This collection of training camp updates is the most important yet. Each team now has at least one preseason game in the books from this past weekend. Additionally, both Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook, the two most notable free agent running backs, are now under contract with new teams.
From injury news to preseason game performances and everything in between, these training camp updates are put together to give you the most important pieces of information in a one-stop spot. You can apply them to your ongoing fantasy football research as drafts quickly approach. So, let’s take a look at the most notable news from the third full week of 2023 NFL training camp.
Training Camp Updates You Need to Know From the Third Week
Contract Updates
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, New England Patriots
This training camp update shouldn’t surprise anyone. After letting Damien Harris walk in free agency and waiving James Robinson earlier this summer, the Patriots were always going to add another running back. So, Rhamondre Stevenson’s value is no lower than before simply because of the addition of another back. However, specifically signing Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal, worth up to $6 million, does complicate things.
Ezekiel Elliott can, and should, serve as a red zone bruiser, specifically around the goal line. He scored 12 rushing touchdowns in 2022, all within the red zone. Nine of his 12 scores were from inside the five-yard line. Zeke’s 12 touchdowns account for 39% of his total fantasy points from last season. Other than rolling into the end zone, Zeke noticeably looked like he lost a step. To no surprise, his 3.8 yards per carry average last season is the lowest of his carry. Additionally, his 231 carries and 248 total touches are career lows, as well.
All things considered, Rhamondre Stevenson is still the running back to get on your 2023 fantasy football rosters. His receiving upside is an asset specifically for PPR leagues. He’s scored just five rushing touchdowns in each of his first two NFL seasons. Any hope of that number climbing takes a bit of a hit as a result of the Zeke signing.
I’m just not willing to bet a back with 2,300 total career touches is going to run well enough to completely devastate Stevenson’s RB1 potential. If there’s a dip in Rhamondre’s value, I’m buying. As for Zeke, he finds himself in a similar situation to last season. A flex option with RB2 upside if he can fall into the end zone. That will be tougher on a worse offense than Dallas.
Dalvin Cook, RB, New York Jets
Hours after the Zeke to New England signing, a second Pro Bowl running back, Dalvin Cook, officially signed within the AFC East, as well. This training camp update seems long overdue. Cook has been linked to New York for some time now, even taking a visit with the Jets a few weeks ago.
This deal is easy to interpret as a cause for concern regarding Breece Hall’s recovery from last year’s season-ending knee injury. However, the Jets are adamant that Hall will be ready for Week 1. In fact, there are reports that Cook still needs time to recover from off-season shoulder surgery. Prior to last season, Cook had missed at least two regular season games in each of the five seasons prior. I do think Hall’s workload is taken into account along with the Jets’ urgency to win and win soon.
New York #Jets schedule before a Week 7 Bye:
1 – Bills
2 – at Cowboys
3 – Patriots
4 – Chiefs
5 – at Broncos
6 – EaglesBreece Hall will need time and Jets can’t afford to lose many early on in a tough AFC East during the win-now Aaron Rodgers window
Enter Dalvin Cook.
— Colin McTamany (@Colin_McT) August 14, 2023
As far as approaching the Jets’ backfield in your drafts, I still prefer Hall for the 2023 season. However, the gap between him and Cook is minimal. Cook has four straight seasons of 1,100+ rushing yards and an average of 311 touches in each. If either player were to miss time at any point, the other will likely produce RB1 numbers. When they’re both available, it’s hard to trust either as anything more than an RB2.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor is reportedly returning to Colts training camp. However, Taylor will remain on the Physically Unable to Perform List. Taylor’s leverage is generally non-existent at this point. It seems Indy is unwilling to trade him and the market for running backs isn’t kind to a player of his caliber looking for a big extension. Taylor remains a risk to draft but should suit up when healthy. Kenyan Drake and Evan Hull are the backups worth considering in his place.
