FBG Notes - Week 3 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

• QB Kyler Murray looks to be all in on what the Cardinals are doing and has done his part on becoming stronger this offseason.
• RB Kenyan Drake is diving into the playbook, hoping to expand on his 2019 half-season with the Cardinals. He was wearing a walking boot but he said, "No worries. I'm good."
• RB Chase Edmonds is viewed as more than just a backup running back, drawing praise from Kliff Kingsbury.
• WR Deandre Hopkins is not unhappy about his contract but is missing practice due to a hamstring injury.
• WR Christian Kirk is looking to have a breakout year now with Hopkins taking some of the pressure off of him.
• TE Dan Arnold continues to get hyped up by Kyler Murray.

Atlanta Falcons | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• RB Brian Hill was 2019's training camp star and he's carrying that over in 2020 with improved receiving skills.
• RB Qadree Ollison has been a practice stand out and has been showing off receiving chops that the Falcons didn't see during his 2019 rookie campaign.
• Dan Quinn wants to see a better marriage between outside-zone running plays and the play-action game. It has been a repeated focus of practice this week.
• While there's no rust with the Matt Ryan-Julio Jones connection, the rest of the receiving corps had timing issues with its routes during the first days of padded practice.
• Tight end Hayden Hurst's connection with Ryan has been solid for a first-year Falcon, according to Quinn.
• Cornerback A.J. Terrell has had several good moments against Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley and will be one of the starters alongside Darqueze Dennard and either Kendall Sheffield and Isiah Oliver, who is gaining ground fast.

Baltimore Ravens | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Lamar Jackson continues to improve as a pocket passer, but Baltimore doesn't plan to remove his running ability from the playbook.
• Running back Mark Ingram's offseason workouts were popular on social media; Ingram enters his 10th season in exceptional shape.
• Jackson is "clicking" with wide receiver Marquise Brown, whose preseason hype appears to be justified.
• Wide receiver Miles Boykin is unproven but has high expectations. The team worked out Dez Bryant but didn't sign him.
• Tight end Mark Andrews is ready to step up after the team traded away Hayden Hurst. Andrews is still the de factor WR1 on this team.

Buffalo Bills | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Josh Allen had a rough first week of practice as he continues to struggle with inaccuracy and questionable decisions.
• Devin Singletary is the presumed starter at running back but ball security issues could create an opening for rookie Zach Moss to earn a bigger role.
• WR Stefon Diggs has shown glimpses of the big-play threat he can be for this offense while rookie Gabriel Davis has also impressed early in camp.
• Tight end Dawson Knox has shown improvement as a blocker, which could allow him to stay on the field in all situations.
• The pass rush has looked great during the first week of practice while presumed starting cornerback Josh Norman suffered a hamstring injury.

Carolina Panthers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The competition for backup quarterback is still too close to call.
• Wide receiver D.J. Moore has been showing good rhythm with his new quarterback, while Curtis Samuel and Robbie Anderson have been showing off their speed.
• Running back Christian McCaffrey continues to set the bar high with his work ethic and competitiveness, but Coach Matt Rhule says he is not concerned about getting McCaffrey the same numbers the running logged last season.
• Tight end Ian Thomas indicated he is uncertain he has locked up the starting title, but comments from Coach Rhule signal Thomas will have the role.
• Defensive tackle Derrick Brown, "defensive athlete" Jeremy Chinn, and defensive end Brian Burns all grabbed onlookers' attention during practices this week.

Chicago Bears | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Mitch Trubisky has had a slight advantage through the first week of practice but not enough to create any real separation from Nick Foles.
• RB Devin Montgomery lost weight and gained speed during the offseason and has looked much more explosive this year.
• WR Allen Robinson suffered a minor ankle injury on Friday while Anthony Miller has been limited as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
• The tight end group has looked good early in camp with Jimmy Graham leading the way.
• Khalil Mack believes he and the overall defense will bounce back this year, but key players like Robert Quinn and Akiem Hicks were missed in practice.

Cincinnati Bengals | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Joe Burrow lived up to the hype in his first scrimmage, leading three straight touchdown drives right out of the gate.
• Running back Jacques Patrick is making a push for the RB3 spot behind Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard.
• Wide receiver A.J. Green has been sidelined with a minor hamstring injury but is expected to fully return this week.
• After missing most of the week, wide receivers John Ross and Tee Higgins returned to full participation on Sunday.
• Auden Tate took advantage of the wide receiver absences to star in the scrimmage with a pair of touchdowns.

Cleveland Browns | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Baker Mayfield has not had a particularly good week of practice.
• Running back Nick Chubb has been cleared to return with no restrictions after suffering a concussion earlier in the week.
• Running back Kareem Hunt played impressively when given first-team reps during Chubb's absence.
• Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr continues to have a strong camp.
• Tight end Austin Hooper seems to have the greatest rapport of all of Baker Mayfield's receiving options.

