Earlier this week, all 32 NFL teams officially started training camp. Some teams got a leg up with practice starting the week prior, but as of now, everyone is back in action. With that, the outpouring of news can be overwhelming. Especially as we all start to get into the draft mindset as fantasy football managers, it’s crucial to keep up with training camp updates that actually matter.
Each week, I’ll be doing just that. From injury news to preseason game performances and everything in between, this weekend article series will cover it all for you. That way, if you get busy and start stressing about missing important news, I’ve got you covered. So, let’s take a look at the most notable news from the first full week of 2023 NFL training camp.
Training Camp Updates You Need to Know From the First Week
Contract Updates
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert is signing a five-year, $262.5 million contract with $215 million in guaranteed money. His 14,089 passing yards are the most ever through a player’s first three seasons. Consider, too, he dealt with rib and shoulder injuries last season. Herbert has overall QB1 upside but is going rounds after Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
Rodgers is restructuring his deal with the Jets to create a ton of money to build around him. Rodgers’ new two-year, $75 million contract is $35 million LESS than the $110 million deal he was set to play under when traded to New York from the Green Bay Packers. This just goes to show Rodgers is happy to be with the Jets. It also shows he’s willing to take a pay cut in order to build a Super Bowl caliber roster. That said, I expect running back, Dalvin Cook, to sign with the Jets before next week.
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
In a stunning turn of events, Saquon Barkley is under contract and practicing at Giants training camp. Saquon gets $2 million upfront on his $10.1 million deal. He can make upwards of $11 million if he reaches milestones of 65 receptions, 1,350 rushing yards, and 11 touchdowns. Barkley fell eight receptions, 28 rushing yards, and one touchdown shy of these marks last season. He did, however, account for 27.7% of the Giants’ 2022 scrimmage yards. The offense should take a step forward with an improved offensive line as well as adding Darren Waller to the receiving game. If you want to rank Barkley as the RB1 in 2023, I won’t fight you on it.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Last season’s NFL rushing leader is absent from training camp. Jacobs, like Barkley before him, is not happy to have to potentially play under the franchise tag. I do expect Jacobs to sign a one-year deal similar to Barkley’s and be a full-go for this season. Realistically, Jacobs doesn’t need full training camp reps anyway. It’s a situation worth monitoring, but I’m optimistic he plays Week 1. If not, and either way, Zamir White is a name to keep in mind if Jacobs were to hold out further.
Tytus Howard, OL, Houston Texans
Why does an offensive lineman’s contract matter for fantasy football? Well, when the Texans sign all of Howard, Shaq Mason, and Laremy Tunsil to three-year extensions, it’s worth discussing. Beefing up the line before training camp, with a rookie starting quarterback in C.J. Stroud, is extremely wise. While I don’t expect Stroud to light up the league in his first season, offensive line continuity will be key for his long-term development. Running back, Dameon Pierce will be the biggest beneficiary of these off-season signings. If you target wide receivers early in drafts, Pierce is an excellent volume-based running back to select as he’s set to run by one of the best offensive lines in football.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
One of the more surprising contract extensions signed at the start of training camp is Cole Kmet’s four-year deal worth $50 million. Kmet also gets $32 million in guaranteed money. While “following the money” is a good bet for fantasy football players, Kmet’s deal doesn’t move the needle much for me on him this season. The Bears must pass more in 2023. They threw the ball at a historically low rate of 22.2 times per game. Even so, Fields has D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, and capable running backs to target. So, while Kmet is one of the higher-paid tight ends, I don’t think he’s a lock to finish as a TE1 in fantasy football by any means.
Notable Players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor starts training camp on the PUP list, but it’s thought to be contract related. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Last season is one to forget after nagging injuries held Taylor back, but let’s not forget he was the 2021 rushing yards and touchdown leader. This situation could get ugly. Colts owner, Jim Irsay, made his feelings known on the recent running back contract controversy in a very blunt Tweet. I’m buying the dip on Taylor this fantasy football season, but the pick gets riskier the longer he stays away from camp with a new head coach and a rookie quarterback.
