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PodcastFrom Fantasy Football Today

FFT Express - Training Camp BURNING Questions! (07/21 Fantasy Football Podcast)

STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.

10 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Jul 21, 2026
Published
Tue, July 21, 2026
27
Player insights
23
Players mentioned
Topics
Chuba HubbardJaylen WarrenJonathon BrooksRico DowdleAlec PierceAntonio WilliamsBrock BowersChris RodriguezChristian KirkDe'Zhaun StriblingFernando MendozaJack BechJalen NailorJalen Tolbert
Player analysis

Player insights

27

Alec Pierce

NegativeInjury2:07

Pierce had ankle surgery in March and is still not back as of training camp; the source is concerned that his ADP has not fallen significantly despite the uncertainty around his return timeline and role. The source emphasizes that coming off ankle surgery in March is a major concern and that it's important for him to get back on the field, noting that if he were healthy, ADP would have spiked rather than remained flat.

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Antonio Williams

NegativeDepth Chart8:00

Source hopes Antonio Williams is the number two receiver for Washington; uncertainty exists around the position.

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Brock Bowers

NegativeRole7:00

Tight end whose injury early in the season created opportunities for other receivers; source notes that somebody will need to help out Bowers in production.

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Chris Rodriguez

NegativeValue7:22

Chris Rodriguez Jr. in round 12 is less preferred than Bejal Tootin in late round five for Jacksonville's running back competition, despite the offense's potential.

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Christian Kirk

NegativeDepth Chart7:30

San Francisco signed Christian Kirk, creating uncertainty around the receiving core depth chart and number two receiver role.

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Chuba Hubbard

NegativeDepth Chart3:38

Hubbard is in a position battle with Jonathan Brooks in Carolina. The Panthers let Rico Dowdle leave without bringing in a significant replacement, which suggests they're either expecting a return to Hubbard's 2024 form or expecting Brooks to contribute significantly. The source's concern is that the split could be 50-50, with neither back stepping forward unless an injury occurs or one clearly outperforms the other.

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PositiveValue7:07

In Carolina's running back battle, the source prefers Chuba Hubbard in round seven over Jonathan Brooks in round 10 based on ADP value.

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De'Zhaun Stribling

NegativeDepth Chart7:30

San Francisco drafted Deshaun Stribbling, creating uncertainty around the number two receiver role and Ricky Pearsall's role.

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Fernando Mendoza

NegativeRole7:00

Kirk Cousins report indicates Mendoza may not be the starter for the majority of the season; source characterizes this as 'really crappy' for super flex leagues counting on Mendoza.

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Jack Bech

PositiveBreakout7:00

Did really nothing as a rookie but still has plenty of upside; source suggests target opportunities could unlock value in Las Vegas.

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Jalen Nailor

PositiveSleeper7:00

Buried on depth chart in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison; had four games last year with at least six targets, two of which he scored over 17 PPR points; source suggests target opportunities could unlock value in Las Vegas.

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Jalen Tolbert

PositiveSleeper6:20

One of source's two favorite picks going into the season in round 14 or later; working with Malik Willis in Las Vegas; positioned as a potential consistent target getter from the receiving core.

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Jaylen Warren

PositiveRole5:14

The source expects Jalen Warren to take the Kenneth Gainwell role in Pittsburgh's offense, getting enough carries to remain relevant while also functioning as a 50-catch pass-catcher for Aaron Rodgers. Warren profiles as the better pass catcher and pass blocker compared to Rico Dowdle, making him the preferred target despite Dowdle potentially winning the starting job.

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PositiveRole5:14

Warren is in a position battle in Pittsburgh following Rico Dowdle's arrival. The source's hope is that Warren takes on the Kenneth Gainwell role, suggesting the source sees potential for Warren to carve out a meaningful passing-game role in the offense.

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Jonathon Brooks

PositiveRole4:01

Brooks is expected to return to action in 2026 after missing the entire 2025 season due to a second ACL tear in the same knee. The source notes that if healthy, Brooks can be a significant contributor to the Panthers, and in a position battle with Chuba Hubbard, Brooks would likely be the one to step forward if one back clearly outperforms the other.

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NegativeValue7:07

Jonathan Brooks in round 10 is considered less valuable than Chuba Hubbard in round 7 for Carolina's backfield in the source's ADP analysis.

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Kenneth Gainwell

NegativeUsage12:24

The source had Kenneth Gainwell's rushing statistics incorrect in the sleepers column, though the rushing stats were correct in the tiers published the previous week; the discrepancy suggests potential confusion about his actual rushing volume or efficiency metrics.

