2021 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

D'WAYNE ESKRIDGE
WR, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks GM John Schneider said rookie WR D'Wayne Eskridge could play a "number of different positions."

Eskridge will return kicks and be a gunner on special teams in addition to playing out wide. Coach Pete Carroll has also said he could be used in the run game. The Seahawks are planning a Tyreek Hill-like package for Eskridge, one of the most explosive receivers in this year's class. Eskridge only needs to hold off Freddie Swain to open the season as the No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
SOURCE: ESPN

May 9, 2021, 9:32 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JONATHON COOPER
DE, DENVER BRONCOS

Broncos seventh-round DE Jonathon Cooper (heart) will miss rookie minicamp.

Cooper will have a "minimally invasive procedure" to deal with an irregular heartbeat. The condition may have led to Cooper falling until the final round of the draft. Cooper expects to only miss a few weeks and be ready for training camp.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TREY LANCE
QB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The Athletic's Matt Barrows believes the 49ers could "sprinkle in Trey Lance the way the Saints have used Taysom Hill" in recent seasons.

It's obviously only a possibility if Jimmy Garoppolo were to remain on the team's roster through camp, which still seems doubtful following the shots both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch fired pre-draft. Barrows also comps Lance's potential usage to the way the 49ers used Colin Kaepernick early in 2012 when the latter averaged 4.3 pass attempts and 3.5 carries in specific packages until he inevitably replaced Alex Smith to finish the year. Properly projecting the number of games Lance eventually starts continues to be one of the most important questions to answer if drafting early in large-field Best-Ball tournaments.
SOURCE: Matt Barrows on Twitter

May 7, 2021, 1:15 PM ET

TREY LANCE
QB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

USA Today's Mark Schofield said 49ers QB Trey Lance could start "sooner than you think."

Schofield cites Lance's familiarity with the complex west coast offense play calling verbiage, his accuracy on short and anticipatory throws, and his athleticism as reasons the rookie could take the Niners' starting job in 2021. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has famously complicated play calling language that, according to Lance's former QB coach Randy Hedberg, won't trip up the rookie. "We verbalize the play in the huddle, and I think that’s one thing that would be a plus for Trey at the next level. He’s done that in our system, but it does resemble more West Coast than anything," Hedberg said. At North Dakota State, Lance became familiar with many Shanahan stables such as boot action, timing throws, and dump offs to fullbacks and tight ends. Lance's ability to scramble, buy time in the pocket, and take off for even short gains could make him a superior option to pocket passer Jimmy Garoppolo, Schofield said. Look for Lance's average draft position to skyrocket if Shanahan so much as hints that the Week 1 job could be his.
SOURCE: USA Today

May 7, 2021, 10:21 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

HAMSAH NASIRILDEEN
S, NEW YORK JETS

Jets signed sixth-round S/LB Hamsah Nasirildeen to a four-year contract.

He was the team's first of three picks in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. New York also surprisingly declared Nasirildeen (6'3/215) a linebacker upon drafting him. He wasn't able to play most of his senior season due to a season-ending knee injury towards the end of 2019 but was still among the nation's top safeties when healthy, earning second-team All-ACC honors. The nature of Nasirildeen being as tall as he is leads to him coming in pretty high on some tackle attempts, but his ability to track ball carriers both out of the backfield and after the catch is stellar. As such, Nasirildeen got to play all over FSU's defense, showing off his ability as a single-high safety, box player, and man-coverage slot defender. He's fairly scheme-proof and projects as a better version of former Clemson S Jayron Kearse.
SOURCE: NewYorkJets.com

May 7, 2021, 1:09 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

I really liked this kid. He’s talented enough to be a starter in this league. I can easily say that he’s better than Dre; and I would have liked to see us draft him to upgrade that position. Now I see why he dropped so far in the draft:

CAMERON MCGRONE
LB, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Patriots LB Cameron McGrone (ACL) is out for the 2021 season.

The rookie wasn't able to hold a Pro Day because of the ACL injury. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said "we’re prepared certainly to not have him available this year" after news of McGrone's injury broke. McGrone, 20, had 91 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 total games. Belichick in his Monday comments seemed committed to keeping McGrone onboard for the 2022 season.
SOURCE: ProFootballTalk.com

May 11, 2021, 8:32 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

DAYO ODEYINGBO
DE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Colts second-round DE Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) expects to play this season.

“The goal is to be back playing this year,” Odeyingbo said at this weekend’s rookie minicamp. “That’s what I’m working towards. I’m working hard to get back as fast as possible.” Odeyingbo tore his Achilles training for the Senior Bowl in January. He's targeting an October return, but the Colts are likely to move him slowly. Odeyingbo is a candidate to open the season on the reserve/PUP list, sidelining him for at least the first six games.
SOURCE: colts.com

May 9, 2021, 11:26 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Eskridge could prove to be a menace to us in that offense.

