With NFL training camps now underway, fantasy football managers are focusing intently on breakout performers, and one name gaining attention is Kyle Pitts. Despite a challenging 2024 season, Pitts is emerging as a top fantasy sleeper prospect for 2025, showing promise that could make him a significant value pick this year.
Each summer, the reports streaming out of camps mix hope with hype, making it hard for fantasy owners to discern which players will truly rise. Yet, those who can identify potential stars beyond their average draft position will often gain an edge. Pitts, currently ranked as the 18th tight end and 146th overall in average drafts, fits this mold, showing encouraging signs with the Atlanta Falcons as they prepare for the new season.
Why Kyle Pitts Stands Out Amid Quiet Fantasy Expectations
Kyle Pitts has struggled to meet lofty expectations since his rookie season when he delivered a standout performance with 68 receptions for over 1,000 yards and finished among the top tight ends in PPR scoring. Despite those early flashes, the tight end has underperformed in the past two seasons, leading many fantasy owners to overlook him heading into 2025.
However, early indications from the Falcons’ training camp paint a different picture. Head coach Raheem Morris expressed clear optimism about Pitts’s progress and development, crediting Pitts’s work with quarterbacks Michael Penix and Zac Robinson for their improved communication and execution on the field. Morris said,
“I think the way he is going to do that is what he’s been doing the last couple weeks: Working with Michael Penix, having the ability to go out there and have a plan for him to operate individually. Those are the things we’re working on right now. The communication between him and Zac Robinson is at a very high level right now. Him and Mike. Him and the organization. I am really fired up, pumped up to see where we can go and what we can do from the standpoint of those guys having gotten some time together this offseason.”
—Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons Head Coach
Pitts’s rookie campaign showed his potential ceiling, and if these offseason improvements translate, he could become an undervalued asset in fantasy leagues. Considering his draft history as the fourth overall pick—unprecedented for a tight end—there is reason to believe Pitts rediscovered his form following this promising camp.
Cam Ward Looks to Capitalize on Unexpected Starting Role with Tennessee Titans
Another potential fantasy sleeper from training camp is quarterback Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans, currently averaging as the 24th quarterback and 153rd overall pick. Ward’s path to the starting job was unforeseen due to Will Levis’s season-ending shoulder surgery, thrusting Ward into the spotlight as the team‘s leading signal-caller.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan praised Ward’s progress during camp but acknowledged there remains work to prepare him for Week 1. Callahan shared,
“There’s going to be things that we got to correct every day, and there’s going to be things that he’s going to do really well every day that we’re going to try to continue those things. Every single day I think is going to be an opportunity for development for him, and I’m looking forward to it.”
—Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans Head Coach
The Titans’ offense boasts talented receivers including Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Treylon Burks, and Elic Ayomanor, while Ward’s mobility adds a desirable dimension. His 12 rushing touchdowns over his last two college seasons highlight his upside. Ward’s affordable draft position, placed near the end of fantasy QB2 selections, might yield significant value if he quickly adapts as starter.
Carolina Panthers Anticipate Breakthrough Season with Bryce Young
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, another former first overall pick, enters the 2025 season with much to prove after a tumultuous sophomore year. Ranked as the 25th quarterback and 154th overall on average, Young has quietly shown improvement late last season, impressing with enhanced accuracy and decisiveness.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales set a confident tone at training camp, emphasizing high expectations and competitiveness for his team. Canales stated,
“I think the sky’s the limit for this group. I think this is going to be a very competitive team. I don’t think people are going to want to play us by the style of football that we play. I’m expecting that. My expectations are really high for this group.”
—Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers Head Coach
With new weapons like wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, Young’s improved offensive arsenal strengthens his fantasy potential. His late-season surge as a top 10 fantasy quarterback could be a sign of a breakout season in 2025.
Cam Skattebo Emerges as Key Running Back Candidate for New York Giants
The New York Giants’ selection of running back Cam Skattebo in the fourth round of the 2025 draft has generated early buzz after an impressive collegiate career at Arizona State. Skattebo averaged over 2,300 total yards and scored 24 touchdowns last season, raising expectations as he joins a Giants backfield with room for growth.
Matt Sidney of Fansided remarked on Skattebo’s impact at camp, saying,
“On Day 1 of training camp, Skatt was seemingly everywhere. It’s clear as day this kid is going to have a major role in Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka’s scheme — and it’s going to be electric. Skattebo was everywhere. The rookie lit up practice from the jump, and it’s already obvious this team has a real weapon on its hands. The offense, which has spent the last few seasons allergic to the end zone, finally has a guy who can help change that. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart may be the long-term face, but Skattebo could be the one who changes things this fall.”
