Daily Dive: Training Camp Buzz – August 23, 2025
Happy Draft Day, everyone. While you’re loading up the cheat sheets and chugging cold brew (or cold brews) before your big draft, the NFL is out here making moves and dropping updates that could swing your board. From a backfield shakeup in San Francisco to late-round rookie buzz, here’s everything you need to know before you’re on the clock.
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The Commanders finally pulled the trigger, sending Brian Robinson Jr. to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick. With Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. flashing in camp, Robinson became expendable in Washington. For fantasy, Robinson lands behind Christian McCaffrey where he’s basically a handcuff and little else. He’ll see work if CMC misses time, but otherwise, he’s bench-stash material. Unfortunately, that means Isaac Guerendo is no longer worth a roster spot. My fantasy football rankings are fully updated for both the San Francisco and Washington backfields.
Seattle coach Mike Macdonald admitted Walker isn’t going to be a full-time practice participant, and he won’t play in the preseason. That’s bad news if you’re drafting him at a fringe RB1 price. Zach Charbonnet should be moving up your board given how much the Seahawks love his reliability. Charbonnet is an interesting target in the middle rounds.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin says the rookie could have a sizable role behind D’Andre Swift He played all the snaps on Chicago’s first two preseason drives and looks poised to leapfrog Roschon Johnson. In drafts this weekend, he’s the kind of late-round stash that could pay dividends.
The Browns backfield is messy, but Sampson is worth circling as a potential breakout. With Quinshon Judkins still unsigned and Ford not exactly a locked-in workhorse, Sampson has a real path to touches. He’s a great speculative pick in the double-digit rounds.
The rookie is projected as Jonathan Taylor’s No. 2, partly thanks to Tyler Goodson’s injury. He won’t have standalone value unless JT misses time, but he’s a sharp handcuff target late in drafts for anyone who wants to insure Taylor.
Rich Cimini reports the rookie is shaping up for a major role. His blocking has impressed, and the Jets’ thin WR depth behind Garrett Wilson could funnel more looks his way. Rookie TEs rarely smash, but Taylor is worth monitoring as a sleeper. In deep leagues, he’s very much in play as a late-round dart throw.
Patriots WR Kyle Williams Buried on Depth Chart
Mike Reiss projects the rookie to open as New England’s WR5. That means he’s only a deep bench stash in redraft radar for now, though dynasty managers can keep the faith long-term.
The Niners adding Brian Robinson Jr. is the headliner, but the real juice today is in the rookies. Monangai, Sampson and Taylor are the kind of late darts you want to throw to separate yourself from the rest of your league. Meanwhile, Kenneth Walker III’s foot issue should have you eyeing Zach Charbonnet as one of the best middle round pivots on the board. It’s Draft Day. Make the smart plays and don’t let your league mates sneak these guys past you.
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