We’re through the first week of training camp, and already there are more major developments. Make sure to check out last week’s analysis on early training camp updates, here are the biggest developments from the second week of training camp:

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Training Camp Transactions & Off-The-Field News

Alvin Kamara Not Being Suspended?

After potentially facing a six-game suspension for throwing a punch in Las Vegas, it appears that Alvin Kamara may actually be in the clear for the 2022 season:

The NFL notoriously takes a while to review disciplinary cases, so the likelihood that Kamara is suspended at all decreases by the day – especially now that the hearing just got delayed for the third time.

Kamara’s efficiency dipped last year as the offense collapsed without Drew Brees. But his 2021 usage metrics in the receiving game remain elite, per PlayerProfiler.com (positional ranking in the bottom row):

Kamara (27) is another year older and there is far more target competition with Michael Thomas returning and the additions of Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry, but there’s no doubt that he’ll remain the centerpiece of the offense. Owners are already starting to react to the news, so if you want him in the late 2nd/early 3rd you better act soon:

Deebo Samuel Finally Signs

After a lengthy contract saga that left the 49ers and Deebo seemingly irreconcilable, Samuel finally signed an extension with the team. One noteworthy tidbit to this whole story was Deebo’s rumored displeasure with being used as a running back – something that provided a major boon to his fantasy value down the stretch. This and his holdout combined for major fantasy uncertainty, but that is apparently not the case:

Although pass attempts are likely to be down with Trey Lance starting, Deebo is now safe to draft anywhere after the first round as an explosive do-it-all threat who will be involved regardless of game script.

Training Camp Injury & Depth Chart Updates

James Washington Breaks His Foot

Despite a promising prospect profile, Washington never figured it out in Pittsburgh. There was some hope that he could fill the shoes of the departed Amari Cooper and injured Michael Gallup, but he is now reportedly out until at least the middle of the season.

Now even shorter at wide receiver, either rookie Jalen Tolbert, rookie Dennis Houston, or Simi Fehoko are going to be thrown into the fire immediately. We’d all love to see them sign Will Fuller, but Jerry Jones says they aren’t in a hurry to sign a veteran wide receiver.

Where does this leave the Cowboys? Tolbert will benefit, but this probably also means more touches for CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz, Zeke Elliott, and Tony Pollard.

CeeDee Lamb’s already monstrous target ceiling may be slightly higher, and he should be considered anytime in the second round of drafts as the NFL’s potential target leader:

Tim Patrick Tears ACL

A low-key Cinderella story culminating in a three-year extension in Denver this offseason, Patrick tragically tore his ACL after coming down with a leaping grab in training camp on Tuesday.

Jerry Jeudy is now locked into the 2nd receiver spot on a Russell Wilson-led offense, while Courtland Sutton needs to be upgraded as well. The ADPs of Sutton (currently going in the early 5th round) and  Jeudy (mid-6th round) are likely to climb at least a half round, and deservedly so: the injury removes Patrick siphoning off significant targets out of the range of outcomes for Denver’s offense.

However, one of our previous man-crushes was coincidentally activated from the PUP yesterday:

Hamler was an explosive deep-threat whenever healthy with inferior quarterbacks, and should see precious-little defensive attention with other higher priority threats on the field for the Broncos. He is an excellent best ball selection and should be in your draft queue in the later double-digit rounds of drafts.

Akers & Henderson In A Timeshare?

You’d think with the gaps in their ADP, Cam Akers (end of the third round) and Darrell Henderson (mid-twelfth round) would be firmly separated on the depth chart. But according to Sean McVay, that is not the case:

We are taking these quotes with a grain of salt, as Henderson didn’t do much with a big opportunity last year and they spent significant draft capital on Akers. However, the still-increased likelihood of a committee should give even more pause to drafters selecting Akers early in drafts: there’s no guarantee he returns to his rookie-year explosion and burst (running backs rarely do after an Achilles tear), and you’re paying a premium price to acquire him.

Henderson, meanwhile, is twice as cheap as he was in 2021 and is certainly worth a selection for RB-needy teams in the mid-late rounds. Although he probably won’t reach the potential his profile suggested, he could still be involved frequently on an elite offense.

TL;DR:

  • Alvin Kamara looks increasingly unlikely to be suspended and is currently going in the late 2nd round of fantasy drafts.
  • Deebo Samuel is now safe to draft, as he signed a new contract with San Francisco and is likely to be used heavily as an RB again.
  • James Washington broke his foot in Cowboys camp, leaving them even more shorthanded at the receiver position.
  • Tim Patrick tore his ACL in Broncos camp, opening the door for more targets for Sutton and Jeudy while making Hamler an upside pick in the late rounds.
  • Cam Akers’ monopoly on the backfield cannot be taken for granted, and he is an incredibly risky selection in the third round.