Joe's Notes: Week 1 Training Camp Summary

Photo: USA Today Sports

One of the best and most comprehensive features we do every year is our Footballguys Training Camp Updates. Every week in August, our Bob Henry and his team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's incredible and frankly, probably worth the price of the Footballguys Season Long Pro subscription just by itself. Each edition is almost 40 pages long.

While I encourage you to read every word of every week, I also understand Life Happens. And one of the more valuable services Footballguys can add is saving you time. For this article, I had the idea of taking the comprehensive Training Camp Update and distilling it down into 80 proof shots of the Need-to-Know material. Some teams will have more news than others. Because that's how it works in real life. Much of it will be from the Camp Updates, some of it will be my takes but all of it will hopefully be useful to you. And make sure to jump on our Season Long Pro subscription to continue seeing this type of stuff all year long. And if this feature is helpful to you, shoot me an email at bryant@footballguys.com and let me know.

Let's get to it.

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Kyler Murray has been calm and cool during camp and is saying that he feels no pressure. It's all about the Air Raid Offense and through the first two weeks, he's looked the part.
• Running back Chase Edmonds appears to be locking up the spot behind David Johnson and they could see time together on the field. Johnson seems excited about the Air Raid.
• Behind WRs Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald, Keesean Johnson is leading the competition with Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler. Expect tons of 4WR sets.
• The tight end position is a three-way battle with Ricky Seals-Jones, Charles Clay, and Maxx Williams that is currently up for grabs.

Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Atlanta will feature RB Devonta Freeman and rotate playing time for the backs behind Freeman on the depth chart. Freeman looks as good as ever.
• There will be no direct replacement for the Tevin Coleman role. Think of Ito Smith as a situational scatback and Brian Hill as the truer candidate to earn extensive playing time if Freeman gets hurt.
• QB Matt Ryan and TE Austin Hooper are demonstrating enhanced chemistry in the passing game. It's becoming a strength of the offense.
• OC Dirk Koetter has added more up-tempo, higher-percentage target opportunities to the tight ends that weren't in Atlanta’s offense during recent years.

Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Lamar Jackson is progressing as a passer, but he will still be running the ball by design and when plays break down. Head coach John Harbaugh said to “take the over” when asked about whether Jackson can break Cam Newton’s all-time mark of 139 attempts in a season.
• Free-agent acquisition RB Mark Ingram should be the unquestioned starter; and many beat writers think Ingram can handle obvious passing downs, too.
• The competition for backup running back is still open, but Justice Hill appears to be the most dynamic.
• Both rookie wide receivers Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin have been making strides in camp and have been impressive. However, veterans Willie Snead and Seth Roberts are listed as starters for now.
• Camp observers describe TE Mark Andrews as among the most dangerous and productive offensive players at camp.

Buffalo Bills Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• QB Josh Allen is focusing primarily on his development as a passer in training camp this year as the coaches try to get him to make better decisions with the football. It's been a mixed bag so far.
• Running backs LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore probably won’t see much time in the preseason, which creates an opportunity for rookie Devin Singletary to show what he can do.
• WR John Brown has been an early standout in camp and seems poised to become the team’s top target in the passing game due to his deep speed.
• The Bills are missing their top-3 tight ends to injury early in camp.
• Top-10 pick DT Ed Oliver had a slow start to camp but has been coming on strong of late.

Carolina Panthers Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Cam Newton changed his throwing motion to put less strain on his shoulder and it seems to be working. His deep ball accuracy appears to have returned.
• The team has stated they don’t want to decrease RB Christian McCaffrey’s touches, but they hope that the offense will be more efficient so that they can decrease the number of snaps for him.
• Both wide receivers D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel have been standing out so far in camp.
• Tight end Greg Olsen’s surgically repaired foot has not been a hindrance so far.
• Tight end Ian Thomas will see the field more this year due to an increase in two-tight end sets.

