PITTSBURGH STEELERS
SOURCE:Brooke Pryor
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers report to 2022 NFL training camp on Tuesday at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
The most compelling position battle: The quarterbacks will be engaged in the most important position battle, but it’s not necessarily the most compelling. Mitch Trubisky appears to have a significant advantage over Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph, and barring an upset, he’ll likely be the starting quarterback in Week 1. Instead, keep an eye on the battle for left guard. After his move to center didn’t pan out, second-year lineman Kendrick Green battled with third-year guard Kevin Dotson at left guard throughout OTAs and minicamp. Green primarily played guard at Illinois, and former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger advocated for Green to move to guard after the season. Dotson started nine games last season but dealt with nagging ankle injuries. The competition between the two won’t be the flashiest, but after another season of dismal offensive line play and another new offensive line coach in Pat Meyer, the success of the revamped offensive line will be a significant factor in the Steelers’ direction this season.
The player with the most to prove: Devin Bush. Bush is entering the final year of his contract after the Steelers declined to pick up his fifth-year option. The former first-round pick had a frustrating 2021 season, his first after tearing an ACL midway through a promising 2020 campaign. While Bush appeared to be physically recovered from the tear, mentally, he appeared overly cautious and hesitated in crucial moments. He finished the season with 70 total tackles, good for sixth on the team. Another year out from the surgery, Bush enters a make-or-break season -- especially with the addition of senior defensive assistant Brian Flores, who will also be working closely with the linebackers. The Steelers also added inside linebacker Myles Jack, another player Bush can learn from -- and one who will push him beginning with training camp.
The biggest question: Did the Steelers do enough to improve their run defense? Despite having the defensive player of the year on the roster in T.J. Watt, the Steelers’ defense was uncharacteristically dismal at stopping the run in 2021. The defense allowed a league-worst 2,483 rushing yards and 5 yards per carry. Stephon Tuitt, who was absent for the 2021 season, officially retired earlier this summer, creating an even bigger hole in the run defense. The Steelers get back Tyson Alualu, who missed most of 2021 with a fractured ankle, and acquired former Cleveland Brown and Cincinnati Bengal Larry Ogunjobi. Inside linebackers Jack and Bush should also bolster the group -- especially if Bush plays up to his potential.
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.
Training camp is a success if … the Steelers emerge with an unquestioned starting quarterback. The Steelers are entering uncharted territory for the first time in nearly two decades. Roethlisberger retired, and the job is technically up for grabs. Trubisky, though, appears to have the inside track after a strong showing in OTAs and minicamp. For the Steelers to get off to a good start through their opening gauntlet -- at Cincinnati, vs. New England, at Cleveland -- they need a definitive leader at the quarterback position.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: Diontae Johnson vs. the field. Johnson was the Steelers' top receiver and a favorite target of Roethlisberger a year ago. He struggled with drops down the stretch but still put up impressive final numbers, with 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns on 107 receptions. Though Johnson enters camp as the Steelers’ top receiver -- and in search of a big-time contract -- he’ll have to build chemistry with the new quarterbacks and prove he’s fully moved past the inconsistencies that plagued him late in the season. While Johnson has the most seniority in the room, he’ll also be competing with Chase Claypool, George Pickens and Calvin Austin III for targets, along with pass-catching tight end Pat Freiermuth. With the ball distribution murky, training camp will go a long way in establishing which Steelers receivers -- if any -- are worthy of being selected in fantasy football drafts.
Camp prediction: Pickett will finish camp as the Steelers’ No. 3 quarterback. Pickett, the Steelers’ first-round pick, took third-string reps throughout minicamp and OTAs, and with Trubisky and Rudolph in front of him, there’s a good chance he finishes training camp in the same place. With two other veteran quarterbacks on the roster, the Steelers aren’t rushing Pickett’s development. They can afford to be patient with the rookie and put him in a position to take over in the future by moving him along slowly and deliberately in his first year in the NFL. Trubisky has plenty of starting quarterback experience and is already emerging as a leader -- plus his skill set matches offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s preference for pre-snap motion and quick throws. Rudolph looked steady in offseason training and was more consistent than Pickett
CINCINNATTI BENGALS
SOURCE:Ben Baby
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals report for 2022 NFL training camp on Tuesday.
Here’s a closer look at a few storylines.
The most compelling position battle: Jackson Carman vs. Cordell Volson.
Cincinnati doesn’t have a ton of high-profile position battles entering training camp, which is a testament to the roster construction over the last few offseasons. But Carman, a second-round selection in 2021, will be under the spotlight as he looks to fend off Volson, this year’s fourth-round draft pick. Carman couldn't secure a starting spot as a rookie despite having the inside track. Coaches have praised his on-field development this offseason, but head coach Zac Taylor said the battle will be open in training camp. It’s the only legitimate question mark on an offensive line that will feature three new starters in ’22.
