2017 NFL Training Camp News & Fantasy Notes

This year, I decided to create my very first Fantasy Football draft guide. In order to have it ready by mid-August, I started it early in June, which is a month before most franchises begin training camp. I am aiming to have it up to date by the time it’s released, but after that, things will constantly change. While I’m still working on it, I chose to give loyal readers an insight to training camps around the NFL.

Now, I’m not claiming to be an insider. Never have been, and I likely never will be. I will be rolling the headlines from multiple sites and giving my analysis on the reports coming out. I’ll cite the sources, so the only stop you have to make is to The Athlete’s Hub. While we wait on these reports to come out, let’s take a look at the training camp schedules for each team:

Arizona Cardinals– All players will report July 21st, with the first practice on the 22nd. The largest headline here is which receivers will impress. The guys behind Larry Fitzgerald will have the most to show potential to fantasy owners, so the development of the younger players will be something to watch out for. 

Atlanta Falcons– All players will report July 26th, and the first practice will be the following day. As a Wyomingite, I’m curious to see how Brian Hill does. Also, I’m looking forward to hear how players do under new Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian.

Baltimore Ravens– Rookies will report July 19th, and veterans will report the following week on the 26th. The first full practice is scheduled for the 27th. I’ll be looking to see which running back gets the most first team reps early on. Also, I’ll be looking to see which receiver not named Mike Wallace stands out.

Buffalo Bills– All players will report July 26th, and start practice on the 27th. I’m interested to see who wins the job opposite of Sammy Watkins. The Bills grabbed Zay Jones in the NFL Draft, but also acquired Andre Holmes and Corey Brown in free agency. That position battle will have the most fantasy implications.

Carolina Panthers– All players will report July 25th, and hold practice the next day. I’m looking for two things out of camp here: One, what kind of shape will Kelvin Benjamin be in? Also, how many first-team reps will both Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Stewart receive?

Chicago Bears– All players are to report July 26th, but practices don’t begin until July 28th. I’ll be looking at first-team reps for each position, minus the offensive line. The only name I think we know for sure who will be on that list is Jordan Howard, and I assume Cameron Meredith as well. Other than that, your guess is as good as mine.

Cincinnati Bengals– Rookies will report July 25th, and the rest of the squad reports on July 27th. Full team practices begin July 28th. I’m looking at the running backs here with a sharp eye. Any indication on how reps are divided between the top three backs here will hopefully help in determining their value.

Cleveland Browns– Rookies are to report on July 23rd, and the veterans will debut on July 26th. Full practice begins on the 27th, which will be the kickoff to the quarterback battle between Cody Kessler and Brock Osweiler. It’ll be interesting to hear about the first round picks, and I’ll keep an eye on David Njoku as well. I doubt any word we hear on Njoku will boost his value, but I’d rather it be good than bad.

Dallas Cowboys– The Cowboys will kick things off early, requiring rookies to report July 17th. The rest of the team will show up July 22nd, and will start full team practice on the 24th. I think it’ll be important to see what kind of shape Zeke and Dak show up in. Most questions will arise from the defensive standpoint, which will give us good insight for owners in IDP leagues.

Denver Broncos– Rookies will report July 23rd, veterans on the 26th, with practices starting July 27th. It sounds as if the starting quarterback spot is up for grabs between Trevor Semien and Paxton Lynch, but I’m avoiding either one in fantasy drafts this year. I’ll be most interested to hear about the running backs. From what we see and hear in the backfield, it will probably be what effects my rankings the most this offseason.

Detroit Lions– Rookies are required to report on July 24th, while veterans are required to report on the 29th, with practice beginning the next day. I’m curious to see how the running backs look. Questions of who is getting what amount of playing time is a huge unknown here, and hopefully training camp uncovers the questions in that area.

Green Bay Packers– All players are supposed to report July 26th, and start practice the next day. I’m curious about the running backs here as well, but it’s mostly the rookies that I’ll be looking to hear about. I’m also curious to hear how Martellus Bennett and Aaron Rodgers are connecting when it comes to the passing game.

Houston Texans– Rookies and veterans are to report on July 25th, with practices starting the next day. I’m interested to see how the quarterbacks perform, although I doubt it’ll cause any significant changes (fantasy-wise). I’ll be most intrigued to see how D’Onta Foreman pans out. 

Indianapolis Colts– The Colts will require rookies to report on July 24th, and veterans on the 29th. I’ll monitor the camp, but I doubt we are going to hear anything that will surprise us. We’ll most likely report on the defensive rookies here.

Jacksonville Jaguars– Jaguars rookies will report to camp on July 19th, and the veterans on the 26th. The big piece here is Leonard Fournette, but I doubt anything said about him will change his value, unless it’s negative insight. Outside of Fournette, there’s really nobody new coming in with any fantasy relevance.

