Training camps just got underway so you know what that means: lots of awkward shots of dudes in polo shirts and shorts. Well that and the official start of our nation's unhealthy obsession with football numbers, also known as fantasy football.
Andre Johnson signed a two-year deal with the Titans.
It's Johnson third AFC South team.
Fantasy spin: Not much. I half-joked that the husky Johnson could impact Delanie Walker as a second tight end, but realistically, Walker is still in line for 100-ish targets with Dorial Green-Beckham being the guy with the most sleeper appeal, at least for now. UMASS rookie Tajae Sharpe and free agent signee Rishard Matthews are deep sleepers while Johnson has limited upside. He should be left on the waivers.
Ryan Fitzpatrick is back with the Jets agreeing to a one-year, $12 million deal.
Fantasy spin: A HUUUUGE sigh of relief for those of you worried about Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Marshall felt so giddy about it, he went and challenged Antonio Brown. He put his Porsche on the line versus Brown's Bentley for whoever has more receiving yards. You can safely draft Marshall and Decker as you normally would.
Ravens rookie running back Kenneth Dixon suffered a "minor" injury to his MCL.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported it as a grade one sprain. Other reports say Dixon could miss about a week's worth of practice.
Fantasy spin: The injury itself isn't a big deal but the missed practices could be significant for a back that is currently battling Buck Allen for backup duties behind Justin Forsett in Baltimore. His exceptional pass-catching ability (evidence HERE) make him a tantalizing option for a Marc Trestman offense where running backs get plenty of targets. His fantasy draft stock remains unchanged, for now. He's about a Round 10 pick in standard 10-teamers, but it's a backfield the fantasy community should watch closely.
Arian Foster starts training camp on the PUP.
Fantasy spin: Foster waited and waited before signing with a team to prove that he was fully healthy, so starting camp on the PUP at least raises some eyebrows. That being said a lot of veterans will find themselves on this list during training camp. For the most part, it doesn't mean anything because they can be taken off the PUP at any time. Head coach Adam Gase has been nothing but positive regarding Foster and most expect some kind of timeshare to develop in Miami between Foster, Jay Ajayi and rookie Kenyan Drake.
Darren Sproles signed a one-year contract extension with the Eagles Friday.
Rapoport reports the added year is worth $4.5 million.
Fantasy spin: Sproles is a somewhat forgotten man in the Philly backfield. While Ryan Mathews is in line to be the starter for a running back-friendly system that Doug Pederson employs, there are already reports that Mathews is dealing with an ankle injury. Of course, we know Mathews doesn't have the best track record when it comes to health, either. He's played all 16 just once in his six-year career. Wendell Smallwood is the sleeper most folks are drafting right now but it's possible Sproles has more of a role in the offense than most are projecting and this extension is at least a small indication the team likes Sproles.
Crockett Gillmore injured his hamstring during practice Friday.
Gillmore will go in for an MRI to determine the how severe the injury is.
Fantasy spin: the injuries continue to pile up for Gillmore and really, the entire Ravens tight end group. Gillmore was placed on the injured reserve last December after suffering a back injury. The promising 24-year-old tight end had surgeries to repair labrums in both shoulders this past offseason and the team was hopeful he would be good to go for week one. This injury won't help that outlook. Between Gillmore, Maxx Williams, Dennis Pitta and newly signed Benjamin Watson, there are a ton of options on the depth chart. The 35-year-old Watson might be the most attractive of that group, which is to say, none are worth a draft pick in standard leagues.
Anquan Boldin signed a one-year deal to join the Lions.
Fantasy spin: the 35-year-old receiver has little to no stand-alone value but his presence could have an impact on Golden Tate more so than Marvin Jones. Boldin, even at this point in his career, is a big, strong physical possession-type pass catcher, or basically all the stuff that Tate does well. Jones projects to still be the team's primary deep threat with almost no chance of Boldin stealing shots there. It's conceivable that Boldin snakes away some red zone looks from both Tate and Jones but it's not likely, which of course means Boldin is destined for a James-Jones-Hoodie-style resurgence to start the season.
Thomas Rawls likely won't be practicing to start training camp per GM John Schneider.
Practice at this point in the offseason isn't a big deal. What is a big deal is the fact that head coach Pete Carroll wouldn't promise Rawls a starting gig once the Central Michigan product was back and healthy.
Fantasy spin: Rawls suffered a fractured ankle in week 14 last year so he's just 7 months removed from surgery which is not a ton of time obviously. Despite having a monster couple of months prior to the injury, the team then picked approximately 19 running backs this offseason (actually four: C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins, Zac Brooks, Tre Madden). It's a team known for competition and letting the best guys play regardless of reputation, contract or draft position. Rawls was amazing as a featured back but this RB race needs be monitored closely during the preseason.
Shameless cross-promotion:
If you want a crash course to get ready for your upcoming fantasy draft, check out our draft kit HERE.
Our resident wide receiver prognosticator Matt Harmon really, really, really, really, really, really believes in Tyler Lockett as a breakout candidate. Video to the right.
Harmon also says the Chargers have a TOP-FIVE wide receiver corps. A bit of an eye-opener considering Danny Woodhead led the team in receiving yards last year with 755 yards. Read why he believes Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin could pay monster profits in fantasy this year. Link here.
Want more training camp coverage? Matt Franciscovich covers 11 teams from a fantasy perspective. Some highlights: how does Josh Gordon fit into the Browns passing game? Will Jeremy Langford be the man for the Bears? Who will be the No. 2 receiver behind Antonio Brown for the Steelers? Link here.
If you haven't listened to our podcast, you probably should. I had a friend tell me, "It's not terrible." If that's not a ringing endorsement I don't know what is. We're are bi-weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays till the season starts and then we'll go three times a week. See you there! Listen in here.
Want more fantasy news and notes? Follow me on Twitter: @JamesDKoh
