As the 2025 NFL season approaches, preparations for the corresponding fantasy football campaign are already underway. With training camps actively in session, valuable insights can be gained from these practices. Identifying frontrunners in competitive positional battles, observing which players are receiving more first-team repetitions, and assessing the implications of injuries are key strategies for savvy fantasy managers looking to gain an edge when draft day arrives. Keeping abreast of reports from beat writers and insiders present at training camps can provide crucial information that may not be available elsewhere, offering significant advantages to those who seek it. In light of this, here are some of the latest developments from training camps, accompanied by bold predictions for the upcoming fantasy football season.

The Arizona Cardinals’ passing game, led by Kyler Murray and rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., may attract considerable attention, but the ground game is expected to be the primary focus of the offense in 2025. Last year, despite a lackluster passing offense that ranked 18th in the league, Arizona remained in playoff contention, in part due to a robust rushing attack ranked 7th overall. James Conner, the veteran running back, defied concerns about his age and injury history by rushing for a career-high 1,094 yards and scoring eight touchdowns on 236 carries. He also made significant contributions in the passing game, amassing 414 yards and one touchdown from 47 receptions. However, with plans to transition to a backfield committee, Conner is projected to see a reduction in workload, sharing time with second-year back Trey Benson. Conner has acknowledged this shift, indicating that both players will need to collaborate to elevate Arizona’s rushing attack. Benson, who expressed high confidence and plans to learn from Conner, had a modest start to his career, but with the right opportunities in 2025, he could emerge as a regular contributor alongside Conner, making both players valuable fantasy options.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a noteworthy acquisition in the 2024 draft by selecting Bucky Irving early in Day 3. Irving had a standout rookie season, finishing as the RB13 with 244.4 fantasy points while sharing time with incumbent starter Rachaad White and playing less than half of the team’s offensive snaps. His performance positions him to become Tampa’s starting running back in 2025, and there are indications he could transition into a high-volume role. Reports suggest that Irving is considered talented enough by team insiders to warrant a primary running back position, significantly influencing the passing game volume as well. Despite White's established role, his usage is expected to decrease after averaging 56 percent of the snaps last season, down from 78 percent the year before. Irving’s emerging status as a more complete back presents a promising outlook, making him a candidate for a top-8 fantasy finish as he assumes a majority of the workload in Tampa's backfield.

In Cleveland, the Browns have undergone considerable changes to their receiving corps this offseason, prominently featuring trade acquisition Jerry Jeudy as the team's lead receiver. Cedric Tillman is emerging as the likely candidate for the No. 2 receiver spot in Cleveland’s offense, a role that may become increasingly relevant in fantasy football this season. With Jeudy attracting defensive coverage attention and promising rookie backs like Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson threatening the opposition, Tillman could benefit significantly. Although injuries and team dysfunction have hindered his development so far, Tillman has demonstrated his capabilities as a fantasy asset. In a previous four-game stretch last year, he averaged 75.5 yards and 0.8 touchdowns, ranking 8th among receivers in fantasy points per game. Now healthy and focused, Tillman has expressed determination to maximize his potential this season. Despite a brief injury scare during practice, he remains poised to contribute notably to Cleveland's offense and is expected to play a substantial role in their plans for 2025.

Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars have made a splash with their new coaching hire, but their backfield situation is complicated. Reports indicate that Jacksonville intends to roster four running backs this season, creating a challenging scenario for fantasy managers. Travis Etienne, the long-time starter, is coming off a disappointing season, dealing with injuries that limited him to career lows in rushing yards and touchdowns. His passing game contributions also dipped significantly. Tank Bigsby, who served as the backup, failed to capitalize on opportunities to advance up the depth chart. The Jaguars have further complicated matters by selecting two running backs in this year’s draft, adding to the existing competition. No clear frontrunner has emerged, and the overall lack of consistency within the backfield makes any of Jacksonville's running backs a risky fantasy selection this season.

Lastly, Kyle Pitts has struggled to meet expectations as a fantasy player over the past few seasons, but the outlook for 2025 may be improving with the Atlanta Falcons' recent acquisition of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Pitts started his career strongly, nearly breaking the rookie receiving record for tight ends, but has faced challenges since then, finishing outside the top-12 in subsequent seasons. The Falcons are optimistic about the potential chemistry between Penix and Pitts, as the two have reportedly developed a bond off the field. If Pitts can remain healthy, the expectations for his role in Atlanta's offense are elevated, with the potential to return to a position of prominence among fantasy tight ends. His ability to outperform current ADP rankings hinges on Penix's continued development, making Pitts a player to watch in the upcoming season.