D'WAYNE ESKRIDGE
WR, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks GM John Schneider said rookie WR D'Wayne Eskridge could play a "number of different positions."

Eskridge will return kicks and be a gunner on special teams in addition to playing out wide. Coach Pete Carroll has also said he could be used in the run game. The Seahawks are planning a Tyreek Hill-like package for Eskridge, one of the most explosive receivers in this year's class. Eskridge only needs to hold off Freddie Swain to open the season as the No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
SOURCE: ESPN

May 9, 2021, 9:32 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TREY SERMON
RB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

49ers running backs coach Bobby Turner said rookie RB Trey Sermon can succeed in Kyle Shanahan's offense.

Turner, 72, has been a running back whisperer for Kyle and his father, Steve, for decades, determining which backs coming out of college would best fit the Shanahans' zone run scheme. When Turner was Denver's running backs coach in the 1990s, the Broncos drafted Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, and Mike Anderson, all of whom rushed for more than 1,000 yards at least once in their careers. None of the Denver backs were drafted before the fourth round. Turner told The Athletic that while Sermon -- drafted with the 88th pick out of Ohio State -- can improve his "long speed," his size, strength, and acceleration are excellent fits for the Shanahan system. "His reads, his instincts, his ability to communicate and retain — I like all that," Turner said of Sermon. Turner added that Elijah Mitchell, the Niners' sixth round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette, would be a good fit in the team's rushing attack. The rookies enter a crowded backfield that will be a focal point of fantasy managers' attention this summer.
SOURCE: The Athletic

May 12, 2021, 9:51 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TREVOR LAWRENCE
QB, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Trevor Lawrence (non-throwing shoulder surgery) won't be "full speed ahead" for rookie minicamp.

Lawrence was slapped with a 4-5 month timeline after going under the knife in February. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Lawrence is still expected to be 100 percent for training camp. Surgery is surgery, but we have yet to see a single reason to be concerned about Lawrence's operation.
SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

May 13, 2021, 6:31 PM E

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

BENJAMIN ST-JUSTE
DB, WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

Washington Football Team signed third-round CB Benjamin St-Juste to a four-year, $5.1 million contract.

The deal includes a $1.069 million signing bonus. St-Juste (6'3/202) sports a long, lean frame that allows him to corral receivers at the line of scrimmage, as well as bring skill players down when tackling. St-Juste also timed a stellar 6.63-second three-cone drill at his Pro Day, an absurd number for a player his size. That flexibility does not always show up on film, though, in part because St-Juste's eye discipline can run hot and cold, leaving him slow to transition in some instances. The Football Team didn't have a pressing need a corner but extra depth at one of the most important positions never hurts. The signing of former Bengals corner William Jackson should keep St-Juste as a rotational player in his rookie season.
SOURCE: Nicki Jhabvala on Twitter

May 13, 2021, 6:19 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

CAMERON MCGRONE
LB, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Patriots signed fifth-round LB Cameron McGrone to a four-year contract.

McGrone has been slow to recover from a November torn ACL. He'll be 10 months removed from surgery for Week 1, but coach Bill Belichick is "prepared to not have him available" this year. The Patriots may redshirt McGrone as a rookie before letting him compete for a role in 2022.

May 14, 2021, 7:02 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TUTU ATWELL
WR, LOS ANGELES RAMS

Rams signed second-round WR Tutu Atwell to a four-year contract.

The undersized Atwell led the ACC in receiving yards (1,276) and touchdowns (12) in 2019, following it up with a 46/635/7 line in an injury-shortened junior year. Atwell adds a deep threat to a depth chart in need of speed behind Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson. Atwell's concerns are size and whether he can handle playing the slot after a Combine weigh-in at 149 pounds. He's likely to start out in four-wide sets as a rookie.

May 14, 2021, 6:30 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

STONE FORSYTHE
T, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks signed sixth-round OT Stone Forsythe to a four-year contract.

Reminder the team dealt picks No. 217 and 250 to move up nine spots for Forsythe (6'8/307), who was one of just three OTs in this class listed at 6-foot-8 or taller. He shuffled around the line before ultimately taking starting left tackle duties in 2019, becoming the anchor for a solid Gators OL. Forsythe plays exceptionally smooth for his size, often doing well to keep up around the arc. Forsythe's height gives him a natural leverage disadvantage, though, and some of the savvier, stronger pass-rushers in the NFL will have success with keeping him uncomfortable once engaged. He has some Jared Veldheer-lite to his game as a potential swing-tackle and starter down the road.
SOURCE: Curtis Crabtree on Twitter

May 14, 2021, 3:43 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

D'WAYNE ESKRIDGE
WR, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks signed second-round WR D'Wayne Eskridge to a four-year contract.

