
Fantasy Football Insider
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: Daily Fantasy Football news. NFL updates and how the affect Fantasy sports.
Transcript
Welcome to "Fantasy Football Insider," brought to you by Big Dill Sports. I'm your host, Dillon, here to guide you through the latest updates from the opening days of NFL training camps. We've got injury news, standout performances, and depth-chart battles that could shake up your fantasy football strategies. So let's dive into the action!
Training camps are bustling with activity, and Daily Fantasy Sports managers have plenty to process after yesterday's updates. Starting with Seattle, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is on the non-football injury list due to a back issue. This move could open up opportunities, especially for rookie standout Elijah Arroyo, who had a strong first practice. Kenneth Walker III, after some ankle concerns, is back on track and fully participated in drills, which is a great sign for his upcoming workload.
In Tennessee, there's a major shift as QB Will Levis is out for the season. This positions Cam Ward as the starter, making him an enticing sleeper pick for redraft leagues and DFS lineups. Meanwhile, Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson is in a contract holdout. It's a defensive issue but could impact how often Joe Burrow faces pressure, affecting the performance of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Now, over to Tampa Bay, where Chris Godwin’s ankle soreness may keep him sidelined, offering more opportunities to rookies like Emeka Egbuka. And speaking of depth-chart battles, Washington's Jayden Daniels is connecting well with Deebo Samuel during practices. With Terry McLaurin not reporting, Samuel's fantasy ceiling could significantly rise.
In Green Bay, rookie Matthew Golden is turning heads and might be a bargain pick alongside Jayden Reed. Over in Cleveland, the QB spotlight is on Kenny Pickett, who’s taking first-team reps, while Joe Flacco is sitting out. This could lock Pickett into a starting role.
Let’s talk about emerging sleepers. Houston’s Jayden Higgins is one to watch, especially with Tank Dell out. His size and speed make him a perfect DFS tournament pivot. In Tampa, Emeka Egbuka's stock is climbing due to Godwin's injuries. On the opposite end, Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty hasn’t gained the trust he needs, so keep his ADP in check for now.
For quarterbacks, with the Titans' QB battle heating up, keep your eyes on Anthony Richardson. His mobility makes him a strong contender if he secures the starting position. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts demonstrated impressive accuracy in Philadelphia's camp, reaffirming his high value in DFS.
Some quick notes from the rushing and receiving lines: Cleveland's Jerome Ford is dealing with a minor injury, boosting Dylan Sampson’s appeal. The Jets’ Braelon Allen looked explosive and might see an expanded role this season.
And of course, each episode, I spotlight a player who is a 'big dill.' This week, it's Jayden Higgins. With his speed and the current situation in Houston, he’s poised to make a serious impact as a sleeper pick. Don’t let him slip under your radar!
Before we wrap up, remember to check for the latest cheat sheets and updates on your fantasy lineups. These early camp days are crucial for spotting emerging stars and adjusting your strategies.
That’s it for today’s Fantasy Football Insider from Big Dill Sports. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you the insights you need to dominate your fantasy league. Until next time, keep your lineups sharp and your strategies sharper!
**Introduction**
Daily Fantasy Football managers received a flurry of critical updates on July 23, 2025, as NFL training camps officially opened across the league. Key injury designations, roster moves and early practice observations are already reshaping preseason ADP (Average Draft Position) trends and DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) pricing. Below, we break down the most impactful developments—from notable injuries and non-football designations to surprise standouts and depth‐chart battles—that should factor into your Week 1 shuffle of preseason DFS lineups and redraft league rankings.
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## Injuries and Non-Football Lists Impacting DFS Value
• Seattle Seahawks veteran nose tackle Johnathan Hankins was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list with a back issue, meaning he must sit out at least the first four regular-season games if he remains on NFI through preseason. While Hankins is a defensive lineman, this move signals the Seahawks’ cautious approach to veteran usage, potentially freeing up practice reps for Kenneth Walker III and reshuffling red zone opportunities for rookie Elijah Arroyo (seventh‐round pick), who had a standout first practice ([fieldgulls.com](https://www.fieldgulls.com/2025/7/23/24473358/nfl-news-seattle-seahawks-place-johnathan-hankins-non-football-injury-list?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• RB Kenneth Walker III returned at full capacity Wednesday after an ankle issue, logging every drill on Day 1 of camp. Coach Mike Macdonald praised Walker’s mental and physical readiness, suggesting his Week 1 workload will remain high—an important sign for DFS pricing, as Walker’s per-carry and touchdown projections hinge on his early-season health and volume ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php), [hogshaven.com](https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/7/24/24469766/all-atwitter-24-july-2025-commanders-players-start-training-camp-with-high-expectations-for-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Titans QB Will Levis underwent a season-ending shoulder surgery and was placed on injured reserve July 23. His absence cements incumbent Cam Ward as Pittsburgh’s Week 1 starter, boosting Ward’s sleeper appeal in both redraft and DFS circles, with an expected uptick in passing volume ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
• On the flip side, Cincinnati DE Trey Hendrickson was marked “did not report” amid a contract dispute. Though a defensive player, his holdout could alter the Bengals’ front‐seven rotations and affect how often Joe Burrow faces pressure—an intangible that can ripple through passing‐game efficiencies and target shares for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
• Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin remains sidelined with ankle soreness and has no firm return timeline. In daily fantasy formats, his absence early in the season likely inflates targets and snaps for emerging Bucs pass-catchers like rookie Emeka Egbuka and Chris Oladokun ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
