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. 2.
Alvin Kamara expected to be suspended following incident in Las Vegas
The worst-kept secret in the league is coming out. Alvin Kamara is expected to be suspended for an unknown duration of time during the 2023 season.
Jamaal Williams, fresh off his career year with the Detroit Lions, signed a three-year contract with the Saints in March. In 2022, Williams scored 206.7 fantasy points (PPR) but did so primarily on heavy usage in the red-zone (53 opportunities), especially at the goal line. He finished the year with over 1,000 yards rushing and 17 rushing touchdowns.
As far as opportunity and efficiency, Williams scored 1.03 fantasy points over expectation and averaged 0.79 fantasy points per opportunity. As the Wolf’s RB47 on the year, Williams presents good value, especially with Kamara off the field… but is he the best value in the backfield?
Rookie Kendre Miller has been impressive in camp so far. In fact, Saints head coach Dennis Allen said:
- “I think he’s still learning, but you see the talent – you see the athletic ability”
- “He’s got really good feet, he does a really good job of catching the ball out of the backfield.”
- “I think his balance, his contact balance is exceptional”
- “I like what I’ve seen out of him – he’s gotta continue to work and progress, but he’s heading in the right direction.”
Miller hasn’t shied away from comparing himself to Kamara.
“How they use [ Kamara] is kind of unique, and watching film every day, we watch a bunch of clips of him,” Miller said, via the team’s website. “How they use him in the pass game, that’s pretty cool. I feel like I can step in and pretty much do the same thing.”
In college, he posted an elite 119.9 elusive rating and also produced an elite 3.64 YAC/att. and drips in week-winning upside in Kamara’s stead. As the Wolf’s RB44 (+6 vs ECR), Miller still presents tremendous value.
Jameson Williams ‘stepping up in practice’, had a ‘stellar’ day
Jameson Williams has answered the bell after a miserable, drop-ridden practice culminated in him throwing fists with rookie cornerback Starling Thomas.
Coach Dan Campbell said Williams has been impressive, adding: “We’re going to douse Jameson Williams in preseason with a ton of game reps, he needs it.”, Campbell added, “The more reps he gets, the more time on task, the more consecutive practices and reps he can put together, he’ll just grow — I really believe that.”
It’s worth noting there are some concerning bust signals coming from Williams after catching one ball in six games during his rookie season. Campbell understandably said Williams will be playing a bunch this preseason because “he needs it.”
Williams’ downfield ability and electrifying speed made him one of the most intriguing picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, even coming off a torn ACL at the end of his college career. He’s a high-upside flyer worth following closely all camp and preseason.
Ja’Marr Chase ‘chance to be the best wide receiver’ in the NFL in 2023
According to James Rapien of Sports Illustrated, Ja’Marr Chase is a “freak” at the wide receiver position and “has a chance to be the best wide receiver in the league this season.“
As you can tell by Chase’s route tree, he has slammed through the barrier that separates the great receivers from the elite. In fact, Chase ran the nine route 25.5% of the time, and was still historically efficient, posting success rates in the 81st, 66th, and 91st percentiles against man, zone, and press coverages respectively.
In other words, Chase is a beast. Rapien was certainly not off-base when he said Chase had a chance to be the best in the league this season.
From an opportunity standpoint, Chase is already among the elite as well. Last season he commanded a target on nearly 26% of his routes and saw a 29.3% market share of the team’s air yards despite playing only 12 games.
As long as Joe Burrow comes back from his calf strain in time to start the season, Chase is in line to take ANOTHER step forward in 2023.
OTHER FANTASY NOTES
- The Patriots have reportedly been managing RB Rhamondre Stevenson’s workload early. Stevenson said, “Honestly, you’ve got to ask Bill Belichick why I’m not practicing.”
- Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley has a toe injury and will be limited at practice. Continue to monitor camp reports, but being active bodes well for his prospects heading into the preseason.
- Justyn Ross praise is pouring in: “He’s done a nice job, had a good offseason and then he’s worked his tail off here. He just needs to keep doing that and push through it. He’s got the right mindset to do that,” said Andy Reid.
“You can tell he’s been in the offense for a year now. He’s obviously making big plays and he’s getting more involved in those first-team reps. . .” Patrick Mahomes added. - “DeAndre Hopkins can still make plays.. Hopkins has regularly come down with the ball even when well defended, and there have been stretches where he’s offered big reminders of why he’s been one of the league’s best receivers over the past decade,” wrote Jim Wyatt.
