From a fantasy football perspective, training camp can be overwhelming. Between camp videos, injury reports, and preseason games, there is a lot to consume. Luckily, with so much information, we hopefully gain some clarity, as well. Ahead of the 2023 season, there are plenty of questions that need answering. Our Fantrax staff in particular have training camp questions that demand answers as fantasy football drafts quickly approach.
NFL Training Camp Questions Our Fantrax Staff Need Answers To
Who will become C.J. Stroud’s favorite target on the Houston Texans?
Fantrax Writer: Nick Skrip, @P2Wfantasy on Twitter
The Houston Texans selected C.J. Stroud out of Ohio State with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Stroud threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns over the last two seasons at Ohio State. Brandin Cooks (Cowboys) and Chris Moore (Titans) leave behind 167 vacated targets from 2022. This draws the training camp question of where those targets will end up in 2023 for the rookie quarterback.
The Texans offense added veterans Robert Woods and Dalton Schultz this offseason as well as Noah Brown. Houston also drafted Tank Dell in the third round, and Xavier Hutchinson in the sixth round this year. Nico Collins will enter his third season, and John Metchie III will enter his first healthy season in 2023.
If I am targeting a wide receiver in Houston, I would take a shot on the 6’4″ upside dart throw in Nico Collins. Collins finished 2022 with 66 targets, 37 receptions, and 481 receiving yards in just 10 games. In Weeks 10-13 last season, Collins was heavily targeted prior to getting banged up seeing 10-7-9-10 targets in those weeks.
Another name to mention that could be a sneaky candidate to lead the Texans in targets is Dalton Schultz. A veteran easy outlet for a rookie quarterback makes a lot of sense to me. Schultz has earned 89-104-89 targets the last three seasons in Dallas, where he had a season above 800 receiving yards (808). Schultz was heavily targeted in Dallas’ playoff run, seeing 18 targets in those two games and finishing the Wild Card with 95 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Who is the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver to target in drafts?
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT on Twitter
For the second straight year, the Kansas City Chiefs enter the upcoming season without their most-targeted wide receiver from the year prior. In 2022, they were without Tyreek Hill. Now, they’re without Juju Smith-Schuster. Both left behind 100+ vacant targets upon their respective departure.
Kadarius Toney is the consensus choice to emerge as the lead wide receiver target in 2023. Unfortunately, Toney is recovering from a recent clean-up procedure after tweaking his knee at the start of training camp.
That leaves us with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Richie James, Justyn Ross, and rookie Rashee Rice as players we are most likely to choose from.
MVS drew the third-most Chiefs targets (81) in 2022. However, he caught just 42 of those, yielding just 7.3 PPR points per game. That’s a boom-or-bust flex player.
It goes without saying that tight end Travis Kelce is in for another monster season. Running back Jerrick McKinnon should also command his fair share of targets out of the backfield, again, as well.
None of the remaining wide receivers listed cost significant draft capital if anything at all. They’re all worth a late-round dart throw. When in doubt, invest in players from high-scoring offenses. As of now, I like second-round pick Rashee Rice. He can be a bench stash that could end up commanding last year’s Juju role. Hopefully, we get some more clarity to answer this training camp question of mine as to who to target in drafts later this summer.
How should we approach drafting Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet out of the Seattle Seahawks backfield?
Fantrax Writer: Cliff Williams, @CliffWilliams_ on Twitter
With their 2022 second-round pick, the Seahawks selected running back Kenneth Walker III. Given Rashaad Penny’s injury history and Chris Carson’s neck issues that caused him to retire, this was a necessary move that worked out great for them. Walker gained over 1,000 yards as a rookie and came in second for the Rookie of the Year award. Seattle was set in the backfield again. It appeared that they felt comfortable enough that they let Penny walk.
This year with their second-round pick, they selected Zach Charbonnet. He was the third running back taken. This pick immediately had the fantasy world screaming at their screens. So, the training camp question I need answered is which back is better for 2023 fantasy football.
Last year, the Seahawks offense had 5,976 yards. That’s the combination of 3,934 passing and 2042 rushing, with Walker accounting for 1,050 of the rushing yards. The defense was very middle of the road and doesn’t look much better for 2023. With another great receiver added, and this two-headed monster in the backfield, the offense should be on the field more than they were in 2022.