—Matt Sidney, Fansided
Though incumbent Tyrone Tracy Jr. remains a factor, his per-touch efficiency and ball security issues open the door for Skattebo to seize a larger role. If this rookie maintains his impressive start, he could be a major hidden asset for fantasy owners taking him outside the top 100 picks.
Rookie Bhayshul Tuten Impresses in Jacksonville Jaguars’ Crowded Backfield
Among the Jaguars’ rookies, running back Bhayshul Tuten is making a name for himself as a dynamic athlete capable of producing big plays, despite the competition and mixed performances surrounding him. Rookie runner Travis Etienne Jr. continues to be hyped, but Tuten’s camp work has not gone unnoticed.
ESPN’s Mia O’Brien highlighted his standout agility and vision, writing,
“Tuten stood out among all RBs. 3 runs in team period where side-to-side agility, burst, reading the hole on full display. Made it look easy.”
—Mia O’Brien, ESPN Reporter
Fantasy analyst Derek Brown added further context on Tuten’s upside, noting,
“Tuten has the juice to make the most of his touches. During his final collegiate season, he ranked tenth in yards after contact per attempt and breakaway percentage and eighth in elusive rating (per PFF). Tuten is an upside flier who could pay off handsomely in 2025, much like Bucky Irving did last year.”
—Derek Brown, Fantasy Pros
While ball security has been a concern given his previous fumbles, if Tuten holds onto the football, he could emerge as a valuable fantasy option in a Jaguars offense searching for a consistent threat.
Tre Harris Could Quickly Climb Chargers’ Receiving Depth Chart
Wide receiver Tre Harris, a second-round draft pick by the Chargers, impressed last year at Ole Miss by posting over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games. A polished route-runner with strong receiving metrics, Harris has made an immediate impact at Chargers camp, catching the attention of quarterback Justin Herbert.
Herbert praised Harris’s technical skills and understanding of the offense, saying,
“He runs really crisp routes, and he’s picked up the offense well, too. You know when you‘re out there, he’s going to run the right route and you don’t have to worry about that.”
—Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers Quarterback
With veteran Mike Williams having abruptly retired and some uncertainty behind the top receiver Ladd McConkey, Harris has a real shot to rise quickly and fill a significant role in this offense. His draft stock could climb rapidly if he surpasses peers like Quentin Johnston in early practices and preseason action.
Joshua Palmer Offers Veteran Stability for Buffalo Bills Receiving Corps
After signing a lucrative three-year, $29 million contract with the Bills, wide receiver Joshua Palmer is poised to play a meaningful part in Buffalo’s offense. Palmer’s 2022 season featured 72 receptions for 769 yards, demonstrating a reliable skill set despite limited hype entering 2025.
Quarterback Josh Allen expressed confidence in Palmer’s abilities and leadership at camp, urging the team to focus and build together. Allen said,
“Just put your head down and work. It’s two and a half weeks in camp. They go quick, but you can really show who you are as far as a person, as a player, over these next two and a half weeks. Again, everything that we do is centered around the team and building this team. Let’s tune everything out. Give me two and a half weeks of everything that you got, and we’ll go from there.”
—Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills Quarterback
Allen also noted Palmer’s impressive traits, commenting,
“His separation with his feet. His body language. His catch radius is one of the best I’ve ever been around.”
—Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills Quarterback
With Buffalo’s wide receiver room in flux, especially with Keon Coleman struggling early in camp, Palmer’s low draft position makes him a tempting late-round gamble who could produce significant value if given a chance to shine.
Emerging Players to Watch for Fantasy Triumphs in 2025
The early training camp reports reveal a mix of veterans and rookies with the potential to outperform their draft status in fantasy leagues this year. Among them, Kyle Pitts’s revitalization with the Falcons stands as one of the most intriguing stories, reflecting both raw talent and renewed opportunity under a fresh offensive approach.
Meanwhile, young quarterbacks like Cam Ward and Bryce Young are entering pivotal seasons where their development directly impacts their fantasy appeal amidst evolving offenses and improving supporting casts. On the skill position front, backs Cam Skattebo and Bhayshul Tuten bring explosiveness to teams looking for dynamic playmakers, while wide receivers Tre Harris and Joshua Palmer could emerge as reliable targets amid positional turnover.
Fantasy owners who track these training camp developments closely and keep an eye on players flying under the radar should position themselves well to capitalize on late-round draft steals and breakout performances throughout the 2025 NFL season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is Kyle Pitts called a unicorn?
A. Scott appreciated Pitts’ consistent attitude during practice. He liked that Pitts showed up with the same positive approach daily. At Florida, Pitts was tough to defend. His size overwhelmed cornerbacks, while his speed and accurate route-running often left linebackers trailing. This skill earned him the nickname “Unicorn.”