DALLAS COWBOYS
SOURCE: Todd Archer
OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys open their 2022 NFL training camp here Tuesday at the River Ridge Residence Inn.
Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:
What's the most compelling position battle?
Maybe it is the starting receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb, at least at the start of the season. Or the battle to replace Randy Gregory (Sam Williams, Dante Fowler, Dorance Armstrong). But for the Cowboys to be a real contender, it will come down to their offensive line. The Cowboys selected Tyler Smith in the first round with the idea that he would be Tyron Smith's eventual successor at left tackle and their left guard in 2022. He and Connor McGovern will enter Oxnard in a competition for the job. McGovern is entering a contract year but could not hold the job last season after replacing Connor Williams, who left via free agency for Miami. For years, the Cowboys’ line has been called “among the best in the NFL,” whether deserved or not. Either Tyler Smith or McGovern could help the unit by winning the job and not earning it by default because one played poorly.
Who's the player with the most to prove?
Dak Prescott. Not because he has a $40 million-a-year contract. Not because he faces a win-or-else mandate that coach Mike McCarthy seems to face. Not because he isn’t one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Cowboys are banking on Prescott to elevate the passing game, having traded receiver Amari Cooper and not adding either a big-money replacement or a receiver in the first or second round. The last time Prescott entered training camp with a group of receivers with this many questions was 2018, his third season, when the Cowboys went with a committee approach with Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson, Cole Beasley and rookie Michael Gallup. That did not go well but Prescott is a much different quarterback now than he was then. This time he has Lamb as his No. 1, but Gallup (knee) is expected to miss at least a couple of games in September, and Prescott has had limited work with free agent pickup James Washington and Jalen Tolbert, a third-rounder, in the offseason. Prescott will be asked to make the group better.
Biggest question:
What can defensive coordinator Dan Quinn do for an encore? He took over a defense last season that allowed a franchise-record 473 points in 2020 and made an immediate improvement. He was helped by the addition of Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons, the ascension of cornerback Trevon Diggs and a group that bought into his teachings. Plus, he changed his modus operandi of playing mostly single-high defenses to more man coverage. The results were noticeable. The Cowboys led the league in takeaways and gave up just 358 points. With questions on offense, the defense will be asked to carry more of the load than it has in years. It will be up to Quinn to stay ahead of opponents who had an offseason to get a read on his new look. What's the fiercest fantasy-relevant battle?
It’s not so much Tony Pollard vs. Ezekiel Elliott; it’s Pollard vs. the rest of the offense. Much has been made of Elliott’s drop in production and how he finished last season, but few mention that he played the bulk of the season with a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament. Before getting injured, Elliott looked like he could contend for a rushing title. The goal for the Cowboys should be to maximize Pollard’s touches and they can do that without minimizing Elliott’s impact on the offense. Pollard played more receiver in college than running back. The Cowboys have questions at receiver with Gallup’s injury and untested depth. Pollard will have to show he can run multiple routes, but if he can, that should increase his touches and his fantasy value.
Camp prediction:
Williams will claim the starting defensive end spot opposite DeMarcus Lawrence as Gregory's replacement. The Cowboys' second-round pick has all of the pass-rushing skills Quinn loves to work with -- speed around the edge, the ability to bend, solid hands. Armstrong and Fowler have more NFL know-how, and while being a “starter” can be overrated since Quinn likes to rotate his defensive linemen, Williams’ talent will get him on the field early. Look for him to come close to matching Gregory’s six sacks from 2022.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
SOURCE: John Keim
ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Commanders open 2022 NFL training camp Wednesday at their practice facility.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Who is the player with the most to prove? Quarterback Carson Wentz.
ESPN NFL analyst Troy Aikman said this was Wentz's last season to prove he could be a franchise quarterback, and he's right. Wentz was traded in consecutive offseasons -- even after throwing 27 touchdown passes to only seven interceptions with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. Once upon a time, Wentz was considered an MVP candidate in Philadelphia; and entering the 2020 season there was debate in the NFC East about who was better between Wentz and Dallas' Dak Prescott. Since that time Wentz was benched once and traded twice and had every flaw analyzed. But he remains a talented player, which is why Washington wanted him. He'll be surrounded by arguably his best collection of skill position talent since he entered the NFL in 2016.
Quarterback Carson Wentz has much to prove after joining his third team in three seasons.
