As teams open training camp, I assess which rookie has the
best chance to crack the starting lineup for each team.
AFC NORTH
Safety Terrell
Edmunds
The first-rounder will open camp behind Morgan
Burnett and Sean Davis,
but the Steelers might find a way to get Edmunds on the field early. His
athleticism showed up in offseason workouts, and he's the kind of back-end
communicator the Steelers covet. Edmunds could see the field as a dime
linebacker or a third safety in Year 1.
TE Hayden Hurst
The first-round pick is the best pass-catching tight end on
the team. There's a reason the Ravens used the No. 25 overall pick on Hurst
after not re-signing Benjamin
Watson and not being able to lure Eric Ebron to
Baltimore. The only experienced tight ends on the roster are those who excel in
blocking (Nick Boyleand Maxx Williams)
and on special teams (Vince Mayle).
Hurst should make an immediate impact after standing out in the offseason with
his hands, route running and quickness. How much does Baltimore's passing game
rely on this position? Only four quarterbacks since 2012 have completed more
than 500 passes to tight ends: Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Tom Brady and
Flacco. Third-round rookie Orlando Brown
Jr. could start at right tackle for Baltimore this season.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
The first-rounder is the obvious answer, as he was drafted
with the intention of replacing Russell
Bodine, who left in free agency. Price is progressing well after
tearing his pectoral muscle at the NFL combine and recently said via Twitter
that he is "fully cleared for football activities." However, a sneaky
starter could be safety Jessie Bates.
Although the Bengals have starters George Iloka and Shawn
Williams, don't be surprised if Bates gets playing time early and
often, even if it's just as a third safety when the Bengals are in nickel or
dime packages. The Bengals have a new defensive coordinator in Teryl Austin,
and he could throw in a few surprises
CB Denzel Ward
He's the easy choice here, except there is no
"could" about his status. Ward will start. The interesting rookie to
watch will be running back Nick Chubb.
Dorsey has never drafted a back as high as he drafted Chubb, and Chubb looked
very good in offseason work. Yes, it was without pads, but Chubb showed an
innate ability to find a hole and make a jump-cut to find space before heading
downfield. The intensity and challenge will ratchet higher in camp, but Chubb
was praised by running back coach Freddie Kitchens for the "violent"
way he attacks the line of scrimmage. One factor to keep in mind about Chubb
that could keep him from starting: Veteran free-agent signee Carlos Hyde might
have looked better in camp.
AFC EAST
MLB Tremaine
Edmunds
The Bills allowed middle linebacker Preston Brown to
sign with the Cincinnati
Bengals in free agency, leaving a hole at a spot where Brown
played almost every snap since he was drafted in 2014. To the surprise of
general manager Brandon Beane, Edmunds was available at No. 16 in the April
draft, and the Bills were able to trade up to land an athletic prospect they
hope can develop into the centerpiece of their defensive front seven. Edmunds,
20, will have huge responsibilities as a rookie in receiving play calls from
the sideline and aligning the defense.
The Boston Globe reported in May that owner Stephen Ross was
not initially on board with the team's selection of Fitzpatrick at No. 11, but
now that Fitzpatrick is in the fold, he has the talent and background from
Alabama to contribute immediately in the NFL. He might not start over Reshad Jones or T.J. McDonald at
safety, but the Dolphins are likely to find him a role as a third safety or
simply as a fifth defensive back. In the modern NFL, defenses are in sub
packages the majority of the game, and that is essentially a starting job.
Fitzpatrick led the team in interceptions this spring, according to the South
Florida Sun Sentinel.
OL Isaiah Wynn
He lined up at left tackle and left guard in spring practices
and is part of the mix to replace departed Nate Solder as
Brady's blindside protector. His college teammate Sony Michel should
see plenty of action at running back alongside Burkhead, White and possibly
Gillislee, Jeremy Hill, Brandon
Bolden or Ralph Webb.
Cornerback Duke Dawson (second
round, Florida) should compete for playing time, most likely in the nickel
package.
The third-rounder will get a chance to fill Muhammad
Wilkerson's old spot on the line. In the spring, Shepherd split
first-team reps with former Indianapolis
Colts starter Henry
Anderson. Shepherd has the physical ability to succeed on this
level, but he isn't in Kansas anymore. We mean that literally. He played at
Division II Fort Hays State, and it's a long way from the small central Kansas
school to the NFL.
WR Keke Coutee
In a crowded group of receivers, Coutee could start in the
slot alongside DeAndre
Hopkins and Will Fuller V.
