NFL training camp is one of the most crucial aspects towards that final season as it expects every team to get together and run few more plays in their arsenal but mostly keep on working with the competitive rigor added up a notch. When veterans and first-year players are trying to earn their way onto the roster, not playing themselves off of it. A very talented class of running backs left school early in 2020, but only two played enough to qualify for PFF grades. And some worry about their future; including Pittsburgh Steeler Najee Harris and Cleveland Brown Jack Conklin (who can no longer be expected full time starters). A look at those cases, and what might be going on in the minds of other potential offenders who are still at large.
What is NFL Training Camp?
This is also when training camp begins, which marks the beginning of a brand-new season in February. They gather at practice facilities daily in normal times for scrimmages, drills and scheming with assistant coaches. This is the time for games coaches to determine where their players are both physically and mentally, finalise playbooks and begin working on relationships with each other. For the playres it’s an opportunity to prove yourself, earn practice squad spots and fight for jobs once their roster is trimmed. Training camp is usually two weeks long, ending with pre-season games which confirm the last decisions.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris – Najee was the first round pick of the Steelers in 2021 and has a stud RB for them this year. A bruising runner with natural hands out of the backfield, Harris quickly emerged as New England’s top ballcarrier. However for him, 2024 training camp is a much different story.
Competition and Challenges
The Steelers addressed their running back position this offseason, investing a lot of work into the group…. and added a rookie back in the draft has impressed in early practices, as well as another veteran who should help most taking pressure off of McCaffery for pass-catching duty. On top of that, an undrafted free agent in Jaylen Warren has too turned into some lane location. That is a very different skill set from Warren, who has some speed and agility to complement the receiving skills that could give him value in what may be Pittsburgh new offensive modus operandi.
To remain a starter, Harris must also take his level consistency and versatility up another notch. He will need to have a good training camp, especially in coming into an offense that could utilize him more as receiver. The Steelers coaching staff will keep an eyeball on the field throughout camp and not just because many of them now possess forearm tattoos featuring said body part but also to make sure there’s no health issues, Ben Roethlisberger isn’t eating dirt at a prodigious clip or that all those “leverage” trick plays are going smoothly.
Cleveland Browns: Jack Conklin
Even so, the Browns added to their offensive line in March 2020 when they signed then-former Tennessee Titans tackle Jack Conklin as a free agent. Conklin’s presence at right tackle has been a major reason why the Browns’ offense thrived with an All-Pro performance. Injuries have bitten hard at times over the recent seasons, and they’ve put paid to any chance of him starting week after week for a sustained period.
Emerging Talent
The Browns are banking on not letting that fate befall them by claiming a future LT in 2024. But when you add a veteran like Wisniewski, it just added to the competition and I think people are surprised by how much of that there now is for those younger linemen on this roster. The new coaching staff wanted to get a look at Conklin and see if he could play like that – stay healthy. However, if he struggles, the Browns could turn to a potentially more athletic waiting line loaded with young linemen who should fortify protection for quarterback Deshajson Watson.
Other Vets in Jeopardy
The guys below are not as JAG but have only an inkling of the level their stock will be at come time for camp to break:
Dallas Cowboys (Zeke Elliott) Fantasy RB2
Elliott was the unquestioned workhorse in this backfield, a reality forged nearly from his arrival to Dallas as Pick No. However, he has declined in play and with increased presence by the Cowboys back up RB Tony Pollard questions are starting to be asked about Elliott involvement. He is the most explosive speed back play-maker with great versatility that we have on this team, and This player has quickly become a favorite of his fan base as well stands in high about from what their coaches see. The Cowboys depth at cornerback by signing a rookie running back to balance the position. If he does not prove to be an electric, reliable feature back once again, Elliott might start losing out on time on the field.
Jimmy Garoppolo: Las Vegas Raiders
And after that – well they only maybe end up with one in San Francisco and heading into next season homeboy Jimmy Garoppolo, the 26 year old vet who finished last yer on fire for his new franchise will find his seat warm like he’s Ben Roethlisberger late September just from news of which Jon Gruden successormwill become as famous thN these coaches themselves. This could signal a change in favor of younger, more mobile QB. That leaves Garoppolo, who provides plenty of experience and leadership but needs to prove that he can lead a NFL offense and stay healthy. How much the rookie can advance, particularly by what he shows in training camp and how he competes there will certainly be a big part of determining where things head with Garoppolo moving down the line.
Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have gotten a steady set of hands out of Boyd in the slot, and he’s been one of QB Joe Burrow’s favorite targets to date; howeverm if WRs Ja’Marr Chase (top option) and Tee Higgins stay healthy ahead him now more often than not – we’ll see how things shake themselves here. The Bengals are very young and expect to come down to the wire in who makes the team so they wouldn’t mind stashing Morgan’s receiver eligibility. His route-running, hands and ability to excel in key situations are what will extend his tenure as the team’s No. 2 receiver for many more seasons.
Seattle Seahawks and Bobby Wagner
Seattle brought back a former All-Pro and Pro-Bowl linebacker in Wagner. Wagner had a decorated career, but the Seahawks are emphasizing youth and speed on defense which could place him in danger of not starting. After that, the Seahawks have a cadre of young linebackers ready to try and take his job; Wagner needs to prove that he still has enough speed, smarts, instincts and leadership at age 30+ for this not going anywhere. His progress will be monitored fully once the team heads to camp and goes through preseason games.
Ryan TannehillRe-signs with Tennessee
Ryan Tannehill as the Titans starting quarterback in 2019 and entered postseason again this year However, his future is in jeopardy — particularly with the team likely to select a top QB early. Of course the Titans are looking ahead with this move but a lot depends on how Walker looks in camp. In order to do that with so many players breathing down his neck, he has got to a) prove he can still commandeer the offense and b) avoid critical errors. It remains unseen whether Trubisky can hit enough big-time throws as it is also heavily important given what was on tape from Friday.
Training camp is a time to bond together both team and player in the NFL. Theres only so much experience will get Najee Harris, Jack Conklin and co. because talented competition has arrived in town. The battles already being fought in training camps around the league – again, take heart!
This makes for a pretty intriguing road to follow both for fans and analysts on the march towards the 2024 NFL season, when current players stake their claim against those who would take over from them. While training camp is about so much more than merely deciding who should start, the grinding gets tucked away beneath camps also can establish teams’ mentality and approach for the upcoming season. Now is the season where push comes to shove and we will see who rises into a bigger role an whose minutes are going elsewhere.
