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 Jason Wood and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. Each edition is 30 plus pages long. It's incredible and, frankly, probably worth the Footballguys Season Long Pro subscription price just by itself.
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 asking our team writers to distill 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 looks bigger and quicker and seems to be taking ownership of the team.
- Running backs Chase Edmonds and James Conner hate the term “RB1”, both will be heavily involved.
- Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been quiet on his off-the-field COVID vaccine comments and seems focused on what happens on the field.
- Wide receiver A.J. Green is developing a connection with Kyler Murray early in camp.
- Wide receiver Rondale Moore is standing out early as a guy that belongs.
- Safety Budda Baker continues to grow and mature as the leader of the defense.
Atlanta Falcons | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Expect the team to play at a more deliberate pace, emphasizing power football, potentially ushering out the era of a high-flying offense.
- Matt Ryan has long been a study of fantasy consistency, but a new scheme and the departure of Julio Jones are hurdles to maintaining his production.
- The backfield looks like a committee led by Mike Davis, but Qadree Ollison and Cordarrelle Patterson will see work and cap his ceiling.
- WR Calvin Ridley played much of 2020 with an injured foot but will fully recover from offseason surgery by kickoff, leading a receiving room with Russell Gage as the number 2.
- Expect heavy two tight-end packages utilizing Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst and creative play-calling to move Pitts around the formation.
Baltimore Ravens | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Lamar Jackson contracted COVID-19 earlier in August and was sidelined. Jackson returned to practice Saturday, August 7, and looked “better than expected,” per coach John Harbaugh.
- RB J.K. Dobbins could see a significant rise in workload as the team’s unquestioned starter this season.
- WR Rashod Bateman has NFL route-running skills despite being a rookie. He suffered a soft tissue injury to his right leg and is expected to miss "a number of weeks."
- WR Marquise Brown has a hamstring injury and has been out of practice for over a week.
- Despite the addition of new wide receivers, TE Mark Andrews should remain Jackson’s most-targeted player.
Buffalo Bills | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- The Bills offense returns all key personnel and has looked very sharp in camp, which has not been the case in past years and bodes well for a quick start this season.
- Quarterback Josh Allen established himself as an MVP candidate last year, and the team rewarded him with a 6-year, $258 million extension.
- Zack Moss recovered from an ankle injury in last year’s playoffs and has been the most impressive running back thus far. But for now, it is expected he’ll split carries with Devin Singletary and perhaps Matt Breida too.
- Emmanuel Sanders has missed time early in camp with a foot injury but is expected to play a key role as the team grooms Gabriel Davis.
- Defensive end Jerry Hughes is close to returning from a calf injury, which allowed young players like A.J. Epenesa and Gregory Rousseau to showcase themselves.
Carolina Panthers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Terrace Marshall is looking like he will lock up the WR3 job.
- RB Christian McCaffrey should be in for another big workload
- QB Sam Darnold’s arm strength is a noticeable improvement from what Carolina had in 2020.
- Dan Arnold is looking great but still may not be the starting tight end.
- The offense has started sluggish. There is concern they could get off to a slow start.
Chicago Bears | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Andy Dalton still appears to be the Week 1 starter and has the coaching staff’s confidence, but Justin Fields is quickly winning over the fans and media and will likely find his path to being a starter this season.
- RB David Montgomery had a quiet week of practice, and while he should still be considered the team’s lead back, Damien Williams is quickly carving out a role for himself.
- Unshockingly, the Bears’ receiving corps is top-heavy with Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney, but Fields has been spreading it around and getting new names involved.
- After sitting out the 2020 season due to Covid-19 concerns, NT Eddie Goldman has yet to practice and is a risk to play at all in 2021
- The Bears cornerback corps is awful, and that could help bolster some optimism surrounding the team’s passing attack.
Cincinnati Bengals | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Joe Burrow appears to be healthy but has not regained full trust in his knee, which has led to some early struggles in training camp.
- Running back Joe Mixon has been the best offensive player on the field, and the staff has continued talking about the plan to keep him on the field more often in passing situations.
- Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has had an up-and-down start to camp, struggling with some drops when wide open but also making many highlight-reel leaping grabs against tight coverage.
- Wide receiver Tee Higgins has continued to generate buzz and looks poised to improve upon a strong rookie season.
Cleveland Browns | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Approximately 90 percent of the Browns players are partially vaccinated, leaving Cleveland well situated to guard against COVID-19 outbreaks heading into the season.
- QB Baker Mayfield has been up and down in camp with no public progress shown on his contract extension.
- RB Nick Chubb signed a three-year extension through 2024 worth 12 million dollars a year.
