11 Training Camp Position Battles With Fantasy Football Implications

New England Patriots' Backs and Receivers

As with Rodgers, we want to tie our fantasy assets to the right arm of Tom Brady, as well. The problem is that we don't know which assets will be benefiting most from Brady's skills just yet.

Let's start with the running backs, a group most likely to include first-round pick Sony Michel along with holdovers Rex Burkhead and James White. Michel's easily the most expensive piece here, going at the end of the fourth round, but that makes sense.

The New England Patriots spent a high-end pick on Michel, and with how little they have spent at the position historically, that matters. It means they believe Michel can contribute to the offense right away, which would be huge for his fantasy value.

Because of that, Michel could very well be worth his current cost in fantasy. That doesn't mean we should avoid Burkhead and White, though, especially Burkhead.

From his return from injury in Week 7 through Week 15 -- when another injury arose -- Burkhead had 7 of 11 running-back carries inside the 5-yard line, also adding 2 more targets there. ESPN's Mike Reiss speculated in June that Burkhead would continue to fill that role over Michel, making Burkhead a guy we need to keep watching.

As for the wide receivers, there's opportunity to be had with Julian Edelman set to serve a four-game suspension. It's just hard to nail down who would benefit.

It helps that -- outside of Chris Hogan -- nobody here is super expensive, meaning we can afford to take some stabs late.

Edelman can still return value from that slot despite the suspension, but it looks like the guys we want to gamble on here are Jordan Matthews, Kenny Britt, and Malcolm Mitchell.

None of those guys are a lock to make the team, and Mitchell has already been the subject of trade rumors. But with the cost being so low and Edelman out the first quarter of the season, it's worth watching this group to see who may emerge as the next option.