Training Camp Preview: AFC North

Thu Jul 24 3:54pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

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Flacco looks to start for Browns


This is the last in a series of training camp previews. The previews give you a quick look at each team, going over position battles and injuries to watch in camp. The season is right around the corner.

Ravens

Baltimore continues to perform very well in the regular season, but come up short in the playoffs. Expectations will be high for this team to get over the hump, especially for Lamar Jackson to play better in the playoffs. Jackson will have a lot of pressure on him to get it done this season. Jackson and his teammates get it going July 15 at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md.

Position battle: The Ravens have Zay Flowers as their No. 1 receiver, but the starter opposite of him is up for grabs between Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins. Bateman has been the guy in recent seasons, but hasn’t exactly run away with the job. Hopkins will get his chance to pry it away from him, but you have to wonder how much he has left in the tank. His production has really tailed off in recent seasons. Bateman might be the favorite because of that.

Injury watch: Derrick Henry is not injured, but is 31 years old with a ton of carries under his belt. He ran 325 times last season, his first in Baltimore. Henry had a huge first season and is expected to play a huge role for the team once again. Henry should have his usage in camp managed smartly to ensure he is ready for the start of the year and able to play a full season. Keep an eye on him in camp to make sure all is well with Henry.

Browns

The Browns have quite the quarterback competition going on this year. This should be the focus of camp, seeing the quarterback that emerges from that crowded field of contenders. Obviously, it will have a big impact on how the season plays out for the Browns. Cleveland opens camp July 18 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.

Position battle: The Browns might have the craziest quarterback battle any team has had in a long, long time. There are four quarterbacks battling it out to start in Cleveland. Yes, you read that right. Four quarterbacks. Veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco might be the favorites, but rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders also are in the mix. It really is an open competition with four players duking it out. This should be a fun one to watch.

Injury watch: Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles’ during Week 7 last season and tore it again rehabbing in January. He has a long road back and might not play at all this season. The Browns are not likely to rush him back, especially since it seems they want to move on from him. We might get a better idea of their plans during camp, though.

Steelers

The Steelers have another new quarterback at the helm this year. It is another veteran, but one that hasn’t been great in recent seasons. Aaron Rodgers takes over to help stabilize the offense in Pittsburgh. Rodgers should have a lot of eyes on him in camp, seeing how he does with his new team and meshes with long-time coach Mike Tomlin. We can see Rodgers and his teammates in action, starting July 23 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Penn.

Position battle: The Steelers have an opening at receiver after trading George Pickett. Robert Woods, Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson should battle it out for the right to start opposite DK Metcalf. This is a pretty wide-open race. Woods has the experience, but not done a whole lot in recent seasons. Austin might be the favorite out of the bunch after doing well with his chances last year. The Steelers seem to like his upside. We wouldn’t count out Wilson, though, who has a ton of talent but trouble staying healthy.

Injury watch: Aaron Rodgers didn’t look like the same player last season, his first back from a torn Achilles.’ You have to wonder how much he has left in the tank at this stage of his career. His health will be something to watch this camp, seeing how he performs in his first season with the Steelers. Pittsburgh needs a healthy Rodgers if they hope to return to the playoffs this year.

Bengals

The Bengals just missed out on the playoffs last season, which was a big disappointment for them. There were lofty goals for this talented team. The defense faltered at times, though, and the offensive line was an issue. The Bengals need to get those areas fixed if they hope to get back to the playoffs. This should be a big focus of training camp. The Bengals will look to get things going in the right direction starting July 19 at Kettering Health Practice Fields in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Position battle: The Bengals are set at their two starting receiver spots, but the No. 3 job is a bit up in the air. Andrei Iosivas emerged last year in that role, but Jermaine Burton has been getting a ton of offseason buzz. He could end up unseating Iosivas for the No. 3 job with a strong camp and preseason.

Injury watch: Zack Moss dealt with a neck injury last year that limited him to eight games. He has still been slowed by his neck injury during the offseason and is going to open camp on the Active/Non-Football Injury list. Moss is expected back to training camp sooner than later, but the more time he misses, the more it opens the door for Samje Perine to win the top backup job in Cincinnati. 

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Player Notes
Dillon Gabriel Aug 4 2:20pm CT
Dillon Gabriel

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) are both limited during team drills at Monday's training camp practice due to hamstring injuries, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Meanwhile, Shedeur Sanders (shoulder), who was held out of team drills on Saturday with shoulder soreness, is a full-go. Gabriel had seen increased snaps overall and with the first-team offense last week, but he'll take a step back to let his hamstring heal. The 24-year-old Gabriel's injury doesn't appear to be serious, so he should be back on the field sooner than later. Gabriel and Sanders don't really have a realistic chance to win the starting QB job in 2025, and they are merely trying to prove they are good long-term investments for the Browns. Pickett's hammy injury has increased the odds that veteran Joe Flacco will win the QB job to begin the season.

