Bribing The Audience & Previewing The AFC North

Rodgers is the Steelers' quarterback and provides a high floor for the offense as long as he stays healthy; there's probably not a way for the offense to finish bottom five if Rodgers remains healthy. However, Matt Harmon is not enthused by what he watched out of Rodgers last year and does not expect much change in what he can offer, noting he is hyper-specific at this point. Despite this, McCarthy is a high floor play caller and the offensive line is settled enough to give the team a projectable floor.

Kyle Shanahan expresses skepticism about Adam Randall as a prospect, citing lack of college film evaluation and concern that his status as the owner's pick creates unfair pressure and perception issues; however, notes he will monitor training camp performance and acknowledges James Coe's positive evaluation of Randall as a potential waiver wire opportunity if Derek Henry slows or misses time.

Adam Randall is worth monitoring as a waiver wire speed dial option given his role as a passing-downs back behind Derek Henry.

Tillman has a long history of injury problems and cannot stay healthy; he may not even be on the Browns roster heading into the season. Despite showing some promise in the 2024 season and early last year before injuries, his durability concerns make him unreliable for fantasy purposes.

Brown is a core Bengals skill player whose fantasy outlook is unlikely to change based on training camp reports; the speaker will not alter rankings based on camp incidents, but would monitor for offensive scheme evolution that could elevate production across the Bengals skill group.

Early adopter on Chase Brown two years ago; his price is now catching up to his profile and he likely no longer comes at massive value. He profiles as a guy who would benefit from a competent second running back in the backfield to reduce injury risk from massive workload.

Smaller player carrying a massive workload with injury durability concerns; the massive workload could lead to a six-week absence. Comparison points: Devon Achane (sustained workload) versus Bucky Irving (injury-prone despite volume). A competent second running back would provide more comfort, but current backup Samaj AP Rene is not that option.

If Bengals trade for a running back like James Conner to provide a second option, Chase Brown's ADP would drop, which the speaker welcomes because it could improve his path to finishing as RB4 for the season.

Kyle Shanahan is bullish on Chase Brown this year, believing the Bengals offense could take a step forward with Burrow healthy. While acknowledging that a trade for a feature back like James Conner could narrow his path to RB4 status, Shanahan prefers this scenario because it would push Brown's ADP down and make the safer path to RB13 more achievable. He wants to draft Brown later than current market expectations and is fascinated by the unsettled Bengals backfield situation.

Rodriguez is still doing side work in camp, recovering from foot surgery.

McCaffrey's backup situation remains unclear due to Kyle Shanahan's typical opacity; third-round pick Kalen Black has gotten a leg up on the backup job with Isaac Garendo sidelined by shoulder surgery and Jordan James dealing with a fractured rib. Harris moved Black up into late-round territory in all formats and notes that if taking McCaffrey in the early first round, Black might be the handcuff to cover yourself with, though the Niners likely won't use a backup much unless McCaffrey gets hurt again.

Deebo Samuel was brought back on a one-year deal for relatively short money, which Harris interprets as a sign that Pearsall is in serious trouble. However, Harris notes that Deebo looked utterly washed in Washington last year and couldn't currently get him much higher than Pearsall's reduced rank. Harris enters this process skeptical but admits his first impression could change if camp reports indicate he's back to being a crucial part of the offense.

Boston will likely be less fantasy viable in year one as he's deployed as an outside X receiver, but the source likes him long-term as more than just an X. He fits the profile of receivers like Michael Pittman and Cortland Sutton—big-bodied X receivers who can do more. Boston and Concepcion complement each other well, and the source ranks both inside the top 160 overall. If Judy is released, Boston could see a bump in opportunity, though the source is less certain about how high he'd climb given his likely role as a downfield route runner.

Turner is described as a really good cornerback for the Bengals defense, even though the Bengals defense overall isn't strong; he's a great player.

Reports suggest Metcalf will move around more in 2024 than last year, but the speaker expects only a modest increase in slot snaps (perhaps 15% to 17%), driven by fewer multiple tight-end sets rather than a major role shift. With Michael Pittman and Jeremy Bernard both capable of playing Z receiver, Metcalf's overall role and fantasy outlook are unlikely to change significantly from prior expectations.