The biggest question: How good is their defense? In 2020, Washington's defense finished second in total yards and fourth in points but last season, facing much tougher quarterbacks, it finished 22nd in yards and 25th in points. During one eight-game stretch they hovered around the top 10 but overall were inconsistent and frustrating. Their line, even if defensive end Chase Young misses a couple of games to start because of ACL surgery, should be good. But questions surround the back seven that must be answered: Will linebacker Cole Holcomb take the big step the coaches boasted he was capable of taking? Will second-year linebacker Jamin Davis be more impactful than he was as a rookie? Do the Commanders have enough secondary depth?
Training camp is a success if ... receiver Curtis Samuel stays healthy and rookie Jahan Dotson looks legitimate.
Both will be pivotal to Washington's offensive success. Samuel played just five games in 2021 because of a groin injury followed by one to his hamstring. He never looked explosive and it cost the offense. He sat out a couple of days in the spring -- coach Ron Rivera said it was due to tightness in his legs and out of "an abundance of caution." Samuel adds versatility with his ability to line up in the backfield, the slot or on the outside. Dotson looked sharp in the spring with his savviness as much as his talent. If that continues he'll be a consistent threat alongside Terry McLaurin. It would enable Washington to use more four-receiver sets and diversify its attack and lessen the burden on McLaurin.
Injury impact:
Young and tight end Logan Thomas might miss the start of the season because of 2021 ACL injuries. How long they're out could be the difference in Washington's season. Young suffered a torn right ACL and MCL in November; there's a definite chance he could miss a few games. Though he only posted 1.5 sacks in nine games last year, he remains a talented pass-rusher who's capable of elevating this defense. Meanwhile, Thomas' return also remains uncertain and there's a chance he might miss the season opener. He tore his left ACL in December so the opener is only nine months from the injury. Washington's receiving corps should be solid, but Thomas plays a vital role in the pass game because of his size and red zone success.
Camp prediction: Running back Antonio Gibson emerges as the most talked about offensive player in camp. There will be a lot of attention on Wentz, so perhaps this should be the player most discussed after their new quarterback. It's often hard for running backs to stand out in camp because there isn't live tackling. But Gibson will emerge because of the work he put in this offseason, lowering his body fat from 18 percent to less than 12, he said, which should add more explosiveness. Gibson will remind everyone about his potential based on what he's done the previous six months.
NEW YORK GIANTS
SOURCE: Jordan Raanan
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants open 2022 NFL training camp Tuesday at 1925 Giants Drive.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
The biggest question: Can the Giants’ playmakers stay on the field?
General manager Joe Schoen admitted there is “excitement and stress” for his first training camp. Excitement because they’re trying to build something new and stress because the Giants must keep their players healthy through training camp. The latter didn't happen last year and this spring, when just about every playmaker from WR Kenny Golladay (leg) to WR Kadarius Toney (knee) to WR Sterling Shepard (Achilles) was sidelined by injury. But at least the Giants enter the summer with optimism.
“Hopefully everyone is healthy when they come back to camp,” Schoen said. “Which I’m expecting.”
Toney is the one they’re still crossing their fingers on. His rookie season was chaotic, including multiple injuries and situations, from wearing the wrong-sized cleats to skipping the voluntary offseason program to multiple positive COVID-19 tests. When he’s on the field, he’s super talented. They just have to get him on the field and keep him there.
Who is the player with the most to prove? Toney.
The explosive wide receiver was a first-round pick last year. He flashed when healthy against New Orleans and Dallas before injuries compromised the rest of his season. But there were some trade rumors around Toney this offseason. It’s a big summer and season for Toney -- who, remember, was not drafted by this current regime. They are not married to him if things don’t go smoothly. Toney had 39 catches for 420 yards and no touchdowns as a rookie. He missed most of training camp last year. They’re hoping it starts and ends better this season.
2022 NFL training camp previews
Who is the most impactful offseason addition? right tackle Evan Neal.
This is the move that could really change the feel and outlook of the Giants. If Neal, the seventh overall pick out of Alabama in this year’s draft, is a high-end tackle, it finally gives Jones a chance. The Giants would have bookend tackles with Andrew Thomas (off a strong season) on the left side and Neal on the right.
The Giants haven’t had a competent offensive line in years. Neal can help change that. He could also help running back Saquon Barkley get his career back on track. This is the one move the Giants absolutely can’t afford to miss on. But after watching this spring, it’s hard to see Neal being a bust.
What will be the fiercest fantasy-relevant battle? Receiver, with Toney vs. Sterling vs. Darius Slayton vs. Wan'Dale Robinson.