From RotoBaller

Shedeur Sanders Aug 4 2:10pm CT
Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (shoulder) returned to training camp practice on Monday after dealing with some right-shoulder soreness over the weekend. Sanders said he is all good and would be a full-go at Monday's practice after being held out of team drills on Saturday. It sounds like the Browns were just being cautious with Sanders over the weekend. The 23-year-old famously fell all the way to the fifth round of this year's NFL draft after it was initially believed that he'd be a top-five pick. To make matters worse, Cleveland took rookie Dillon Gabriel ahead of Sanders in the same draft. There's plenty of raw talent with the son of former NFL legend Deion Sanders, but he also has plenty of flaws, primarily holding onto the ball too long. Sanders is merely trying to prove to the Browns this summer that he belongs in their plans long term.

From RotoBaller

Jameson Williams Aug 4 2:00pm CT
Jameson Williams

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams is expected to see "an uptick in targets" this year, as quarterback Jared Goff said the fourth-year receiver is embracing a more diverse route tree. "To see the growth in Jamo this offseason has been a lot of fun," Goff said. Williams averaged around six targets per game last year, and Fowler expects that number to grow in 2025 under new offensive coordinator John Morton. The 24-year-old former 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Ohio State dealt with injuries and a suspension his first two years in the league before breaking out with 1,001 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 58 catches over 15 regular-season games (11 starts) in 2024. There are a lot of mouths to feed in Detroit's offense, but Morton seems to want to involve Williams alot, which makes him a low-end WR2 heading into his fourth season.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Aug 4 2:00pm CT
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (foot) missed his third-straight practice on Monday due to a sore foot. The 24-year-old did not appear to be dealing with any injuries during the start of camp, but has remained sidelined over the past few days. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status in case this injury begins to linger. On Monday, Zach Charbonnet filled in as the top running back once again. While Walker has flashed immense upside when on the field, he is no stranger to injuries. During the 2024 season, Walker played in only 11 games. However, during these 11 games, he averaged an impressive 16.5 PPR points per game. He also saw a career-high 53 targets his way, after seeing just 35 and 47 in each of his first two NFL seasons. When Walker is on the field, fantasy managers should expect him to serve as the lead running back in Seattle. However, given his extensive injury history, the Seahawks could eventually opt to lower his workload to preserve his health. For now, the Michigan State product remains a high-upside RB2 with risk in all standard leagues.

From RotoBaller

Jakobi Meyers Aug 4 1:50pm CT
Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is expected to be used in "a lot of different ways" in the Chip Kelly-led offense. According to Jesse Merrick of SBSN, the veteran wideout had already formed a strong connection with his quarterback Geno Smith. In the offseason, the Raiders opted to re-tool their entire coaching staff by bringing in Pete Carroll to serve as the head coach while former Ohio State offensive coordinator and NFL head coach Chip Kelly would lead the offense. Last season, Meyers was one of the few bright spots in a struggling Las Vegas passing attack. He caught 87 passes for 1,027 yards but only found the back of the end zone four times. However, in 2023, Meyers scored eight touchdowns. With Smith under center, the 28-year-old could be poised to enjoy his best season of his career. He is an intriguing WR3 target in PPR leagues as he should see a heavy dose of targets his way, serving as the top wideout in the passing attack.

From RotoBaller

Travis Etienne Aug 4 1:40pm CT
Travis Etienne

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to keep four running backs for a committee approach in 2025 under new head coach Liam Coen. "They see Travis Etienne Jr. as a potentially very dangerous part of Coen's screen game." Tank Bigsby is viewed as more of a physical pounder between the tackles, which may mean he is the team's short-yardage and goal-line option. Rookie fourth-rounder Bhayshul Tuten is the speed guy and home run threat out of the backfield. Rookie seventh-rounder LeQuint Allen Jr. could evolve into a third-down back due to his pass-catching and pass-protection abilities. Graziano thinks this could be a situation to stay away from in fantasy until concrete roles develop. Etienne has mostly shared reps with Bigsby at training camp. In PPR leagues, Etienne will be a cheap RB3/flex target.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Pitts Aug 4 1:40pm CT
Kyle Pitts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. has been establishing a strong connection with starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the offseason. Adnan Ikic of The Falcoholic noted that the tight end has been Penix's golf partner, and their connection has already begun to show on the practice field. Pitts has been targeted a lot during the early stages of training camp and is emerging as a go-to option for Penix in the passing attack. After tallying 1,026 yards in his rookie campaign, the former first-round pick has struggled to live up to his draft capital. In 2024, Pitts scored a career-high four touchdowns but caught just 47 passes for a mere 602 receiving yards. However, with Darnell Mooney (shoulder) in danger of missing the start of the season, Pitts could be in a prime position to enjoy a strong start to the campaign. He is worth a look as a high-upside TE2 in all formats.