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## Training Camp Standouts and Depth-Chart Battles
• In Washington, QB Jayden Daniels impressed on Day 1 with a precision strike to Deebo Samuel, underscoring the burgeoning Daniels-Samuel connection. Meanwhile, WR Terry McLaurin was placed on the Reserve/Did-Not-Report list amid a contract stalemate, creating a near-term fantasy void and enhancing Deebo Samuel’s target ceiling if McLaurin’s holdout continues into the season’s first weeks ([hogshaven.com](https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/7/24/24469766/all-atwitter-24-july-2025-commanders-players-start-training-camp-with-high-expectations-for-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [hogshaven.com](https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/7/23/24469770/daily-slop-23-jul-25-as-expected-commanders-placed-rg-sam-cosmi-on-pup-list-today?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Green Bay’s wide receiver room is tantalizingly wide-open. First‐round rookie Matthew Golden joins Jayden Reed (led GB in receiving yards in 2024), Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson in a crowded corps. Both Golden (ADP: WR46) and Reed (ADP: WR45) offer value at WR4 pricing, with the potential to emerge as a favorite if either can separate early in camp and preseason ([bleacherreport.com](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25226031-fantasy-football-impact-nfl-training-camps-biggest-battles?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• Cleveland’s QB competition provided mixed signals: Kenny Pickett received first-team reps in Wednesday’s 11-on-11, while veteran Joe Flacco sat out the session. Pickett’s early rapport could lock him into the starter’s role, making him a late-round dart in two-QB and Superflex formats ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
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## Emerging Sleepers and Stock Report Movers
• FanDuel Research highlights Texans WR Jayden Higgins as a prime July sleeper. With Tank Dell expected to miss time following an ACL/MCL injury and Stefon Diggs in New England, Higgins (ADP: WR53) could seize boundary snaps alongside Nico Collins. His 6'4" frame and 4.47-second 40-yard dash profile him as a DFS tournament pivot should he carve out an early role ([fanduel.com](https://www.fanduel.com/research/5-fantasy-football-sleepers-to-monitor-during-2025-nfl-training-camps?utm_source=chatgpt.com)).
• WalterFootball’s July 23 Stock Report flagged Bucs rookie Emeka Egbuka as a riser amid Chris Godwin’s ankle woes, noting Egbuka’s polished route-running and late-spring ankle repair as positive precursors to a potential three-WR set role ([walterfootball.com](https://walterfootball.com/fantasy2025trainingcamp.php)). Conversely, Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty drew early concern for lacking starter-level trust, suggesting his ADP should remain parachute territory until midseason ([walterfootball.com](https://walterfootball.com/fantasy2025trainingcamp.php)).
• 49ers WR Jauan Jennings confirmed he has not requested a trade, stabilizing his fantasy stock as a complementary piece behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. His role in Kyle Shanahan’s offense could present sneaky DFS value in two-WR sets when he’s active ([walterfootball.com](https://walterfootball.com/fantasy2025trainingcamp.php)).
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## Quarterback Dynamics and DFS Considerations
• With Will Levis on IR, Titans camp spotlight shifts to Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones sharing first-team snaps. Richardson’s mobility upside (ADP: QB17) gains steam if he wins the job, but Jones’ proven accuracy affords a safer floor in Superflex and DFS cash games ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
• Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts went 14-for-15 on passes in his first camp practice, reasserting his high-floor, high-ceiling DFS profile. Early camp excellence typically correlates to Week 1 scripts heavy on RPO (run-pass option) and goal-line carries—key scoring boosts in daily formats ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
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## Rushing and Receiving Notes
• Cleveland RB Jerome Ford missed Wednesday’s session with an unspecified minor injury, keeping Nick Chubb (if activated) and 2025 draftee Dylan Sampson in play. Ford’s absence could push Sampson’s value upward if the issue lingers ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
• New York Jets RB Braelon Allen looked explosive and figures to have an expanded role in Year 2. Early buzz in camp could translate to improved goal-line opportunities and PPR upside in DFS contests ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
• Raiders WR Dont’e Thornton continues to work with the first-team unit, justifying his mid-round ADP as a potential breakout if he capitalizes on early chemistry with Jimmy Garoppolo ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
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## Rankings and Cheat Sheet Updates
• WalterFootball refreshed its 2025 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets (Top 250 PPR, Half-PPR, 2-QB) on July 23, with early adjustments for Emeka Egbuka, Jayden Higgins and Ashton Jeanty. Managers should download the updated PDF for the latest tier busts and value arcs ([walterfootball.com](https://walterfootball.com/fantasy2025trainingcamp.php)).
• RotoWire’s NFL DFS optimizer and depth charts have integrated the above injury and roster news, impacting projected snap counts and target shares. Be sure to re-run your optimizer lineups with updated PUP/NFI data for the first full slate of preseason games ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
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**Conclusion**
Yesterday’s batch of training camp developments underscores the fluidity of preseason fantasy football values. Injuries to key playmakers like Chris Godwin and Will Levis have created instant sleepers (Emeka Egbuka, Cam Ward), while rookie standouts in Green Bay and Houston offer low-ownership pivots in DFS tournaments. As daily contests transition to August’s preseason weekends, keep an eye on depth-chart shifts, second-team reps and non-football designations: they’re the catalysts for value swings in both redraft and DFS landscapes. Updated cheat sheets and optimizer settings should reflect these July 23 updates ahead of Sunday’s practice sessions.
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