NEW YORK JETS
SOURCE: Rich Cimini
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets open their 2022 training
camp Tuesday at the Atlantic Health Training Facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Here's a closer look at some of the storylines:
The biggest question: Can quarterback Zach Wilson thrive within the structure of the offense? Wilson, who struggled from the pocket in what coach Robert Saleh called a "rough" rookie year, must learn to play consistently in the Jets' West Coast-based offense. He can make off-script plays, no doubt about that, but they don't want him to rely on that. The entire offense is based on precision and timing, not improvisation. The coaches are optimistic that Wilson will improve because they believe he has a greater command of the scheme.
The 2021 No. 2 overall pick was outplayed by the opposing quarterback in at least 10 of 13 starts. You can’t win in the NFL with a weekly disadvantage at the most important position. The Jets are hoping Wilson can duplicate Josh Allen's career trajectory. The Buffalo Bills star had a hard time as a rookie in 2018 (10 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, 52.8% completion rate), but took a significant jump in his second year (20, nine, 58.8%) and helped Buffalo to the playoffs.
Wilson's rookie numbers were similar to those of Allen: nine touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 55.6%. Typically, quarterbacks that struggle that much as rookies don't skyrocket to stardom. Allen was an outlier; the Jets' entire rebuilding plan hinges on Wilson being able to do the same.
2022 NFL training camp previews
As NFL training camps swing into action, NFL Nation looks at the top storylines and offers a prediction for each team.
What is the most compelling position battle? Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton vs. himself (and George Fant). Becton, the third-year tackle, has “transcendent” physical ability, according to Saleh, but he’s a question mark because of durability and weight issues. If the 2020 first-round pick comes to camp in shape, and his surgically repaired knee is sound, he has the ability to lift the offensive line to a higher level.
Becton, who has played only eight complete games in two seasons, must gain the trust of the coaching staff. He also may have to switch positions, from left to right tackle, which could hinge on a potential battle with Fant at left tackle. But the real competition is Becton’s ongoing fight to fulfill his immense potential.
Training camp will be a success if ... their top draft picks win prominent roles. It would be an upset if cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson aren't Week 1 starters. That's why they were drafted fourth and 10th overall, respectively. The internal hope is that defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (26th) also nails down a significant role, if not a starting job.
The 2022 and 2021 draft classes are the foundation, and those picks need to be on the field. Wilson has the easiest path to a starting job; Corey Davis and Elijah Moore are the only wide receivers ahead of him. Gardner must overtake incumbent Bryce Hall, but that shouldn't take long. Johnson should have a niche as a situational rusher but plays the run well enough to compete for playing time in the base defense.
What's the fiercest fantasy-relevant battle? The workload split between incumbent RB Michael Carter and rookie Breece Hall creates the most fantasy intrigue. The coaching staff prefers a committee approach, so don’t expect a one-man show. Hall has the talent to overtake Carter as the RB1 -- and probably will at some point -- but don’t expect that to happen quickly. Hall’s patient running style (think Le’Veon Bell) was wildly successful in college, but there will be an adjustment as he gets accustomed to the faster pro game. Once Hall finds his rhythm, he should take over as the primary ball carrier. He’s bigger, faster and a better receiver than Carter. Both are held in high regard by the organization, but the internal feeling is that Hall -- with three-down potential -- can be special.
Camp prediction: Receiver Denzel Mims will be traded before the regular season. Despite an encouraging offseason, the 2020 second-round pick is no better than fourth on the depth chart among outside receivers. Because he doesn’t play special teams, Mims doesn’t have game-day value unless he’s part of the receiver rotation. Right now, he’s not. He’d probably be the odd man out on game day, barring injuries. So the question becomes: Do they stash him on the roster as insurance, which wouldn’t make him happy, or do they try to get something in a trade? They probably wouldn’t get much; the New England Patriots got only a 2024 seventh round pick for 2019 first rounder N'Keal Harry. Mims would bring back more than that because he has two years left on his rookie contract, but probably not much more. The Jets will talk him up this summer, hoping to raise his trade value.
