Fantasy Football 2023: Training Camp Roundup (8/11)

Training camps provide our first look into NFL players and teams as we prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Information will now begin to flood our social media timelines, leaving us to determine the subsequent fantasy impact. It’s a matter of knowing which information matters, and which should be ignored.

So each day in this space, we’ll take a trip through the top news and takeaways around the league’s training camps to offer up what fantasy managers need to know as we head through draft season and into the 2023 NFL regular season.

Today, let’s review the major news from Thursday. 

Javonte Williams’ Miraculous Recovery 

Last week, head coach Sean Payton confirmed that Javonte Williams will be active and play in the first preseason game when the Broncos take on the Cardinals Friday. When asked about Williams’ recovery, Payton said he’s 100% healthy but will continue getting treatment. He’s been impressed with the entire running back room including Samaje Perine. 

Eagles Running Back Rotation 

The Eagles released their initial depth chart without designating a true starter at running back. 

Shamus Clancy of the Voice of The Philly Voice stated that Kenny Gainwell is playing like a feature back, playing ahead of Rashad Penny on early downs and getting touches as a runner. D’Andre Swift has primarily operated as the pass-catching back, utilized mostly on third downs and the two-minute offense. 

Demario Douglas Drumbeat 

Patriots’ sixth-round wide receiver Demario Douglas continues to turn heads during training camp, continuing to receive reps with the first-team offense. Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal stated “I’m not putting Demario Douglas in Canton, but the rookie WR has been doing everything the Patriots ask: he’s making plays, limiting mental mistakes and stacking the days. Through 13 days in camp, the sixth-rounder hasn’t had a bad one yet. That’s hard to do, but here we are.” It appears Douglas is already ahead of 2021 second-pick Tyquan Thornton, who has seemingly fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. He started in the preseason game but only played two snaps. 

Tank Dell Steals the Show 

With veteran wide receivers Robert Woods and Noah Brown getting the night off, third-round rookie Tank Dell joined Nico Collins as the starter Thursday, playing ahead of John Metchie in two-wide sets. Dell was ungradable in his preseason debut getting open at will. He led the Texans’ pass catchers across the board, catching five passes on eight targets for 65 yards and a touchdown. It’s hard to put a gauge Dell’s role in Week 1, but it would be difficult to keep him off the field. 

Dell posted 1,300-plus receiving yards in his last two seasons at Houston, accounting for over 40% of the team’s target share in 2021 and 2022.