Training camps are only a couple of weeks away, which means players on the roster bubble are looking to make a mark. And for those already on the roster, there’s always a need to push for more playing time.
This also translates to fantasy football. How else will these players get noticed than through camp and preseason?
Starting with wide receivers, can Breshad Perriman finally make an appearance? Will Devin Funchess have a role in the Panthers’ offense with Kelvin Benjamin back? Can Nelson Agholor be relevant? Are veterans like Rueben Randle and Brandon LaFell worth taking fliers on?
Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens
Perriman was expected to fill right in, in Torrey Smith’s old spot, but injuries derailed those thoughts. He escaped a serious knee injury in the spring, and his timetable is still unknown. Once again, Perriman is leaving fantasy owners in limbo.
John Harbaugh said he expects Perriman to return at some point in camp and to be ready for Week 1. If only we could trust that.
While the Ravens don’t have a great set of receivers, they look better than a year ago. Steve Smith is still around and Kamar Aiken made a name for himself last year. Plus, Baltimore brought in Mike Wallace with Perriman still a question.
To deserve a fantasy roster spot, Perriman has to do something in camp. If he fails to get on the field or appear in a preseason game, there’s really no point in drafting him until the late, late rounds. The Ravens have experienced wide receivers to fill the void as well as Ben Watson and a mix of other tight ends.
Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers
The early news is good on Funchess after being named one of the “stars of OTAs.” But what does that mean? The Panthers are still a run-first team and get Kelvin Benjamin back, who caught 73 balls his first year. Even then, can Cam Newton repeat his passing performance from 2015 (35 TDs)?
It’ll be important for Funchess to build on what he did at OTAs and get more rapport with Newton. In addition to Benjamin, Greg Olsen is still there to go with Ted Ginn and Corey Brown.
It doesn’t seem like Funchess has a high upside in this offense and that will hurt his value. But if Benjamin isn’t completely healthy early on, you never know.
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
The second-year wide out was supposed to break out last season, but that never happened. And at this point, that doesn’t look like happening in 2016.
Agholor had problems at OTAs as well as some off-field issues. Throw in a competition with Rueben Randle to go with a new coach and questions at quarterback and it’s hard to see Agholor having a relevant campaign.
But he can turn that around. Sam Bradford at least has experience and if Agholor can show early signs with Bradford, that’ll only help both of their situations. But if Agholor has a disappointing preseason, he may not even be worth targeting.
Rueben Randle, Philadelphia Eagles
In that same offense, Randle might be the player to look at, especially if he makes some moves in training camp. The latest coming out of Philadelphia is that Randle is the one moving up the depth chart.
He has experience and has never missed a game in his NFL career, so there’s a start. While Randle was never great for the Giants, he can be better than what Agholor was a year ago.
Brandon LaFell, Cincinnati Bengals
LaFell might be in the most interesting situation of any of these guys. He’s not getting a ton of respect in rankings, coming in at No. 72 in the FantasyPros consensus. But Andy Dalton has to throw the ball somewhere.
Just last year, Dalton had 25 touchdowns in the first 12 games before getting hurt. With Tyler Eifert’s status up in the air and rookie Tyler Boyd expected to stay in the slot, LaFell should find plenty of time on the field.
A.J. Green will get his targets, as will the running backs, but LaFell can’t be forgotten. He had a rough 2015 after starting the season injured and never really got back to full strength. In 2014, LaFell went for 953 yards and seven touchdowns, which could easily be his ceiling on the Bengals.
Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu combined for 98 receptions, 1,210 yards and six touchdowns last year and that includes four games with A.J. McCarron.
Give Boyd 500 of those yards and LaFell could still be in the 700-yard, five-touchdown range. Not amazing, but definitely a top-50 wide receiver. But if Boyd blows by him in training camp, all that’s for naught.
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