The RotoWire Blog has been retired.

These archives exist as a way for people to continue to view the content that had been posted on the blog over the years.

Articles will no longer be posted here, but you can view new fantasy articles from our writers on the main site.

Training Camp Notes: NFC East Receiver Battles

Wednesday's news out of NFL training camps featured some drama and uncertainty surrounding the receiving corps in the NFC East, and remarkably none of it involved the Cowboys. Then again, they more than filled their quota on drama already this week when the one player they decided to cut loose after seemingly the whole roster had a tumultuous offseason was the guy who definitely didn't do what he was accused of doing. Never change, Jerry Jones.

  • Jordan Reed landed on the PUP list to kick off camp with a toe sprain. It doesn't sound like a serious issue for the oft-injured tight end, but Washington isn't taking any chances with him. Given his track record, maybe it's a positive sign that Reed is getting his first injury of the year out of the way early, because you know it was coming sooner or later. If the toe problem proves to be worse than it seems and lingers into the regular season, Vernon Davis might pick up a few extra targets but slot receiver Jamison Crowder is likely the biggest beneficiary.
  • staying in the nation's capital, while 2016 22nd overall pick Josh Doctson is expected to win a starting role on the outside opposite Terrelle Pryor, Ryan Grant keeps earning praise from the coaching staff. Heading into his fourth NFL season, Grant's never been anything more than a depth option at WR and a special teams player, but he's an exceptional route runner and can swap into any of the team's receiver spots when called upon. He doesn't have Doctson's athleticism or upside, and this still seems like the second year WR's job to lose rather than Grant's to win, but Doctson does need to win it after suiting up for only two games as a rookie.
  • over in Philly, there's more competition than it seems in the passing game after the front office's shopping spree this winter. Alshon Jeffery will be Carson Wentz's No. 1 target, but beyond that things are murky. Jordan Matthews is still dealing with a knee injury and has trade rumors floating over his head, Torrey Smith has essentially no guaranteed money in his deal and could easily be cut if the Eagles decide he isn't any better than their other options, and Nelson Agholor has drawn raves for his work this offseason and is getting one more chance to justify his draft status as the 20th overall player selected in 2015. One of that trio will probably find themselves in another uniform by Week 1, unless preseason injuries make the decision for the Eagles, but at this point figuring out which one it will be is pure guesswork.
  • the Broncos are keeping their options open at RB, and plan on giving all their backs -- yes, including Jamaal Charles -- first-team reps in the early part of camp. The former Chief is the longest of long shots to make an impact in Denver after various knee injuries limited him to only eight games over the last two seasons, but if he shows anything resembling his old form neither C.J. Anderson not Devontae Booker seem like particularly difficult hurdles to jump on his way to the top of the depth chart. Remember, this is a player who had a 5.0 YPC or better every year of his career until 2016, and if he's got any kind of explosiveness left he would provide a very necessary element to an otherwise staid offense.
  • confirming earlier reports, Mike Glennon was officially named the Bears' starting QB by GM Ryan Pace, but perhaps more surprising was the fact that Mark Sanchez was given the No. 2 spot on the depth chart over 2017 second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. There's something refreshing about a team saying right up front, "We won't push our young QB into the lineup before he's ready just to justify the fact that we completely mortgaged our future to get him."
  • deep sleeper darling Jeremy McNichols will be a full participant heading into camp for Tampa after recovering from shoulder surgery. That shoulder injury was one of the reasons the Boise State product dropped to the fifth round in this year's draft, and while he's currently buried on the RB depth chart, the players in front of him (Doug Martin, Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers) all have issues that could clear the field for McNichols in a hurry.
  • wrapping things up with some IDP news, first overall pick Myles Garrett will also be a full participant in camp after recovering from the foot injury he sustained in mini-camp back in June. Rookie pass rushers don't often make a big impact right away, but the Browns will give him all the snaps he can handle given the state of their defensive line and Garrett has the elite athleticism and skills to be one of those rare exceptions.