2017 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Joe Mixon - RB - Bengals

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said rookie Joe Mixon "needs to get back in shape."

Mixon's conditioning apparently slipped after taking so many pre-draft visits. This doesn't sound like anything to be concerned about going into OTAs. Mixon is the favorite to start over Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard in Cincinnati.
Source: Katherine Terrell on Twitter

May 5 - 6:05 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Elijah McGuire - RB - Jets

Jets signed sixth-round RB Elijah McGuire to a four-year contract.

They also signed sixth-round CB Derrick Jones. McGuire had a prolific college career at Louisiana-Lafayette, but is coming off a middling Combine. He'll compete for the No. 3 back role behind Matt Forte and Bilal Powell.

May 5 - 5:21 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Raekwon McMillan - LB - Dolphins

Dolphins signed second round LB Raekwon McMillan to a four-year contract.

Third round CB Cordrea Tankersley, fifth round OG Isaac Asiata, sixth round DT Vincent Taylor, and seventh round WR Isaiah Ford were also signed. McMillan fills a huge need for linebacker depth on a Miami defense that struggles against the run. First rounder Charles Harris and fifth round DL Davon Godchaux are the Dolphins' only remaining unsigned picks.

May 5 - 7:17 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Tyus Bowser - LB - Ravens

Ravens signed second-round OLB Tyus Bowser to a four-year, $5.575 million contract with $3.378 million guaranteed.

He got $2.194 million to sign. A versatile EDGE with experience dropping into coverage and setting the edge in addition to rushing the passer, Bowser adds youth to a Ravens outside linebacker unit that badly needed fresh legs. Elvis Dumervil is gone and Terrell Suggs turns 35 early in the season.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 5 - 7:20 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

D'Onta Foreman - RB - Texans

The Houston Chronicle expects D'Onta Foreman to cut into Lamar Miller's workload.

The Texans want to reduce Miller's carries after injuries faded his stretch run last year. Foreman doesn't project for standalone value, but should be an upgrade on Alfred Blue as Houston’s No. 2 back.
Source: Houston ChronicleMay

6 - 8:07 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

ArDarius Stewart - WR - Jets

Rookie ArDarius Stewart doesn't anticipate a difficult transition to the Jets' offense.

Stewart played in a modernized West Coast scheme similar to the Jets under former OC Lane Kiffin at Alabama. He ran most his routes near the line of scrimmage but is one of the more pro ready receivers. With Brandon Marshall gone and Devin Smith (knee) spending another year on IR, Stewart looks like an immediate contributor in three-wide sets.
Source: ESPN May

May 6 - 4:26 PM



ArDarius Stewart - WR - Jets

Connor Hughes of NJ Advance Media considers third-round pick ArDarius Stewart the most "pro-ready" of the Jets' rookie receivers.

Hughes noted that Stewart had a "good couple of days" at rookie minicamp last week. Coming from Lane Kiffin's West Coast offense at Alabama, Stewart should make a smooth transition to the pro ranks. In the absence of Brandon Marshall (not to mention that Eric Decker is coming off multiple surgeries), Stewart figures to be a big contributor in year one.
Source: NJ Advance Media

May 7 - 9:05 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jordan Leggett - TE - Jets

Jets fifth-round TE Jordan Leggett said new OC John Morton told him he "loves" tight ends and wants to make the position a "go-to" in his scheme.

It is a big but expected departure from ex-OC Chan Gailey, whose offense targeted a tight end just 26 times last season. Leggett does not profile as a dynamic receiver in the NFL, but he should have a good shot at an early role with Austin Seferian-Jenkins suspended the first two games. Even so, the Jets' offense is not good enough to get excited about either player in fantasy.
Source: Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter

May 6 - 1:21 PM



Jordan Leggett - TE - Jets

Connor Hughes of NJ Advance Media said Jets fifth-round TE Jordan Leggett "needs some work."

Hughes came to that conclusion after watching Leggett struggle through rookie minicamp last week. While Hughes was impressed with Leggett's physical makeup (he's listed at 6'6/258), he criticized his "technique" and found his route-running to be "rough." Hughes also noted that Leggett dropped a "handful of easy passes" during receiving drills. Regardless of whether he's ready, Leggett should have a chance to see the field right away, particularly with Austin Seferian-Jenkins facing a two-game suspension to begin the year.
Source: NJ Advance Media

May 7 - 8:57 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Taylor Moton - T - Panthers

Panthers second-round pick Taylor Moton worked at both tackle spots during rookie minicamp.

With a limited roster, rookies are often trained at multiple positions during the minicamp, but this is notable because coach Ron Rivera made it sound like Moton would be something of a swing tackle as a rookie. "He’s going to have to be ambidextrous," Rivera said. "He’s going to have to be able to play left side and right side. He’s going to have to help us in terms of that, and give that added depth." Moton should get a shot at the right tackle job in camp, but he might have to settle for a reserve spot as a rookie.
Source: Charlotte Observer

May 6 - 11:19 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Carl Lawson - DL - Bengals

Bengals signed fourth-round DE Carl Lawson to a four-year contract.

An arguable first-round talent, Lawson slipped in the draft due to medical concerns, but there is no known concern about his 2017 availability. He battled shoulder problems at Auburn. Although Lawson practiced at strong-side linebacker at rookie camp, we expect him and third-round pick Jordan Willis to push underwhelming Michael Johnson for snaps at right end.

