2018 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Baker Mayfield - QB - Browns

Browns VP of player personnel Alonzo Highsmith said No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield "blew the team away" with his off-field intangibles.

"Here's the honest to God's truth," Highsmith said. "From the start of his college football season to the end of the season, I had [Sam] Darnold No. 1 and Baker No. 2. On our way through everything, you couldn't tell me Darnold wasn't the best. Then comes the part where you meet them off the field. You watch their workouts. You watch everything. And Baker blew me away. Highly, highly intelligent. Highly competitive. When he walked into a room, you knew he was there." Highsmith said Josh Allen was last among the first-round quarterbacks on the Browns' board.
Source: JReidDraftScout on Twitter

Apr 30 - 6:22 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Derrius Guice - RB - Redskins

Redskins senior VP of player personnel Doug Williams said he is not worried about second-round RB Derrius Guice.

Williams seemed to shoot down rumors of off-field concerns. "For this kid, who doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, hasn’t been arrested, no failed drug tests," Williams said. "He’s a happy-go-lucky kid." Williams also said he grew up in the same area as Guice, so he understands what it took for him to get where he is today. It is looking like Washington got a steal late in the second round.
Source: SiriusXM NFL Radio

Apr 30 - 11:15 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Mason Rudolph - QB - Steelers

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said third-round pick Mason Rudolph "was with the group of the top quarterbacks" on their board.

Pittsburgh moved up three spots in the third to get Rudolph, giving up a seventh-round pick in the process. "We didn't want to take that risk," Colbert said. "Mason Rudolph was somebody that we valued as much as the rest of those quarterbacks that were drafted." If this was completely true, Pittsburgh would not have passed on him for a receiver, Rudolph's college teammate James Washington, in the second round, but it at least sounds like the organization believes Rudolph has real starter upside. Despite grumbling about retirement in the past, Ben Roethlisberger reportedly said he plans to play three more seasons.
Source: Penn Live

Apr 30 - 9:18 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Frank Ragnow - C - Lions

ESPN's Michael Rothstein expects No. 20 overall pick Frank Ragnow to be a Week 1 starter.

The question is where. Ragnow played both guard and center in college, and 2016 third-rounder Graham Glasgow has played both guard and center for the Lions each of the last two seasons. Both Ragnow and Glasgow should be in the starting lineup come Week 1, but the Lions will spend the offseason figuring out who will play center and who will slot in at left guard.
Source: ESPN

Apr 30 - 9:07 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Kerryon Johnson - RB - Lions

Lions general manager Bob Quinn said he's not worried about RB Kerryon Johnson's durability.

"I think this guy’s very versatile that he can run inside, but I think we’ll probably use him more to run outside as well," Quinn continued. "He’ll hold up." The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett added he'd be surprised if Johnson doesn't lead the team in carries. The Lions surrendered the No. 51 and 117 picks in order to move up and draft Johnson, and it seems likely they'll give the rookie every opportunity to take over their backfield. Ameer Abdullah is expected to be a frequent candidate on the inactives list if the team doesn't deal or release him in camp.
Related: Lions
Source: Detroit Free Press

Apr 29 - 8:08 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Lamar Jackson - QB - Ravens

NFL.com's Jim Trotter reports the Ravens have no urgency to rush QB Lamar Jackson on the field.

"The first thing, much like we did with Mike [Vick], is for him to ... learn how to play the quarterback position like we play the quarterback position here," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who worked with Vick in Atlanta, said. "Just how we go about the footwork -- the base, wide-base, short-style, all those things that we'll work on from Day 1, both pre-practice and post-practice." Quarterbacks coach James Urban also worked with Vick in Atlanta, while Greg Roman, Baltimore's assistant head coach, was OC during Colin Kaepernick's best seasons in San Francisco. The Ravens will take on 'only' $16 million in dead money by releasing incumbent starter Joe Flacco after the season, a transaction destined to occur following the team's selection of Jackson in the first round.
Source: NFL.com

Apr 29 - 2:21 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Rashaad Penny - RB - Seahawks

Both coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider referred to first-round pick Rashaad Penny as a "three-down back" after drafting him.

It's particularly notable because Penny wasn't a high-volume receiver at San Diego State and was inconsistent in pass protection. Schneider said the Seahawks loved Penny so much they nearly drafted him at No. 18, but were able to find a trade partner and dip to No. 27, where they selected Penny. Schneider and Carroll did say Penny will have to iron out his blocking ups and downs, but Penny is markered in as Seattle's new bellcow.
Source: Scott Barrett on Twitter

Apr 30 - 4:03 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Alex Cappa - G - Buccaneers

Bucs GM Jason Licht expects third-round OL Alex Cappa to see reps at guard and tackle.

Cappa was a four-year starter at left tackle for Humboldt State. He figures to open OTAs at right tackle with Demar Dotson coming off knee surgery. Cappa will also push J.R. Sweezy and Evan Smith at left guard.
Source: Florida Football Insiders

May 2 - 7:05 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Rashaad Penny - RB - Seahawks

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll envisions RB Rashaad Penny being used on all three downs.

It's the second time Carroll has mentioned treating Penny as an every-down back since he was drafted. "[Brian Schottenheimer] did a nice job of mixing some stuff in so we could see him doing different route concepts," Carroll said. Penny wasn't a high-volume receiver at San Diego State, but the Seahawks seem intent on riding him. Chris Carson and Mike Davis will compete for carries, as well. While Penny continues to climb the ranks of potential workhorse backs this upcoming season, C.J. Prosise's and J.D. McKissic's roles already appear diminished in Seattle's passing game.
Source: Seahawks Wire

May 6 - 8:44 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Kolton Miller - T - Raiders

Raiders OT Kolton Miller is working exclusively at left tackle during rookie minicamp.

