LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
SOURCE: Paul Gutierrez
HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders open 2022 NFL training camp Wednesday at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
The most compelling position battle: Let's look at the right side of the offensive line, particularly right tackle. Because if the Raiders are going to run it back with the same O-line that contributed to Derek Carr getting sacked 40 times in 2021, with the right side being the weak link, this is ground zero. Alex Leatherwood, last year's first-round pick, started the season at RT, moved to right guard in Week 5 but was seeing time on the outside in OTAs and minicamp. If Denzelle Good is healthy enough to reclaim his RG spot after going down with a torn left ACL in the season opener, that should solidify things.
And that's not counting swing tackle Brandon Parker or Jermaine Eluemunor, who has played both spots and is already familiar with new coach Josh McDaniels' system from his time with the New England Patriots. Seventh-rounder Thayer Munford and UDFA Bamidele Olaseni could also get looks at right tackle while third-rounder Dylan Parham seems slotted for left guard.
The player with the most to prove: We should just rename this the Derek Carr Award.
Every year Carr endures the slings and arrows of so many rumors and reports of him being on the trade block and yet, he remains. What's different now, though, is aside from the aforementioned offensive line, Carr has the most dynamic weapons at his disposal, not only in personnel but in scheme and playcalling. Plus, the Raiders went all in by bringing his college bestie, the best receiver in the league in Davante Adams, in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. No more excuses? Yeah, something like that.
But didn't Carr just sign a three-year, $121.5 million extension? Indeed, but per the terms of the deal, the Raiders are under no obligation to pay him anything after this season and would eat just $5.6 million in dead money should they choose to move on. Plus, Carr's Total QBR has tumbled every time he's had a change in playcallers. Stop us if you've heard this before, but this is truly a make-or-break season for Carr, who, as noted before, has everything he could ask for ... unless that O-line breaks again.
The biggest question: Yeah, staying on the Carr angle here, but so much has been made of the connection he has with Adams from their college days together. And while they have worked out together as pros in the offseason, they were last teammates in (checks notes) 2013. So how fresh, exactly, is the chemistry between the erstwhile Fresno State Bulldogs, and how long will it take to reconnect in a game situation? Adams has definitely benefited from playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. But while Carr has had the likes of Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller to throw the ball to with the Raiders, Adams is on another level.
How quickly Davante Adams and Derek Carr re-establish their Fresno State bond could determine how the Raiders fare against a brutal AFC West. John Locher/AP
However long, or short, it takes for Adams and Carr to get in sync will go a long way in determining the type of on-field success they have in Las Vegas. Because remember, Carr finds a target and stays with him, from Waller and his 107 receptions in 2020 to Renfrow and his 103 catches last season. Adams has averaged 119 catches the past two seasons.
Most impactful offseason addition: Non-Davante Adams division? Chandler Jones. Sure, the Raiders essentially swapped Yannick Ngakoue, who is five years younger, for Jones, who is polishing a Canton-worthy resume. Jones' 107.5 sacks and 33 forced fumbles are the most in the NFL over the last 10 years and while five of his 10.5 sacks last year came in the season opener, there is enough left in the 32-year-old's tank that he will still command respect and double-teams.
2022 Training Camp | Raiders
And that frees up opportunities for his bookend edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a rising star who was last year's Pro Bowl Defensive MVP. Now, Jones is not in Las Vegas merely to be a decoy; he was signed to bring veteran leadership as well as wreck shop on his own. And at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, Jones also has 3 inches and 19 pounds on Ngakoue, who led the Raiders with 10 sacks in 2021.
Bold prediction: The Raiders will return to the postseason for a second season in a row. Wait, shouldn't a team that survived last season's travails, made upgrades all over the roster, as well as in scheme and play calling, be a lock to return to the Super Bowl tournament? If so, the truly hot take would be to predict Las Vegas would fall short, no? Well ... the flip side shows so many unknowns and resulting questions in a division that saw every team make significant upgrades that picking Las Vegas to be in the playoffs for consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000-02 seems to be the bolder way to go. At least, before training camp.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
SOURCE: Adam Teicher
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs open 2022 training camp Wednesday at Missouri Western State University.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
The player with the most to prove: Nobody is suggesting gloom and doom for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but there's no denying his football world has changed since the Chiefs ended their 2021 season with a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs traded his top wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, and lost two of their other top pass-catchers from recent seasons, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson, to free agency. Mahomes will throw to a new cast of players without a clear candidate to replace Hill as the go-to wide receiving target. Throw in Mahomes' dismal second half and overtime against Cincinnati and he's under more pressure than normal for an established starting quarterback, even one with his considerable accomplishments.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be throwing to a new cast of players without a clear candidate to replace Tyreek Hill. AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: Free agent additions Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Skyy Moore join the returning Mecole Hardman to form the main group of wide receivers. But the Chiefs still have to sort out who's going to replace Hill as the No. 1 receiver and which other wideouts make the biggest statistical contributions. Hardman, as the only one who played with Mahomes before this season, would seem to have an advantage but his contributions in three seasons with the Chiefs have been inconsistent. Smith-Schuster is the most accomplished of the bunch, but his only 1,000-plus-yard season was back in 2018. Mahomes had a good thing going with Valdes-Scantling during offseason practice, but there's no guarantee that continues during camp or when the regular season begins.
