We take the firehose of news coming out of training camp, filter it, distill it, and bottle it in our Preseason Reports. If you don't have the time to drink a whole case of NFL preseason news, then you can read Joe's Need-to-Know report - think of it as a 32-flight sampler that gives you the strongest flavors from each vintage. Today I am going to pour you a shot of 200 proof fantasy-relevant news to get right to the most urgent news of the week.
From Our Chicago Bears Report
Luther Burden III appeared to be pulling away from Rome Odunze as the top receiver, but Burden is now expected to miss the entire preseason with a groin injury. Week 1 is his target return.
Why Is It Important?: No matter how high you were on Burden (maybe even as high as head coach Ben Johnson), this represents a material change in his outlook. There's a chance of a setback in his rehab; he might not be a safe Week 1 starter, and he might miss his target Week 1 return date. And as with all players who get hurt in the preseason, there's a chance he is bothered by the injury later in the season, and eventually we learn he was never really 100%. But unless we see affirmative signs that things are going poorly, we shouldn't assume the worst.
What Should You Do?: Move Burden down in your rankings, maybe even below Odunze, but only to the bottom of his tier in that group of upside wide receivers that are going in the 4th/5th round of drafts. And if you are a believer, you have permission to take him in the fourth. If you were looking for another reason to take Colston Loveland early as the third tight end after Brock Bowers and Trey McBride are drafted, here you go.
From Our Cleveland Browns Report
Rookie Denzel Boston has been the star of camp and has a real shot to lead a receiver room that finished last in the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns last season.
Why is it Important?: When rookies draw this kind of praise in camp and get promoted to the first team, pay attention.
What Should You Do?: Our late-round wide receiver target list cup runneth over with Boston just adding to the intrigue. Don't be afraid of skimping on wide receiver early with players like Boston available in the second half of your draft.
From Our Green Bay Packers Report
Josh Jacobs' messy offseason has left the running back room in flux, where the oft-injured MarShawn Lloyd has turned heads.
Why Is It Important?: Jacobs was just brought up by Adam Schefter as a player who could still be the subject of league discipline after an offseason domestic violence incident (in addition to Puka Nacua), and Jacobs is out for at least another week with a groin issue. Lloyd has stayed healthy this offseason after a visit to the Meyer Institute of Sport helped him figure out why he couldn't stay healthy in the first two years of his career, and he is impressing at camp, even catching balls as a downfield receiver.
What Should You Do?: Move Jacobs down to the 5th round or so, maybe lower with the specter of a suspension looming. Lloyd should be on your priority bench running back target list as early as the 11th/12th round.
