NFL Training Camp Players to Watch on Each Team (2023 Fantasy Football)

The NFL Preseason doesn’t matter, right? Well, yes and no. The games don’t matter, but NFL head coaches will tell us things by how they deploy their players in each game. Evenly distributed playing time between two players means the competition is likely close. One player sitting out a game completely means he probably has the job locked up. Anyone playing a ton of snaps the last week of the preseason probably isn’t in a great position. All of these things matter and can impact how valuable players are in fantasy football leagues.

We asked our experts to break down a player on each team with fantasy relevance who is worth watching throughout training camp and the preseason. Here are their responses.

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Training Camp Players to Watch on Each NFL Team

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

James Cook (RB – BUF)

The Bills brought in competition for James Cook for the lead-back role for 2023 with the additions of Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. Cook has the talent to win this camp battle but needs to put his best foot forward immediately. Cook was impressive in his rookie season when he touched the ball. Among 45 qualifying running backs, he was first in breakaway run rate, 19th in elusive rating, and 11th in yards per route run (minimum 100 carries, per PFF). If Cook can carve out the lion’s share of the early down work and all of the passing usage for the backfield, he could be one of the best values in fantasy football this season. He just has to hold off the burly veteran duo of Harris and Murray. – DBro

Miami Dolphins

De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)

If the Dolphins don’t sign Dalvin Cook (or one of the other higher-profile free-agent RBs), Achane will be competing for touches with veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson. Achane is younger and faster than both, but the two vets have a history with Miami head coach Mike McDaniel and have established a level of trust that Achane must still earn. If the Dolphins do sign Cook, then Achane will need a good showing in training camp and the preseason just to get on the field in the regular season. There’s a wide range of outcomes for the rookie from Texas A&M. If Achane pops in the preseason, he could conceivably be the head of the Dolphins’ RB committee. But with a disappointing showing in August, Achane might be little more than a kick returner as a rookie. – Fitz

New England Patriots

JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – NE)

JuJu Smith-Schuster’s best ball ADP has been falling rapidly since reports surfaced that he was still dealing with a lingering knee injury. He is now being drafted outside the top-50 overall WRs, although he is still the first Patriots’ pass-catcher off the board. It has become a point where I can’t see Smith-Schuster’s ADP falling anymore, especially now that DeAndre Hopkins has signed with the Titans. With the current roster, I’d hardly say Smith-Schuster has a massive bar to get over to earn targets in this offense, especially with the slot role all but his. Remember, Smith-Schuster signed a 3-year $33M deal this offseason with the Patriots to replace Jakobi Meyers. If he shows up to camp healthy and earns starting repetitions throughout the preseason games, he will be a great fantasy WR value outside the top-100 picks. – Erickson

New York Jets

Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)

I am not looking forward to the daily reports and press conferences regarding Breece Hall’s health and availability heading into the season. Because if Hall was completely healthy, we could draft him in Round 1 and move on with our lives. But with the Jets the featured team on HBO’s Hard Knocks…everything out of training camp is going to be overanalyzed to the tenth degree. Hall says he hopes he will be ready for Week 1, but only time will tell. If reports get grimmer – or the Jets add another veteran RB – you’ll see Hall’s ADP dip. But if he’s out there kicking butt like all the Twitter doctors are telling us, then he will have been a steal as a Round 3 pick. I side with the former, as being injury optimistic doesn’t usually end well. But I’ll happily scoop up a falling Hall, knowing that him hitting his stride down the stretch is more important than his final Week 1 stat line. Jets also have a brutal schedule to open the year, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Hall starts out slow after his explosion in 2022. – Erickson

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Rashod Bateman (WR – BAL)

Rashod Bateman has shown in short spurts that he has the talent to become the team’s WR1 of the present and future. He just needs his health to comply. Bateman received a steroid injection to calm down inflammation in the foot that sidelined him last year. After the immediate scare of that news wore off, it doesn’t sound like this adds to the worry pile for 2023. With a substantial infusion of passing volume incoming for 2023 with the arrival of Todd Monken, Bateman needs to stack positive practice reports in camp to prove not only the health of his foot but also that his rapport with Lamar Jackson is coming along nicely. If Bateman misses time in camp, don’t be surprised if Zay Flowers can hop in on the target totem pole before Week 1. My faith in Bateman remains, but it’s definitely put up or shut up time. – DBro

Cincinnati Bengals

Chase Brown (RB – CIN)

