2016-2017 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Adolphus Washington - DL - Bills

Bills GM Doug Whaley said third-round pick Adolphus Washington will be a Week 1 starter.

First-round EDGE Shaq Lawson and second-round ILB Reggie Ragland will also start as rookies. Washington projects at five technique opposite Kyle Williams in base sets, with Marcell Dareus playing nose tackle. Washington should also rotate inside in sub packages.
Source: NFL.com

May 11 - 7:47 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Kenyan Drake - RB - Dolphins

The Dolphins plan to use rookie Kenyan Drake on returns.

Drake was a part-time returner at Alabama, returning 19 kicks for 505 yards as a senior. He didn’t return any punts, but will work there at OTAs. Sixth-rounder Jakeem Grant is also competing for Miami’s return job
Source: dolphins.com

May 14 - 3:30 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Carl Nassib - DL - Browns

Browns EVP Sashi Brown said third-round DE Carl Nassib can be a "nightmare" inside.

Brown praised Nassib's motor, which he said is as good or better than No. 3 overall pick Joey Bosa's. While that comment deserves an "OK" emoji, Nassib is a relentless pass rusher who has the height (6'7) and length (34 1/2-inch arms) to develop into a quality five-tech if he can add some weight, which Brown thinks he can do. Nassib may not play a big role early, but it is clear the Browns view him as an eventual starter on the defensive line.
Source: Scott Petrak on Twitter

May 14 - 12:41 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sterling Shepard - WR - Giants

Giants.com's Michael Eisen said second-round WR Sterling Shepard will be targeted "frequently" as a rookie.

"And I believe that will be true whether or not Victor Cruz again becomes one of Eli Manning’s favorite targets," Eisen continued. There appears to be hope Cruz will contribute this season, but there is little chance he returns as the same offensive force we saw in 2012. Shepard enters the offseason program as the clear favorite for the No. 2 job, and he could easily top 100 targets as a rookie.
Source: Giants.com

May 14 - 10:24 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jordan Howard - RB - Bears

Bears OC Dowell Loggains said fifth-round RB Jordan Howard is a "change-of-pace back."

Howard will be changing the pace for Jeremy Langford. "Their skill sets are different," Loggains said. "We won't ask them to both do the same thing, but we'll find out what Howard does well and we'll play to that." A bruising, north-south runner, it is likely Howard plays a short-yardage role with Langford as the starter, but Howard taking on some early-down work is not out of the question. Coach John Fox has a long history of coaching backfield-by-committees, and we could be looking at another one in Chicago this season.
Source: ChicagoBears.com

May 14 - 9:30 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Corey Coleman - WR - Browns

Browns coach Hue Jackson said first-round WR Corey Coleman reported to minicamp out of shape.

"He's one of the guys that has to get in shape," said Jackson. It’s obviously not a great look for Coleman, though Jackson added he still "looked explosive" and doesn't see him needing a big learning curve. With Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely, the Browns are counting on Coleman as their No. 1 receiver. Coleman should see heavy rookie-year targets.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 13 - 6:31 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

James Bradberry - DB - Panthers

Panthers coach Ron Rivera doesn't expect the team to sign a veteran cornerback.

The team has a huge hole to fill with Josh Norman gone but so far Rivera has liked what he's seen from rookie corners James Bradberry, Daryl Worley and Zack Sanchez. "I guess if we did do something it would be later on. But right now we’re set," said Rivera. "We’re very happy with what we’ve seen the last two practices with the young guys." If things stay the way they are, Robert McClain and Bene Benwikere would likely open 2016 as the starting corners.
Source: Charlotte Observer

May 15 - 11:40 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Leonard Floyd - LB - Bears

Bears DC Vic Fangio isn't concerned with first-round LB Leonard Floyd's weight.

GM Ryan Pace previously hinted that the team wanted Floyd to put on weight but it doesn't sound like he'll be asked to do that. Floyd checked in at 244 pounds at the Combine but will play lighter when he takes the field this season. "He’s going to weigh somewhere between 230 and 235. That’s just what he’s going to weigh," said Fangio. Floyd makes up for his relatively slight frame with superior length (6'6) and speed (4.60 forty time at the Combine).
Source: Chicago Sun-Times

May 15 - 10:54 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jonathan Bullard - DL - Bears

Bears third-round pick Jonathan Bullard played right end during rookie minicamp.

Bullard has experience at defensive tackle but the Bears have always viewed as a five-technique. Given the team's personnel at that position, Bullard should have a chance to see the field right away. Jarvis Jenkins joined the Jets this offseason while Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson are both coming off injuries. Mitch Unrein will also be in the mix, though he's probably better suited as a rotational player.
Source: Chicago Tribune

May 15 - 10:39 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Sheldon Rankins - DL - Saints

Saints coach Sean Payton has been impressed with first-round DT Sheldon Rankins' conditioning.