Dallas Cowboys | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Dak Prescott is locked in, seemingly putting the contract negotiations behind him and focusing on a championship run in 2020. He's comfortable in Kellen Moore's system and has built a quick rapport with head coach Mike McCarthy.
• Starter Ezekiel Elliott isn't content with 20 carries per game but wants to be used more in the passing game. While it's possible – he can run routes and has soft hands – the team has a far deeper collection of receivers this year than in season's past.
• Rookie receiver CeeDee Lamb seems to have stepped into camp as a finished product, to hear his teammates and coaches tell it.
• Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper have done nothing in camp to lose their starting jobs, despite CeeDee Lamb's immediate impact. Dallas should have the NFC's best trio of receivers, barring injury.
• New starting tight end Blake Jarwin put on a show in back-to-back practices once the pads came on; he's running precise routes, gaining separation downfield, and tracking the ball well.

Denver Broncos | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Drew Lock continues to show steady improvement in his fundamentals and quick-thinking leadership.
• New running back Melvin Gordon is feeling the effects of injury and the Denver altitude, suggesting even further an even split with Phillip Lindsay.
• Rookie wideout K.J. Hamler's injury locks the big-bodied Tim Patrick into the No. 3 role; he should see the field quite a bit on the outside.
• New coordinator Pat Shurmur is seeking big things from dynamic young tight ends Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam.

Detroit Lions | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Matthew Stafford is playing at a high level and is healthy, which makes him a valuable fantasy option.
• The Lions are dealing with a slew of injuries at the running back position, with Johnson, Swift, Scarborough, and Huntley limited.
• WR Kenny Golladay is a border-line superstar receiver, and he and Stafford have excellent chemistry.
• Rookie WR Quintez Cephus has taken camp by storm, showing great ability to get open and excellent hands to catch everything thrown his way.
• TE T.J. Hockenson is having a phenomenal camp, making highlight-reel catches and dominating in the red zone.

Green Bay Packers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• First-round quarterback Jordan Love is doing and saying the right things, but it's unlikely he beats out Tom Boyle for backup duties.
• Rookie thumper A.J. Dillon is looking to complement starting running back Aaron Jones - and he may help force Jamaal Williams out of the team's plans.
• Allen Lazard has locked down the No. 2 receiver spot, and 2019 washout Marquez Valdes-Scantling might be on his way to seizing No. 3.
• Young tight end Jace Sternberger won't merely be handed the starting job, especially with oversized slot Robert Tonyan Jr showing well again.

Houston Texans | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Praise for QB Deshaun Watson's focus and performance in camp has been plentiful.
• Running back David Johnson is healthy and appears to be in fantastic shape.
• The Texans know the key for their wide receiver corps is simply to stay healthy. So far, so good on that front. There have been no injuries of note for the roster in general.
• Tight ends Jordan Akins and Jordan Thomas have both been early standouts, which only increased the likelihood of a committee approach at the position.

Indianapolis Colts | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Rookie runner Jonathan Taylor may split snaps with Marlon Mack, but his speed/power blend looks too dynamic to keep off the field for long.
• T.Y. Hilton remains the top wideout, and he's being fed the ball all over the field and from multiple spots.
• Behind Hilton, Parris Campbell and rookie Michael Pittman continue to blow through the Colts secondary and register big plays.
• An injury to starting tight end Jack Doyle may open the door for the massive Mo Alie-Cox to nail down a notable role.

Jacksonville Jaguars | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Gardner Minshew is gaining confidence entering year two and showing a connection with DJ Chark.
• RB Leonard Fournette continues to trend up this offseason as he is putting in the work and gaining the trust of coaches.
• RB Ryquell Armstead has been removed from the COVID list and is back with the team.
• WR Laviska Shenault continues to impress coaches and teammates with his power and strong running after the catch, along with his ability to play multiple positions.
• WR DJ Chark has been the most dominant player during training camp.
• TE Josh Oliver suffered a broken foot and was placed on IR. Tyler Eifert and James O'Shaughnessy will both be involved in the offense.

Kansas City Chiefs | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has not only showed well athletically - he's been mostly mistake-free in practice.
• WR Tyreek Hill's hamstring injury looks minor, and he's considered day-to-day to return to practice.
• WR Sammy Watkins returned after bouncing on and off the practice field with a groin issue.
• Speedy wideout Mecole Hardman is focused on rounding out his game to challenge Demarcus Robinson (and Watkins) for snaps.

