Bettings
article-picture
article-picture
NFL
Fantasy

Fantasy Football 2023: Training Camp Roundup (8/21)

Share
Contents
Close

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. 

Let’s take a look around preseason Week 2 and review the key takeaways.

Philadelphia 18, Cleveland 18

There is starting to be some fire to the smoke that could get cut in favor of

It appears either or  will be the starting RB, and the versatile is a lock to make the roster as well. That leaves the likelihood of one spot between Penny and Sermon, which would be shocking to fantasy drafters to have selected Penny as the top Eagles running back all summer. Sermon rushed 5 times for 54 yards and a touchdown. He did, however, lose a fumble. 

(7/139/1) continues to impress throughout the preseason. Watkins is a former UAB Blazer and former USFL star who saw a huge increase in usage across the board from the Hall of Fame Game to preseason Week 1. His Week 2 output was one of the best WR performances of the week. 

Cleveland running back ’s lackluster performance (8 rushes, 20 yards, 1 lost fumble), likely gives the RB3 role to (7 rushes, 36 yards, 3 receptions). 

New York Giants 21, Carolina 19

Giants fans were certainly pleased with their 10-play opening drive that led to a touchdown to tight end . Jones was superb, connecting on 8-of-9 passes for 69 yards while finding tight end three times on the possession. Third-round draft pick also impressed with this 33-yard touchdown catch from

For Carolina, No. 1 overall pick struggled again (3-of-6, 35 yards), while is clearly the RB2 behind

Atlanta 13, Cincinnati 13

Atlanta quarterback looked equally impressive on the Falcons opening drive, before a tipped pass (and possible pass interference) caused this interception. 

There were several highlights on Atlanta’s opening drive, including multiple runs, and second-year wideout looked strong . Tight end caught one pass (with one hand) for nine yards, as he continues to rehab an MCL injury. 

For the Bengals, most of the starters did not play. However, the RB2 battle continues to intrigue, as fifth-round rookie is making a strong push at

Jacksonville 25, Detroit 7

Rookie RB continues to provide pressure to Jacksonville incumbent RB . The former Auburn Tiger posted 70 yards on 13 rushing attempts, including this incredible display of vision. 

Detroit started newly-acquired at quarterback, but the 30-year-old veteran failed to impress on just 5-of-11 passes for 34 yards and a lost fumble. 
Miami 28, Houston 3

The fantasy community is split on the potential of Houston RB , but his usage cannot be argued. He was on the field for all 14 plays during the Texans’ first two drives. Rookie quarterback looked more comfortable, connecting on 7-of-12 passes for 60 yards. 

The Dolphins day started off with this interception on the very first play of the game. 

Miami rookie RB showcased his explosiveness but left the game in the third quarter . In his place, 24-year-old rushed for 99 yards, while catching all four of his targets for 32 yards and a touchdown. Starting RB capped the Dolphins second drive with a two-yard touchdown. It appears (15-of-22, 157 yards, 3 TDs) has taken a firm grasp on the Miami QB2 job from .

Pittsburgh 27, Buffalo 15

The Steelers dominated this game from the start, building momentum off this 62-yard run on their opening drive. 

Quarterback also looked strong, connecting on 3-of-4 passes and ending his day with this 25-yard touchdown pass to tight end

There were two things to note from the Buffalo side. First, rookie tight end continues to make plays. He caught three passes for 45 yards and appears to be an integral part of the first-team offense. Secondly, both and have secured a spot ahead of the now Buffalo WR5,

Indianapolis 24, Chicago 17

Nothing on the Colts side, as was named the starter early last week and did not play. 

For Chicago, running back did not play, solidifying his role as the starter. While  is the current RB2, rookie continues to impress as a rusher and blocker. 

Tampa Bay 13, New York Jets 6

The Buccaneers gave quarterback (20-of-28, 218 yards, TD) significant time at quarterback. With veteran WR suffering a season-ending knee injury this week, there are targets available in this passing attack. Sixth-round rookie made his case with this fantastic 33-yard touchdown catch. 

For the Jets, quarterback will make his debut next week, so backup quarterbacks and split time. Interesting note: did not play, but and did. The expectation was that Lazard would start with , but the veteran Davis (UnderdogFantasy ADP 214.2) could be a fantastic late-round pick. 

New England 21, Green Bay 17

This game was stopped in the fourth quarter after Patriots cornerback was placed on a stretcher after being hit by a teammate on an attempted tackle. Bolden was released from the hospital on Sunday morning in good spirits. 

The top three WRs for New England are , and . While the concerns regarding still exist, it’s worth noting played every snap on the first two drives. 

Rookie tight end continues to see massive usage with the Packers starters and saw three targets. Quarterback connected with rookie for this 19-yard touchdown, securing Reed’s role in 3WR sets. 

Tennessee 24, Minnesota 16

Both teams rested the majority of their starters, so the only major performance of note came from Tennessee running back (7/57/1). 

If missed time because of injury, Spears has flashed that versatile three-down ability he showed at Tulane. 

Kansas City 38, Arizona 10

started cooking again, going 10-of-15 for 105 yards and an 18-yard touchdown pass to . Fantasy drafters continue to undervalue , who saw more snaps than . While (8/96) played well, he is likely out of 3WR sets when returns. Tulsa UDFA scored but is still seeing significantly fewer high-profile snaps than .

The most important observation came from Arizona, where rookie WR continues to see big opportunities with the starters. Wilson did not see a target in this game, but he remains a hidden late-round fantasy gem in Best Ball drafts (ADP 202.6). 

San Francisco 21, Denver 20

Denver RB started the game in the Denver backfield, reinforcing the idea that he is close to 100%. Williams wore a brace but flashed versatility in the receiving game as well. 

With the season-ending injury to , the Broncos 2WR sets are dominated by and . Rookie will need to battle for the 3WR spot. remains strongly ahead of for the TE1 position, despite Dulcich being drafted 50 spots higher on UnderdogFantasy. 

made his 49ers debut after elbow surgery, finishing 4-of-5 with 65 passing yards. is the clear QB2 for San Francisco, with continuing to struggle. 

Las Vegas 34, Los Angeles Rams 17

went 4-for-4 on his one drive before giving way to . It’s unclear who’s the Raiders TE1, with and both splitting time. RB was again impressive, with 10 rushes totaling 40 yards. is the clear WR3 behind and

As usual, Sean McVay rested all his starters in this preseason matchup. Rookie QB could not build off last week’s impressive outing, connecting on only 15-of-24 passes, for 142 yards and one interception. 

Seattle 22, Dallas 14

For the Cowboys, and continue to battle for the RB2 job behind . Yet, it was rookie who again stole the show with this ankle-breaking touchdown run. 

Two highlights from Seattle, both from rookies. Running back reminded the Seahawks if is injured, while WR almost scored on this 48-yard grab from

New Orleans 22, Los Angeles Chargers 17

The Chargers may have a problem if gets injured. Backup quarterback looked atrocious, connecting on only 21-of-41 passes with 2 interceptions and one lost fumble. Rookie wideout did catch all three of his targets for 41 yards, but neither nor brought clarity to the RB2 job behind

For New Orleans it was the show, as the rookie unexpectedly started with a knee brace and showed off his receiving skills. 

Miller caught 3 passes for 36 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.

Previous Adjusting Fantasy Football Strategy for Different League Settings Next Best Fantasy Football Team Names for 2023
  • Click Below To Access StatsHub For FREE

    Free 1/7 – 1/14