Most impactful offseason addition: The Chiefs have no shortage of candidates in this category, including Smith-Schuster, Valdes-Scantling and Moore, rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie and veteran safety Justin Reid. But the new player they most need to play well is defensive end George Karlaftis, the second of the Chiefs' two first-round draft picks. The Chiefs' pass rush, which slumped to 29th last season in sacks, is desperate for a refresh, and they're most likely to get help from Karlaftis. Chris Jones and Frank Clark again should lead the pass rush for the Chiefs, but that tandem proved incapable of providing adequate pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season. Karlaftis needs to be a factor right away.
2022 Roster projections
Training camp is a success if: The defense comes together before the start of the regular season. The Chiefs parted ways with several longtime defensive regulars, most notably safety Tyrann Mathieu. They have a lot of new pieces and many, including first-round draft picks in McDuffie and Karlaftis, will have to play major roles right from the start. The Chiefs have so much to pull together in a limited time that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo suggested during the offseason they would be racing the clock this summer to make sure everything is ready by the Sept. 11 opener. Spagnuolo can be difficult on rookies, making them repeatedly prove they can handle their responsibilities before he's comfortable giving them significant playing time. He may have to compromise his standards this season in the cases of McDuffie, Karlaftis and perhaps others.
Camp prediction: McDuffie will leave training camp as the Chiefs' emerging star in the secondary. The Chiefs asked a lot of McDuffie in offseason practice as he worked at both outside cornerback and in slot coverage. He handled it all well, leaving the Chiefs encouraged that he could have a big rookie season. McDuffie looked more like a veteran as he was rarely caught out of position. The Chiefs need a big season from McDuffie after losing long-time starter Charvarius Ward in free agency. Another strong candidate for playing time at cornerback, Rashad Fenton, missed all of offseason practice while rehabbing from a shoulder procedure.
DENVER BRONCOS
SOURCE: Jeff Legwold
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos open training camp Tuesday at the UC Health training center.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
The biggest question: How is outside linebacker Randy Gregory's health? The Broncos' decision-makers, including coach Nathaniel Hackett and general manager George Paton, spent much of the offseason repeating the nothing-to-worry-about mantra regarding Gregory's offseason shoulder surgery, performed just after the Broncos signed him in free agency.
And if things go as planned, it won't be anything to worry about. But other than the blockbuster trade to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson, the five-year, $70 million deal that went to Gregory was the Broncos' biggest offseason move.
At his best, Gregory is an elite pass-rusher. But Gregory -- drafted in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 -- has yet to play a full NFL season because of injuries or suspensions. He has never played in more than 14 games, never had more than 25 tackles in a season and never had more than six sacks in a season. That stat line won't work for the Broncos, given what they paid Gregory.
Denver went all-in on acquiring franchise quarterback Russell Wilson, trading Seattle Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, two first-round picks (2022 and 2023), two second-round picks (2022) and a 2022 fifth-rounder for him. Photo by Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports
The player with the most to prove: He certainly has the best résumé on the roster, with nine Pro Bowl selections, two Super Bowl starts and one Super Bowl win, but it's still Wilson.
The Broncos traded five draft picks and three former starters to acquire Wilson, and while many personnel executives in the league believe the Broncos got the better end of the deal, Wilson wasn't brought to Denver to be pretty good.
He was brought to Denver to put the franchise back into the playoffs after six consecutive misses and to push for the team's fourth Lombardi Trophy. That means all of the optimism has to turn into wins, even in the ultracompetitive AFC West.
The most compelling position battle: It won't score very high on the fantasy football glamour meter, but the Broncos will feature some mix-and-match on the offensive line until the starting five are selected.
Left tackle Garett Bolles is a given, and center Lloyd Cushenberry III saw the most first-team reps during offseason practices. Cushenberry also worked with Wilson in San Diego shortly after the quarterback arrived via trade.
Both guard spots and right tackle will be up for debate. Billy Turner was acquired in free agency, but he missed the offseason program due to a knee injury. He is expected to be one of the candidates at right tackle, along with Calvin Anderson and Tom Compton. Dalton Risner, Netane Muti, Quinn Meinerz and Graham Glasgow are in the mix for the two guard spots -- all four started games last season.
2022 Roster projections
Will special teams finally be special?: The constant churn at quarterback and the decided lack of touchdowns in the six seasons that have followed Peyton Manning's retirement have deservedly gotten most of the attention in the Broncos' current playoff drought.
