6 Training Camp Battles That Will Make—or Break—Your 2025 Fantasy Season

Training camp isn’t just about sweat and drills; it’s where depth charts are forged and fantasy values are born. For Playmakers, understanding these battles, why a player wins the job and what it means for their role, is crucial for dominating drafts and waiver wires. On this article. we’re breaking down six critical NFL and College battles impacting 2025 playing time and fantasy relevance. Invest wisely.

1. Cleveland Browns QB:

• Candidates: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders
• The Stakes: Starting QB for a talented roster; significant fantasy QB2 potential.
• Battle Lines: Flacco brings proven leadership and a miraculous 2024 run with Cleveland, but Father Time (age 40) and recent struggles are real concerns. Pickett offers a higher ceiling – a solid 15-10 starter record, championship experience (as a backup), and room to grow. Rookies Gabriel (Day 2 pick) and Sanders (slid in draft) are longshots. Gabriel got early 1st-team reps but faces a brutal early schedule, making a “redshirt” role likely. Sanders needs a massive leap from QB4.
• Scheme & Upside: Flacco provides stability but limits the offense’s vertical potential. Pickett offers more mobility and arm talent to push the ball downfield, aligning better with Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore.
• Predicted Winner & Fantasy Outlook: Kenny Pickett. The “tie goes to upside” principle applies. Flacco is the safe floor, but Pickett’s potential to elevate the offense wins out. Invest: Target Pickett as a late-round QB2 with streaming upside. Monitor Gabriel only in deep dynasty; Flacco is a low-ceiling handcuff. Sanders is a watch-list stash.

2. Los Angeles Chargers RB:

• Candidates: Najee Harris, Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal
• The Stakes: Lead back in Greg Roman’s run-heavy scheme; potential RB1 workload.
• Battle Lines: Harris is the model of consistency (4 straight 1,000+ yard seasons) but saw his snap share plummet to 50% in Pittsburgh last year, showing wear. Hampton, the 22nd overall pick, boasts elite size (like Harris) but superior athleticism (4.46 40, 38″ vert). Vidal flashed potential but underwhelmed as a rookie.
• Scheme & Upside: Greg Roman’s offense demands a physical, between-the-tackles runner and values burst. Harris fits the power mold perfectly. Hampton fits the power mold and brings the home-run speed and receiving upside Roman rarely had with Derrick Henry. This scheme is a fantasy goldmine for the lead back.
• Predicted Winner & Fantasy Outlook: Omarion Hampton. While Harris will get significant work, Hampton’s fresh legs, explosive athleticism, and higher ceiling in the passing game give him the edge for the RB1 designation. Invest: Hampton is a solid RB2 target. Harris becomes a high-value RB3/FLEX with standalone value and handcuff upside. Vidal is a deep sleeper but needs an injury.

3. New England Patriots WR2:

• Candidates: DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker
• The Stakes: Starting opposite Stefon Diggs; prime target for Drake Maye’s development.
• Battle Lines: Douglas was last year’s leader but lacks elite upside. Hollins brings veteran savvy but limited production. Polk and Baker disappointed as rookies. Kyle Williams, the 3rd-round rookie, is surging. He’s earning consistent first-team reps, drawing coach praise, and possesses the athletic profile (4.4 speed, 36.5″ vert) of an ideal “X” receiver complement to Diggs.
• Scheme & Upside: New OC Josh McDaniels needs reliable targets for Maye. Williams offers the size, speed, and downfield threat Douglas lacks, creating a more dynamic duo with Diggs. His early camp performance suggests readiness.
• Predicted Winner & Fantasy Outlook: Kyle Williams. The Patriots invested the draft capital, and Williams is seizing the opportunity. His athleticism fits the need opposite Diggs. Invest: Williams is a priority late-round flier with WR4/5 upside that could climb rapidly. Douglas becomes a PPR-dependent bench stash. Hollins is a deep league emergency option.

