Our 2025 NFL Training Camp News articles are intended to be a one-stop shop for the most important news from around the NFL during training camp. I’ll post a new Market Report every week during August to help our subscribers keep the pulse of what’s happening in the fantasy marketplace. I’ll update this article daily throughout the week, so be sure to check back for the latest training camp news.
This article will primarily focus on news, beat reports, and injuries emerging from team practices. Be sure to check out Graham Barfield’s Preseason Game Reviews for key takeaways on player performances and playing time implications from preseason action.
CATCH UP ON PREVIOUS TRAINING CAMP MARKET REPORTS
2025 NFL Training Camp News: Week of July 28
ADP in this article is based on our ADP tool’s PPR setting, which pulls from Sleeper drafts over the last 14 days.
UPGRADES
Players I’m feeling more optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence (Jax) — Liam Coen told ESPN’s Dan Graziano that the team has been “working the heck out progression drills” because the book on Lawrence has been that he struggles when the defense takes away his first read. Coen added that they want him to get used to comfortable running more when his reads are taken away, much like how Baker Mayfield ran more under Coen last season. Mayfield more than doubled his career-best rushing mark with 378 yards, averaging 2.5 scrambles per game. Lawrence averaged 1.3 scrambles per game last season, turning in a career-low 11.9 rushing YPG. He isn’t prolific enough of a runner to elevate into the elite tier at the position. Still, an additional scramble or two per game would elevate his fantasy floor to give himself a chance to finish as a top-12 QB. (Added Aug. 4)
Joe Flacco (Cle) — The Athletic’s Zac Jackson wrote that “Flacco has gone from presumed favorite to strong favorite” since the start of training camp. Kenny Pickett is top competitor for the gig, and he’s been limited by a hamstring injury since July 26, which opened the door for Flacco to perform well in more first-team reps. FanDuel sportsbook has moved Flacco to a -215 favorite to be the Week 1 starter, well ahead of Pickett (+340), Dillon Gabriel (+600), and Shedeur Sanders (+2000). I’m hoping Flacco wins the job out of training camp to give this passing game more fantasy juice, at least to start the season before the younger quarterbacks eventually take over. (Added Aug. 4)
Running Backs
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Was) — Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick, turned heads at Commanders practices this spring, and he’s continued to take advantage of his opportunities in training camp. The Athletic’s Nick Jhabvala wrote that he’s made a name for himself with his “powerful runs, quick cuts, and vision behind the line of scrimmage.” She added that he’s put veterans Brian Robinson, Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez on notice. ESPN’s Dan Graziano added to the growing chorus, noting that he’s the only RB under contract beyond 2025 for those in dynasty leagues. Croskey-Merritt is a player to keep in mind at the end of deeper drafts, just in case he can earn a big role in potentially one of the league’s better offenses. (Added Aug. 4)
Wide Receivers
Emeka Egbuka (TB) — Chris Godwin’s availability for Week 1 is up in the air after he underwent a “minor” surgery to “clean out” his ankle in the spring, which landed him on the PUP to open camp. HC Todd Bowles told NFL Network on Aug. 1 that Godwin is moving well, but is still not doing everything, and he remains without a timeline. ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote that the Bucs aren’t counting out Godwin for the season opener, but they believe there’s a chance he could miss a couple of games at the start of the season. Egbuka and second-year Jalen McMillan are receiving extra reps in training camp and potentially early in the season, which will give them chances to establish themselves next to or ahead of Godwin. Mike Evans has the best opportunity to maintain his role as the clear X receiver, while Godwin could find himself in a rotation with Egbuka and McMillan in the other two spots in 11 personnel. Egbuka could get the chance to establish a bigger role right out of the gates, and he’s a player to target in fantasy drafts. (Added Aug. 4)
Tight Ends
None of note.
DOWNGRADES
Players I’m feeling less optimistic about based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
None of note.
