After months and months of waiting, 2023 NFL Training Camp is finally here!
Throughout each afternoon, the RSJ staff tracks fantasy football news and highlights from around the league, serving as your lead blockers to fantasy greatness. From buzzy highlights to common coach-speak to season-altering injuries, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some standout fantasy news and notes from NFL training camps on July 31.
JONATHAN TAYLOR REQUESTS TRADE, FEUDS WITH JIM IRSAY
Grab the popcorn because we are in the midst of a heavy-weight bout between Colts owner Jim Irsay and All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor. It started when Irsay made “bad faith” criticism against the running back position and it hit its peak when Taylor demanded a trade. After back-and-forth shots between the two in the media and on the Twitter X platform, the Colts are now considering putting the running back on the non-football injury (NFI) list with a back injury that he reportedly suffered while working out on his own. As noted above, Taylor denies the injury and was spotted at practice on Monday while on the PUP list.
Whew.
On top of that disaster, backup RB Zack Moss suffered a broken arm and is expected to miss roughly six weeks. Rookie Evan Hull and Waiver Wire Hero Deon Jackson got the majority of the first team touches with Taylor and Moss sidelined.
HORRIBLE START TO CAMP FOR TYREEK HILL
Excuse it however you’d like, but [Tyreek] Hill’s first week made him look like he’d lost his super powers. Hill, a seven-time Pro Bowler, blended in, and that’s not how a player on a Hall of Fame trajectory is supposed to practice. You can tell he’s either slowed by a nagging injury, or his focus is off because he’s had too many drops.
– Omar Kelly, SI.com
There’s not much to add here, but it’s one of the most buzz-worthy quotes that’s been put out by a media member. On one side, Tyreek Hill did say he wants to retire at the end of his contract, which would be in three more seasons. On the other side, Hill is coming off a career-best season, totaling 119 receptions for 1,710 yards. Is Hill looking forward to retirement? Or, is he just a vet who wants no part of training camp and will turn it on once the real games kick off?
I’ll go with the latter at his 5 overall Underdog Fantasy ADP.
BRONCOS FEAR TIM PATRICK SUFFERED AN ACHILLES INJURY
Coming off a season-ending ACL injury, it appears the Broncos will be without Tim Patrick for yet another season after suffering a non-contact lower-leg injury that Sean Payton believes is an Achilles injury. Patrick, who was impressing coaches at OTAs and seemed prime for a breakout season, will miss yet another full season.
Devastating.
From a fantasy point of view, it opens up a chance for electric rookie playmaker Marvin Mims to take over the WR3 spot behind Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. The former 5-star Sooner had the second-best analytics profile in this rookie class and will now have a chance to make an immediate impact.
MIKE WILLIAMS MOVING AROUND, PLAYING IN THE SLOT
What will Kellen Moore’s offense look like? That was one of my biggest questions entering camp. After talking with both Moore and Brandon Staley last month about the topic, I had some general ideas of what the new system would look like from a broader philosophical and schematic perspective. But to understand the more specific changes and concepts, we had to wait for the offense to fully function on the practice field.
Through three practices, some of those ideas are starting to emerge. And perhaps the most noteworthy one so far: receiver Mike Williams is moving around a lot more, including playing in the slot and other inside alignments.
– Daniel Popper, The Athletic
The big, strong, athletic receiver dominates outside the numbers and will always be a mismatch nightmare on the perimeter. However, Brandon Staley and former OC Joe Lombardi boosted Mike Williams’ game two years ago when he started running more in-breaking routes in the Michael Thomas role. Now, with Kellen Moore calling the shots, he’s moving Williams around the formation and especially the slot, where he only played 13.4 percent of his snaps over the last two years (compared to Keenan Allen’s 58.3 percent).
“People are going to have game plans and matchups associated with where he lines up,” Moore said of Williams. “The more you can line him up in different spots, it just makes it more challenging for other teams to focus on him.”
OTHER FANTASY NOTES
- Alvin Kamara plans to meet with Roger Goodell regarding his offseason arrest and potential suspension
- Kenneth Walker III (groin) and Zach Charbonnet (shoulder) are expected to miss practice time — with Charbonnet out “indefinitely.” Don’t sleep on Kenny McIntosh.
- The Jets’ offense looks “disjointed” with drops and miscommunications between Aaron Rodgers and his wideouts
- Oh boy! Sam Darnold surpassed Trey Lance in getting first-team reps
- Jalin Hyatt is making noise by getting vertical and creating separation on Giants’ defensive backs
- Deep sleeper alert: Texans’ rookie WR Xavier Hutchinson is making highlight after highlight in camp
- The Jordan Love–Christian Watson vertical connection is growing
- D’Onta Foreman is rotating into the Bears’ first team with Khalil Herbert
- Ezekiel Elliott spent the weekend in Foxborough and is still in the area, a deal is believed to be “imminent.” Second-year back Kevin Harris is currently Rhamondre Stevenson’s backup.
- Lions WR Jameson Williams is having a very up-and-down camp, with highlights, drops, and a thrown punch
- Michael Thomas still plays football!
- Bijan Robinson is a daily highlight reel
