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Howdy Reader,​
Welcome to the weekend, Friends.
Training camps are right around the corner, and it’s almost time to fire up the group chats, dig in on mock drafts, and start talking real strategy.
But here’s the thing: you’re already ahead.
You’re here. You’re part of this Footballguys community.
And while your league mates are still wondering if it’s too early to start prepping, you’re stacking edges.
Today, we’re diving into the Denver Broncos. Team vibes, sleepers, busts, and yes, we’ve got our IDP folks covered too. This is the full view, built to make you the most informed GM in your league.
Our featured spotlight: Matt Waldman delivers his Summer Sleepers. These are the players he’s watching now that could swing leagues by Thanksgiving.
And for our Premium Subscribers (and if you’re not in that crew yet, please join us - we’d love to have you), Jeff Bell breaks down Caleb Williams, and Jason Wood tackles what’s in store for Dallas under Brian Schottenheimer. Proceed with caution, Dallas Fans.
And of course, Dave Kluge has the News and Notes to keep you locked in.
This is why we do it. Together.
Let’s go.
J
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What's New At Footballguys
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Sleepers to Monitor: The Gut Check No. 649 – Matt Waldman reveals five potential steals — including Brashard Smith and Pat Bryant — with clear camp watch-points to monitor.
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Taking a Schottenheimer on Old-School Offense – Jason Wood unpacks how a throwback scheme could derail CeeDee Lamb’s upside — and what might save him from a downturn.
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Caleb Williams: The Hero's Journey – From the ashes of 68 sacks and shattered dreams, Jeff Bell traces Caleb Williams’ arc toward redemption — with Ben Johnson as his Guide.
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NFFC ADP Movement: How High-Stakes ADP Is Changing – Clayton Gray examines the latest shifts in high-stakes ADP, with Garrett Wilson and George Kittle on the rise — and Josh Allen sliding.
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Denver Broncos Fantasy Overview - Why is Evan Engram both a sleeper and a bust? Can J.K. Dobbins claim lead back duties? Our Footballguys Staff and John Norton cut through the noise in this Denver fantasy preview. You’ll also get clarity on Bo Nix, Zach Allen, and which Broncos are ready to rise.
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NFL Team-By-Team Fantasy Overviews – You want sleepers, busts, vibes, and IDPs? Our Footballguys Staff delivers the fantasy buffet — served one NFL team at a time, every weekday, now through August 1.
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Sleepers to Monitor: The Gut Check No. 649
By Matt Waldman - Exclusive to Footballguys
The following feature is a free preview of our content. If you like it, click here to sign up for access to our Footballguys Premium Subscriptions, and you'll get all of our content. We're so sure you'll love it that we have an industry-leading 30-day MoneyBack Guarantee, so there's zero risk.
Sleepers Are Vital to Your Re-Draft End Game
Sleepers that hit in the late rounds of fantasy drafts not only erase early-round mistakes, but they also provide depth that limit your need to make trades or play the waiver wire. At best, hitting on sleepers doubles your firepower at the position.
Last week, I listed 10 sleepers to draft in 2025. This week, I'm giving you five more to monitor this summer.
How should you monitor these sleepers? My article, How I Evaluate August Football, is a helpful primer. You'll learn what to glean from warm-ups, drills, scrimmages, and preseason games and then how to put all of that information together.
As I profile these five sleepers, I'll note what I think you should be trying to learn about their training camp performances before drafting them.
WR Pat Bryant: Sleepers That Fit An Offensive Archetype
Bryant reminded me of a slower Chris Godwin but without the top man-to-man game. Sean Payton broached Michael Thomas. Both veterans are great receivers and big shoes for Bryant to fill.
It's Payton's name-dropping of Thomas and the Day Two NFL Draft capital that has caught the attention of the fantasy community. Before we anoint Bryant as one of the top sleepers in 2025 fantasy drafts, we should be aware that Payton compares rookies to veteran players from his previous regimes.
The comparison isn't a 1:1 valuation of their talent. Instead, Payton uses the comparisons to describe the archetypical roles they fit in his offense. Last year, Payton compared Blake Watson to Alvin Kamara. He also compared Jaleel McLaughlin to Kamara, Reggie Bush, and Darren Sproles.
Rookie RJ Harvey earned comparisons to Sproles and Bush this spring, and his value shot up dynasty boards. Payton courted and added J.K. Dobbins to the backfield and Harvey investors hope there's a bungee cord attached to his value.
Don't get too excited about Bryant earning the Thomas comparison -- at least not yet. Bryant's immediate fit for Denver is in that Thomas/Marques Colston as a big slot option.
What makes Bryant worthwhile to monitor for this role is his skill at uncovering at the top of routes and proficiency as a zone option.
Bryant is also good at setting up and executing breaks. This is usually where rookies struggle.
What to Monitor: We must see if Bryant can acclimate his play to the NFL. Here is a checklist of items we'll want to hear beat writers, coaches, and/or players praise about his game. Better yet we'll want to see it.
- No issues fighting the ball.
- Effective releases against tight man coverage at the line of scrimmage.
- Good acceleration to win separation on routes breaking 20-40 yards downfield.
- Impressive short-area quickness to make the first man miss with the ball in his hands.
- Being on the same page with is quarterback when reading coverage and making route adjustments.
The more of these areas where Bryant earns praise instead of criticism, the more likely he is to compete with Devaughn Vele for the starting slot role in August. If inconsistency is an issue in more than one of these areas, Bryant becomes a player who may need some of the season to work his way into a reliable role.
Bryant could become a stretch-run producer during the second half of the season if the competition with Vele is tight during the summer, but he doesn't win the spot. If that's the case, Bryant could become one of the worthwhile late-round sleepers who slide down boards after the early-summer buzz fades
CONTINUED...