Eskridge's (5'9/190) explosive numbers in five years at Western Michigan — 18.5 yards per catch, 9.4 YAC per reception — need be taken with a grain of salt since it came against MAC competition. He was still one of only four FBS players to average 130-plus receiving yards per game in 2020, leveraging his state championship sprinting background to dust man coverage consistently. Eskridge's 4.33 40-time will draw headlines, but he also has immaculate strength and balance with a 350-pound bench, 505-pound squat and 37.5" vertical. His experience as a gunner and kick returner will allow him to compete on special teams as a rookie. He'll be 24 years old in Week 1. The Seahawks entered the draft holding just three picks, with just the No. 56 overall pick in the first two days. Using their only significant draft capital on a wide receiver hopefully incentivizes them to unleash Russell Wilson more often. Seattle has failed to hit on their late-round shots at receiver in recent drafts and lost their No. 3 receiver, David Moore, in free agency. With D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett already established, Eskridge will fill a niche role in his rookie season.
SOURCE: Seattle Seahawks on Twitter

May 14, 2021, 3:38 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JOE TRYON
DE, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said first-round DE Joe Tryon had a “minor scope” on his knee a few weeks back.

Tryon will simply "take it easy" until mandatory minicamp, sitting out this week's rookie minicamp altogether. He has yet to pass a physical since getting the scope done but is, per Arians, "very close to getting on the field." If healthy, he'll work as a rotational player in year one since the team returned all 11 starters on the defensive side of the ball.
SOURCE: Scott Smith on Twitter

May 14, 2021, 2:43 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JUSTIN FIELDS
QB, CHICAGO BEARS

Bears first-round QB Justin Fields said he'll come in "ready to compete" but is "comfortable with whatever Matt Nagy decides for him as a rookie."

Nagy and Ryan Pace have made it clear the team wants to treat Andy Dalton and Fields in the Alex Smith-Patrick Mahomes mold, allowing the veteran to start until the rookie is deemed ready. The difference there is, like Fields, Dalton is also currently learning the team's playbook ahead of camp. Even if the 33-year-old were sacrificed to Aaron Donald and the Rams in Week 1, it's Fields who continues to offer the most upside both under center and for the organization in a division that could be up for grabs if Aaron Rodgers were traded.
SOURCE: Jeff Dickerson on Twitter

May 14, 2021, 2:22 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

ZAVEN COLLINS
LB, ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said "it’s fair to assume" Isaiah Simmons and No. 16 overall pick Zaven Collins will line up together as starters.

That means Collins will indeed be taking over the MIKE linebacker role from veteran Jordan Hicks, who has since requested a trade. The Bronco Nagurski and Bednarick Awards winner for his work in 2020, Collins profiles as a terrifying tackler with spider-quick reflexes when the ball is in his reach. Cardinals will enter 2021 with arguably the rangiest duo of inside linebackers in the entire league.
SOURCE: Kyle Odegard on Twitter

May 14, 2021, 2:17 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JOSH MYERS
C, GREEN BAY PACKERS

Packers signed second-round C Josh Myers to a four-year, $5,580,142 million contract.

It includes a $1,418,284 million signing bonus. Myers (6'5/312) was an asset in the running game in college, playing the angles, arriving with bad intentions, and working hard to shuffle his feet after impact to establish play-side positioning. When he missed, it was because he came in too high while trying to use his body like a kamikaze, not a sealant. In pass protection, Myers offers length, throws powerful hands, and plays angles like he does in the run game. Unfortunately, those issues led to six sacks and 27 pressures allowed over the last two seasons. He arrives as a high-floor, medium-ceiling interior prospect that reminds us of Tyler Biadasz, who arrived in the NFL as an early-Day 3 pick last season from the Big Ten with similar strengths and weaknesses. The Packers lost their starting center, Cory Linsley, in free agency so it's possible Myers opens 2021 as a starter.
SOURCE: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

May 14, 2021, 2:10 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TYLAN WALLACE
WR, BALTIMORE RAVENS

Ravens signed WR Tylan Wallace.

Wallace, out of Oklahoma State, was taken with the 131st pick in the 2021 draft. He'll make $660,000 this season, none of it guaranteed. Despite an ACL tear in 2019, Wallace, 22, scored 26 touchdowns and averaged 106.9 yards per game over his final three years at Oklahoma State. He'll likely be Baltimore's WR3 in 2021, behind Rashod Bateman and Marquise Brown.
SOURCE: Jamison Hensley on Twitter

May 14, 2021, 11:36 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JAYLEN WADDLE
WR, MIAMI DOLPHINS

Dolphins signed WR Jaylen Waddle to a four-year, $27,085,996 million contract.

Waddle signed his fully-guaranteed deal with Miami after being drafted with the sixth pick in the 2021 draft. Waddle will reunite with former Alabama teammate Tua Tagovailoa in Miami and will be a deep-threat playmaker opposite Will Fuller and DeVante Parker. He adds speed and separation the team's offense was desperately missing in 2020. The rookie should soon be fully recovered from the dislocated ankle he suffered last season.
SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter

May 14, 2021, 11:28 AM ET