Second-year Patriots RB Damien Harris has been getting a “heavy workload” early in camp. With Lamar Miller (knee) and Sony Michel (foot) sidelined, Harris has been getting plenty of run with the first-team offense with James White handling normal pass-game duties and Rex Burkhead mixing in here and there. Harris was barely used throughout his rookie year, rushing four times for 12 yards on a whopping five offensive snaps as a third-rounder. This summer has given Harris a prime opportunity to show the coaches he deserves more action in Year 2. With Michel questionable for the start of the season and Miller no sure thing to make it back from his torn ACL, Harris has major sleeper appeal. Harris is essentially a free square at the end of fantasy drafts right now. He’s been the best skill player early on in Patriots camp.
Miles Sanders Primed for Big 2020
One of the biggest hype pieces of the offseason, Miles Sanders received some more buzz Monday. Coach Doug Pederson said Sanders is ready to be “the guy” in the Eagles’ backfield this season. Pederson’s comment adds to the steady drumbeat of reports that Sanders will operate as a workhorse in 2020. The Eagles want to increase Sanders’ reps this season after he saw 72 percent of the team’s snaps in the second half of the 2019 season. Sanders’ ADP has risen steadily over the past month; he’s now the eighth running back off the board. Sanders comes with all the pass-catching upside you could want in a first-round running back.[[ad:athena]]
Bryan Edwards Drawing Rave Reviews Out of Vegas
Raiders third-round WR Bryan Edwards was getting first-team reps over first-rounder Henry Ruggs early in camp. Both Derek Carr and OC Greg Olson have openly been talking like Edwards is a starter, and he’s running at X receiver with Tyrell Williams (feet) not practicing due to ongoing maintenance. We’re not sure how the roles will play out for Vegas, but it’s possible that Hunter Renfrow could be dropped from three-wide sets. The Raiders have mentioned Ruggs in the slot, where he made 25 percent of his catches last year at Alabama. A 94th-percentile college dominator, Edwards has difference-making upside if he opens the year at one of the outside spots. Of course, that upside can be capped by the guy throwing him the ball, as Carr is one of the more risk-averse quarterbacks in football. It’s hard to get too excited about this pass game until we see Carr take a step forward as a downfield passer.
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Quarterback & Running Back Quick Slants
Justin Jackson worked as the clear No. 2 running back in the Chargers’ scrimmage this week, well ahead of rookie Joshua Kelley. … Coach Matt Nagy declined to say Mitchell Trubisky became a better quarterback over the offseason. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Trubisky and Nick Foles have been splitting first-team reps. … Ryan Fitzpatrick is the heavy favorite to start Week 1 for the Dolphins. … Team beat writer Tim Twentyman has been impressed with rookie D’Andre Swift’s performance in the passing game early at Lions camp. Swift’s role remains to be seen as a rookie. Kerryon Johnson (knee) has mostly been a spectator thus far. … Nick Chubb entered the league’s concussion protocol after taking a hit at Monday’s practice. … The Bengals waived/failed physical RB Rodney Anderson. … Lions signed RB Jonathan Williams and waived RB Wes Hills. … Melvin Gordon admitted to having a tough time adjusting to the altitude in Denver. … Alex Smith was activated from the PUP list and will be part of Washington’s quarterback competition. It’s the first time he’s been on the field since his gruesome November 2018 leg injury. It’s hard not to root for Smith. … Rookie RB J.K. Dobbins plans to push for a starting role in Baltimore. His plans may differ from the coaching staff’s plans, but Dobbins is definitely someone to monitor early in the season.
Wide Receiver & Tight End Quick Slants
Jared Goff compared second-round WR Van Jefferson to teammate Cooper Kupp. Jefferson has been running as the No. 4 receiver behind Kupp, Robert Woods, and Josh Reynolds early in camp. … Coach Matt LaFleur claimed Robert Tonyan absolutely has a chance to be the Packers’ starting tight end. Green Bay is replacing Jimmy Graham. … After finishing 2019 on I.R., Raiders TE Foster Moreau (knee) is practicing to start camp. … Marvin Jones reportedly looks “ready to go” after he finished 2019 on I.R. with an ankle issue. … Coach Zac Taylor has been impressed with Auden Tate, who has been getting plenty of run with the starters with John Ross (COVID-19), A.J. Green (hamstring), and Tee Higgins (hamstring) all sidelined. … The Vikings have tinkered with lining Irv Smith up outside in recent practices. … Dawson Knox has reportedly clearly improved as a blocker in his second season. He needs to if he’s going to stay on the field in a run-friendly offense. … With so many injuries ahead of him, Dante Pettis has been “rising to the challenge” early in 49ers camp. … Preston Williams (knee) is practicing with no restrictions. … Sophomore N’Keal Harry “slimmed down” during the offseason, but beat writers suggest he’s still having trouble separating from the Patriots’ secondary at practices. … Free-agent pickup Damiere Byrd has been the most consistent performer among New England wideouts early in camp. … Steven Sims and Dontrelle Inman have been running as Washington’s starting receivers alongside Terry McLaurin. Sims exploded with four touchdowns on 29 targets over the final three weeks last season. … DeAndre Hopkins has missed three straight practices with a hamstring issue. … Jets reserve WR Vyncint Smith is out 5-8 weeks following sports-hernia surgery. The Jets replaced him with Chris Hogan. … Jalen Hurd suffered a torn ACL over the weekend and will miss his second straight season to open his career. … Jaguars sophomore TE Josh Oliver suffered a broken foot. … Free agent Dez Bryant worked out for the Ravens on Tuesday. … T.J. Hockenson said his ankle still isn’t 100% after he ended last season on injured reserve. … Titans activated Corey Davis (toe) from the PUP list. … Jamison Crowder has “very clearly” been the best receiver in Jets camp. That doesn’t come as a surprise. Crowder has an outside shot at 150 targets this season if he can stay healthy. … Coach Kyle Shanahan praised first-rounder Brandon Aiyuk’s quick learning. He needs to be ready for Week 1 with all the injuries in the Niners’ wideout corps. … Chester Rogers is believed to be the favorite for the Dolphins’ slot job after the opt-outs of Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson.