Chicago Bears Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• QB Mitch Trubisky is having an up and down start to camp, but the tough Bears defense has a lot do with that.
• Rookie RB David Montgomery has the coaching staff very excited to see what he can do in this offense as the likely replacement for Jordan Howard.
• WR Anthony Miller is having a slow start to camp while recovering from shoulder surgery, while Allen Robinson looks very comfortable as the top target.
• TE Trey Burton is healthy, but Adam Shaheen has a back injury, which exposes a lack of depth at the tight end position.
• New defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano should be able to keep the defense rolling.

Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Running back Joe Mixon is ready to go and excited. "Schematically, you know Coach Taylor has come in, the way he's got it set up, it's crazy," Joe Mixon said. "It's night and day from what everyone has seen these past years from the old Bengals."
• RB Trayveon Williams looks like the eventual successor to Giovani Bernard.
• A.J. Green suffered an ankle injury on the first day of camp that reportedly will keep him out for multiple regular-season games.
• Tyler Boyd will be the clear top WR target with Green out and he picked up right where he left off last season, getting open and catching everything.
• WR John Ross is nursing a hamstring injury but should return soon.
• Damion Willis has been the standout among the young wide receivers, but Josh Malone looks like the favorite to be the third receiver while A.J. Green is out.

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Baker Mayfield has been on-point with his passes and is becoming the leader the Browns were hoping he would become.
• Running back Nick Chubb has been increasingly involved in both the pass and run game and looks like he will be a featured runner.
• Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr has made some nice plays, but it’s evident he and Baker Mayfield need to continue to work on timing.
• Wide receiver Jarvis Landry and Mayfield look to have developed a better rapport together in their second year together.
• Tight end David Njoku is struggling with blocking and drops, but he continues to be used effectively in the red zone.

Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Dak Prescott is off to an uneven start, but the coaches don’t seem worried.
• Both sides are talking tough about Ezekiel Elliott’s holdout, acknowledging it could extend into the regular season. But the mood remains hopeful.
• Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup are the clear-cut starters, and Randall Cobb is being treated as the unquestioned starter in the slot – in spite of an inconsistent first week.
• TE Jason Witten hasn’t skipped a beat, but Blake Jarwin is also impressing.
• The defense has playmakers at every level, experience, and depth.

Denver Broncos Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Rookie quarterback Drew Lock has struggled mightily, both on the practice field and in the Hall of Fame Game and he’s nowhere near challenging Joe Flacco.
• Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman should split the running game two ways, but new signee Theo Riddick threatens to cut into passing-down work.
• WR Emmanuel Sanders, just eight months removed from an Achilles tear, is participating in 11-on-11 drills and could realistically suit up for Week 1.
• With every downfield win and dazzling catch, Courtland Sutton continues to showcase No. 1 receiver traits while Sanders eases back in.
• Rookie tight end Noah Fant is in a crowded tight end room but has shown well thus far, both as a blocker and a receiver.

Detroit Lions Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Matthew Stafford remains unchallenged as the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions, but the offense is new, and he is throwing more interceptions during practice than in years past.
• Quarterbacks Tom Savage and David Fales are in a camp battle for the backup job behind Stafford, and it is expected to last the duration of the preseason.
• Running back Kerryon Johnson is the starter and is expected to be a 3-down back, but the battle for the primary backup job is unsettled with C.J. Anderson working with the second team and Zach Zenner continuing to impress when given an opportunity.
• Receivers Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay are the two starting outside receivers, and Danny Amendola will play out of the slot position with the trio being productive all over the field.
• The tight end position will play a significant role in the Lions offense, particularly in the red zone with Jesse James and T.J. Hockenson leading the way.

Green Bay Packers Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• RB Aaron Jones slimmed down and added muscle this offseason hoping to stick as the team’s bell-cow back.
• Davante Adams still casts a huge shadow over the receiving corps, and QB Aaron Rodgers has leaned on him heavily. Though Geronimo Allison keeps proving himself a trusted playmaker from the slot position.
• WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling appears to have a firm grip on the No. 2 job, though he’s not lacking in competition from a few other size/speed prospects.
• Young tight end Robert Tonyan Jr is impressing with first-team reps, blocking well and making plays down the seams.
• Safety Josh Jones is likely in the midst of a full-on shift to linebacker, a move that nearly chased him out of town during the spring.

