don't expect much fantasy impact from either this year, and don't hold out hope for either from a dynasty perspective. Arroyo could prove me wrong, given his athleticism and high draft capital. Still, his injuries and lack of collegiate production raise too many red flags for me as a dynasty manager. I'll let other managers take a chance on these tight ends.

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