Surratt is a classic case of a player who doesn't separate on the perimeter in college but beats his own coverage and could move into the slot as a power slot player, similar to Amon Ross St. Brown. The speaker wrote about this on the website and did a full YouTube video breakdown. Surratt offers a skill set the Ravens' pass-catching group needs, and the speaker hopes to see reports about him moving inside and playing in the slot during training camp. In dynasty rookie drafts, the speaker prioritizes Surratt over Lane despite draft capital, viewing him as the better player.

Harold Fannin, drafted as a tight end one, is coming off groin surgery this offseason. Kyle Shanahan notes that monitoring health reports for both Fannin and Judkins is probably the most important thing for the Browns offense.

Bond was an undrafted free agent due to legal issues, but he was not an undrafted talent—he would have been a third-round to early fourth-round prospect in a normal draft. The Browns are talking him up as a potential third receiver or member of the receiving core. By season's end, he could emerge as the speed slot receiver in the offense, making noise despite his undrafted status.

Likely is ranked 14th among tight ends, one spot ahead of Mark Andrews. The speaker finds Likely more interesting than Andrews and notes that Likely was being discussed for a contract extension before suffering an injury last year, which may have been a sliding-doors moment that led the Ravens to give the money to Andrews instead.

Chase is a core Bengals skill player whose fantasy outlook is unlikely to change based on training camp reports; the speaker will not alter rankings based on camp incidents like his fight with DJ Turner, but would monitor for offensive scheme evolution that could elevate his production.

Warren is a running back for the Steelers competing with Rico Dowdle for touches; Harris wants to know how much Dowdle might infringe on Warren's role but doesn't imagine that's something that can be learned from training camp. Early reports suggest they will split work and get first-team reps, which Harris notes is expected given they are different types of backs.

Warren and Rico Dowdle are expected to split work and get first-team reps; both are different types of backs and both are interesting in hero RB formats as last-call running back options. The speaker expects Warren to catch Kenny Gainwell checkdowns, which is anticipated to happen anyway, making training camp unlikely to reveal much new information about the backfield split.

The source has a long history of doubting Jerry Judy's ADP and being right every year. Despite the Browns calling him their 'bell cow receiver' (a term the source has never heard applied to a receiver), Judy could be a midseason trade candidate or even cut during training camp. His role is likely to be superseded by rookie receivers Boston and Concepcion, and the source views him as overvalued relative to his actual role and production potential.

If the Bengals introduce more under-center concepts and modern offensive schemes beyond their current Peyton Manning-style gun-heavy approach, Burrow and the offense could elevate from top-five to number-one ranked; the speaker is monitoring for signs of this evolution in training camp but won't alter rankings based on camp reports alone.

Second-year running back Jordan James fractured a rib early in camp and will miss between two weeks and a month, removing him from backup consideration behind Christian McCaffrey.

Justice Hill is the Ravens' number two back but is not the type of player who would become the starting back if Derek Henry misses time; instead, he functions as a passing-downs specialist and would remain in a backup role, with Adam Randall potentially emerging as the primary handcuff option.

Keaton Mitchell was let go by the Ravens, leaving the backfield with only Justice Hill as a depth option behind 32-year-old Derek Henry, which creates opportunity for Adam Randall to emerge as a potential handcuff or waiver wire target.

Jackson is described as a settled player for the Ravens; some people may have removed him from their circle of trust after last year's performance, but the speaker sees no reason to change positioning on him outside of injury.

Nabers had a second knee procedure done earlier than reported and avoided the PUP list to start camp, which Harris notes is the most positive of possible forking paths for him. However, beat reporters in New York cry wolf frequently, and Nabers is still off to the side doing individual work rather than full team practice. Harris has not moved him up in the ranks yet and will need to look at the list, do soul searching, and pay attention to camp reports over the next couple of weeks to determine his upward mobility.

