With OTAs underway, there will be updates daily to this 2019 Fantasy Football Training Camp Stock page if anything noteworthy happens.
If there’s an injury or a player surprising/disappointing, I’ll let you know about it and adjust my 2019 Fantasy Football Rankings accordingly. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2019 Fantasy Football Stock Report – Training Camp
Sept. 4
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys 
Ezekiel Elliott has re-signed with the Cowboys and will play in Week 1. He may not receive a complete workload in the opener, but he’ll get all the usual touches in Week 2 and beyond. He should be the fourth pick in fantasy drafts.
Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys 
Tony Pollard is no longer draftable in all leagues. He can be dropped if you drafted him already.
Sept. 3
Matt Breida, RB, 49ers Matt Breida is listed ahead of Tevin Coleman on the depth chart. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Breida will shoulder most of the workload, but it is significant.
Tevin Coleman, RB, 49ers Tevin Coleman is listed behind Matt Breida on the 49ers’ depth chart. I wouldn’t be panicking if I were a Coleman owner, but I’d be somewhat worried.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott is “very close” to signing a 5-year, $90 million contract, according to Adam Schefter. Things could change, so there’s still some risk, but Elliott can be chosen in the top five.
Sept. 2
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys Negotiations between Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys are “not close,” according to Jane Slater of the NFL Network. This goes against what was reported yesterday, but I would trust Slater on this matter. Slater said that “everything” was holding up a new deal. It seems as though Elliott could miss six games after all.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers Melvin Gordon won’t report for Week 1, per an ESPN report. The Chargers have broken off contract negotiations with Gordon, so unless he’s traded, it doesn’t sound like he’ll play until Week 10.
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers Cam Newton was able to practice without limitations. It appears as though he’s over the minor foot injury he suffered in the preseason.
Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins Jordan Reed remains in concussion protocol. There was positive news regarding Reed about a week ago, but the oft-injured tight end hasn’t been able to pracitce. It appears as though he’ll miss Week 1 at the very least.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Patriots Demaryius Thomas has re-signed with the Patriots. I was surprised when New England released Thomas because he looked so good in the preseason, but bringing him back was apparently planned all along.
Sept. 1
Keke Coutee, WR, Texans Keke Coutee is no longer fantasy relevant in the wake of the Kenny Stills trade, as Stills projects to be Houston’s new No. 3 receiver.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys Negotiations between the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott are “intensifying,” according to multiple reports. It sounds like Elliott will be signed in time for Week 1, but that’s not a guarantee.
Buddy Howell, RB, Texans Despite the Texans trading for Carlos Hyde, Buddy Howell is the Texan running back I’m most interested in aside from Duke Johnson in PPR formats. Howell was kept out of the preseason finale, which might mean that the Texans envision him as a part of their offense. Howell is worth selecting in the final rounds of non-PPR fantasy drafts, especially in the wake of the Laremy Tunsil trade.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Texans The Texans have traded for Carlos Hyde. He deserves to see his fantasy stock rise, but I’m not sure it should be by a significant amount. Hyde stinks, and his offensive line isn’t very good, despite the addition of Laremy Tunsil. I’m not going to rush to add him to my fantasy teams.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Chiefs This is very frustrating. LeSean McCoy signed with the Chiefs, which really clouds Kansas City’s running back situation. McCoy may not be able to handle a full workload at his age, but he looked like he had some burst in the preseason, and he’ll have opportunities to produce in the best offense in the NFL. It’s unclear how much McCoy will play, but given that he’s familiar with Andy Reid’s scheme, he’ll definitely see the field for at least a handful of snaps each week.
Jerick McKinnon, RB, 49ers Jerick McKinnon has been placed on injured reserve. It’s a shame, as he just can’t get healthy. San Francisco will move forward with Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida as the top two backs.
Kenny Stills, WR, Texans The Texans acquired Kenny Stills in the Laremy Tunsil trade. Stills will be Houston’s new No. 3 receiver. He’ll get a bump up in production because he’ll be playing with a better quarterback, but he’s not a great fantasy option.
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Patriots Demaryius Thomas looked good in the final preseason game, but it apparently didn’t matter. The Patriots have waived Thomas, which is a shame because it looked like he could contribute for New England.
Darwin Thompson and Damien Williams, RBs, Chiefs LeSean McCoy has signed with the Chiefs, which really makes things confusing as far as Kansas City’s backfield is concerned. McCoy will take touches away from both players. Damien Williams can no longer be chosen in the Round 2-3 range. And I’m not as bullish on Darwin Thompson. I still think Thompson is still worth a pick in the late rounds because of his talent and potential, but I would no longer consider him in the middle of the draft.
Aug. 31
Duke Johnson, RB, Texans The Texans are “actively looking” for a new running back, according to the Houston Chronicle. People seem to think that Duke Johnson’s workload will increase in the wake of Lamar Miller’s injury, but he won’t have that big of a jump in production. My money is on the Texans either signing Jay Ajayi or trading for LeSean McCoy or Melvin Gordon.