With a strong showing in training camp and the preseason, Brown could vault past Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams to become the top backup to Joe Mixon. There’s no chance the rookie leapfrogs Mixon, but Brown could earn some change-of-pace touches and position himself to become a valuable fantasy asset in the event of a Mixon injury. He could also position himself to replace Mixon next year, since 2023 is likely to be Mixon’s final season in Cincinnati. Brown averaged 27.3 carries a game last fall at Illinois, so he’s capable of handling a heavy workload. – Fitz

Cleveland Browns

Elijah Moore (WR – CLE)

The Browns traded for Elijah Moore this offseason to add another weapon for Deshaun Watson. So far, reports have been encouraging about Moore’s chemistry with Watson. But it’s still a new coaching staff and situation, so how Moore shakes out on the Browns depth chart during the summer will be telling of what they expect of him. As a player that has gotten major hype every summer in his brief two-year career, the time is now to draft Moore. Because his explosive skill set is going to get him steamed up the draft boards. The only way I see his stock falling is if he runs as the No. 3 WR, behind Donovan Peoples-Jones during preseason games. – Erickson

Pittsburgh Steelers

Najee Harris (RB – PIT)

Nobody wants to know more about the Steelers’ backfield than fantasy gamers. Najee Harris laid an egg last season as a first-round pick. And undrafted RB Jaylen Warren took full advantage of his limited touches. So much so, that we have some viewing this backfield as full-blown RBBC, causing Harris’ ADP to plummet into Round 4. But Harris has a chance to rewrite his narrative if he truly operates as the team’s No. 1 rusher during the preseason. Whether that be playing only with starters, getting the complete starter treatment by not playing at all or by Warren handling all the preseason duties. But should Warren sneak in playing time with the 1s at Harris’ expense…continue to watch the former first-round RB’s ADP nosedive. – Erickson

AFC South

Houston Texans

John Metchie III (WR – HOU)

John Metchie needs to hit the ground running in camp to hold off the gaggle of wide receivers on this Texans’ depth chart that could easily take his job. Don’t let their pitiful draft capital fool you. Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson are talented players that can push Metchie immediately for starter reps. Metchie’s second-round draft capital is a distant memory after his rookie season was lost to leukemia. Metchie doesn’t enter camp with a leg up because he likely does, but that head start will only last so long if Dell and Hutchinson are balling out daily in practice. – DBro

Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson (QB – IND)

Teams try to hide their offensive strategy during the preseason. But the Colts are going to find it difficult to try and hold back Anthony Richardson. I expect his rushing skill set to be on full display in the exhibition contests, giving fantasy managers the confidence they need to draft him as a low-end fantasy QB1. Furthermore, we will get some confirmation about Richardson’s status as the Day 1 starter. Although, anybody who has listened to reports out of Colts camp knows that new head coach Shane Steichen backed the idea that you learn through experience. Won’t be long for Richardson to force his team’s hand and earn the starting nod over Gardner Minshew. And anything but that is just a great excuse to buy low on the top-5 draft pick because Minshew’s grasp on the starting role won’t be so tight. – Erickson

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC)

Bigsby isn’t going to completely displace Travis Etienne, but a strong August showing could turn the Jacksonville backfield into a full-blown committee, and Bigsby could earn the all-important goal-line role. But if Bigsby flops in training camp and the preseason, he could find himself behind D’Ernest Johnson, JaMycal Hasty and/or Snoop Conner on the Jaguars’ depth chart. – Fitz

Tennessee Titans

Treylon Burks (WR – TEN)

Last offseason was an utter disaster for Treylon Burks. Conditioning issues highlighted his summer as a rookie. But he has the chance to carve out an alpha role in the Titans offense after a few bright moments in Year 1, specifically with Ryan Tannehill. But the good times for Burks might not last, considering the team recently outbid the New England Patriots and others for the services of DeAndre Hopkins. Burks’ 2023 season can go in several different directions that likely will be influenced by the upcoming events of the summer. – Erickson

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Marvin Mims (WR – DEN)

The offseason blurb king, Tim Patrick, better come ready to play because if not, Marvin Mims and his afterburner legs will pass him on the depth chart in short order. Mims can secure a starting spot in Week 1 if he can hit the ground running with Russell Wilson and prove Sean Payton’s belief correct. The jump from the collegiate game to the pros can take time for rookies, so don’t lose faith if Patrick gets the positive puff pieces immediately when camp opens. With a strong camp and preseason, Mims can emerge as Denver’s Week 1 field stretcher. – DBro

Kansas City Chiefs

Kadarius Toney (WR – KC)

The Chiefs will have to show us their cards to some extent as they evaluate their current WR room. And that starts at the top with Kadarius Toney and whether he will have an expanded role as a legitimate WR on offense. If he is out there running all the routes with the starters, that confirms that his role in the offense has increased. But if he is once again just being used as a gadget scheme touch player, it will be another long year for those looking at Toney as a diamond in the rough among WRs. Staying injury-free will also be key, as any preseason/training camp hold-ups will derail momentum into kickoff. – Erickson

Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Mayer (TE – LV)

Roles at the skill positions are pretty well-defined for the Raiders entering training camp, but the situation at tight end isn’t crystal clear. The Raiders spent an early second-round pick on Michael Mayer, but they also signed Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard in the offseason. The Hooper and Howard deals were inexpensive, and the Raiders clearly see Mayer as their TE of the future. But if the rookie from Notre Dame struggles in August, the Raiders could take a TE-by-committee approach that prevents Mayer from becoming fantasy-relevant in Year 1. – Fitz

Los Angeles Chargers

Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC)

First-round rookie WR Quentin Johnston is viewed as the clear-cut No. 3 WR in the Chargers offense. But how firm is that stance? It won’t surprise me if QJ has to earn his playing time over a two-year veteran like Josh Palmer. And it also wouldn’t surprise me if he sees an even bigger role should Mike Williams remain inconsistent. Either way, fantasy managers will get a sneak peek at how new OC Kellen Moore will deploy this offense, and I’d lean on Johnston being a big winner throughout the preseason contests. It’s a big W for him if he is running 100% of the routes alongside Williams and Keenan Allen when/if the 1s get preseason action. – Erickson

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Tony Pollard (RB – DAL)

If the Cowboys add another running back to the roster, how will the market react? In most cases, any threat for touches will be used in a negative manner. But I don’t agree. Tony Pollard is great because he can produce on just a moderate workload. So there will be an opportunity to “buy-low” on the Cowboys’ talented running back. But the other side of the coin is if they don’t add another RB at all. This would likely cause a boost to Pollard’s rising ADP. With him undoubtedly kept in bubble wrap during preseason action coming off the fractured fibula, Pollard’s a sneaky candidate to see his stock rise during the summer months. Better get in now at the current value. – Erickson

New York Giants

Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG)

Saquon Barkley wants a new deal and won’t play on the franchise tag. He is threatening to hold out into Week 1 if he needs to. This is problematic. Because of the way that CBA is structured, Barkley will face a surplus of fines that the team cannot waive if/when a deal is met. This system is working against Barkley, which will most likely force his hand sooner rather than later. Whether he plays on the tag or the team gives me a long-term deal – although they are currently stalemate with a July 17th deadline, I doubt he actually holds out. The RBs that held out in the past ended in doomsday scenarios, suggesting to me that he will show up eventually, even if there’s no long-term deal in place. Ergo, if he falls in ADP, buy the dip. – Erickson

Philadelphia Eagles

D’Andre Swift (RB – PHI)

The Lions were reluctant to give Swift a full workload and ultimately decided to replace him with Jahmyr Gibbs. The Eagles were able to acquire Swift via trade at a scratch-and-dent price, but will they feature him in their offense or merely have him round out a committee that also includes Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Gainwell? Swift’s performance in training camp will likely go a long way in determining the size of his role in 2023. – Fitz

Washington Commanders

Sam Howell (QB – WAS)

Sam Howell has been discussed positively this offseason. He’s definitely in the running for the Week 1 starting gig at quarterback, but this isn’t a slam dunk for Howell. Don’t rule out Jacoby Brissett claiming the job if he continues his strong play from last year. With the Browns, Brissett was 12th in PFF passing grade and 12th in big-time throw rate. Howell doesn’t have the draft capital to help insulate him if he looks lackluster in camp and the preseason. Howell has to pile up strong performances to distance himself from the underrated veteran in Brissett. – DBro

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI)

The Chicago Bears easily own one of the NFL’s most crowded backfields. Khalil Herbert is a former Day 3 pick but has been super efficient and explosive. Journeyman D’Onta Foreman made a major comeback from a torn Achilles and has been a rushing monster down the stretch over the last two seasons. Rookie Roschon Johnson enters the NFL with little tread on the tires and a three-down skill set. I can make a case for any of these running backs to emerge as “the guy” from this backfield. And that’s why keeping up with this team’s offseason news will be critical. As the incumbent, Herbert has the most to lose with the expectation of being the team’s starter. If he can hold off Foreman/Johnson his R38 ADP will look like a joke. But if he falters, Foreman and/or Johnson as RBs outside the top-45 will be major steals. Needless to say, the focus now should be taking shots on ALL these Bears rushers, with their ADPs mostly nowhere to go but up as the dust settles. I’d also note that “getting the work” is less impactful for Herbert, as he has shown he can produce on limited touches — not true of the other backs who are likely designed and need to take on large volume roles to find fantasy relevance. – Erickson