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Chicago Bears second-round draft choice WR Luther Burden III agreed to terms on a four-year contract with the Bears Friday, July 18, worth a fully guaranteed $10.965 million.
Our view: Burden is the last of the Bears' rookies to sign, garnering a fully guaranteed rookie deal. All eyes will be on the camp battle for the slot role in this new Ben Johnson offense. And Burden's college usage and skill set could set him up for that immediately prolific role.
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Cleveland Browns second-round draft pick RB Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned and won't report to rookie camp Friday, July 18. He is focused on his legal matter at the time.
Our view: Every day Judkins, a rookie, misses camp will open up opportunities for other running backs to carve out a larger role. Jerome Ford knows the offense well, but fellow rookie Dylan Sampson will likely get more looks at the start of camp than he would have behind Judkins. We're keeping a close eye on a potential suspension for Judkins. But for now, he's a tough player to select in drafts, especially if he ends up with a hefty suspension.
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3. SF: Brandon Aiyuk placed on PUP list
Source: 49ers.com
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Friday, July 18.
Our view: After suffering a Week 7 ACL tear last year, Aiyuk's early-season games are in jeopardy. However, it is worth noting that players can be activated at any time off the preseason PUP list. We'll keep a close eye on his activity in camp, but those drafting him now should brace for a backup option during the early part of the year.
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4. SF: Ricky Pearsall to miss start of camp
Source: 49ers.com
San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (undisclosed) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Friday, July 18.
Our view: Pearsall picked up a hamstring injury about a month ago at minicamp. After missing the end of training camp last year, he'll hope to rejoin the team for a full camp this preseason. Like Aiyuk, he can be activated from the preseason PUP list at any time. He'll hope to get out there sooner rather than later, especially while Jauan Jennings is expected to miss practice after asking for a trade.
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5. NYJ: Mason Taylor inked
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
New York Jets second-round pick TE Mason Taylor agreed to a four-year deal worth $10.46 million with 91.3% guaranteed ($9.56 million), according to his agents. He receives 60% of his Year 4 salary guaranteed, which is a 55% increase from the No. 42 slot from last year.
Our view: Round 2 rookies aren't getting the fully guaranteed precedent set by Jayden Higgins, but they're getting more guaranteed money than previous draft classes. Taylor will have a unique opportunity to step up as the No. 2 option behind Garrett Wilson this year. While the Jets might choose to take the air out of the ball and slow the clock, he's worth throwing a late-round dart on.
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6. SEA: Elijah Arroyo signs contract
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Seattle Seahawks second-round draft choice TE Elijah Arroyo signed a four-year contract with the Seahawks Friday, July 18, worth $8.813 million.
Our view: NFL teams are prioritizing getting these Round 2 rookies inked before training camp opens. Arroyo carved out a lucrative role in Miami's offense last year, consistently gashing defenses up the seam. He's got some veterans ahead of him at the moment, but he makes for a fun dynasty stash with immense upside.
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7. LVR: Jack Bech under contract
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Las Vegas Raiders WR Jack Bech agreed to terms on his rookie contract Thursday, July 17, according to sources.
Our view: More dominoes continue to fall as second-rounders sign contracts. Bech has an overlapping skill set with Jakobi Meyers, potentially capping his rookie-season usage. But he's a talented player worth stashing in dynasty, and could be an injury away from a bigger-than-expected role this year.
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8. LAC: Coach excited about Omarion Hampton
Source: Chargers.com - Omar Navarro and Eric Smith
Los Angeles Chargers RB Omarion Hampton has looked good during offseason workouts, and head coach Jim Harbaugh said he expects Hampton to be even more impressive during padded practices.
Our view: With Najee Harris dealing with a superficial eye injury from a Fourth of July accident, Hampton will have an opportunity to get extra reps throughout camp. Both Harris and Hampton are new to this offense, so neither should theoretically have a leg up on the other. Expect Hampton's stock to rise throughout camp every day that Harris isn't out there.
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9. NE: Drake Maye reports early
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Reiss
New England Patriots QB Drake Maye has reported early for the start of training camp.
Our view: Only rookies are currently required to be at camp. But with a handful of offensive rookies looking to carve out immediate roles, Maye is getting a head start on building chemistry as he enters a new offense in Year 2.
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10. GB: Christian Watson starting camp on PUP list
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson (knee) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Friday, July 18.
Our view: Matt LeFleur has signalled that Watson's likelihood of playing this year is slim after suffering an ACL tear in Week 18. There should be no surprise that he's on the PUP list. And any playing time this year would be a bit unexpected.
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11. DET: Malik Davis worked out
Source: Click2Houston.com - Aaron Wilson
Free-agent RB Malik Davis (Cowboys) recently worked out for the Detroit Lions.
Our view: The Lions have spent all day shuffling around some running back depth pieces after releasing Anthony Tyus and signing Jabari Small. It will, unfortunately, be tough for any running back to find meaningful work behind the duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, but an injury could open the door for more touches.
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That’ll do it for today, Friends.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for being part of this Footballguys family. Whether you’re a 20-year vet or just hopped into your first dynasty league, you belong here. And we’re glad you’re with us.
Training camps are coming, and so is the chaos. But you're not going into it alone. We’ll be right here, every day, helping you stay ahead of the curve (and the rest of the league).
Enjoy your weekend. Fire up a grill. Rewatch some NFL highlights. And don’t let anyone draft Matt Waldman’s sleepers before you do.
We’ll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace, Love, and Fantasy Football,
J
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Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom, Bob Harris, and Cecil Lammey
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