The NFL universe is opening back up. Last year around this time, teams were hunkered down, just hopeful to finish a practice without any COVID-19 issues. Reporters watched the action from assigned circles before scurrying back to their cars for uninspired videoconferences. Most human interaction was reduced to waves from the distance of a Patrick Mahomes deep ball.
Now, a sense of normalcy has flooded camps around the league. Media can roam sidelines and chat with coaches and players. Reporters can small-talk team officials without internet buffering. And that means more insight into the teams you love.
I'm fresh off the road, traveling nearly 7,000 miles by plane and another 700 by car, popping into Miami before hitting the West Coast. After working the sidelines -- water bottle in one hand, notebook and team roster in the other and sunscreen in the rental car nearby -- here's a sizable notebook on what I learned at the camps for the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins, including how each team is looking in the early going and a bunch of useful fantasy tips for all five potential playoff teams. Let's start in Dallas.
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DAL | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA
Dallas Cowboys
Date visited: Aug. 10
Return of the Dak
The big question Tuesday was where quarterback Dak Prescott stood with his shoulder injury that put him on ice for much of camp. The Cowboys switched from a full practice to a walk-through, so there wasn't much to glean from a competitive standpoint. But the team was pleased with Prescott's brief throwing session with Amari Cooper as both ran through the no-huddle paces against air.
After asking around throughout camp, I sense zero concern that Prescott's shoulder issue will linger. As of Tuesday, the team was evaluating whether to play Prescott a series or two in the second preseason game Aug. 21 against Houston. This would be Prescott's first game action since Oct. 11, when he injured his now-surgically repaired ankle.
The Cowboys are putting Prescott through a ramp-up period of seven to 10 days, and light throwing is part of the process. They don't want him firing the ball right after sitting for an extended period.
The ankle is almost an afterthought now. The team figured once Prescott was clear of infection post surgery, the road to full recovery was clean. Early in camp, Prescott even made a point to roll to his left and fire deep down the sideline in 7-on-7, without a pass rush. I'm told he worked on that particular throw a lot in the summer, making sure that last hurdle was easy to clear.
Quinn-ing
Every team is optimistic in August, but the Cowboys' giddiness overflows. There's a sense of relief here, as in a feeling of "this is what we were supposed to be." Coach Mike McCarthy getting his first full training camp in Oxnard with a healthy team engenders such feelings. But the buzz around defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is palpable with just about everyone associated with the team.
I'll put it this way: Some with the Cowboys are already wondering whether Quinn will get another head-coaching job somewhere. That's how sizable an impact Quinn has made thus far.
Dallas has upgraded talent, to be sure, adding 15 new defensive players via free agency and the draft. But the Cowboys believe they are more organized -- with more talkative players -- under Quinn. He goes to great lengths to foster communication. Safety Damontae Kazee, who was with Quinn in Atlanta, told me Quinn once mic'd him up for Falcons training camp practices because he wasn't vocal enough. The idea was, he could listen back and imagine he was an offense facing such a quiet opposing safety.
Quinn promises more variety with his scheme that he refreshed in between jobs this offseason, believing he needed a new look.
"This package is truly new, where we're going," Quinn said. "It [won't] be just one thing that we've done before."
Cowboys fantasy tips and camp notes
That the Cowboys expect a massive year from Ezekiel Elliott is not just something to say; they are banking on a major rebound, possibly in the form of his first 20-carry-per-game season since 2018. Sure, the Cowboys have too many high-level receivers to ignore. But they want to sustain drives more consistently this year, largely to help the defense, and feeding Elliott is the still the best way to do that. As one team source said, last year's lack of explosion wasn't all his fault, with a depleted line limiting the chances to break free. "But he's taken the criticism, and he's turning it into fuel," the source added. "He's got juice out there." The tricky part is they will have a hard time keeping Tony Pollard off the field. They want snaps for him, too.
I asked DeMarcus Lawrence walking off the practice field whether he expects fewer double-teams this year. "Hell yeah," he said. Lawrence faced a reasonable 46 double-teams last year, per ESPN Stats & Information. But Lawrence gets plenty of attention from offenses because the Cowboys haven't had dominant rushers on the other side. Lawrence seems to like the odds of that changing, either through scheme or personnel, including first-round linebacker Micah Parsons.
There was major praise for tight end Dalton Schultz around camp. He shouldn't get lost in the mix despite the return of Blake Jarwin from injury. Some with the Cowboys low-key thought Schultz got better than any other Cowboy in 2020 based on his capacity. Jarwin is a great runner, so they want him doing that to get open while Schultz does a little bit of everything.