Houston Texans Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Lamar Miller stands alone atop the running back depth chart after the surprise cut of D’Onta Foreman.
• The competition at backup running back is wide open: Josh Ferguson is the leading candidate to be the third-down back while Damarea Crockett and Karan Higdon are the top contenders to backup Miller on standard downs.
• DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, and Keke Coutee are all healthy and looking great at camp. Hopkins is showing no ill-effects from the foot and ankle injuries he was dealing with earlier in the offseason.
• Jordan Thomas is the favorite to start at tight end but has been sidelined with a minor hamstring injury.

Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Andrew Luck's slow recovery from an April calf strain means he will miss Thursday’s preseason opener and be held out of practice for at least one more week. Luck is optimistic he’ll be ready for the regular-season opener.
• At running back, Marlon Mack is locked-in as the starter and Nyhiem Hines as the third-down back, but the situation behind them is unsettled.
• T.Y. Hilton seems locked in as the top WR. Devin Funchess has impressed the coaching staff and is in the lead for the No. 2 role.
• Wide receiver Chester Rogers has played with the starters with rookie Parris Campbell dealing with a hamstring injury, but Campbell has drawn praise from head coach Frank Reich.
• Eric Ebron’s field time will be squeezed by the return of Jack Doyle and the continued development of Mo Alie-Cox, but Doyle is currently sidelined with a minor oblique strain.

Jacksonville Jaguars Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Nick Foles’ has looked great. His consistency is rubbing off on the entire passing offense as DeDe Westbrook, D.J. Chark, and Geoff Swaim have all looked good with Foles so far.
• Running back Leonard Fournette has been receiving praise for his pass-catching and he should have more opportunities in the passing game. With T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant gone, the team seems to be looking more to Fournette.
• Wide receiver D.J. Chark has been impressive making big plays as he, Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley appear to be the team’s top three (starting) receivers.
• Rookie tight end Josh Oliver is dealing with a hamstring injury while Geoff Swaim has been one of Foles favorite targets and has a firm grasp on the starting job.
• Wide receiver Marqise Lee remains on the PUP list and looks to have a longer recovery.

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• QB Patrick Mahomes II seems poised to pick up where he left off. He's been dazzling in camp.
• Damien Williams has been anointed the starting running back, but coach Andy Reid is concerned over the nagging hamstring injury that’s kept him off the practice field.
• Carlos Hyde may be losing ground to dynamic rookie Darwin Thompson in the race for the No. 2 backfield job.
• WR Tyreek Hill was carted off the practice field last Tuesday with a thigh bruise, but he returned on Friday and looked no worse for the wear.
• Speedy rookie WR Mecole Hardman has made a major impression so far, winning on both deep balls and tough throws in traffic.

Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Left tackle is a question with Russell Okong (pulmonary embolism) missing from training camp and at risk of missing regular-season games.
• RB Melvin Gordon’s hold out has no end in sight as he and his agent have reportedly demanded a trade.
• RBs Justin Jackson and Austin Ekeler have been working in tandem with the first-team offense in Gordon’s absence with Jackson receiving high praise from Coach Anthony Lynn.
• The passing game options are in good shape. WR Mike Williams has been the subject of positive reports and TE Hunter Henry is healthy after a full offseason.

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• The Rams return one of the most stable set of skill position players in the NFL with few positional battles at the top of the depth chart.
• Todd Gurley came into camp healthy but the coaching staff will give him scheduled days off as part of a “veteran plan”. Gurley has reportedly looked "very, very good" in camp.
• Rookie RB Darrell Henderson is practicing in a satellite role similar to the role of Chris Thompson in the McVay-led Washington offense
• The wide receiver position is stable with Cooper Kupp practicing after a torn ACL last season, along with Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks rounding out the lead trio in the offense.
• Tight end remains an open competition with Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett working in a rotation at a projected low volume role in the offense.

