Dose: Training Camp Notes
It is finally that time of the year. Yes, training camp has come slowly – but that can only mean one thing: it’s officially the beginning of the fantasy football season. Embrace it.
Let’s get right down to the news you care most about.
Editor's Note: For updated rankings, projections, exclusive columns, mock drafts and tons more, check out our Draft Guide!
The Headlines
Two shocking (not actually shocking) bits of news came out about two much-maligned running backs on Thursday. First, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reported he’s hearing “whispers” of the Raiders’ flyer on Trent Richardson “not going so well.” T-Rich apparently lost weight – he was reportedly up to 240 pounds last year – but there is a low chance he ever regains any competent form. He’s due only $600,000 guaranteed on his two-year deal, making him an easy cut if the Raiders want to search for a better 3rd running back behind Latavius Murray and Roy Helu.
Tell me if you have heard this story before: Darren McFadden has a hamstring injury. No really. The soon-to-be 28-year-old McFadden has dealt with oft-injured hamstrings his entire career and his most recent mishap has landed him on the active/PUP (physically unable to perform) list to start Cowboys camp. Joking aside, Darren McFadden carried the ball 155 times last year in Oakland and only popped one carry for 20-plus yards. With his signing bonus ($200,000) being the only guaranteed money in his deal, McFadden – like the aforementioned T-Rich - makes for an easy cut in Dallas’ convoluted backfield if he can’t stay healthy for a decent stretch. Please avoid him at his ADP of 108 overall.
Ravens’ rookie wideout with a 99th percentile height-adjusted speed score, Breshad Perriman, opened up camp with the starters on Thursday. Baltimore lost 92 targets from Torrey Smith and another 79 from Owen Daniels leaving a 31.6% target share up for grabs. Of course Perriman won’t see all of those targets right off of the bat, but with Steve Smith entering his age-36 season, Perriman will be thrown into the league’s water in a “sink or swim” mode as the Ravens’ “X” receiver in a similar fashion to Kelvin Benjamin in 2014.
In a good bit of injury news relating to Victor Cruz’s torn patellar tendon, he will avoid the PUP list and will be “eased in” to begin training camp. All signs point to Cruz’s availability Week 1 as of right now, but as an insurance policy, the Giants signed veteran 31-year-old wideout James Jones to a one-year deal. If he’s healthy, Cruz should slide back into the Giants’ slot-role with Odell Beckham and Rueben Randle on the perimeter. James Jones and Corey Washington will fight for the Giants’ No. 4 and 5 wide receiver duties.
Keeping the positive injury news train rolling, Bengals TE Tyler Eifert called himself 100% healthy on the first day of Bengals camp after suffering a season-ending elbow injury just eight snaps into Week 1 last year. Eifert still has breakout appeal in his third NFL season and is going in the late-10th round of fantasy drafts.
Finally, ProFootballTalk is reporting Russell Wilson and the Seahawks "could finalize an extension within the next 48 hours". A new deal will be struck at some point, but Wilson wants to be the highest-paid player in the league until Andrew Luck gets his brand new deal. Wilson has a career 72:26 TD-to-INT ratio and has completed 63.4% of his career passes while throwing to barely above replacement level receivers. He’s earned a big extension.
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Deeper News and Notes
Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert (knee) is “ahead of schedule” but is unsure if he’ll be ready to play Week 1 – Albert did avoid the reserve/PUP list, which is a good sign. DeVante Parker’s agent said he would be “shocked” if his client isn’t ready for Week 1 after having a “precautionary cleanup” on the screw in his surgically repaired left foot (fifth metatarsal) that he broke back in August of 2014 at Louisville. Parker’s average draft position is currently at 112 overall (WR48).
After being slapped with a four-game ban for substance abuse, Jets LE Sheldon Richardson is back in the news after a report surfaced he was arrested in Missouri earlier in July for “resisting arrest” and “various traffic citations”. The incident included Richardson driving as fast as 143 miles per hour and he was accused of eluding an officer that tried to pull him over.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported the Falcons believe Devonta Freeman is the “right” fit in OC Kyle Shanahan’s scheme even though the Falcons just invested third round draft capital into the Indiana product, Tevin Coleman. Early into camp, it looks like this running back situation is headed towards some sort of committee. Coleman’s average draft position is in the early-5th while Freeman’s is in the mid-7th.
Quick Hitters
Rams No. 10 overall pick RB Todd Gurley (ACL) avoided the PUP list but is expected to be limited in individual drills to start training camp… The Bengals signed Greg Little to a one-year contract and he is far from a lock to make Cincy’s final 53-man roster … Nick Wagoner of ESPN reported, “nothing appears imminent” in regards to Nick Foles receiving a new contract from the Rams before ever playing a snap in St. Louis … Giants owner said the team has “no idea” when Jason Pierre-Paul (thumb, finger) will report to camp after his July Fourth fireworks incident … Browns RB Terrance West “received first team carries” as Cleveland’s camp opened Thursday, as this seems like a continuing theme in an extremely muddy backfield … Finally, Eagles QB Sam Bradford was “moving great” according to rookie WR Nelson Agholor and Bradford is expected to be a “full go” when Eagles camp opens Sunday per NJ.com.
