Our NFL Insider answers the biggest fantasy questions

Matt Harmon identifies Alec Pierce as a health question for the Colts, noting he was recently taken off the field during training camp. Pierce is one of several Colts receivers dealing with injury concerns that could impact the team's ability to replicate last year's historic offensive efficiency.

Camden Brown, an undrafted free agent wide receiver from Louisiana (formerly listed as Mississippi), is making acrobatic catches day after day at Cowboys training camp and working his way into a role similar to Ryan Flanoy's development path; he is 6'2", 204 lbs, 22 years old, and flashing consistently at camp with plays visible on Cowboys reporters' Twitter videos.

CeeDee Lamb is ranked in the same tier as George Pickens from a fantasy standpoint, both going very high in drafts as the highest one-two receiver pairing across the industry; Harmon likes Lamb as a late first-round pick and believes Pickens outscoringLamb is within the range of outcomes; Lamb has the versatility to move around the formation more than Pickens, though he remains a high-end alpha receiver with strong personality fit alongside Pickens.

Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher told Matt Harmon at Bengals camp that Chase Brown is going to be a household name. The Bengals were high on Brown last year and remain high on him now. Brown is currently being drafted at the 16th overall pick in ADP, part of a Bengals offense with the lowest aggregate ADP across their top three fantasy assets (Jamar Chase 4th, Brown 16th, Tee Higgins 33rd).

Christian Watson is the first Packers pass catcher off the board at wide receiver 30 overall after receiving significant money in the offseason, though some of that contract may be structured as funny money; he remains part of the Packers' receiving room alongside Matthew Golden, Jaden Reed, and Tucker Craft.

Colston Loveland was drafted in the first round by Chicago under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who has a tight-end-forward coaching philosophy throughout his career (tight ends coach under Sean Payton, Ben Johnson, and in Chicago). Loveland benefits from this scheme fit and the fact that defenses don't yet know what to do with him as a young talent, similar to how Loveland came in last year with talent but defensive unfamiliarity.

Matt Harmon notes that Cooper Kupp has transitioned into a coach-on-the-field and useful blocker role for the Rams, and people should not draft him. While Kupp is still useful for football purposes (12.6 yards per reception, 593 yards last year), he only had two touchdowns and limited targets/opportunities. He's there to block and set things up for Jackson Smith-Njigba, making him a better real-life player than fantasy asset.

Matt Harmon expresses concern about Daniel Jones' Achilles tear recovery despite his miraculous return for Week 1. When Harmon was at training camp early, Jones was not 100% healthy. Historically, players returning from Achilles tears in their first year are not fully recovered, with second-year returns typically showing full capability. Harmon worries Jones may have suffered the Achilles tear due to compensating for a prior leg fracture, and if the Colts push him at 80%, it could impact his performance and mobility.

Denzel Boston was drafted by the Browns as part of their long-term rebuild plan targeting 2027 competitiveness. Boston is 6'4", 215 pounds, a big X receiver who complements Casey Concepcion nicely. The Browns believe Boston and Concepcion will be the receivers that allow them to be competitive. Boston was lighting it up early in training camp and has the potential to get off to a quick start, assuming the offense is functional. As a big receiver, Boston can separate well for his size.

Matt Harmon notes that Deshaun Watson's first two games will heavily influence whether Shedeur Sanders takes over at quarterback. The situation is complicated by gray-area scenarios: the offense could look good but the team loses, look dysfunctional while winning, or Watson could struggle post-snap despite pre-snap competence. Harmon expects Watson to start fewer games than Sanders this season.

Jory Epstein notes that Devonta Smith will likely remain very good regardless of the Eagles' offensive changes, though the debate is whether he will be elite or very good. She is not concerned about the depth or versatility of the Eagles' receiver room, suggesting Smith's production is more dependent on the running game and offensive line success than on the new system.

