After months and months of waiting, NFL Training Camp is finally here!
Throughout each afternoon, the RSJ staff is tracking 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 training camps around the NFL on Aug. 1.
Javonte Williams not limited ‘in any capacity” so far in camp
According to James Palmer, Javonte Williams has not been limited in any capacity so far in camp.
Williams said he expects to be ready to go Week 1 against the Raiders.
Last season, before injuring his knee in week four, Williams was a major fantasy disappointment, but given the state of the offense as a whole under Nathaniel Hackett, he gets a bit of a pass. After all, in his four games, he saw over four targets per game, including five inside the 20.
Based on his opportunity (17.25 opportunities/game), Williams was expected to score 14.7 FPPG, but the offensive disaster that unfolded led to him scoring only 10.5 in PPR scoring.
While Samaje Perine, who was efficient with the Bengals last season, figures to be a factor in the backfield, expect Williams to take command of the backfield sooner rather than later.
Anthony Richardson runs primarily with the first team
After returning from nasal septum surgery, Anthony Richardson, took all of the starting reps at practice.
It was the roughest day he has had at NFL camp, finishing 5/13 overall, including 4/9 with the starters. According to 1075thefan.com, Richardson, expectedly, had timing and accuracy issues. He also threw a pick at the very end of the starting reps, on a ball that was batted into the air.
Through five camp days, Gardner Minshew is barely edging Richardson out for starting reps (42 to 39). Through those five practices, Minshew has completed 40/50 passes while Richardson is managing 19/35. Still, Richardson’s arm talent, particularly in the deep ball and electrifying running ability make him a virtually limitless upside fantasy prospect.
Tua Tagovailoa went ballistic, Jaylen Waddle ‘most impressive’ receiver at camp
You’re telling me Tua can throw the rock? Scandalous!
“From the jump, you could tell Tagoavailoa was feeling it Tuesday,” wrote Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network.
PFN is reporting the offense and Tua both had their best day of camp on Tuesday. Tua finished the day completing 13/15 passes for 129 yards, and his best pass of the day was a strike across the middle to Jaylen Waddle that went for over 20 yards.
Speaking of Waddle, he has been the most impressive receiver this summer. Tyreek Hill has reportedly not looked as explosive or as sure-handed so far this season and Waddle has more than risen to the occasion. Oh, and apparently Waddle’s been balling with all three quarterbacks.
Beasley wrote Tua has a chance to challenge some single-season Dolphins records in 2023 if he stays upright.
OTHER FANTASY NOTES
- Vikings running back Alexander Mattison limped off the field before the end of practice but stayed on the field and watched the rest of practice before going to the locker room. Keep an eye on the extent of this injury.
- Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he “feels strongly” that Desmond Ridder is the team’s “QB of the future…” “I like our young quarterback. People look at just the last four games last year and they say, well, based on those four games, but he really progressed from the time he came on campus here after he was drafted, had a good camp, and he’s been a strong leader since he’s shown up here. Continued to develop.” Ridder has had a pretty strong camp so far, including a strong Monday where he completed 8/9 passes, including 7/7 during 7-on-7 drills.
- Bears’ rookie running back Roschon Johnson missed practice today with an undisclosed injury. D’Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert have been sharing lead running back duties so far. Monitor this injury, as it could lead to Johnson being buried further on the depth chart.
