NFL Barometer: Cook Is Simmering

All 32 teams have been hard at work for the last week-plus, providing us with plenty of tangible information to go off of in terms of fantasy outlooks and speculation. A couple of veteran quarterbacks are offering especially encouraging returns early, and multiple prominent offensive pieces seem to be rebounding nicely from injuries. However, as is common at this stage of the summer, there's also been a few health-related casualties over the first few practices.

Without further ado, let's see whose outlook brightened or darkened over the early stages of camp:

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Quarterback

Andrew Luck, Colts: Colts brass and fans alike have been able to collectively exhale over the last week, as Luck has increasingly demonstrated that he'll be a full go by the time the regular season rolls around. The most tangible evidence yet of the fitness of Luck's surgically repaired shoulder came Sunday, when the former Pro Bowler went 19-for-22 with a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's practice, a tally that included multiple downfield connections with favorite target T.Y. Hilton. Luck will still be taking intermittent days off during camp to pace himself, but he's otherwise practicing at full speed and is slated to play in the Colts' first preseason tilt.

Joe Flacco, Ravens: Flacco has shined through the first two weeks of camp, encouragingly building chemistry with a cadre of new receivers. The veteran's latest successes came in Tuesday's practice, when he hooked up with presumed No. 1 target Michael Crabtree for a 35-yard score and also had a nifty back-shoulder connection with the oft-injured but talented John Brown, who's slated to serve as his No. 2 option if he can stay healthy. Flacco's knife could well have been sharpened by the looming threat to his starting job posed by one Lamar Jackson. While Jackson's physical skills are naturally going to secure him the top spot eventually, the value of a strong-armed veteran quarterback that's locked in can't be understated, and head coach John Harbaugh isn't likely to give Flacco the hook as long as he's producing, regardless of who's waiting in the wings.

Running Back

Dalvin Cook, Vikings: Cook was on his way to validating his first-round status and then some last season before a torn ACL derailed him, but during the first few practices of camp, he appears to be right back to where he left off. Cook has jumped back into practice without the hindrance of a brace, and he participated in his first padded session Monday. If everything continues as smoothly for him, Cook should certainly be ready for an unrestricted workload right from the jump in the regular season.

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs: Another star running back on the mend – albeit from a much less serious injury – is Hunt, who's been dealing with a hamstring issue during the offseason. The Chiefs have taken plenty of precautions with last season's third-round pick, but he progressed to limited participation in 11-on-11 drills in Monday's practice. His activity level had been bumped up to an unrestricted session by Wednesday, putting him on track to play in preseason games and start the regular season in the expected role of No. 1 workhorse back.

Derrius Guice, Redskins: As expected, Guice appears to be separating himself from the pack, namely backfield mates Samaje Perine and Rob Kelley, in early camp practices. The second-round pick has already earned praise of coaches for his work both on the field and in the classroom. Guice has reportedly flashed aggressiveness and a willingness to get physical in pass protection, although his actual blocking skills still lag a bit behind – an area he'll need to be at least adequate in if he's going to receive significant playing time in his rookie season – and also shown strong attention to detail as he gets up to speed on his first pro playbook. Those attributes are earning him plenty of reps with the first unit thus far, a role that he appears to have the talent to shine in after an impressive final pair of college seasons.

Rashaad Penny, Seahawks: Penny comes with no shortage of accompanying hype after a 2,248-yard senior season at San Diego State, and the fact he walks into an unsettled backfield situation in Seattle has plenty of would-be fantasy owners salivating as well. While second-year pro Chris Carson is believed to be a formidable contender, Penny's upside projects to be a cut above anyone else in the running back room. He's been making good on that potential early, drawing praise from offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer for his pass-catching and blocking in particular. The fact that he's making an impression in areas besides his running is especially noteworthy for the rookie's chances of garnering a significant share of touches during his first season.

Jerick McKinnon / Matt Breida, 49ers: The 49ers' two-headed backfield monster gets a joint listing, as they both appear to be thriving in their respective bids to make a case for significant 2018 playing time. Neither back projects as a classic high-volume option, so the fact they're both standing out in early practices – McKinnon looking especially good as a receiver, while Breida working his way into some first-team reps – is the ideal scenario for head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff.

Wide Receiver

Chris Godwin, Buccaneers: Godwin came on strong throughout OTAs and minicamp after a solid rookie season, so it's highly encouraging to see him carry the momentum over into the early portion of camp. The Penn State product has reportedly been the picture of consistency in his bid to unseat Adam Humphries for the third receiver role, and he demonstrated his considerable physical skills Tuesday with a picturesque diving grab. While the competition for the attention of quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick, and eventually, Jameis Winston, figures to be fierce this season, Godwin certainly appears to be on his way to claiming his fair share of looks.

Anthony Miller, Bears: Hopes have been high for Miller since being nabbed with a second-round pick last April, and he's been making good on the expectations in so far in camp. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the abundant praise directed Miller's way is how diverse and thorough it's been – everything from his hands, quickness, and route-running has been lauded by multiple observers. Essentially, the rookie is shining in all the right areas for a pass catcher, lending plenty of reason for optimism with respect to his 2018 outlook in an offense where he stands a chance to carve out a solid role.