Detroit Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)

I am old enough to remember ex-Lions RB Ameer Abdullah surging up draft boards after a massive preseason run. So let me be the first to tell you that the hype for Jahmyr Gibbs is only going to grow and grow. After what the Lions did, selecting him 12th overall to the shock of millions watching, they are going to want to show off their fancy toy. But at the same time, you need to be strategic with your approach in how the team deploys him alongside David Montgomery. Because Monty is going to be involved and potentially present a bigger threat as a receiver and goal-line rusher than many might think. It’s possble that both guys eat in an offense without any proven playmakers not-named Amon-Ra St. Brown. Make a call now on where you feel comfortable taking Gibbs and stick to your guns. Because there’s not much outside of Montgomery being completely phased out that should have you taking him higher than his current ADP (RB13, 37th overall). – Erickson

Green Bay Packers

Jayden Reed (WR – GB)

The Packers have one of the youngest pass-catching groups in NFL history, with a bunch of first- and second-year wide receivers and a pair of rookie tight ends. The abundance of youth means that Reed, a second-round draft pick from Michigan State, could quickly ascend the Green Bay depth chart with an impressive showing in August. The slot-receiver role is probably Reed’s to lose, but with a strong camp, he might even be able to earn a regular spot in two-WR sets. – Fitz

Minnesota Vikings

Alexander Mattison (RB – MIN)

Alexander Mattison is slated to be the Vikings starting RB in 2023, but it’s a role that he’s never had before. Will he be a full-fledged 3-down back or split time with others? Will the likes of Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu or DeWayne McBride eat into Mattison’s touches or even usurp the “No. 1” rusher? Tracking reps will be key with Mattison, as will his status during the preseason. There’s definitely room for any of these Vikings RB backups to close the gap on Mattison’s hold as the team’s RB1. There is also a chance that the team inks a free agent rusher, should they feel their backfield needs additional bodies/depth. I’m not touching Mattison with a ten-foot pole at his current ADP until he runs away with the starting job this summer. – Erickson

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)

Falcons HC Arthur Smith is never one to do the right thing for fantasy football managers. So I wouldn’t be shocked to see during this upcoming training camp/preseason period that Tyler Allgeier potentially gets the nod and reps with the 1s. Maybe he will even start a preseason game or two. Recall that Allgeier was the 5th RB in rotation in last year’s 1st preseason game. Guy was buried on the depth chart. Bijan Robinson’s top-10 draft capital makes it less likely this happens. And that’s the point here. Any way the Falcons deploy their backs during the preseason should be used as leverage to buy LOW on Robinson if he isn’t immediately viewed as the team’s starter during the summer when things get WAY blown out of proportion. It also gives credence to laying off Robinson in drafts right now, should his ADP dip to a better price for those drafting a ton of best ball volume. – Erickson

Carolina Panthers

Terrace Marshall (WR – CAR)

Carolina’s WR depth chart is a jumble, with Marshall, Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark and rookie Jonathan Mingo the primary competitors for targets. Marshall will likely compete with Mingo for the starting X-receiver role. Both players are second-round draft picks from SEC schools, with Marshall joining the Panthers from LSU in 2021, and Mingo coming to Carolina from Ole Miss earlier this year. Marshall had a decent showing over the latter part of the 2022 season, with 22 catches for 429 yards and a touchdown over Carolina’s final 10 games. It’s a make-or-break season for Marshall, and if he can’t beat out Mingo for a starting spot, it seems unlikely Marshall will ever become a fantasy-relevant receiver. – Fitz

New Orleans Saints

Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)

Alvin Kamara has pleaded no contest to a lesser misdemeanor charge of breach of peace stemming from a 2022 incident in Las Vegas. It’s now up to the league’s decision-makers on how to discipline Kamara, most likely in the form of a suspension. For the sake of uncertainty, let’s estimate Kamara is suspended for the first four-to-six weeks of the season. That aligns with what players typically get knocked on for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Could see it less than six games as it was a non-domestic violence incident, which the league punishes players harsher for. And considering how soft the Saints’ schedule is overall and to open the season, I’d bet the team leans into Kamara taking on the suspension earlier rather than later should he go through the appeal process. Teams want to hit their stride in the year’s second half, and keeping Kamara fresh would be in their best interest.