"We like [Miller] at left tackle," head coach Jon Gruden said. "He can bend, he's got the length that you're looking for and he's a sharp kid...that doesn't mean that's where they're going to end up, though." Miller is still projected to start at right tackle, but the Raiders could be wary that LT Donald Penn, who underwent Lisfranc surgery in December, won't be ready for camp. Miller earned second-team All-Pac 12 while blocking Josh Rosen's blind side in 2017, but Penn's availability remains of the utmost importance for Oakland's offensive line.
Source: Paul Gutierrez on Twitter

May 6 - 4:22 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Lamar Jackson - QB - Ravens

Ravens coach John Harbaugh defended first-round QB Lamar Jackson's accuracy.

"The thing I was impressed with is I thought he was accurate," Harbaugh told reporters at rookie camp. "That’s something I think people were questioning. To see him out here throwing naturally I thought was a big plus." Jackson fell to the last pick of the first round over accuracy concerns. The Ravens have liked what they've seen from him in the early offseason stages. Jackson will develop behind Joe Flacco this year, but may see time in run packages.
Source: ESPN

May 5 - 4:17 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Tarvarius Moore - DB - 49ers

49ers general manager John Lynch said moving S Tarvarius Moore to cornerback is "no doubt a projection".

Niners will also move Jimmie Ward and fifth-round pick CB D.J. Reed to safety. Coaches figured Moore (6'2", 38 ½-inch vertical, 4.32 forty) profiled better at outside corner since Southern Mississippi's defense emphasized man-to-man coverage. Reed will compete with K'Waun Williams at nickel cornerback while also practicing at free safety. With Ward also practicing at corner, the 49ers' top free safety is currently projected as Adrian Colbert.
Source: The Sacramento Bee

May 5 - 10:57 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Denzel Ward - DB - Browns

Browns first-round CB Denzel Ward is sidelined at minicamp with a strained hip flexor.

Ward went down the first day of the rookie camp. This shouldn't impact his status for OTAs. Ward is expected to open the season at one of Cleveland's outside spots, with E.J. Gaines and Jamar Taylor competing opposite him in base sets.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 5 - 2:10 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Kalen Ballage - RB - Dolphins

Dolphins coach Adam Gase has been impressed with fourth-round RB Kalen Ballage's performance in rookie minicamp.

"He’s a big man that runs fast and can catch the ball well," Gase said Thursday. "He really has all of the things that you’re looking for in an all-around back. It’ll be fun to see how he progresses and how things go … how quick he learns everything and how he fits in with the group." Any time you hear a coach refer to a runner as a potential every-down player, it's noteworthy. Kenyan Drake leads the Dolphins' backfield after his impressive finish to 2017 but it is quite possible Ballage gets some legitimate 2018 run.
Source: Palm Beach Post

May 10 - 5:33 PM

[I_am_1z]

Tarvarius Moore - DB - 49ers

49ers general manager John Lynch said moving S Tarvarius Moore to cornerback is "no doubt a projection".

Niners will also move Jimmie Ward and fifth-round pick CB D.J. Reed to safety. Coaches figured Moore (6'2", 38 ½-inch vertical, 4.32 forty) profiled better at outside corner since Southern Mississippi's defense emphasized man-to-man coverage. Reed will compete with K'Waun Williams at nickel cornerback while also practicing at free safety. With Ward also practicing at corner, the 49ers' top free safety is currently projected as Adrian Colbert.
Source: The Sacramento Bee

May 5 - 10:57 AM

Was scared the niners would make the mistake of putting D.J. Reed at cornerback

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Calvin Ridley - WR - Falcons

Calvin Ridley played both in the slot and outside during OTAs.

The Falcons have also considered using him as a return specialist following the loss of Andre Roberts, who signed with the Jets this offseason. Ridley's snaps were limited at Saturday's practice but coach Dan Quinn liked what he saw. "The first impression was that I recognized the competitor that he was because he wanted every rep," said Quinn. "That’s a good thing." Of Atlanta's six draft picks, only Ridley remains unsigned.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

May 13 - 11:00 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Frank Ragnow - C - Lions

Lions first-round G/C Frank Ragnow spent time at left guard during rookie minicamp.

It's an interesting development as many assumed Ragnow would take over the center spot vacated by Travis Swanson, who signed with the Jets in free agency. Graham Glasgow would likely move to center if the Lions decide to stick with Ragnow at left guard.
Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter

May 13 - 11:41 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Nyheim Hines - RB - Colts

Colts HC Frank Reich said RB Nyheim Hines' pass-catching skills are "very impressive".

Reich also said Hines' intelligence was evident. Colts have already confirmed Hines will play both running back and slot receiver to best utilize his 4.38 40-speed. He should be given an opportunity in camp to compete with Marlon Mack, Jordan Wilkins, and Robert Turbin for early-down carries. Despite being in a committee, Hines is likely to have value in PPR leagues immediately.
Source: Andrew Walker on Twitter

May 12 - 12:32 PM

[I_am_1z]

CFL rookie Tyler Rogers (my 1B. QB from the 18' draft) is on the calgary stampeders competing with Ricky Stanzi for the starter's job

[Bald Bull]

Just making this post to claim my spot as the first person on the Dante Pettis bandwagon. I think the initial disappointment with the pick was an overreaction to not getting who i wanted, but he has grown on me more than any of our other picks, i'm actually getting excited to see what he can do with a real QB.