NFL training camp news roundup: Seahawks rookie RB turns heads, Stefon Diggs finds a home with Commanders, HOF game provides surprising intrigue
We're almost done with the first full week of August and NFL training camps, and plenty has happened that fantasy football managers need to take note of as we progress toward drafts. Last week, we had a few big-ish injuries with 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall and Panthers rookie WR Chris Brazzell each being ruled out for the 2026 season.
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Below, we'll highlight some of the top news stories coming out of camp that you need to know for fantasy football.
Big-name backs getting paid
There was never too much concern about the handling of contract extensions for some of the NFL's top running backs — Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor. Robinson, Taylor and Gibbs all have new deals that secure their role on their respective teams for the immediate future.
It was never a question that these backs would sign new deals but now that most of them are settled, we can let out a sigh of relief as fantasy managers. The last thing we all want is a player holding out or going into the season with uncertainty surrounding their future with the team. Oh yeah, and he's not a running back, but Ravens WR Zay Flowers also got a nifty new contract.
Commanders add depth with Stefon Diggs signing
We've covered this pretty extensively, so I won't go into much detail on the Diggs-to-Washington news. For more analysis, you can check out this video from the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast where Matt Harmon and Chris Allen break down the move. Also be sure to check out our free fantasy football draft kit with all the latest rankings updates (including Diggs) and analysis from the Yahoo crew.
Hall of Fame game recap
If the Hall of Fame thriller between the Panthers and Cardinals didn't get you hyped for football season, there may be no hope left for you. Who would have thought we'd get an absolute classic with very few fantasy-relevant players on the field? There were a few takeaways, however.
Carson Beck looked good in his first taste of the NFL. Many believe we'll see Beck late in the regular season once the Cardinals are out of it. His insertion into the lineup was being viewed as a negative for players like Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, etc. But if Beck is legit, who knows, maybe he could be a fantasy asset off the waiver wire at some point in 2026. If nothing else, dynasty managers who selected Beck have to be feeling decent after that preseason debut. But also take this performance with a grain of salt considering Beck threw for 188 yards and a TD for a 125.4 QB rating against weak competition.
Haynes King, an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech, finished with 180 yards, 39 rushing yards and three total TDs (one rushing). He walked Carolina off with a five-yard TD run in the 33-30 win. It's still very early, and again, the comp was bad, but King took a step in the right direction in getting himself on the Panthers roster. He's someone to monitor throughout preseason if you're a dynasty manager. It's not like Bryce Young has instilled any confidence he's the franchise QB.
Vikings' QB battle not much of a battle
Vikings beat reporter Will Ragatz reported Wednesday that Kyler Murray appears to be separating himself from J.J. McCarthy for the starting job in Minnesota. It's not surprising, but noteworthy enough. We'd be concerned if McCarthy had the edge at this point. But the fact Murray looks this good is great for his fantasy outlook.
Just because of the depth at the position, it's hard to see Murray's ADP skyrocketing. He's going off the board as the QB16 in Yahoo ADP at around Pick 110.
How are rookies faring in camp?
There's so much hype and whatnot to sift through early in training camps, it's hard to decipher at times. So we're going to give you some rookie quick-hitters:
-Jadarian Price has been impressing coaches so far and looks plenty explosive as the reigning champs are being featured on HBO's Hard Knocks series. Remember, Seattle is in search of a new lead back (at least until Zach Charbonnet is healthy). Price's Yahoo ADP sits at 65.7 and is on the rise.
-Both rookie WRs Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion have been turning heads at Browns camp. Boston has been particularly surprising; here's the rookie making a nice TD grab during a 7-on-7 drill.Oh, and here's Concepcion doing the same.
-Jets rookie TE Kenyon Sadiq suffered a setback in his recovery from offseason hernia surgery and will miss a few weeks. He's expected to be ready for Week 1 but could miss a big chunk of camp and preseason. That could hurt his stock in what could be a crowded receiver tree for Geno Smith in New York.
-If you're looking for more buzz on rookies at training camp, Ray Garvin has you covered here.