We know what kind of team Pete Carroll loves; run first and pass when you need to. If this team just gets closer to a 50/50 split there will be quite a few more yards for the running backs. Expect Walker to have close to the same fantasy points as last year and Charbonnet to carve out plenty of fantasy points of his own. As of now, I would grab Walker in the RB15- 20 range and Charbonnet a couple of rounds later as a great handcuff, though this could change as training camp progresses.
Will the Baltimore Ravens unleash Lamar Jackson as a pocket passer?
Fantrax Writer: Bradlee Kilgore, @SirBradleeK on Twitter
Throughout most of my life, the Baltimore Ravens have had one identity: Defense-First/Ground & Pound. They won Super Bowls with Trent Dilfer and Joe Flacco at quarterback. In both of those Super Bowl seasons, their running game and top-flight defense took priority over the passing game.
Lamar Jackson succeeded Joe Flacco as the QB1, and since his introduction, Jackson has won an MVP. However, Jackson’s success has come mainly because his athleticism is elite, not because he’s been unstoppable through the air.
The Baltimore front office has continued to build their rosters around their own historical strengths, with defense and the running game in mind, (bolstering their linemen and secondary depth) and using Lamar Jackson to essentially add variation to the run game, rather than dropping back to pass 30 times per game.
This season feels different. After a long stalemate, the Baltimore Ravens signed Lamar Jackson to a long-term deal. This gives Jackson the financial protection to put his body on the line week in and week out. It also requires the Ravens to invest in the passing attack in a way that they previously haven’t done before.
As a result, the Ravens used their 2023 1st-round pick to draft Zay Flowers, the do-it-all receiver out of Boston College.
Flowers has the skillset and hands of a possession receiver, but also the speed and route running of a deep threat. On top of that, the Ravens seemed to outbid every team in the league to sign Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ was at one point the best receiver in the league. The last time we saw him play, he was well on his way to earning Super Bowl MVP honors with the Los Angeles Rams.
Lastly, but probably most importantly, is the fact that the Ravens hired Todd Monken as their Offensive Coordinator. He coached in the pros from 2016-2018, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to rankings of 16th, 3rd, and 4th in passing attempts, respectively. He was brought on board to give the Ravens a chance to hang around with a team in a shootout, as opposed to beating a high-powered offense like the Buffalo Bills or the Kansas City Chiefs, with a great running game and defense.
All signs point to the Ravens throwing the ball more than they have over Lamar Jackson’s tenure. Until we see signs of this change in camp, though, it remains one my biggest training camp questions.
Which Philadelphia Eagle running back will be a better value in drafts, D’Andre Swift (72nd overall) or Rashaad Penny (125th overall)?
Fantrax Writer: Joe Goodwin, @JGoody77 on Twitter
The Philadelphia Eagles ran the ball 544 times in the 2022 season, the third-highest total in the league. With Miles Sanders signing a free-agent contract with the Carolina Panthers, 259 carries are up for grabs. During the off-season, the Eagles signed D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny to share the workload with returning running backs Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott.
Last season, Miles Sanders tallied eleven rushing touchdowns. Also important to note, Sanders also accounted for 62 first-downs. With some leagues now rewarding carriers for first downs, these important opportunities in the Eagle’s offense could offer RB1 potential for Swift, Penny, or Gainwell if one can distinguish himself over the others.
During training camp, which Eagle’s running back grabs a majority of touches and elevates himself from a 6th or 10th-round draft pick to a possible RB1 in your fantasy league?
I believe the Eagles are well aware of what Swift did to them in Week 1 last year when he went for 144 yards and a touchdown and also made three receptions for another 31 yards. However, who could forget Penny’s Week 4 explosion against the Lions when he went for 151 yards and two touchdowns?
This may appear to be a good problem to have for the Eagles, but a possible conundrum for fantasy managers. I currently lean toward D’Andre Swift grabbing a majority of the vacated carries by Miles Sanders and elevating himself to an RB1 in fantasy leagues.
Is J.K Dobbins healthy and what can we expect from him this season?
Fantrax Writer: Ray Kuhn, @Ray_Kuhn_28 on Twitter
Dobbins was returning from a brutal knee injury last season. He dealt with his share of health issues in 2022 finishing the year with just 92 carries. In his limited playing time though, specifically from Weeks 14 through 17, Dobbins certainly provided cause for optimism leading into 2023.
In that stretch, Dobbins broke the century mark in yardage twice and finished with 393 yards on just 57 carries. That makes his Fantrax ADP of 57th overall in PPR leagues look like a nice bargain. The training camp question I need answered though is whether or not Dobbins is truly healthy and when we can expect him back in action for 2023.