- WR Odell Beckham has returned to training camp after last year’s ACL injury and is on track to play in week one.
- WR Donovan Peoples-Jones has been the star of training camp thus far and has the edge on being Cleveland’s WR3.
- All three tight ends are playing in a rotation, which could be great for the Browns but a nightmare for fantasy managers.
- DE Jadeveon Clowney is looking very disruptive and will form quite the one-two punch with Myles Garrett on defense, and John Johnson is making plays all over the field.
Dallas Cowboys | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Dak Prescott’s ankle appears fully healed, but he’s missed time with a shoulder strain.
- Running back Ezekiel Elliott looks wholly revamped, and he's running with the power and fluidity he lacked in 2020.
- Receiver CeeDee Lamb has been the best player in camp, period
- Receiver Amari Cooper isn’t cleared to practice yet but plans on playing at 210 pounds this year to regain the speed he lost. He'd bulked up to 225 pounds the last few seasons.
- Tight end Dalton Schultz isn’t going to cede the starting job to Blake Jarwin easily, and it’s more likely they split reps than it is Jarwin becomes an impact starter.
Denver Broncos | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Teddy Bridgewater looks to hold a marginal lead over Drew Lock for the starting quarterback job, though neither is excelling in camp.
- Rookie running back Javonte Williams looks more ready than expected, putting Melvin Gordon on notice.
- WR Courtland Sutton is easing back toward full speed but impressing onlookers along the way.
- Across the field, WR Jerry Jeudy is showing renewed confidence in his No. 1 wideout skillset.
- Speedy tight end Noah Fant looks poised for hefty all-around usage as he fine-tunes his shorter routes.
Detroit Lions | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Jared Goff has been sharp and in command of the offense, but the vertical passing game has been difficult to unlock for the Lions so far in camp.
- Running back DAndre Swift dealt with a groin injury during the week but was in pads and participated in team drills before the team’s weekend scrimmage.
- TE T.J. Hockenson has been a frequent target for Jared Goff in training camp and drawing praise from his teammates. He was shaken up at practice Tuesday but was able to walk off on his own.
- Jeff Okudah appears to be primed for a second-year leap and has been the Lions' top corner in camp by a wide margin.
Green Bay Packers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Aaron Rodgers is back, drastically boosting the outlook for every aspect of the offense.
- Running back Aaron Jones is re-signed and back in the lineup, and A.J. Dillon is getting every chance to replace Jamaal Williams’ production.
- Dillon is working hard on other areas – like catching the ball – in his quest to force a timeshare with Jones.
- Top wideout Davante Adams has wasted no time regaining his potent connection with his longtime quarterback.
- The team traded for slot man Randall Cobb, though rookie Amari Rodgers looks poised to pressure him for snaps off the bat.
Houston Texans | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Deshaun Watson showed up for a few days to avoid getting fined but is no longer around the team. Most think it would be shocking to see him suit up for the Texans this season.
- Tyrod Taylor has the starting quarterback job locked down and is performing well in camp.
- Rookie quarterback Davis Mills has been terrible.
- Rookie wide receiver Nico Collins has shown flashes despite some inconsistency and looks like he should open the season as a starter.
- Keke Coutee appears to be running slightly ahead of Anthony Miller for the starting slot receiver job.
Indianapolis Colts | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Carson Wentz’s foot surgery was successful, and there is now optimism he could be ready for Week 1.
- There's also optimism guard Quenton Nelson to be ready for the season opener.
- Running back Jonathan Taylor has been an active pass-catcher in team practices, and head coach Frank Reich endorsed him as the team’s bell-cow.
- Michael Pittman consistently makes big plays in practices and appears poised to emerge as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver.
- Rookie tight end Kylen Granson has turned heads with his play-making ability and should inherit Trey Burton’s vacated role as the move tight end in Reich’s offense right away.
- Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has a foot injury of unknown severity and was held out of weekend practices.
Jacksonville Jaguars | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been shining early in camp, putting the ball wherever he wants.
- Running back Travis Etienne can do it all on offense and has been uncoverable at practice.
- Wide receiver DJ Chark had finger surgery but should be ready for Week 1.
- Wide receiver Collin Johnson is having an outstanding camp and showing connection with Lawrence.
- Wide receiver Laviska Shenault is in line for a breakout type of season.
- Tight end depth is lacking, with Chris Manhertz more of a blocking option and James O’Shaughnessy still battling injury.
Kansas City Chiefs | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from offseason toe surgery has been setback-free as he practices in full.
- The backfield looks like a firm duo, with ex-LSU teammates Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams sharing the load.
