2021 NFL ROOKIES

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

PRESSLEY HARVIN
P, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Steelers signed seventh-round P Pressley Harvin to a four-year contract.

Harvin averaged 44.7 yards per kick at Georgia Tech. The first-team All-American and Ray Guy Award winner was the top punter in college last year, placing 18-of-45 punts inside the 20-yard line. Harvin has potential to be an impact punter for the Steelers, who can save $850K from moving on from Jordan Berry.

May 16, 2021, 9:15 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JAKE FUNK
RB, LOS ANGELES RAMS

Rams signed seventh-round RB Jake Funk to a four-year contract.

The Rams also signed fifth-round DE Earnest Brown and seventh-rounders Ben Skowronek and Chris Garrett. Funk, 23, rushed for 968 yards and 10 touchdowns in five years at Maryland. Third-round LB Ernest Jones and fourth-rounders Bobby Brown, Robert Rochell, and Jacob Harris are the Rams' remaining unsigned picks.

May 16, 2021, 9:25 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

PATRICK SURTAIN II
DB, DENVER BRONCOS

Broncos signed No. 9 overall pick CB Patrick Surtain II to a four-year contract.

Surtain (6'2/208) is a former five-star recruit who started for most of his three years at Alabama under Nick Saban. Though not the most explosive cornerback on film, Surtain is a smooth mover for someone his size and has great speed (4.42 40-yard dash). Surtain also plays with excellent technique and leverage, particularly in press coverage where he can make use of his long arms and casual strength. Mix in natural instincts for finding the ball in the air, as evidenced by his 25 pass breakups in college, and you've got a pretty complete prospect. The Broncos doubled down on their already impressive defense by taking Surtain in the draft and will be a contender to finish second in the AFC West this year.
SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

May 18, 2021, 5:41 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JACKSON CARMAN
G, CINCINNATI BENGALS

Bengals signed second-round OG Jackson Carman to a four-year contract.

Carman (6’5/317) spent the past two seasons as the blindside protector of Trevor Lawrence. During Clemson’s most recent playoff run in 2020, Carman was named a second-team All-American. Carman’s issue is with speed and movement, and it’s the reason we believe his best NFL fit is at guard. On the interior, Carman’s strengths will play up, while his weaknesses will be mitigated or outright masked. Carman has dropped 30 pounds, ostensibly to help his mobility and allow him to play multiple positions. The Bengals are expected to start Carman at guard this year but his versatility could come in handy down the road. Pro Football Focus ranked Cincinnati as the 30th offensive line last year. The addition of Carman should help them inch toward the middle of the pack.

May 18, 2021, 1:29 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

DAVIS MILLS
QB, HOUSTON TEXANS

The Athletic's Aaron Reiss said Texans QB Davis Mills "should play at some point" in the 2021 season.

Reiss argues Tyrod Taylor is the team's best option to start Houston's doomed 2021 campaign because his scrambling ability will allow him to extend plays behind a shoddy offensive line and his veteran leadership will prove valuable on a team full of inexperienced players on short-term deals. But Taylor is likely to cede starting duties to Mills after the Texans' season is officially a wash, in hopes the team can evaluate the rookie signal caller in game action. Taylor, of course, has been benched in each of his past three teams -- last year losing the Chargers' starting job to Justin Herbert after a team doctor punctured Taylor's lung with a painkiller shot. Taylor's lack of downfield aggression could deflate Brandin Cooks' fantasy upside. A mere 6.4 percent of Taylor’s throws as Buffalo's starter were more than 20 yards downfield, according to Sportradar, about half the rate of Deshaun Watson. It would be borderline shocking if Taylor started half of Houston's games in 2021.
SOURCE: The Athletic

May 18, 2021, 8:54 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TRILL WILLIAMS
DB, MIAMI DOLPHINS

Dolphins claimed CB Trill Williams off waivers from the Saints.

Williams was cut over the weekend for failing his physical with New Orleans. He's still clearly recovering from offseason ankle surgery, which also forced him to plummet as a UDFA following this year's draft. His participation and health for training camp is a true question mark.
SOURCE: Armando Salguero on Twitter

May 17, 2021, 5:13 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JALEN CAMP
WR, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jaguars signed sixth-round WR Jalen Camp to a four-year contract.

A three-year starter at Georgia Tech, Camp (6'2/226) was recruited into the team's option offense as a bigger body best suited to be a blocker. When the Yellow Jackets transitioned into a more normal offense in his senior year, though, Camp registered 29 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns. His stellar athleticism (9.75 RAS) and build make him a great ball of clay, but he needs time to develop his route tree and develop quicker feet that more closely represent what his athletic profile shows. He projects as a practice squad stash or special teamer who may emerge as a real player down the line as an outside receiver.
SOURCE: Pro Football Talk on Twitter

May 17, 2021, 3:19 PM ET

[CrimsonCrew]

DAVIS MILLS
QB, HOUSTON TEXANS

The Athletic's Aaron Reiss said Texans QB Davis Mills "should play at some point" in the 2021 season.

