After months and months of waiting, NFL Training Camp is finally here!
Every day, the RSJ staff is tracking fantasy football news and highlights from around the league, serving as your lead blockers to fantasy greatness. From viral highlights to familiar coach-speak narratives to season-altering injuries, we’ve got you covered.
Here are some standout fantasy news and notes from training camps around the NFL on August 7.
KAREEM HUNT EXPECTED TO VISIT SAINTS
With the news of Alvin Kamara’s three-game suspension coming to light, the Saints could be looking to add some positional depth early in the season. It’s sort of a surprising move seeing as the team signed Jamaal Williams in the offseason and drafted Kendre Miller out of TCU in the third round. Adding Kareem Hunt into the mix would only muddy the waters and make this Saints backfield even more disgusting, lowering the fantasy stocks of all involved.
D’ANDRE SWIFT HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE EAGLES PASSING GAME
Big dividends might be a stretch given the crowded makeup of the backfield, but D’Andre Swift brings a needed element to an already high-powered offense. Despite their success last season, the Eagles’ offense all but ignored running backs out of the backfield in 2022, finishing last in the league in running back targets and 31st in EPA per play when they targeted the running back. Part of the reason for that is the outsized importance of their top three targets, but getting Swift the ball in space has been an early focal point this summer. Kenny Gainwell, Rashaad Penny and Boston Scott are involved too, but Swift’s speed has been on display.
Bo Wulf, The AthleticHuge news for full and half PPR leagues where D’Andre Swift could be returning to fantasy relevance now in Philadelphia. We know the talent is there, when utilized properly Swift is one of the premiere RBs in fantasy. Injuries and coaching decisions have played a role in limiting Swift’s production the last year or two but now he lands in a high powered offense looking to improve on feeding their RBs in the open field. He’ll still have competition from other Eagles’ backs along with Jalen Hurts himself at the goal line, but Swift’s receiving skills can make him a serviceable RB with sky high potential.
ROSCHON JOHNSON INSERTING HIMSELF INTO BEARS RB1 DISCUSSION
There is depth in the backfield, but who will emerge as the lead rusher — Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman or Roschon Johnson? Foreman and Herbert have split first-team reps, while OC Luke Getsy has experimented with using both backs as pass-catchers, a role neither has occupied much throughout his career. All three are efficient rushers, but the determining factor in who’s No. 1 likely comes down to pass protection, a skill Herbert has focused on getting better at this offseason. Though Foreman and Herbert have the most experience, Johnson might carry the most potential as a three-down back.
Courtney Cronin, ESPN
While Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman were expected to battle for the RB1 role with David Montgomery going to the Lions, it appears rookie Roschon Johnson is creeping his way into consideration. Herbert is the lone returning piece in this competition and showed brilliant flashes in his limited work, most notably a Week 3 157-yard, two-touchdown explosion when Montgomery was out with an injury. The negative with Herbert has been the doubt of him handling a full workload as a true lead back. Foreman comes over from Carolina and was their lead back after the Christian McCaffrey trade, but he lacks three-down upside.
This is where Johnson has a chance to enter the competition. He’s known as a stout pass blocker and showed three-down potential in his limited time at Texas behind Bijan Robinson.
OTHER FANTASY NOTES
- Giants WR Parris Campbell trending towards starting slot receiver
- Damien Harris is currently the RB2 in Buffalo behind James Cook
- Tyquan Thorton is sliding down the Patriots’ receiver depth chart
- Jaylin Hyatt has been a “standout performer” early in Giants training camp
- Rookie CJ Stroud will start this week’s preseason game against the Patriots
- Jake Ferguson the clear TE1 in Dallas post-Dalton Schultz life
- Washington QB Sam Howell seems to have a firm grasp on the QB1 role for the Commanders