The player with the most to prove: Jessie Bates III. Theoretically, Bates shouldn’t have to prove a thing given what he did in the postseason. He helped force a key turnover that led to Cincinnati’s win over Kansas City in the AFC Championship game and had an interception in Super Bowl LVI. But with Bates not getting a long-term deal, he can prove to the rest of the league that he is a premier starter who commands big money in the free market.
The biggest question: Can the Bengals find more offensive consistency? Cincinnati wanted to become a more explosive offense in ’21. The team succeeded and led the NFL in yards per passing attempt. However, there were significant lulls during games that featured stalled possessions. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow referenced fixing the issue when he spoke with reporters after the final offseason workout. Between Burrow, the team’s trio of starting wide receivers (Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd) and a beefed-up offensive line, Cincinnati has the resources to be one of the NFL’s best offenses. The pressure will be on the offense and Taylor calling the plays to be more efficient in ’22.
2022 NFL training camp previews
Training camp is a success if …: the Bengals find a reliable punt returner. Former cornerback Darius Phillips held this role until gaffes in 2021, specifically two lost muffed punts in a 26-23 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers, forced Cincinnati to look at other options. Wide receiver Trent Taylor, who was on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster out of training camp, proved to be a solid option toward the end of the season. Rookie wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II could get some looks in training camp as special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons searches for the solution at a key spot.
Most impactful offseason addition: Alex Cappa. The easy choice is to pick the trio of starting offensive linemen acquired in free agency — center Ted Karras, right guard Cappa and right tackle La'el Collins. But Cappa deserves singular recognition. When the Bengals landed the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter, it signaled the franchise’s value on improving a unit that was widely ridiculed after Burrow was sacked 70 times last year. Of the three new additions on the line, Cappa was given the most guaranteed money ($11 million). If he can improve Cincinnati’s interior pass protection, the Bengals should become a more potent offense.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: Chris Evans vs. Samaje Perine. The Bengals had clearly defined roles for their running backs in ’21. Joe Mixon was used on most first and second downs, Perine on third downs and Evans in spot instances as needed. However, when it comes to finding yards in the passing game, Evans was the clear-cut option. Evans had an average route depth of 5.1 yards, by far the highest of any Bengals running back, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. If Perine can get a higher snap share, he could become a more viable streaming option for fantasy managers, especially those in PPR leagues. If Evans does get more passing targets, it will likely have a negative fantasy impact on Mixon and tight end Hayden Hurst. Hurst, a former first-round pick, will be looking to carve out a role in a passing offense with three established wide receivers.
Camp prediction: Kwamie Lassiter II keeps making noise. The undrafted free agent wide receiver out of Kansas was one of the top risers during offseason workouts. He eventually worked his way into the top rotation and earned some reps with the first-team offense. This is a welcomed development for a Bengals team that has limited production outside of the starting trio of Chase, Higgins and Boyd. If Lassiter continues on this trajectory, he will make a strong case to make the team’s 53-man roster.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
SOURCE: Jake Trotter
BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns open 2022 NFL training camp on Tuesday in Berea, Ohio.
Here's a closer look at the storylines:
The biggest question: How will the Browns split up quarterback reps? The team is waiting for disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson to rule on whether Deshaun Watson violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy, and if he will be suspended. Watson, whom the Browns acquired in an offseason trade with the Houston Texans, has been accused by more than two dozen women of inappropriate behavior and sexual assault during massage sessions. There are four remaining active civil lawsuits after 20 were settled and one dropped. Attorney Tony Buzbee said the plan remains to go to trial on the four active cases in the spring. Two grand juries in Texas declined to pursue criminal charges against Watson earlier this year. Watson has denied all of the allegations.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski will have to balance acclimating Watson into the Browns offense after he sat out all of last season in Houston, while also preparing backup Jacoby Brissett to potentially be the starter. Cleveland also just signed 2018 first-rounder Josh Rosen, who will be battling Josh Dobbs for the No. 3 QB job. All four quarterbacks are new to the team -- making the training camp reps all the more precious.
