Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates "had a rotten day [on a Friday in early August], missing at least a half-dozen field goals," according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com, who attended training camp that day. (It bears mentioning that he converted his lone attempt in Week 1 of the preseason from 53 yards out.) Bates latched on with the Lions after an impressive run in the UFL, and while he's currently Detroit's only kicker, the team could look to bring in competition or a replacement. As Graziano writes, "It doesn't sound like this was a new problem, and you wonder if the Lions will end up looking elsewhere for their kicker before camp is out." Randy Bullock is the consensus top kicker available in free agency at the moment, but that could change as teams shake up their rosters over the next few weeks.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell is losing ground on the competition for WR3, but even if he drops to fourth on the depth chart, the team still has a plan for him. "The Rams run enough 11 personnel that the fourth receiver should get a healthy run," writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "Atwell's quickness and speed make him a unique matchup, and he can play all three receiver spots in the Rams' offense. So barring a great offer, the Rams would rather ride out his contract year with hopes that he maximizes his role." Atwell hasn't quite lived up to expectations in three years since the Rams drafted him with a second-round pick, but he did start to come on strong last year (39 catches, 483 yards, and three touchdowns) when Cooper Kupp missed time due to injury.

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New Orleans Saints versatile playmaker Taysom Hill's role could look "slightly different" this season, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. However, the team still expects to take advantage of his versatility. "Hill could play up to five positions fullback, running back, quarterback, tight end, and wide receiver," the two insiders wrote. "That doesn't mean he will play all five, but the Saints have those options available." Hill was an intriguing threat on offense once again last year, catching 33 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 401 yards and four touchdowns, and passing for 83 yards and a touchdown. His production often fluctuated on a week-to-week basis, but managers benefitted from his big-play ability. He remains an appealing fantasy option given his positional eligibility at tight end.

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New Orleans Saints quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (skin cancer) "are in a true battle for QB2," according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. While some teams say the role is up for grabs but have a clear favorite, that doesn't appear to be the case in New Orleans, where it truly is up for grabs between Rattler and Haener. "The key is, do we have a [QB2] or do we have two [QB3s]?" head coach Dennis Allen asked. "Two [QB3s] doesn't help you. So you want to see who steps up and earns the job. And that's what training camp is all about." In terms of the competition, Rattler has draft capital on his side; the Saints spent a fifth-round pick on him less than four months ago. Haener, meanwhile, has experience in the New Orleans system after spending all of 2023 in their organization. It's also worth noting that Haener, a fourth-round pick last year, recently underwent treatment for a rare form of skin cancer on his cheek, but it's not expected to impact his playing ability. This will be a fascinating positional battle to watch, though neither quarterback has much redraft appeal.

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The Dallas Cowboys could have running backs Miles Sanders and Dalvin Cook on their short list of targets as the regular season gets closer, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The insiders note that the Cowboys are still evaluating their backfield, which is currently headlined by Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, and have started monitoring a few external options in case they feel the need to make an addition. Sanders is one of those players, and there's also a connection with Cook, who previously expressed interest in playing for the Cowboys. The latter is currently a more feasible option than the former given that Sanders is still under contract with the Panthers, but there's been speculation that he could be on Carolina's roster bubble. If the Cowboys do make a move at running back, it would add another confusing element for fantasy managers to decipher. Elliott, Dowdle, and the addition would presumably all be thrust to the low-end RB3 range while we try to figure out each back's expected usage.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert appears ready to have a big season, according to Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "Tolbert looks the part of an NFL receiver now after a few early-career hiccups," they wrote. "[Dak] Prescott looks his way early and often in practice. Look for a big Year 3 for him." Tolbert appeared in all 17 games last season, making six starts along the way. He ultimately caught 22 passes for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Now, the 25-year-old is competing for the No. 3 receiver role with Jalen Brooks, and it sounds like Tolbert might have the early advantage. Even if he's stuck playing behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, Tolbert could display some fantasy relevance given that the Cowboys have a successful offense and are expected to throw the ball a lot. He's an intriguing end-of-draft option in deeper redraft leagues.