Dallas was concerned about overloading Parsons, who can blitz, cover and make open-field tackles. That's a lot for any rookie. But Quinn and the staff believe they've streamlined all those duties so that Parsons can go downhill. It's sort of a three-in-one approach: He can line up a certain way but make a move based on the play call or where he's directed.
Receiver Michael Gallup is legitimately excited to get reps inside and out, but it's not just him. The Cowboys envision interchangeable parts among Cooper, Gallup and CeeDee Lamb, going with the favorable matchup each passing down. And that's partly why they paid Prescott $40 million per year; his mastery of the offense makes sure the ball goes where it needs to go based on the defense.
The money crunch between Cooper and Gallup is real, and a calculation Dallas will continue to consider internally. Gallup is a 2022 free agent, and Cooper is owed $20 million, with a $22 million cap hit and $6 million in dead money. They'd love to keep both, but that might not be possible.
Dallas is not overly eager to find cornerback help via free agency or the draft. The Cowboys believe Trevon Diggs will make the sophomore jump, and Kelvin Joseph, this year's second-round pick, is probably ahead of schedule.
Las Vegas Raiders
Dates visited: Aug. 6, 11
How Yannick got here
The Raiders are counting on Yannick Ngakoue to improve the league's 29th-ranked pass rush, which Ngakoue plans to do thanks to one simple fact: He has a stable home. He admits he had a tough time maximizing his pass rush last season after getting traded twice in a span of two months.
"You'll see a different version of me," said Ngakoue, who signed a two-year, $26 million deal with Las Vegas in March. "I'm not a big talker. I let my pads talk. But I just feel like I've been treating myself well mentally and physically."
Ngakoue produced eight sacks in 2020 but felt compromised -- an issue he foresaw when he turned down a long-term deal from Jacksonville at around $19 million per year, with around $50 million in the first two years. The two-time Pro Bowler wanted out of Jacksonville that badly. Minnesota traded for him Aug. 30, which he admits was hard due to lack of reps before game action.
Ngakoue said he could have stayed in Minnesota -- which traded him to Baltimore in October -- but chose to leave. He and GM Rick Spielman had a meeting, and both agreed a parting was mutually beneficial. He called Minnesota a "great place."
But his snaps got cut in half with the Ravens.
"I feel like in Baltimore, I wasn't utilized the right way. That rotation was kind of ugly for me," Ngakoue said. "Pass rushers need rhythm. You have to have multiple plays to set up moves, and I felt like I didn't have that there."
The process reinforced Ngakoue's need for the right fit and what he calls "good energy." He feels at home in Las Vegas, which defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, his first head coach in Jacksonville, sold him on as a destination in free agency. Ngakoue will start on the right edge and likely maintain a high usage each week. The Raiders believe he can adequately stop the run and rush the passer, and he has developed a good bond with bookend Maxx Crosby, so Las Vegas wants those two in sync.
"In free agency, [Bradley] told me this was a great spot for both of us to grow together," he said. "I feel like this is the spot for me based on the energy I'm feeling. Just from the first day I walked in the building, I can tell guys want to be close, guys want to win, and I just feel like this is a great opportunity for myself to try to help lead this group and bring back this 82-83' Raiders [feel]."
Ngakoue considers himself a historian, and he's hoping the Raiders can invoke the spirit of the dominant Raiders teams that were led by Lyle Alzado and Howie Long.
"I still have a lot of dreams and aspirations to be one of the greatest to play this game," Ngakoue said. "And there are great pass rushers who played on multiple teams -- Kevin Greene, Chris Dolan, guys like that who played on four teams before and dominated on a high level. I can do that."
AFC West speed kills
Keeping up in the AFC West means adding speed, and the Raiders feel good about their ability to separate on offense. Las Vegas believes John Brown's 4.3 40-yard dash pedigree has largely held up at age 31, and if Henry Ruggs III makes a sophomore jump, the Raiders have two burners to complement the offense. Zay Jones, who has had a strong camp, is a 4.4 guy with size.
"I think we're right there," Jones said about the team speed. "Really talented guys in respect to other teams in our division. We have to prove it, though. It's not just a combine shirts and underwear 40s. This is grown man football. To be able to put it on film and to run by guys on film and to put up numbers, that's what proves it. As far as the speed, the potential we have as a receiver core with John Brown, Henry, Bryan [Edwards], all those guys. Darren [Waller] I would include as well. We have the weapons to do it."