DK Metcalf told Matt Harmon he felt like he was walking on eggshells last year as a new Steeler, not because Aaron Rodgers made him feel that way but because he wasn't comfortable with the team. This year he feels much more comfortable. At the first training camp practice last year, Rodgers' first throw went to Metcalf and was picked off; this year a week into camp, Rodgers is targeting Metcalf frequently with better completions. Harmon expects the connection to improve due to better dialogue, experience, and Metcalf knowing his role in the offense, though he notes some of Metcalf's career limitations won't disappear.

Durham Smythe has been impressed with Lamar Jackson's peripheral vision and how he's seeing rollouts in the Ravens' new offense under Declan Doyle. Smythe has had moments at camp with timing issues related to Jackson's left-foot-forward transition, but the connection appears to be developing well.

Matt Harmon identifies Elijah Arroyo as an interesting ascending player in year two for the Seahawks offense, suggesting there is a lot to be excited about in the Seahawks' offensive ecosystem.

George Pickens showed better chemistry with Dak Prescott than CeeDee Lamb during Cowboys training camp, appearing slightly ahead of Lamb from a talent and chemistry standpoint; the Cowboys' infrastructure under Brian Schottenheimer and Dak Prescott supports Pickens' personality and on-field development, giving them a competitive advantage over teams hesitant to acquire him; Pickens had the lowest slot percentage of any receiver with 200+ routes last year (essentially zero slot snaps in recent seasons), making him a classic X receiver who doesn't need positional movement to remain productive.

In a trade discussion, Matt Harmon prefers George Pickens over a package of Devontae Adams and Corlin Sutton. Harmon favors one great player over two good-to-okay fantasy assets, especially in preseason when roster construction is uncertain. Pickens is the player Harmon wants on the Pickens side of the trade.

Jamar Chase is the 4th overall pick in ADP for the Bengals. At training camp, Chase expressed frustration that the improved defense (led by Dexter Lawrence) was making it harder for receivers to get quality work, with DBs playing more confidently. Chase should benefit from better work in training camp and preseason due to the improved defense, though the Bengals' ideal scenario is a more conservative offense that doesn't rely on Joe Burrow playing hero ball.

Matt Harmon notes that Jadarian Price was not fully healthy when he visited the Seahawks in training camp, so it's unclear how quickly he can get caught up. Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Flory likes two running back looks, but Harmon is uncertain whether this is because neither Price nor Zach Charbonnet is fully ready to carry the load or because the team genuinely believes in the two-back approach for defensive purposes.

Jake Ferguson is mentioned as part of the Cowboys' receiving weapons alongside CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Javante Williams, and Ryan Flanoy, though no specific fantasy analysis or projection is provided.

Jory Epstein reports that Jalen Hurts is setting a tone in the Eagles' new offense by being willing to throw interceptions in practice to test the defense and learn the new system. Jordan Milata noted that Hurts' willingness to make mistakes and bounce back is key to the Eagles' success this year. Matt Harmon upgraded Hurts in his quarterback rankings after the training camp visit, moving him from bottom-tier QB2 to higher tier, buying into the new offense's potential.

Matt Harmon is increasingly bullish on Hurts as a higher-tier quarterback option in 2025, citing improved execution of new offensive concepts under Sean Mannion; Hurts now shows no fear in making mistakes while learning the system, a shift from last year's hesitancy; the Eagles' more married run-pass formations and unpredictable blocking schemes should create defensive indecision that benefits both Hurts' decision-making and Saquon Barkley's rushing lanes.

Javante Williams is coming off a 1,200-yard season and remains part of the Cowboys' offensive weapons, though the focus is on maximizing the year with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.

Jory Epstein reports that Jaden Daniels can have a bounce-back year if he stays healthy; his talent did not fall off last year, but rather the supporting cast and his health were the problems. The new Commanders offense under David Blau will feature more under-center and play-action concepts, which should complement his skill set with Terry McLaurin and Stephon Diggs.

Jaden Reed is going off the board at 116th overall in Yahoo drafts, with a significant drop-off from Christian Watson (68th) and Tucker Craft (60th); he remains in the Packers' receiving room and is kept on the move in the offense.