The fact that Dobbins opened Training Camp on the active/PUP list is not going to generate much optimism considering it seemed that he was healthy leading into the season. If we do want to think positively here, Dobbins is heading into the last year of his contract, and without a new contract, this is a calculated absence.
Additionally, the good news is that the depth chart behind Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Melvin Gordon, is not going to present much of a threat to the incumbent. At the same time though, Dobbins does require a significant investment. Until we actually see him on the field this summer, it will be difficult to make that commitment. If he proves to be healthy, I can see Dobbins backing into the tail end of being an RB1. However, he needs to come off the PUP list first and look like the same running back we saw in that four-week stretch last season.
Who will emerge as the WR1 for the New York Giants?
Fantrax Writer: Reese Jones, @PotPharma on Twitter
In the mystical realm of fantasy football, the New York Giants stand at a crossroads in their quest for a true No. 1 wide receiver (WR1). A tale of challenges and potential unfolds. A diverse group of talented receivers seeks to claim the coveted title. With Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’dale Robinson, Jamison Crowder, Paris Campbell, and Jalin Hyatt on the roster, the Giants’ receiving corps holds promise and uncertainty in equal measure.
As the season approaches, the spotlight falls upon Sterling Shepard. He is a gifted receiver whose rapport with the quarterback, Daniel Jones, has been undeniable. However, fate has dealt a cruel hand. Shepard begins the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He’s recovering from an ACL tear suffered in Week 3 of the previous year. A history of injuries has plagued Shepard, missing a staggering 33 games in the last four seasons due to concussions, knee, and Achilles issues. Despite his undeniable talent, his quest for WR1 greatness remains shadowed by the specter of injury.
Another promising contender, sophomore receiver, Wan’dale Robinson, also begins the season on the PUP list. His previous season displayed moments of potential, but injuries hampered his progress. In six games, with three starts, he gathered a 55% snap share. With that, he amassed 227 yards and a lone touchdown. His recovery is eagerly awaited, as he seeks to establish a connection with Daniel Jones and fulfill his potential.
Isaiah Hodgins, too, carries hope for the Giants’ future. Ending the previous season on a high note, he showcased his resilience by playing through pain during a playoff win against the Vikings. Despite what he thought was a mere high ankle sprain, it turned out to be a slightly fractured foot. Nonetheless, Hodgins displayed his prowess, leading the team with 8 catches for 105 yards and one touchdown in that decisive victory. With key starters like Shepard and Robinson sidelined, Hodgins has an opportunity to further develop chemistry with Jones and build upon his strong finish.
In the quest for the WR1 crown, Darius Slayton emerges as a confident contender. Leading the Giants in receiving for three out of the last four seasons, Slayton makes his case, though he is yet to post a single season with over 800 receiving yards. As the battle unfolds, he seeks to transcend his previous accomplishments and elevate his game to the next level.
Among the challengers, the spotlight also falls on the rookie, Jalin Hyatt. Although he recently faced an injury scare, leaving practice early due to “heat and sickness,” Hyatt returned to showcase his lightning speed, scoring a touchdown on a designed run—a role that would have undoubtedly been shared with a healthy Wan’dale. Hyatt’s potential to thrive in the Giants’ offense adds intrigue to the competition.
In this thrilling battle for WR1 supremacy, one key factor emerges as the ultimate decider: Availability. The training camp question I most need answered is which receiver can earn the trust of Danny Dimes and remain healthy throughout the season to be bestowed with the title of the Giants’ WR1. The opportunity is ripe, and the outcome will shape the course of fantasy football history in the Giants’ kingdom. As the season unfolds, all eyes are fixed on this gripping quest for greatness, where trust and health will ultimately determine the victor in the wide-open room of the New York Giants.
Who will be the best wide receiver to roster in Carolina for 2023 fantasy football?
Fantrax Writer: Nick Skrip, @P2Wfantasy on Twitter
After landing the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft via a trade with the Chicago Bears, the Carolina Panthers selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Young totalled 8,356 passing yards and 80 passing touchdowns in his time at Alabama. This Carolina offense has been re-shaping this off-season, bringing in Miles Sanders (RB), Adam Thiele (WR), DJ Chark (WR) and Hayden Hurst (TE) while also selecting Jonathan Mingo out of Ole Miss with the 39th overall pick. Terrace Marshall (WR) and Laviska Shenault (WR) are two other names to mention on the current roster.
