Organizational charts can be misleading. Every August, as NFL training camps open and fantasy football draft season approaches, we tend to overemphasize players’ positions on what are actually quite fluid organizational charts. Consider, for instance, the preseason buzz around rookie RB RJ Harvey potentially dominating Denver’s backfield. Contrary to expectations, the team’s current organizational chart lists him as the fifth-string option, despite many believing he should be the clear No. 2 behind veteran JK Dobbins.
Most anticipated a degree of uncertainty in this situation, recognizing that talent usually prevails in the end. Keeping this in mind, we can potentially gain an edge in upcoming drafts if this trend persists and Harvey’s perceived value declines. Essentially, the message is twofold: 1) resist the urge to overreact to organizational chart updates, and 2) leverage this patience to your advantage during your draft.
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Below is a summary of the latest updates from training camps and around the NFL this week. These updates could have significant implications for fantasy football as we get closer to draft season.
Anthony Richardson injured in Colts’ preseason opener
In their preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night, the Indianapolis Colts suffered a 24-16 defeat. During the first quarter, Richardson experienced a dislocated pinky finger after being sacked. Daniel Jones subsequently took over as QB. Post-game, Richardson expressed that he was doing well and is currently considered day-to-day. He was able to practice on the sideline, which is encouraging.
Jones completed 10 of 21 pass attempts for 144 yards, achieving a 70.3 passer rating — an unremarkable performance. Therefore, provided Richardson’s condition remains stable, this incident shouldn’t significantly alter the Colts’ QB competition. We will be closely observing Richardson’s performance in practice and his potential playing time in the second preseason game against the Packers next week.
Other notes from Thursday’s preseason action
Seahawks vs. Raiders: This matchup showcased promising performances from several rookies. RB Ashton Jeanty had his first official carries in the NFL, totaling three attempts. However, he recorded -1 yard. Not enough data to analyze. Meanwhile, for Seattle, rookie WR Tory Horton secured three receptions for 31 yards and a TD from Drew Lock during the second quarter. Horton has been garnering positive attention during training camp, potentially surpassing Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the WR3 behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. Horton is shaping up as a valuable late-round selection in fantasy drafts.
Bengals vs. Eagles: Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase continued their connection from the previous season, as expected. However, the major surprise came from TE Tanner Hudson, who recorded six receptions for 62 yards and two TDs in the loss to Philly. Hudson saw increased usage in the offense in 2023, suggesting he might receive more targets in 2025. While people are likely to overreact to this game, we’ll be watching how much Hudson is involved during the rest of the preseason. He’s a decent option to remember as a potential TE streamer during the regular season. Bengals rookie RB Tahj Brooks is also worth mentioning, with 10 carries and one reception for a total of 29 yards. The statistics are modest, but the usage is significant. Brooks has a chance to become the RB2 behind Chase Brown, making him an appealing backup option.
Keenan Allen returns to Chargers
While we appreciate a good reunion, some dynasty managers who drafted Tre Harris (me) might not be thrilled with this news. The Los Angeles Chargers have re-signed the veteran wideout to bolster their depth at the position as they prepare for 2025. Ideally, Allen will team up with Ladd McConkey as the starting WRs for Los Angeles. Quentin Johnston and Harris will also compete for the WR3 role. Derius Davis, Jalen Raegor, and rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith will all be vying for a roster spot.
Regarding fantasy implications, Johnston and Harris experience a slight decrease in value with Allen’s arrival. In his single season with Chicago last year, Allen had 70 receptions on 121 targets for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, finishing as the WR35 with respectable numbers in what was a tough situation on the Bears. If Allen remains healthy and gets playing time, he could once again be a trusted target for QB Justin Herbert. Just a few years ago, in 2023, Allen enjoyed what many consider to be his best NFL season with Herbert (108-1,243-7).
Side note: The Chargers have also lost LT Rashawn Slater for the season because of a ruptured patella tendon he sustained during practice on Thursday. This could significantly affect both their rushing and passing attacks. Keep an eye on practice reports to see how the line compensates for Slater’s absence. This is something we might not be able to fully assess until Week 1.
Josh Allen sounds off on James Cook situation
It seems like every training camp we see multiple top running backs seeking contract extensions. The Rams recently gave Kyren Williams a three-year, $33 million extension before the start of this season. Could the Bills offer Cook a similar deal? The running back seems to want more than what Williams got, though Cook has less leverage. He has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and topped the league in rushing touchdowns last year with 16. Other than the touchdowns, while Cook has been a productive back, his overall statistics are not exceptionally impressive.
Allen publicly advocated for both parties to reach an agreement this week, according to NFL.com.
James is James. He’s one of the best running backs in the league, and it would be insane to not want him on the field. We really need him out there with us. Hopefully, a deal can be worked out.
It remains to be seen if a deal will be reached, but the longer it takes, the more challenging it becomes for fantasy managers looking to draft Cook. He might continue to hold out, which could leave him less prepared for the start of the season. Ray Davis is a running back to keep an eye on if this situation drags on into the end of the month and draft season. For now, continue to track any updates from both sides.
