This article is part of our Training Camp Notes series.
With less than two weeks remaining until the season opener, Irv Smith will have surgery to repair his meniscus, meaning he'll miss at least the start of the season, but there's no set timeline as to his return. Possible timelines go all the way from four weeks up to the entire season, so fantasy managers need to be aware of the potential for a long absence when choosing to spend a draft pick on him. While Irv Smith misses time, Tyler Conklin could be ticketed for increased targets.
Despite Justice Hill being the most prominent name in the Baltimore backfield behind Gus Edwards for the No. 2 role, now that J.K. Dobbins (knee) has been placed on injured reserve, fantasy managers may want to take a flier in drafts on Ty'Son Williams, who John Harbaugh confirmed will be on the regular-season roster. At six foot, 220 pounds, WIlliams seems more like a stylistic fit for the power running that the Ravens like to do. Although no official announcement has been made about who will play behind Edwards, this role could provide weekly flex value in most leagues.
Even if the Patriots know who their Week 1 starting QB will be, coach Bill Belichick said he's not quite ready to name a starter between Cam Newton and Mac Jones. And don't be surprised if an announcement doesn't come soon, especially if Belichick wants to make the team's Week 1 opponent's planning more difficult by having to prepare for both QBs. For those drafting in the next few days, it's tough to know if we'll see one starter all year, or if there'll be a revolving door at the position.
One of the messiest backfields this year belongs to the New York Jets. Based on reports from Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Tevin Coleman projects to start the season as the lead back. After that, it appears that both Ty Johnson and La'Mical Perine are locks for the roster. Meanwhile, fourth-round draft pick Michael Carter would seem to have the most upside of the group, but preseason usage suggests that Carter will just be part of a larger committee. Coleman, Johnson and Carter are being selected in most fantasy drafts, with Coleman and Johnson being the cheapest pieces. However, Carter's ADP has been falling the last couple weeks, and those who are willing to bet on him in drafts may have to wait for him to emerge, and if he does emerge, he could end up being a value.
After missing over a month with a hamstring injury, Marquise Brown returned to practice on Monday. Should he avoid setbacks, he should function as the best deep threat on the Ravens, but it's fair to question how many targets he'll see in a run-heavy offense that added WRs Rashod Bateman (groin, estimated return in Week 3) and Sammy Watkins in the offseason.
In most drafts, Deshaun Watson has been getting drafted with those fantasy managers hopeful he'll be on the field at some point. However, NFL journalist Aaron Wilson is reporting that although Watson's expected to be on the Texans' 53-man roster each week, he'll be listed as inactive. Although there are no guarantees, it's looking somewhat unlikely that holding a fantasy roster spot for him will be beneficial for fantasy managers, but as always, this is just another point to consider regarding Watson's 2021 season.
With Evan Engram dealing with a calf injury for which he'll undergo testing, and Kyle Rudolph working his way back to full health from a foot injury, it's possible that Kaden Smith could be in the Giants' starting lineup in Week 1 if both of his teammates are unable to suit up. In terms of Engram, until details about his injury are provided, fantasy managers should be cognizant of the uncertainty if drafting today.
As long as he can get past a groin injury he's been dealing with, Tyrell Williams could be set to handle a large target share as the clear No. 1 receiving option for the Lions. With the team expected to lose quite a few games, they may be trailing often, which could lead to WIlliams having a productive season. However, after posting 1,059 yards and seven TDs with the Chargers in 2016, he's yet to top 728 yards in any season since despite missing just two games in the last three seasons he played. Fantasy managers in need of a late draft throw may find it worth taking a shot on Williams.
Sticking with the Lions, Amon-Ra St. Brown could see a significant number of targets in his rookie season after the Lions waived Breshad Perriman. Aside from Tyrell Williams, there's a possibility that St. Brown has the second-most WR targets on the team with T.J. Hockenson potentially being the overall target leader on the team. With this latest roster move, don't be surprised if St. Brown has a bump in ADP, so fantasy GMs who would like to draft him may need to do so a bit earlier than previously anticipated.
Despite the 49ers wanting to be a run-heavy team, they still have the ability to have an explosive passing attack due to the play design that Kyle Shanahan uses. As a result, with Mohamed Sanu looking like a lock for the No. 3 spot, and with both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel missing time last year, Sanu could be worth a late selection in deeper fantasy leagues should either of the top-two WRs miss time.
After showing some flashes of production over the past few seasons, some fantasy GMs were taking late fliers in drafts on Breshad Perriman, but the Lions waived the veteran receiver, making him a free agent. That said, playing with Jared Goff wasn't likely to unlock Perriman's ability to get open downfield, so if he finds a new destination, he could re-establish some fantasy value.
Although he's not being selected in most fantasy drafts, Marquise Goodwin appears to have locked down a roster spot and could function as a deep threat as the Bears' No. 3 receiver. Aside from a breakout season in 2017, when he posted 962 yards, he hasn't posted more than 431 yards in any of his other six seasons, so it's difficult to predict him having a strong season.