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Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods "has yet to put together a day where he stood out" in training camp, according to Destin Adams of A to Z Sports. Woods missed all of last season due to injuries to his hamstrings, making it crucial that he use this summer's training camp and preseason to showcase himself. That hasn't happened, though, as the 25-year-old continues to drop passes and run with the second-team offense. As of now, Adams speculates that Woods is behind Moe Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory in the pecking order. Such a dynamic would certainly leave Woods on the roster bubble with less than a month until the NFL regular season kicks off.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow completed five of seven passes for 51 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The star quarterback (and the primary offense as a whole) only played the first drive of the game, but they took advantage of their limited playing time by putting seven points on the board. For Burrow, injuries have been a major storyline throughout his young career. He missed six games as a rookie and seven last year, creating significant problems for the Bengals and fantasy managers alike. The wrist injury he suffered late in 2023 seems to have healed, but Cincinnati will likely continue to exercise caution with their franchise quarterback as Week 1 approaches. Once the season kicks off, Burrow will rank as a strong QB1 option for as long as he can stay healthy.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Logan Woodside completed eight of 12 passes for 149 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Woodside didn't enter the game until the fourth quarter, which means he's third on the depth chart behind Joe Burrow and Jake Browning. Nevertheless, Woodside might have inched a bit closer to the backup job by limiting incompletions, racking up yards, and leading a scoring drive. He still faces a challenge to surpass Browning on the depth chart, but Saturday's game was a step in the right direction. He'll presumably get two more opportunities to showcase himself as the Bengals move through their preseason schedule this month.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning completed just 10 of 18 passes for 52 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception during Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also rushed for an additional five yards on two attempts. Browning re-signed with Cincinnati as their No. 2 quarterback this offseason, and while he remains in position to be Joe Burrow's backup, the competition got a little more interesting as Browning struggled and Logan Woodside excelled against the Buccaneers. Browning should get additional opportunities to separate himself from Woodside over the Bengals' two remaining preseason games. Even if Browning does win the backup job, he'll remain off the fantasy radar as long as Burrow is healthy.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton converted four targets into three catches for 82 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Burton has generated plenty of hype during his first training camp, so it was a bit of a surprise that he didn't enter the game until the third quarter and wasn't targeted until the fourth. Nevertheless, he made the most of his time on the field, leading the Bengals in receiving yards and also hauling in a 37-yard touchdown pass. A third-round pick out of Alabama, Burton continues to compete for the No. 3 receiver role with Trenton Irwin and Andre Iosivas. He's an appealing dynasty option, but it's a bit premature to pursue him in most redraft leagues.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins hauled in two of his three targets for 19 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unsurprisingly, Higgins ran with the primary offense led by Joe Burrow, which only played the first drive of the game. It was a successful possession, too, as Burrow linked up with many of his favorite starters, including Higgins for the score. The 25-year-old receiver is ready to put this offseason's contract drama behind him. He'll play under the franchise tag in 2024, continuing to operate as the No. 2 option behind Ja'Marr Chase in Cincinnati. Higgins often performs at his best when Chase is on the field. He's a solid WR2 option in fantasy football this year.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) suffered a dislocation of the sternoclavicular shoulder joint during Saturday's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He landed on his left shoulder after being tackled during the first play of the game. The 27-year-old immediately headed to the sideline and went to the locker room. He did not return to the game. According to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, Brown's injury was similar to the one the then Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered in 2019. Hill ended up missing four games before returning to action. "Brown will miss some time," said Reid. His status for Week 1 is up in the air. Barring a potential suspension, Rashee Rice will lead the way for the Chiefs wide receiver group. At the same time, Xavier Worthy, Skyy Moore, Justin Watson, and Kadarius Toney should see an uptick in snaps while Brown is sidelined.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young caught three of his four targets for a team-high 44 receiving yards in Saturday's 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The 2022 draftee's catch and target totals also tied for most on the team. He was also involved in Seattle's longest play of the game. Tucked in close to the Seahawks' line, Young was marked only by a linebacker who he easily outran while crossing over the middle. Once open, Sam Howell fired a dart to Young for a gain of 26 yards. Young showed good hands in the game but he is not a viable fantasy option.