But not far behind in most of those seasons has been special teams play that would have had to improve significantly just to be considered average. Paton has made the unit a priority in the draft and in free agency, including using a fifth-round pick to select Montrell Washington in this past April's draft as a potential solution at returner.
The Broncos have surrendered far too many big plays on special teams without creating many of their own in recent seasons. There were nine kickoffs returned for touchdowns leaguewide last season. The Broncos surrendered two of them and had a staggering 39.4 yards per return average.
They haven't tackled well enough, flipped the field enough or stressed opposing coverage units enough. And if they really are going to make the most of Wilson's tenure in Denver, that has to change.
Camp prediction: Rookie pass-rusher Nik Bonitto, a second-round pick by the Broncos this past April, will show why some personnel executives in the league believed he was one of the biggest steals of the draft’s first two days. The Broncos plan for Gregory and Bradley Chubb to be one of the league's front-line pass rush duos, but Bonitto’s work in training camp and the preseason will force defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero to get creative and find ways to get Bonitto on the field. During the team's offseason program, Bonitto showed an explosive first step with an already-mature variety of pass-rushing moves. That is the recipe for a pass-rusher to contribute quickly.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
SOURCE: Lindsey Thiry
COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers open 2022 NFL training camp on Wednesday at Jack Hammett Sports Complex.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines.
The player with the most to prove is ... quarterback Justin Herbert:
That's somewhat difficult to declare given Herbert's talent and production through two seasons has placed him among the NFL's elite. As a second-year pro in 2021, Herbert's 65.6 total QBR ranked third in the league behind only Aaron Rodgers (69.1) and Tom Brady (68.1). He passed for an eye-popping 5,014 yards (ranked second behind Brady) and 38 touchdown passes (third behind Brady's 43 and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford's 41).
But this season, with a stacked roster on both sides of the football, the No. 6 overall pick in 2020 must prove that his superior statistics can translate to wins and the franchise's first playoff appearance since the 2018 season.
Justin Herbert has thrown for 69 touchdown passes in his first two seasons but has yet to lead the Chargers to the playoffs.
Most impactful offseason addition ... is impossible to sum up with one name, so let's pick two: Outside linebacker Khalil Mack and cornerback J.C. Jackson.
The Chargers commanded headlines in March when they acquired Mack from the Chicago Bears, then signed free-agent cornerback Jackson to a five-year, $82.5 million deal with $40 million guaranteed a few days later.
A three-time All-Pro with 76.5 sacks in eight seasons who was acquired in exchange for a second-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick, Mack will line up opposite of Pro Bowl edge rusher Joey Bosa, who has 58 sacks in six seasons, to create one of most-feared pass-rushing duos in the league. And Jackson provides serious ball-hawking skills, as his 25 interceptions since the New England Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2018 are the most in the NFL. With Jackson's presence, the Bolts will be expected to improve from their 21 takeaways (ranked 17th) in 2021 and get the ball back in Herbert's hands more often.
Training camp will be a success if... the Chargers sign All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. to a contract extension:
The Chargers have several of the NFL's top defensive playmakers firmly under contract, including Bosa, Mack and Jackson. Next up, James.
The 17th overall pick in 2018, James is entering the fifth and final season of his rookie deal and is scheduled to earn $9 million in 2022. A key presence in coach Brandon Staley's defense given his versatility, playmaking skills and leadership, the Chargers must secure the future of the All-Pro safety before the season gets underway.
Despite playing only five games in 2019 because of a foot injury and sitting out the entirety of the 2020 season because of a knee injury, James has established himself among the league's best safeties with five career interceptions, 19 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and 5.5 sacks. His continued effort will be crucial to the improvement of a Chargers defense that gave up 27.0 points per game in 2021, which ranked 29th in the league.
2022 NFL training camp previews
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle ... Who will back up Austin Ekeler?
Ekeler is the Bolts' go-to running back after scoring 20 touchdowns and gaining 1,558 all-purpose yards in 2021. But who will be next in line for carries behind him?
The Chargers utilized a fourth-round pick to select Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller, who Staley described as a complete back with an ability not only as a runner but as a pass-catcher. Spiller's addition sets up a competition with third-year pro Joshua Kelley, a former fourth-round pick who has yet to establish himself as a solid No. 2 option after rushing for 102 yards on 33 carries last season. Second-year pro Larry Rountree III, who rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries in 2021, also will compete for touches.
Camp prediction: Spiller will prove himself as potential weapon on offense, earning more than just backup carries behind Ekeler. Rookie running backs can often be slow to ingratiate themselves in an offense at the pro level because of pass protection. However, that might not be the case for Spiller. "He's an excellent pass protector," Staley said, referencing his time at Texas A&M. "Mentally, he was responsible for a lot there. He was a three-down back." Pass protection, along with Spiller's instincts as a runner and hands as a pass-catcher, will enable him to earn playing time early.
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