ESPN’s Jon Keim writes that Commanders WR Jahan Dotson “has been sharp since the spring.” Keim points out the rookie’s “veteran route-running savvy” and “excellent hands.” In addition, Washington reportedly believed that Dotson was one of the most “pro-ready players” in the draft. While a surprise pick at 16th overall, the team clearly has high hopes for the 22-year-old. Which version of Carson Wentz we get might ultimately decide Dotson's 2022 fantasy value.
The Steelers are happy with the progress QB Kenny Pickett has made over the past month. The rookie struggled early in camp but has been excellent in 2 preseason games, completing 86.4% of his passes with 3 TDs and 0 INT. “The thing that stood out with Kenny from the games is that it hasn’t been too big for him,” QBs coach Mike Sullivan said. “He has gone in and performed very well and not been overwhelmed by the circumstances and the situations and the pressure. Secondly, he has shown a knack, particularly in this second game, to have poise and anticipation. He made some throws with defenders right up in his face." Pickett might not be named Pittsburgh's Week 1 starter, but we're expecting him to take over before long. He's worth a look as a QB3 in Superflex leagues and 1-QB best-ball leagues.
This isn't a bad thing to hear from HC Nick Sirianni, about Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, according to NBC Sports Philly's Reuben Frank: "Jalen's practice yesterday was the best practice he's had as an Eagle, or at least since I've been here. What he was going with the football and being able to go through reads and progressions that fast and getting the ball where it needed to go was unbelievable." It's possible the Philadelphia passing offense throws significantly more often than we're projecting. We're already excited about the fantasy upside for Hurts and TE Dallas Goedert. The volume boost, though, would be key for A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to pay off at their ADPs.
NFL insider Albert Breer tweeted Wednesday that Buccaneers WR Julio Jones “is playing fast, looks smooth [and] has clicked with Tom Brady.” Breer recently visited Bucs camp and observed the coaching staff limiting Jones’ practice reps. (No surprise there.) Despite injury risk, the veteran is an intriguing bench stash alongside Brady.
Broncos TE Albert Okwuegbunam played into the 4th quarter of Saturday's preseason game against the Bills. HC Nathaniel Hackett said afterwards that Okwuegbunam "needs the reps." Added Hackett, "Our tight ends are playing really well, the five guys we have playing, so we want to get a good look at all of them. There are guys who played a little more football than others ... I’m excited to see the film and see where (the tight ends) are at.” Okwuegbunam remains the favorite to open the season as Denver's lead pass-catching TE, especially with rookie Greg Dulcich still dealing with hamstring trouble. But it's clear that the Broncos' new coaching staff isn't yet completely sold on him.
Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett worked 2nd behind Mitchell Trubisky in Saturday's preseason game against the Jaguars, and he fared quite well. The 1st-round pick completed 6 of 7 passes for 76 yards and a go-ahead TD with time running out at the end of the 1st half. He logged a near-perfect 151.5 passer routing and worked with Pittsburgh's starting pass-catchers. HC Mike Tomlin seemed impressed afterward with Pickett driving the team for the late-1st-half TD. "It's probably who he is," Tomlin said, referring to Pickett's ability to perform under pressure. "I know he did it next door [in college]. He probably did it in high school, and he probably did it in little league. Some things, people are born with." Tomlin also said that he thought Trubisky "played well" and that the team needed to protect him better and run the ball more effectively to give a "fair evaluation" between the QBs. When asked whether there would be any movement on the QB depth chart, Tomlin declined to make any "knee-jerk reactions." From our vantage point, Pickett certainly seems to be building his case for taking over the job at some point this year -- even if he doesn't claim it by Week 1.
The Athletic's Mark Kaboly lists Steelers QB Kenny Pickett among the team's training camp winners. The rookie got off to a slow start in camp but has evidently turned things around. "He’s been more consistent in practice, making quicker decisions," Kaboly writes. "And how can you not take into account what he did in his first preseason game? Now, he still won’t be the starter in Week 1 in Cincinnati, but he seems to be at the point where he can be trusted at the No. 2, and you couldn’t say that three weeks ago." Although QB Mitchell Trubisky remains the heavy favorite to open the season as Pittsburgh's starter, Pickett is still a strong bet to make starts.