4. Dallas Cowboys RB1:

• Candidates: Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Rico Dowdle, Jaydon Blue (R), Phil Mafah (R)
• The Stakes: Lead back role for a team desperate to fix its 31st-ranked rushing attack.
• Battle Lines: Dallas completely overhauled the backfield. Sanders offers experience but inconsistency. Dowdle was solid last year (RB22). Rookies Blue (4.28 speed) and Mafah are developmental. Javonte Williams is the early favorite – signed first, getting starter reps in OTAs, and not challenged by a Day 1/2 rookie pick. He brings physicality and untapped potential if fully recovered from his 2022 knee injury.
• Scheme & Upside: Williams profiles as the early-down hammer, while Dowdle/Sanders could handle more passing downs. Williams’ ability to grind tough yards and potentially rediscover burst is key. Sanders showed efficiency on gap runs (84.8 grade, limited snaps).
• Predicted Winner & Fantasy Outlook: Javonte Williams. Early momentum, investment, and role fit point to Williams leading the committee. Invest: Williams is a volatile but intriguing RB3 target – if healthy and the starter, he has RB2 upside. Dowdle is the safest PPR handcuff. Sanders is a watch-list player. Blue is a dynasty stash.

5. Ohio State QB:

• Candidates: Julian Sayin (RS-Fr.), Lincoln Kienholz (RS-So.), Tavien St. Clair (Fr.)
• The Stakes: Starting QB for the preseason #1 team; Heisman and National Title hopes.
• Battle Lines: This evolved from a spring “neck-and-neck” race between Sayin (Alabama transfer) and Kienholz into Julian Sayin establishing clear summer momentum. Sayin won the spring game statistically and earned effusive praise from teammates (“That arm is different…”). Kienholz is a capable athlete but lacks Sayin’s elite arm talent and pocket command. St. Clair is talented but raw; a redshirt is likely.
• Scheme & Upside: Ryan Day’s offense demands precision passing, quick decisions, and exploiting elite WR talent (Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate). Sayin’s quick release, accuracy, and poise fit perfectly. His upside is a Heisman run. Kienholz is a high-floor backup.
• Predicted Winner & Fantasy Outlook: Julian Sayin. The summer reports are decisive. He has the tools Day needs for a title run. Invest (CFF/Devy): Sayin is a Top 3 CFF QB target and elite devy asset. Kienholz is a valuable handcuff in deep CFF leagues. St. Clair is a pure devy hold.

6. Texas A&M WR1:

• Candidates: KC Concepcion (NC State transfer), Mario Craver (Miss St transfer), Terry Bussey, Izaiah Williams, Jerome Myles (Fr.)
• The Stakes: Alpha receiver in Collin Klein’s evolving offense.
• Battle Lines: While Craver brings elite deep speed (21.6 YPC) and Bussey offers gadget versatility, KC Concepcion stands apart. He’s the most proven (124 career catches, 16 TDs), versatile (rushing ability), and competitive player. Coaches consistently praise his all-around game and leadership. Youngsters like Myles (recovering from ACL) have future potential but lack current polish.
• Scheme & Upside: Klein’s offense will lean on the run but needs reliable playmakers. Concepcion is the Swiss Army Knife – capable of winning short, intermediate, deep, and even contributing in the run game.
• Predicted Winner & Fantasy Outlook: KC Concepcion. He’s the clear WR1. Invest (CFF): Concepcion is a high-end WR2 target with WR1 upside if the Aggies’ passing game clicks. Craver is a boom/bust WR3/4 with big-play upside. Bussey is a deep-league PPR flier. Myles is a devy watch.

These battles aren’t isolated; they’re direct feeds into your rankings and draft strategy:

1. Winners See Value Spikes: Pickett, Hampton, Williams (NE & DAL), Sayin, Concepcion immediately jump tiers upon winning the job. Target them at their current ADP before camp news inflates it.
2. Losers Offer Discounts: Flacco, Harris (LAC), Douglas (NE), Kienholz, Craver become post-hype sleepers or high-value handcuffs available late. Know their paths to relevance.
3. Scheme is King: Hampton in Greg Roman’s offense is more valuable than a similar back elsewhere. Williams (NE) complementing Diggs is more valuable than being a #1 on a bad team. Context dictates upside.
4. College Wins = Fantasy Gold: Securing the starting QB job at Ohio State (Sayin) or WR1 at Texas A&M (Concepcion) makes them elite CFF assets. Prioritize confirmed starters on high-powered offenses.