2017 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Reuben Foster - LB - 49ers

The Ringer's Mike Lombardi disputed reports 49ers first-round pick Reuben Foster (shoulders) has a clean bill of health.

Foster claimed he doesn't need more surgery after the 49ers drafted him, but USA Today and Lombardi have both reported otherwise. "The 49ers should count their lucky stars they didn't pick Reuben Foster at the third pick overall," Lombardi said. "Because Foster may require surgery before the season even begins. People are saying he's fine, everything's gonna be good. That's not what I'm told by a lot of teams in the league. That's why he slipped." Lombardi indicated NFL teams have concerns about both of Foster's shoulders, regarding his labrum and rotator cuff.
Source: The Ringer Podcast

May 1 - 9:28 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Garett Bolles - T - Broncos

Broncos coach Vance Joseph believes first-round pick Garett Bolles is a "true left tackle."

Joseph said the Broncos were looking for someone who could handle speed on the outside, and Bolles was the right fit. Bolles certainly has the length and athleticism to play the blindside, but he is old for a rookie and only played one season of D-1 football. He is a risky bet, but it is one the Broncos needed to make.
Source: SiriusXM NFL Radio

May 1 - 8:28 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Gareon Conley - DB - Raiders

The attorney for Raiders first-round pick Gareon Conley doesn't anticipate his client's legal situation resolving for another 6-8 weeks.

The Raiders took Conley at No. 24 overall despite sexual assault allegations that surfaced the week of the draft. NFL training camps begin in around 12 weeks, so Conley's situation should be resolved by then. Still, the allegations may hang over Conley's head for almost the entire offseason. Conley insists he had a "consensual sexual event" with the woman making claims against him.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

May 1 - 5:42 PM

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Taco Charlton - DL - Cowboys

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said first-round pick Taco Charlton will start out at right end.

"We want to give him every chance to be a right end for us," Garrett said. "We feel like he has the traits to do that." DeMarcus Lawrence finished last season on the right side, but Dallas thinks he is a better fit at left end. Benson Mayowa should be Charlton's main competition on the right side.
Source: Dallas Morning News

May 1 - 10:40 PM

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Alvin Kamara - RB - Saints

The Times-Picayune's Larry Holder expects third-round RB Alvin Kamara to play a "Reggie Bush/Darren Sproles-type role" behind Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson.

Bush saw 117 touches in 14 games behind Pierre Thomas (186) and Mike Bell (176) in 2009 while Darren Sproles notched 173 touches including 86 receptions behind Thomas (160) and Ingram (133) in 2011. Holder referenced both seasons when discussing how the Saints could divvy up the backfield touches this year. Ingram and Peterson should dominate the "early-down" work, but Kamara has a decent chance to see 125 touches as a rookie.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

May 1 - 11:57 PM

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D'Onta Foreman - RB - Texans

Coach Bill O'Brien hopes third-round RB D'Onta Freeman will "spell Lamar (Miller) at times when Lamar needs that."

O'Brien described 6-foot, 233-pound Foreman as a "productive tackle-to-tackle first- and second-down runner," essentially hinting the Texans envision Foreman as an upgrade on Alfred Blue. "All running backs need a little rest every now and then," said O'Brien, referring to Miller. "Hopefully, (Foreman) will be able to do that." O'Brien did not in any way indicate Miller's starting job is in danger, instead discussing Foreman as a change-of-pace/breather back.
Source: houstontexans.com

May 1 - 4:31 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jeremy McNichols - RB - Buccaneers

In his post-draft presser, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter described fifth-round RB Jeremy McNichols as a "three-down guy" who can "do a little bit of everything."

Koetter also praised McNichols' blitz-pickup skills, usually an obstacle for rookie backs. PFF College charted McNichols with just one sack allowed over his final 237 pass-blocking snaps at Boise State. "Really good pass blocker," said Koetter. "Every running back in college, that's their Achilles' heel. Good pass blocker, good chipper. Can catch. Just a solid three-down player." Koetter said he anticipates the Bucs fielding a "pretty good competition" at running back, with Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims, and suspended Doug Martin also in the mix.
Source: buccaneers.com

May 1 - 3:35 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Samaje Perine - RB - Redskins

ESPN's John Keim confirms Redskins fourth-round RB Samaje Perine will be an "instant challenger" to Rob Kelley on early downs.

We suspected as much when the 'Skins made Perine the No. 114 overall pick of the draft on Saturday. On paper, he's a slightly better version of Kelley, though Kelley has obviously put some good NFL runs on film. Kelley also has lots of bad runs on film. Perine's addition could mean curtains for Matt Jones in Washington.
Source: ESPN.com

May 1 - 3:23 PM

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Joe Williams - RB - 49ers

In Peter King's personal account of the 49ers' 2017 draft, it is revealed coach Kyle Shanahan was the impetus for the team's fourth-round trade up for Utah RB Joe Williams.

King sat in the 49ers' draft room and recapped all seven rounds. GM John Lynch had removed Williams from his draft board for off-field reasons. Entering day three of the draft, Shanahan made it clear he wanted Williams and so Lynch obliged, calling Williams on the phone and getting his side of the story on Williams' checkered, multi-school past and temporary 2016 retirement. The Niners then traded up to get him. In San Francisco, 4.41 speedster Williams will try to force a committee with grinder back Carlos Hyde.
Source: MMQB

May 1 - 2:38 PM

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DeShone Kizer - QB - Browns

Browns EVP Sashi Brown said the team will not rush second-round QB DeShone Kizer.