- Losing WR Sammy Watkins would mean more to most other teams than to the Chiefs, who boast a full staff room of dynamic wideouts.
- WR Mecole Hardman is the popular favorite as the new No. 2, but Demarcus Robinson offers experience in his own right.
- Rookie TE Noah Gray has Chiefs coaches and media buzzing about two-TE packages alongside Travis Kelce.
Las Vegas Raiders | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- The offseason signing of RB Kenyan Drake led some to expect a decreased role for running back Josh Jacobs. That does not seem to be the case, as Gruden insists the offense will be built around Jacobs.
- Second-year wide receivers Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards look well on their way to locking down starting jobs ahead of veteran John Brown. Each has generated positive buzz, adding to their sleeper appeal.
- Tight end Darren Waller has missed more than a week of practice, though no reason has been given for his absence. He has been seen working on the side and in the weight room. For now, concern seems to be low regarding his Week 1 availability. But it's something to watch.
Los Angeles Chargers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- RB Austin Ekeler has been used throughout the formation in training camp as both a slot and outside receiver and his traditional running back role.
- QB Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen have had a strong rapport in training camp, while Josh Palmer has flashed as a WR3 candidate.
- Justin Jackson has played well in training camp and appears to be in the lead for the backup running back role in the offense.
Los Angeles Rams | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- In practice, QB Matthew Stafford hit his hand on a helmet with his surgically repaired thumb but returned to practice later in the week and should be fine.
- The Rams will not play Matthew Stafford in the preseason and are expected to rest their starters during preseason games as they consistently have done during Sean McVay’s tenure.
- Darrell Henderson is getting the starting opportunity at the running back position, with Jake Funk and Xavier Jones working in a committee after Cam Akers’ Achilles tear.
- WR DeSean Jackson has been healthy and been a deep threat in training camp, adding a vertical element to the Rams offense that Matthew Stafford could unlock.
Miami Dolphins | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Early signs are positive for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in what could be a make-or-break sophomore season, though there are still some concerns with how he is reacting to the pass rush.
- Wide receiver Will Fuller has missed almost all of camp with an unspecified injury.
- Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is playing well and has not missed any time but still appears to be favoring the leg he injured last year at Alabama.
- Wide receiver Albert Wilson has been one of the top offensive performers early in camp and is well-positioned to take advantage of an injury to one of the starters.
- Rookie tight end Hunter Long suffered a leg injury and was carted off the practice field Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Kirk Cousins is missing time due to COVID protocols.
- Running back Dalvin Cook is excited for what the offense can be in 2021.
- Wide receivers Justin Jefferson suffered an AC joint injury. Coach Mike Zimmer said Jefferson should return "pretty quick," but we may not see him in preseason games.
- Wide receiver K.J. Osborn is making plays and is looking to make a run at the WR3 role on the team.
- Tight end Irv Smith has been the talk of camp, and a breakout is on the horizon.
New England Patriots | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Cam Newton is the likely starter at quarterback, though rookie Mac Jones keeps flashing a future starter’s skillset.
- Damien Harris should enter the year as the lead running back – and could push Sony Michel out.
- Rookie runner Rhamondre Stevenson’s stock with the coaching staff appears to have plummeted.
- Wideout NKeal Harry continues to make splash plays but is hard-pressed to carve out a consistent role.
- New tight end Jonnu Smith has looked sharp, dynamic, and capable. TE Hunter Henry suffered a shoulder injury and could miss "multiple weeks."
New Orleans Saints | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- The quarterback competition between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston presses on, with the team sampling from the talents of both in camp.
- Newly-signed Devonta Freeman looks rested and ready to challenge for the No. 2 running back job.
- Star receiver Michael Thomas remains out indefinitely, and the team hasn’t been happy with his recovery from ankle surgery.
- The depth chart is banged-up and thin at wideout, creating an open audition for a handful of practice squad-type prospects.
- By many accounts, coordinator Dennis Allen’s attacking defense has more or less “won” throughout the start of camp.
New York Giants | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Daniel Jones doesn’t look markedly better in the early going, but in his defense, he’s practicing without several key contributors.
- Running back Saquon Barkley is on track in his recovery, but neither he nor the team is willing to commit to Week 1 availability.
- WR Kenny Golladay is out with a hamstring injury but is expected to be ready for the start of the season.
- Receiver Sterling Shepard has been the best receiver in camp in Golladay’s absence and has an undeniable rapport with Daniel Jones.
- Running back Devontae Booker has been unimpressive so far, bringing into question his value as a handcuff in the early weeks while Saquon Barkley rehabs.