Last year at Texas Tech, Coutee caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 10
touchdowns. Coutee is on the smaller side, listed at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds,
but O'Brien said he thinks the speedy receiver has the right "body type
for that position." Coutee should be another good weapon for Watson and
should serve as a major contributor on special teams.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
There is no "could start" when it comes to Nelson,
the No. 6 overall pick in April's draft. The Colts didn't use a high draft pick
to have Nelson begin his NFL career as a backup. He spent the entire offseason
working with the first unit at left guard. Poor offensive line play has played
a significant role in Luck getting knocked around most of his career and
missing 26 games over the past three seasons. Nelson will join an offensive
line that features left tackle Anthony
Castonzo, center Ryan Kelly,
right guard Matt Slauson (who
worked with the first unit in offseason workouts) and right tackle Denzelle Good,
giving Luck possibly the best line of his seven-year career.
WR D.J. Chark
It's hard to see any rookie earning a starting job without
an injury (even Richardson is unlikely), but the one with the best chance would
be Chark. The second-round pick from LSU impressed teammates with how quickly
he seemed to pick up the offense, his smooth route running and his hands. The
6-foot-4 Chark made perhaps the most impressive catch of OTAs/minicamp when he
jumped to snag a pass and managed to get the toes of both feet in before
falling out of bounds. Marqise Lee, Donte
Moncrief and Keelan Cole are
the Jaguars' top three receivers, but if Chark continues to impress, he should
get significant playing time and could possibly end up a starter before the
season ends.
He was drafted in the first round to be the Titans' present
and future at inside linebacker. He has flashed some of his versatility and
willingness to learn, but Vrabel gave an honest -- yet cautious -- assessment
of his performance during spring workouts: "He's not where he needs to be
to start for our defense, and that's OK." Free-agent signee Will Compton has
taken many of the first-team inside linebacker reps opposite Wesley
Woodyard, but it would certainly be a disappointment if Evans didn't
win that role by Week 1
OLB Bradley Chubb
Not could -- will start. The Broncos have big plans for
Chubb, who was the No. 5 overall pick in this past April's draft. Chubb was
already trending toward the starting lineup with his combination of size,
athleticism and technique before Shane Ray continued
to seek medical opinions about his injured wrist.
He won't play in the regular defense but should see a lot of
work on obvious passing downs and special teams. O'Daniel is only 220 pounds,
so the Chiefs don't view him as a run defender. But he showed the speed,
coverage skills and knowledge of the defensive schemes during offseason
practice that he'll compete for a regular job in passing situations.
The obvious choice here is their first-rounder. Selected No.
17 overall, James played mostly near the line of scrimmage as a strong safety
with the second unit during offseason work, as defensive coordinator Gus
Bradley focused on the Florida State product learning a new system. However,
James should find a way into the starting lineup by the time the regular season
starts because of his athleticism, ability to get people on the ground in space
and cover talented tight ends such as Kansas City Chiefs pass-catcher Travis Kelce in
the middle of the field
True, he was seen as a top-three overall talent by Pro
Football Focus, so saying he could start is not exactly a huge leap. But Hurst
has a heart issue that sent him home from the combine and scared off enough
teams that he fell to the Raiders in the fifth round, No. 140 overall. With
last season's starter at left defensive tackle, Eddie
Vanderdoes, recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the season
finale, Hurst ran with the first-team defense in the 4-3 base during the
offseason program. He impressed with his pass-rushing ability, albeit in shorts.
"Definitely got a steal with him," All-Pro left guard Kelechi
Osemele said.
The second-rounder should start at left guard. The Cowboys
have made no pretense about giving him every opportunity to be the starter by
having him line up with the first team since the first organized team activity.
He is making the transition from tackle at Texas to guard in the NFL, but the
Cowboys believe Williams has the athleticism and strength to make the move with
ease. The Cowboys' top three picks, including first-rounder Leighton
Vander Esch and third-rounder Michael
Gallup, could also find their way into the starting lineup or, at
the very least, playing a ton of snaps.
The No. 2 overall pick is going to start and handle a heavy
workload. Second-round pick Will
Hernandez also looks as if he's going to be a day one starter.
He finished the spring as the first-team left guard. Defensive lineman B.J. Hill,
a third-round pick out of North Carolina State, has a strong chance to start at
defensive end with Josh Mauro suspended
the first four games of the season.
He isn't in line to take over the No. 1 tight end role --
that belongs securely to Zach Ertz.
But there's a good chance that he'll have a role in this offense if the promise
he showed this spring carries through the summer and into the fall. The
second-round pick was a big-time playmaker at South Dakota State and showed off
his soft hands and ability to separate during OTAs. At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, he
could be another red zone option for Wentz
DL Daron Payne
The Redskins should have two rookie starters: first-round
pick Payne along the defensive line and second-round pick Derrius Guice at
running back. Payne worked with the starting group at nose tackle all spring,
and that isn't expected to change. Guice worked behind Kelley at running back
but is too talented to end up doing so when the season begins. The coaches
respect Kelley quite a bit, but Guice has a chance for an excellent first
season.