D.J. Moore, Panthers: Moore is already providing tangible indications that he could be the weapon the Panthers envisioned right from the get-go, impressing with an extremely quick first step and strong hands. Moore improved his numbers over those of the prior season throughout his college tenure, and he's already projected to fill the No. 3 role in the Carolina receiving corps to begin the season. Given current No. 2 receiver Torrey Smith's often pedestrian production and advancing age, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Moore eventually vault up another notch on the depth chart as the 2018 campaign unfolds, either.

Tight End

Jordan Reed, Redskins: Naturally, any good news regarding Reed's health is often interpreted as fleeting by fantasy owners who've been burned by him in the past, but there's reason for (cautious) optimism in the early stages of camp. The talented tight end seems to be explosive and fast following the removal of his troublesome sesamoid bones in both toes this offseason, and he's progressively ramped up his activity. Reed began with individual drills before eventually progressing to 7-on-7 work. He's now slated for his first full team drills this Saturday, and early returns have him building solid chemistry with new signal caller Alex Smith. Naturally, a completely healthy Reed is frequently a matchup nightmare on a variety of routes, and given Smith's history with Travis Kelce in building prolific connections with the tight end position, it could result in a perfect storm for fantasy purposes.

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Quarterback

Nathan Peterman, Bills: The Bills' starting quarterback competition doesn't exactly send fantasy owners' hearts racing, but hey, it's a starting quarterback competition in an NFL camp nonetheless. That said, reports are that Peterman is falling behind AJ McCarron in the battle to helm the Buffalo offense, and that even rookie Josh Allen is starting to elbow his way into some first-team work. Peterman's currently slotting ahead of Allen on the depth chart is likely centered primarily on his edge in experience, and there's no guarantee the order doesn't change with an impressive preseason by the rookie.

Running Back

Elijah McGuire, Jets: McGuire was thought to be in line to carve out significant third-down work at a minimum to open the season, but those plans are by the wayside for the time being. The second-year back underwent foot surgery Monday after sustaining a fracture in Friday's practice. His projected recovery time is six weeks at present, which could lead to him starting the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Kenneth Dixon, Ravens: Dixon missed all of last season due to a torn meniscus, but it's a hamstring injury that's cost him three straight practices through Monday. Dixon projects to be in a summer-long battle with Javorius Allen for a backup/pass-catching role behind locked-in starter Alex Collins, and naturally, multiple absences do nothing to help his cause, especially considering he's still trying to work his way back into football shape.

Wide Receiver

Rishard Matthews, Titans: Matthews remains on the PUP list through the first few practices of camp, and the Titans haven't exactly been forthcoming with information regarding what's ailing him. Reports of an injury first surfaced in late May when the receiver was limited in OTAs, and there wasn't much concern expressed at the time. The fact that the veteran remains out of drills over two months later takes matters to another level altogether, however. Until further details are divulged and/or Matthews jumps back into practice, his outlook is ambiguous in the truest sense of the word.

Jordan Matthews, Patriots: Matthews didn't arrive in New England with the most pristine of recent medical histories, so it was particularly disappointing to see him sidelined yet again early in his Patriots tenure. That disappointment turned into an outright cutting of ties Wednesday, as the fifth-year pro was released by New England. Reports had emerged yesterday that Matthews' injury had been deemed to be "significant", which seemed to foreshadow an extended stay on the sidelines for the 26-year-old. The Patriots apparently concurred, and despite a need at the position over the first four weeks of the season in particular while Julian Edelman serves a suspension, Matthews finds himself on the NFL unemployment line.

Doug Baldwin, Seahawks: Another prominent wideout with a somewhat mysterious ailment is Baldwin, who's expected to miss another few weeks of practice with what's only been described as "knee soreness". The team may simply be exercising an abundance of caution, but they also have declined to be specific about the nature of what's bothering the veteran. The current projected timeline assumes that Baldwin will miss at least one preseason game, with the likelihood that it's multiple contests very much in play. Given that he won't have a chance to fully condition and work his way into regular-season mode for some time yet, his arrow is trending down at present.

Donte Moncrief, Jaguars: Moncrief hasn't exactly inspired confidence with his play or health the last couple of seasons, and he's among the walking wounded again in his new Jacksonville digs. The 24-year-old was thought to be dealing with an ankle injury when he was first sidelined at the end of last week, but Tuesday brought the news that it's actually a knee issue plaguing him. Moncrief was up to four missed practices by Tuesday, and with a talented and explosive duo of Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole directly underneath him on the depth chart, he's at some degree of risk of being overtaken with a combination of an extended absence and standout performances by either or both of the younger receivers.

Tight End

David Njoku, Browns: Njoku heads the Browns tight end depth chart, but he's continued to struggle early in camp with an issue that plagued him during the latter part of his college tenure, and in his rookie season to a lesser extent – dropped passes. The former Miami Hurricane mishandled four throws in Sunday's practice alone, and he finished the team period of the session with his right leg wrapped in ice as well. He was back on the field Monday, but promptly let a Tyrod Taylor pass go off his hands and into the waiting arms of Damarious Randall. While Njoku's starting role appears safe – projected No. 2 tight end Seth DeValve isn't considered a serious threat to vault past him on the depth chart – the second-year pro could still fall short of fantasy expectations and targets if his issues persist.