"Ideally we'd be able to come in and give DeShone some time," Brown said. "We like Cody (Kessler), we like Brock (Osweiler), we like Kevin (Hogan) and he doesn't need to feel that pressure." Coach Hue Jackson has promised to give all the quarterbacks an "opportunity to compete," and despite these comments, Sashi and the rest of the organization would certainly be thrilled if Kizer won that competition. That said, it is clear the Browns are willing to take their time with the rookie, and that is good news for a quarterback with some rough edges to sand down. Kessler is the favorite to open the season as the starter.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 2 - 10:59 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Kevin King - DB - Packers

ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky wrote "it wouldn't be a surprise" if second-round CB Kevin King is in the starting lineup Week 1.

King could form a brand new starting duo with free-agent signing Davon House after Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins disappointed last season even when they were healthy enough to be on the field. At worst, King's arrival will give the Packers quality depth they were desperately lacking last year.
Source: ESPN

May 2 - 10:48 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Forrest Lamp - G - Chargers

Charges GM Tom Telesco expects second-round pick Forrest Lamp to stick at guard as a rookie.

Lamp was a dominant left tackle at Western Kentucky, but he lacks ideal arm length. Nevertheless, Telesco wouldn't rule out a move to tackle down the line. Lamp wouldn't be the first short-armed lineman to succeed at tackle.
Source: Alex Marvez on Twitter

May 2 - 8:00 PM

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2707024-bleacher-reports-expert-consensus-nfl-rookie-award-predictions

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Joe Williams - RB - 49ers

49ers signed fourth-round RB Joe Williams to a four-year contract.

Essentially handpicked by new coach Kyle Shanahan, Williams arrives in the Bay as a 4.41 speedster behind contract-year incumbent starter Carlos Hyde, about whom the 49ers' new regime has had publicly mixed feelings. Williams is an intriguing Dynasty pick with a real chance to contribute in re-draft leagues, as well. Shanahan may envision Williams as his new Tevin Coleman.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

May 3 - 8:09 PM

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Gareon Conley - DB - Raiders

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said he is "very comfortable" with the decision to draft CB Gareon Conley in the first round.

"We researched everything thoroughly and were totally convinced," McKenzie said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "We felt good about what was presented before us." Sexual assault allegations against Conley surfaced the week of the draft, but the player has adamantly denied the allegations. The investigation into the incident is expected to take 6-8 weeks.
Source: Sporting News

May 4 - 10:33 AM

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Caleb Brantley - DL - Browns

Browns sixth-round DT Caleb Brantley has yet to be formally charged for misdemeanor battery in connection with a pre-draft incident.

Brantley is due to report to Browns rookie camp by next Wednesday. Brantley allegedly punched Florida female student Chelsea Austin in the face with a closed fist, knocking her unconscious and displacing one of her teeth. Brantley has claimed self-defense. Browns EVP Sashi Brown has indicated Brantley will be cut immediately if charges are brought against him.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 3 - 9:00 PM

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George Kittle - TE - 49ers

49ers signed fifth-round TE George Kittle, fifth-round WR Trent Taylor, sixth-round DT D.J. Jones, sixth-round DE Pita Taumoepenu and seventh-round S Adrian Colbert to four-year contracts.

The rebuilding 49ers now have six of their 10 draft picks under contract. A strong blocker at Iowa, Kittle didn't catch many passes, but tested as an elite athlete at the Combine. He's worth a late-round flier in Dynasty rookie drafts.

May 4 - 6:57 PM

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DeShone Kizer - QB - Browns

Browns coach Hue Jackson expects DeShone Kizer to draw Ben Roethlisberger comparisons.

"I don't know that I've coached a guy with this kind of skill-set," Jackson said Thursday. "But he's a big powerful man, so I know he's going to get compared to another guy on another team in our division." Jackson went on to praise Kizer's arm strength, mobility and intelligence. Kizer is a project, but the Browns' quarterback situation is such that he will almost certainly make rookie starts.
Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

May 4 - 8:37 PM

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Christian McCaffrey - RB - Panthers

Panthers signed first-round RB Christian McCaffrey to a four-year, $17.224 million contract.

The offensive weapon is the first first-round pick to sign. As is the case with all first-round contracts, the deal includes a fifth-year team option for 2021. Sort of a bizarro Tavon Austin coming out of West Virginia, McCaffrey is an explosive runner who doubles as a dangerous receiver. He's an element that's been missing from the Panthers' offense for years, and one few teams have. McCaffrey is justifiable as the No. 1 overall pick in rookie Dynasty drafts.
Source: David Newton on Twitter

May 4 - 9:46 PM

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John Ross - WR - Bengals

Bengals rookie WR John Ross (shoulder) won't be cleared for minicamp.

Ross is recovering from post-Combine labrum surgery, and the University of Washington's late graduation date will likely cost him all of OTAs. Ross should still be ready for training camp, but he'll be getting a late start.
Source: Katherine Terrell on Twitter

May 5 - 6:12 PM