What’s new from NFL training camps: Insights from 16 teams’ practices and fantasy football tips
The buzz around NFL training camps is at an all-time high as the 2025 season approaches, with fresh faces, new strategies, and lineup changes stirring excitement for fans and fantasy players alike. Senior ESPN NFL reporters Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler recently wrapped up a whirlwind tour across 16 team camps, gathering the latest updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and actionable fantasy football advice. Here’s what’s shaking up the league this summer—and what you need to know.
Changing of the Guard and Rookie Watch
A major story this camp season is the rise of rookie quarterbacks. In Minnesota, all eyes are on J.J. McCarthy, whose camp has been described as a mix of “great moments” and crucial “teaching moments.” While the Vikings defense is giving McCarthy plenty to learn from, optimism for his future remains strong. Over in Chicago, the spotlight is on Caleb Williams, who seems to be responding well after early struggles, impressing teammates like safety Kevin Byard with his raw talent and leadership: “He’s probably the most talented quarterback I ever played with,” Byard noted.
Veteran Leadership and Team Culture
For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, veteran QB Baker Mayfield is settling into a leadership role and embracing continuity despite year-to-year coordinator turnover. New receivers like Emeka Egbuka are quickly gaining respect from the locker room. As GM Jason Licht put it, Egbuka “looks like he’s been in the league for 10 years.” Continuity is also front and center in Green Bay, where Jordan Love is more vocal and comfortable than ever as the team’s starter. Coach Matt LaFleur emphasizes Love’s “aura” and raised expectations, with a reinforced young offense around him.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens are focusing on bridging the gap between regular season dominance and postseason struggles, combating past turnover issues with new intentional practice habits and facility-wide visual learning tools. Coach John Harbaugh is determined: “You want to do everything you can to make it better.”
Depth, Defense and Battles for Starting Spots
In Indianapolis, the Colts’ quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones is “neck and neck.” Coach Shane Steichen is clear: “We’re going to let this thing play out, but both have made progress.” Cleveland’s competition is even more open, with four QBs vying for the job and Joe Flacco’s known commodity giving the Browns room to experiment.
On defense, the Detroit Lions remain one of the most physical teams at camp, with a hard-hitting culture under Dan Campbell. New additions like Terrion Arnold and Marcus Davenport are drawing attention for their impact. In Atlanta, revamped trenches and new faces like rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are expected to bolster a pass rush that languished last season.
Fantasy Football Spotlight: Key Tips from Camp Observations
Training camp isn’t just about the Xs and Os—fantasy implications are everywhere. In multiple camps, RB competitions and emerging backs are a hot topic. In Tennessee, Tony Pollard still leads but Tyjae Spears is generating buzz: “Something close to 100 carries wouldn’t be shocking,” Fowler notes. Tampa Bay loves rookie Bucky Irving so much he could steal the RB1 job from Rachaad White, while Mayfield himself raves about Irving’s vision.
For late-round steals, Keaton Mitchell looks rejuvenated in Baltimore’s backfield, ready to complement Derrick Henry’s workload after overcoming injury. Similarly, the Eagles’ rookie RB Will Shipley is active and could command the third-down role, especially with veteran Kenneth Gainwell gone, while new addition AJ Dillon would benefit the most from any Saquon Barkley downtime.
Looking for dynasty and keeper league gems? Team-specific positional battles—like the Commanders’ Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Lions’ sleeper Dominic Lovett—could offer big rewards at minimal risk.
Coaching Transitions and New Philosophies
Camp also highlighted new playcalling and philosophies. Philadelphia’s new OC Kevin Patullo is set to maintain the Eagles’ play-action-heavy, run-first DNA, keeping continuity for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. The Bengals are aiming for a more versatile offense, with Tee Higgins poised to see reps in the slot and a sharpened focus on getting out to early leads.
In Jacksonville, Travis Hunter’s unprecedented two-way role as WR and CB is the talk of the league—general manager James Gladstone calls him a “player that changes the math” for game-day strategy. Similarly, the Miami Dolphins are emphasizing open communication, honest feedback, and a growth mindset as they try to cultivate a more resilient team culture after a rocky 2024.
For more coverage and live training camp updates, check out recent camp reports and in-depth player spotlights.
Looking Ahead: Takeaways and Season Impact
As the pads come on and preseason edges closer, position battles, rookie progressions, and coaching changes are shaping what could be a highly competitive and unpredictable NFL season. The energy and optimism from camp are fueling expectations, but the real test starts in September. Fantasy managers, meanwhile, should keep a close eye on late-depth chart risers and take notes as rosters trim down and injury reports surface—those small camp insights might just be the edge you need for your fantasy glory.
Source: www.espn.com