This article is part of our NFL Barometer series.
As we embark upon the first installment of this year's NFL Barometer, there's been nary a preseason game in the books. So, at this point of training camp, these lists will primarily serve as a guide for which players to keep a close eye upon when the practice games begin later this week. Over the next month, we'll see positional battles unfold, players beginning to emerge and injuries taking their toll across rosters, so expect plenty of player movement as August moves toward September.
RISING
Rashad Jennings, RB, NYG
Jennings finished 2015 on a high note, posting at least 102 combined yards on at least 16 touches in his last four games as part of a running back by committee. This season, he's the clear-cut No. 1 running back, as a committee is not expected to be used. He's 31, but since last year was the first time in his career that he had more than 200 touches in a season, he's not a typical older running back; he hasn't had the wear and tear on his body that most of his peers have. Although durability is a question, he's played in at least 15 games in two of the last three seasons. His ADP is 110 overall, but expect his value to skyrocket if he continues to hold off his Giants' teammates.
Arian Foster, RB, MIA
Earlier in the offseason, the Dolphins tried to bring in C.J. Anderson on a free-agent deal, suggesting the franchise was never
As we embark upon the first installment of this year's NFL Barometer, there's been nary a preseason game in the books. So, at this point of training camp, these lists will primarily serve as a guide for which players to keep a close eye upon when the practice games begin later this week. Over the next month, we'll see positional battles unfold, players beginning to emerge and injuries taking their toll across rosters, so expect plenty of player movement as August moves toward September.
RISING
Rashad Jennings, RB, NYG
Jennings finished 2015 on a high note, posting at least 102 combined yards on at least 16 touches in his last four games as part of a running back by committee. This season, he's the clear-cut No. 1 running back, as a committee is not expected to be used. He's 31, but since last year was the first time in his career that he had more than 200 touches in a season, he's not a typical older running back; he hasn't had the wear and tear on his body that most of his peers have. Although durability is a question, he's played in at least 15 games in two of the last three seasons. His ADP is 110 overall, but expect his value to skyrocket if he continues to hold off his Giants' teammates.
Arian Foster, RB, MIA
Earlier in the offseason, the Dolphins tried to bring in C.J. Anderson on a free-agent deal, suggesting the franchise was never sold on Jay Ajayi as the lead back in new head coach Adam Gase's offense. After losing out on Anderson, Miami turned its focus to Foster after being medically cleared from his Achilles' tendon injury and signed him to a one-year contract. His early performance during the training camp has elicited glowing reports from Gase, and he's quickly seen touches with the first-team offense. Based on both the news on Foster and Ajayi missing time with a knee injury, the 29-year-old Foster's ADP is about 78 overall, which seems to have factored in both his upside and his age and injury history. It should be noted that Ajayi is still listed atop the team's depth chart, but Gase indicated that this was merely a "starting point."
Joe Flacco, QB, BAL
If Flacco was a quarterback who relied upon mobility, his late-season knee injury in 2015 could be a massive concern, but since he's primarily a pocket passer, the fact that he's practicing during training camp is a terrific sign he'll be at full strength come Week 1. Although the Ravens have injury concerns at wide receiver with both Steve Smith and Breshad Perriman big question marks entering the season, the 31-year-old Flacco will have both Kamar Aiken and newly signed Mike Wallace with a solid group of tight ends. He'll also benefit from offensive coordinator Marc Trestman fully implementing his own offense this season. Last year, Trestman kept much of former offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's playbook. That should be excellent news for Flacco's prospects of having a productive season.
Mike Wallace, WR, BAL
While both Smith and Perriman are in danger of missing most, if not all, of training camp, Wallace has gotten the majority of first-team reps, and he's on track to begin the year as a starting receiver in Trestman's passing-friendly system. After Wallace failed to surpass 930 yards in any of his last four seasons, many fantasy owners have written of the veteran, but his skills were hardly utilized while playing with both Ryan Tannehill and Teddy Bridgewater. He'll have every opportunity to take full advantage of Flacco's powerful arm and accuracy, and with an ADP of about 180 overall, he could easily exceed that value.
CHECK STATUS
Brandon Marshall, WR, NYJ
Marshall has been a dominant receiver that multiple teams have not kept on their rosters for long periods. He lasted two years in both Denver and Miami before making it three years in Chicago. After a career-year as a 31-year-old in his first year with the Jets, he was vocal in the offseason about his disapproval of the way the team handled quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract situation. Then, during the first week of training camp, he was involved in a heated argument with Darelle Revis. It's possible this is nothing more than an emotional player having a couple stories blown out of proportion, but it's something to keep an eye on this preseason. If he's unhappy, it could impact his production in a year that fantasy owners may be paying up for his huge numbers from last season.