Raiders fantasy tips and camp notes
Waller has missed camp with an ankle issue, but this is not concerning. He has nothing to prove, so the team is taking it slow. If prepping for a regular-season game, Waller would probably be fine. He is one of the best values in the NFL, with salaries of roughly $6 million over each of the next three years. He signed a three-year extension before he became a star, as the Raiders believed in him early. But the team will probably have to address this deal eventually. There's little chance he plays out all three years at that clip, and another massive year from Waller forces the Raiders back to the negotiating table sooner than later.
Betting on a Raiders wide receiver in fantasy could be tough because there's good depth but no breakout star. At least not yet. Las Vegas is prioritizing Ruggs, Edwards and Hunter Renfrow, knowing each could have their breakouts in their own way. The Raiders believe Renfrow can become one of the league's top slot guys in 2021, and the trust between Edwards and QB Derek Carr is palpable at Raiders HQ. This is Edwards' first healthy camp, so he has opened some eyes. In the red zone, Carr has no issues throwing to Edwards' shoulders and letting him outmuscle the corner. Ruggs should be the safest play because he seems too talented to bust. The Raiders are working with Ruggs on making defenses feel his 4.2 speed by constantly staying on the attack off the line of scrimmage and refining his route-running. Expect some crossers and quick-hitting stuff in his arsenal to get him going and complement the deep ball. The Raiders also emphasized getting stronger, so Ruggs has added about 12 pounds this offseason.
Las Vegas wants to get running back Josh Jacobs into the second level cleanly. That didn't happen often enough in 2020, and internally, the team saw zero drop-off in Jacobs' play despite his 3.9 yards per carry. He just didn't have the blocking. The Raiders believe first-round tackle Alex Leatherwood's run-blocking prowess, when paired with Kolton Miller on the left side, will solidify the edge more often for Jacobs.
Trayvon Mullen has been a consistent cornerback in training camp. He'll be hard to take off the field in Year 3. Nate Hobbs is an intriguing slot-corner option while Nevin Lawson serves a suspension. The Raiders like him a lot. And they are hoping Damon Arnette will be the man-press matchup guy they need. He has gotten second-team reps, but I've been told he will have a solidified role in this defense.
Los Angeles Chargers
Dates visited: Aug. 7-8
Herbert's progression
Justin Herbert throws feathery bullets. That's basically how coach Brandon Staley described Herbert's throwing to me after last Saturday's session. That Herbert has plenty of arm is no secret. But he's not throwing bricks that bounce off hands and helmets.
"How effortless he throws the football, his revolutions, his velocity -- it kind of sneaks up on you," Staley said. "He's got a strong arm, and it's coming, but it's still catchable and pure for those receivers where they can bring it in cleanly."
This is perfect for receivers, frustrating for defensive backs who watch Herbert throw with touch and velocity. When it comes to Herbert making any possible throw, on the move or from the pocket, "it doesn't surprise me anymore," safety Derwin James Jr. said, "now that I'm seeing it everyday."
A full offseason with new coordinator Joe Lombardi has Herbert in his comfort zone. Last week, Herbert relayed plays in a scrimmage setting entirely from his headset, ditching the wristband. That was a big step.
The buzz couldn't be larger for Herbert, who heard M-V-P chants from fans behind his new conference Sunday.
The defensive engine
Staley has coached cornerback Jalen Ramsey from his days as Rams defensive coordinator and now James with the Chargers. Both of those players were Florida State teammates and are still close friends.
"[James] is one of the few peers that Jalen sees as a guy who can live up to his ability," Staley said.
That's high praise for a player who will be the engine of the Chargers' defense. Despite missing 27 games the past two years due to foot surgery and a meniscus tear, the Chargers are giving James more, from slot-corner duties to post-safety roaming and blitzing. His injuries don't have to be managed, so no one's holding back. Which is exactly how James wants it.
Chargers fantasy tips and camp notes
Not many receivers are in a better spot than Mike Williams, who will make $15.7 million on a fifth-year option before hitting free agency. I'm hearing the Chargers and Williams are not expected to reach a long-term extension. It's easy to figure out why: Williams is in a great financial spot by simply staying put. And he figures to produce in a big way this year. His chemistry with Herbert was on display during the two practices I saw, including a touchdown in the back of the end zone during a scrimmage at SoFi Stadium. "We need to get him the ball more," said Herbert of Williams, whose 85 targets last year ranked 56th in the NFL, behind Keelan Cole, Brandon Aiyuk and Darius Slayton. "He's one of those guys that you just have to find out there. He's going to get open. He's so physical, fast and strong that he's going to win -- jump balls, deep balls and intermediate routes. I think we need to get him more involved in the short game and the quick game because he's an incredible player."
