Join the Footballguys Daily Update
Start your morning with our roundup of the most important stories in football - with the fantasy insight you need to make league-winning decisions. Delivered straight to your inbox, 100% free.
DENVER BRONCOS
The Broncos steamrolled through the NFL last year, finishing 13-3 and earning the 1 seed in AFC. Unfortunately for Peyton Manning and the veteran laden squad, Denver ran into a defensive behemoth in the Super Bowl, getting routed by the Seattle Seahawks. The good news is Denver should return as one of the prohibitive favorites to win the championship. The bad news is Denver had a historically potent offense last year but it wasn't enough to win the trophy. The keys to the championship likely come from improving a defense that ranked 22nd in points allowed.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 7 -- Seattle 9:00 pm
- Aug 17 -- @San Francisco 4:00 pm
- Aug 23 -- Houston 9:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- @Dallas 8:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Is Montee Ball a feature back? -- Based on early ADP data, fantasy owners have already decided Montee Ball is in line for premier fantasy production. After all, Knowshon Moreno was a top 5 fantasy back last year and most believe Ball is the better talent. While Ball certainly has the opportunity to dominate, all eyes will be on his ability to pass protect and catch the ball -- two areas that he must improve in order to stay on the field. Remember, this time last year most assumed Ball would win the starting job; that never happened.
- Defining the WR roles beyond Demaryius Thomas -- Eric Decker took a free agent bonanza from the Jets, but the Broncos quickly found his replacement in Emmanuel Sanders. In addition to Sanders, the team drafted Cody Latimer in the 2nd round. The conventional wisdom entering camp is that Sanders becomes the #2 target while Latimer eats into Wes Welker's role over the course of the season.
- Finding a right tackle -- Orlando Franklin is moving from right tackle to left guard to replace Zane Beadles. Chris Clark -- who started at left tackle last year in place of the injury Ryan Clady -- is the favorite entering camp, but veteran Winston Justice split reps with Clark throughout OTAs and mini-camp.
- Integrating the new defensive pieces -- The defense fell dramatically last year due to injury and sub par play at key positions. With a "win now" mode, Denver moved aggressively to add DeMarcus Ware to the defensive line, and Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward to the secondary.
- The battle at middle linebacker -- Nate Irving will enter camp as the favorite for the MLB position, but he's not guaranteed the job thanks to veteran Jamar Chaney and rookie Lamin Barrow. Barrow excelled in coverage for LSU, and the Broncos are looking for a middle backer that can handle today's spread passing attacks.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Andy Reid's inaugural season in Kansas City was by most accounts a triumph. The team finished 11-5 and was top 10 on both sides of the ball (6th offensively, 5th defensively). Unfortunately the Chiefs season was a tale of two halves. The team started a league-best 9-0 but went 2-5 down the stretch and then suffered the worst 2nd half collapse in NFL playoff history against the Colts. For a team coming off a playoff berth, there are plenty of questions particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 7 -- Cincinnati 8:00 pm
- Aug 17 -- @Carolina 8:00 pm
- Aug 23 -- Minnesota 8:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- @Green Bay 7:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Bray vs. Daniel vs. Murray -- Alex Smith's role as the starter is unquestioned, but the battle for the #2 role should be a spirited one. Rookie Aaron Murray will be the player fans' hope flashes, but both Tyler Bray and Chase Daniel are good fits for Reid's rhythm-based passing attack, too.
- Totally rebuilding the offensive line -- The Chiefs offensive line will have new starters at three positions. Eric Fisher, last year's 1st overall pick, will move to left tackle after struggling at right tackle. Donald Stephenson will be tasked with the right tackle role after serving as the swing tackle. At right guard, there will be a three-way battle in training camp between Rishaw Johnson, Rokevious Watkins and Jeff Linkenbach.
- Who is going to catch the ball? -- Dwayne Bowe was awarded with a monster contract extension last year and did little to earn management's faith with a paltry 57 receptions for 673 yards and 5 touchdowns. Regardless of his struggles, Bowe will again be counted on as the top option. That's a scary thought when you look at the rest of the depth chart: Donnie Avery, Junior Hemingway, A.J. Jenkins, Kyle Williams and a handful of rookie free agents.
