Tue Aug 5th 2025

Week Two Training Camp Report

Last week was the second week of training camp, resulting in another 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 two. We start with many dreaded running-back-by-committee reports, and sadly, I believe all of them. Dynasty managers love having a bellcow back, but this year I expect a lot of backfields to be split far more than they were last season.

James Conner and Trey Benson

• This week, James Conner and the Cardinals' coaching staff hinted that Trey Benson would get more work this season than he did last season. The Cardinals seem set to split the backfield more this season, giving Benson's dynasty managers some optimism for this season after his looks were very limited last year. It's a wise move from a team standpoint since Conner is entering his age-thirty season, and Conner indicated that he's okay sharing the load this season. Dynasty managers hoping to get one more full season with a heavy workload from Conner will be disappointed because I believe the Cardinals' reports on their backfield. His touches should and will decrease this season unless Benson cannot produce when he gets his chances, but he will. Benson's managers will be happy to see him on the field, but want more, and Conner's managers will wish he had the full workload like he did last season. Both backs are under contract next season, though Conner has a buy-out option in his contract. Benson would have to highly outperform Conner to earn the team's starting role next season. I don't project him to do so.

Breece Hall and Braelon Allen

• Braelon Allen was singled out by coaches this week as having one of the best training camps on the team. Their steady praise of Allen also leads me to believe he will share the workload with Breece Hall this season. I'm far more bullish on the long-term upside of Allen compared to Trey Benson, because he won't have to wait as long to take the leading role in New York. This year is the last of Hall's contract, so the Jets have every reason to see what they have in Allen since his contract is just one million dollars a year, and he is signed through 2027. They will likely give him a much larger role this season to see if they can trust him as their lead back next season. I'm betting on Allen to do so, and I will continue to try to acquire him in trades this offseason before he gets a chance to prove it on the field.

Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason

• Coaches in Minnesota spoke this week of an even rotation or hot-hand approach to their running backs this season. Jones is four years older than Mason, whom they acquired in a trade this offseason to strengthen their depth chart. I believe the coach-speak on this report. I imagine a nearly 50/50 split between Jones and Mason, which would frustrate dynasty managers. This situation is their new reality, though, as each of them has two years on their contracts. They could see two years of 50/50 play unless one or the other gets injured or they draft a running back to compete with them. From a football standpoint, Jones and Mason make a fantastic one-two punch. Mason is a little better in short-yardage situations, so expect more goalline work for him, and Jones is a bit better in the passing game, so I expect receptions from him. Both will be reliable mid-tier RB-2s in dynasty lineups for the next two years, with some great weeks and some disappointing weeks based on who is in the lineup on Viking scoring drives.

RJ Harvey and Evan Engram

• Harvey and Engram are not competing for running back touches, but for what coach Payton calls "Joker" touches. Coaches and reporters have spoken about both as the guys used as the Joker in the Broncos offense. The Joker gets a lot of catch-and-run opportunities in the offense, and both of these players can do that well, even though one is a rookie and the other a long-time vet. I expect them to both be used as a Joker this season rather than one or the other. Both will add explosive plays in the passing game, helping dynasty managers in PPR leagues most of all. The Broncos' offense took a big step up in production last season. Now they have added two players the coaches targeted in free agency and the draft. They plan to give them an important role in improving the offense. Both will have fantastic seasons for their dynasty managers.

Cam Skattebo

• Skattebo has taken a lot of reps with the first team last week, though he battled an injury at the end of the week. Still, the drumbeat from coaches and reporters has been steady throughout camp. Hopefully, the injury does not derail him in week three of camp because he was turning heads early. The only thing Tyrone Tracy can do better than him is protect the passer. Skatebo is a bigger and tougher runner, and he's just as effective in the passing game. After the Giants drafted him, I believed it would be a matter of time until Skattebo is the Giants' lead back, but these reports make me think it will be sooner rather than later. 

Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren

• Johnson, on the other hand, will have to wait a while. Johnson was already an unproven pass catcher, and reports of his poor pass protection early in camp mean he will not see the field in passing downs nor as often as his dynasty managers want. Aaron Rodgers will not stand for bad pass protection, and the coaches can't afford Rodgers' sacks, let alone pressure on the old man. Jaylen Warren will dominate snaps in the passing game throughout the season and start the season as the running back with the most carries. It will take more time for Johnson to eat into Warren's workload compared to the other running backs I've written about so far. I still love his opportunity in the future and his long-term dynasty value, but Warren will start the season hot and make an argument to the Steelers that they should resign him after this season.

DJ Giddens

• Giddens has no chance to surpass Jonathan Taylor or to make the Colts' backfield more of a committee, but he has played well enough during camp so far to cause reporters to believe he will earn the backup role behind Taylor this season. Sadly, Taylor has battled injuries often in his career. If he's injured at all this season, Giddens will become an instant startable running back in dynasty lineups. He's a well-rounded back with tons of college experience in the run and pass game. He's a top-tier handcuff this season with a chance to see his role increase as Taylor gets older. The Colts have an opt-out option in Taylor's contract after this year. I doubt Giddens would play well enough or Taylor get injured enough to cause them to choose that option, but Giddens could make them think about it if he gets many games as a starter and produces in them.

