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Travis Hunter Listed as Backup WR, Starter at CB
Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter is listed as the backup wide receiver, but a starting defensive back on the first unofficial depth chart, according to Ryan O'Halloran. The Jags have been shy about saying how they plan to deploy Hunter this upcoming season. According to Michael DiRocco of ESPN, Hunter has taken nearly 100 snaps on defense and 61 on offense during 11-on-11 drills. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said Hunter won't need to know the entire offensive playbook this year. This offense does have Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington, so having Hunter is just a plus. Hunter is currently ranked as Rotoballer's WR72, but he could be a difference-maker depending on how the Jags use him.
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Source: Ryan O'Halloran
Eli Raridon Continues to Take More Snaps with First-Team
New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon continues to see action with the first team offense. The Pats are having joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts, and Raridon is still playing with the first team, according to the Boston Herald. The 22-year-old was a third-round pick of the Pats this year out of Notre Dame. He's going to remain behind Hunter Henry to begin the season, but that isn't going to last forever. Given his success early in camp, Raridon is looking like a solid stash in dynasty and keeper leagues, but is someone who can be ignored in redraft formats with Henry ahead of him right now.
Source: Boston Herald
Source: Boston Herald
Stephen Curry Expected to Finish His Career in Golden State
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is entering the final season of his contract, but general manager Mike Dunleavy expects him to finish his career with the franchise. "He really, really wants to win, and he wants to finish his career as a Warrior," Dunleavy said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Curry becomes eligible on Aug. 29 for a two-year extension worth up to $136.7 million, and both sides appear motivated to continue the partnership. The 38-year-old was limited to 43 games last season by knee and other injuries, but still averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 4.4 threes in 30.9 minutes. Curry remains an elite per-game fantasy option, though availability is the clear draft-day risk.
Source: Danny Emerman
Source: Danny Emerman
George Holani is Listed as RB1 on Depth Chart
Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani is listed as the top back on the first unofficial depth chart, according to Field Gulls. This doesn't mean too much considering they haven't played any preseason games yet, but it's an interesting development. The expectation is that Holani and first-round pick Jadarian Price are going to compete for the starting gig during the preseason. It seemed like the team was leaning towards Price as the early down back, but maybe they've changed their tune. Zach Charbonnet (knee) is still recovering from a torn ACL, but he figures to be the lead back once he's healthy again. Holani or Price are likely only placeholders until Charbonnet is ready to go.
Source: Field Gulls
Source: Field Gulls
Cam Thomas Draws Little Free-Agent Interest
Free-agent guard/forward Cam Thomas has drawn little to no interest on the open market this offseason, according to Evan Sidery. Sidery cited concerns about Thomas' character and whether his scoring-heavy style fits winning basketball. The 24-year-old was waived by Brooklyn in February, signed with Milwaukee shortly after, and was waived again in March. In 24 games with the Nets last season, Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three. He remains off the fantasy radar until he signs, and even then, his value would likely be limited to points and threes in a bench-scoring role.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Cade Cunningham Praises Pistons' Frontcourt Upgrade
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is excited about the team's offseason addition of John Collins, telling ClutchPoints' DJ Siddiqi that he and Collins are "excited to get on the court together." Collins joined Detroit on a three-year, $51 million deal after averaging 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds with the Clippers while shooting a career-best 40.6 percent from three. The fit is easy to see for Cunningham, who averaged 9.9 assists last season and now gets another athletic frontcourt target. Detroit also added Isaiah Joe to boost its spacing, giving Cunningham more help after a 60-win season ended in a Game 7 loss to Cleveland. Collins' scoring may stay modest, but his shooting and lob-finishing put him back in the fantasy conversation.
Source: DJ Siddiqi
Source: DJ Siddiqi
Luther Burden III Hopeful to Play in Week 1
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) is hopeful to be ready for the beginning of the regular season, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports. The second-year wideout suffered a groin injury during Saturday's practice. He's expected to miss all of the preseason games while recovering from this injury. The Bears don't have their season opener until Sept. 13, so Burden has plenty of time to recover and get in game shape. The 22-year-old is a potential breakout candidate with DJ Moore no longer in Chicago. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status closely over the next month.