May 7 - 1:43 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

John Ross - WR - Bengals

Bengals signed No. 9 overall pick John Ross to a four-year contract.

There's a club option for year five. Ross will battle for the starting Z receiver job in Cincinnati, where Brandon LaFell held down the fort last season. It's worth noting that the Bengals have historically brought along rookies slowly. Ross will also have to compete with A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, Tyler Boyd, and all-purpose backs Joe Mixon and Gio Bernard for targets.

May 7 - 1:39 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jeremy McNichols - RB - Buccaneers

Recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, Bucs rookie Jeremy McNichols "hopes" to be ready for training camp.

McNichols postponed his surgery until after the Combine and was given a four-month timetable. He sat out rookie camp and will be in a race to be fully healed by late July. At the Bucs' post-draft presser, coach Dirk Koetter didn't guarantee McNichols would make the final 53. Tampa Bay is deep in the backfield.
Source: ESPN.com

May 7 - 1:33 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Dalvin Cook - RB - Vikings

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Vikings plan to establish a "committee" at running back during training camp.

While Dalvin Cook is the favorite for touches, the Vikings aren't paying Latavius Murray over $4 million this year to ride the bench. Murray will at very least have a change-up and short-yardage role, while Jerick McKinnon remains the best receiver of the group. Among rookies, Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, and Joe Mixon are all better re-draft fantasy bets than Cook.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

May 10 - 9:58 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Corey Davis - WR - Titans

No. 5 overall pick Corey Davis (ankle surgery) is participating in individual work at Titans rookie camp.

Davis suffered a severe ankle injury in January and will be eased into spring drills. On Friday, coach Mike Mularkey said the Titans are "monitoring Corey Davis and being careful." Davis should be full go by the start of or early in training camp. While we are huge fans of Davis' long-term outlook with Marcus Mariota, his early sixth-round ADP is standing out as aggressive.
Source: Terry McCormick on Twitter

May 12 - 6:02 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

DeShone Kizer - QB - Browns

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora "wouldn't be surprised" if DeShone Kizer is the Browns' Week 1 starter.

Kizer has been drawing raves from coach Hue Jackson at rookie camp. The Browns have no plans to rush him, but it's not impossible he wins out in an open competition with Cody Kessler and Brock Osweiler. Even if Kizer doesn't win the Week 1 job, he should make rookie year starts.
Source: CBSSports.com

May 12 - 5:44 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Ahkello Witherspoon - DB - 49ers

49ers signed third round CB Ahkello Witherspoon to a four-year contract.

The first of San Francisco's two third-round picks, Witherspoon is a 92nd-percentile SPARQ athlete -- running a 4.45 forty with a 40 ½-inch vertical at the Combine. He fills a huge need at corner after Tramaine Brock's release. Witherspoon has a chance to be a Week 1 starter.

May 12 - 5:15 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Elijah Hood - RB - Raiders

Raiders seventh-rounder Elijah Hood reportedly "turned the heads of the offensive staff" at rookie minicamp.

At 6-foot, 232, Hood will serve as the direct backup to 31-year-old Marshawn Lynch this season, while Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington stay in change-up roles. Hood averaged 6.0 career yards per carry at North Carolina.
Source: MMQB

May 12 - 5:24 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Evan Engram - TE - Giants

Giants OC Mike Sullivan said first-round pick Evan Engram will be taught to play as a traditional tight end.

It's something Engram very rarely did at Ole Miss, and also not something he's physically built for at 6-foot-3, 234. "He is not a big wide receiver," Sullivan mistakenly insisted. "We do feel comfortable about the things we want him to do when he has his hand in the ground." Added coach Ben McAdoo, "Everything is going to be a challenge (for Engram). He is coming from more of a spread-type offense where he was off the ball a ton." We're not anticipating fantasy relevance from Engram as a rookie.
Source: SNY

May 12 - 5:08 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sidney Jones - DB - Eagles

The Eagles plan to "take it slow" with rookie CB Sidney Jones (Achilles).

Early reports gave Jones a 4-6 month timetable, but that's on the optimistic side. The Eagles have no plans to rush Jones after investing a top-50 pick into him. Jones is going to miss all of training camp and could open the year on reserve/NFI. It won't be surprising if Jones redshirts as a rookie.
Source: Zach Berman on Twitter

May 12 - 4:55 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Malik Hooker - DB - Colts

Colts first-round S Malik Hooker (shoulder, groin) expects to be ready for training camp.

Hooker underwent shoulder and sports hernia surgeries after the season. He will likely miss the entire offseason program, but there does not seem to be much worry about his availability for camp. A ball hawk who has earned Ed Reed comparisons, Hooker has the look of an impact rookie.
Source: Stephen H

May 12 - 1:09 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Eddie Jackson - DB - Bears

The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs thinks fourth-round S Eddie Jackson could push for snaps early.

Jackson fell to the fourth round because of injury concerns -- he tore his ACL as a sophomore and suffered a broken leg last season -- but he is a playmaker at a position the Bears could use some help. He should be given every opportunity to earn a role.
Source: Chicago Tribune

May 12 - 10:21 AM