With a new quarterback, comes new connections to be made. This receiving room is totally up for grabs when it comes to roles won. None of the pass-catchers previously listed come at high draft cost and have fairly low ADPs. That means one of these guys can pay off in terms of production over cost. My training camp question is: Who should we toss a dart at with hopes of FLEX value?
My pick would be DJ Chark, who managed four weeks of 14+ Fantasy points last season in Detroit despite missing time and playing in just 11 games. Chark had games of 98-94-108 last season. Back in 2019, Chark had a Top 20 Fantasy season in Jacksonville finishing that year with 73 receptions for 1,008 targets and eight touchdowns. When it comes to filling my FLEX position in Fantasy Football, I want upside and that is what we have seen historically out of a healthy DJ Chark.
How will Calvin Ridley look after a substantial absence from NFL action?
Fantrax Writer: Ray Kuhn, @Ray_Kuhn_28 on Twitter
Ridley’s 2021 season ended after just five games as he dealt with some mental health struggles. Instead of returning to action last year, he sat out with a season-long suspension due to a violation of the NFL’s gambling policy.
When we last saw Ridley for a full season, he caught 90 passes for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. There is no disputing or doubting his talent. The fact that Ridley still has youth on his side is a good thing. He is seemingly fresh and recovered from what kept him out of action in 2021.
Regardless of this, it is still hard, and borderline unfair, to expect Ridley to instantly turn back the clock to two years ago without any rust. All indications in the early stages of training camp are that Ridley looks great when it comes to his speed and route running. However, the players are still in shorts.
Pairing Ridley with a developing and talented Trevor Lawrence could certainly lead to some prolific production. Before spending a fourth-round pick (Fantrax ADP of 45th overall in PPR leagues) on the receiver, I would like to see something more from him even if that means I miss out on his upside. Hopefully, this training camp question is answered sooner than later.
Can Javonte Williams claim the RB1 role in Denver or will Samaje Perine have a larger role than expected?
Fantrax Writer: Cliff Williams, @CliffWilliams_ on Twitter
In 2021 Javonte Williams finished the season averaging 12.0 fantasy points per game. Finishing as the RB16, he was expected to do great things last year. Williams didn’t get the chance after tearing his ACL, LCL, and PCL in Week 4 against the Raiders his season.
Samaje Perine is joining the Denver Broncos after signing this off-season. Last year he was the backup for Joe Mixon with the Cincinnati Bengals. When Mixon got hurt, Perine had three games as the lead back averaging 23.6 fantasy points per game.
Here at Fantrax, we have Williams ranked as RB25 and Perine as RB36. That gap feels about right to me only if we know Williams is able to come back at 100% health. The comp here is J.K. Dobbins. He came back last year from similar injuries and had a very uneven season.
Williams’ other problem is the new coaching staff. Sean Payton loves to work two backs into his game plans. I am expecting that even if Williams comes back and starts game one, from a fantasy standpoint, by the end of the season we might just see Perine with the higher point total. It all starts by answering the training camp question of where Javonte Williams’ progress is at ahead of Week 1.
Where will Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Kareem Hunt sign?
Fantrax Writer: Colin McTamany, @Colin_McT on Twitter
By next weekend, all three of these free-agent running backs will be 28 years old. They have a combined 5,067 touches throughout each of their successful careers, including playoffs. That said, I don’t expect either of them to sign with a team anytime soon and take part in a full training camp.
I’m leaving Dalvin Cook off of this list. I think he signs sooner than later. It’s worth noting Cook, too, will soon be 28. He has 1,570 career touches.
Cook has a meeting with the New York Jets this weekend. I expect a deal to get done. Aaron Rodgers just negotiated a restructured contract in which he’s taking a $35 million pay cut. That opens the door for a player like Cook to sign. Breece Hall is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List, as well. After tearing his ACL in early 2022, adding Cook makes sense for the win-now Jets.
We may not see Zeke, Fournette, or Hunt sign unless there is a significant injury to a running back somewhere during training camp. Such an event would be devastating. However, the silver lining is the clarity for fantasy football. We could then properly rank these players as they assume a large role on a new team.
Until then, the threat of these running backs signing looms. I don’t expect either to be a bell cow back this season. They each could be a serious blow to another player’s value, though. Ironically, the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Zeke and White’s former teams, are among those that could use their services.
For more great rankings and analysis, make sure to check out our 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🚨🏈
We are excited to be launching another giveaway, where ONE lucky winner will receive an Official NFL Travis Kelce Signed Jersey!
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— Fantrax (@Fantrax) July 4, 2023