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Kirk Cousins

NegativeProjection7:00

Report from Ian Rappaport indicates Kirk Cousins could be the starter for the majority of the season; source characterizes this as 'really crappy' for super flex leagues counting on Fernando Mendoza.

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LeQuint Allen

NegativeRole6:53

LaQuint Allen plays a lot on third downs for Jacksonville and could potentially see increased target volume, creating a three-headed backfield situation rather than a clear Travis Etienne replacement.

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Malik Nabers

NegativeInjury0:25

Nabors was a potential first-round pick at the start of 2026 rankings in January but has fallen significantly due to injury concerns; the source would not take him until the fifth round at this point. He did not look good at a charity softball game running to first base, and there are still concerns about whether he'll be ready for the start of training camp. If he shows up healthy and ready to go with no concerns, the source thinks he could return to around round three in draft value.

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Malik Washington

PositiveSleeper6:20

One of source's two favorite picks going into the season in round 14 or later; working with Malik Willis in Las Vegas; positioned as a potential consistent target getter from the receiving core.

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Mike Evans

NegativeDepth Chart7:30

Source identifies Mike Evans as the clear number one receiver for San Francisco; notes uncertainty around the number two receiver spot.

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Ricky Pearsall

NegativeDepth Chart7:30

Source hopes Ricky Pearsall is the number two receiver for San Francisco; uncertainty exists due to draft of Deshaun Stribbling and signing of Christian Kirk.

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Rico Dowdle

NegativeDepth Chart5:05

Dowdle left Carolina and joined Pittsburgh, reuniting with Mike McCarthy. The source notes this departure from Carolina matters in the context of the Chuba Hubbard-Jonathan Brooks position battle, as the Panthers did not replace him significantly, suggesting they expect either Hubbard or Brooks to handle the workload.

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NegativeRole5:05

Rico Dowdle departed Carolina for Pittsburgh to reunite with Mike McCarthy. The source notes that even if Dowdle wins the starting job, Jalen Warren remains the preferred target due to Warren's superior pass-catching and pass-blocking abilities.

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Travis Etienne

NegativeRole6:40

Jacksonville's offense could be amazing as seen last season, but the source questions whether they will get a true Travis Etienne replacement out of Bejal Tootin or Chris Rodriguez Jr., or if they will instead get a three-headed backfield mess when factoring in LaQuint Allen, who plays a lot on third downs.

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Tre Tucker

NegativeRole7:00

Had a good stretch to start the season when Brock Bowers first got hurt, but really did nothing the majority of the year; source suggests target opportunities could matter for his fantasy value.