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
In one of the least surprising training camp updates, Breece Hall is currently on the PUP List after a season-ending ACL injury last year. With 800 total touches in college, plus his 99 touches at the pro level, it’s hard to imagine Hall gets fed a significant workload even if he’s ready for Week 1. The Jets are in win-now mode. Prior to their Week 7 Bye, they face four 2022 playoff teams including the Bills, Cowboys, and Chiefs over the first three weeks. As I said before, Dalvin Cook is probably going to sign with New York sooner than later. That would be an additional, significant blow to Hall’s 2023 value.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens
After tearing his ACL during the 2021 training camp, it’s confusing as to why Dobbins starts the 2023 training camp on the PUP list. When asked why, head coach John Harbaugh simply said “That’s a J.K. question.” Many are speculating that Dobbins is looking for a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. He doesn’t have much leverage in the situation. His 5.9 yards per carry average is impressive, but on just 209 total carries in two seasons. He’s played in just 22 of a possible 50 regular season games. Lamar Jackson is going to continue to get his in the run game. I also expect the Ravens to pass much more in 2023. All things considered, fading Dobbins has never been easier for me.
New York Giants Wide Receivers
This is not the training camp update Giants fans want to hear. Sterling Shepard, Jamison Crowder, and Wan’Dale Robinson are all currently on the PUP List. This New York roster is full of slot-type receivers, including these three. It’s going to be hard to compete for a roster spot without actually taking the field. We’ll keep an eye on this situation, but early reports out of Giants training camp are loaded with praise for tight end Darren Waller. He is the pass catcher you want from this offense.
Training Camp Related Injuries
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Early Thursday morning, Joe Burrow was carted off the training camp field with an apparent calf injury. Head coach Zac Taylor has since informed us that it is indeed a calf strain. That sound you hear is the entire Bengals fan base exhaling. While this is a slight blow to Burrow, there’s a strong chance he’s ready for Week 1. Losing your starting quarterback for any period of time is never a good thing, but there is strong continuity between he and his top pass catchers, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. If your league sees this training camp update as a reason to downgrade any of these players, jump on any sort of discount.
Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
After reports of Toney “tweaking” his knee in training camp practice, we now know he’s had surgery to clean up tissue in the same knee. He’s going to be out for an extended period of time. Toney was the general consensus choice to lead the Chiefs wide receivers in targets. That opportunity now rests with Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Richie James, and rookie Rashee Rice. All of these players are late-round dart throw picks in fantasy drafts. This Toney injury further boosts Travis Kelce’s already sky-high value.
Nyheim Hines, RB, Buffalo Bills
One of the more bizarre, albeit upsetting, training camp updates is the injury to Hines. While on a jet ski, another jet ski motorist, crashed into Hines causing him to suffer a season-ending ACL injury. He won’t play in 2023. The Bills backfield will be a split between James Cook, Damien Harris, and, at times, Josh Allen calling his own number. Cook’s upside consists of his pass-catching ability with the potential for a three-down role. I see Harris as more of a red zone threat who could lead the duo in touchdowns.
Miscellaneous Training Camp Notes
- San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Brock Purdy, is a full go at training camp. He is the expected Week 1 starter assuming his continued recovery goes as planned. Reports out of Niners camp is that Sam Darnold has the upper hand in the QB2 battle over Trey Lance.
- Javonte Williams avoids the PUP List to start Denver Broncos training camp. This comes after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee early last season. Williams, paired with Samaje Perine, should work well in Sean Payton’s offense that’s had success with a two-back system before.
- Buffalo Bills first-round pick, rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid, is reportedly taking a healthy number of first-team reps in training camp.
- Lastly, Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is handling plenty of first-team reps himself. Check out this 60-yard deep pass he makes look so effortless.
For more great rankings and analysis, make sure to check out our 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
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