OTAs and minicamp are now behind us and training camp is on the horizon. Here are some key bits of news and rumors you need to know heading into this fantasy season. This article will focus on news around the NFC.

NFC East

New York Giants

QB: Eli Manning is playing much faster in his second season in offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s system. He has also drastically cut back on interceptions.

RB: Shane Vereen is expected to be a major factor in the Giants’ offense this season.

WR: Odell Beckham Jr. is once again dealing with hamstring issues this offseason. However, Victor Cruz is on track to be ready for Week 1.

TE: Larry Donnell has spent his offseason working on his blocking and ball security, perhaps his two largest flaws.

Dallas Cowboys

QB: Tony Romo has yet to miss a single practice after rarely participating the past few seasons due to back injuries.

RB: Joseph Randle has emerged as the heavy favorite to lead the Cowboys’ backfield in touches.

WR: Dez Bryant is extremely disgruntled about his contract situation and claims he’s willing to sit out multiple regular season games if he does not get a long-term deal done.

TE: Gavin Escobar is expected to see an increased role this season.

Philadelphia Eagles

QB: Sam Bradford is still hobbled from ACL surgery, however, he expects to be ready to roll for training camp.

RB: The Eagles would like to get Darren Sproles more involved this season and are finding new creative ways to do so.

WR: Miles Austin has been very impressive this offseason while Josh Huff has struggled with consistency.

TE: Zach Ertz worked on his game with Tony Gonzalez this offseason. Many believe he is ready to take a huge leap forward this season.

Washington Redskins

QB: Robert Griffin III is the undisputed starter in Washington and is having a much less tumultuous offseason than he had in 2014. Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins are still battling for the backup job.

RB: Rookie Matt Jones is expected to push Alfred Morris for touches this season, although Morris is still the clear-cut RB1.

WR: The team is making it a point to get Pierre Garcon more involved this season.

TE: Jordan Reed has already undergone a procedure on his knee this offseason and is currently sidelined. His backup Niles Paul has bulked up and looks much stronger in practice.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers

QB: Scott Tolzien will be the Packers No. 2 quarterback this season.

RB: Eddie Lacy is expected to see his touches limited this season in order to keep him fresh.

WR: Jordy Nelson is on track with his recovery from an apparent hip surgery. Devante Adams has starred in his absence.

TE: Aaron Rodgers singled out Andrew Quarless as a player that has really shined this offseason.

Detroit Lions

QB: Matthew Stafford is expected to be unleashed in his second season in Joe Lombardi’s offense. He’s expected to air it out more and take more chances.

RB: Ameer Abdullah has been the RB1 this offseason while Joique Bell continues to rehab knee and Achilles’ surgeries.

WR: Calvin Johnson is feeling very healthy and believes he’s still a top wideout.

TE: Eric Ebron has continued to struggle this offseason, despite being expected to see a much larger role in the offense.

Minnesota Vikings

QB: Teddy Bridgewater is attempting to add muscle this season to improve his deep ball and durability.

RB: Adrian Peterson is back with the team after an offseason filled with whiney, immature rants. Physically he’s shown no signs of rust.

WR: The team is optimistic that Cordarrelle Patterson will be able to turn things around this season and be a productive wideout. He still has a shot to win a starting job.

TE: Rookie MyCole Pruitt has become the TE2 in Minnesota. He will be the primary backup for the oft injured Kyle Rudolph.

Chicago Bears

QB: New offensive coordinator Adam Gase has said that Jimmy Clausen is “perfect fit” for his offense.

RB: Matt Forte reported to voluntary workouts despite rumors of a potential lengthy holdout.

WR: Jay Cutler sees no reason Alshon Jeffery can’t be a legitimate WR1 with Brandon Marshall now with the Jets.

TE: Martellus Bennett recently ended his holdout. He is still not happy about his contract but was not willing to pay the price for missing mandatory camp.

NFC South

Carolina Panthers

QB: Cam Newton has signed a five-year $103.8 million contract. Despite the pricey investment, the team will not discourage Newton from running the ball.

RB: Jonathan Stewart’s carries will be directly correlated to his production. The team believes rookie Cameron Artis-Payne can handle the full workload should Stewart get injured.

WR: Kelvin Benjamin has struggled with hamstring injuries this offseason and came into camp a bit overweight. Both Devin Funchess and Stephen Hill have performed well in his absence.

TE: The Panthers have signed Ed Dickson to backup Greg Olsen.

Atlanta Falcons

QB: Matt Ryan is expected to throw the ball less this season.

RB: Devonta Freeman is clearly ahead in the battle for the starting running back job. He will also be the team’s top pass-catching back.

WR: Julio Jones will not holdout despite clearly deserving more money. He believes it would be selfish.

TE: Jacob Tamme has pulled away as the team’s top receiving tight end.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB: Jameis Winston has been hard at work in camp and has already begun to take on a leadership role.

RB: It is not likely Doug Martin will be back in 2016. However, he has been getting the first-team reps.

WR: Mike Evans has lined up exclusively as the WR1 in camp, while Vincent Jackson has been moved around in different formations.

TE: The Bucs have brought back Tim Wright after claiming him off waivers from the Patriots.

New Orleans Saints

QB: Drew Brees is expected to run a slower-paced, more run-based offense this season.

RB: The team would like to make it a point to get C.J. Spiller the ball in space this season.

WR: Brandin Cooks is expected to emerge as the team’s most highly-targeted wideout.

TE: Josh Hill is expected to fill the bulk of the void left by the absence of Jimmy Graham. Ben Watson will also be in the mix, particularly in the red zone.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks

QB: It does not appear Russell Wilson is going to get his contract extension. He plans to play on an insurance policy just in case he suffers a career ending injury.

RB: Robert Turbin is sidelined after hip surgery and Marshawn Lynch isn’t so big on practice or preseason. So, Christine Michael will get his chance to either shine or fall on his face as the RB1.

WR: Rookie Tyler Lockett has been by far the best of the Seahawks rookies this offseason.

TE: Since the Seahawks traded for Jimmy Graham, he has been working hard on improving his blocking.

St Louis Rams

QB: The Rams and Nick Foles are in discussions for a long-term deal.

RB: Todd Gurley is a candidate to start the season on the PUP list. However, his head coach Jeff Fisher hints that he may be healthier than people think.

WR: Brian Quick has a “realistic” shot to play Week 1. He is still recovering from shoulder surgery.

TE: Lance Kendricks took less money this offseason to stay in St. Louis.

Arizona Cardinals

QB: Carson Palmer has been medically cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills after ACL surgery.

RB: Rookie David Johnson has looked great as a pass-catcher. Nonetheless, Andre Ellington remains the top back in Arizona.

WR: John Brown is expected to have a breakout season.

TE: Troy Niklas injured his ankle and required surgery at minicamp. With John Carlson unexpectedly retiring, that leaves the Cardinals extremely weak at TE.

San Francisco 49ers

QB: Colin Kaepernick has altered his delivery this offseason in order to help improve his shaky accuracy.

RB: Reggie Bush received the first-team reps in camp. However, that was partially because Carlos Hyde had just returned from a leg injury. It’s also a sign of veteran respect.

WR: Quinton Patton will get the opportunity to be a real contributor this season.

TE: Vernon Davis looks fast this off season and blames last season’s struggles on poor game planning.

 

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