It’s training camp and the superlatives are flying. Rookies are impressing their new coaching staffs and Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube is no exception. Head coach Antonio Pierce said that Laube has surprising speed and plays tough. He noted that with Laube’s ability to catch the ball and make plays after the catch, he is slated to see time as a possible Raiders’ 3rd down option in the backfield and will contribute on Special Teams. He’s currently listed on the Raiders’ depth chart as RB4 and as the primary KR/PR.

Laube was drafted in the 6th round in April, and the draft profile noted his “do everything” abilities at the University of New Hampshire. His stature and statistics have drawn player comps to Danny Woodhead and Austin Ekeler. Laube recorded 1758 yards from scrimmage as a Junior at UNH and was responsible for kick return duties. At 5-10/206, Laube carries the coveted 30 BMI that alludes to long-term success as a running back in the NFL.

Laube is gaining steam as a late-round sleeper in all formats and is currently ranked as Player Profiler’s rookie RB10 and RB52 overall in Dynasty Rebuilds. At that price, an early investment could pay huge dividends if Laube passes 31 year-old Ameer Abdullah on the depth chart and inefficient Alexander Mattison on the depth chart to begin the season.

The Arizona Cardinals have been a popular pick for a strong fantasy ecosystem throughout the offseason. The arrival of Marvin Harrison Jr, the breakout of TE Trey McBride, and Kyler’s performance last year in his return from an ACL tear in 2022 lead many to believe that they could support multiple elite options at different positions.   The Cardinals had their first heavy competition day of 2024 training camp on Thursday and Kyler Murray was sharp, completing 10/12 passes during 11 on 11 team period to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr, second year wideout Michael Wilson and Trey McBride.

Kyler Murray has finished as high as QB3 in 2020 and is currently the QB8 on underdog.  Marvin Harrison’s draft capital and the hype surrounding his entry to the NFL have pumped him up to wr9 on underdog.  Trey McBride’s breakout 2023 have many managers excited to draft him and he is going as the TE3 in drafts.  James Connor is coming off of a career year and is a great value at rb27.  Thursday’s practice should be taken with a vote of confidence that the 2024 Cardinals may live up to their draft prices and hype.

Will the Bills real TE1 please stand up? Many fantasy experts and managers have been hoping that Dalton Kincaid would garner the full-time role as the Bills TE1 but Dawson Knox appears like he is not going anywhere. Both tight ends were heavily involved with the first team but it’s only the first day. Let the battle begin!

Last season as a rookie, Kincaid illustrated that he would be a threat for the coming years in the passing game, as he was targeted 91 times and brought in 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns. On the other hand, Knox only brought in 22 receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 36 targets. Kincaid was the target leader among the two tight ends and should continue moving forward.

Both tight ends playing this season but Knox will be more the inline blocker, while Kincaid will continue to play the move tight end. With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis no longer on the team, Kincaid should inherit being Josh Allen’s number-one target this Fall. Fantasy managers should disregard Knox’s involvement with the first team and keep drafting Kincaid as the TE5 with his overall ADP of 54.5.

Will Levis fell to the 2nd round of the NFL draft in 2023 after being nearly a consensus first round pick in 2022.  Known for his statuesque prototypical build and athleticism at the University of Kentucky, real GMs and fantasy managers saw glimpses of what could be a poor mans Josh Allen, but those comparisons quieted after an up and down 2023.  On Thursday during a media session new Titans head coach Brian Callahan was effusive in his praise of Levis work and growth to learn his system, noting that he was extremely sharp mentally and that he needed to continue “stacking days like yesterday” alluding to the fact that Levis had a good day and that would lead to him playing good football.

Levis walked into a nearly impossible situation to succeed with pro football focus’ worst rated offensive line and only DeAndre Hopkins and Tyjae Spears as viable receiving options in 2023 as a rookie.  Although he had an impressive debut throwing 4 touchdowns, the season was very mercurial the rest of the way.  Now that regime is gone, and the Titans have given him considerable upgrades in pass catchers in Ridley and Tyler Boyd while retaining the ever consistent Hopkins and explosive Spears, as well as signing veteran free agent Tony Pollard to share the backfield with Spears.  If Levis is able to grasp the playbook and distribute the ball effectively to his combination of weapons in Callahan’s offense, he will outperform his current QB24 price tag on underdog and will be an excellent choice as a late round quarterback selection.

Second year QB Anthony Richardson offers a mesmerizing blend of size, speed and athleticism that made him the 5th overall pick in the 2023 draft, and an immediate fantasy darling.  In 2 full games and less than 30% of the snaps in two others, Richardson scored 4 rushing touchdowns and became the first QB in NFL history to score a rushing TD in his first 4 games. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a shoulder injury.  Richardson has been fully cleared and has no limitations going into year two, and Colts HC Shane Steichen is planning on maximizing the young QB’s rushing abilities.  During a media session on Thursday Colts head Coach Shane Steichen offered a very strong vote of confidence in his second year QB as a runner and a cross sport analogy about playing to his strengths.  “Are we going to limit Richardson in the run game?  Do you limit (all time NBA leader in three pointers made) Steph Curry shooting threes? That’s one of his strengths, that’s what he does well.”

Richardson is currently the QB5 on underdog at pick 57, going at the back of the fourth round.  If what Steichen is saying is true, Richardson could immediately join the ranks of ELITE dual threat fantasy QBs and easily pay off his current cost. Richardson’s rushing could lead him to be the overall QB1 in 4point touchdown fantasy formats.  Steichen was the mind behind the implementation of the “tush-push” in Philadelphia which first made Jalen Hurts as an elite fantasy option. With a similar if not better athlete at the helm in Indianapolis, the ceiling could be ever higher.

Adam Schefter reports that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has been medically cleared while noting that the Falcons will practice caution in managing Cousins practice reps.

While many have criticized the Falcons for signing Cousins to a large contract in free agency and selecting Michael Penix Jr. 8th overall in the first round, this is a prudent move. There is no rush to onboard Kirk Cousins practice reps to full capacity as the calendar hasn’t yet reached August. 

Overall, this is a good sign for those who had doubts creeping in regarding Kirk Cousins viability for 2024. In Dynasty, Kirk Cousins is the perfect second quarterback on your SuperFlex rosters while on UnderDog best ball is a safe click in round 13 to stack with Falcons offensive weapons.