After months and months of waiting, NFL Training Camp is finally here!
Every day, the RSJ staff tracks fantasy football news and highlights from around the league, serving as your lead blockers to 2023 fantasy football 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 and preseason games from around the NFL on August 11.
JAMES COOK LOCKED INTO A SIGNIFICANT ROLE
“In practices, Cook continued to provide the team with plenty of reasons to be optimistic about both his outlook and role in their 2023 season. Cook went coast-to-coast as their unquestioned top running back at camp, displaying excellent pass-catching skills and a good knack for finding running lanes between the tackles… Cook has big play potential regardless of the play call, which excites the Bills. Cook also separated himself from backups Damien Harris and Latavius Murray, with Murray giving Harris a run for the primary backup duties due to his performance… With a cleared runway, Cook appears to be locked into a significant role barring injury.”
Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic
The Bills may have finally found its workhorse running back in second-year back James Cook. Dalvin’s younger brother has done it all during training camp, making plays on the ground and through the air, and separating himself from both Damien Harris and Latavius Murray after Nayheim Hines suffered a brutal off-field injury.
Cook, who was the top pass-catcher of his class, possesses legitimate three-down upside in one of the league’s most explosive offenses. It’s still true that Harris and/or Murray could take over short-yardage and goal-line opportunities, but Cook has proven that he could do it all throughout camp.
Cook is our RB26 (+4 vs ECR) and is a steal at his 87.0 ADP on Underdog Fantasy.
TANK DELL: UNGUARDABLE IN PRESEASON DEBUT VS PATRIOTS
“It was good to see Tank make some plays,” Ryans said, via a transcript provided by the Patriots. “We’ve seen him make a lot of plays throughout training camp, some of these same plays, so it was good to see him do the same thing here in a game. He’s going to be an explosive playmaker for us, and we look forward to him continuing to make some of those plays.”
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans
We knew CJ Stroud (we’ll get to him later) wanted the Texans to draft Tank Dell, and it looks like the team found its future stud in the slot. In the first half of his preseason debut, Dell snagged five receptions for 65 yards and a score against the Patriots — highlighted by a circus-like touchdown reception in the end zone.
The former Houston Cougar caused fits for the Patriots’ starting cornerbacks (Christian Gonzalez and Jack Jones) and could not be covered all night. His elite route running and quickness will get him on the field with the first-team offense and it’s only a matter of time before he becomes Stroud’s go-to guy.
Dell comes in at WR72 (+36!! vs the ECR) and is one of The Wolf’s favorite late-round sleepers.
TY CHANDLER SHINES VS SEAHAWKS, FAVORITE FOR VIKINGS’ RB2 ROLE?
The fantasy community is waiting for the Vikings to find its RB2 behind Alexander Mattison, and after last night’s preseason game, signs could be pointing to Ty Chandler. With Kene Nwangwu sitting out with an injury, Chandler had 22 out of 29 snaps with the “first team” offense, carrying the ball 11 times for 41 yards and adding another four receptions for 29 yards.
It’s clear Chandler is currently above DeWayne McBride (two snaps with the first team) and Abram Smith (five snaps), but he may have also surpassed Nwangwu on the depth chart after last night’s three-down performance — where he also showed off his pass-pro prowess.
Keep an eye on this battle as camp rolls on.
OTHER FANTASY NOTES
- The Colts are unsure of when Jonathan Taylor will return to practice amid his contract situation and an ankle injury
- Texans rookie QB CJ Stroud had a rough NFL preseason debut, finishing 2-of-4 for 13 yards and an interception
- Seahawks rookie RB Zach Charbonnet was as physical as advertised against the Vikings
- You’re too low on Jordan Addison
- “In just his first training camp, [Dalton] Kincaid provided everything the Bills could have hoped to see out of their 2023 first-round pick.”
- Eagles beat writers continue to say Kenny Gainwell will lead the team in carries
- Allen Robinson is expected to play more inside than outside with the Steelers and is “very explosive in the short area”
