Happy Sunday! I’m just dropping in again to share some of my favorite training camp hype from the past week.
Dolphins WR Preston Williams is having an impressive camp and is “potentially better than ever.”
This is exciting for me, and not because I just drafted him in my home league. Williams and Devante Parker could both thrive in a Miami offense that was seventh in pass attempts in 2019 thanks to playing from behind in almost every game. Williams is currently being drafted as the WR50 in PPR leagues but could easily outproduce that position this season and I’m all aboard.
Nyheim Hines could play a major role in the Colts offense.
Philip Rivers is the new man in town in Indy and brings a different type of play style to the offense. Rivers has never targeted his RBs less than 100 times a season in his career. My takeaway from that stat wasn’t that Jonathan Taylor was now in line to have a ton of receiving work, but that Nyheim Hines was going to be that guy. Reports from camp are following that line of thinking as Hines has been building a rapport with Rivers. As the RB50 (much like Williams above) in drafts, he has the most upside in that range.
Falcons OC Dirk Koetter expects a minimum of 15 touches per game for Todd Gurley.
Is this hype? Or just an OC committing to his RB1? I have already outlined my thoughts on Gurley in Atlanta but this just sets a floor for his potential, which isn’t bad! Regardless, Gurley has the potential to outperform his RB16 but that draft position seems to be his floor.
Patriots RB Damien Harris is seizing his RB1 opportunity.
While Sony Michel has been on the PUP list, activated on Wednesday 8/26, the second-year RB Damien Harris has been taking advantage of the opportunity. Michel was unimpressive in 2019 so it wouldn’t be a surprise to me if he loses the starting spot, especially returning from offseason foot surgery. Harris is having a great camp so far and could prove his worth for fantasy owners while being drafted as the RB55.
Bengals WR Auden Tate is the early frontrunner for the teams’ offensive MVP at camp.
Similar to Harris taking advantage of injuries, Tate is having a great camp while AJ Green, Tee Higgins and John Ross sit out for various injuries. It’s been the Tyler Boyd and Tate show on the receiving end of Joe Burrow’s practice reps and it’s all eyes on Tate. He’s been growing a connection with Burrow which could lead to a solid output come game time this season. As the 100th WR off the board in drafts, he’s essentially free with some positive upside!