Devin Singletary, RB, Bills Devin Singletary has been atop our Fantasy Football Sleepers list all summer. He’s an excellent talent, so I expected the Bills to either trade or cut LeSean McCoy at some point. I believed this would occur in the first month of the season, or perhaps right before the trade deadline, but the Bills like Singletary so much that they dumped McCoy at final cuts. Singletary will be a stud this year, and he should be chosen in the third round of fantasy drafts.
Aug. 30
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys The Cowboys are bracing for Ezekiel Elliott to miss six games, and they’re currently preparing for Tony Pollard to start, according to PFT. Elliott will drop in my rankings every couple of days beginning right now until the season opener because it’s beginning to look like he might miss several contests.
Darren Waller, TE, Raiders Charlie Campbell said in our live fantasy football draft stream that the Raiders love Darren Waller, and that he’s been their best offensive player in training camp. I’m going to move Waller up my rankings, and I imagine I’ll be higher on him in PPR formats, given Derek Carr’s passing tendencies.
Aug. 29
Robby Anderson, WR, Jets Robby Anderson is dealing with a calf injury. He’ll probably be able to play in the season opener, but you never know with these things.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones said that things have been quiet recently regarding Ezekiel Elliott. While things could change overnight, time is running out. Dallas’ first game is in 11 days.
Jerick McKinnon, RB, 49ers Jerick McKinnon suffered a setback in his return to practice Tuesday. McKinnon can’t get healthy and isn’t worthy of a fantasy selection at this point.
Kahale Warring, TE, Texans Kahale Warring could be placed on injured reserve because of multiple injuries. Warring was a once-promising rookie, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be filling Houston’s need for a tight end this season.
Aug. 28
Jalen Hurd, WR, 49ers Jalen Hurd may not be ready for Week 1 because of a back injury. This is a shame, as Hurd was previously listed on the Fantasy Football Sleepers page. That’s no longer the case because of the injury.
Dare Ogunbowale, RB, Buccaneers More positive news on Dare Ogunbowae: The young running back is expected to be Tampa’s third-down back, according to Pewter Report. If he does a good job – and I don’t see why he wouldn’t – he could earn the starting job. Make sure you use your final pick on O’Gun, Bow & Ale.
Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins Jordan Reed is expected to be ready by Week 1 despite suffering the seventh concussion of his career. While this is good news for Reed, it’s also a reminder that the Redskin tight end can’t be relied on to stay healthy. Feel free to spend a late-round fantasy pick on him, but don’t take him prior to the 13th round.
Aug. 27
Sony Michel, RB, Patriots The Patriots may have lost their center, David Andrews, to blood clots in his lungs. This will obviously make New England’s blocking worse, which worsens Sony Michel’s fantasy outlook.
Keke Coutee, WR, Texans Keke Coutee suffered an injury in the preseason, but has returned to practice earlier than anticipated. Coutee should be ready to play in the opener.
Aug. 26
Dante Pettis, WR, 49ers Dante Pettis has to “earn a role on the team,” according to Kyle Shanahan. I’m beginning to think that Shanahan, while being a great offensive coordinator, may not be cut out to be a head coach. Pettis is the best receiver on San Francisco’s roster, so Shanahan’s attitude on this matter is befuddling, to say the least.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants Sterling Shepard is “good to go” for Week 1, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. This is huge news for the Giants, who were going to be sorely lacking at receiver otherwise because of Golden Tate’s suspension.
Damion Willis, WR, Bengals Damion Willis will start across from Tyler Boyd while A.J. Green is out. This is newsworthy because Willis will be a No. 2 receiver in an offense that isn’t worthless, but keep in mind that Willis will become irrelevant once A.J. Green returns from injury. He’s not worth rostering unless you’re in a very deep league.
Aug. 25
Andrew Luck, Marlon Mack, T.Y. Hilton, Devin Funchess, Eric Ebron In a crazy turn of events, Andrew Luck has retired. Everyone on the Colts obviously needs to be massively downgraded. Marlon Mack is an RB3 at best now. T.Y. Hilton goes from a borderline WR1 to a WR3. Devin Funchess and Eric Ebron are now completely irrelevant. I hope you were able to draft after the third preseason game and avoid selecting Luck and his former teammates in your fantasy draft.
Aug. 24
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers Cam Newton suffered a mid-foot sprain in the opening preseason game. Newton is getting a stock-up arrow for this because the injury seemed like it would be worse. I downgraded Newton a bit in my rankings, but the Panthers are cautiously optimistic that Newton will be able to play in Week 1.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott has returned to Cabo to continue his holdout after receiving a contract extension that he rejected. Elliott is training with Marshall Faulk, though I’m not quite sure why he has to be in Cabo to train during his holdout. Nevertheless, the NFL season begins in 16 days for Elliott, and yet he remains in limbo. Elliott wants to be the highest-paid running back in the NFL, but Dallas has been reluctant to make him that offer. If you draft Elliott in the first round, make sure you get Tony Pollard on your roster as insurance.
