Tampa Bay Training Camp Quick Hits and Wrap-Up
Tampa Bay Training Camp Quick Hits
by Alan Seslowsky
RosterWatch co-founder Byron Lambert is back on the road doing what RosterWatch is best known for. He is collecting actionable intel at NFL training camps that will help you dominate your fantasy drafts. Byron posted instant takes from Tampa Bay’s camp on the RosterWatch Youtube channel. Below are some of the key points that Byron reported back on RosterWatch podcast #277.
Tom Brady Trending Up
Brady looks ageless. He appears spry with good pop on his throws. He looks poised and in control of the offense. Even with the head coach, Bruce Arians, yelling expletives and getting excited during practice, Tom Brady remained even-tempered with a business as usual approach. If Tom Brady is still learning the offense, you would never know it. Byron was convinced enough to give Brady a slight bump in his redraft rankings.
The Tampa Bay Offensive Line
Fantasy players know that the quality of a team’s offensive line is a key piece to unlocking how it’s skill players will perform. The RosterWatch offensive line rankings have Tampa Bay at #12 overall. Our training camp visit confirmed that the Bucs have a strong offensive line that should be able to protect Brady and open up holes for the runners.
Jones looked well built, sturdy, and confident running between the tackles at practice. He was routinely getting yards after contact. Ronald Jones is the clear lead guy in this backfield. Byron Lambert reported that Ronald Jones received over 90% of the first-team snaps. RosterWatch is considering bumping up Jones’ receptions projection slightly based on our boots on the ground intel from practice. His recent ADP rise to the fifth round means you need to draft Jones as your RB2. RosterWatch projects Jones could be a 20+ touch player who starts off hot but descends to an RB3 as the season moves on. We like him at value, but not at his currently inflated ADP.
During the pre-draft process, RosterWatch had a higher-than-market grade on rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Everything we saw this week confirms he is a well-rounded player who can still emerge as the lead runner at some point. The talk that Vaughn will be playing special teams plummeted his ADP. This should not be looked at as a negative as it can be explained by a camp injury to starting return-man TJ Logan. Vaughn’s wide-ranging skill set includes the ability to play on special teams. Vaughn may already be the most talented RB in Tampa, but he will likely need an injury to a player in front of him on the depth chart to be fantasy relevant early in the season.
There is a powerful narrative that Mike Evans’ skill set does not align with Tom Brady’s style of play. ADP reflects this sentiment as Chris Godwin gets drafted ahead of Mike Evans in nearly all drafts. Mike Evans is on a hall of fame trajectory totaling over 1,000 yards every year in the NFL. RosterWatch’s camp visit to Tampa Bay confirms that Mike Evans is going to remain a major part of the passing attack. His third-round ADP remains a nice value.
Chris Godwin
This is RosterWatch’s second season seeing Godwin live at training camp, and he truly is an elite athletic player who is a true beast on the football field. A very natural WR, who Brady is going to lock onto as many suspected. If you do not like the running back options at the end of the second round, Godwin is an excellent pivot to WR. Godwin represents a fair draft value.
Gronk looks healthy and energetic as ever. We are still reluctant to call him a full-time player. It is plausible that he could be deployed similarly to how Antonio Gates was used late in his career; a red-zone specialist. RosterWatch is projecting Gronkowski for 650-700 yards and 6+ TDs in 2020.
Howard has always looked good in practice. What stood out was that OJ was receiving the lion’s share of reps with the first team and Tom Brady. Howard’s ADP is low enough that if you want to take a shot late in your drafts, he can be easily cut from your fantasy team.
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What’s the Rb to own in Jax now?? Followed the cheat cheat but when it got back to me picking in the 2nd all the rbs were gone .
Qb- Big Ben, lock
Hb – Barkley , Taylor , moss , gibson, keshawn vaughn
Wr – galloday, Evans , Sutton , green , Parker
Te – hurst , gronk
Do I drop anyone of them for a Jax rb?
.5 ppr 12 team all jax rb available
chris thompson is the best pickup, then it’s up to you on Ozigbo vs. ARmstead, but Byron’s eyes told him to go with Ozigbo. Your team is fine, It’s hard to believe you got left out on the top RBs but it can happen when you pick at 2 or 3 . you managed a good modified zeroRB approach that we’ll be able to work with easily.
I’d drop lock to pick up one of them
I agree Thompsons PPR appeal is the best bet for early season points. The other guys are low ceiling but viable options. One may emerge, but I wouldn’t break the bank for any.
Alan,
This is extremely useful Thank you.
You’ve penned this in the typically concise, logical manor I love about the RosterWatch Nation!
Best Regards,
Mike
Hi MikeVegas!
Thanks for the really nice feedback. I’m happy this was helpful. We will be with you all season long to support you where needed.
hit me on here or twitter anytime @AlanSeslowsky
Would you move Latavius Murray up at all with Kamara rumors?
QBRB:
Check cheat sheet they have it updated. You nailed it right though. Lat Murray is a serious handcuff. Likely RB30ish.
Got a guy desperate for RB, he has Fournette –
16 team PPR
Offered Carson for Michael Thomas, but he’s countering with CEH for Thomas
RBs: CEH, Ekeler, Carson, Dobbins, Armstead, Kelley
WRs: Robinson, Chark, Fuller, Crowder, Ruggs
WingHeero, you are a swindler of the first order!
I’d rather have CEH than Thomas…
I mean in drafts CEH is going 2 picks before MT so tell the guy that say it makes no sense for you to make a move like that because if you wanted Thomas you woulda drafted him over CEH
push carson and ryquell for MT maybe or
Try and trade him ryquell for something useful ?
UNLESS this is dynasty then its close… Id prefer MT in DYNA.
but still try to get a little more blood from that stone
hey guys keeper question here…12 team ppr..can only keep one…Miles sanders in the 6th,Ridley in the 5th,Sutton in the 8th or Waller in the 13th…ive got the 6th pick in the draft..thanks in advance..keep up the great work.
Sorry 1pt ppr
Can you wait until after the Fournette news? If he doesn’t got to Philly- Sanders is nice keep here. They are all solid options! I’d pass on Ridley for a 5th. Sutton and Waller are great values too. I’d thing long and hard about keeping Waller in the 13th if Sanders falls through
Thanks Byron…Ive got till Thur..I love Waller and Sutton…will watch what goes down with Fournette
Good morning – Happy to be back for a fourth year. Keeper Q – Which players being drafted after the 10 round who have the potential to be breakout players next year and thus worthy of keeping. Looking to target a few later rounders for potential keepers next year.
thanks
Incognito: Thanks for coming back to RW! Glad you are here. Great question. My favorites are usually the 2nd year players that didn’t break out in year one. I prefer
WRs
Paris Campbell
JJAWS
Preston Williams (did break out but injury depressed his ADP)
RBs
Chase Edmonds
Zack Moss
TEs
Jonu Smith
Mike Geisiki
QBs
Daniel Jones
Baker Mayfield
Drew Lock (almost free in 1 QB leagues)
I like kirk ton take a step forward too.
Not 10th round but close.
When iam stuck for a te 2 i go for knox after the guys sez mentioned of course
You are going to die on the Kirk hill arent you Baron?
If you look at the variables the likelihood of a breakout is there..
Nuk is there to soak up all of the DB attention
Fitz may play on the outside leaving Kirk in the slot
a 2nd yr Quarterback that has had a full year to develop and take a bigger step forward
yes. in the 8th round, after starting my drafts rb heavy, I am certainly willing to take stabs at young players like kirk.
All reasonable takes. I can see it.