- Is Travis Kelce ready for prime time? -- Kelce's rookie season was lost to a knee injury, and the Chiefs lived through a combination of Sean McGrath and Anthony Fasano. Given the aforementioned question marks at WR, the Chiefs could use a breakout showing from Kelce. He has the skills, but his health and work ethic in doubt until we see him produce in the preseason.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Far more questions than aswers for the Silver and Black entering training camp. The team finished 4-12 for the second consecutive season under Dennis Allen, and once again both sides of the ball were abysmal (24th in points scored, 29th in points allowed). This offseason GM Reggie McKenzie let a few of the team's marketable pieces leave via free agency, and focused on aging veterans to plug the holes. There are plenty of jobs up for grabs this preseason, the question is whether any of them have significant fantasy relevance.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 8 -- @Minnesota 8:00 pm
- Aug 15 -- Detroit 10:00 pm
- Aug 22 -- @Green Bay 8:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- Seattle 10:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Matt Schaub vs. Derek Carr -- Matt Schaub's penchant for turnovers led to his benching and eventual departure from Houston, yet it's not hard to make the case he's a significant upgrade at the position for Oakland. What's unclear is what incentive the Raiders have in sticking with Schaub if they lose early; in which case we could see heir apparent Derek Carr inserted for experience and an extended tryout for whoever coaches the team in 2015.
- Darren McFadden vs. Maurice Jones-Drew -- Another season, more injuries for Darren McFadden. The veteran RB failed to stir up interest in free agency and returned with his tail between his legs to Oakland, where he'll battle for carries against Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew seems long removed from his 1,608-yard season in 2011, and even though he played 15 games last year in Jacksonville, he averaged 3.4 yards per rush (a yard under his career mark). Both backs believe they will be the team's workhorse, and fantasy owners aren't paying much for either veteran. If one stands out during camp, particularly Jones-Drew, expect their ADP to rise a few rounds.
- Settling an unsettled WR depth chart -- Rod Streater led the team with 60 receptions for 888 yards and 4 touchdowns, and appears to have an edge for one of the starting spots. James Jones and Greg Little were added in free agency and the mercurial Denarius Moore remains on the roster. Andre Holmes flashed last year in limited work (17.2 yards per reception) and is an intriguing dark horse for a team that needs vertical game breakers.
- Stabilizing the offensive line -- Oakland let Jared Veldheer leave in free agency and replaced him with the inferior Donald Brown. At least the team improved at right tackle with Austin Howard. In the interior, rookie Gabe Jackson will be given an opportunity to compete against Kevin Boothe, Khalif Barnes, Tony Bergstrom and Lucas Nix.
- Rebuilding the defensive line -- The Raiders added Lamarr Woodley, Justin Tuck and Antonio Smith -- three veterans who are on the downslope of their careers. Is that enough to change the tenor of a struggling unit?
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Mike McCoy's first season in San Diego was a success, as the team battled to a 9-7 finish and a wild card berth. More impressively the team won a playoff game against Cincinnati. Entering 2014, the Chargers made few meaningful changes in free agency and aren't counting on their rookies to play significant minutes. This training camp will be about reinforcing McCoy and Pagano's systems while trying to keep the veterans healthy.
Preseason Game Schedule
- Aug 7 -- Dallas 10:00 pm
- Aug 15 -- @Seattle 10:00 pm
- Aug 24 -- @San Francisco 4:00 pm
- Aug 28 -- Arizona 10:00 pm
What We're Watching
- Will the Chargers miss Ken Whisenhunt? -- Mike McCoy's best decision as a rookie head coach may have been hiring his former mentor Ken Whisenhunt as offensive coordinator. Whisenhunt has proven in three stops (Pittsburgh, Arizona and San Diego) that he's a difference maker as a play-caller. Now McCoy will count on Frank Reich to fill Whisenhunt's considerable shoes. Was last year's success McCoy's or Whisenhunt's? We're about to find out.
- Can Philip Rivers and Ryan Mathews maintain last year's form? -- Rivers thrived in McCoy's system (QB5, 4,478 yards and 32 TDs) and re-established himself as one of the league's better passers. Meanwhile Ryan Mathews finally stayed focused and healthy for an entire season; showcasing the franchise abilities (RB12, 1,444 yards and 7 TDs) Norv Turner saw in him but never quite materialized. Can both veterans maintain near-elite production? Fantasy owners are betting against Rivers repeating but are more confident in Mathews.
- Who starts opposite Keenan Allen? -- Allen was better-than-advertised as a rookie (71 receptions for 1,046 yards and 8 TDs) and is firmly established as the Chargers top receiving option. The rest of the WR depth chart will figure itself out in camp depending on who's healthy and who catches the coaches' eyes. Vincent Brown -- last year's preseason fantasy sleeper -- would be the preferred starter given his age and upside but neither Eddie Royal nor Malcom Floyd will give up their roles easily.
- Antonio Gates vs. Ladarius Green -- One is a borderline Hall of Famer coming off a top 10 fantasy season. The other is a 24-year old with 21 career receptions. Yet, many fantasy owners prefer Green to Gates. While Gates appears to have lost a step or two, it's hard to imagine that Green -- who "broke out" with 17 receptions last year -- is a credible threat to Gates' job in 2014. It's possible though that Green could flash the kind of potential that turned Julius Thomas into a playmaker in Denver. If Green stars in camp, perhaps the fantasy hype will be warranted. More likely expect Gates to keep a solid hold on his job for at least another season.