Darwin Thompson, RB, Chiefs Darwin Thompson has officially leapt Carlos Hyde on the depth chart, according to the Kansas City Star. Even better, Thompson is getting goal-line work with the first-string offense. This is obviously huge for his fantasy outlook, which I was bullish on before this report. Make sure you get Thompson on your fantasy roster, as his potential in Kansas City’s high-powered offense is through the roof.
Aug. 23
Nick Chubb, RB, Browns Nick Chubb will see more responsibilities in the passing game, according to Cleveland’s running backs coach. With Duke Johnson gone and Kareem Hunt suspended, Chubb almost has to shoulder the receiving responsibilities out of the backfield. Hunt’s return in Week 10 is a bit problematic, but Chubb is a stud and should be drafted accordingly.
Aug. 22
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers Melvin Gordon’s holdout is expected to continue into the regular season, according to Ian Rapoport. The contract talks have not gone well, apparently, so Gordon will likely sit out some games. At this rate, it’s difficult to justify picking him in the first three rounds.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks Rashaad Penny continues to fall further behind Chris Carson, according to NBC Sports Northwest. This has been apparent in the preseason games, as Chris Carson has handled most of the workload.
Darwin Thompson, RB, Chiefs Darwin Thompson has leapt Carlos Hyde on the depth chart, per Nate Taylor of the Athletic. This is far from a surprise, and it shouldn’t shock anyone if Thompson emerges as the starter at some point during the season.
Aug. 21
Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys Amari Cooper is dealing with a plantar fascia. He plans on playing through it and is not expected to miss time in the early portion of the season. However, this is something that could linger and may cause Cooper to not play up to his natural ability in some games. I was already down on Cooper, so this is another reason to avoid him.
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts Andrew Luck won’t practice this week, but there is good news. Luck looked good warming up before the second preseason game. Also, I was in contact with a sports medicine professional recently, who said that Luck’s condition requires four weeks of injections. Luck should be able to play in Week 1, but it’s far from a guarantee.
Ronald Jones, RB, Buccaneers Ronald Jones is dealing with swelling in his knee. This is obviously bad news for his fantasy outlook, and it only helps O’Gun, Bow & Ale (Dare Ogunbowale.)
Aug. 20
Antonio Brown, WR, Raiders Antonio Brown has returned to practice once again after his brief hiatus. This puts him on track to play in Week 1 unless he abandons his team once again. Brown will have some big games this year – I like him in Week 1 versus Denver – but given his age, declined quarterback play and odd behavior, he’s someone you’ll want to stay away from in your fantasy draft. I’m going to avoid him in the first four rounds, so that someone else can deal with this headache.
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seahawks D.K. Metcalf will undergo a knee scope soon, meaning he could miss a couple of weeks in the regular season. This is obviously not ideal for a very raw rookie like Metcalf, whom I wasn’t high on to begin with. I see no reason to draft Metcalf in non-dynasty leagues.
Aug. 19
Antonio Brown, WR, Raiders We have more Antonio Brown drama. Brown was a full participant in a walkthrough on Saturday, and things seemed to be going well. However, Brown’s helmet didn’t pass an NFL test, prompting him to leave the team once again. Mike Mayock sounded frustrated, telling the media that the Raiders need to know if Brown is “all in or all out.” This is completely ridiculous, and I stand by my statement from about a week ago that I am not spending a pick in the first four rounds on Brown. Even if he eventually re-joins the team once more, what’s to stop him from quitting again? He doesn’t seem quite right, and I think he might have some remorse about going to the Raiders. Don’t draft him. Let someone else deal with this nonsense.
Dare Ogunbowale, RB, Buccaneers I have another update of O’Gun, Bow & Ale today, as Dare Ogunbowale received first-team reps in practice. Ronald Jones has been limited with a sore knee, so Ogunbowale has been taking advantage of it. O’Gun, Bow & Ale has been very impressive in the preseason, so I could see him becoming the starting running back at some point in 2019.
Darwin Thompson, RB, Chiefs Following another strong performance in the preseason, Darwin Thompson earned some praise from Andy Reid. Thompson, according to Reid, has good vision and a very good understanding of the passing game. Thompson is looking like he’ll establish himself as the Chiefs’ starting running back at some point this season.
Aug. 18
Dare Ogunbowale, RB, Buccaneers Dare Ogunbowale is someone I forgot to mention in the Buccaneers-Dolphins preseason recap. He was very impressive in that game, both as a runner and a receiver. I’m noting him now because Bruce Arians praised him extensively. Arians said Ogunbowale was a stellar pass protector, which is huge. That could mean he’ll see the field on third down at the very least. However, given that Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones are both underwhelming, there’s a non-zero chance that Ogunbowale will become Tampa’s starting running back at some point this season. Ogunbowale is someone I’d recommend drafting in the final round of any league you’re in, as his fantasy upside is through the roof.