ESPN's Jordan Ranaan says Giants RB Saquon Barkley "has looked the best he has in years." Ranaan cites both HC Brian Daboll and QB Daniel Jones describing Barkley as explosive and says that matches what he's seen "every day." Ranaan adds that the lack of backfield depth points to a "huge" workload for Barkley and says "the strength of the Giants' offensive line appears to be its run-blocking." We have been -- and continue to be -- excited about Barkley's fantasy football upside for 2022.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett got the majority of 2nd-team reps in Monday's practice, the 1st since Pickett went 13-of-15 for 95 yards and 2 TDs in the preseason opener. OC Matt Canada said Monday's work was not a promotion, though, but rather part of the team's plan. “Yeah, we’ve got a system in place,” Canada told Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. “Coach, we’ve had this thing mapped out since I don’t know when. We’ll continue to stay right on our plan and see where it goes.” Canada did add that performance can shake up the plan: "How you play does matter. I don’t act like we’re just going to stick to it no matter what happens. But we have a plan, and until something drastically changes it, we’re going to continue to methodically go through our plan as we see it." We'd still bet on Mitchell Trubisky opening the regular season as Pittsburgh's starter. But we'll see what the play of all 3 Pittsburgh QBs does to affect that.
Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell was back at practice on Sunday. He missed less than a week with a minor hip injury. Some Eagles insiders believe Gainwell is in line for pass-catching and goal-line duties for Philly this year. That'd make him a valuable fantasy asset.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith returned to practice on Sunday. He ended up missing about 10 days with a minor groin injury. Barring a setback, consider Smith's fantasy stock unaffected.
Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell has missed a couple of practices with a hip injury. The issue is believed to be minor, but we’ll keep an eye on his status going forward.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith has missed 5 consecutive practices with a groin injury. Per HC Nick Sirianni, the 2nd-year WR remains day to day.
Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett likes the progress TE Albert Okwuegbunam has made in the offense. “Earlier on in OTAs, picking up the system took him a while,” Hackett said. “He’s been absolutely splendid going out there right now. He’s been going out there and we’ve been putting him all over the place, from motioning, playing wide, playing ‘F’ and doing all kinds of different things.” Broncos insider Andrew Mason wonders if Okwuegbunam could help replace WR Tim Patrick, who will miss the season with his torn ACL. Okwuegbunam has TE1 upside with Patrick's targets up for grabs in this Russell Wilson-led offense.
Eagles insider John McMullen believes RB Kenneth Gainwell "seems to be penciled in for high-leverage situations like third downs, the hurry-up offense, and goal-line work." The passing-down work isn't a big surprise considering Gainwell led Eagles RBs in targets, catches and receiving yards last year. The note on goal-line work is eye-catching, though. Gainwell is just 200 pounds and tallied only 3 carries inside the 5-yard line last season. We'll continue to keep an eye on this backfield in camp and preseason action. Pass-catching and goal-line work could make Gainwell the most valuable Eagles RB in fantasy football, even if Miles Sanders leads in carries.
Colts HC Frank Reich spoke positively this week about LB Shaquille (Darius) Leonard staying involved in training-camp practices despite not taking part physically, as he works back from June back surgery. But it still doesn't sound like the team knows exactly when he'll be back. "I know he is continuing good rehab, having progress, but we are still not in that mode," Reich said, per SI.com's Horseshoe Huddle. "I don't think it is imminent, but I think he is making progress." Jake Arthur told us Friday on the podcast that he doesn't think Leonard would need much practice time to be ready for the season once his body's good to go. We'll keep watching, though, for some indication of when that will be.
The Steelers’ initial “unofficial” depth chart has rookie QB Kenny Pickett 3rd behind Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. That matches with reports of training-camp reps. We’ll see whether preseason action alters the order — as well as how true the depth chart is
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith is sitting out practice with a minor groin injury. HC Nick Sirianni said the team is just bring cautious with the 2nd-year pro, so there’s no cause for concern. We’ll let you know when he’s back to practicing.
Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett worked with the 2nd team Monday, ahead of Mason Rudolph. Should we read anything into that? "You should not," HC Mike Tomlin told reporters afterward, according to BehindtheSteelCurtain.com. "But I'm sure you will." Tomlin said he'll keep rotating QBs. Expect the alignments to start mattering more the further we get into August.
According to SB Nation's Brandon Lee Gowton, Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell was "the first team running back" in Friday practice. The team not only lined him up in the backfield but had him run routes from WR spots. Miles Sanders was available but working with the 2nd team. It's just 1 day of work -- for now. But the sheer possibility of Gainwell landing ahead of Sanders on the depth chart (or even with) makes the 2nd-year man an enticing value in the double-digit rounds of fantasy football drafts.
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