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Full transcript

Episode Transcript

137
0:00Training Camps are underway and what are some of the burning questions that we have right now on Fantasy Football Today Express?
0:06Yeah, good time of year. Training Camps are opening.
0:09We're going to get some updates on injuries and position battles.
0:12And let's start with the injuries. Jamie, which injured players could move up or down the most as we enter training camp
0:18and start to get more of a timeline? I think we're all, you know, paranoid every time we see Camp Scadaboo do a backflip.
0:25I think a lot of us would love to see Malik Nabors do a backflip.
0:29So Nabors is probably the biggest one because he's, you know, a player that I think at the start of our rankings
0:36in January when we start to look at the 2026 season, Malik Nabors could be a first round pick.
0:41All right, now maybe a second round pick. We don't know he's going to come back, maybe the third round.
0:47I wouldn't take him until at this point, the fifth round.
0:50So there's just a lot of concern, understandably so.
0:53Did not look good at the charity softball game that he played and running to first base.
0:58Still concerns about will he be ready for the start of training camp?
1:01I think he's the most obvious one that if he shows up healthy, ready to go, no concerns.
1:06I don't think round one, but I do think round three would be something that a lot of people would probably buy
1:13into and understandably so he's just amazing. So we'd love to see him back out there and performing like I'm sure a
1:19lot of Giants fans would like to see. We would like to see it.
1:23And there's an injury to me that is not getting nearly enough attention.
1:27Alec Pierce had ankle surgery in March. He's still not back.
1:30We don't know at what point in training camp he'll be back.
1:33They haven't started their training camp yet, but I just don't understand.
1:37I don't really think we've seen a big fall in ADP here for Alec Pierce.
1:41But for all the uncertainty we have about him and his role and how he's going to be, I understand the excitement,
1:47but the guy's coming off ankle surgery. Not not at one point last year.
1:51We're talking about in March. And I just think it's really important for him to get back out there.
1:57So I'm going to be keeping my eye on that one.
2:00I think for that one, we haven't seen a fall off.
2:03If he was healthy, I think we would have seen a spike.
2:07Oh, maybe, maybe. All right. Which running back position battles are you keeping an eye on?
2:11Oh, there's there's several. I think the three that stand out to me the most and one is sort of tied into injury.
2:18A start there is in Carolina. So Chuba Hubbard, Jonathan Brooks.
2:21You've heard me say time and time again, the personnel moves, I think, are huge here.
2:25The fact that they let Rico Dowdle leave and did not do anything of significance to bring him back either speaks to they're expecting a total.
2:332024 version of Chuba Hubbard or the first time that we'll see the Jonathan Brooks that they drafted in the second round coming into the NFL in 2024.
2:41Brooks did not play in 2025 because of the second ACL tear in the same knee.
2:45But if he's healthy can can certainly be a significant contributor to that team and to the Panthers.
2:51My fear is that it's going to be a 50 50 split.
2:54We don't get either guy stepping forward, at least maybe until an injury occurs or somebody is just that much better.
3:00In that case, it'd probably be Brooks. But that's one you want to keep an eye on.
3:05We'll go to Pittsburgh where the Rico Dowdle departure matters.
3:08You know, so leaving Carolina, going to Pittsburgh, being reunited with Mike McCarthy.
3:11I think that's important to keep an eye on there.
3:14But Jalen Warren, my hope, honestly, is that Jalen Warren takes the Kenneth Gainwell role because I think he's going to get enough carries to still be relevant.
3:22They're running the ball and then could be a 50 catch guy for Aaron Rodgers.
3:27So I don't care if Rico Dowdle wins a starting job.
3:30I still want Jalen Warren. So I think he profiles as the better pass catcher and better pass blocker.
3:35Two other ones to keep an eye on. I guess there's four, not three for me.
3:40So two other ones to keep an eye on.
3:42Washington, we'll see who wins the starting job there, whether it's Rashad White, who they signed or Ja'Cory Krosky Merritt had two
3:49very strong games in his final four outings last year.
3:52But I don't think we'll be involved as much in the passing game.
3:55Rashad White, three of his last four seasons with at least 50 receptions and then Jacksonville.
4:00This offense could be amazing as we saw last season.
4:03But will we get a true Travis Etienne? We still call him Travis Etienne because we're talking past tense.
4:08So we get a true Travis Etienne replacement out of Bejal Tootin or Chris Rodriguez Jr.
4:13Or will we get a three headed mess when you factor in LaQuint Allen, who plays a lot on third downs for
4:19them, and maybe they start to throw him the ball.
4:22So that's one to keep an eye on as well.
4:25Okay, I'm going to give you the ADPs here.
4:27Which values do you like better for Carolina? Chuba Harbord in round seven or Jonathan Brooks in round 10?
4:33Right now Chuba Hubbard. Jalen Warren in round six or Rico Dowdle in round eight?
4:37Jalen Warren around six. Rashad White at the 9-10 turn or Ja'Cory Krosky Merritt at the 10-11 turn?
4:42We're talking PPR Rashad White. Bejal Tootin in late round five or Chris Rodriguez round 12?
4:47Rodriguez around 12. All right, we're going to take a break and talk about wide receiver position battles.
4:52We're going to take a break and talk about the game.
4:55We're going to take a break and talk about the game.
4:58We're going to take a break and talk about the game.
5:01All right, so we went over Carolina, Pittsburgh, Washington, and Jacksonville as running back battles that we're looking at here in training camp.
5:08How about wide receiver position battles? Position battles is not necessarily the best word for wide receivers, but depth chart and who's