As an aside, if you’re having trouble spelling Ogunbowale, here’s an easy way to learn how to do it correctly: Take out the “O” at the beginning of his last name, and you have Gun, Bow and Ale – three things that Daryl Dixon likely has on his person at all times. I’m a fan of O’Gun, Bow & Ale this season, and I’m going to try to have him on most of my fantasy rosters (though I imagine that by typing this, my league mates will make sure to steal him from me.)
Aug. 17
Josh Gordon, WR, Patriots Josh Gordon has been reinstated. I didn’t think Roger Goodell would handle this so quickly, so he deserves credit for giving Gordon ample time to prepare for the 2019 season. Gordon automatically slots in as a fantasy WR2, helping to add some depth to a very thin position this fantasy season.
N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots With Josh Gordon reinstated, N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers look much less appealing for fantasy. Keep in mind that Gordon has a good chance of being suspended again, so either of these players aren’t bad late-round fliers.
Aug. 16
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers Cam Newton’s deep ball has been the “biggest surprise” of Panthers’ training camp, according to Brendan Marks of the Charlotte Observer. This actually shouldn’t be too much of a shock, as we reported months ago that Newton looked great in practice (it’s why I recommended the Panthers at 60/1 to win the Super Bowl back in May.) Still, it’s nice to see that nothing has gone awry since. Newton is one of my top fantasy quarterbacks this year.
Aug. 14
Kalen Ballage, RB, Dolphins Kalen Ballage is likely to start early in the season with Kenyan Drake in a walking boot. Ballage is worthy of a stock-up arrow, but I’m not overly optimistic about his fantasy outlook because of the state of Miami’s offensive line.
Kenyan Drake, RB, Dolphins Kenyan Drake injured his foot and is now in a walking boot. It sounds like he might miss regular-season action, making him more unappealing than he already is.
Aug. 14
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott is a coin flip to play in the season opener, according to Tony Romo. It’s safe to say that Romo has inside information on the situation, so it’s worrying that Elliott is only 50-50 to play in the first game of the year. I’d still take Elliott at the bottom of the first round, but he’ll drop with each passing week.
Andrew Luck, QB, Colts Andrew Luck has missed time with what was said to be a calf injury. Now, general manager Chris Ballard said that Luck has an ankle that “needs to be addressed.” This is starting to worry me, though I’m going to wait about a week to drop Luck significantly in my rankings. I’d move him down a little bit for now.
Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys With Ezekiel Elliott 50-50 to play in Week 1, according to Tony Romo, rookie Tony Pollard must be moved up the 2019 Fantasy Football Rankings. Jerry Jones talked up Pollard recently, so the Memphis product is the favorite to start the opener if Elliott’s holdout were to continue.
Aug. 13
Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars In an interview, Leonard Fournette said that he dedicated his offseason to improving his workout regimen and personal life. Fournette’s 2018 campaign was injury-ridden and disappointing, but he’s a candidate to bounce back.
N’Keal Harry, WR, Patriots N’Keal Harry is now missing practice because of both hamstring and foot injuries. This is obviously far from ideal if you like Harry as a late-round fantasy sleeper. I would go in a different direction at this time.
Aug. 12
Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks Pete Carroll praised Chris Carson’s receiving ability in an interview, telling the media that Carson will catch more passes this year. The Seahawks lost some offensive players this offseason, so it makes sense that Carson would see an uptick in catches.
Jerick McKinnon, RB, 49ers Jerick McKinnon is projected to begin the year on injured reserve. McKinnon is still dealing with his knee problem. This obviously puts him off any sort of fantasy radar, and it boosts Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida.
Aug. 11
Marqise Lee, WR, Jaguars Marqise Lee may not be ready for the season opener because of a knee injury, according to head coach Doug Marrone. This is a bummer for Nick Foles and the Jaguars. As for fantasy, Lee is not on the radar at the moment.
Aug. 9
Antonio Brown, WR, Raiders Antonio Brown is threatening not to play ever again unless the NFL allows him to wear a different helmet. This is a very confusing story, and I wonder if this is the result of Brown having some sort of a remorse about being traded to the Raiders, given that the decline from Ben Roethlisberger to Derek Carr is very steep. I already had Brown listed in my 2019 Fantasy Football Busts list, and now I’m even more pessimistic about him. I’m not going to touch Brown in fantasy drafts at this point.
Antonio Callaway, WR, Browns Antonio Callaway has been suspended for four games. It appeared as though Rashard Higgins was emerging as the No. 3 receiver anyway, so there’s no reason to use a fantasy draft pick on Callaway.
Aug. 8
Keke Coutee, WR, Texans The Texans obtained Duke Johnson, who will catch 40-65 passes for them this year. Someone will lose out on receptions, and Keke Coutee figures to be the primary victim. I’m not going to drop Coutee that much in the Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings, but he’ll be shifted down a bit.
Duke Johnson, RB, Texans The Texans just traded for Duke Johnson, which you can read about in my NFL Trade Grades page. Johnson should catch plenty of passes for his new team, making him a viable PPR option as a bye-week filler.
