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Training Camp Preview: NFC East

Mon Jul 19 10:41am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Prescott should be ready to go

This is the fifth in a series of training camp previews. The previews give you a quick look at each team, going over position battles and injuries to watch in camp. And for this season, all training camps will open at the same time with the exception of three teams. Camp will open Tuesday, July 27 for 29 of the 32 NFL teams. The Steelers and Cowboys will open July 21 because they play in the preseason Hall of Fame Game. And lastly, the Bucs got an exemption to open early because they have the first game of the regular season on a Thursday night. Tampa gets their camp started July 24. The season is right around the corner.

Eagles

The Eagles had a really disappointing season last year, going 4-11-1. The big issue was an inconsistent offense. Philadelphia has handed the keys over to Jalen Hurts, getting rid of Carson Wentz. Hurts is going to be the focus of this training camp. He is going to be the “x” factor. If he can play at a high level, the Eagles could be a dangerous team this season. Hurts and his teammates train at the Philadelphia Eagles NovaCare Training Complex in Philadelphia, Pa.

Position battle: This might not end up being a battle because Zach Ertz could be moved. But as long as he is around, Ertz and Dallas Goedert will battle for playing time at tight end. The Eagles will use a lot of two tight end sets but the starter has more value, getting more targets than the other. So you’ll want to see how this situation plays out in Eagles camp this year. Getting rid of Ertz would help clear up a lot of the confusion for fantasy teams with this situation and help the value of both players.

Injury watch: Jalen Reagor had a disappointing rookie season. He missed five games but didn’t do a whole lot while on the field. But being banged up didn’t help matters for his production. Reagor needs to be healthy and on the field to reach his potential. Remember, the Eagles used a first-round pick on him last year. The talent is there for Reagor, so don’t give up on him after a season.

Giants

The Giants had a lot of injury issues last year, which hurt their season. The defense made strides, which was a positive, though. The issue was an inconsistent offense, led by Daniel Jones. New York needs their franchise quarterback to take a step forward this year. So much of this camp will be on the development of Jones. He needs to play more consistent and at a higher level if the Giants hope to reach their potential. The Giants hold training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center at East Rutherford, N.J.

Position battle: The Giants suddenly have a lot of options at the receiver spot. Kenny Golladay is the No. 1 but it gets a little muddled after him. Darius Slayton, John Ross, Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney should battle for playing time and a good spot on the depth chart in New York. All four can make a case to start and play a big role. They will need to have strong showings in camp and preseason action to secure a good spot in the lineup.

Injury watch: Saquon Barkley tore his ACL in Week 2, missing nearly the entire season. He is making a strong recovery from the injury but might be brought along slowly in camp to make sure he is ready for the start of the season. This is one of the most important injuries to watch in all of football. Barkley is one of the best backs in the game and capable of finishing first overall in fantasy running back scoring. We should have a good idea of his recovery while watching in training camp and preseason action.

Cowboys

Dallas had a bit of a lost season last year, having all sorts of injury problems at several key positions. The team needs to stay healthy this year and get back Dak Prescott as their starting quarterback. The Cowboys certainly have the talent to make a big turnaround this year. We will get a better idea of the status of the team, starting in training camp. Dallas trains at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Position battle: Blake Jarwin tore his ACL in Week 1, opening the door for Dalton Schultz to start for the Cowboys. Schultz played well in a starting role and made a case to remain the starter for the Cowboys going forward. Jarwin could win back the job this year, though, if he plays well in camp and preseason action. Jarwin might be a better pass catcher than Schultz, giving him a possible leg up for the job. This should be a pretty good battle.

Injury watch: Dak Prescott broke his ankle in Week 5 last year and missed the rest of the season. He is expected to be full healthy for the start of training camp, but you will want to keep an eye on him to be sure. Prescott has a huge ceiling in this offense. He was playing at a very high level before the injury last year. Prescott is capable of leading all fantasy quarterbacks in scoring in this offense.

Washington

Washington actually won the division with a losing record last season. The team will look to build on that this year in what should be a more competitive division. Washington added some new pieces on the offensive side of the ball, looking to give that unit a spark. The defense wasn’t the issue last year. It was an inconsistent offense, mainly because of poor quarterback play. Washington will look to right the ship offensively in camp, training at the Bon Secours Washington Football Team Training Center in Richmond Va.

Position battle: Most expectations are that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter for Washington this year, but the team did say it will be a completion with Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke for the starting job. So this isn’t a foregone conclusion just yet. Heinicke will be given a shot to win the job. He played well at the end of last year, making a case to the team to be their full-time starter going forward. Fitzpatrick is the veteran with a lot of experience and success, so he has a big leg up for the job. The two will battle it out in camp and preseason action, though.

Injury watch: Antonio Gibson had a turf toe injury that caused him to miss two games last season. He seems to have fully recovered from the injury and will be 100 percent for the start of the camp. It is something to watch, though, especially if you consider Gibson was not a starting running back in college. He played mostly receiver in college, so you have to wonder a little if he can hold up as a starting running back in the NFL. That is something to keep an eye on this training camp, seeing his conditioning in action.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Training Camp Preview: NFC East

The Paur Report