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Training Camp Notes: Rookie Receivers A-Go-Go!

With just one preseason game on the NFL's slate Sunday, news was a little scarce, but the Colts-Eagles tilt did feature an interesting matchup of rookie first-round wide receivers. Both Nelson Agholor (20th overall to the Eagles) and Phillip Dorsett (29th overall to the Colts) lined up with the ones Sunday and both flashed their considerable skills. Dorsett looked as elusive as you'd expect from a kid built like a prototypical slot receiver, catching four passes for 51 yards, but he also coughed up a fumble and his fantasy prospects for 2015 are limited as he's buried on the Indy depth chart behind T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson and Donte Moncrief, not to mention Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen and Frank Gore. Andrew Luck could attempt 700 passes this year and there still wouldn't be enough targets tricking down to get Dorsett on the radar in most formats.

Agholor looked even better, making a leaping catch on a terrible Mark Sanchez pass (but I repeat myself...), then leaving cornerback Greg Toler in the dust en route to a 34-yard TD scamper. The only thing he's lacking is elite size, but otherwise Agholor's the complete package as a receiver and he didn't seem to leave any doubt Sunday that he'd be in the starting lineup come Week 1. He finished the day with three catches for 57 yards, and probably added a full round to his ADP with the performance.

Here's a peek 'round the rest of the league:

  • the NFL Network and ESPN wasted no time in getting back on the Tim Tebow bandwagon Sunday after he scampered for a TD, repeating the phrase "He's a winner!" like hypnotists trying to put their audience in a trance, but he looked like the same old inaccurate guy he's always been and got thoroughly outplayed by Matt Barkley. The only thing that might keep Tebow on the 53-man roster for Philly is the possibility that Barkley gets dealt, or that the Sanchize just gets dumped (seriously, check the Vine of that Agholor catch again)
  • Delanie Walker missed the Titans' preseason opener Friday with a thumb injury but was participating in team drills Sunday while wearing a soft cast. He should be ready for Week 1 and while he's not considered an elite option at TE, if Marcus Mariota is more accurate than the parade of popguns that was under center for the team in 2014, Walker could match last season's production even if he doesn't match last season's targets
  • Todd Bowles confirmed that Jeremy Kerley would be his starting slot receiver, which would be big fantasy news if Bowles coached, say, the Broncos instead of the Jets. As it is, Kerley will still be a consideration in deep formats, but his numbers have been declining for a reason since his surprising 2012 performance and the addition of Brandon Marshall to the team's passing attack won't help Kerley's prospects, even if you think having Ryan Fitzpatrick start over Geno Smith is an upgrade
  • in kicker news, Josh Brown has won the Giants gig over Chris Boswell; Carey Spear may have a slight lead over Travis Coons is the battle for the Browns' job; Dan Carpenter was back at practice for the Bills after recovering from a hamstring issue; and, perhaps most interesting, Cody Parkey missed two PAT-length kicks (one an actual PAT, the other a 34-yard field goal) in Sunday's preseason game. That likely means nothing in the long run but if I were Parkey, I wouldn't be giving Chip Kelly too many excuses to go for two points after a touchdown instead of settling for the single...
  • and on the IDP front, Kiko Alonso worked out prior to Sunday's game but didn't play as the Eagles continue to bring him back slowly from a concussion; Christian Kirksey, who looked good as a rookie last year when he got a chance to start, appears to have the edge over Craig Robertson as the two battle for a spot next to Karlos Dansby at inside linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 defense; Nick Moody picked up nine tackles in Saturday's game against the Texans and could now be the favorite to start alongside NaVorro Bowman at ILB in the 49ers' 3-4; and Houston coach Bill O'Brien thinks that Jadeveon Clowney, who should begin practicing Monday as he works his way back from microfracture surgery, will be ready to play come Week 1. If you need a wild card to get you some sacks, Clowney isn't likely to command a lot of attention from blockers as long as J.J. Watt is around and could find himself in the backfield a lot if he is fully recovered