Mini-Camp Tour - AFC East
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
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| Willis McGahee reported to minicamp in better shape, but the Bills' offensive line is a concern. (Rick Stewart / Getty Images) |
Coach Dick Jauron ended Buffalo's mandatory minicamp by saying he "had an idea" of Buffalo's starting quarterback, but he wouldn't say who. Judging by all off-season reports, Craig Nall has no shot. Kelly Holcomb is listed the first-stringer over J.P. Losman for now. Losman has reportedly improved in the off-season. I'm not sure it matters who starts for fantasy leaguers. The Bills should have one of the worst passing attacks in football. Lee Evans is very promising, but he will be hurt by his teammates. Peerless Price promises to be one of the worst starting wideouts in football if he wins the job. Josh Reed has consistently disappointed. Former Browns and Patriots wide receiver Andre' Davis may not make the team.
Evans and Willis McGahee may be the only Buffalo players worth a look on draft day. McGahee lost weight this off-season in an effort to improve his speed. He stayed away from OTAs while Buffalo implemented a new offense, but it's not a big deal for running backs. I'm far more worried about the Buffalo offensive line, which general manager Marv Levy failed to improve. He was too busy signing every fourth receiver he could find to a $10 million contract. McGahee has an uphill battle to be a fantasy running back in this offense.
Rising: Holcomb — Enters camp as the favorite to start.
Falling: Davis — If he can't oust Reed and Aiken, he's just about done as a pro.
Miami Dolphins
Based on all the reports coming from Miami, it would be an upset if Daunte Culpepper isn't starting for the Dolphins in their Thursday night opener. I'm skeptical about Culpepper's value as a No. 1 fantasy quarterback because he isn't likely to pile up rushing yardage anymore. He's creeping up the RotoWorld rankings because of his health. ... The Dolphins still haven't signed a veteran backup running back or traded for Michael Bennett. It could still happen, but it's clear Nick Saban is scrapping the running-back-by-committee that he's preferred in his career. Sammy Morris and Travis Minor are next behind Ronnie Brown on the top depth chart. Don't expect Brown to slip past the first 10 picks of fantasy drafts.Marty Booker suffered a "minor" ankle sprain worth monitoring when training camp opens. If Culpepper adapts to Miami quickly, Booker could be the next 30-something wideout to have a late-career renaissance. Booker has always been limited by his quarterbacks but still has put up consistent production.
Rising: Culpepper — On track to start in Week 1.
Falling: Joey Harrington — Reportedly struggling to keep up with Cleo Lemon.
New England Patriots
Deion Branch's minicamp holdout isn't a major concern. The receiver has backed himself into a corner, however, and is practically obligated to be a training camp holdout if the Patriots don't sign him to a new deal. Both sides need each other and should be able to work out a deal. As long as Branch returns by mid-August, which is very likely, we won't move him in the rankings. He's currently No. 18 at wide receiver. ... Corey Dillon hasn't taken kindly to reporters' suggestions that he's competing to keep his starting job. It makes us wonder if the Patriots are headed for a locker room blowup from Dillon when Laurence Maroney starts stealing playing time. It's way too early to guess what the Patriots will do, but Maroney reportedly looked good catching the ball at minicamp (a Dillon weakness). I suspect the Patriots will spread the ball around at running back, just like at receiver.The Patriots are so thin at receiver, with Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown and rookie Chad Jackson competing for playing time, that New England is likely to ditch their three-receiver sets. Look for them to keep 2-3 tight ends on the field and utilize the fullback more. Bill Belichick may borrow a little from Joe Gibbs' playbook. ... The star of Patriots minicamp was third-year tight end Ben Watson. In fantasy leagues, Watson is very likely to finish second on the team in receptions, so I wouldn't worry about who wins the No. 2 wideout job.
Rising: Watson — Someone has to catch Brady's passes.
Falling: Dillon — Getting ready for RBBC.
New York Jets
The most surprising performance-related news of minicamp season is that Jets rookie quarterback Kellen Clemens is a legitimate candidate to win the team's starting job. Patrick Ramsey has reportedly struggled, while Chad Pennington has looked solid, but unspectacular, in his return from torn rotator cuff surgery. Clemens impressed the Gotham scribes, and it's no mistake he took first-team snaps at the first Jets practice open to the public. It was coach Eric Mangini's way of saying, "It's a whole new Jets era." Mangini is not going to do any favors to players from the old regime. ... Clemens' performance thus far makes it likely he'll start at some point during his rookie season. Whether Pennington gets hurt or the Jets fall out of playoff contention, this is Mangini's free season to rebuild with no pressure. Clemens is the future.The possibility of a rookie quarterback playing is going to knock some of the draft day shine off wideouts Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins. ... Curtis Martin made his return from knee surgery in June, but was still limited in practice. I expect Martin to get a lot more help with carries this season, but still start. ... Center Trey Teague's broken ankle should mean the Jets will start both their first-round picks, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, on the team's rebuilt offensive line to open the season.
Rising: Clemens — Two less rotator cuff surgeries than Pennington.
Falling: Ramsey — Fighting Brooks Bollinger for a roster spot.
Gregg Rosenthal directs the football coverage for RotoWorld.com and Fantasy Sports Monthly. You can reach him at GRosenthal@Rotoworld.com.
