Training Camp Recap 8/24/2022
Stock up
New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara – it looks like we’re trending towards Kamara not getting suspended this year and he’s having himself a stellar camp after being named the offensive camp MVP.
“This was a little difficult at first (receiver Chris Olave gets an honorable mention), but after some self-deliberation, the choice became abundantly clear…Running back Alvin Kamara…The Kamara we have watched during this training camp will be a force in the regular season.”
Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson – it’s nice to see James Robinson back (somewhat) healthy and practicing. There are still questions that are up in the air like will he be ready for week 1 and what type of workload can we expect from the young running back out of the gate.
Red zone:
“Handoff James Robinson.
He found his was into the endzone from 10 yards out.”
New England Patriots
Jakobi Meyers – Meyers has been the Patriots best receiver this offseason and Mac’s favorite target.
“Mac Jones hit Jakobi Meyers for a beautiful over-the-shoulder TD. Beat blanket coverage by Tre’von Moehrig.
One of the few highlights on what’s been another tough day for the Patriots’ offense.”
Jacksonville Jaguars
Evan Engram – it’s nice to see the rapport grow between young QB Trevor Lawrence and once young breakout TE Evan Engram. Engram will try to get his career back on track in Doug Pederson’s new offense with second year QB Trevor Lawrence at the helm.
“Red zone:
Trevor Lawrence to Evan Engram.
TD he dropped a shoulder to a defender at the end of the play.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Julio Jones – maybe Julio Jones isn’t cooked? If there’s a QB that could fix Julio Jones, it’s probably Tom Brady – just look what he did for Antonio Brown last year.
“Julio Jones needs be managed (2 on/1 off camp sked) but is playing fast, looks smooth, has clicked with Tom Brady.”
Indianapolis Colts
Parris Campbell – Campbell is back practicing after nursing a hamstring injury and he continues to get positive buzz as he tries to put together his first full healthy season of his career.
“Big catch from Parris Campbell. Made a great adjustment on a deep throw from Matt Ryan. His best catch since the hamstring injury.”
“Matt Ryan just hit Parris Campbell down the left sideline for a 35-yard touchdown on a jump ball that Campbell flipped hips and lost the defender on. Maybe Parris’ best play in camp so far.”
San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance – Lance can be a breakout star this year and it sounds like Jordan Palmer believes it to be so. He’s got a great coach and superstar weapons around him.
“Jordan Palmer was incredibly bullish on Trey Lance, during our conversation on the 49ers QB.”
Las Vegas Raiders
Davante Adams – this just in, Adams is incredible at football. He’s going from one hall of fame QB to another hall of fame QB but still going from Rodgers to Carr is still a slight downgrade but I’m not sure how much of a downgrade since the two have chemistry dating back to their college days.
“Davante Adams again looking like Davante Adams in red-zone 7-on-7s. Beat Jon Jones for two TDs and Marcus Jones and Jalen Mills once apiece.
Derek Carr 4-for-5 when targeting Adams with a Terrance Mitchell PBU.”
“Adams bullying Patriots CBs. Day 2.”
“Sexy play alert: I know you guys are tired about hearing about Davante Adams, but he just went up and snatched a 50/50 ball over a defensive back in 7-on-7 red zone drills.
And then caught another TD two plays later.”
Hunter Renfrow – Renfrow sounds like he’s been cooking in camp this offseason as well and he’s getting more redzone looks with Darren Waller still not practicing.
“Hunter Renfrow is having a day, too, so far in 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 red zone drills. They’re tough to contain even without Waller out there.”
Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill – Tyreek Hill has had one of the most impressive camps in all the NFL.
“Tyreek Hill has been showing why he’s different all day today. Running wide open thru Philly secondary. Been a v strong day for Hill and Tua Tagovailoa so far. At least 4-5 connections of 10+ yards in team drills today. Tua has been precise with anticipation & timing.”
“First play of 1-on-1s Tyreek Hill goes deep on Darius Slay. Had two steps on him after great move off the line. Second rep, Hill beats Slay again by a couple steps for intermediate route over the middle. Hill on fire to start.”
Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith – since Smith has returned from his groin injury, he’s been killing it in camp. AJ Brown is now in town so volume could be a concern but this second year wide receiver is special.
“DeVonta Smith out here routing these DBs up man. He’s caught everything thrown his way this morning.”
San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk – Aiyuk has consistently been the talk of 49ers camp this offseason. Let’s see if he can put last year’s slow start to rest this year and come out of the gates hot.
“The first three completions in Tuesday’s practice went to the same player: Brandon Aiyuk. In other words, the still-sizzling wide receiver finished camp the way he started, and he appears poised for a breakout third NFL season.”
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Stock down
Miami Dolphins
Mike Gesicki – there were rumors Gesicki was on the trading block and then they were dismissed. There’s been nothing but negative things being written about Gesicki this offseason and if he can’t block, he won’t play. With Hill and Waddle getting so many targets, there might not be many leftover for the big slot TE.
“The Dolphins have not held trade talks involving tight end Mike Gesicki, according to a league source. This is contrary to a report from another outlet this morning.”
New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson – this throws a little cold water on Rhamondre Stevenson hype train. We don’t even know if there will be a James White role anymore with word coming out the other day that Harris and Stevenson will play every down. This is about as ambiguous of a backfield as there is. Dip in at your own risk.
“Really nice route into the flat by Ty Montgomery for a TD on Jayon Brown during 7s. Mac at QB. Montgomery looks really smooth running routes out of the backfield.”
“I get we all want Rhamondre szn. But Montgomery is the most natural fit in the receiving back role. Doesn’t mean Stevenson can’t catch more passes this year. Just how I see it right now.”