From RotoBaller

Chase Brown Aug 4 1:00pm CT
Chase Brown

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown is expected to see an uptick in his passing-game numbers in 2025 after he caught 14 passes for 156 yards a year ago, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Brown has worked to improve his receiving abilities, and head coach Zac Taylor thinks it can be a strength for him. Despite the fact that the Bengals have studs in the passing game with receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and tight end Mike Gesicki, the expectation is that Brown "will serve as a safety valve in the screen game when defenses try to take away Chase or Higgins." The 25-year-old took over the backfield from Zack Moss (no longer on the team) last year and came 10 yards shy of reaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark while adding 11 total touchdowns in 16 games (10 starts). Brown is the focal point of one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, making him a low-end RB1 target.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Aug 4 12:40pm CT
Bucky Irving

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that he is trying to take Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving pretty early in fantasy drafts. Graziano explains that the Bucs love Irving, and while they also have a role planned for Rachaad White, Irving is "viewed by people in the building as special enough to warrant a high-volume RB1 role." "His vision," quarterback Baker Mayfield said. "His timing of when he's supposed to hit the gas. He's patient, patient and then hits it. I just think he's always looking to score. It's tough to see in practice. Like, last year at this time I was like, 'Eh. We'll see. It looks good.' But didn't expect it to be like it was. He's just tough to bring down. He's strong, he's got great vision, he understands it, and then also you add in the ability to catch too. He's well-rounded." The 22-year-old had a 1,000-yard season with eight touchdowns in his rookie campaign and should be heavily involved in the passing attack, too, making him a low-end RB1 target in fantasy in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Aug 4 12:00pm CT
Josh Downs

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs' presence is hard to miss at training camp practices and he "gets targeted a lot, and not just in the short area." Downs appears to be getting separation in practices this summer. Quarterback Daniel Jones wasn't very accurate deep down the field in his time with the New York Giants but if he's more comfortable in the short-to-intermediate areas, Fowler thinks Downs will be a primary target. The Colts' QB situation is far from settled, but Anthony Richardson Sr. is also improving in the middle of the field. The 23-year-old former third-rounder (79th overall) in 2023 out of North Carolina took the next step with a 72-803-5 line in 14 games (eight starts) a year ago. However, a lack of size and the unattractive Colts QB battle hurt Downs' overall fantasy upside as a WR4/flex.

From RotoBaller

D.J. Moore Aug 4 11:40am CT
D.J. Moore

The Chicago Bears will likely manufacture touches for wide receiver DJ Moore out of the backfield as well as a receiver as new head coach Ben Johnson adds wrinkles to the offense, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes. Moore has the ability to line up in the backfield and still end up deep downfield for targets. Fowler adds that last year, Moore was "relegated to hopeless screen plays and looked disengaged at times." This year, the Bears will "try to maximize his opportunities in a thoughtful way." The 28-year-old had career-highs in catches (96), receiving yards (1,364) and touchdowns (nine) despite the fact that Chicago's offense struggled under rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The addition of a more creative offensive mind in Johnson, paired with the fact that Keenan Allen is out of town, is good news for Moore's 2025 fantasy value. Treat him as a low-end WR2.

From RotoBaller

Matthew Golden Aug 4 11:30am CT
Matthew Golden

Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden has looked the part so far in training camp, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Golden's hands (he's not a body-catcher) and his determination to be great have stood out so far, per Fowler. A person with the team pointed out Golden hadn't dropped a pass through the first week-plus of camp and he connected on a 60-yard deep pass earlier in the week. The 22-year-old first-rounder is competing for playing time right away in his first year in the NFL in what is now a crowded receiver room in Green Bay. But with Christian Watson (knee) likely to miss a good chunk of the 2025 season, Golden should have a key role in the Packers' passing attack this season. Golden's speed should serve him well and at least make him worth a WR4/5 flier later in fantasy drafts this fall.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Aug 4 11:30am CT
Josh Jacobs

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs looked like the best player on the field at training camp the day he visited, and "his explosion suggests another heavy workload is coming." Jacobs had 301 carries in his first year in Green Bay in 2024 and has averaged 18.6 carries per game since 2022. Fowler doesn't see Jacobs' carries declining, and that could especially be true if MarShawn Lloyd (groin) cannot stay healthy. The 27-year-old's open-field cuts have looked really sharp this summer. If you decide to wait a little bit on your RB1 in fantasy drafts this year, Jacobs represents a high-floor, low-end RB1 target going into his second season with the Packers. The three-time Pro Bowler had 1,329 rushing yards and a career-best 15 touchdowns on 301 carries last year. He's still the centerpiece of this offense.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Mason Aug 4 11:00am CT
Jordan Mason

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason could be the "Co-RB1" alongside Aaron Jones in the upcoming season. According to Jeremy Fowler, Mason could operate as the Co-RB1 in the offense. During their recent practice session on Friday, Fowler noted that Mason saw significant opportunities and is a good complement to the veteran Jones. Last season, Mason operated as the lead back in San Francisco through most of the campaign while Christian McCaffrey was injured. Mason looked quite comfortable as the top running back, averaging 14.8 PPR points per game during the first seven weeks. During this stretch, Mason averaged 95.3 rushing yards per game and found the back of the end zone three times. Given Jones' age and injury risk, Mason is an intriguing selection as he could be viewed as a reliable flex option in most weeks with the upside to produce as an RB1 if Jones were to miss time.

From RotoBaller

Keaton Mitchell Aug 4 10:40am CT
Keaton Mitchell

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell is expected to have a role in the upcoming season. After flashing immense big-play ability during his rookie season in 2023, Mitchell spent most of the 2024 campaign recovering from a knee injury he suffered late in the 2023 season. When he did eventually return to the field in 2024, Mitchell had a minimal role as he was the clear No. 3 option on the depth chart behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. He carried the ball just 15 times and ran for 30 yards. He added 28 yards on one reception. In 2023, Mitchell posted an eye-catching 8.4 YPC, which suggests he could carry fantasy upside if given the carries. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during camp as he could be worth a look as a late-round target in deeper leagues, if he can take over the No. 2 job on the depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Aug 4 10:30am CT
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears has looked "explosive during training camp. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Spears has looked explosive when running through holes and several members of the coaching staff believe he is in store for an uptick in carries. While veteran Tony Pollard is still expected to be the feature back of the offense, Spears should push for over 100 carries as he fell short of this mark last season, tallying just 84. During the 2024 season, Spears ran for 312 yards on the ground and added five total touchdowns. However, much of his work came over the final three games when Pollard was either very limited or even sat out (Week 17). During this three-game stretch, Spears averaged 20.7 PPR points per game with 42.3 rushing yards per game and 44.7 receiving yards per game. Even though Pollard is still slated to lead the backfield, Spears will likely be viewed as a high-end handcuff that could hold standalone value in deeper formats.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Aug 4 10:30am CT
Tony Pollard

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard rushed for a career-high 1,079 yards in 2024, his first season with the team. While many expected Tyjae Spears to siphon more work away from Pollard last season, the former only saw 84 carries in 11 games. ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler visited Titans camp on Saturday and came away believing that Pollard is still the team's lead back, although Spears is expected to see a larger role in 2025. The Tennessee offense's arrow is pointing up with Cam Ward now under center, making Pollard a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 heading into fantasy drafts this summer, while Spears sets up as an interesting handcuff who could have some standalone flex value in deeper formats.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Tavion Sanders Aug 4 10:20am CT
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders continues to impress during training camp this year. Sanders has been the Panthers' offensive MVP thus far in camp, according to the Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye. Sanders "is catching passes in droves and is adding yards after the catch with regularity," Kaye wrote in his Stock Watch piece on Monday. Sanders, heading into his second NFL season, also looks leaner and more muscular this year after playing at 255 pounds as a rookie. The young tight end appears primed for a breakout in 2025 on an ascending Panthers offense, making him an interesting dart-throw as a late-round option in fantasy drafts later this summer.

From RotoBaller

Noah Brown Aug 4 9:50am CT
Noah Brown

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (undisclosed) did not practice on Monday. Brown suffered an injury during mandatory minicamp in June but has been practicing throughout training camp. As of now, there is no explanation for Brown's absence on Monday. Brown caught 35 passes for 453 yards and one touchdown for Washington in 2024 and could see a larger role in the team's offense this season if the Commanders decide to fulfill Terry McLaurin's trade demand from last week. Stay tuned as the team is likely to elaborate on Brown's absence from practice later in the day on Monday.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Aug 4 9:40am CT
Daniel Jones

Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones remain locked in a preseason battle to be the team's starting signal-caller when the regular season begins. Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters earlier in the day that both QBs would play "a good amount" in the team's first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. Later on Monday morning, the Colts released their first unofficial depth chart and listed their QB1 as such: "Daniel Jones OR Anthony Richardson Sr." The team continues to evaluate the play of both QBs and doesn't seem to be in a hurry to declare who will be the Week 1 starter against the Miami Dolphins.

From RotoBaller