Las Vegas Raiders | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Marcus Mariota is having a rough camp and not mounting much of a challenge to Derek Carr for the starting quarterback job.
• All of the running backs are getting more looks in the passing game as the Raiders look to increase their production in that area.
• Rookie wide receivers Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards continue to generate glowing headlines.
• Ruggs is slated to start on the outside across from Tyrell Williams while Hunter Renfrow will again man the slot.

Los Angeles Chargers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• WR Mike Williams left practice over the weekend with an apparent shoulder injury. His collarbone checked out healthy but he will undergo further tests during the week.
• Tyrod Taylor continues to be the first team quarterback with Justin Herbert taking some first-team reps in team drills to get acclimated to the offense. It is clear barring injury, Taylor will start the season.
• DE Melvin Ingram III has returned to practice after receiving a fully guaranteed $14,000,000 contract this season.

Los Angeles Rams | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Cam Akers has shown well in camp to date and appears to have a good chance at the lead running back job early in the season.
• WR Van Jefferson continues to receive positive treatment from teammates and coaches about his early camp development.
• QB Jared Goff worked hard on his mobility in the offseason and has come into training camp in some of the best physical condition of his life.

Miami Dolphins | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Tua Tagovailoa has been struggling and is well behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is a near-lock to open the year as the starting quarterback.
• Wide receivers DeVante Parker and Preston Williams have both been excellent and should from a dynamic outside duo for the Dolphins.
• TE Mike Gesicki is the third pass-catcher who has shown a strong rapport with Fitzpatrick.
• The lack of depth behind the top three pass catchers should concentrate the targets and make Parker, Williams, and Gesicki strong fantasy options.

Minnesota Vikings | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Quarterback Kirk Cousins is having a quiet August so far.
• Most are saying RB Dalvin Cook is set to play out the final year of his rookie contract and earn a big-money deal with his play on the field. ESPN's Adam Schefter did say he was somewhat concerned about Cook if he didn't get a new contract.
• WRs Bisi Johnson and Justin Jefferson are No 2 and No 3 on the depth chart.
• WR Justin Jefferson still has a steep learning curve ahead of him.
• TE Irv Smith Jr. continues to learn from veteran Kyle Rudolph and both will be highly involved in the offense.

New England Patriots | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Jarrett Stidham's injury and erratic arm are likely putting to rest thoughts of a quarterback competition with Cam Newton.
• With Sony Michel and Lamar Miller on PUP, Damien Harris continues to impress in both phases as the lead running back.
• NKeal Harry, projected by many as the Patriots' No. 2 option, followed up a shaky first week with a series of missed practices but then showed some improvement.
• Rookie tight end Devin Asiasi is putting in work with the wideouts and impressing as a dynamic seam threat.

New Orleans Saints | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Running back Alvin Kamara is by all accounts fully healthy - and he's pushing for even more speed and flexibility than he's already shown.
• Versatile journeyman Ty Mongtomery is gunning for a roster spot as a runner/receiver hybrid.
• The team continues to evaluate its wideout depth, with Tre'Quan Smith and kick returner, Deonte Harris, drawing the coaches' praise in practice.
• Rookie tight end Adam Trautman keeps impressing coaches and onlookers in both phases of the offense.

New York Giants | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Daniel Jones was inconsistent in the first week of padded practices, but there were more positive moments than concerning ones. He's working hard on making smarter decisions and minimizing turnovers.
• Saquon Barkley and Dion Lewis are the No. 1 and No. 2 backs, respectively. The battle to watch is between Wayne Gallman and Javon Leake for No. 3 honors.
• The receiver depth chart remains nebulous, as Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard, and Darius Slayton are all practicing as starters and magnanimously deferring to one another when asked for comment.
• David Sills is making a surprise push for the No. 4 receiver role, which could mean significant snaps given the injury histories of the starting trio.
• TE Evan Engram is staying on the practice field, which is the first step in realizing his immense potential.

New York Jets | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The Jets were one of several teams that had multiple false-positive COVID-19 tests Saturday, costing them a walkthrough Saturday night.
• QB Sam Darnold has been on point with throws to TE Chris Herndon and newly arrived receiver Breshard Perriman, but don't forget Jamison Crowder.
• WR Chris Hogan finally started practicing with his new team Thursday and racked up a receiving touchdown, but he's got a long way to go to catch up and is far behind Crowder, Perriman, and Herndon in the pecking order.
• Last year the Jets run defense allowed just 3.3 yards-per-carry, and so far, the in-the-box defense looks just as good. Starting a back against the Jets this year could produce lower than average days.