Thomas Rawls, RB, SEA
It sure took a long time for Rawls to recover from his Week 13 ankle injury, but he was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list this week and appears on track for Week 1. Before being cleared for camp, he was about the 12th running back selected in early fantasy drafts, but his value is sure to vault up a bit with this news, as owners will be excited about the 5.6 yards per carry he posted in 147 carries as an undrafted rookie last year. Although we've clearly seen his upside, he's a player to watch this preseason to see if he has the same juice he displayed before the injury. In addition, it's always wise to be careful when jumping on the bandwagon of players who had success in small samples. When the season begins, he'll no longer be a surprise for opponents, and he'll definitely be a focal point of defenses he faces. A productive preseason will help put some of these questions to rest, but if he struggles, be sure to pay attention to the potential warning signs.
Terrance West, RB, BAL
Yes, we've been here before. West was a popular player in fantasy drafts after being selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2014 draft, but after playing for three NFL teams his first two years in the league, he's been unable to reach four yards per carry for any of those teams. He's now making noise in Ravens camp after losing 15 pounds this offseason, and despite competing against a deep group of running backs, it appears as if the team will give him a chance to compete for a role during preseason games.
Sammie Coates, WR, PIT
After being selected in the third round of the 2015 draft, Coates was often criticized for his lack of conditioning, which likely had much to do with his being inactive for eight regular-season games. However, he appears to have made a much larger commitment to being in shape, and, according to reports, he's had a strong start to training camp. With Martavis Bryant suspended for the season, the second-year receiver will have every opportunity to seize a role as Ben Roethlisberger's primary downfield threat. His performance in preseason games will be pivotal in determining the likelihood of him becoming a major fantasy factor. If he shows well in the preseason, his draft value will certainly move up from his current spot, which is about 116 picks into drafts.
Robert Griffin III, QB, CLE
As expected, Griffin was named the Browns' starting quarterback before the team played its first preseason game. For a player who seemed to have lost his confidence in Washington, his position on the depth chart certainly could have a positive impact in terms of raising his confidence level. It also appears he'll benefit from having talented weapons at his disposal with rookie Corey Coleman, 2015 breakout tight end Gary Barnidge, second-year receiving back Duke Johnson along with the reinstated Josh Gordon, who will be eligible to play in Week 5. For now, he's not a quarterback to trust as more than a deep backup, but a strong performance in preseason games could move him into the realm of fantasy relevance.
FALLING
Jordan Matthews, WR, PHI
Former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly's offense was an excellent fit for Matthews, who scored eight touchdowns in each of his first two seasons in the NFL. However, the outstanding slot receiver potentially faces a significant loss of playing time in new head coach Doug Pederson's scheme, one that is far less likely to use three-receiver sets as a base offense. If that's the case, the third-year player is difficult to endorse at his current value, which is typically about 55 selections into an average fantasy draft. Also, he's expected to miss a couple weeks due to knee soreness, which could hurt him as he tries to acclimate to the new system and possibly push for a role as an outside receiver.
Charles Clay, TE, BUF
Although he posted at least 50 receiving yards five times over his last 10 healthy games after signing with the Bills in 2015, Clay suffered a back injury that shut him down for the remainder of the season. Now in his second year with the team, he's already dealing with back issues in the early days of training camp, and even though he's back on the practice field, it's concerning that the 29-year-old isn't fully healthy. It's difficult to endorse him as a fantasy option unless he has an impressive set of healthy and productive preseason games.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, TB
While only appearing in seven games after suffering a shoulder injury last year, Seferian-Jenkins demonstrated his vast ability by averaging 16.1 yards per reception and hauling in four touchdowns on only 21 catches. However, he didn't endear himself to the coaching staff in the offseason, and he now finds himself second on the depth chart to Cameron Brate. Seferian-Jenkins has reportedly turned up his effort level in recent practices, but the third-year tight end is trending downward entering preseason games.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, TEN
A pair of 100-yard receiving games in the last five games last year caused many fantasy owners to target the 2015 second-round draft choice as a popular breakout candidate this season. Unfortunately, the Titans' coaching staff hasn't been nearly as excited about the physically gifted Green-Beckham, as he's fighting for a starting spot on a team without a ton of talent at receiver. He'll battle throughout preseason with Rishard Matthews and 2016 fifth-round draft pick Tajae Sharpe, and as a result, he's now being selected about 110 picks into drafts after going about 20 picks earlier before the negative buzz started.