Zack Martin, OG, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas’ All-Pro guard will end his holdout and return to the team with an agreed-upon deal through next season. To be blunt, the Cowboys would have really struggled without Martin. For fantasy football purposes, his presence up front improves the offense and therefore the scoring. It’s worth noting that the Zeke and Cook deals elsewhere bode extremely well for Tony Pollard’s 2023 outlook.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Detroit Lions
Bridgewater should immediately assume the backup quarterback role behind Jared Goff. Prior to this signing, it was between Nate Sudfeld and rookie Hendon Hooker, who is working his way back from a knee injury. In the event Goff is unavailable this season, Bridgewater is a fine option to support the positional studs on this Lions offense.
Training Camp Related Injuries
- There is no training camp update on when to expect Joe Burrow to return to the field for the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Brock Purdy is fully cleared to throw without any restrictions or built-in rest days. He’s the guy in San Francisco. As of now, it seems like Sam Darnold has the edge for the backup quarterback role.
- Kenneth Walker (groin) is back practicing for the Seattle Seahawks. Both he and rookie Zach Charbonnet should be viable fantasy options this season. I prefer the latter at cost with receiving upside.
- Both J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Rashod Bateman (foot) are off of the PUP List for the Baltimore Ravens. Dobbins still has to compete with Lamar Jackson for carries. He also has just 226 carries in 23 games in two seasons over three years. Health remains the biggest concern.
- Damien Harris remains out of Buffalo Bills practice with a knee injury. James Cook has done nothing but seize the opportunity during his absence. His ADP continues to steadily rise especially after rushing four times for 50 yards and a touchdown in their first preseason game.
- Miles Sanders has a groin injury, but will reportedly be ready for Week 1 in his Carolina Panthers debut.
- Kendre Miller will miss time for the New Orleans Saints with a knee sprain. After missing time during minicamp, history with a knee injury, and competing with talented backs on the roster, it’s suddenly difficult to justify a roster spot for a rookie like Miller on 2023 redraft rosters.
- Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford is week to week with a hamstring injury.
- Zach Ertz is returning from the PUP List to Arizona Cardinals’ practice this week. His return caps the breakout potential of Trey McBride a bit. Neither are worthy tight end targets in 10-team leagues. McBride is an upside stash in 12-team leagues.
- Marlon Mack‘s season is over after suffering an Achilles injury. That reopens the door for Keaontay Ingram as the backup to James Conner in Arizona.
Preseason Performances
- Justin Fields completed all three of his passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Both D.J. Moore and Khalil Herbert scored on catch-and-run dump-offs from Fields that went for 56 yards or more after the catch.
- Nathaniel “Tank” Dell caught five of his eight targets for 65 yards and a touchdown. His eight targets account for a 50% first-half target share. The Texans have some nice talent in their wide receiver room that makes targeting any one specific player difficult, especially in the middle rounds of drafts.
- Diontae Johnson drew a target on half of his routes in the Steelers’ preseason game. George Pickens scored a 33-yard touchdown with a few broken tackles but I still find Johnson to be the better value in drafts with volume in mind.
- Ty Chandler‘s 15 touches yielded 7.0 PPR fantasy points. He may have just played his way into the backup role behind Alexander Mattison in the Minnesota Vikings’ backfield.
- Rookie Tyjae Spears and his knee looked just fine in preseason action. He logged 36 total yards on seven total touches. If Derrick Henry gets hurt or even traded, Spears would likely be the handcuff.
- Both rookie tight ends Sam LaPorta and Luke Musgrave played most, if not all of, the first team offensive snaps with the Lions and Packers respectively.
- Meanwhile, Adam Trautman is threatening Greg Dulcich‘s playing time among Denver Bronco’s tight ends.
- Jameson Williams drew a team-high seven targets but caught just two for 18 scoreless yards. Williams isn’t a must-have for fantasy football but could be a huge waiver wire pickup later in the season following his suspension.
- Tank Bigsby is a legitimate threat to Travis Etienne’s RB1 potential, specifically in the red zone. Furthermore, the rookie logged 52 rushing yards on just nine carries in the first half of the Jacksonville Jaguars game.
- Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst played all 11 snaps with rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Their juicy Week 1 road matchup with the Atlanta Falcons makes Hurst a top streaming tight end to start the season.
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 Justin Herbert Signed Jersey!
DETAILS TO ENTER BELOW! pic.twitter.com/0nMqnWMJ4w
— Fantrax (@Fantrax) August 3, 2023