Matt Harmon does not think Joe Burrow's health and the Bengals' defense combination will look like it did last year, suggesting this would be an upset from a fantasy standpoint. Burrow was injured all year last year, limiting his rushing. The Bengals are shifting to more under-center play to reduce pressure on the offensive line and quarterback, moving away from spread formations that increase blitz vulnerability. Harmon factors in uncertainty around whether Burrow will play all 17 games and whether the defense will remain bad.

Jordan Love is at a stage in his career where he has more control and input into the Packers' offense under Matt LaFleur, similar to how Aaron Rodgers operated; Love is ready to support a more pass-heavy offense and is actively involved in progressions that lead him to Matthew Golden based on separation; Love told Harmon he's staying true to his progressions and they keep leading him to Golden; Love is positioned to handle increased offensive responsibility this year.

Matt Harmon is excited about Josh Downs heading into the season from a reception perception standpoint and believes he is in a really nice position to take a step forward without Michael Pittman. The Colts staff felt confident enough in Downs' development to move on from Pittman, and while Keenan Allen provides veteran depth, Downs is positioned as the primary beneficiary of Pittman's departure.

Josh Jacobs has been charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property according to Wisconsin court records, creating a major red flag for his availability; beyond this legal issue, Jacobs faces multiple fantasy red flags including a declining Packers offensive line (worse on paper than the previous two seasons), an aging running back coming off a down season, and a team that may shift toward a more pass-heavy approach; the Packers' defense is also expected to be weaker without Micah Parsons at the start of the year, reducing game script support for the run game.

Lamar Jackson is transitioning from a right-foot-forward quarterback stance to a left-foot-forward stance to match the timing of Declan Doyle's offense (similar to Ben Johnson's system). This is a significant muscle-memory adjustment that may take time to feel natural, though the Ravens are encouraged by his transition. Jackson was injured all year last year, so his health returning is a positive. The Ravens' schedule starts with Indy, Saints, Cowboys, Titans, at Falcons in the first five weeks (not bad), with a home game against the Saints in week two.

Jory Epstein mentions Luke McCaffrey as part of the Commanders' receiver group, which they view as the deepest position on the team. He is positioned as a complementary piece alongside Terry McLaurin and Stephon Diggs in the new offense.

Jory Epstein mentions Makai Lemon as a first-round pick in the Eagles' receiver room, highlighting him as a really interesting player. Matt Harmon notes that Lemon is part of the Eagles' receiver depth and is a first-round draft pick, suggesting confidence in his role.

Marshawn Lloyd is a running back the Packers are high on, though his real regular season performance remains to be seen; he may need to contribute to the run game as the Packers shift toward a more pass-heavy offense.

Matthew Golden is the key player to watch in Green Bay's offense after Romeo Dobbs and Don Tavion Wicks departed, with 131 combined targets from those two receivers now available for distribution; Jordan Love was targeting Golden heavily early in training camp not because of his name but because of his versatility and separation ability; Golden's playoff touchdown against the Bears gave him the confidence boost needed to take off in year two; his 8.2 yards per target in the regular season (361 yards, no TDs) was nearly identical to Romeo Dobbs' 8.5 yards per target, suggesting similar efficiency; Golden is now playing the X receiver role, which better fits his straight-line vertical breaking route tree compared to last year's 38% slot usage; Harmon has a feature coming out on Golden and believes he should be drafted higher than his current ADP of 126 overall.

Matt Harmon has Matthew Golden 12 spots ahead of his current ADP. Golden posted 361 yards and no regular-season touchdowns but added one in the playoffs; his 8.2 yards per target closely mirrors Romeo Dobbs' 8.5 yards per target despite Dobbs' 724 yards and six touchdowns. If Golden receives more targets, Harmon projects he could reach 700-plus or 800-plus yards based on the similar efficiency metrics, making him an easy click at current draft cost.

Michael Pittman is now on the Steelers and will take attention away from DK Metcalf. Harmon believes Pittman will lead the team in catches for sure and maybe receiving yards this time. Pittman is the safety valve in Aaron Rodgers' offense, getting the quick-access throws (slants and flats) that Rodgers prefers when under pressure. Pittman will benefit from Rodgers' tendency to get the ball out quickly rather than waiting for deep routes.