Andrews is ranked 15th among tight ends by the speaker, one spot behind Isaiah Likely. He has saved himself with touchdowns in the past two years but looked slow last year, running in molasses. The speaker does not want him as a starting fantasy tight end and questions the Ravens' decision to keep him over Likely, especially given that Likely was being discussed for a contract extension before suffering an injury last year.

Pittman is described as a baller who takes significant punishment and is a contact magnet; he's transitioned well into an older player. In PPR leagues, he ranks 33rd among receivers; in standard, 37th. He offers safe, reliable production and is attractive in builds where early running backs were prioritized and receiver help is needed, though he has less upside than players like Luther Burden. The speaker notes Pittman's style of play fits well with Aaron Rodgers and he could lead the team in catches, though this is not a popular take.

Pearsall's knee injury benefits Evans, who Harris hiked up in his ranks; Evans is now the most draftable receiver for Tampa Bay. Harris thought Evans looked slow last year but acknowledges he has possession work and end zone work that could support him, even if he's not making deep shots.

Cooper is described as a very smart, heady, high-character football player from Indiana. The speaker has talked to him and noted that Cooper is the only player off-air to ask about his worst graded route and how to improve, demonstrating exceptional work ethic and football intelligence. This narrative scouting about Indiana players suggests they are serious, high-effort professionals.

Kyle Shanahan is interested in Quinchon Judkins' potential role expansion on the Browns, specifically whether he will get more passing-down work. While noting that being an early-down back on a potentially bottom-five NFL team is not ideal, Shanahan finds himself intrigued by Judkins' prospects, particularly given Todd Monken's offensive coaching acumen and well-designed run game that could benefit Judkins.

Quinchon Judkins is coming off an injury but reports have been optimistic about his recovery. Kyle Shanahan expects his ADP to either stay where it is or potentially rise over the course of August as long as positive health reports continue.

Bateman is the nominal number two receiver for the Ravens but is in a precarious position. The speaker's therapist says he's not allowed to talk about Bateman anymore, indicating frustration with the player's performance. Bateman had a good 2024 season and was a meaningful contributor, but the speaker is not recommending him in redraft leagues. This is described as his last, last chance to cement a wide receiver two role, as rookies Jacoby Lane and Elijah Surratt have a chance to push him out of the wide receiver three gig.

2024 first-round pick and 2025 Harris Football flag player Pearsall's knee swelled up at the very beginning of training camp; beat reporters leaked that the team is very concerned about his future and he might need knee surgery. Harris has cratered Pearsall's rank to around 70 among wideouts, putting him outside the top 160, and says he will not draft him right now. The timing of the Debo Samuel signing reinforces concern about Pearsall's status.

Dowdle is a running back for the Steelers competing with Jalen Warren for touches; early reports suggest they will split work and get first-team reps. Harris and Harmon both like Dowdle as a back and note that he and Warren are different types of backs, making them both interesting in different formats, though they are both last-call running back two options in hero RB formats.

Dowdle is expected to split work with Jalen Warren and get first-team reps; he's a different type of back from Warren and both are interesting as last-call running back options in hero RB formats. Dowdle can catch Kenny Gainwell-type checkdowns, and if Caleb Johnson emerges, Dowdle would be the preferred waiver-wire backup due to his fit in a banger-back role.

The source expresses concern about the Browns quarterback situation, noting that even if Shedeur Sanders is the starter, the quarterback play is still not good. This limits the upside for Browns receivers despite their talent, as Sanders is expected to rely on quick designer plays and short passes rather than downfield throws.

Backup running back worth monitoring in training camp as potential second option behind Chase Brown. Matt Waldman has praised him as a player; however, he did not play much last year and did not force anyone's hand. Current status is a 'black box'—worth watching camp reports to see if he emerges as a factor or remains a non-factor.

Higgins is a core Bengals skill player whose fantasy outlook is unlikely to change based on training camp reports; the speaker will not alter rankings based on camp incidents, but would monitor for offensive scheme evolution that could elevate production across the Bengals skill group.

Flowers is described as underrated as a receiver overall and has become a little bit underrated. The new Ravens staff is excited to get him in the mix and views him as the leader in the receiver room. The speaker is very excited about Flowers' season and tends to be higher on him than many analysts.