2017 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Deshaun Watson - QB - Texans

Texans signed first-round QB Deshaun Watson to a four-year, $13.854 million contract.

The deal includes an $8.215 million signing bonus. Like with all first-round picks, Watson's deal contains a fifth-year, team option. Despite giving up their first-round pick next year to move up for Watson, the Texans have said Tom Savage remains the starter. That is likely true now and may even remain the case heading into Week 1, but it will be surprising if Watson does not make starts this season. Houston also signed second-round ILB Zach Cunningham and fifth-round CB Treston Decoud to four-year deals. Third-round RB D'Onta Foreman is the only pick from the Texans' draft class who has yet to sign.
Source: Houston Chronicle

May 12 - 10:12 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Josh Malone - WR - Bengals

A.J. Green said fourth-round WR Josh Malone reminds him of a young Marvin Jones.

Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson reports some in the organization think Malone is ahead of where Jones was at this point in his career. Malone is a bit heftier than Jones, but both offer good speed and playmaking ability down the field. Hobson does not expect Malone to contribute right away, but he is a name to know in Dynasty formats.
Source: bengals.com

May 12 - 9:57 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Vince Biegel - LB - Packers

ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky thinks fourth-round OLB Vince Biegel will have the opportunity to contribute "right away."

Vikings reporter Ben Goessling also tabbed Biegel as a potential early contributor. Biegel is probably not strong enough for an early-down role right out of the gate, but the Packers need pass rushers. He could carve out a situational role as a rookie.
Source: ESPN

May 12 - 9:24 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

D'Onta Foreman - RB - Texans

Coach Bill O'Brien named D'Onta Foreman as a rookie who reported to the team out of shape, and Foreman rode an exercise bike during the Texans' rookie minicamp practice on Saturday.

This is actually quite common for rookies, who spent the last several months flying around the country to meet with teams, then celebrating for two weeks after they were drafted. Still, it's notable that Foreman is out of shape enough that he isn't even allowed to practice yet. Foreman weighed 233 pounds at the Combine, but was listed at 249 at the University of Texas. Weight management is something he'll have to take seriously in the NFL.
Source: Houston Chronicle

May 14 - 8:23 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Joe Williams - RB - 49ers

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco believes fourth-round rookie Joe Williams has a "legitimate chance" to "immediately unseat" Carlos Hyde as the starter.

Williams has so many things working in his favor. He was handpicked by coach Kyle Shanahan, who banged the table for him in the 49ers' draft room, even when GM John Lynch left Williams off the team's draft board. RBs coach Bobby Turner also personally stayed in touch with Williams throughout the draft process and also campaigned for him. Hyde is entering the final year of his contract for a regime that has zero ties to him and has proven injury-prone. This could be a two-headed backfield for 2017 before Williams takes over as the lead back in 2018.
Source: CSN Bay Area

May 17 - 1:34 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Caleb Brantley - DL - Browns

The Tampa Bay Times' Matt Baker reports the battery case against Browns sixth-round DT Caleb Brantley has been dismissed.

Brantley was expected to be a Day 2 pick but tumbled all the way to the sixth round when a battery case was brought against him the week before the draft. He allegedly knocked a woman unconscious, but nothing ever materialized of the matter. Brantley has drawn some comparisons to Patriots DT Malcom Brown as a scheme-versatile lineman who can push and plug.
Source: Matt Baker on Twitter

May 17 - 1:26 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Mike Tyson - DB - Seahawks

Seahawks signed No. 187 overall pick CB Mike Tyson to a four-year contract.

A college safety at Cincinnati, the Seahawks are planning to convert Tyson to cornerback. Coach Pete Carroll recently compared Tyson to former Legion of Boom member Byron Maxwell. Tyson will have a chance to play early.

May 16 - 8:48 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Samaje Perine - RB - Redskins

Redskins coach Jay Gruden came away "impressed" with fourth-round RB Samaje Perine following rookie minicamp.

"You see him out there running around – were you impressed?" Gruden asked reporters rhetorically on Saturday. "Yeah, so was I. I like guys who come in here and love football and he does. He’s a very smart guy. You can tell that he’s going to be a very hard worker and, of course, he runs hard." Padless practice without veterans isn't exactly the hardest place to stand out, but it's another nugget to file away as Perine prepares to challenge Rob Kelley on early downs. Perine appears to be the favorite.
Source: Washington Times

May 16 - 7:57 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jonnu Smith - TE - Titans

Titans signed third-round TE Jonnu Smith to a four-year contract.