Staley calls Los Angeles' receiving core "the deepest ... I've ever been a part of," which will prompt some tough roster decisions come September. Take third-round rookie Joshua Palmer, who will be hard to keep off the field. Herbert calls him a "very tough, physical kid" who works hard. And Palmer might be fifth on the depth chart. Former seventh-rounder K.J. Hill Jr. has impressed, too. Couple that with the Chargers' three-receiver setup led by Jared Cook and numbers will inevitably be compromised somewhere.
Don't expect Keenan Allen's numbers to be compromised, though. "He's the best at what he does," Herbert said. "He's just able to win so many routes. His explosiveness, his I.Q., his ability to kind of defeat the leverage of the defenders, I think he knows it just as well as anyone. He's super smart. He's going to do really well this year."
The Chargers don't sound like a team that will rely on one running back. "We really believe in having that diversity, that variety of runners that can really change the pace on a defense," Staley said. Staley then referenced using "different styles of running backs" depending on the scheme and keeping them all fresh for four quarters. Austin Ekeler is the lead back, and he will see his share of screen passes, but no player feels like a slam dunk for fantasy purposes. The team is high on several backs, including late-round rookie Larry Rountree III.
Is this team thinking playoffs? "I definitely believe we can be in the playoffs standing," James said. "I can't wait to get there."
Los Angeles Rams
Date visited: Aug. 9
A new QB1
I kept hearing about Matthew Stafford's strong start to his first Rams camp, so I wanted to see up close how it's going. He looks in complete control of the offense, and what stood out is decisiveness. Stafford didn't waste time delivering the ball. Instead of waiting for the 40-yard hole shot between three defenders, he made the easy throw. And when it was time to uncork a deep ball, it was set up perfectly, off play-action, finding a streaking Van Jefferson for the score. And the screen game was tight, with Stafford getting the ball to several playmakers.
"The thing he's grasping onto quickly is what the goal of the scheme is and being able to accelerate that," wide receiver Cooper Kupp told me. "He's doing stuff where, I know where this is supposed to go, I know my options based on this coverage, so I'm moving guys so it's not just a bang-bang play. He's getting guys open, creating space before the ball comes out.
"His ability to move players underneath and create separation is pretty special."
Stafford is constantly talking with receivers between plays and practice sessions about what's happening on the field, and Kupp said he shares digital videos with Stafford when the two are doing independent film work from home.
The Rams' chief concern isn't developing Stafford on the field but keeping him healthy. After Stafford hurt his thumb on a helmet earlier in camp, the linemen were soon wearing extra padding outside of their helmets. (The Rams are full of fun tricks, such as condensed goal posts to challenge kickers.)
Building the Rams
Arms folded and smacking gum, Rams GM Les Snead overlooks a roster he built in an unconventional way. Los Angeles is in the middle of a seven-year stretch without a first-round pick (2017-23) thanks to a pursuit of premium players such as Jalen Ramsey and Stafford.
Arriving at these moves is complicated yet quite simple, as Snead explains it. If you're contending each year, you're probably (hopefully?) picking in the 20s in the first round. And if you feel the drop-off from the 20s to, say, the 50s or even the third round isn't severe, move pieces around to get proven talent while flooding the zone with compensatory picks and midround gems.
Then there's another element, which is crucial to training camp: starting young players on rookie deals instead of costly free agents. Trading for stars means paying stars, and cap concerns allow for only so many stars on the payroll. Gauging those young players could be the most crucial element of camp for Snead.
"To eliminate the concern, we've got to trust our ability to identify players, to partner with the coaches to see who helps us win and trust our coaches to help us develop those players," Snead said.
Most teams do this, but it's especially crucial when trading cheap rookie contracts for $20 million players. (The Rams currently have $7 million in cap space.)
Last year at linebacker, Micah Kiser, Troy Reeder and Kenny Young helped replace Cory Littleton. That kind of calculation is playing out this year, too. The Rams need a third corner after losing Troy Hill, so they want David Long to produce. He has had an uneven camp, but the Rams are trusting the process with him and others. Former third-round pick Brian Allen also steps into the starting center role full-time.
"We have to have the courage to say, you know what, we'll play [those guys] without much experience, because we can't go out and add a $4 million guy," Snead said. "The strategy is, let's try to pay our pillars, pay within and develop on our younger players and relying on them."
Would the Rams dump even more first-rounders in the hunt for dream players?