BUFFALLO BILLS
SOURCE: Alaina Getzenberg
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills opened 2022 NFL training camp Sunday at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York.
Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: How will the switch from Brian Daboll to Ken Dorsey at offensive coordinator affect quarterback Josh Allen and the offense?
This is one of the biggest questions of the NFL offseason, and it's not receiving enough attention league-wide. The Bills are expected to be one of the best teams -- +650 to win the Super Bowl, per Caesars Sportsbook -- but for the first time in his career, Allen will have someone new calling the plays in Dorsey after Daboll left to become the New York Giants' head coach. It helps that Allen has worked with Dorsey as his quarterbacks coach over the past three years, however, there will be changes to the offense. How will Allen respond, and will he take another step forward? With Dorsey being a first-time coordinator, there could be some growing pains.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen is working with a new offensive coordinator for the first time in his NFL career.
Who is the most impactful offseason addition? linebacker Von Miller
The Bills needed a pass-rusher who could make a significant impact each time he steps on the field, so they signed Miller to a six-year, $120 million contract. While it remains to be seen if Miller, 33, will play out the deal, the immediate impact the league’s active sack leader (115.5) can make will be crucial to what the team can accomplish this year. Last year, the team had the No. 1 defense, but a significant amount of the defensive line has been turned over this offseason. How the group performs together, under the leadership of Miller, could go a long way in determining whether the Bills have a top defense again.
What is the most compelling position battle? pass-rushers behind Miller.
Greg Rousseau, a 2021 first-round pick, is slated to step into a starting role opposite Miller, but behind him is where it gets interesting. The Bills have now invested highly in pass-rushers through free agency and the draft, including 2020 second-round pick AJ Epenesa and 2021 second-round pick Boogie Basham. Both will need to play key roles as part of the defensive line rotation, but over the course of camp, one will need to emerge as the go-to third pass-rusher. Neither has finished a season with more than 2.5 sacks, and Epenesa especially has struggled to reach expectations in his first two years. Due to Miller’s age, Buffalo can’t end up in a situation where he is playing too many snaps, which makes their development that much more important. The Bills need their top draft picks to step up.
Training camp is a success if… there are no surprises.
It’s boring and pretty unlikely to have an uneventful camp, but the Bills just need things to go according to plan. There are few positions on the 53-man roster open, and Buffalo has one of the NFL's most complete rosters. Cornerback Tre’Davious White continuing to progress in the right direction with his rehab is important during the next month, but the team overall just needs to maintain the status quo and prepare for the season.
Camp prediction: Rookie running back James Cook will be the star of Bills camp.
While running back Devin Singletary is trending toward playing a lead role in the offense, Cook has a skill set as a pass-catcher to make a big impact on offense in 2022 -- especially on third downs. He also had limited playing time at Georgia -- 230 carries and 67 receptions over four years -- which could be beneficial for the Bills in keeping his ability to stay fresh during a 17-game NFL season. Zack Moss, a third-round pick from the 2020 draft, will be a player to watch during camp because he needs to prove he deserves a role. With limited contact during camp and Cook’s abilities, he’ll stand out over the course of camp, which means good things for the Bills offense, no matter how many snaps he plays.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
SOURCE: Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots open 2022 NFL training camp Wednesday at Gillette Stadium.
Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: Who is coordinating the offense and calling plays? Quarterback Mac Jones had a solid rookie season under coordinator Josh McDaniels, who has moved on to become the Las Vegas Raiders' head coach. Bill Belichick hasn’t officially named a replacement. Matt Patricia (offensive line) and Joe Judge (quarterbacks) held cards and relayed plays to Jones during spring practices, and Belichick was often nearby and involved as well. While Patricia and Judge are former head coaches, their primary background in the NFL has been on defense and special teams, respectively. Will the coaching setup work? And how much does the lack of experience coordinating an offense and calling plays matter?
What is the most compelling position battle? Cornerback.
2022 NFL training camp previews
As NFL training camps swing into action, NFL Nation looks at the top storylines and offers a prediction for each team.
