Fantasy Football 2023: Training Camp Roundup (8/7)

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.

Alvin Kamara Suspended

The NFL announced on Friday afternoon that New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara will be suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season. 

Kamara was arrested in a battery incident in Las Vegas from February of 2022, which he subsequently pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace. Look for rookie running back KenDre Miller to potentially see a bigger role early in the season.

Ja’Marr Chase Advocates for Burrow’s Rest

Ja’Marr Chase has been vocal about his belief that quarterback Joe Burrow should rest as long as necessary to be fully recovered from his calf injury. Chase specifically mentioned Burrow should rest until “Week 5” if necessary.

There has been no thought of Burrow even missing Week 1, and Chase’s opinion is not a medical diagnosis. However, it does lend credence to Burrow’s injury being more serious than originally thought. 

Demario Douglas Shining

New England drafted speedy Liberty wideout Demario Douglas in Round 6 of this year’s draft and was a surprising inclusion with the first-team offense on Sunday. Early in practice, the quarterbacks and pass catchers were split into two groups, one with Mac Jones and the other with Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley. Working with Jones: JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki.

Douglas has appeared to pass last year’s second-round pick, Tyquan Thornton. The structure of the Patriots offense does not allow for multiple deep threats, placing an emphasis on precision route-running and short-to-intermediate targets. Thornton did post two top-20 fantasy wideout performances last season, including a 3/60/1 in the UnderdogFantasy BBMIV finals in Week 17.

Dawson Knox Reminder

The fantasy community has been very bullish on rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid, despite the historic lack of production from first-year players at the position. However, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reminded us last week to not overlook Dawson Knox. 

Starting tight end Dawson Knox had possibly his best day of training camp so far, with the highlight being a touchdown catch on the first 11-on-11 play of the practice. He also had some other involvement in the offensive attack the rest of the way, which further underscores that if Kincaid gets a good amount of snaps this season, it will not happen because he’s replacing Knox in the lineup, barring an injury. Knox is still a big part of their offensive plan in 2023, and having the two on the field together could be one of their most heavily used personnel packages in 2023.

Knox is currently an afterthought in Best Ball drafts, carrying a 177.7 ADP as TE21. 

Zamir White Raiders RB1?

With Josh Jacobs’ absence from camp continuing, it’s fair to speculate who would be the Raiders starting RB if Jacobs fails to report to training camp. The answer appears to be last year’s fourth-round pick from Georgia, Zamir White. 

White is still a work in progress as a receiver, but he’s improved as a pass blocker and looks to be far more decisive as a ball carrier. The timing of his growth is prescient considering Jacobs’ ongoing absence as he refuses to sign the franchise tag. Since OTAs, White has been operating as the lead back in the offense. The Raiders want Jacobs back as soon as possible, but they believe White is capable of filling that role if need be.

White’s ADP is starting to climb on Underdog Fantasy, where he resided as a last-round selection for most of the summer. His ADP is now 182.8 at RB58, still a tremendous value for a RB who could be the Week 1 starter. 

Kareem Hunt to New Orleans? 

There is a report from this morning that former NFL rushing champion, Kareem Hunt, is meeting with the Saints this morning. 

New Orleans is in need of a running back after the recent news of Alvin Kamara’s suspension and Eno Benjamin’s torn Achilles. 

Anthony Richardson Impressing

Anthony Richardson continues to impress in Colts training camp. The dynamic rookie quarterback posted back-to-back strong performances this weekend, including tossing three touchdown passes with the first-team offense on Sunday. 

Richardson continues to separate from veteran Gardner Minshew in the battle for the Colts QB1. 

Dalvin Cook/Ezekiel Elliott Carousel

Your weekly Dalvin Cook/Ezekiel Elliott update is as follows. 

Both players are likely to sign with a team soon but have yet to commit as of this morning. Look for either player (especially Cook) to make an immediate fantasy impact as soon as they join a team.