5:14going to get the targets, all that. Which wide receiver units are you keeping an eye on?
5:19I'll give you the three worst because I think there's going to be somebody that emerges that will be fantasy relevant.
5:25We'll start in Miami where, you know, there's nobody of significance, at least as of now.
5:30So again, when we're recording this on July 20th, they could still sign any of these teams could sign Stefan Diggs, Devo
5:36Samuel, Tyreek Hill, whoever the case may be. But in Miami, they lose Jalen Waddle.
5:40They lose Tyreek Hill. They bring in, you know, some veteran guys that have bounced around the league or at least had
5:47no real production to to at well. Jalen Tolbert still have Malik Washington.
5:50They draft three rookies. Their best one is coming off a torn ACL, at least based on paper.
5:56Chris Bell, they drafted out of Louisville, but this is just a potential mess.
6:00And we just got through talking about the pros and cons of devil's advocate for Devon H and how his role in the passing game could matter here.
6:08Greg Dalsch, their tight end could matter here. But I think if there is a consistent target getter from this receiving core,
6:14you get a borderline number three receiver. So my two favorites, at least going into the season right now, and again, nothing
6:20more than a pick in round 14 or later, but Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington, just because I think those are the
6:26guys working with Malik Willis right now in Las Vegas.
6:29They signed Jalen Naylor. They have Trey Tucker. They still have Jack Besh.
6:33Besh did really nothing as a rookie, but still has plenty of upside.
6:37Tucker had a good stretch to start the season when Brock Bowers first got hurt, but really did nothing the majority of the year.
6:44And Jalen Naylor has been sort of buried on the depth chart in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
6:49Had four games last year with at least six targets.
6:52Two of those, he was over 17 PPR points.
6:55So hopefully target opportunities matter here for all three of these guys.
6:58But I guess one story we didn't really cover with the news and notes is there was a report from Ian Rappaport
7:04that Kirk Cousins could be the starter for the majority of the season.
7:08That would be, I think, really crappy for anybody in super flex leagues that are counting on Fernando Mendoza, but Cousins will
7:15hopefully get production or Mendoza or the combination of the two.
7:18Somebody's going to have to help out Brock Bowers there.
7:21But really it's, you're trying to find out who on some teams, like who's the number two receiver, who's the number three receiver.
7:27So San Francisco comes to mind. Easy to say Mike Evans.
7:30You would hope that it's Ricky Pearsall at the number two spot, but they draft Deshaun Stribbling.
7:35They still have, they signed Christian Kirk, you know, something to keep an eye on there.
7:40Jacksonville, it's so wide open with almost everybody. Like who's the one who's the two, three of the four.
7:45We'll see who stands out of that team. Who's going to be number two in Washington.
7:50You know, I think we're hoping it's going to be Antonio Williams, but something to keep an eye on there.
7:55Trying to think is any other teams that have like some question marks receiving wise.
8:00Yeah. I'm curious about Cleveland because I'm sorry. That was the other one I was gonna mention from a crappy standpoint.
8:06Yes. Go ahead. Yeah, no, I mean, it was like the, the rookie wide receiver that got the most buzz was the
8:12second round pick Boston and not Concepcio. And so we'll see if that continues.
8:16I saw somebody tweet this, a Browns fan or like blogger.
8:19So I apologize. It was very early in, after the NFL draft that they drafted their version of Jamar Chase and T Higgins.
8:26I think that's a huge leap. Well, I mean, you know, years to come, but you know, huge leap.
8:31I think though you can get almost a very poor man's version of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans where Concepcion is Godwin
8:38getting a lot of targets and leading the team in catches and yards.
8:41And Boston is the touchdown leader because he's a big play guy, but Jerry G is in a factor here.
8:47Obviously, hero fans are going to be a factor here.
8:50Um, and who the quarterback is is going to matter, you know, whether it's just Sean Watson or should or Sanders.
8:56Let me tell you something. You were talking about the dolphins.
8:59I realized I made such a stupid mistake on the devil's advocate episode.
9:03So, you know, I had the, we were talking about a Chan.
9:06I wrote the Bueller Bueller. Yeah. I spelled Bueller wrong.
9:09I spelled it. I spelled it like Walker Bueller, the pitcher and not Ferris Bueller.
9:13So definitely the comments are going to crush me on that one.
9:17Um, my bad. All right. That's it for FF.
9:19If you hadn't said anything, nobody would notice. I think people will notice.
9:23Do you think a lot of people know how to spell Bueller?
9:26I think they know it's not like that. I'm going to put an H in there.
9:31Did you find that or somebody pointed out to you?
9:34No, I found it when you were talking about it.
9:37I was like, Oh, did I spell Bueller wrong?
9:39I think I did. Yeah. You told me like, I gotta go back and fix it.
9:44You said I had, uh, Kenneth Gainwell's rushing stats wrong in the sleepers column.
9:48Um, and I went back and checked because I also have, you know, I published all of my tears last week, you know, grabbing stats from different things.
9:56Like, did I get it wrong there? So I had the rushing stats right in the tears, but I had it wrong in the sleepers column.
10:03Oh, I thought you were going to tell me that you actually had them right.
10:08And that I was wrong again. I was not going to be.
10:11No, no, no. I don't even know where I got those numbers from.
10:15I got to go back and check. Maybe stretch of games.
10:18I don't know. Yeah, maybe. Okay. Well, you let everyone down.
10:21Talk to you tomorrow on fantasy football today. Don't podcasts.

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