"Good question," Snead said. "I would answer it this way ... we should do our part in analyzing every opportunity."
Rams fantasy tips and camp notes
There's a feeling Kupp will get a boost in a Stafford-led offense, which is a lot to ask for a player with 186 catches the past two seasons. But his name was called a bunch during the practice I saw, and the quick chemistry between quarterback and slot receiver seemed obvious. Robert Woods will get his, too, of course. But maybe Kupp's game will expand, which he has thought about lately, especially if that means more work on the outside. "I'm always asking for more," Kupp said. "I never want to get pigeonholed in one thing. The goal for everyone here, the more you can do the better. I also take pride in what's happening across the field and what to do. There are really fun things about being singled outside as an X that I don't get to experience as much. I'd love to do that stuff. At the same time, I know what my role is in the offense, being able to execute my role is the utmost priority. If my number is called for other stuff, that comes into play as well."
The Rams appear all-in on Darrell Henderson Jr. as the lead running back. He got several carries in a six-play segment I saw. Nothing much intrigues the Rams in free agency, and Henderson is a strong fantasy play early in the season as the Rams try to establish the run to help Stafford. Because that's kind of the point of this whole Stafford experience, right? He won't have to do everything like he did in Detroit.
Remember the name Jake Funk. The seventh-rounder out of Maryland is earning tailback reps with his quick understanding of the offense and open-field vision. The Rams are very happy with his progress. The Rams like Xavier Jones, too, so they feel good about the backs behind Henderson for now.
Van Jefferson has a good chance to man the No. 3 receiver spot despite the arrival of DeSean Jackson. He has had a really strong camp. Jackson will have his packages, but the Rams won't overload his snaps, and Jefferson could often to be the first to spell Kupp and Woods out of two-receiver sets. At least that's the way it's trending.
Miami Dolphins
Date visited: July 31
Leadership earned
On a basic level, QB Tua Tagovailoa is having a successful training camp because he's staying on the attack as a passer and throwing with anticipation and accuracy. But running back Myles Gaskin tells me it's deeper than that. Tagovailoa's leadership is showing up in a big way on and off the field. He's not afraid to call guys out. Gaskin has seen Tagovailoa, in their post-practice huddles shortly after the action ends, bluntly assess what went right or wrong that day. Gaskin calls him "more complex" and "vocalized" now.
"A lot of people are given that [leadership] right to be a quarterback," Gaskin said. "But he has earned it. ... I'm impressed with how he has stepped into a leadership role with no problem."
Teammates know last year wasn't easy for Tagovailoa, who was benched twice midgame and probably needed a full season to recover from offseason hip surgery. He has a clear runway this year and is taking advantage.
RB workload
Gaskin prepared for a bigger workload this offseason, working on his explosion and overall health while training in Washington.
Projecting exact carries is difficult, but the signals are obvious: Miami must improve its 3.9 yards per carry from a year ago (fourth worst in the NFL), it hasn't aggressively pursued running backs via free agency or trade like last year, and no other Dolphin had more than 75 carries.
"I'm just trying to bring more every year, be more of a leader," said Gaskin, who had 584 yards on 142 carries in his second season. "Not trying to think about the role as much as just getting 1% better every day."
Dolphins fantasy tips and camp notes
The Dolphins low-key believe Robert Hunt can be a Pro Bowl-level guard. That's partly why they identified right tackles in free agency and eventually landed on Liam Eichenberg in the second round. Hunt's reaction when the team asked him to move from tackle? Just get him on the field. "I want to play," Hunt said. "I'll do whatever the team needs me to do and win. It could be long snapper for all I care." All this should help improve the running game.
Albert Wilson has capitalized on the absences of several receivers early in camp, connecting early and often with Tagovailoa. Returning on a reworked $3 million contract after a 2020 opt-out, Wilson is finding open lanes against various coverages or simply outshaking people to the ball. It would be a pretty big surprise if he doesn't have a solidified role, possibly a sizable one.
Tight end Mike Gesicki has averaged 52 catches annually since 2019. A few NFL scouts predict that'll be higher in 2021. "He's such a matchup nightmare that he should be Tua's best friend," an AFC scout told me. And Gesicki is in a contract year, which helps.
The battle for the starting center spot between Matt Skura and Michael Deiter should persist into preseason games. Deiter seems to have the slight edge right now. Yes, Skura has more experience. But when asked about Deiter, Hunt says he is "a leader and a darn good football player, physical, smart." It should be noted that the Dolphins like to experiment on the line in camp to figure out the best five players to protect Tagovailoa.