Ronald Jones, RB, Buccaneers Peyton Barber, who has been getting the majority of the first-team reps in training camp, will start the preseason opener. This is a blow to Ronald Jones, obviously, though Jones could still win the starting job.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers There have been glowing reports about Curtis Samuel in Panthers training camp. Some of these stories tend to be bogus, but I can confirm this is not. A Panthers source of mine gushed about Samuel, so I’m going to add him to the Fantasy Football Sleepers list.
Aug. 7
Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks The Seahawks want Chris Carson to be a bigger part of the passing game, according to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. I currently have Carson projected to catch 22 passes, so he’ll move up the rankings with an increased reception total.
Devin Singletary, RB, Bills Devin Singletary has gotten many opportunities with the first team in training camp, and he has made the most of it. According to the Athletic, Singletary has made defenders look “foolish” in practice. Singletary is the top player in my Fantasy Football Sleepers list, but I fear that his ADP will rise in the near future.
Aug. 6
Michael Crabtree, WR, Cardinals The Cardinals signed Mike Crabtree, so the former Raven gets an automatic stock up. However, Crabtree’s main role in Arizona will be to teach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense to the young receivers. I would not spend a fantasy pick on him.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Patriots Rookie Jakobi Meyers has taken over as Tom Brady’s favorite target in training camp. Meyers has good size (6-2, 203) and could be a threat in the end zone if he continues to perform well. I’ll be watching him closely during the preseason.
Darwin Thompson, RB, Chiefs Darwin Thompson will have a chance to take over the starting running back job if he performs well in the preseason. The rookie will be able to prove himself in the preseason with Damien Williams nursing an injury.
Aug. 5
Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks Chris Carson has been the best running back for the Seahawks in training camp, according to Michael Shawn-Dugar of the Athletic. There’s some belief that Rashaad Penny could overtake Carson at some point, but Carson isn’t making things easy for the former first-round pick.
D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texans D’Onta Foreman has been waived by the Texans. I liked Foreman as a potential sleeper to overtake the fragile Lamar Miller, but the Texans have been displeased with Foreman’s poor work ethic.
Aug. 4
Antonio Brown, WR, Raiders Antonio Brown is visiting a foot specialist. Brown hasn’t been able to practice because of some sort of foot injury, so it remains to be seen when he’ll be able to re-join the team. I’m not moving Brown in my rankings just yet, but this is a situation to monitor.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Chiefs Andy Reid talked up Carlos Hyde as a replacement for Damien Williams, who can’t seem to get healthy right now. It’s not impossible that Hyde will end up as the starter for Kansas City.
Damien Williams, RB, Chiefs Damien Williams hasn’t been able to get over a hamstring injury. This has frustrated Andy Reid, who voiced his displeasure about Williams’ missed practices. Williams is not a long-time starter, so he could be bumped in favor of Carlos Hyde, who has performed well in training camp thus far.
Aug. 2
Le’Veon Bell, RB, Jets I already loved Le’Veon Bell this season. Now, I’m even higher on him in the wake of the Ryan Kalil signing. Kalil is not the same center he once was in his prime, but he’ll still be an upgrade in the middle of the Jets’ offensive line.
Derrius Guice, RB, Redskins Trent Williams is threatening to hold out the entire year, and it certainly sounds like he will do so. Washington’s blocking is going to be poor without Williams, so that makes me down on Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson.
N’Keal Harry, WR, Patriots N’Keal Harry has been outplayed in practice by someone named Jakobi Meyers, which is not necessarily praise for Meyers. Harry has endured a poor summer thus far, and it sounds like he’s way down on the depth chart. He’s off the re-draft fantasy radar.
July 31
Damien Harris, RB, Patriots Damien Harris has been a natural on passing downs, according to beat writer Jeff Howe. The Patriots seem like they obtained a steal with Harris, who could easily eat into the injured Sony Michel’s workload.
Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles Miles Sanders has looked great in training camp thus far, according to beat writer Mike Kaye. Sanders had an injury-plagued summer, but is now healthy. He’s apparently living up to expectations, and it seems as though he’ll become Philadelphia’s primary ball-carrier at some point this year.
July 30
Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens Mark Andrews has been terrific in training camp, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Athletic. Lamar Jackson showed a good rapport with Andrews last year, so Andrews is worth a selection in the late rounds.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott is currently holding out in Mexico. When asked about this, Jerry Jones told the media that “you don’t have to have a rushing champion to win a Super Bowl.” I hope someone asked Jones why he spent a top-five pick on a running back if he believes that to be the case. Nevertheless, Elliott’s risk factor has shot up, so I’ll let someone else draft him if his holdout extends through the second half of August.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles The Carson Wentz-DeSean Jackson connection has been “automatic,” according to Mike Kaye of NJ.com. Jackson has played with mostly mediocre quarterbacks throughout his career, so Carson Wentz is the best passer he’s ever had throwing the ball to him. Jackson provides good value at his 10th-round ADP.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers Curtis Samuel’s route running has become “outstanding,” according to Norv Turner. It sounds like Samuel, a second-round pick from 2017, is finally blossoming into a solid receiver. He’ll have an opportunity to become a quality fantasy player in the wake of Devin Funchess’ departure.