Kansas City Chiefs– Chiefs rookies will report on July 24th, and the rest of the team will report on the 27th. Practices for the Chiefs will begin on July 28th. I think everyone is wishing to know how Patrick Mahomes looks, although he won’t have any bump to his value (unless Alex Smith’s value goes way down). I also want to see which receivers stand out since J-Mac left town.

Los Angeles Chargers– All players will report the 29th of July, and practices will start the next day. Nothing big has changed fantasy-wise. We’re just hoping to hear that the new players have embraced the franchises move, and that they look like they’re in efficient shape. Other than that, I don’t think there’s really anything in particular to look for.

Los Angeles Rams– Rookies are to report July 26th, and the vets on the 28th. Practice begins on the 29th, and I’m curious to see how Jared Goff looks this year. I doubt what he shows in training camp will push him far up the rankings, but bad news can hurt. I’ll also keep an eye on Tyler Higbee.

Miami Dolphins– Rookies will report on July 20th, with veterans reporting on the 26th, as practice is set to begin the following day. There isn’t much to really look out for as far as position battles, but I will look to see how Julius Thomas is adjusting to his new quarterback, Ryan Tannehill. I also want to see signs if Damien Williams is worth the handcuff to Jay Ajayi.

Minnesota Vikings– Rookies are required to report on July 23rd, with veterans starting on the 26th. Practices begin on the 24th for rookies and quarterbacks, as the 27th is for the full team. Obviously we’re going to be reporting on how Dalvin Cook is progressing, as the running back is the burning question here as far as fantasy goes. Hopefully, we’ll eventually get word on how Teddy Bridgewater is healing as well.

New England Patriots– Rookies will report on July 24th, veterans on the 26th, and practices will begin on the 27th. The guy I’m watching for here is none other than Brandin Cooks, as it’ll be important for him to gain a rapport with Tom Brady. We’ll also take a look to see if the backfield gains any clarity to it.

New Orleans Saints– Rookies are to report on July 19th, with veterans on the 26th, and practices likely beginning on the 27th. Any word we can find on how the backfield is going to operate with the addition of Adrian Peterson will be arise. It’ll also be interesting to see who can step up (outside of Michael Thomas) in the void left by Brandin Cooks this season.

New York Giants– All players are required to report on July 27th, and full practices begin on July 28th. Paul Perkins is going to be a point of interest throughout camp. Also, rookie tight end Evan Engram is one individual we’ll keep a close eye on as well.

New York Jets– All players will show up on July 28th, and practices begin the next day. The most important fantasy piece here is within the backfield, as Bilal Powell seems to be the favorite to win. Dynasty owners should be looking into the receiver position as well, as Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall have departed from the roster.

Oakland Raiders– Rookies are to report July 24th, and veterans will show up the 28th. The biggest question here is; How does Beast Mode look? We want an unbiased opinion here, as getting that information will be a key. As a fan, I’ll be curious to hear about their defensive rookies as well. 

Pittsburgh Steelers– All players will report on July 27th, and begin practice will commence on the 28th. What I’m looking for here is to see what kind of shape Martavis Bryant is in. While he’s obviously not the best fantasy option here, if he stays in check, he could prove to be a decent FLEX option. I’m also hoping to hear positive news about James Conner, who will likely be the handcuff to own in the Pittsburgh backfield.

Philadelphia Eagles– Rookies will show up July 24th, veterans on the 26th, and they’ll begin practice on the 27th. We wish to hear good things updates on Carson Wentz and company, and how they are communicating. Also, we hopefully will get word on how LeGarrette Blount is fitting into the offense, along with their other running back options.

San Francisco 49ers– Rookies are required to report July 26th, the day after that are veterans, and practice ultimately begins on the 28th. There really isn’t a lot of fantasy-relevant players to report on, other than Carlos Hyde, and possibly Pierre Garcon. Of course, we will report how the players look under new Head Coach Kyle Shanahan.

Seattle Seahawks– All players will be required to show up July 29th, and practice will start the next day. We’ll mostly report on the backfield, as that is the biggest question related to fantasy football in Seattle. Any surprises that show up will obviously be reported on as well.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Tampa will have the rookies report on July 25th, and the veterans on the 27th, with practice beginning the following day. We obviously are looking to see how the work is going to be divided between the backs, consideringDoug Martin still has three games on his suspension left. I’m also curious to see how rookie tight end O.J. Howard looks.

Tennessee Titans– All players will report on July 28th, and practices will begin the next day. What I’m looking to see is how Corey Davis fits into this offense. We have a solid idea as to what to expect from the rest of the veterans, but one vet we’re not 100% sure on is Eric Decker, as we’ll hope to uncover how he’s doing within the new scheme.

Washington Redskins– All players are required to report July 26th, and start practice the following day. We hope to gain clarity of which running back will gain the most playing time. I’m 95% sure Robert Kelley will get the majority of the work, however, it’s unclear to how large or small that majority is.  

Photo Credit: NFL Media Images

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