J.C. Jackson struck it rich in free agency with the Los Angeles Chargers, so there’s a big cornerback void to fill. Jalen Mills, who started opposite Jackson last season, returns for his second year in New England. Veterans Malcolm Butler and Terrance Mitchell are among the more experienced candidates to potentially step in, while fourth-round pick Jack Jones (Arizona State) made plays in spring practices that illustrated he is a candidate to consider as well.
Who is the player with the most to prove? Jonnu Smith
The sixth-year tight end signed a four-year, $50 million contract ($31.25 million guaranteed) as a free agent in the 2021 offseason but had an underwhelming first season in New England (28 catches, 294 yards, 1 TD). The Patriots are transitioning away from a traditional fullback after not re-signing Jakob Johnson, which could mean they find more creative ways to use Smith as a complement to top tight end Hunter Henry.
What is the fiercest fantasy-relevant battle? Damien Harris vs. Rhamondre Stevenson at running back.
Belichick has traditionally favored a committee-type approach, and that also includes a designated “passing back” on third down. Harris was the 1A last year (202 carries, 929 yards, 15 TDs), but Stevenson came on strong as a 1B by season’s end (133 carries, 606 yards, 5 TDs) and said one of his primary offseason goals was to become a greater factor in the passing game. Some scouts view Stevenson’s upside as greater, but Harris’ year-round commitment has previously sparked praise from Belichick.
Camp prediction: Rookie Jack Jones will be one of the standout performers in training camp, making a charge for a starting spot, as his sticky coverage and ball skills will show up with multiple interceptions. By the end of camp, no player will have more interceptions than Jones.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
SOURCE: Marcel Louis-Jacques
MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins open 2022 training camp on Tuesday at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Who is the player with the most to prove? quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
The narrative surrounding him following the Dolphins' flurry of offseason additions is that 2022 is a make-or-break season for the third-year quarterback. That's not entirely true; Miami's decision-makers aren't expecting the type of leap Buffalo's Josh Allen made in his third season, when he finished second in league MVP voting, but Tagovailoa still needs to prove he is a viable long-term starter before the Dolphins decide whether to exercise his fifth-year option by May 2023.
With the best supporting cast he's had in the NFL, there is reason to believe he can succeed under first-year coach Mike McDaniel. But if Tagovailoa is mediocre this season, the Dolphins have the resources to move up for a quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft if needed. Miami owns five picks in the first three rounds, and made it a point to keep them during trade discussions this offseason.
Tua Tagovailoa has thrown 27 TD passes and 15 interceptions in 23 NFL games.
Who is the most impactful offseason addition? left tackle Terron Armstead
There are a few candidates here, starting with receiver Tyreek Hill and McDaniel. But the biggest offseason addition Miami made was signing Armstead.
While he doesn't single-handedly solve the Dolphins' pass-blocking issues from a season ago -- 32nd in pass block win rate according to NFL Next Gen Stats -- he does immediately improve the left side of the offensive line and adds a Pro Bowl-caliber player to a position group that was desperate for veteran leadership. His tutelage will be invaluable throughout the summer and season, and Miami's offensive success hinges on the play of its offensive line.
What is the fiercest fantasy-relevant battle? running back
2022 Roster projections
Ahead of NFL training camps, we project the final 53-man rosters for all 32 teams.
Miami has four running backs who could produce RB2 numbers if they were the featured back. Unfortunately there's only one ball, so Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, Sony Michel and Myles Gaskin will have to compete for touches in what might be the most crowded backfield in the NFL.
While this backfield could turn into a committee, the lead runner in McDaniel's San Francisco offenses flirted with RB1 fantasy production. Edmonds, in particular, is enticing because of his versatility as a runner and receiver.
Camp prediction: Left tackle Austin Jackson will close training camp as a starter. I know -- how bold is it to predict a two-year starter and former first-round pick will start once again? But Jackson struggled enough at left tackle last season that the Dolphins moved him to guard in Week 5. Many fans felt like the team should move on from Jackson but this new coaching staff feels like he has untapped potential. The third-year pro will have to battle with Larnel Coleman, Liam Eichenberg and Michael Deiter for two open jobs on the offensive line, but he will flash that potential in a major way this summer.
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