Miami Dolphins Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• HC Brian Flores named Ryan Fitzpatrick the leader in the quarterback competition.
• RB Kalen Ballage has consistently started practices as the top back and is the favorite to lead the team in carries.
• RB Kenyan Drake looks ticketed for the third-down and change of pace role he has played through most of his career.
• Preston Williams has been the big standout at wide receiver.
• Tight end Mike Gesicki has been called the biggest disappointment in camp by writers and is being outplayed by Nick O’Leary. Many feel O'Leary is winning the TE battle.

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Kirk Cousins is focused and connecting with all of his big-name targets (Thielen, Diggs, and Rudolph).
• RB Dalvin Cook is fully healthy, and all signs are pointing to a heavy run game this season.
• Rookie running back Alexander Mattison has impressed coaches, settling in nicely into the Latavius Murray role.
• Wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are in peak form and have become leaders to the young receivers.
• Cousins has a newfound trust in tight end Kyle Rudolph and wants to give him more opportunities.

New England Patriots Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• RB Sony Michel is working back gradually from the PUP list with an eye toward a much bigger role in the passing game than he saw as a rookie.
• Rookie RB Damien Harris, working almost exclusively with the second and third teams, might be ticketed for short-yardage work early on.
• With WR Julian Edelman sidelined, journeyman Maurice Harris and rookie Jakobi Meyers are making good on their first-team opportunities in the slot position.
• Veteran WRs Demaryius Thomas and Cameron Meredith boast intriguing names, but neither looks likely to come off the PUP list anytime soon, let alone contribute.
• The tight end job looks wide open, with Ben Watson under suspension and presumed starter Matt LaCosse struggling in recent practices.

New Orleans Saints Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• RB Latavius Murray returned to practice to cement the Saints’ depth chart at running back as none of the veteran retreads they’ve signed have looked promising.
• WR Michael Thomas’ return takes some of the shine off of Keith Kirkwood, who has excelled in his place thus far.
• WR Tre’Quan Smith claims to have nailed down the entire offensive playbook and he has impressed onlookers with his playmaking ability.
• QB Drew Brees and TE Jared Cook have displayed the kind of chemistry that could reverse the Saints’ forgettable recent run at tight end.

New York Giants Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Eli Manning is getting all the first-team reps and has looked sharp in practice. Daniel Jones may be the future, but he’s not the present. At least for now.
• The receiving corps has been decimated in the opening days of camp and the team needs to find a complementary, vertical threat before camp breaks.
• TE Evan Engram has embraced the opportunity to be a focal point and has been inspired by daily battles with newly-acquired safety Jabrill Peppers
• RB Saquon Barkley has become a more vocal leader
• All three rookie cornerbacks – DeAndre Baker, Julian Love, and Corey Ballentine – had great starts to camp and could help fix last year’s woeful (27th in ANY/A) pass defense

New York Jets Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• RB Le’Veon Bell says he'd like 500 carries, but in his three years with Miami, Adam Gase never had a back break 260 carries.
• WR Jamison Crowder may see a ton of work out of the slot position with Chris Herndon suspended to start the season.
• It would not be a shock if Ty Montgomery saw more time lining up as an H-back or other extra receiving option with TE Chris Herndon suspended for the first four games.
• Defensively, the Jets didn’t add a pass rusher or a big-time cover corner and so far it has been an issue in camp.

Oakland Raiders Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Rookie running back Josh Jacobs has impressed both in pass protection and as a pass-catcher, showing the traits needed to eventually become a feature back.
• WR Antonio Brown has been sidelined with a foot issue, reported as frostbite caused by using a cryotherapy machine without the proper footwear. The expectation is he should be back before the regular season starts.
• Tyrell Williams has been excellent and is locked in as the #2 wide receiver.
• WR Hunter Renfrow is working in the slot position and JJ Nelson as an outside receiver should split snaps as the third receiver.
• Darren Waller has had a big camp and looks locked in as the starting tight end.

