One step outside tells you the summer is here. Along with the rising temperatures, the NFL rumor mill is heating up. Before we know it, the preseason will begin. But before it does, we need to know what NFC training camp battles to watch ahead of our fantasy football drafts.
Not every NFC squad has a battle that is noteworthy, but every team does have something fantasy-relevant that football fans should monitor.
In addition to our committee backfield article, here are battles for all 16 NFC teams that fantasy enthusiasts should keep an eye on this summer. Also, check out our AFC Training Camp Battles to Watch.
Arizona Cardinals – The looming six-game suspension for WR DeAndre Hopkins will lead to a big void in targets. If Rondale Moore moves inside full-time, as expected, he should have a huge role. Christian Kirk’s big 2021 showing came via the sixth-highest slot rate in this league. RB James Conner also has a rather checkered injury history, so if Darrel Williams wins the club’s RB2 job, he has significant value if Conner misses games again.
Atlanta Falcons – Atlanta arguably has the league’s thinnest roster. That lack of depth and talent certainly extends to the receiving corps. The Falcons’ 193 vacated targets at wide receiver is the fifth-most in football. Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts should be locks for 120-plus looks but the rest of the depth chart is wide open. Also, monitor the backfield. Cordarrelle Patterson will open the season as the starter but Patterson faded down the stretch. Damien Williams and Tyler Allgeier could both make solid late-round targets.
Carolina Panthers – Trading for QB Baker Mayfield was already a monumental win for Carolina’s sagging offense. After finally landing a legitimate NFL thrower, the key will be to monitor how Mayfield gels with his receivers. It’s a huge upgrade overall, with D.J. Moore, Robbie Anderson, and Rashard Higgins all seeing a boost in our 2022 fantasy football rankings.
Chicago Bears – Like the Falcons, Chicago’s receiving corps is dangerously devoid of proven commodities. Darnell Mooney should be in for another huge target share but the WR2 and WR3 roles are wide open. The Bears just traded for N’Keal Harry but we’re not optimistic. For the team to have much relevancy, they’ll need QB Justin Fields to make some major leaps in Year Two. If Fields can improve his accuracy and progressions, there should be plenty of upside.
Dallas Cowboys – After trading Amari Cooper to Cleveland the Cowboys now have quite a few targets available. The re-signed TE Dalton Schultz and CeeDee Lamb should lead the wideouts in receptions. We’ll monitor the WR2 battle between newly-signed free agent James Washington and third-round rookie Jalen Tolbert. Incumbent WR2 Michael Gallup could open the season on the PUP list which makes that battle particularly important in the early part of the 2022 season. Tolbert impressed with some first-team reps in OTAs and is considered the prohibitive favorite, making him an intriguing late-round sleeper. It will also be interesting to see if the Cowboys move RB Tony Pollard into the slot to get him and Ezekiel Elliott onto the field together.
Detroit Lions – Despite being considered one of the league’s worst franchises, the Lions have plenty to look forward to. They’re rebuilding the club the right way from the trenches. The team played hard for Dan Campbell last season and could be better than advertised this year. I’ll be watching D’Andre Swift‘s usage this summer. Swift has top-5 overall upside but he’s got to get closer to 250-plus touches for that to happen. Red-zone usage is also something to keep an eye on out of the backfield. The Lions also added a pair of talented pass-catchers that should take opportunities away from Amon-Ra St. Brown. Free agent D.J. Chark should open the season as the No. 2, with first-round rookie Jameson Williams looking to potentially miss some time as he recovers from a torn ACL.
Green Bay Packers – Only Kansas City has more WR vacated targets than the Packers, who will have an open competition to replace Davante Adams. Presumptive new No. 1 Allen Lazard should hold down one starting spot, while Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, and Randall Cobb will lead a wide-open battle for WR2/3 duties. RB Aaron Jones could also see a lot more opportunities as a receiver, leading to A.J. Dillon commanding more of the carries.
