NFL Training Camp is a busy time of year. This is when the coaches implement their system, playbooks are drawn up and every position on every team is up for grabs. Injuries are as common as practice cones and tackling dummies. If you blink, you could just miss the preamble to a breakout season. Fortunately, I’ll be keeping up with all of it in order to ensure Fantasy Alarm Nation stays in the know all summer long.
Remember that if you have any questions you can hit me up on Twitter @Jeff_Mans:
GET THE 2016 FANTASY ALARM PLAYBOOK PRO - THE ONLY TOOL YOU'LL NEED TO BECOME A CHAMPION
HOLDING OUT
What a morning it has been for those who are either Texans fans or who have already drafted WR DeAndre Hopkins. It was reported earlier today by ESPN that Hopkins walked out of Texans camp but the truth of the matter is that he never reported. There are reports that he was at the facility on Friday night but then never showed up this morning.
No matter what the details are the fact of the matter is that Hopkins is not at Texans camp and likely to not be there until he gets a new deal from the team. As we talk about all the time, QB/WR chemistry cannot be understated. When you have a brand new QB in place especially one that they paid $72mm for, he is going to need as much time as possible with all of his receivers to build that chemistry. Every day that Hopkins misses is less of a chance he has for a big season.
I am not going to panic on Hopkins value yet however. The first couple of weeks of camp is more about learning the playbook, getting in shape and getting back to work. Osweiler and Hopkins worked out together this summer so I am confident they can find a groove quickly if and when Hopkins returns. At this point I’ll set a date of August 15thbefore I start lowering him in my rankings.
RETURNING
A year ago OT Anthony Davis was one of four San Francisco 49ers players to decide that it would be better to walk away from the game than to play for new coach Jim Tomsula. It’s hard to argue with them considering how miserable the 49ers were in 2015. Well, the 26-year-old tackle has decided to come back now that the team is in a better place with new coach Chip Kelly.
Davis graded out as the 40th best offensive tackle in 2014 according to ProFootballFocus and is known as a better run blocker than he is a pass blocker. Erik Pears started 14 games at RT for San Francisco last year and had well below average grades across the board.
The return of Davis, assuming he can still be a middle to above average performer, along with the addition of first round pick RG Josh Garnett should help the 49ers improve pretty quickly. Chip Kelly’s system calls for depth along the offensive line because it is very difficult for those big guys to sustain the abundance of plays that this offense creates.
INJURIES/PUP LIST
At this time of year there are always a lot of injuries to sort through. Some are just minor aches and pains that will clear up in a matter of days while other more impactful injuries tend to get lost in the shuffle. I’ll be updating you on injuries throughout the summer and letting you know which will have the greatest impact on your fantasy teams.
Let’s start out though with just reviewing some of the players who have been put in the NFI, PUP or IR list as training camp begins.
QB’s
NONE
RB’s
Trent Richardson, Ravens, Knee
Lorenzo Taliaferro, Ravens, Thigh
Lance Dunbar, Cowboys, Knee
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs, Knee
Arian Foster, Dolphins, Achilles
Damien Williams, Dolphins, Leg
Dion Lewis, Patriots, Knee
Khiry Robinson, Jets, Leg
Thomas Rawls, Seahawks, Ankle
WR’s
Breshad Perriman, Ravens, Knee
Steve Smith, Ravens, Achilles
Marcus Easley, Bills, Knee
Sammy Watkins, Bills, Foot
Marquess Wilson, Bears, Foot
James Wright, Bengals, Shoulder
Seth Devalve, Browns, Hamstring
Corey Fuller, Lions, Foot
Kenny Cook, Chiefs, Quad
Danny Amendola, Patriots, Knee
Julian Edelman, Patriots, Foot
Vincent Brown, Saints, Calf
Devin Smith, Jets, Knee
Shakim Phillips, Steelers, Hip
Louis Murphy, Buccaneers, Knee
Reggie Diggs, Redskins, Foot
Josh Doctson, Redskins, Foot
TE’s
Tyler Eifert, Bengals, Ankle
James Hanna, Cowboys, Personal
Brandon Pettigrew, Lions, Knee
Tim Wright, Lions, Knee
Jared Cook, Packers, Foot
Rhett Ellison, Vikings, Knee
Michael Williams, Patriots, Knee
Ladarius Green, Steelers, Ankle
Jimmy Graham, Seahawks, Knee
Derek Carrier, Redskins, Knee
GET THE 2016 FANTASY ALARM PLAYBOOK PRO - THE ONLY TOOL YOU'LL NEED TO BECOME A CHAMPION
Player News
Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option on OT Charles Cross.
Cross now remains tied to the organization through the 2026 season. PFF gave the towering 24-year-old tackle exemplary marks in 2024, ranking him 10th of 140 qualified tackles, including 15th in pass protection and 16th in run blocking. The Seahawks extend the negotiating window on one of the key pieces of their offensive front.
Browns signed WR Diontae Johnson to a one-year contract.
The former Steeler wasn’t able to carve out a significant role with the Panthers, Ravens, or Texans in 2024 after seemingly breaking out in Pittsburgh. The Browns apparently saw enough during his visit with the team Monday to sign him to a one-year contract, the details of which have yet to be released. Expect Johnson to start opposite Cedric Tillman on the perimeter while Jerry Jeudy works the slot.
ESPN’s Field Yates reports Browns placed the unrestricted free agent tender on WR Elijah Moore.
Moore visited the Bills on Monday and then saw the Browns place the unrestricted free agent tender on him. Per Field Yates, this means that Moore will count against the compensatory free agent formula should he sign with another team. He’ll play on the tender if he returns to the Browns, which carries a value of $3.428 million for wide receivers in 2025.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Szhultz reports Packers signed LB/S Isaiah Simmons, formerly of the Giants.
The former first-round hybrid linebacker and safety has yet to live up to his No. 8 overall selection in the 2020 draft, but brings the unique ability to fill multiple positions over the middle of the field to a Packers defense that prefers to play a more inside-out style. There is upside in his athletic profile and versatility - perhaps another change of scenery will serve to unlock some of that potential.
Steelers signed WR Robert Woods, formerly of the Texans, to a one-year, $2 million contract.
The 33-year-old wide receiver has long since seen his days of 100-target seasons fall by the wayside, but he still adds a veteran presence to a relatively young wide receiver room in Pittsburgh. Woods played over 60% of the offensive snaps for the Texans just twice in 2024 after doing so 13 times in 2023, indicating a high likelihood he was brought in for his locker room presence and veteran savvy rather than as a consistent contributor to the offense. The low risk signing makes sense for both parties considering Woods’ age and the state of the Pittsburgh pass-catching corps.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports the Browns met with free agent WR Diontae Johnson.
Johnson had a forgettable 2024, to put it mildly. The former Steelers receiver saw himself traded to the Panthers last offseason only to later be traded to the Ravens, where his lack of playing time eventually led to his release. He then found his way to the wide receiver-needy Texans, who rostered him for just over three weeks. He was then claimed off waivers by the Ravens but was not eligible to play during the postseason. Now a free agent, Johnson, 28, has not enjoyed the market many expected him to see this time last year. He’s a productive receiver who has amassed 424 catches for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns in his six-year career, but it goes without saying that he’s likely in brand rebuilding mode as far as this offseason is concerned. It’s hard to imagine any team giving him a lucrative contract after last year’s disastrous campaign. That said, Johnson could still still provide help to plenty of needy teams and could prove to be a valuable contributor at a cost-efficient price. This is the first visit we’ve heard of for Johnson, who may meet with other teams before signing.