May 26 • Fantasy News
Training Camp Battlegrounds: 4 Backfield Splits That Will Define Your Summer
I’ve warned you about volatile backfields all offseason. Now, with training camp getting underway soon, it’s time to act. Drafting the right side of a committee wins championships. Here are the four backfield splits defining your summer, my current rankings, and the specific camp reports to monitor.
1. Rams: Kyren Williams (Tier 5) vs. Blake Corum (Tier 7)
Sean McVay’s loyalty to running backs is famously volatile. I'm prioritizing Kyren's proven production, but Corum is an enticing value pick if this nears a 50/50 split.
- Camp Watch: Ignore early-down drills. Watch the two-minute drill and goal-line work. If Corum steals receiving snaps with Matthew Stafford or becomes the primary battering ram inside the 5, Kyren’s ceiling plummets.
2. Panthers: Jonathon Brooks vs. Chuba Hubbard (Tier 7)
Dave Canales loves Jonathon Brooks' fit in his rhythmic zone-running scheme, but Hubbard remains a reliable veteran presence.
- Camp Watch: Track 11 personnel (three-wide) snaps. If Brooks stays on the field for spread formations, he's a true three-down workhorse. Also, monitor if Brooks gets limitation-free, high-volume reps with the first-team offense.
3. Broncos: J.K. Dobbins (Tier 7) vs. RJ Harvey (Tier 8) vs. Jonah Coleman
Sean Payton’s RB rooms are chaotic. With Bo Nix under center, checking down, there is PPR gold to be mined here.
- Camp Watch: Identify the "Joker" (pass-catching) role. If Harvey or Coleman catches passes in the slot during 7-on-7s, they're a steal. For Dobbins, look for reports of his old explosion and command of early-down reps.
4. Steelers: Rico Dowdle (Tier 6) vs. Jaylen Warren (Tier 7)
Dowdle's arrival in Pittsburgh shakes up Warren's standalone value. Both are explosive, and Dowdle offers fantastic ROI in this punishing rushing attack.
- Camp Watch: Who takes the literal first carry in joint practices? Also, monitor 3rd-and-1 situations. If Dowdle becomes the short-yardage hammer, this becomes a highly predictable and profitable 1A/1B situation.
Bonus: Bears (D'Andre Swift vs. Kyle Monangai)
Swift is a Tier 5 Core Builder, but Monangai (Tier 8) is a late-round flier to watch. If Monangai starts stealing red-zone reps and Swift is relegated strictly to playing between the 20s, Monangai will be a darling before Week 1.
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Training Camp Battlegrounds: 4 Backfield Splits That Will Define Your Summer
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