July 28
A.J. Green, WR, Bengals A.J. Green will be out for 6-8 weeks with a sprained ankle. It doesn’t sound like Green will be ready for the opener, and there’s a decent chance he’ll miss all of September. Given Green’s dubious history of leg injuries, he’s not someone I’ll be eager to draft.
Maurice Harris, WR, Patriots Maurice Harris has been the best receiver in Patriots training camp by a “decent margin,” according to Andrew Callahan of MassLive.com. Bad players are often hyped up in training camp, but Harris is an interesting name because I just watched the Redskins-Cowboys game from Week 7 last year, and the announcers noted that Washington was very high on Harris. There’s a chance that the 26-year-old Harris becomes a viable fantasy option this year, though I’d like to see him in preseason action before really shooting him up my rankings.
N’Keal Harry, WR, Patriots N’Keal Harry has been working with the second team after an underwhelming minicamp. Harry could eventually emerge as a starter, but he’s not off to a good start.
Derrick Henry, RB, Titans Derrick Henry left Saturday’s practice in a walking boot after suffering an injury. Mike Vrabel then wouldn’t provide an update, outside of saying that the injury was to the lower leg (duh). Henry still has plenty of time to heal, but I’d be cautious about drafting him at his current ADP right now.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Redskins The relationship between Trent Williams and the Redskins is “totally fractured,” according to Jason La Canfora. Williams reportedly doesn’t intend to play for the Redskins ever again. This absolutely wrecks Washington’s blocking, and Adrian Peterson will suffer as a result. Peterson had a great 2018 season, but it doesn’t seem as though 2019 will go as well for him.
Devin Singletary, RB, Bills Devin Singletary has received plenty of first-team reps in training camp thus far. The Bills could be limiting the reps of LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore to keep them fresh. However, there’s a chance McCoy is moved eventually, and I have to believe that Singletary will start at some point this year, making him a very intriguing late-round option.
July 27
A.J. Green, WR, Bengals There was a scary moment in Saturday’s Bengals practice when A.J. Green was carted off the field. The good news is that Green suffered what is believed to just be a sprained ankle. The bad news is that this is yet another leg injury for Green, who has been bothered by plenty of those over recent years. Green turns 31 in a few days and has been slowing down in recent seasons, so this is yet another reason to avoid him unless he drops down to a great value point in your fantasy draft.
Kerryon Johnson, RB, Lions The Lions have been talking up Kerryon Johnson’s reception total this season, and they backed that up by releasing Theo Riddick. This is huge for Johnson’s outlook. As an aside, I’ve been watching the 2018 games – I’m halfway through Week 7 – and I forgot how electric Johnson was prior to his injury. He’ll soar way up in the next Fantasy Football Rankings update.
July 25
Kalen Ballage, RB, Dolphins Kalen Ballage took the first snap with the starting team at Thursday’s practice over Kenyan Drake. This would be significant if the Dolphins didn’t have the worst offensive line in the NFL. Ballage would offer a bit of late-round upside, but this news will likely raise his ADP.
Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers Bruce Arians told the media that Chris Godwin will “never come off the field.” This comes after Arians labeled Godwin a “100-catch guy.” With DeSean Jackson gone, and better coaching aiding him, Godwin seems poised for a massive season.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants Sterling Shepard broke his thumb in Thursday’s practice. He’s considered “week to week.” It’s possible that Shepard could miss the season opener, but he won’t be out for a chunk of the regular season.
July 22
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott is planning a trip out of the country, according to reports. Elliott has threatened to hold out because he wants a new contract, so it seems as though that will happen. If so, it’ll make Elliott much less appealing in all leagues, given that running backs who miss training camp often fail to live up to expectations.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers An update on Melvin Gordon’s holdout: Charles Robinson of Yahoo! has reported that an extension for Gordon “isn’t coming soon,” which could mean that Gordon will miss some regular-season action. It’s too early to drop him considerably in the Fantasy Football Rankings, but it’s something we’ll continue to monitor.
Tyreek Hill News
Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs Tyreek Hill won’t be suspended at all in 2019. It can now be argued that Hill should be the No. 1 receiver chosen in fantasy drafts. Hill was a monster performer last year, and he could be even better this season after developing more chemistry with Patrick Mahomes.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs Tyreek Hill won’t be suspended in 2019, which is huge for Patrick Mahomes. His top target, save for Travis Kelce, looked to be the oft-injured Sammy Watkins or rookie Mecole Hardman. That’s no longer the case. Mahomes was already the top fantasy quarterback this season, but the gap between him and the No. 2 signal-caller has expanded.
Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs With Tyreek Hill facing no suspension, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman’s stock has plummeted. Watkins and Hardman still worth picking in the second half of fantasy drafts, so they aren’t completely useless, but they’ll need Hill to get hurt to be good starting options.
