As we prepare for the start of NFL training camps, numerous headlines have emerged. These headlines will have a major impact on the fantasy football landscape once Redraft season begins in August. With the turnover from the free agency period to the NFL Draft results, several players find themselves in different situations this season. These new dynamics will impact how fantasy managers prepare for the new season. One thing that fantasy managers should do, both old and new, is to understand the importance of staying on top of the news and movements during the offseason.
Fantasy football doesn’t end at the end of the regular season. If you are staying up to date on what’s going on during the offseason, that is a great advantage to have once your league draft gets underway. While there are a lot of headlines to go over, here are a few that stand out, which fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on as they prepare for their fantasy football drafts.
Top 5 NFL Training Camp Headlines For Fantasy Football
Who Will Be The Cowboys’ RB1?
The Dallas Cowboys’ backfield holds a lot of “mystery” heading into training camp. The question on everyone’s mind is “Who will be the new top running back?”. Fantasy managers looking to grab a potential late-round target that holds great upside will be checking this backfield out. The Cowboys moved on from Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle this offseason and added Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams during the free agency period. Next, they turned to the draft and added former Clemson running back Phil Mafah in the seventh round and former Texas running back Jaydon Blue in the fifth.
A four-headed monster isn’t in the works, so at least two of these running backs will have starting roles in the Cowboys’ offense under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. As it stands, Williams sounds like he’s heading into camp as the RB1, for now. It’ll be his job to lose. Mafah and Blue could be the Cowboys’ future tandem as Mafah profiles as a bigger back of the bunch. Blue is the popular-sized speedster at his 5’9″, 209 lb frame. Whoever ends up as the starter will see a large share of reps, and their draft price won’t break the bank for any of these players come draft night.
Jaylen Wright vs. Ollie Gordon II
The RB2 job behind Dolphins running back De’Von Achane is up for grabs. Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are no longer on the roster. Now, the camp battle to watch in Miami will be against second-year back Jaylen Wright and rookie back Ollie Gordon II. Wright didn’t have an outstanding rookie campaign, rushing for just 249 yards on 68 carries (3.7 y/a). Gordon, the Dolphins’ sixth-round selection, looks to take a shot at gaining a substantial role behind Achane this season.
In terms of size, Gordon has Wright beat at 6’1″, 227 lbs. Wright is just one inch taller than Achane and around the same weight at 210 lbs. The Dolphins are looking for a big-body banger for short-yardage and goal-line situations, a similar build up between the Achane/Mostert tandem we saw a few seasons ago. During the 2023 season, Mostert ran for over 1,000 yards and 21 total touchdowns. Gordon is also a season removed from rushing for over 1,700 yards and 22 total touchdowns at Oklahoma State. Gordon has the size to fit the role, but the Dolphins aren’t ready to move on from Wright just yet. This could be a favorite camp battle to watch this offseason.
Can Dont’e Thornton Jr. Continue To Rise?
Dont’e Thornton Jr. was a name that was buzzing around during the OTA/mini-camp portion of the NFL offseason. The Raiders are trying to retool their entire offense and have added more weapons to the arsenal with Thornton being one of them. Drafted in the fourth round, Thornton’s 6’5″, 220 lb frame plus 4.3 speed make him a fast and large target for Geno Smith this upcoming season. Thornton was gaining a lot of praise during the beginning of the offseason, so much so that he was seen running with the first team at the Raiders mini-camp. Over second-round pick Jack Bech at that.
The Raiders need more on offense aside from Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers. Thornton’s ascension to a starting role opposite Meyers could be in the works if he can continue his pace during the Raiders’ training camp. The Raiders lacked real wide receiver options after Meyers, who led all receivers with 129 targets. Tre Tucker was second with 81 targets. With Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly running the Raiders’ offense now, more targets should be available as the team tries to get back to a more balanced look in 2025.
Bhayshul Tuten Improving On Pass Protection
Liam Coen is the new head coach in Jacksonville this season. With that comes a change in the offense. While Coen has spoken positively about holdover running back Travis Etienne, who’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Jaguars still drafted two more running backs. Bhayshul Tuten has been eyed as the replacement for Etienne this coming season, but there are a few things Tuten must work on to firmly lock that running back one spot up.
Tuten’s fumbling and pass protection were a concern during OTAs and mini-camp. His speed and receiving ability were highlights of what he can bring to the Jaguars’ backfield. The Jags could use Etienne up and let him walk after the season is over. But there’s also the possibility that Tuten takes over as the lead back before the season is said and done. It all begins at training camp. Especially if Tuten can be more effective in pass protection, this would allow him to stay on the field more and be used in different down situations. It would also allow the Jaguars to take advantage of his receiving ability.
Breece Hall and the “Three-Headed Monster” Backfield
Aaron Glenn is the new head coach for the New York Jets in 2025. One item of business that he stated sent shockwaves through the fantasy community. That is the potential “three-headed monster” backfield that could be coming to a TV near you this season. Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis are the top guys for the Jets’ running game. However, Hall is the proven back between the three. Hall has been a three-down back since being drafted by the Jets in 2022 and enters the final year of his rookie deal.
Braelon Allen ran for nearly 500 yards during his rookie season, and Isaiah Davis managed to get his feet wet later in the season. The thing is, will the Jets truly run a three-headed backfield? Or is it all talk from a new head coach? Hall is still being drafted as the RB13 in July, so the noise of the Jets RBBC backfield isn’t impacting his fantasy draft value, for now. Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on this backfield to see if anything noteworthy changes in regards to how the backfield will be this season.
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