2025 NFL Season: Training Camp Insights and Projections

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, fantasy football enthusiasts are beginning their preparations for the upcoming campaign. With training camp in full swing, valuable insights can be gleaned from these practices, providing an edge for fantasy managers on draft day. Identifying leading candidates in positional battles, observing which players are receiving the most first-team repetitions, and assessing the impact of injuries are essential strategies for gaining an advantage in fantasy leagues. Moreover, following reports from beat writers and insiders associated with training camps is crucial, as they often share unique, actionable information. This article highlights significant training camp developments and offers predictions for the 2025 fantasy football season based on these early observations.
The Arizona Cardinals' offense, led by quarterback Kyler Murray and rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., may capture attention for its passing game, but the ground attack will serve as the team's cornerstone in 2025. During the previous season, Arizona remained in the playoff race despite a lackluster passing offense, which ranked 18th and managed only 21 touchdown passes. Conversely, the rushing offense excelled, finishing 7th in the league, largely due to veteran running back James Conner's stellar performance. Conner defied concerns about his age and injury history, achieving a career-high 1,094 rushing yards and scoring eight touchdowns on 236 carries. Additionally, he contributed as a receiver, accumulating 414 yards and one touchdown on 47 receptions. However, with Arizona's backfield transitioning to a committee approach in 2025, Conner is expected to see a reduced workload. According to Darren Urban from the Cardinals’ official website, Conner has acknowledged plans to share carries with second-year back Trey Benson, which he believes will help Arizona solidify its status as a dominant rushing team. Conner stated, 'We’ve got to talk about it and understand what’s expected. We want to be the best rushing team in football.' Meanwhile, Benson expresses heightened confidence as he looks to learn from Conner and improve upon his rookie season, which saw him score just 47 fantasy points. With teams like the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers successfully featuring two top-25 fantasy backs, Arizona’s coaching staff appears poised to follow a similar strategy in 2025, making both Conner and Benson worth considering for fantasy rosters.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a notable addition during the 2024 draft by selecting running back Bucky Irving, who emerged as one of the biggest surprises in his rookie season, finishing as RB13 with 244.4 fantasy points. Despite sharing snaps with Rachaad White and not playing a full complement of offensive snaps, Irving's performance positioned him as a strong candidate to become the team's lead back heading into 2025. ESPN's Dan Graziano reported that Irving is perceived as capable of handling a high-volume RB1 role. With an expanded role anticipated, Irving is expected to see increased involvement in the passing game, an area where White previously thrived. Last season, Irving rushed for an impressive 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns on 207 carries while also securing 47 receptions for 392 yards. However, White’s snap share and overall usage have diminished significantly over the past two seasons, which is likely to continue following Irving’s breakout year. Although White remains a competent receiving back, his projected decrease in volume may pave the way for Irving to establish himself as a top-8 fantasy asset while dominating the Buccaneers’ backfield workload.
The Cleveland Browns have revamped their receiving corps this offseason, with Jerry Jeudy stepping in as the primary target for a group of emerging pass-catchers. Cedric Tillman appears well-positioned to emerge as the No. 2 wide receiver in Cleveland, potentially resolving into a fantasy-relevant role. With Jeudy drawing extra defensive attention and tight end David Njoku also in the mix, Tillman could deliver solid fantasy statistics. Throughout a four-game stretch during the previous season, Tillman averaged 75.5 receiving yards and 0.8 touchdowns per game, proving himself to be a productive option when on the field. Tillman expressed frustration with his inability to have a sustained breakout due to injuries but remains optimistic about taking advantage of his opportunities in 2025. Despite a minor leg injury during practice, he is set to play a crucial role this upcoming season, as the Browns aim to find the right fit among their quarterback contenders.
In Jacksonville, the Jaguars have made a splash with a new coaching hire, but the outlook for the backfield remains challenging. ESPN's Graziano noted that the Jaguars plan to keep four running backs on their roster, adding complexity to the situation for fantasy managers. Although Travis Etienne has been the starter for the last three seasons, he is coming off a concerning year marked by injuries that impacted his overall production. With career lows of 558 rushing yards and two touchdowns, his performance decreased in the passing game as well. Meanwhile, Tank Bigsby, Etienne's backup, saw a modest improvement in his rushing performance but still finished with pedestrian fantasy points. The Jaguars’ addition of two more running backs—Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen—further complicates the backfield distribution, suggesting that no single player may emerge as a consistent fantasy option in 2025. Both newcomers have shown flashes of potential, but the uncertainty surrounding their roles leaves fantasy managers wary of investing too heavily in Jacksonville’s running game this season.
Kyle Pitts has been one of the more underwhelming fantasy football players over the last three seasons, but he may be on the verge of a resurgence in the 2025 season. After a promising rookie year, Pitts has struggled to maintain consistent production, finishing as TE18 in fantasy rankings. The Atlanta Falcons’ decision to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. could signal a shift in fortunes for Pitts, as he and the quarterback have reportedly built chemistry off the field. If Pitts can stay healthy and establish a strong rapport with Penix, there is potential for him to outperform his current average draft position and reclaim his status as a top-8 fantasy option. The Falcons expect the transition to unfold positively, and Pitts is poised to contribute significantly to Atlanta's offensive attack.