July 19
Royce Freeman, RB, Broncos Royce Freeman has looked good as a receiver in practice, according to Cecil Lammey, 104.3 the Fan. Lammey is one of the top NFL team reporters, so this story is significant. Freeman is a nice target in the late rounds, but Phillip Lindsay is still the favorite to lead the team in touches.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots There is now a 40-percent chance that Rob Gronkowski comes out of retirement and plays in 2019. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if Gronkowski joins the team after training camp, just in time for Week 1. He’s worth a late-round flier if you’re in a league that requires a backup tight end.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos Emmanuel Sanders has looked explosive in practice, according to Cecil Lammey, 104.3 the Fan. Lammey is a top team reporter, so Sanders must be moved up in the 2019 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings. However, Sanders is coming off a late-season Achilles tear, so he has a high risk of injury in 2019.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos Courtland Sutton had a rough day of practice, per Cecil Lammey, 104.3 the Fan. Sutton had plenty of dropped passes and seemingly lacked concentration. Many expect Sutton to make a big leap in 2019, but he’s not off to a good start.
July 11
Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson, RBs, Chargers Melvin Gordon is threatening to hold out into the regular season, so Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson will need to be bumped up in the rankings. They’ll continue to climb throughout August if Gordon doesn’t report to the team.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers Melvin Gordon has announced that he will hold out for a new contract. His agent said there is a strong possibility that Gordon will miss regular-season action unless he’s extended or traded. Gordon is set to make $5.6 million, which is not nearly enough for someone of his talent level. He is correct to hold out, given how brittle running backs are. However, the Chargers would be crazy to give Gordon a huge contract, given that he’s played just one full season in his career thus far. Gordon and the Chargers could be at an impasse as a result, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the talented back ends up missing regular-season action. Also, keep in mind that running backs who miss training camp have a dubious history of production, so it might be smart to avoid Gordon entirely if he’s still holding out into the middle of August.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders Josh Jacobs has agreed to terms with the Raiders, so there won’t be a Joey Bosa-like holdout. This is obviously great news for Oakland and anyone who plans on drafting Jacobs.
July 8
Chris Herndon, TE, Jets Chris Herndon has worked hard to study film this offseason. He might be suspended for two games, but his outlook is very bright, especially considering Sam Darnold’s expected breakout campaign.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders Josh Jacobs may not be at the beginning of training camp because he’s holding out. This seems like it could be similar to the Joey Bosa holdout from a few years ago, leading Bosa to miss a few games. We’ll see what happens, and Jacobs still has time to change his mind, but it’s something to be wary of if you plan on drafting him.
June 17
Chris Conley, WR, Jaguars Chris Conley has been Jacksonville’s best receiver in OTAs thus far, per an ESPN report. This sounds like it could be a typical June puff piece, but there might be something to it because Conley and Nick Foles spent time together in Kansas City. I’ll need to see Conley play well in the preseason before recommending him as a late-round sleeper.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers The Chargers don’t know if Russell Okung will be ready for training camp, per an ESPN report. This is troubling because Okung is the Chargers’ best offensive lineman, by far. If he misses regular-season action, Melvin Gordon’s blocking will see a sharp decline.
N’Keal Harry, WR, Patriots N’Keal Harry didn’t perform well in minicamp, according to the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin. While Harry had plenty of first-team reps, he struggled to separate, which was the primary criticism of him entering the 2019 NFL Draft. June is a time for puff pieces, so this story is very discouraging for Harry’s 2019 outlook.
Chris Herndon, TE, Jets Chris Herndon is facing a two-game suspension stemming from pleading guilty to DWI in January. I like Herndon as a 2019 Fantasy Football Sleepers candidate, but it’ll be difficult to draft him if he’s sidelined for a couple of games.
Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers Diontae Johnson has been a standout in OTAs. The third-round rookie is expected by many to open behind James Washington across from JuJu Smith-Schuster, but perhaps Johnson will be able to leap over Washington by the time the summer is over. Johnson is certainly worth a late-round flier, especially if he continues to thrive in practice.
Trent Taylor, WR, 49ers Trent Taylor is now the favorite to be the 49ers’ starting slot receiver, thanks to the tutelage he has received this offseason from Wes Welker. Taylor is learning from one of the best slot receivers ever, so there’s a chance that he’ll emerge as a solid PPR option this year as one of Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite targets.
June 10
Jaron Brown, WR, Seahawks Jaron Brown has drawn some rave reviews for his practices and conditioning this offseason. Some reports have said that Brown has been “unbelievable” in OTAs. In the wake of Doug Baldwin’s retirement, someone will need to step up across from Tyler Lockett, and it seems as though Brown is the early favorite.
Christian Kirk, WR, Cardinals Christian Kirk has been the best receiver on the Cardinals this offseason, according to Albert Breer. This is obviously saying a lot because Larry Fitzgerald is still on the team. Kirk flashed as a rookie last season, so with some experience and a better quarterback throwing to him, he could have a strong 2019 campaign.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Packers Marquez Valdes-Scantling drew heavy praise from Aaron Rodgers recently. Rodgers said that Valdes-Scantling has enjoyed a “fantastic spring.” Furthermore, Valdes-Scantling has quickly picked up Matt LaFleur’s system, per Albert Breer. Valdes-Scantling is currently poised to be the No. 3 receiver in Green Bay, which means he’ll be a major fantasy factor as long as Rodgers is healthy.