DeMario Douglas

• Beat reporters claim that Douglas has been the most consistent wide receiver in camp. That's not a surprise to me at all. I expected Douglas to lock down the slot position during camp and build chemistry with Drake Maye while the other receivers on the team battled for the outside receiver positions. Stefon Diggs had no limitations coming back from his injuries, so his role in the offense is also secure, but he's new to Drake Maye and the offense. Of course, Douglas is the most consistent. I don't know if Josh McDaniels' offense with this team will be exactly like his offenses under Tom Brady, but if so, the slot is a huge part of the offense as Wes Welker and Julian Edelman proved. I'm way higher on Douglas than most dynasty managers. He's one of my most rostered players already, and I added him to a new team in a trade a few weeks ago. The "most consistent player" hype is no surprise to me.

Matthew Golden

• Golden has made plays early in camp, and reports claim he already looks like the WR-1 in Green Bay. It's still too early to buy the hype, but it's better than no hype at all. The Packers have one of the most crowded depth charts and they love to spread the ball around, but I am sure they will pass more this season than they have in recent years. They know they need to adapt the play faster and throw the ball more to advance in the playoffs. They'll work hard on this season and Golden will reap the benefits. I'm confident that Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Golden will be the Packers' starting receivers. I'm less sure about the passing distribution, but they will pass more often, raising the floors of all the Packers receivers. Golden is the highest drafted among them and could easily become Jordan Love's favorite target, but it will take until mid-season to find out.

Jaylin Lane

• Lane has taken first-team reps with the Commanders while Terry McLaurin continues his holdout. He's made plays during training camp while on the first team, including an almost-touchdown catch from Jayden Daniels in the back of the endzone over two defenders, but he only got one foot down. It would take a McLaurin trade to get starting reps early in the season, but Lane could work his way into a starting role by mid to late season even with McLaurin on the team. Plus, he has a far better chance of a starting role in the years to come since McLaurin and Deebo Samuel are not spring chickens. Lane is one of my favorite end-of-the-roster guys to hold on many of my rosters, and he's on all of my rosters with taxi squads. Add him to your watch list now if you haven't already.

Rome Odunze

• Coach Johnson said this week that Odunze has a special set of skills that only he has in the passing game, and they plan to use them. I'm buying the hype. Odunze, as most dynasty analysts expect, is poised for a breakout season. I'm certain he will become the most targeted wide receiver on the team next season, which will likely upset D.J. Moore, who could be on thin ice with the new coaching staff if he's not a team player. Luther Burden finally started practicing this week, too, which is good for him and the team. Odunze is the alpha of the group, though, and Johnson will utilize his skills the most among the wide receivers.

Colston Loveland

• I say "wide receivers" because I think coach Johnson will use Loveland's skills as well and make him the second-most targeted pass-catcher in the offense. Loveland has been on the field this week, fully recovered from his shoulder injury. Early reports from camp show him making plays in the offense already and having no side effects of the injury. Loveland should hit the ground running with the starting offense and be a focal point of the offense immediately. The Bears have a lot of mouths to feed between their veterans, rookies, and second-year man, Odunze, but Odunze and Loveland should eat the most. It's great to see Loveland back in camp and getting ready for week-one action.

Tyler Warren

• The Colts' coaching staff said this week that they see Warren as an offensive weapon and plan to use him in a variety of ways in the offense. That's music to the ears of his dynasty managers and precisely what they should be saying and doing with Warren. The only doubts dynasty managers have about Warren are his quarterback play, which is an issue for sure. To hear that they plan to be creative with Warren, though, gives me hope that no matter how poorly the quarterback plays, Warren will have plays drawn up specifically for him. As a manager with Warren on a roster, I am hopeful that Daneil Jones will win the job since he is a better passer. Still, I expect Jones and Richardson to get starts this season. At least Warren is likely to get plays drawn up for him each week, no matter who his quarterback is.

Mason Taylor

• Taylor is becoming a heavily targeted player in training camp. This news comes as no surprise given the weak Jets depth chart at wide receiver. I loved Taylor as a prospect, even though his collegiate production profile was weak. His draft capital and bloodlines made me confident to rank him higher than most dynasty managers and analysts last year. I expected he, Warren, and Loveland to all earn instant starting roles on their offenses and become one of the teams' top targets. Early training camp reports confirm my high hopes for all three of these rookie tight ends.

Ja'Tavion Sanders

• Sanders has "shined" in camp, according to the reports. This news is no surprise to me, especially after his opportunity increased with the injury to Tommy Tremble. Tight ends take time to acclimate to the NFL, particularly if blocking is not their strong suit, which is the case with Sanders. He battled injuries but had a few flashes in his rookie season, but is poised for a vast improvement this season. He'll have a hard time becoming a top target in Carolina given their excellent depth at wide receiver. Still, he could move into the large middle tier of tight ends and become one worth playing in matchups and bye weeks on dynasty rosters that lack a clear every-week starter.  Dynasty managers who were patient with my fellow Longhorn will be pleased with his progress this season.  

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