Richard, Eisenberg chat replay (8/3)

Rashard Mendenhall starting for Cardinals
by Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer

(11:28 am ET) Cardinals coach Bruce Arians made it clear Wednesday that Rashard Mendenhall is the starting running back heading into training camp. Arians said on the NFL Network that "there's no doubt" that Mendenhall would be the featured back if the season started today.

"He took me personally to a Super Bowl, and I know what he can bring to the table as a runner and a pass protector and also a receiver," Arians said, courtesy of NFL.com. "He's an every-down player. And I think he's looking forward to having an outstanding season."

Arians said Mendenhall is "ready to go" after dealing with complications from his torn ACL at the end of 2011, and he considers Mendenhall a three-down running back. That leaves Ryan Williams as the No. 2 running back heading into training camp, and he's expected to be used in a change-of-pace role.

Rookies Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor are clearly behind Mendenhall and Williams on the depth chart.

Hartsock 'caught everything' at minicamp
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

(11:27 am ET) Veteran tight end Ben Hartsock "caught everything" over a number of underneath routes at minicamp for the Panthers per the Charlotte Observer. Hartsock, with 31 career receptions over nine seasons, is battling for playing time with the team.

Could an undrafted rookie start at safety for Carolina?
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

(11:19 am ET) Panthers undrafted rookie safety Robert Lester had a good spring with the team and is considered in the mix for the starting strong safety job per the Charlotte Observer. Lester had 14 interceptions as part of two national championship teams at Alabama and has shown some good size (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and instincts according to the paper.

Jake Locker healthy heading into camp
by Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer

(11:16 am ET) Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker appears healthy heading into training camp. The Tennessean reports Locker hasn't missed a practice after recovering ahead of schedule from surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in January.

"Physically he is in the best shape of his life. The dude is a beast," wide receiver Marc Mariani said. "As a quarterback, he wins every sprint in conditioning drills. He is just an animal. And he is a natural-born leader. Jake is a guy people look at as an example, and that is what you look for in your leader, your quarterback."

Coach: Star Lotulelei has 'come a long way'
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

(11:16 am ET) Panthers coach Ron Rivera says rookie defensive tackle Star Lotulelei has "come a long way" in using his hands to get off his blocks since being drafted by the team in April. Lotulelei was in good shape for minicamp and was on the field a lot during the practice sessions according to the Charlotte Observer.

Josh Norman a fixture in Panthers defense?
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

(11:13 am ET) Panthers secondary coach Steve Wilks says cornerback Josh Norman has come back more disciplined and focused for his second season, and that could end up helping him begin the year as a starter, according to the Charlotte Observer. Norman was a starter for much of last year before getting benched for bad play.

Panthers could hang on to Armanti Edwards
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

(11:11 am ET) Fourth-year receiver Armanti Edwards has been a pleasant surprise through the offseason. At the Panthers' recent minicamp he ran fluidly through his routes and caught the ball well in traffic, making strides from where he was previously in his career. Though the team has added Joe Adams and Ted Ginn over the last two seasons, the Charlotte Observer believes Edwards should land a roster spot out of training camp.

Lance Dunbar showing off skills
by Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer

(11:10 am ET) The Dallas Cowboys are expected to use rookie Joseph Randle as the No. 2 running back behind DeMarco Murray, but Lance Dunbar could carve out a role for himself.

According to ESPN, Dunbar had a terrific offseason and appears to have earned the trust of quarterback Tony Romo with his receiving skills. The report says Dunbar can be elusive out of the backfield and give linebackers some trouble. He also has proven to be a willing blocker.

The bad news for Dunbar, however, is Randle has been out all offseason with a thumb injury. When Randle returns in training camp he could reduce Dunbar's role.

Vernon Davis working as a receiver in camp
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

(10:49 am ET) In the wake of wideout Michael Crabtree's torn Achilles sidelining him for what's believed to be the majority of the regular season, 49ers tight end Vernon Davis worked out as a receiver during the team's recent minicamp, according to the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat. He lined up on the outside while teammate Anquan Boldin worked in the slot. With the progress Vance McDonald has made since joining the team (the coaches have been hyping him quite a bit), Davis could be free to line up other than as an in-line tight end more often.

According to ProFootballFocus.com, Davis caught 26 of his 41 passes outside the numbers with only one drop in those areas (three total).

James Hanna still ahead of Gavin Escobar
by Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer

(10:45 am ET) Dallas Cowboys rookie tight end Gavin Escobar was taken in the second round of the NFL Draft with the idea that he would be the No. 2 tight end behind Jason Witten. But heading into training camp, it appears like Escobar is No. 3 on the depth chart.

According to ESPN, James Hanna remained the No. 2 tight end through offseason workouts. The report says Escobar "raised his level of play as camp went on," but Hanna has made it difficult for Escobar to take his job.

More Updates

1	Peyton Manning, DEN, QB
2	Drew Brees, NO, QB
3	Tony Romo, DAL, QB
4	Cam Newton, CAR, QB
5	Tom Brady, NE, QB
6	Aaron Rodgers, GB, QB
7	Robert Griffin III, WAS, QB
8	Russell Wilson, SEA, QB
9	Andrew Luck, IND, QB
10	Michael Vick, PHI, QB
All Rankings

1	Adrian Peterson, MIN, RB
2	C.J. Spiller, BUF, RB
3	Marshawn Lynch, SEA, RB
4	Alfred Morris, WAS, RB
5	Frank Gore, SF, RB
6	Arian Foster, HOU, RB
7	DeMarco Murray, DAL, RB
8	Jamaal Charles, KC, RB
9	Stevan Ridley, NE, RB
10	LeSean McCoy, PHI, RB
All Rankings

1	Calvin Johnson, DET, WR
2	Dez Bryant, DAL, WR
3	Demaryius Thomas, DEN, WR
4	Brandon Marshall, CHI, WR
5	Wes Welker, DEN, WR
6	Eric Decker, DEN, WR
7	Reggie Wayne, IND, WR
8	Steve Smith, CAR, WR
9	Victor Cruz, NYG, WR
10	Marques Colston, NO, WR
All Rankings

1	Rob Gronkowski, NE, TE
2	Antonio Gates, SD, TE
3	Aaron Hernandez, NE, TE
4	Jason Witten, DAL, TE
5	Greg Olsen, CAR, TE
6	Jimmy Graham, NO, TE
7	Tony Gonzalez, ATL, TE
8	Dwayne Allen, IND, TE
9	Kyle Rudolph, MIN, TE
10	Delanie Walker, TEN, TE
All Rankings

1	Matt Prater, DEN, K
2	Stephen Gostkowski, NE, K
3	Shaun Suisham, PIT, K
4	Adam Vinatieri, IND, K
5	Blair Walsh, MIN, K
6	Nick Novak, SD, K
7	Garrett Hartley, NO, K
8	Jason Hanson, DET, K
9	Mason Crosby, GB, K
10	Josh Brown, NYG, K
All Rankings

1	Steelers, DST
2	49ers, DST
3	Broncos, DST
4	Chargers, DST
5	Seahawks, DST
6	Bengals, DST
7	Bills, DST
8	Patriots, DST
9	Texans, DST
10	Packers, DST
All Rankings