A four-year starter at Florida International, Smith caught 178 career passes. Standing in at 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, Smith tore up the Combine, posting eye-popping numbers across the board. Smith can be a body catcher, but is an all-around prospect in a deceptively-good landing spot. Delanie Walker turns 33 in August. Smith is worth a late-round flier in rookie drafts.

May 16 - 5:54 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Leonard Fournette - RB - Jaguars

Jagaurs signed No. 4 overall pick RB Leonard Fournette to a four-year contract.

The deal is fully guaranteed, contains with no offset language, and comes with the standard fifth-year team option that all first-rounders receive. Coach Doug Marrone has said Fournette will have to "compete" for the starting job, but he'd have to get hurt to not earn it. Expect the Jaguars to try and use Fournette like the Cowboys used Ezekiel Elliott as the featured centerpiece on offense. Fournette has a worse offensive line, but he's an RB1 right out of the gates.

May 17 - 3:47 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Tre'Davious White - DB - Bills

Bills signed first-round CB Tre'Davious White to a four-year contract.

White was selected with the No. 27 overall pick. His college résumé includes 47 starts at LSU and first-team All-SEC honors as a senior. He underwhelmed at the combine with a 12th-percentile performance, but still landed in the first round due to his physicality. White has experience as both a boundary and slot corner. He has been rotating with Ronald Darby and Kevin Seymour at OTAs, but will likely be a Week 1 starter.
Source: Chris Brown on Twitter

May 18 - 1:35 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Gareon Conley - DB - Raiders

Speaking Thursday, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie couldn't provide an update on first-round CB Gareon Conley's legal situation.

Accused of sexual assault a week before the draft, Conley has adamantly maintained his innocence, though he hasn't always stuck to the same story. The Raiders were clearly confident he will be exonerated. The case was given a 6-8 week timeline two weeks ago.
Source: Jimmy Durkin on Twitter

May 18 - 2:40 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Gerald Everett - TE - Rams

Rams second-round TE Gerald Everett expects to fill a Jordan Reed-type role.

New Rams coach Sean McVay was Reed's offensive coordinator the last three years and his position coach before that while Everett looks the part of an athletic mismatch in the middle of the field. Rookie tight ends always struggle to contribute, but Everett has no proven talent ahead of him on the depth chart and the Rams need weapons in the passing game. He could surprise this season.
Source: SiriusXM NFL Radio on Twitter

May 20 - 11:06 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Myles Garrett - DL - Browns

Browns signed No. 1 overall pick DE Myles Garrett to a four-year, $30.4 million contract.

The deal is fully guaranteed and comes with a standard fifth-year team option. It also includes a $20.25 million signing bonus. The surefire top player in this year's draft, the Browns made an easy call by taking Garrett No. 1 despite heavy rumors they were considering Mitchell Trubisky. Garrett is a game-wrecker off the edge, and new DC Gregg Williams has developed defensive linemen really well.

May 19 - 12:18 PM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Teez Tabor - DB - Lions

Lions rookie CB Teez Tabor is rehabbing a badly strained hamstring but anticipates being ready for the start of training camp.

Selected with the No. 53 overall pick, Tabor actually pulled the hamstring in his final pre-draft workout, which was with the Lions. Tabor didn't show much athleticism at the Combine with a 4.62 forty and 31-inch vertical, but Tabor flashed when on the football field. He should have a chance to earn the starting job opposite Darius Slay as a rookie in a weak cornerback group.
Source: Tim Twentyman on Twitter

May 19 - 12:15 PM

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Kevin King - DB - Packers

The Packers expect second round CB Kevin King to be a Week 1 starter.

King should start opposite Davon House, with Damarious Randall moving to the slot. The Packers are counting on an immediate impact from King after fielding one of the worst secondaries in the league. King will reduce Quinten Rollins and LaDarius Gunter to subpackage roles.
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

May 20 - 5:32 PM

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Kareem Hunt - RB - Chiefs

ESPN Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher foresees third-round pick Kareem Hunt leading the team in rushing this season and leading Kansas City's running backs in receptions.

In other words, Teicher expects Hunt to become the Chiefs' feature back as a rookie, supplanting Spencer Ware. It's just a beat writer guess in May, but notable nonetheless. The Chiefs traded up to draft Hunt in the third round, and Ware tailed off after a hot start to last season. Charcandrick West should settle in as Kansas City's third-string back this year.
Source: Mike Clay on Twitter

May 19 - 10:59 PM

[ChrisPozz]

Lance Zierlein: George Kittle and D.J. Jones likely to exceed expectations in 2017

http://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/106267-lance-zierlein-george-kittle-jones-likely-exceed-expectations/

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

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