Quinchon Judkins is part of the Browns' offensive room and the team wants to get him more involved in the passing game. However, he is likely to be an early-down banger for a bad team. The Browns' defense, while still very good with Myles Garrett and Jared Burris, might not be quite where it was last year, which could affect game scripts and Judkins' opportunities. This limits his fantasy upside as the team may not stay in close games.

Matt Harmon notes Judkins is likely an early-down back for a Browns team that may struggle with offensive consistency; the defense, while still good with Jared Burris, may not keep games as close as last year, reducing passing-game opportunities Judkins might otherwise see. Harmon thinks the team wants to get him more involved in the passing game, but game script and team performance could limit that upside.

Matt Harmon highlights Rashid Shaheed as an ascending player for the Seahawks with a full offseason under the new system. Shaheed is one of several interesting players Harmon is excited about in the Seahawks offense alongside Jadarian Price and Elijah Arroyo.

Matt Harmon believes Sam Darnold is a really good fit in the Seahawks' Shanahan-McVay system under new offensive coordinator Brian Flory. Darnold doesn't want to get frazzled post-snap and prefers clear pre-snap reads and assignments, which is exactly what this system provides. Harmon notes that Darnold can execute these assignments well when he's not asked to do too much outside his comfort zone, making him a good fit for this offense.

Jory Epstein identifies Saquon Barkley as the key to the Eagles' offensive success under the new Sean Mannion system. The more aggressive offensive line play and lane-clearing approach should set up Barkley for success. If Barkley doesn't get going, the pass game will likely struggle because defenses will be able to get on receivers. Matt Harmon agrees that Barkley's success is everything for the Eagles' offense, noting he is a first-round fantasy pick.

Saquon Barkley should benefit from the Eagles' new offensive approach under Sean Mannion, where formations and blocking schemes are now married between run and pass concepts; this unpredictability should create more defensive indecision and allow Barkley to hit rushing lanes more effectively.

Matt Harmon expects Shedeur Sanders to start multiple games for the Browns this season, but the timing is uncertain. While many predict a Week 3 start, Harmon believes Deshaun Watson's first two games will heavily influence when Sanders takes over. The Browns want to evaluate Sanders by season's end to inform 2027 draft planning, so Harmon expects Sanders to start more games than Watson overall, though the exact week remains unclear.

Tee Higgins is the 33rd overall pick in ADP for the Bengals. The Bengals' top three fantasy assets (Jamar Chase 4th, Chase Brown 16th, Higgins 33rd) have the lowest aggregate ADP across the league, suggesting the market is pricing in high production. However, the Bengals' ideal scenario is a more conservative offense that doesn't rely on Joe Burrow playing hero ball, which could limit upside.

Jory Epstein reports that the Commanders view their receiver group as the deepest position on the team, with Terry McLaurin going deep and Stephon Diggs moving the chains. McLaurin and Diggs are described as complementary pieces in the new offense with more under-center and play-action concepts.

Matt Harmon mentions uncertainty about Traylon Burks' role in the Commanders' offense, questioning whether he might be a starter in two-receiver sets. The exact nature of his role remains unclear from training camp observations.

Tucker Craft received positive injury news and is now going off the board 60th overall in Yahoo drafts over the last seven days, ahead of Christian Watson at 68th overall.

Matt Harmon calls Tyler Warren "the most exciting story" the Colts have and says he really likes him from a fantasy standpoint. Harmon notes Warren screws up his draft plans because he wants to take running backs and receivers in the 40-50 range but keeps getting drawn to Warren. While defenses now know what Warren is and may adjust, Shane Steichen really believes in Warren's ability to challenge defenses and create formation flexibility, so Harmon still expects significant opportunities.

Matt Harmon raises health questions about Zach Charbonnet's status for the Seahawks. Harmon is trying to determine whether the Seahawks' preference for two running back looks is driven by neither back being fully healthy or by genuine strategic preference for the formation.

Zay Flowers is part of the Ravens' receiver room, which has shown improvement in how the team deploys receivers under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The team is getting better at utilizing their receiver group.