June 9
Sony Michel, RB, Patriots Sony Michel has been missing from practice since May 20. It’s unclear why this is, and even the Patriots media doesn’t know. I’m not going to drop Michel in my rankings just yet, but it’s a situation to monitor.
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers Cam Newton has been cleared to throw in OTAs, which is obviously great news for his fantasy outlook. This backs up what I wrote in the 2019 NFL Betting Props page, where I discussed that Newton looked great at the facility. Newton could be in for a big year, so he might end up being a steal in fantasy drafts.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks Rashaad Penny sought to improve his conditioning this offseason. As a result, he lost 15 pounds. Penny has been working with Marshall Faulk this offseason to improve his game as well. Chris Carson is going earlier than Penny in fantasy mock drafts thus far, but Penny is a former first-round pick with tons of upside heading into 2019.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs The Johnson County police is no longer pursuing criminal charges against Tyreek Hill, so the dynamic receiver could be back with the team during training camp. Hill is still likely to face a significant suspension, but there’s now a chance to believe that he could play during the latter stretch of 2019.
June 5
Todd Gurley, RB, Rams There’s even more negativity surrounding Todd Gurley. Jay Glazer recently reported that Gurley’s knee is a “concern,” while Ian Rapoport said that Gurley’s days as a “straight-up, every-down bell cow are probably over.” Gurley’s ADP is still 1.09, and he was just chosen 10th overall in our experts league, which is way too high. I don’t think I’d touch Gurley in the top 20 picks.
N’Keal Harry, WR, Patriots N’Keal Harry worked extensively with the starters on the first day of Patriots’ minicamp. This is obviously great news for his 2019 outlook. Harry could be a major end-zone target for Tom Brady in the wake of Rob Gronkowski’s retirement.
DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins DeVante Parker has been the best offensive player in minicamp, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. It’s unclear if Parker has been great, or if everyone else has been terrible. However, Parker obviously has lots of talent as a former first-round pick, and perhaps he’s finally going to live up to expectations with a new coaching staff. Parker isn’t the worst late-round flier, given that he has plenty of upside.
June 3
Dawson Knox, TE, Bills Josh Allen praised rookie tight end Dawson Knox’s familiarity with the playbook, according to BuffaloBills.com. While the summer is often the time for puff pieces, especially from the team’s Web site, I think it’s significant that Knox is apparently working very hard and earning praise from his quarterback. Rookie tight ends often disappoint, but Knox could get a healthy number of targets this year.
Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles Miles Sanders is sidelined with a hamstring injury. This is not enough for me to downgrade him in the 2019 Fantasy Football Rankings, but it’s something to monitor. Sanders might be 100 percent by training camp, but soft-tissue injuries tend to linger.
May 30
Todd Gurley, RB, Rams Todd Gurley is not practicing at OTAs right now. This is not a surprise, but it’s a reminder that Gurley will not be 100 percent this upcoming season.
Aaron Jones, RB, Packers Aaron Jones measured in at just 5.3 percent body fat at OTAs. Jones credited his peak condition to quitting candy and soda. Jones is a brave man, but he’s also taking his career very seriously, which is a great sign for his 2019 outlook.
Ronald Jones, RB, Buccaneers Ronald Jones has been “showing out” in practices this offseason, according to Jameis Winston. If you’re worried that this is just a typical offseason puff piece, consider that there were plenty of negative stories about Jones last summer. Jones has a chance to rebound in his sophomore campaign.
May 25
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens Lamar Jackson has been struggling at OTAs, with many of his passes wobbling through the air, per an ESPN report. Jackson reminds me of Vince Young, who began his year on a high note, making the Pro Bowl as a rookie, before flaming out. Jackson has great talent, but he has other limitations that could prevent him from developing as a passer.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos Courtland Sutton has been working with Anquan Boldin this offseason. Sutton has been attempting to improve his route running, and he’s learning from someone who once played with his current quarterback, Joe Flacco. It’s great to hear that Sutton is taking his career seriously. He could have a solid 2019 campaign.
James Washington, WR, Steelers James Washington has dropped 15 pounds this offseason. Washington now weighs in at 210, meaning he was in the 225 range last year. Given that Washington will have more targets with Antonio Brown gone, it’s encouraging that he’s taking care of his body, which could mean a productive upcoming season.
More 2019 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/26 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/12 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/4 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/12 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/3 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/12 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/29 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/12 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 5/11 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 5/11 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/27 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2019 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/29 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Real Draft - 8/28 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/22 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/15 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/8 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/1 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Experts Draft - 6/23 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft - 5/23 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Half-PPR - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Articles:
2019 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/4 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/1 (Walt)
2019 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 8/30 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/30 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/27 (Walt)
2019 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Values - 8/20 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football: Running Back Values - 8/13 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Values - 8/8 (Chet)
2019 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/7 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