Los Angeles Rams – The defending Super Bowl champs moved on from Robert Woods and Odell Beckham but added Allen Robinson. A-Rob could be huge for the club if he regains his pre-2021 form. Cam Akers will probably be given the lead-back role he gained in the postseason in the backfield. But Akers looked quite shaky in that role and has been ineffective in short-yardage situations. We’ll need to closely watch how Sean McVay utilizes Akers, Darrell Henderson, and fifth-round rookie Kyren Williams.
Minnesota Vikings – We like reading that the Vikings are planning to rely even more on the passing attack in 2023. The offense seems stacked but if TE Irv Smith is 100%, it looks even more potent. Smith was a popular sleeper pick last summer before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The good news is that Smith was seen running full speed during OTAs. K.J. Osborn, who caught a surprising 50 balls in 2021, should be locked into WR3 duties.
New Orleans Saints – It’s a new era in New Orleans and I have serious concerns. QB Jameis Winston was way worse than the numbers indicated last season, struggling with accuracy and failing to pass for 230 yards in 6-of-7 starts. Now, Winston is also recovering from a torn ACL and the loss of Sean Payton. The receiving corps will also look vastly different. The hope is that Michael Thomas will finally return but early returns of his recovery have not been encouraging. I like Chris Olave and think he leads the team in targets, while Jarvis Landry is an upgrade in the slot. If Winston falters, Andy Dalton is a viable option. TE Taysom Hill could also take some red-zone snaps under center, making him an intriguing late-round best ball option.
New York Giants – This is the make-or-break season for Daniel Jones. It’s also a big one for RB Saquon Barkley, who has not lived up to his draft billing. Injuries have played a big role in that but Barkley is healthy now and still has fantasy RB1 potential. If Jones doesn’t show vast improvements, it’s hard to get too excited about any of New York’s receivers.
Philadelphia Eagles – How will A.J. Brown fit into a Philadelphia passing attack that ranked 25th in passing? The volume won’t always be there but Jalen Hurts offers top-5 upside due to his legs. However, that lack of passing makes it hard to support two WR2s and a TE1.
San Francisco 49ers – All aboard the Trey Lance hype train. No one doubts Lance’s abilities as a scrambler but it’s the arm that we will need to closely monitor all summer. Deebo Samuel is seeking a trade or long-term contract and could potentially hold out. This is an obvious concern when breaking in a young and inexperienced quarterback. Jauan Jennings could be pushed by rookie Danny Gray for WR3 duties. Fellow first-year addition Tyrion Davis-Price could also contend for immediate playing time behind Elijah Mitchell.
Seattle Seahawks – First and foremost is a quarterback battle. Our early money is on incumbent Geno Smith but whoever wins the battle will have a short leash. Drew Lock faltered in Denver but drew some early praise from the coaching staff. Regardless of who is under center, the Seahawks will have a lesser passing attack and that spells bad news for the usually reliable Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. RB Rashaad Penny flashed league-winning upside down the stretch last season and should open 2022 as the starter. But expect rookie Ken Walker to push for immediate reps, perhaps even forcing Seattle to implement a committee backfield.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cameron Brate has now been elevated to starting tight end after the retirement of Rob Gronkowski. Brate’s ADP is on the rise but rookie Cade Otton could also factor in. Chris Godwin could miss a substantial part of the season, which opens the door for Russell Gage to see a ton of targets. Don’t discount rookie RB Rachaad White‘s chances at making an immediate impact as a change-of-pace option.
Washington Commanders – Although his play is often maligned, Carson Wentz should prove to be an upgrade for Washington’s offense overall. With first-round rookie Jahan Dotson lining up opposite Terry McLaurin and a healthy Curtis Samuel in the slot, the Commanders have some sneaky fantasy upside. While the addition of a rookie wideout improves the passing attack, it complicates the backfield. Brian Robinson could factor in as both a short-yardage option or as a receiver and take touches away from Antonio Gibson. J.D. McKissic will also see plenty of playing time after re-signing with the club. This has a chance of degrading into a full-blown committee, so charting this backfield’s preseason snaps will be integral.
If you have time to prepare, make sure you mock in our Mock Draft World Championships. No better way to practice for the real thing.