It will be interesting to see the playing time distribution at this position. Golladay seems the obvious No. 1 receiver, when healthy. Where does everyone else fit in? Who is the primary slot receiver in three-wide-receiver sets? How often will new coach Brian Daboll be rolling out four and five wide receivers?
Toney enters as the early favorite to run the second-most routes of the group, especially with Shepard returning from a serious injury, Slayton not looking like a top choice of the new regime and Robinson a rookie. But the Giants are going to try to keep everyone healthy and there could be a massive rotation that limits everybody’s fantasy relevance. I’ll be watching closely to see if any of the four between Toney, Shepard, Slayton or Robinson distinguish themselves this summer as the clear-cut No. 2 wide receiver. Or if it’s Barkley who will be hoarding the targets.
Camp prediction: The Giants' defense will look really good this summer. Yep, a unit with major questions at three of the five starting spots in the secondary (including nickel cornerback) is going to dominate training camp. New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale actually has some rushers in his aggressive scheme who will test a new-look offensive line and affect the quarterback. First-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux will be back after missing the spring with a minor injury. His first step will be noticeable.
With the Giants and quarterback Daniel Jones still working on timing in their new offense, it will be an advantage to the defense all summer long, just as it was in 2014 when Eli Manning was throwing interceptions left and right (often multiple per day) in learning Ben McAdoo’s new offense before having a strong season.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
SOURCE: Tim McManus
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles open 2022 NFL training camp on Tuesday at the NovaCare Complex.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question:
How much better can quarterback Jalen Hurts get?
Entering his second year as Philly's full-time starter, Hurts has all he needs to succeed: a strong offensive line, familiarity in coach Nick Sirianni's system and a strong skill group led by receiver A.J. Brown, who was acquired from the Tennessee Titans on the first night of the 2022 NFL draft for picks in the first and third rounds.
Hurts, 23, led the Eagles to the playoffs in 2021 with a 9-8 record and finished first among quarterbacks in yards rushing (784) and rushing touchdowns (10), but was 26th in completion percentage (61.3%). He spent part of the offseason with quarterback trainers in Southern California working on his mechanics, focusing on his footwork and release. It paid dividends this spring, according to Sirianni.
Jalen Hurts is entering his second season as Philadelphia's full-time starting quarterback.
"I'm noticing a big difference," he told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. "What I see is a crisper ball. The accuracy I've been very pleased with. You can just see him taking strides every single day with his accuracy because of the fundamentals he has with his feet and his upper body."
If Hurts can take a leap forward as a passer, the Eagles might just be legitimate NFC contenders.
Who's the player with the most to prove?
Receiver Jalen Reagor. His first two years in the league have not gone as hoped, with Reagor totaling 64 catches for 695 yards and three touchdowns over 28 games. Expectations for first-round picks are always high and were knocked out of whack when the Eagles selected him ahead of receiver Justin Jefferson, who took off immediately for the Minnesota Vikings and is well on his way to becoming a star in the league.
Reagor enters his third season having to fight for a role on the team. Brown and DeVonta Smith are wide receivers 1 and 1A, followed by Quez Watkins and Zach Pascal, a Sirianni favorite. Reagor is still only 23 years old and has a lot of ability. But the clock is ticking for him to put it all together in an Eagles uniform.
What's the fiercest fantasy-relevant battle?
Running back.
Miles Sanders enters as the starter. He is in a contract year and will be plenty motivated to prove he's among the better backs in the league. Injuries have held him back from reaching that status over his first three seasons. Ankle and hand injuries kept him out of five games last season.
That opened the door for Kenneth Gainwell, who had an impressive rookie year with 544 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns (compared to 912 scrimmage yards and zero TDs for Sanders). Ideally for the Eagles, Sanders will fill the role of lead back with Gainwell (5-foot-9, 200 pounds) complementing him as a change-of-pace back and pass-catching threat. But Gainwell showed last season that he can get it done as a runner, too, and will take on more snaps along with Boston Scott if Sanders can't stay healthy or shows inconsistency in his play.
Camp prediction:
Undrafted receiver Britain Covey makes the team.
The 25-year-old rookie out of Utah created some buzz this spring. At 5-foot-8, 170 pounds, he doesn't exactly have a size advantage, but that didn't stop him from wreaking some havoc last year for the Utes, including on special teams, where he returned two punts and a kickoff for touchdowns.
Competition for roster spots should be pretty fierce at receiver, with Reagor, Greg Ward and John Hightower among those vying to make the squad along with Brown, Smith, Pascal and Watkins. But the coaches like what they've seen out of Covey so far, and a strong summer could convince them to keep him around.
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