Trey Lance, Tua Tagovailoa, and Donovan Peoples-Jones Hype Week
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We got a huuuge edition for you this week, and there’s a whole lotta juicy headlines with training camps in full swing.
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News & Notes:
Carson Wentz is undergoing foot surgery and is expected to be out 5-12 weeks.
Colts star offensive lineman Quenton Nelson has the same foot injury as Carson Wentz. Similar 5-12 week timeline for recovery.
DeVonta Smith is expected to miss two to three weeks with a sprained MCL.
Tyreek Hill missed practice with knee tendinitis.
“Talks are heating up between Eagles and Texans on a Deshaun Watson trade. Still some hurdles to get over. But both sides attempting to come to an agreement.”
"The criminal investigation has progressed to the point where, we’re told, [Deshaun] Watson’s camp is bracing for an eventual grand jury proceeding."
The 49ers signed TE Jordan Matthews, who switched positions from WR to TE.
Coachspeak and Beat Reports:
Trey Lance was a hot topic again this week:
“Trey Lance just made a throw I didn’t know humans could actually make. Video game nonsense — step up, roll left, across this body on the jump, 50 yards in the air on a rope into the pocket to a crossing receiver. Touchdown.”
“Trey Lance took off and ran with the football at least five times… That’s the most a quarterback has run at practice open to media since Shanahan took over as coach in 2017.”
OC Mike McDaniel on Trey Lance’s learning and progress: “He’s getting to the point where he can correct other players.”
Q: “What is the biggest surprise to you so far watching [Trey] Lance?” A: “His throwing mechanics. They’re terrific.”
Dre Greenlaw Trey Lance: “Best arm I’ve ever seen hands down”
“The notion that [Trey] Lance could overtake Garoppolo early in the season, which seemed so farfetched on draft day and after OTAs, appears far more realistic today.”
The drumbeat for Tua Tagovailoa’s improvement in year 2 is growing:
“Tua Tagovailoa just exhibited off-balance, late-developing play arm whip on a laser to Hunter Long. Different dude out there right now than what we saw as a rookie.”
“Tua [Tagovailoa] continues to impress with intermediate and deep throws.”
“Before Joe Burrow's historic 2019 season and rise to the #1 pick, Tua Tagovailoa was widely regarded as the top QB prospect in the 2020 class by almost everyone.
No surprise that another year removed from the hip injury, he's looking like the guy we thought he would be.”
"Ask anyone around the Raiders facilities & they'll tell you how excited they are for Bryan Edwards... He's been on a mission. He's not only been creating separation on his routes, but is also using his physicality to go up over defensive backs and catch tightly contested passes"
"The youth movement is back at wideout. Ruggs at “Z” receiver, Bryan Edwards at “X” receiver and Hunter Renfrow in the slot has been the most consistent lineup at WR...Veteran John Brown was brought in to replace Agholor, but it looks like Edwards is being given another shot"
“Few players were as active catching the ball as running back and No. 25 overall pick Travis Etienne. The Jaguars clearly have big plans for the running back position as a whole, but the usage of Etienne as a pass-catcher has been evident throughout the first week of camp. We can't give away where he is aligning, of course, but we can say he has shown terrific hands a burst after the catch, which was on display.”
“It sounds like Logan Thomas caught about 7 touchdowns from Fitz today. He could be about to have a massive season”
“Exciting seeing Chase, but Tee Higgins may be the WR to watch. Coaches told him he needed to get stronger, in better shape. And he's come back on fire.”
“Am I overly excited about Justin Fields? Yes. Is that based on someone inside the building telling me the kid’s “got it”? Yes.”
"[Jonathan] Taylor has also been an active and able receiver, catching a team-leading six passes in 11-on-11 work through the past two practices."
“Based on what I’ve seen at camp, Jonathan Taylor could go for 150 in a game tomorrow.”
“If there were to be a year when the Patriots' running game would be the focus of the offense, this could be it. And if there were to be a season when a Patriots running back would eclipse the 1,000-yard mark, Damien Harris should be the answer.”
“How do Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and rookie RB Javonte Williams look early in camp? Williams was considered by the Broncos as the best back in the draft. They really like him. The other two are stars.”
“Teddy connects with Jerry Jeudy down the sideline and Jeudy pumps up the crowd afterwards. Talking to some people, Jeudy is as confident as they’ve ever seen him. And that’s dating back to college and his domina e at Alabama. He looks really good thus far.”
“[Jalen] Hurts has been throwing a lot of passes to his RBs in camp and he’s looked very smooth hitting Miles Sanders and especially Boston Scott in stride. As important as it is to hit deep balls in stride, it’s even more important on those short throws Bc there’s less time to adjust.”
“If tight end Pat Freiermuth has any ability to block whatsoever (which we don’t quite know yet), he’s going to be a hell of a player as early as this year. He has proven to be a tough matchup for linebackers and safeties.”
“It’s Irv’s time: One thing that stood out the past two days is how much Irv Smith Jr., is getting the ball. It’s become clear that Kirk Cousins is very comfortable throwing to Smith”
Nearly an entire article gushing over Jets rookie WR Elijah Moore.
“Based on what I saw Saturday, even at 5-foot-9 1/2, Elijah Moore isn’t just going to be a slot option for the Jets. He’s going to have the multi-faceted role of a top-shelf receiver.”
“There is a significant gap between [CeeDee] Lamb and everyone else. He’s having the best camp of anyone on the roster... Every practice seems to include at least one impressive Lamb highlight to go along with a handful of other noteworthy plays that he makes look effortless."