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Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani found the end zone in Saturday's 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Holani entered the game after three straight Kenny McIntosh touches gave Seattle first down on the Chargers' 11-yard line. After taking the handoff he deftly bounced outside when his lanes up the middle were jammed, found the edge, and ran it in. The undrafted rookie out of Boise State finished the game with six carries for 24 yards and two receptions for another six yards through the air. Fellow rookie Kobe Lewis led Seattle's backfield with 10 carries. Both running backs are competing with McIntosh to see who will sit directly behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet on the depth chart. Their next opportunity for game action will come against the Tennessee Titans on August 17.

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Quarterback Sam Howell enjoyed a win in his debut with the Seahawks on Saturday. Howell went 16-for-27 for 130 yards and a touchdown as a passer in Seattle's 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also gained 17 yards on four rushes. The Chargers' aggressive pass rush kept pressure on Howell throughout the game resulting in several throwaways and broken plays. Howell's first score in a Seahawk uniform was a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell early in the second quarter. The former Washington Commander came to Seattle via trade in the offseason to back up veteran Geno Smith, who was held out of the preseason game as a precaution. Howell will next be in action when Seattle takes on the Tennessee Titans on August 17.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor led the team in all-purpose yards in Saturday night's 17-13 loss at the Tennessee Titans. Taylor, 30, hauled in three receptions on six targets for 48 yards and ripped off a 21-yard gain on his lone carry. The Louisiana Tech product was drafted by San Francisco in 2017 but spent two years in Cincinnati before signing with Chicago in 2023, where he worked almost exclusively returning punts. Taylor is currently competing with a large number of receivers to make the roster. It's unlikely that Taylor will become fantasy-relevant in 2024. However, if you squint, you might see Taylor as the best Deebo Samuel, Sr. impersonator available in the 49ers' receiver room should something happen to the real deal.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason led the team in rushing in a 17-13 preseason loss at the Tennessee Titans. He finished the night with six carries for 34 yards and a touchdown while failing to haul in his only target in the passing game. Mason, 25, spent last year alternating between second and third in the 49ers' depth chart, getting most of his looks when all-world back Christian McCaffrey and fellow backup Elijah Mitchell were unavailable. Although backfield competitor Tyrion Davis-Price has flown to Philadelphia this year, Mason may have an even tougher time finding the field in 2024 as the 49ers have retained Mitchell, traded up to draft Louisville's Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round, and welcomed back Matt Breida after a four-year hiatus. Mason outperformed Breida on Saturday -- the latter took six carries for zero yards -- but Mason would require an injury to McCaffrey to be fantasy-relevant even if he beats out Guerendo and Breida.

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs assumed second-half quarterback duties in a 17-13 loss at the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night. Dobbs, who raised some eyebrows in 2023 with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, signed with San Francisco in March to back up starter Brock Purdy. Dobbs finished the night completing 14 of 20 passing attempts for 146 yards and one interception to go with one rushing attempt, which went for a six-yard touchdown. The 29-year-old former aerospace engineering major looked mostly sharp, though he was sacked once for a 15-yard loss. Dobbs will go undrafted in fantasy leagues, but would likely be worth a waiver-wire look if Purdy were to miss time, especially with the rushing upside he showed last season and the potent offense he'd be running.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked sharp in limited action in Saturday night's preseason defeat to the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium, completing three of his four passing for 27 yards in the loss. Mahomes made a cameo on Saturday against Jacksonville, leading a scoring drive in the first quarter before his evening came to an end. After posting a career-low 4.5% touchdown rate and a career-worst 14 interceptions across 16 appearances last season, the 28-year-old three-time Super Bowl MVP is a clear positive regression candidate for 2024. While Mahomes' supporting cast looks much improved from what the Chiefs fielded in Week 1 of last year, Marquise Brown (shoulder) went down with a shoulder injury in this one, while Rashee Rice remains at risk of getting suspended at some point this year. All in all, Mahomes is a surefire top-shelf QB1 pick in the early rounds of fantasy drafts this summer.

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