New York Jets | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Zach Wilson is the face of the franchise, but the backfield will be the backfield of the offense this year as he gets his feet. Don’t expect big numbers.
- Don’t expect big numbers from the backfield individually, as the running back by committee approach is in full effect.
- Defensive end Carl Lawson expects a sack on every play, and if camp is an indicator, he looks in line for a big season.
- With Denzel Mims on the outs, there’s room for a third receiver to break out for the offense. Keep rookie Elijah Moore in mind as he continues to shine in opportunities with the top unit.
Philadelphia Eagles | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been erratic thus far and needs to show significant improvement if the offense will be viable for fantasy managers.
- Running back Miles Sanders continues to drop passes and fumble, calling into question his role as the every-down starter. A committee looks increasingly plausible.
- Receiver DeVonta Smith is out with an MCL strain but is due back in a week or two. He was, by far, the team’s best receiver in the first week of camp.
- Receiver Jalen Reagor doesn’t look like the second-year breakout candidate many expected; he’s only been a standout in one practice thus far.
- Tight end Zach Ertz has outplayed Dallas Goedert and is getting a full complement of first-team reps. It’s time to start questioning whether the team will trade him and whether Goedert is a legitimate fantasy starter otherwise.
Pittsburgh Steelers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Ben Roethlisberger is throwing in a limited fashion to stay healthy for the entire season.
- RB Najee Harris is the favorite for workhorse duties, especially with other backs nursing injuries.
- WR Chase Claypool added more polish to go along with his dominant physical traits.
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has lobbied to play outside, but most feel the team would be better keeping him in the slot and using three-receiver sets often.
- TE Pat Freiermuth could push Eric Ebron for reps and is performing well as a mismatch-causing receiver.
San Francisco 49ers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- San Francisco has surpassed their goal of an 85 percent vaccination rate, with over 90 percent of the players vaccinated.
- QB Trey Lance has been a standout in training camp, but Head Coach Kyle Shanahan continues to say Jimmy Garoppolo will be the starting quarterback.
- Trey Sermon and Raheem Mostert are the top two running backs in the backfield, with Sermon expected to be integrated into the offense early in the season.
Seattle Seahawks | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- While Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are the guys at the top of the backfield depth chart, both of them have had injury issues nearly every season, so whoever is behind them has a good chance to produce.
- While safety Jamal Adams' situation is concerning, the Seahawks have had this situation before with Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman.
- While the new offensive scheme has people excited, the last tight end who had more than 500 yards here was Jimmy Graham in 2017.
- Along with Jamal Adams, left tackle Duane Brown is looking for a contract. As difficult as not having Adams is, losing Brown would be a huge issue for Russell Wilson and the offense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- QB Tom Brady is as sharp and confident as ever, finding multiple receivers at will.
- WR Mike Evans is having the best camp of his career and focused on earning yards after the catch.
- Rookie WR Jalen Darden has excelled against press coverage, but the team is placing him in many man-to-man situations to improve his route breaks.
- TE O.J. Howard is in shape but still re-acclimating to the game's physicality while Rob Gronkowski is making consistent plays all over the field.
- The Buccaneers secondary has played well this week with cornerback Carlton Davis and safety Ross Cockrell as standouts.
- Rookie edge defender Joe Tryon is advanced for his experience level, and Shaq Barrett compared him to Bradley Chubb.
Tennessee Titans | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- There isn’t much to talk about as far as the quarterback or running back room as Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry head into Year 3 together and hope for a deep playoff run.
- While top-heavy with A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, the depth and variety in this wide receiver room is the biggest story of camp, with quite a few guys in a position to fight for roster spots.
- After Jonnu Smith’s departure, Anthony Firkser looks like he can be a weekly weapon.
- The defense is anchored by veterans Janoris Jenkins and Rashaan Evans, who set the tone for practices.
- The LB Bud Dupree signing already looks to be paying off as he looked elite at his first practice and added some extra juice to the defensive efforts of his teammates.
Washington Football Team | Depth Chart | Footballguys Team Report
- Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will play a lot in the preseason, at least until coach Ron Rivera sees the veteran take command of the offense.
- Running back Antonio Gibson is working on having more patience and trusting the play calls more consistently.
- WR Curtis Samuel hasn’t practiced because of a groin injury. Still, the coaches are confident he’ll immediately step into a prominent role upon his return, given his experience with their system when they worked together in Carolina.
- Rookie receiver Dyami Brown is opening eyes and could have a featured role this year, particularly as an outside receiver paired up with McLaurin, with Samuel playing in the slot.
- Tight end Logan Thomas broke out last year, but the coaches believe he has another gear that could vault him into the league’s elite.
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.
Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports