Fantasy football risers: Training camp boosts values of these 10 players
Each year, fantasy managers across the country try to maximize the value as much as possible to win a championship and avoid punishments for finishing last.
Training camps can tip off who is improving and getting more of a share of the offense than expected. These developments aren't an outright guarantee but could help fantasy managers get a clearer picture of what the 2025 season may hold.
Through the early part of training camp, some players have stood out as risers in the fantasy football landscape. Here are our top 10 as August begins:
2025 POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST | Overall
McCarthy inherits an incredibly talented offense in his first year as a starter. He's getting reps in training camp against what was one of the tougher defenses in the league last season. Reporters attending training camp have noted how well he's throwing; The Athletic's Alec Lewis wrote the second-year quarterback has "checked critical boxes early on."
As a first-year starter, McCarthy is an unknown in the fantasy landscape but signs point to him being at least a solid starter in 2025. With the pieces in place in this offense, that's firmly high-end QB2 material.
Najee Harris' eye injury from a fireworks incident earlier this summer cleared the way for Hampton to take full control of RB1 status with the Chargers. He had a pair of carries for 9 yards in the Hall of Fame game against Detroit and that may be the last we see of him in the preseason.
There's no denying the Chargers offense wants to run the ball. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman established that at previous spots. Hampton has the opportunity with Harris out to start the season with a large share of the touches out of the backfield.
McCaffrey had a rough season in 2024 amid injuries and a struggling 49ers offense. The 2023 Offensive Player of the Year failed to score a touchdown for the first time in his career. San Francisco drafted running back Jordan James in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL draft and he could eat into McCaffrey's touches.
But James will miss time with a knee injury and McCaffrey seems to be fully healthy for the first time in more than a year. The 49ers offense will be without top wideout Brandon Aiyuk to start the season and second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall's getting back up to speed after a hamstring injury. The conditions are there for McCaffrey to have a large share of the offensive load even in his age-30 season.
Cleveland's offense has plenty of questions entering the 2025 season. There's a four-way battle for starting quarterback and the running back room has a pair of rookies in addition to Ford competing for carries.
One of those rookies, Quinshon Judkins, has yet to sign a contract following his battery charge in July. That's left fellow rookie Dylan Sampson competing with Ford for carries. Ford's the incumbent and with a likely suspension pending for Judkins, he's in line for a bigger role as the season starts.
The Vikings traded for Mason in the offseason in a move that reflects a shift to a more effective ground game in Minnesota this year. Aaron Jones Sr. was the top back and had the majority of carries last year, but Mason's arrival could signal a shift.
With training camp underway, ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported that it may be closer to an even split in carries between Jones and Mason than what the Vikings have done in prior seasons. Jones should still be the lead back, but from training camp reps it looks like Mason should get a solid share of carries to start the season. That could raise his status from handcuff to low-end RB3.
The more training camp rolls on, the more Walker hype builds. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said "we're going to ask a lot out of him" during his introductory press conference, and that's been backed up in camp so far. Health is always a question mark with Walker; he's missed a combined 10 games over his first three seasons. But if he can stay on the field there's a chance he could outperform his draft slot.
Worthy closed his rookie season well with two top-15 WR performances in the final three weeks. He could be in for a strong start to his sophomore year in the NFL. Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice may be serving a suspension to open the season stemming from a car crash during the 2024 offseason. Whether he can hold onto a large share of the targets once Rice returns is a question. Until then, he's looking like an improving option as a WR3 as the regular season approaches.
San Francisco shipped Samuel east this offseason and he suddenly finds himself as the top wide receiver in the offense because Terry McLaurin requested a trade. Samuel dropped off in 2024 with just 806 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns, both the lowest since his injury-shortened season in 2020.
With McLaurin's status in question amid contract negotiations, Samuel could capitalize with a larger target share through training camp. McLaurin may be off the field for a while and may need time to get up to speed once he comes back. That gives Samuel plenty of opportunity to produce as the top wideout for reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels.
Egbuka was widely considered one of the most pro-ready prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. That made him an attractive pick in dynasty leagues, and now he's becoming a more attractive option to have a good rookie season. Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin is recovering from another surgery on his ankle and is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list in the early parts of training camp. Egbuka's ceiling is likely capped given Mike Evans' presence and late-season riser Jalen McMillan's return for a sophomore season. He could be a low-end WR3 as the season starts, though.
Seattle released tight end Noah Fant and the former Seahawk has since signed with the Bengals. Barner is entering Year 2 with a new offensive coordinator in Kubiak. Seattle lacks a lot of weapons in the passing game and, with Fant's departure, Barner could get a larger target share. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the top man but behind him it could be a mix of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Cooper Kupp and a pair of rookies who are getting a lot of work in training camp.
Barner has to fend off a rookie as well in Round 2 pick Elijah Arroyo. Both have impressed in camp early but Barner's experience could keep him ahead as the season starts.
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