2022 NFL training camp previews
The most compelling position battle: The Browns’ defensive tackle rotation heading into camp is almost entirely comprised of unproven players. Sheldon Day, 28, has the most experience among the defensive tackles, but is no lock to even make the team after being a part-time player last year. Free agent signee Taven Bryan, 26, has the second-most experience, though he didn’t even start a game last year in Jacksonville. Alongside their veterans, the Browns are banking that recent draft picks Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai can step up in their third and second seasons, respectively. But perhaps the most intriguing player of the group is rookie Perrion Winfrey, Cleveland’s fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma. Winfrey has the talent to become a disruptive difference-maker in time. But if he, and the others, aren’t ready to contribute as starters coming out of training camp, look for the Browns to add a veteran to help solidify the group.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: The Browns have a no-doubt No. 1 running back in All-Pro Nick Chubb. The Browns also have a clear No. 1 wide receiver in Amari Cooper, whom they landed in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. Buttressed by a dominant line, Cleveland is primed to score points. But it’s unclear heading into camp who the most valuable fantasy option will be after the quarterback, Chubb and Cooper. One decent bet to emerge is tight end David Njoku, who received a massive four-year, $57 million extension this offseason. Njoku has been inconsistent through five years in the league, but has the talent to produce like a top 10 fantasy tight end. Versatile running back Kareem Hunt, wideouts Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz and rookie slot receiver David Bell (who will open training camp on the PUP list with a foot injury) are among those who will also be pushing for touches.
Camp prediction: The Browns will trade running back D'Ernest Johnson during training camp. Yes, Johnson is coming off a breakout season filling in for Chubb and Hunt and signed a one-year extension with the Browns during the offseason. But Cleveland drafted another running back in Jerome Ford, a fifth-round selection out of Cincinnati, who flashed a versatile skill set during OTAs and minicamp. With second-year playmaker Demetric Felton also returning, the Browns will move Johnson to a more running back-needy team.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
SOURCE: Jamison Hensley
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens open 2022 NFL training camp Wednesday at the Under Armour Performance Center.
Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:
The biggest question: Can Lamar Jackson succeed with his current wide receiver group? The big focal point on offense is making sure Jackson has chemistry with his young and unproven targets. After trading away Marquise Brown, the Ravens don’t have a wide receiver who has played more than two seasons in the NFL. None of the dozen wide receivers on the roster have caught more than 38 passes from Jackson in their careers. Rashod Bateman is primed for a breakout season after flashing as a rookie last year, but the other top receivers -- Devin Duvernay, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace -- are question marks. For that reason, Baltimore could add a veteran receiver like Julio Jones, Will Fuller, T.Y. Hilton or Cole Beasley. But the Ravens have shown they don’t need prolific wide receivers to succeed. When Baltimore went 14-2 in 2019, the Ravens had only one wide receiver with more than 350 yards receiving (Brown with 584).
The player with the most to prove: Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley. He’s only played in one full game since signing a five-year, $98.75 million contract in October 2020. A left ankle injury has sidelined him for 28 of Baltimore’s past 29 games (including playoffs), raising questions as to whether he will ever return to his All-Pro form. If Stanley can bounce back, Jackson will have one of the best blind-side protectors, and the Ravens’ offensive line can become one of the league’s best. If Stanley struggles or misses significant time once again, Baltimore would be forced to replace him with a long-time right tackle (either Ja'Wuan James or Morgan Moses) and would need to think about investing in another left tackle next offseason. Stanley has said he won’t rush back like he did last season, which proved to be a mistake. When he does return -- which likely won’t be early in training camp -- the pressure will be on Stanley to prove he’s one of the top tackles in the game. He will start camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
2022 NFL training camp previews
The most compelling position battle: Left guard. The job is certainly wide open. Four linemen are battling for this spot: Tyre Phillips, Ben Powers, Ben Cleveland or Patrick Mekari. Last season, Phillips, Powers and Cleveland all started games at left tackle. At this point, Phillips and Powers, who have combined for 32 career starts, are looking like the front-runners heading into camp. Cleveland, who started the last four games at left guard, still has a shot to win the job with a strong summer. But the Ravens could end up going with Mekari, the team’s most versatile blocker, who can start at any position on the line.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: Running back. It’s more of a watch than a battle. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, Baltimore’s top two backs, didn’t practice this offseason after tearing ACLs last summer and will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. The Ravens are hopeful Dobbins and Edwards will be ready by the start of the regular season, but there are no guarantees they’ll be at full strength even if they suit up. Baltimore felt like it needed a contingency plan in the backfield with the the signing of veteran Mike Davis and the drafting of Tyler Badie. It could be a running back-by-committee early in the regular season until Dobbins and Edwards get back into their groove.
Camp prediction: The Ravens get out of training camp healthy. This is an extremely bold prediction considering last year was one of the team’s worst summers from an injury standpoint. From the start of camp to the start of the regular season, Baltimore had 13 key players sidelined for at least a week because of either injury or a positive COVID-19 test. There was a 19-day stretch in which the Ravens had five players suffer season-ending injuries, including their top three running backs. Baltimore isn't chalking it up to bad luck (although this team is due for a change of fortune). The Ravens are tweaking their practices by implementing more stretching during warm-ups and fewer reps during drills. It wouldn’t be surprising if Jackson and other star players sit out preseason games. The Ravens know this team can be a Super Bowl contender if it can avoid a run of injuries.
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