With Kamara out for four-six weeks, Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller will see boosts in their ADPs. Ergo, you should be drafting both with ADPs outside the top 30 and sometimes top-40 RBs (platform-specific). The team invested in both RBs through free agency and the NFL Draft because they likely knew Kamara would be slated to miss some time. Why else would they sign Williams to a three-year deal with $8 million guaranteed? Or draft Miller 71st overall? They are going to have roles when Kamara misses time at some point this season. That’s just not reflected enough in their ADPs. Furthermore, their ADPs are at a price where you could still draft them at value, knowing that Kamara wouldn’t miss games (injuries withstanding). Williams is being drafted alongside the likes of A.J. Dillon, Rashaad Penny, Khalil Herbert, Elijah Mitchell, etc. A la the same tier of No. 2 real-life RBs he would already be drafted around should Kamara have no suspension looming. Remember, the Saints coaching staff has never shied away from featuring the likes of backup grinders such as Latavius Murray/Mark Ingram with a healthy AK41 and when he has missed time in the past. Miller is more of the home-run lottery ticket option, as his explosive skill set gives him the ability to usurp Williams entirely. I prefer him more in the best ball format, as he seems destined to be a featured asset down the stretch.

As for Kamara himself, his current price is more accurately baking in his potential suspension, unlike with the other two RBs. I think it will move up just when we know how many games he will miss or if it comes in very light (under 4 games). But aside from his deflated ADP suspension, Kamara has a lot going against him. Williams and Miller are legitimate snap/touch threats, especially in the red zone. Taysom Hill remains a threat in the red zone. Kamara’s receiving usage was hot garbage last season, dropping his target share from 22% to 11%. The Saints RB never caught more than two passes in any game from Weeks 13-18, and his days as a game-breaking receiver seem to be long gone. His rushing production was also subpar, finishing second worst in the rushing EPA (-41) and managing only two games with over 65 rushing yards before the schedule eased up in the final four games. So, although I understand the “get Kamara at a discount” rhetoric due to his suspension, I think the better way to approach the better ambiguity is through the untapped upside of the other RBs on the depth chart, particularly with the rookie Miller. But I can’t argue drafting any of these RBs at their current prices, with them all seriously discounted based on the rare circumstances. – Erickson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kyle Trask (QB – TB)

With only second-round draft capital and a grand total of nine pass attempts in the NFL, Kyle Trask has to show the Buccaneers that he can be the short and long-term answer at quarterback in camp. Baker Mayfield is a journeyman castoff at this point in his career. If Trask can’t beat out Mayfield for the starting job in camp, the chances of him panning out as an NFL starter become slimmer and slimmer. Will he capture it? Or just let it slip? Trask might be nervous, but on the surface, he better be calm and ready to drop bombs. – DBro

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray (QB – ARI)

Just how far away is Kyler Murray from returning to the starting lineup? The expectation is that he is going to miss regular season games to start the year, but his status through training camp and the preseason will be important to monitor. Potential setbacks or a lack of optimism about his return will create major ripple effects across how confident we will be in the Arizona pass-catchers. Therefore, I’d be waiting to draft Cardinals players because they should only get cheaper as the season inches closer. – Erickson

Los Angeles Rams

Cam Akers (RB – LAR)

If Cam Akers doesn’t sniff the field during the preseason, you can expect a bellcow level workload from him in 2023. Sean McVay never plays his best players in the preseason, so it would be a major vote of confidence that Akers is the team’s clear-cut RB1 heading into the season. Akers is cheap now, but I’m not sure how long that will hold. – Erickson

San Francisco 49ers

Trey Lance (RB – SF)

Trey Lance needs an outstanding camp to not only somehow interject his name in the discussion for the starting job but also improve his trade stock. If Lance isn’t meant to pan out in San Francisco, so be it, but to give life to his NFL future, he still needs a strong showing before Week 1. If Lance balls out, it’s possible he could be dealt before the season, but if he looks lost, he could be buried on the 49ers’ depth chart until his rookie deal is up. The latter would snuff out some of the last remaining hope candles still lit for Lance at this juncture. – DBro

Seattle Seahawks

Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)

The Seahawks upset a lot of fantasy managers by taking Charbonnet in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft. Dynasty managers had to temper their enthusiasm for Charbonnet due to Kenneth Walker‘s presence in the Seattle backfield, and Walker enthusiasts were forced to reckon with the possibility that the second-year running back’s 2023 role might not be as substantial as expected. But Walker is the known commodity here — he excelled after overcoming a preseason injury and replacing the injured Rashaad Penny as Seattle’s lead RB. Charbonnet will need to make a strong impression in training camp and the preseason to get a foothold in the Seattle backfield. The good news is that Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is as meritocratic a coach as you’ll find in the league, so if Charbonnet turns heads in August, it’s a good bet he’ll get ample playing time in September. – Fitz

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Trade Analyzer – which allows you to instantly find out if a trade offer benefits you or your opponent – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.