Philadelphia Eagles | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Starting quarterback Carson Wentz is off to a good start. He's healthy and has chemistry with all of his receivers, including the trio of rookies – Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, and Quez Watkins.
• Plans to rely heavily on RB Miles Sanders as a workhorse were questioned when he suffered a "lower-body" injury and is designated as "week-to-week" on the injury report. Team insiders are downplaying concern. But drafting him requires some faith.
• Boston Scott and Corey Clement are the clear No. 2 and No. 3 running backs, respectively. Veteran Elijah Holyfield is outplaying undrafted rookies Mike Warren and Adrian Killins.
• Last year's problem position now may be an embarrassment of riches, as DeSean Jackson, Jalen Reagor, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Greg Ward, John Hightower, and Quez Watkins are all playing well enough to project as regular-season contributors.
• No. 2 tight end Dallas Goedert broke his thumb in practice but should return soon with a splint.

Pittsburgh Steelers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Ben Roethlisberger has his velocity back and is acting like a kid again, showing the leadership and hunger to win another Super Bowl.
• Pittsburgh's running backs group is deep. James Conner is the most versatile, but there are multiple talented options behind him.
• WR JuJu Smith-Schuster isn't worried about his contract situation. He's in shape and ready for a bounceback year.
• WR Chase Claypool drew rave reviews for his physique and backed it up with big plays in practice this week
• TE Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald expect Pittsburgh to play plenty of two-tight end sets in an effort to disguise the offense's intent and create mismatches.

San Francisco 49ers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The wide receiving corps has taken hits with Deebo Samuel likely to miss the start of the season, Jalen Hurd tearing his ACL and Brandon Aiyuk leaving practice early over the weekend with a mild hamstring strain.
• Before leaving practice early, Brandon Aiyuk has been a consistent positive buzz candidate out of training camp, drawing praise from Jimmy Garoppolo, Kyle Shanahan, and John Lynch. He's described now as "week to week".
• Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert appear to be the two leading running backs, without a clear indication who will draw the starter label.

Seattle Seahawks | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• RB Chris Carson fumbled seven times last year and is coming off a hip injury. While he seems healthy now we haven't seen him much in camp, so if you spend the pick on him, Carlos Hyde is a must-handcuff.
• QB Russell Wilson wants to throw, and wide receiver DK Metcalf is making it hard to imagine the Seahawks don't indulge him. Metcalf continues to look stellar.
• Remember RB Rashaad Penny? Do the Seattle Seahawks? Penny has ability and started to break out last year prior to his injury, but he's missing camp and the other backs are on fire.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• QB Tom Brady's most notable connections in clutch situations during camp have been with Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard, and Rob Gronkowski.
• Bruce Arians says TE Rob Gronkowski no longer looks slow and stiff like he did at the end of his career with the Patriots and is running and moving with the speed and mobility of his prime years. Gronkowski has also shed the gigantic arm brace that he was using in recent years.
• Arians says TE O.J. Howard is having a strong camp and that's a good sign for a player expected to have a significant role in the Buccaneers starting lineup.
• After earning praise earlier this month for his improvements as a receiver, RB Ronald Jones II dropped multiple passes during a Sunday practice and running back coach Todd McNair noted that it had to do with anticipating the ball with proper timing and hand placement on quick-hitting check-downs.
• Although WR Scott Miller has performed well in the slot, Bruce Arians has clarified that Miller's best fit is outside as a vertical threat. Arians wants a bigger body in the slot and so far, Justin Watson is performing as if it is his job to lose.
• Rookie safety Antoine Winfield continues performing at a high level and Bruce Arians notes that it's only a matter of time before he earns the starting job.

Tennessee Titans | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• The Titans backup quarterbacks have seen a shakeup this week with Trevor Siemian promoted to backup, Logan Woodside demoted to third-string, and Cole McDonald cut from the roster.
• There is an emphasis from the team to get running back Darryton Evans up to speed and contributing in the offense in his rookie year.
• WR Corey Davis vowed to have better production in the upcoming campaign.
• WR Kalif Raymond has a sizeable lead in the race to be the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart.
• TE Jonnu Smith looks to be much improved and has played especially well in practices.

Washington Football Team | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report

• Head coach Ron Rivera has a curable form of lymphatic cancer but plans on coaching through it. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio will take over in Rivera's stead if need be.
• Starting QB Dwayne Haskins gets the majority of first-team reps, but he's lacked consistency as has most of the offense. Veteran Alex Smith participated in team passing drills this week, further complicating the picture.
• Veteran Adrian Peterson is being treated like the new starting running back, but this week all the attention and momentum were directed at Bryce Love. He's healthy and turning heads.
• No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin is going to be among the most targeted receivers in the league this year, based on the lack of apparent talent around him and how well he looks in his second training camp.
• Steven Sims Jr Jr. is the only other receiver on Washington's roster who looks the part; he could have fantasy relevance if he breaks camp as the definite No. 2.

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.

Follow @Football_Guys