NFC
NORTH
LB Roquan Smith
The plan is for Smith to start immediately alongside Danny
Trevathan at inside linebacker. Given Smith's speed, he figures
to be an every-down player on Chicago's defense -- the strength of the team.
Former Iowa center James Daniels --
drafted in Round 2 -- figures to be in the mix for a starting job at left
guard.
OL FRANK RAGNOW
It's not a "could" start; it's a
"should" start. He has taken all of the first-team reps at left guard
during practices open to the media and seems to be settling in there. Beyond
Ragnow, second-round pick Kerryon
Johnson might start at running back in some games, but he still
should have a role each week and could end up as the featured back by the season's
end.
One of the two had better start. That's why new general
manager Brian Gutekunst used his first- and second-round picks, respectively,
on the pair of cornerbacks. If Kevin King and
Williams man the outside positions, then perhaps Alexander could start in the
slot in the nickel package.
CB Mike Hughes
Minnesota might not be in any rush to pitch a competition at
nickel corner between Hughes and Mackensie
Alexander, but the first-round pick should see time in the return
game early on. Aside from Hughes, kicker Carlson probably has the best shot of
any rookie to win a starting job.
He has all the tools to be an immediate contributor. He can
line up outside opposite Jones and be an instant threat. When the Falcons took
the field for their two postseason games last season, they started Jones
and Mohamed Sanuat
receiver with 11 personnel: two tight ends, two receivers. It will all depend
on the alignment, but expect Ridley to be on the field a lot. He's a fluid
route runner with great speed and the ability to establish separation.
"He's the real deal. And he's a good person. He's not walking around like
he thinks he's hot s---. He's walking around like a really good dude,"
Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen said.
Keep an eye on second-round pick Isaiah Oliver,
too, a cornerback who has already shown great ball skills playing outside,
according to his teammates
The rookie out of LSU was drafted in the second round to
bring a swagger to the secondary that hasn't been there since Josh Norman in
2015. Jackson will be given every chance to start ahead of free agent Ross Cockrell and
veterans such as Captain
Munnerlyn. Jackson worked with the first team a lot during offseason
workouts. If he performs well enough in the preseason to start opposite James
Bradberry, it will go a long way toward making this a top-10, maybe
top-five, defense.
The first-rounder is the only rookie expected to step in and
play a major role immediately, given that the Saints didn't have a second-round
pick. Third-round receiver Tre'Quan
Smith is an exciting prospect with size and speed, but it's
hard to see him passing both Meredith and Ted Ginn Jr.
right out of the gate. Fifth-round safety Natrell
Jamerson, among others, could emerge as a key special-teams
contributor right away.
DL Vita Vea
He will start opposite Gerald McCoy at
defensive tackle. There's a good chance that Ronald Jones can
grab the starting running back spot. The rookie to watch is cornerback Carlton Davis:
Can he beat Vernon Hargreaves and Ryan Smith to
start on the outside opposite Brent Grimes?
"He's off to one of the fastest starts of the rookies," coach Dirk
Koetter said of Davis, who was getting plenty of first-team reps during
mandatory minicamp.
OL Mason Cole
One of the position battles to watch in training camp
involves a rookie who could win the job. Cole, Arizona's third-round pick out
of Michigan, can push incumbent center A.Q. Shipley for
the starting job. Cole hasn't missed a start in 104 games -- or the equivalent
of eight years -- and has the experience and skill set to slide into the
starting lineup.
None
It's very unlikely that any rookie will crack the starting
lineup. The Rams traded their first-round pick to the New England Patriots in
exchange for Cooks. Their first two selections, in the third and fourth rounds,
were offensive linemen Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen,
who will spend the season learning behind veterans. Linebacker Micah Kiser,
a fifth-round pick from Virginia, competed at inside linebacker through the
offseason program but is not expected to win the job.
He was poised to handle the starting right tackle job
immediately after the Niners traded Trent Brown to
the New England Patriots. McGlinchey's polish and ability to make a difference
in the run game appealed to the 49ers, and he should step in from day one. None
of the other 49ers rookies are as much of a sure thing, though second-round
wideout Dante Pettis
has a good shot to be the team's punt returner after a record-breaking college
career at Washington in that role. Third-round linebacker Fred Warner could
also have a chance to play early as Reuben Foster serves
a two-game suspension, and fifth-round cornerback D.J. Reed could
potentially push for playing time in the slot and as a kick returner.
It's a sign of the times in Seattle that perhaps as many as
six of the Seahawks' nine draft picks conceivably could start or see
significant playing time right away. That's what happens when a team
experiences as much top-of-the-roster turnover as Seattle did this offseason.
The marquee position battle involving one of those draft picks is at running
back, where Penny is competing with Chris Carson for
the starting job that Carson won last year before he got hurt. As is usually
the case with rookie running backs, Penny will have to prove that he can be
trusted in pass protection first. He'll have to pry the job away from Carson,
who has looked determined to keep it.
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