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Rookies
Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams – Williams is the only healthy Rams running back at the moment and he’s got to makeup for the fact that he missed time himself early on. This is a positive sign for the rookie running back.
“Kyren Williams is getting some work in the passing game from Matthew Stafford today and looks pretty smooth out there.”
Tennessee Titans
Mailk Willis – there’s nod denying that Willis is talented but he’s raw. Even so, this is good news that he’s showing improvements already and showing that he can be coached.
“Vrabel liked Malik Willis’ timing and accuracy today. One of the rookie’s better days of work.”
“Wow. Malik Willis just unleashed a laser 40 yds down the field on a rope to Mason Kinsey. Perfect shot right over the shoulder to Kinsey who got behind Tre Avery.”
“When Malik Willis has great protection, he does damage. Hit Mason Kinsey deep vs two DB with beauty of a throw. But had little to sort through up front and had all day.”
“This looks much more natural than than Willis’ reps in similar drills from the start of camp.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White – White’s been getting some positive buzz lately especially after playing ahead of both Gio Bernard and Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the Buccaneers last preseason game. He’s a dynamo in the passing game and could steal some third down work from Leonard Fournette if he continues to improve in pass protection.
“Rookie RB Rachaad White will have a role. In NE, Brady always had really good third-down backs, and White might be the best pass-game RB he’s had as a Buc.”
Tennessee Titans
Kyle Philips – Philips is human after all – it’s only one down day it seems like in camp for Philips but we do have to remember that he is a rookie but he’s obviously talented and he already seems to be ahead of Treylon Burks on the depth chart.
“Ryan Tannehill on the hurry up period where he and Kyle Philips weren’t able to connect as effectively as possible.”
“Couple drops by Philips on punt catches today. Rare.”
Miami Dolphins
Erik Ezuknama – Ezuknama has started to generate some buzz and the big bodied wide receiver had some flashy catches today in practice. He’s buried behind Hill and Waddle on the depth chart for now but he may be a nice stash for your dynasty leagues.
“Teddy has a slant to Ezuknama for a first down on 3rd and short – Ezukanma uses that big frame to get inside of the DB and box him out.”
“Ezukanma has been uncover able in 1 on 1’s. It’s not just separation, it’s multiple car lengths.”
Buffalo Bills
James Cook – Cook looked explosive at times with the ball in his hands which is something this offense has lacked since Josh Allen has taken over as the quarterback but it looks like we are headed for an ugly three-way committee here with Zack Moss as the short-yardage back and Devin Singletary working on the ground between the 20’s.
“Just catching up on #Bills OC Ken Dorsey’s media availability from yesterday. Asked about his trio of RBs (Singletary/Moss/Cook) “it’s a good problem to have when you have guys that have performed as they have.” Adds he’s not “hamstrung” by any RB only being able to do 1 thing.”
“Dorsey also was complimentary on Cook’s blitz pick-up: ‘He’s done a nice job…excited about the direction he’s going in.'”
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Quick hitters
Denver Broncos
KJ Hamler – Hamler is back at practice and running routes – demonstrating that speed that made the Broncos draft him last year. There’s opportunity for Hamler this year with Tim Patrick going down early with an ACL injury in camp.
“KJ Hamler running crisp routes.”
“KJ Hamler with the toe tap TD.”
San Francisco 49ers
I have no idea who the handcuff to Elijah Mitchell would be right now and I’m not even sure Kyle Shanahan knows either. Jeff Wilson would be my best guess but Jordan Mason has turned heads in camp with his hardnose running in camp so far.
“My 49ers RB rankings after 18 training camp practices and 2 preseason games:
1. Elijah Mitchell
2. Jeff Wilson Jr
3. Jordan Mason
4. JaMycal Hasty
5. Ty Davis-Price
6. Trey Sermon”
Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Waller – what in the world is going on with Darren Waller? It doesn’t sound serious but it is something to keep tabs on as Josh McDaniels, his head coach, doesn’t know for sure if he will be playing week 1 or not – which he should, right?
“Josh McDaniels said he isn’t concerned about the absence of Darren Waller, but said he didn’t feel comfortable making a prediction about his status for the #Raiders regular-season opener against the Chargers.”
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Injury News
New York Giants
Sterling Shepard returns, while Collin Johnson goes down with a season ending ACL injury which is unfortunate for the young player as he was having a really good camp.
“The good news today:
Sterling Shepard is back
The bad news:
Collin Johnson went down with a leg injury that reports say is pretty serious (won’t speculate on injury)
Johnson was having a great camp. Just terrible to see.”
“Daboll said Sterling Shepard will be activated from the PUP list today.”
Los Angeles Chargers
“Josh Palmer has cleared concussion protocol and will be out doing individual drills today according to Staley.”
Kansas City Chiefs
JuJu Smith-Schuster – this is starting to sound a little less than nothing but the Chiefs are still saying that he should be good to go for week 1 so I guess we should take them at their word.
“There is something going on with JuJu’s knee but I assume that he’ll be healthy for week one.”
Washington Commanders
Logan Thomas – it’s nice to see Thomas back at camp and practicing after a brutal injury late last year that ended his season.
“Before TE Logan Thomas’s first rep in 7-on-7 — his first team drill — the defensive backfield applauded his return from his brutal left knee injury.
In the drill, Thomas ran a handful of routes but got no targets. Still, nice moment.”
Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle – this sounds like a maintenance thing but we’re monitoring…
“Jaylen Waddle has had the biggest jump within the scheme from OTAs to now, per Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel. But he has missed most of the last 2 weeks with what McDaniel said was being cautious after Waddle came in tight. Here he is walking off…”
“Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle was dressed for stretching but hasn’t been seen in individual drills. Team remains cautious with an undisclosed injury.”
“Waddle is out of pads and watching 1v1s. Won’t be practicing today.”