Philadelphia Eagles Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• QB Carson Wentz is healthy and is reportedly in the best shape of his career.
• Both RBs Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard look good, and it’s anyone’s guess who gets the starting nod in Week One
• Darren Sproles will have a meaningful role and is locked in as the No. 3 and main pass-catching back
• The receiving corps lacks depth, but the starting trio are all in mid-season form including returning veteran DeSean Jackson – who hasn’t lost a step
• The emergence of TE Dallas Goedert will not impact Zach Ertz' role, but coaches desperately want to use Goedert more this season, too

Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger appears rejuvenated and ready to put past team drama behind him.
• Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster looks the part of a well-rounded WR1. He seems focused and has clear chemistry with Roethlisberger.
• Behind Smith-Schuster, Donte Moncrief is the clear number two wide receiver and is building a connection with Roethlisberger.
• James Conner leads a deeper group of running backs than in past seasons as both Jaylen Samuels and rookie Benny Snell are garnering the praise of the coaching staff.
• Tight end Vance McDonald has 100+ target potential if he can stay healthy.

San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• QB Jimmy Garoppolo has been inconsistent with his accuracy early in training camp while he works his way back from an ACL injury.
• There is a competition in the backfield with Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida working as the lead back while Jerick McKinnon remains on the PUP list.
• RB Jerick McKinnon suffered a setback prior to training camp and is expected to be on the PUP list until at least next week.
• There is a competition at wide receiver including Dante Pettis, Deebo Samuel, Jordan Matthews, and Kendrick Bourne, but George Kittle remains the leading target in the passing game.

Seattle Seahawks Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• While the Seahawks don’t have a single game-changing tight end, they do have multiple players who can contribute.
• QB Russell Wilson didn't look like he missed Doug Baldwin much this week even with DK Metcalf out which is good news for those hoping for a rebound in passing yards.
• RB Rashaad Penny is still in the mix for carries and will push Chris Carson, but last week Carson saw significantly more work.
• The coaching staff definitely wants DK Metcalf to be their No. 2 but the longer he is hurt, the better the chance Jaron Brown has to win the job.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• HC Bruce Arians sees WR Chris Godwin as an essential offensive player who will benefit immensely from opposing coverage tilted towards Mike Evans.
• Although the running back competition has heated up between Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber, the team needs to see Jones play well in the preseason.
• Look for Barber to keep the starting job and earn the ball at the goal line and for Jones to have a significant role in the offense. There is talk of a "one-two" punch.
• QB Jameis Winston is airing-out the ball during practice and targeting Evans, Godwin, and Perriman even when they’re tightly covered (which the coaching staff wants), but he has shown a penchant for fitting the ball recklessly in specific windows where he shouldn't during the regular season, prompting Arians to warn him about this in practice.
• Rookie LB Devin White has flashed moments of brilliance and Jason Pierre-Paul won’t return until October

Tennessee Titans Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Marcus Mariota has alternated both good days and bad days during the first week of camp.
• RB Derrick Henry will take on a larger role this season and is recovering from a strained calf muscle.
• Wide receiver Corey Davis is off to a phenomenal start in camp and is Mariota’s most trusted target in 11-on-11 drills.
• WR Adam Humphries is impressing onlookers and getting open easily, while the injured rookie A.J. Brown will have to play catch up to earn the number two receiver role.
• Tight end Delanie Walker seems to be back to normal after an ankle fracture and dislocation suffered at the beginning of last season.

Washington Redskins Depth Chart Footballguys Team Report

• Seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams is holding out with no end in sight and his absence isn’t merely about his contractual situation.
• The offense has struggled early in camp, and it’s a three-horse race at quarterback between Colt McCoy, Case Keenum, and rookie Dwayne Haskins.
• RB Adrian Peterson is listed as the starter, but it could be a committee as Derrius Guice is healthy, looks explosive and he could overtake Peterson as most expected a year ago.
• TE Jordan Reed is having a stellar camp and is healthy – for now
• There’s little certainty at wide receiver other than Trey Quinn moving into Jamison Crowder’s slot position role.

And that's that for this week. Let me know if you found this type of thing useful by shooting an email to bryant@footballguys.com. And keep up with me on Twitter by clicking the follow button below.

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