Episode Summary: Training Camp News & Silva Rankings Changes (July 28, 2026)
Adam Levitan and Evan Silva run through the biggest training camp news and Silva’s latest top-150 rankings changes. Malik Nabers avoided the active/PUP list — ETR moved him back up to 30 overall and Adam is comfortable with 8% exposure at an average pick cost around 35. Kenneth Walker III is going to be the Chiefs’ offensive focal point — Patrick Mahomes literally said, “If all else fails, I’ll just hand it off to Walker.” And Silva flipped Puka Nacua ahead of Ja’Marr Chase for the No. 2 overall pick in home leagues. Plus Alec Pierce on PUP, the ripple effects of Alvin Kamara staying in New Orleans, Josh Jacobs still in legal limbo, Sam LaPorta cleared, De’Zhaun Stribling emerging as a 49ers stack piece, and George Kittle targeting a September return.
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Key Topics
- Positive news: Malik Nabers off PUP, Sam LaPorta cleared, Rashee Rice cleared, Quinshon Judkins full go, Daniel Jones full go, Patrick Mahomes practicing 7.5 months after ACL, Jacoby Brissett finally gets his Cardinals deal done.
- Concerning news: Alec Pierce on active/PUP with 1-2 week practice timeline, George Kittle on active/PUP, Josh Jacobs legal case still open, Tyreek Hill saying he has no power in his left leg (likely done in the NFL).
Takeaway #1 (0:24): Malik Nabers avoids PUP — ETR is back to 30 overall, Adam is targeting 8% exposure at pick 35
- Anyone who is not on PUP to start training camp is technically expected to practice on Day 1. By avoiding the PUP list, Nabers sets himself up to practice on Day 1 of Giants training camp. Dan Duggan of The Athletic reported that Nabers could actually be ready for Week 1. Two weeks ago, the conversation was whether he could be back by midseason. Now Silva bumped Nabers from 53 to 44 overall and has him as WR24.
- Adam’s big thing is that if a player is good enough to avoid active/PUP, it means the team thinks he has a very good chance to play sometime in the first four weeks of the season. And if that is the case, then by November or December, it is not crazy to think Nabers could be 95-100% of himself. That is what matters most. ETR has been more aggressive than Silva — back up to 30 overall in the ETR ranks. He would have been a top-12 player for ETR this season if he had been healthy.
- There is still risk: The rehab has been rough; he needed an ACL repair, a full meniscus repair, and a cleanup a couple of months ago for scar tissue. Systemic risk with the Matt Nagy factor, Jaxson Dart taking to a new offense, and the Giants being the Giants. But an 85-90% Nabers by midseason has a chance to crush in the back half. Very little worrisome target competition — Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, corpse of Odell Beckham, tight ends.
Takeaway #2 (23:54): Kenneth Walker III is going to be the Chiefs’ offensive focal point. Patrick Mahomes said so himself.
- Mahomes is practicing in full 7.5 months after ACL surgery, rolling out both ways and throwing on the run. But Mahomes has already admitted publicly that he ran too much last season, and that was a massive reason he was so good in fantasy. His scramble rate was off the charts. Silva expects that to come down: When Mahomes hurt his ankle on a QB sneak years ago, the Chiefs just took the play out of the playbook.
- Walker was given a big contract, and Adam thinks one of the main reasons he left Seattle was that he was offended by playing behind Zach Charbonnet. Adam believes the Chiefs promised Walker a huge workload. There is very little behind Walker: Emari Demercado is expected to be the RB2. Mahomes said, “If all else fails, I’ll just hand it off to Walker and let him go to work.”
- Defenses will have to play deep safety stuff to counter Mahomes. Walker gets light boxes and goes ballistic. Silva thinks Walker should be a fringe first-round pick and calls him one of the best values in fantasy right now. He is going in the second round every time. Silva is going to be drafting him plenty at the end of the first round.
Takeaway #3 (43:34): Silva flipped Puka Nacua ahead of Ja’Marr Chase for the No. 2 overall pick
- Silva has Puka Nacua No. 2, Bijan Robinson No. 3, and Ja’Marr Chase No. 4. Jahmyr Gibbs is in his own tier at No. 1. Silva pointed out that other rankings have been coming out with the same top five and everybody is splitting hairs. He is not afraid to mix it up because he thinks Puka has a chance to have a truly historic year.
- Davante Adams had a lot of concerning metrics last season. There is nothing at WR3 for the Rams — ETR is talking about Terrance Ferguson maybe being the No. 3 pass catcher. Silva has the Rams projected for the fourth-most points in the NFL, and sportsbooks have them projected for the most. Puka, pound for pound, is arguably the best receiver in the NFL and has a higher ceiling than Ja’Marr Chase (who has to deal with Tee Higgins) or Jaxon Smith-Njigba (who plays on one of the run-heaviest teams in the NFL). On sheer upside, Silva is going with Puka.
- Adam adds Chase and Puka are both clearly better picks than JSN. JSN loses Klint Kubiak and has Sam Darnold at quarterback, while the other two have much better quarterback situations. Adam notes the Rams get Dallas at home in Week 15 and are at Tampa in Week 17. With Aaron Donald potentially returning, plus Myles Garrett, the Rams could have an outrageous defense as well.
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About Establish The Run
Establish The Run was founded by Adam Levitan and Evan Silva, two of the most respected analysts in fantasy football and sports betting. ETR delivers high-quality, actionable analysis across season-long, best ball, DFS, and props.
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