“Terrace Marshall has been the sparkling surprise among the offensive rookies in camp, drawing comparisons in stature to former Carolina receiver Mushin Muhammad and Hall-Of-Famer Michael Irvin. Marshall has turned in some impressive catches through the first week”
“I hate to sound like a broken record, but Terrace #$!’-in Marshall is having a DAY”
Falcons’ Qadree Ollison getting work entirely with the first team. Seems like the early favorite for RB2.
T.J. Hockenson has been the Lions "best offensive skill player" in camp. “He & Goff have a lot of chemistry.
“Ravens OC Greg Roman spoke glowingly of Sammy Watkins, who is back with Roman after playing under him in 2015. “He’s one of the best receivers in the NFL, period,” Roman said. Watkins has been the Ravens’ best WR in first 3 days of training camp.”
49ers receiver feels Brandon Aiyuk is on the cusp of being 'unguardable'
Analysis & Hype:
Part two of The Ultimate Tight End Draft Guide.
“As I watch Darrell Henderson take about 70-85% of the first team reps the last two days (including being split out side), I wonder which available veteran RB is scaring everyone off him as a solid fantasy RB2”
D.J. Moore has forced 45 missed tackles as a receiver since entering the league - most among all WRs.
In Dak's 4 full games last season ...
Targets:
Cooper - 51
Lamb - 29
Gallup - 24
Air Yards:
Cooper - 476
Gallup - 403
Lamb - 260
Reddit Thread: “Tyler Lockett - The Most Misunderstood Man In Fantasy”
Deep (Mostly Dynasty) Sleepers:
Former 5-star recruit Donovan Peoples-Jones is getting a lot of buzz going into his sophomore year:
“It’s really hard not to hype the camp Donovan Peoples-Jones is having. It really is. Trying to maintain perspective but he shows up multiple times per day.
“Donovan Peoples-Jones is bigger and stronger than year one. Urban spoke highly of him throughout high school and college. He should some glimpses his rookie season, but it should come to no surprise when he starts to fulfill his potential this season.”
“Donovan Peoples-Jones is taking a big step. He's slimmed down, catching everything, has worked all offseason with Baker Mayfield, and his traits are translating into his play.”
Beat: Donovan Peoples-Jones is "absolutely lighting up" Browns training camp.
On Bucs rookie WR Jaelon Darden: “Through several weeks of offseason OTAs, Darden was clearly one of the best players on the field. He diced up the unproven, young cornerbacks manning the Bucs secondary, showing a superior level of athleticism to everyone else on the field.”
“A.J. Brown said Racey McMath reminds him of Julio Jones. McMath has had a solid start to camp.” … “Racey won @seniorbowl weigh-ins last January and we clocked him at 4.35 at LSU pro-day. He’s got all the tools.”
On Chargers TE Donald Parham: “Parham has kept pace with Cook as one of Herbert’s favorite targets in practice, but Parham isn’t just seeing more opportunities because of his athleticism and size. He’s made strides as a blocker and that could lead to more snaps this season.”
“Quietly, Darius Slayton is having a good camp. Looks healthy and is catching just about everything.”
“Albert Wilson has easily been most consistent and impressive WR in [Dolphins] camp.” … “Albert Wilson balling every day.”
“It’s also very obvious why Ryan Fitzpatrick wanted Adam Humphries. He’s easily been his favorite target thus far, and they run a wicked two-man game with Humphries out of the slot”
“Midway through day 2 of Chiefs camp, [Chiefs rookie TE] Noah Gray is still the majestic white horse on a sandy beach.”
Cold Water:
On Joe Burrow: "It’s just not good right now. Throws that felt like layups last year are dropping harmlessly away from receivers or easily broken up by multiple defenders."
On Bengals WRs: "It’s tough to single out any one of the receivers when everyone was failing to get separation and not making plays. Chase had a drop on the first play of 11-on-11. Boyd got a pass for him broken up on back-to-back plays in seven-on-seven. Nobody made any splashes."
“But [Jaylen] Waddle, even now, still at times walks with a limp. There are some within the organization who believe he doesn’t yet have the full explosiveness that made him such a weapon at Alabama.”
Might need some patience with Javonte Williams: “One thing that's being glossed over I think in the shadow of some of the position battles here at Broncos Camp is that Melvin Gordon is CLEARLY RB1 for this team so far.”
Not a great stat for Mecole Hardman: “mahomes threw for 5000+ yards and 50 touchdowns in 2018 and the best kc could spit out behind tyreek & kelce was the wr39 in fantasy”
Jalen Reagor “hasn’t stood out at all” at wide receiver in early training camp practices.
Matt Harmon noted Jalen Reagor’s Reception Perception score was the 2nd worst he’s ever given out behind only ex-Titans WR Justin Hunter.
“Kenny Golladay and Giants offense off to slow training camp start”
“Cowboys look to use Tony Pollard more as Ezekiel Elliott doesn't need to 'run the ball 25-30 times a game'"
“18 Quarterbacks have thrown 600+ times in a season over the past half decade Here's the 4 lowest Passing Yards totals among them
2019 Carson Wentz 4039
2016 Blake Bortles 3905
2020 Big Ben 3803 (2nd worst AND 2018 Ben= 2nd Best)
2016 Carson Wentz 3782”
The Fun Stuff:
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Bryan Edwards with a nice grab.
Beautiful one-handed snag from Courtland Sutton.
Oh, okay Justin Herbert.
“Randall Cobb has to be the cheapest ransom ask in history”
Quintez Cephus going uuup.
Patrick Mahomes performing the elusive “T-Rex” pass.
“look at our QB1 mane lmaoooo”
Tom Brady working on his Madden speed rating.
Tyreek Hill wants to race Usain Bolt.
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