Running Backs
James Cook (Buf) — Cook is taking his contract dispute to the hold-in level after repeatedly telling the media he missed an Aug. 3 practice for “business.” He skipped voluntary workouts this spring as he enters the final year of his rookie contract, but he reported for mandatory minicamp and the start of training camp. He’s currently set to make $5.7 million in 2025 and is seeking a contract extension before he hits free agency next year. He’s seeking an annual average salary of $15 million per year, which would tie him with Derrick Henry as the third-highest paid RB behind Saquon Barkley ($20.6M) and Christian McCaffrey ($19M) in AAV. Cook is looking to cash in after finishing as the RB11 (16.7 FPG), but he’ll have to lower his asking price after leading a three-man committee with Ray Davis and Ty Johnson. Cook is the top candidate for touchdown regression despite playing in one of the league’s best offenses, and he’s overvalued at his current ADP (36, RB14). (Added Aug. 4)
Nick Chubb (Hou) — Chubb has reportedly gotten off to a slow start in training camp, and Cole Thompson of the Texans Wire wrote that Chubb has no burst at the second and third level of the defense. The Texans signed Chubb as insurance for Joe Mixon, who is missing multiple weeks of training camp because of a lingering foot injury. Chubb ranked 45th in YPC (3.27), 43rd in explosive run rate (2%), and last in YACO/ATT (1.96) among 46 RBs who logged 100+ carries last season. I’m passing on both Mixon (51, RB19) and Chubb (143, RB45) this summer, and I’m taking my chances with fourth-round pick Woody Marks late in my drafts. (Added Aug 4)
Wide Receivers
Jordan Addison (Min) — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Vikings are bracing for a three-game suspension for Addison, who pleaded guilty to a lesser charge to resolve a 2024 DUI citation. Minnesota’s projection is based on the league's recent precedent for three-game suspensions for DUI-related offenses. His suspension will likely come at the start of the season before bye weeks kick in, which will make it easier to survive his absence. Addison is a boom-or-bust weekly WR3 who has WR2 upside if J.J. McCarthy is an upgrade over Sam Darnold. Make sure to draft a WR or two later in the draft who can give you solid replacement production for the first couple of weeks of the season before Addison returns to the lineup. (Added Aug. 4)
Khalil Shakir (Buf) — Shakir is week to week after suffering a high ankle sprain during an Aug. 1 practice. His availability for the season opener is up in the air as he has a little more than a month to heal. McDermott compared the injury to the high ankle injury Shakir suffered in Week 4 last season, which caused him to miss one game. He posted just 2/19 receiving in his first game back before posting 6+ catches and 50+ yards in five consecutive games in Weeks 7-11. The Bills will be extra cautious with Shakir, especially given how high ankle injuries can linger. Shakir will see his ADP (83, WR39) dip a bit over the next couple of weeks, and Elijah Moore will get extra reps out of the slot during his absence. (Added Aug. 4)
Chris Godwin (TB) — Godwin’s availability for Week 1 is up in the air after he underwent a “minor” surgery to “clean out” his ankle in the spring, which landed him on the PUP to open camp. HC Todd Bowles told NFL Network on Aug. 1 that Godwin is moving well, but is still not doing everything, and he remains without a timeline. ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote that the Bucs aren’t counting out Godwin for the season opener, but they believe there’s a chance he could miss a couple of games at the start of the season. First-round pick Emeka Egbuka and second-year Jalen McMillan are receiving extra reps in training camp and potentially early in the season, which will give them chances to establish themselves next to or ahead of Godwin. Mike Evans has the best opportunity to maintain his role as the clear X receiver, while Godwin could find himself in a rotation with Egbuka and McMillan in the other two spots in 11 personnel. Godwin is too risky a pick (78 ADP, WR36) since he could get off to a slow start this season, which could give their younger receivers a chance to establish bigger roles. (Added Aug. 4)
Tight Ends
None of note.
WATCH LIST
Players I’m not ready to upgrade or downgrade, but whose situations demand monitoring based on training camp reports and injury news.
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford (LAR) — Stafford has yet to practice in training camp because of back soreness, but he’s progressed enough to do an individual workout on Aug. 4. HC Sean McVay told the media that they’ll ease him back into football in the “near future.” Stafford has a little more than a month to get ready for the season opener against the Texans, but his slow recovery is a bit concerning if the 37-year-old’s back injury were to flare up during the season. (Added Aug. 4)
Running Backs
Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears (Ten) — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was told by people in Tennessee that Spears will see an uptick in work behind Pollard. An equal division of labor never materialized in Pollard’s first season with the Titans. Pollard easily paced Spears in snap share (69%>42%), carry share (62%>29%), and route share (47%>36%) in one of the NFL’s worst offenses. Pollard posted career-highs in carries (260) and rushing yards (1079), and saw the largest designed carry share of his career at 66.4%. Spears reached double-digit carries just once in games with Pollard last season, and he averaged .5 fewer YPC than Pollard’s 4.2 YPC despite Pollard’s heavier workload. Pollard has reached 39+ receptions in four straight seasons, and he’ll need to hold off Spears to maximize his fantasy potential. (Added Aug. 4)
Wide Receivers
None of note.
Tight Ends
None of note.