It's not uncommon for rookies to show up to minicamp out of shape but that hasn't been the case with Rankins. "The challenge when we bring this many guys in is the assumption that they're all in maybe the same shape as Sheldon or one of these other players," said Payton. "The fact of the matter is they're not." Rather than easing his rookies in, Payton has taken a hard-nosed approach to minicamp. Rankins should be able to carve a role for himself at defensive tackle right away.
Source: ESPN.com

May 15 - 10:21 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Keith Marshall - RB - Redskins

Redskins seventh-round pick Keith Marshall played behind Mack Brown at rookie minicamp this weekend.

Brown was on the Redskins' practice squad last year. Marshall was favoring his leg a bit after tweaking his hamstring on Friday. That might explain his relatively light workload. Marshall said his knee is completely healthy after battling injuries for much of his time at the University of Georgia. The Redskins have already committed to Matt Jones as their every-down back for 2016. That leaves few opportunities for Marshall to contribute in year one.
Source: Washington Post

May 15 - 9:25 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Rees Odhiambo - G - Seahawks

Seahawks third-round pick Rees Odhiambo is expected to compete with Mark Glowinski for the starting left guard position.

Justin Britt played left guard in 2015, but he's moved over to center. First-round pick Germain Ifedi is replacing J.R. Sweezy at the guard position, leaving left guard up for grabs. Russell Wilson has endured 87 quarterback sacks over the last two seasons. With so many moving parts, the offensive line is going to be a problem for the Seahawks again in 2016.
Source: Florida Times Union

May 15 - 8:38 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

I agree with Ricky Proehl:

Keyarris Garrett - WR - Panthers

Panthers WR coach Ricky Proehl thinks UDFA Keyarris Garrett can contribute as a rookie.

"We got a draft pick in the free agent market," Proehl said. "With the tools, he’s just going to get better. We can develop him as a guy that can step in." A priority UDFA, Garrett had a mid-round projection after leading the NCAA in receiving and running 4.53 at the Combine. Garrett is currently behind Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Ted Ginn, Corey Brown, and Brenton Bersin.
Source: panthers.com

May 14 - 7:07 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Kendall Fuller - DB - Redskins

Redskins third-round CB Kendall Fuller (knee) says he’ll "definitely be good" for training camp.

Fuller has been working on the side at minicamp. He hasn’t been cleared for on-field activities, but is getting close. Fuller will be nine months removed from microfracture surgery for the start of camp.
Source: redskins.com

May 14 - 6:31 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Su'a Cravens - LB - Redskins

Second-round pick Su'a Cravens played inside linebacker at rookie minicamp.

Cravens should get most of his snaps as a dime linebacker, but will also see time at safety and in nickel packages. The Redskins want to use him as their version of Deone Bucannon. Cravens dropped down to 215 pounds before the draft.
Source: Washington Post

May 14 - 6:25 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Connor Cook - QB - Raiders

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said fourth-round QB Connor Cook has been "outstanding" at rookie camp.

"Obviously he is intelligent. He asks good questions. He’s got arm talent," said Del Rio. "I think he’s off to a great start." Cook didn't seem entirely satisfied with his performance but he did enough to stand out among the 50 players invited to Oakland's rookie camp. He's competing with Matt McGloin for the No. 2 job behind starter Derek Carr.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle

May 15 - 12:57 PM

[I_am_1z]

Connor Cook - QB - Raiders

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said fourth-round QB Connor Cook has been "outstanding" at rookie camp.

"Obviously he is intelligent. He asks good questions. He’s got arm talent," said Del Rio. "I think he’s off to a great start." Cook didn't seem entirely satisfied with his performance but he did enough to stand out among the 50 players invited to Oakland's rookie camp. He's competing with Matt McGloin for the No. 2 job behind starter Derek Carr.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle

May 15 - 12:57 PM

Already have him outplaying Derek Carr in 2018

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Malcolm Mitchell - WR - Patriots

Only four rookie wide receivers have ever caught 20 or more passes under Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

They are Deion Branch (43 in 2002), Julian Edelman (37 in 2009), Aaron Dobson (37 in 2013), and Kenbrell Thompkins (32 in 2013). The Patriots' offense is famously complex and stocked with option routes, where receivers have to show mental chemistry with Tom Brady. Malcolm Mitchell was a terrific route runner at Georgia, which should accelerate his transition. In order to win playing time, Mitchell will have to fend off Danny Amendola, Nate Washington, Keshawn Martin, and Chris Hogan behind Julian Edelman.
Source: Boston Herald

May 15 - 9:33 PM

[Hangman_52]

Shaq Lawson had shoulder surgery. expected to miss 4-6 months

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Shaq Lawson had shoulder surgery. expected to miss 4-6 months

I never trusted him. Not sure how his medicals came back reporting that he was good. I didn't like that pick for them.



Shaq Lawson - DL - Bills

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Bills first-round pick Shaq Lawson (shoulder) is expected to miss 5-6 months.

It's been a tough day at One Bills Drive, where the team also lost Sammy Watkins (foot) until training camp at the soonest. Lawson will undergo shoulder surgery on Tuesday. His 5-6 month timetable means Lawson will return in mid-October at the earliest, and mid-November if he needs the full six months. The 19th overall pick in the draft, Lawson is a prime candidate for reserve/PUP, which would cost him the first six games of the season.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

May 16 - 5:05 PM