Source: Courtney Cronin
Source: Courtney Cronin
Norman Powell Says Heat Never Made Offer
Chicago Bulls guard/forward Norman Powell pushed back at Heat fans on X after criticism of his free-agency exit, saying Miami "never offered anything," according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. The 33-year-old landed a two-year, $45 million deal with Chicago after the Heat were squeezed by the first-apron hard cap following their trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Powell also exchanged posts with Portis while defending his decision. The move should give Powell a cleaner scoring path in Chicago, where he joins Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Nicolas Claxton on a roster that needed shooting. After averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals on 47.0 percent shooting and 38.0 percent from three, Powell carries useful points-and-threes appeal if his role holds.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Puka Nacua is Dealing with Groin Soreness
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (groin) left early during Tuesday's practice session, according to Ian Rapoport. Nacua is dealing with minor groin soreness, but it's not expected to be anything serious. The Rams are going to be extremely cautious with their superstar wideout, but fantasy managers shouldn't be worried right now. Fantasy managers should consider Nacua as day-to-day, and expect him to be fine for Week 1. He remains a consensus top-five pick in all fantasy drafts this year.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Tyler Nickel Expected to Join Knicks This Season
New York Knicks forward Tyler Nickel is expected to begin his pro career with the team this season rather than return to college for a fifth year, according to Jared Schwartz of the New York Post, with SNY first reporting the plan. The 22-year-old sharpshooter, selected 47th overall out of Vanderbilt, received extra eligibility through a recent court ruling but appears ready to turn pro. It remains unclear whether Nickel will sign a two-way or standard contract, though a standard deal would complicate New York's pursuit of a third center. He averaged 12.2 points across five Summer League games while shooting 41.3 percent from three, but he remains off the fantasy radar unless the Knicks' wing rotation opens up.
Source: Jared Schwartz
Source: Jared Schwartz
Josh Hoover Growing Into Cignetti's System
Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover is entering the season as the unquestioned starter after three straight seasons of starting at TCU. Hand-picked by national championship-winning coach Curt Cignetti to succeed Fernando Mendoza, the expectations are through the roof this season for Hoover. On Hoover, Cignetti stated: "Josh Hoover has won a lot of football games, thrown for a lot of yards, a lot of touchdown passes. He has an innate ability to play the position of quarterback. He's kind of a natural passer, very accurate, processes very quickly. The things we'll ask him to do are different than the things TCU asked him to do. We're not going to put the ball in his hands and say go out, win the game, outscore people. We're going to give him a running game, defense, and special teams." Cignetti is very happy with the way that Hoover has progressed in his system throughout the summer, and it sounds like the veteran is the perfect fit to keep the Hoosiers' momentum rolling coming off of the national title.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Hollywood Smothers: Most Consistent Texas RB in Camp
Texas notoriously hit the transfer portal to improve the running back position this offseason. They now have a loaded room made up of NC State transfer Hollywood Smothers, Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown, and true freshman Derrek Cooper. Between those three players, it appears that Smothers has been the most consistent thus far when it comes to gaining positive yardage and following his vision. This comes as no surprise, as Smothers was electric last season as the Wolfpack's lead back. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry, rushing for 939 yards and six touchdowns on the season. While Brown and Cooper will undoubtedly mix into the rotation, Smothers looks like the top back as of right now.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Ohio State Running Back Ja'Kobi Jackson Sheds Black Stripe
Seventh-year veteran Ja'Kobi Jackson was the first player during August camp to shed his black stripe for Ohio State, indicating that he has officially become a part of 'The Brotherhood.' Jackson started his career at Coahoma Community College, where he played for three seasons before transferring to Florida. He had a career year in 2024, rushing 95 times for 509 yards and seven touchdowns, but hardly saw the field last season before transferring to Ohio State. Jackson is firmly behind Bo Jackson and Isaiah West on the depth chart, but he should see some decent playing time as a role player in Ohio State's offense this upcoming season.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Deuce Alexander, Johntay Cook II Look Like Top Targets for Ole Miss
Ole Miss is losing a lot at the receiver position with De'Zhaun Stribling and Harrison Wallace III off to the NFL and Cayden Lee and Winston Watkins Jr. departing via the transfer portal. Deuce Alexander is their top returning receiver and after racking up 44 catches for 684 yards and two touchdowns in a limited role a season ago, the sky is the limit for the fourth-year player. Joining him at the top of the pecking order is Johntay Cook II, a former blue-chip recruit. Cook struggled to get going at Texas his first two seasons, but caught 45 passes for 549 yards and two touchdowns at Syracuse last season. Behind Alexander and Cook, Horatio Fields, Traylon Ray, and Darrell Gill Jr. will be battling for playing time.
Source: On3
Source: On3
Deuce Knight Developing Nicely at Ole Miss
Ole Miss sophomore quarterback Deuce Knight transferred in from Auburn this offseason knowing that he may not see the field with Trinidad Chambliss' sixth year of eligibility up in the air. When Chambliss was eventually granted his eligibility, Knight settled right in as a backup option. Offensive coordinator John David Baker believes Knight's development is right on schedule, stating: "Really, really pleased with Deuce. My favorite thing about Deuce is, he's a sponge. He's constantly asking questions. The thing about Deuce is, rarely does he put the ball in the wrong spot. The ball is always going to the right spot with him. It may not be exactly how you want it or may not exactly be on time, but he's putting the ball in the right spot. If he's doing that, we can work with that. We can get him there faster on certain things. Obviously he adds a different element. Size-speed ratio and what he can do running the football. But as far as operating the offense, really pleased with where he's at and feel very comfortable with him." While Knight may not see the field frequently this season, he will have plenty of opportunities to learn and develop as he looks towards his future.
Source: On3
Source: On3
