Training Camp Daily Dose: Daily Dose: Boyd Heating Up

The preseason wave of emotion surrounding NFL rookies can rival the finest surf at the Banzai Pipeline and is at its most deafening pitch when the calendar reaches August. Each NFL training camp practice is now delivered to phones and computers world-wide thanks to Twitter and team beat writers, and each drop or diving catch can create a sense of despair or promise for NFL rookies who are riding through camp with zero track record as professionals.

Judging the validity of training camp hype is never easy, but one way to get a clearer picture of the potential of a NFL rookie is to analyze the situation that the prized fantasy asset is stepping into in his debut season. One 2016 rookie who has garnered some positive buzz and has the potential to leap into a contributing role immediately is Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Boyd.

On Tuesday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said that Boyd is “in tune with everything we’re doing,” and also added, “His effort, his energy are good. His assignments are good. And we know the athleticism and the ability he has to make plays on the football.” Lewis delivered this praise of Boyd to the Cincinnati Enquirer, who also dubbed the Pittsburgh product the “star of camp.” Now that it appears Boyd is performing well in his first camp, what kind of situation is he walking into?

The 2016 Bengals passing game will look far different than the 2015 version, as receivers Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu bolted for greener pastures and tight end Tyler Eifert is dealing with an ankle injury. In the Jones and Sanu departures alone, the team now has 152 targets and 98 targets available to be soaked up by new receiving options. Eifert potentially missing multiple weeks to begin the season could only sweeten this pot, as Cincinnati’s red zone beast was targeted 74 times and caught 52 passes of his own last season. The Bengals could certainly lean on running backs Gio Bernard and Jeremy Hill more in 2016 and see a slight decrease to their passing numbers, but there will still be roughly 90-100 receptions floating around for consumption.

Aside from drafting Boyd to man the slot receiver role, the Bengals signed Brandon LaFell to start opposite A.J. Green on the outside of their offense. LaFell turned in an inconsistent 2105 campaign in New England and has only topped 50 receptions in a season one time in his six-year career. Using this simplified calculation, there appear to be 50 receptions at the absolute minimum awaiting Boyd, a total that could certainly increase if his playmaking abilities from training camp translate into regular season play. While fellow rookie wide receivers like Michael Thomas and Josh Doctson look up at far deeper depth charts and loftier ADP’s, using a 13th round pick on Boyd could be an easy road to profit.

Editor’s Note: For updated rankings, projections, player profiles, positional tiers, mock drafts, sleepers and busts, exclusive columns and plenty more, check out our Draft Guide!

In Other News…

Ravens coach John Harbaugh delivered some good news on Tuesday as he announced that wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. (Achilles’) is likely to be ready by Week 1. The effectiveness to be expected of Smith remains unknown, but an injury of this nature to a wide receiver who is closer to 40 than 30 gives serious cause for concern. Smith will be competing with Mike Wallace, Kamar Aiken, and second-year receiver Breshad Perriman, who Harbaugh also expects to suit up in Week 1. Perriman has yet to snag his first NFL reception and has battled knee issues since being drafted by Baltimore, so Aiken and Wallace, in that order, will remain Joe Flacco’s top targets for now.

The Tennessee Titans held a public scrimmage on Monday night and TitansOnline’s Jim Wyatt dubbed rookie running back Derrick Henry “one of the offense’s biggest stars.” Titans coach Mike Mularkey seems poised to rely on his running game this season and Henry could carve himself out a decent role alongside DeMarco Murray if he continues to perform well during the preseason. Despite trading for Murray over the offseason, Tennessee was enamored with Henry enough to spend the 45th overall pick on another running back, so the former Alabama star could be a candidate to make noise in the later stages of the 2016 season if he forces the hand of the coaching staff.

The Seattle backfield was given some clarity when Thomas Rawls was activated from the active/PUP list, but coach Pete Carroll announced on Tuesday that the team is “going to be careful” with their lead running back as we works his way back into game shape. Rawls is in line for a nice workload as the top back in Seattle’s backfield with a potentially huge touchdown total on the horizon if he regains his 2015 form.

Depth Chart Quick Slants

T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory were both found on the top line of Jacksonville’s initial depth chart, but clear roles in short yardage and passing situations are expected for both backs. … Blaine Gabbert is the “enormous favorite” to start in Week 1 for San Francisco, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Colin Kaepernick should put up a fight in camp but this situation is easily avoidable for fantasy owners. … Case Keenum has a “real chance” to start in Week 1 according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It still seems logical for the Rams to give rookie Jared Goff the nod, but this situation will likely be in limbo until the regular season kicks off. … Jaelen Strong is listed as a starter opposite DeAndre Hopkins on Houston’s initial 2016 depth chart. Rookie Will Fuller figures to be in the mix as well and with the bulk of Houston’s offense rolling through Lamar Miller, Strong is a long shot for significant production. … Washington rookie Keith Marshall is “firmly entrenched” as one of the team’s top-three running backs, according to OC Sean McVay. Marshall will be worth monitoring this preseason. … Marquise Goodwin could have a “legitimate role in the offense” for Rex Ryan according to ABC Buffalo. Goodwin is a bonafide burner who will serve as strictly a deep threat for Tyrod Taylor if he makes the team.

Injury Quick Slants

Jordan Reed (thumb) will skip Washington’s preseason opener, in what appears to be a precautionary move. … Julian Edelman (leg) delivered a scare to the Patriots on Tuesday when he left practice due to a leg injury. The ding did not turn out to be serious however, and Tom Brady’s top slot man should be back at practice in coming days. … Jimmy Graham (knee) is “right on the edge of getting back” according to Seattle coach Pete Carroll. Graham is still in ADP limbo with the uncertainty surrounding his injury status. … John Brown (concussion) hasn’t been practicing and will miss Arizona’s first preseason game on Friday. Hopefully a clear timetable for his return will be announced next week. … Rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman (hamstring) is in danger of missing Cleveland’s preseason opener. …  Victor Cruz (groin) is now in danger of missing the Giants’ first preseason game with a tight groin and is becoming less likely to make an impact in 2016 with every additional bump and bruise. … Kendall Wright (hamstring) will miss a “couple more weeks” after getting an MRI on his injured hamstring. The Titans receiver group has been a mess this offseason and is on a path to fantasy irrelevance. … Jared Cook (foot) was activated from the active/PUP list and will begin working on wedging his way into Aaron Rodgers’ target chain. … Jamison Crowder (hamstring) is considered “day to day” and will miss Washington’s preseason opener. … Ty Montgomery (ankle) was activated from the active/PUP list on Tuesday but still faces an uphill climb for playing time in Green Bay. … Wendell Smallwood (quad) will sit out Philadelphia’s preseason opener. … Stevie Johnson (knee) underwent surgery on Tuesday and his return date doesn’t look promising at the moment.

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