5 Players with the Most on the Line in Training Camp

Travis Etienne (RB - JAX)

He’s in need of a serious bounce-back after a disappointing (and inefficient) 2024 season, and his work is cut out for him with two very efficient RBs in Tank Bigsby and rookie Bhayshul Tuten sharing the backfield with him. New HC Liam Coen’s hot hand approach birthed the Bucky Irving phenomenon, and Etienne will have to kick camp off on the right foot to avoid becoming the Rachaad White to Bigsby or Tuten’s Bucky – or falling out of the backfield rotation entirely.

Anthony Richardson (QB - IND)

This time last year, Richardson was being drafted as a potential top-5 fantasy QB. Fast forward to today, and he’s losing a QB battle with Daniel Jones before it’s even started. Life comes at you fast in the NFL, and with his career as a starter on life support, it’s going to take a Herculean effort if and when Richardson is able to suit up to overtake Jones, who’s set to win the battle on cruise control by default.

Jordan Mason (RB- MIN)

Mason has been one of the most efficient rushers in the league when given the opportunity, and he has perhaps his best shot to be a real contributor in a non-backup capacity this year in Minnesota. Kevin O’Connell talked this offseason about keeping Aaron Jones (now 30) fresh using Mason, and impressing in camp could be a highway to Mason’s most consistent role and utilization of his career, including a potential goal-line role. And on a high-powered offense like Minnesota’s, that could prove to be highly lucrative.

D’Andre Swift (RB - CHI)

D’Andre Swift has been flying under the radar as Ben Johnson’s current RB1 — but can he hold onto that role? He’ll need to earn Johnson’s trust in camp to keep a grip on early-down and passing work, with Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai both lurking. Swift averaged an extremely healthy 5 targets per game under Johnson in 2022, but his range of outcomes in this backfield remains wide heading into camp.

Isiah Pacheco (RB - KC)

Pacheco is one season removed from being a fantasy RB1, and he was on his way last season after averaging 21 touches over the two games before fracturing his fibula. Kareem Hunt took over and played a role throughout the rest of the year despite Pacheco returning late and Hunt being dead last in nearly every efficiency category. Hunt is back with the Chiefs, but a healthy Pacheco still has a chance of re-gaining his workhorse role in camp, and if he does, we’re looking at a serious value in the 6th round of fantasy drafts.