Reiss argues Tyrod Taylor is the team's best option to start Houston's doomed 2021 campaign because his scrambling ability will allow him to extend plays behind a shoddy offensive line and his veteran leadership will prove valuable on a team full of inexperienced players on short-term deals. But Taylor is likely to cede starting duties to Mills after the Texans' season is officially a wash, in hopes the team can evaluate the rookie signal caller in game action. Taylor, of course, has been benched in each of his past three teams -- last year losing the Chargers' starting job to Justin Herbert after a team doctor punctured Taylor's lung with a painkiller shot. Taylor's lack of downfield aggression could deflate Brandin Cooks' fantasy upside. A mere 6.4 percent of Taylor’s throws as Buffalo's starter were more than 20 yards downfield, according to Sportradar, about half the rate of Deshaun Watson. It would be borderline shocking if Taylor started half of Houston's games in 2021.
SOURCE: The Athletic

May 18, 2021, 8:54 AM ET

This was one of the dumbest draft picks in the history of the league, IMO. They didn't have a first- or second-round pick, so this was their first selection. They have effectively no talent on the roster to support a QB. They have two possibilities for this upcoming year. Either Watson plays and they're in contention for the first overall pick, or Watson's legal issues prevent him from playing and they almost certainly end up with the top pick. And either of those outcomes sets them up to draft a blue chip QB. There's just virtually no way to see Mills making any sort of an impact with the Texans. If he is playing, they don't have the players to support him. And if they have an opportunity to add a legitimate starter, they need to take that.

The Texans are a dumpster fire of an organization. They've dethroned the Browns, who are suddenly looking like a pretty smart organization.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

PENEI SEWELL
T, DETROIT LIONS

Lions signed T Penei Sewell to a four-year, $24.1 million contract.

The No. 7 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft gets a $14.88 million signing bonus, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. Sewell should serve as an anchor on Detroit's offensive line for years to come. The Lions are headed into 2021 with one of the league's top offensive lines: Sewell, 20, is expected to take over right-tackle duties, giving the Lions a starting line of LT Taylor Decker, LG Jonah Jackson, C Frank Ragnow, RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and Sewell.
SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

May 19, 2021, 11:05 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

RHAMONDRE STEVENSON
RB, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Patriots signed fourth-round RB Rhamondre Stevenson to a four-year contract.

Stevenson (5’11/231) is a late-blooming JUCO transfer (Cerritos Community College) who eventually landed as the power runner in coach Lincoln Riley’s high-octane attack. The 231-pounder compiled 1,180 yards and 13 touchdowns on 165 carries (7.2 YPC) across 19 FBS games, adding 28 receptions as a capable check-down option and pass protector. For a player of his size, Stevenson has nice control over his feet in all phases. However, his raw speed (4.64 forty), age (23 years old), and maturity (poor grades, a failed drug test, and occasionally ballooned weight) cloud his otherwise intriguing profile. Stevenson projects as an Alexander Mattison or Jordan Howard-level committee back in an inside zone scheme, though the Patriots admittedly have two of those prototypes (Damien Harris, Sony Michel) on the roster already. Stevenson could replace Michel if the team chooses to move on from the latter.

May 19, 2021, 4:49 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JANARIUS ROBINSON
DE, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Vikings signed fourth-round DE Janarius Robinson to a four-year contract.

Robinson (6’5/263) parlayed his four-star prep billing into a list of offers from several prominent schools such as Alabama, USC, Florida and Georgia among several others. His length is almost unbelievable, as the Panama City, FL product’s arms measured 35 ¼” with a 86 ¼” wingspan. Robinson led FSU in sacks last year with 3.0 while pacing the team in TFL’s in 2019 with 9.0, however in totality you’d like to see more than 8.0 sacks over a 42 game career. Production never particularly matched his gifts. In run support, poor balance leaves him reaching for ball carriers, causing him to record a terrible 26 percent missed tackle rate in 2020. Robinson didn’t get the most out of his enticing physical traits and really didn’t start to put it all together until last season. His bend is average but his speed-to-power conversion and strong 10 ⅞” hands allow him to dislodge a blocker’s anchor. He doesn’t have a developed set of counters and can get stuck on blocks. Robinson helped his draft stock on his pro day, posting above average grades in every testing metric for a stellar 9.33 RAS. Robinson needs polish, but he is a rare Day 3 defensive end prospect who could develop into a starter with proper seasoning.

May 19, 2021, 1:57 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

JAELON DARDEN
WR, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Bucs signed fourth-round WR Jaelon Darden to a four-year contract.

Listed at 5'9/174, Darden actually tacked on weight after arriving at North Texas as a 157-lb slot receiver in 2018 and exits as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (230), receiving yards (2,782) and receiving scores (38). That additional weight only elevated his explosiveness, helping him total an FBS-high 23 broken tackles in 2020 with back-to-back 200-plus yard games sandwiched in between. Darden's build as a vertical slot receiver (career 90.7% snaps there) is one that NFL teams covet nowadays. He also has the gaudy production numbers that Tampa Bay seems to look for in their late-round receivers. Darden joins a crowded receiving room with Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller, and Justin Watson all making infrequent appearances in the lineup last year. He'll need to contribute on special teams to hang on the roster because of how deep Tampa runs at receiver.

May 19, 2021, 1:47 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

MICHAEL CARTER
RB, NEW YORK JETS

The Athletic's Connor Hughes reports the Jets have been rotating rookie Michael Carter, Tevin Coleman, and Ty Johnson with the starters at OTAs.

La'Mical Perine is the notable exception from the group with the ones. Coleman was listed as the "starter" when the first-team offense took the field, but Hughes notes there's no front-runner for the job, as the Jets want to feature all three in different situations. New OC Mike LaFleur came over from San Francisco and is a product of the Shanahan coaching tree. The Niners use a bunch of different running backs under Kyle Shanahan. Per Hughes, Johnson looks more muscular this year, Coleman appears healthy, and Carter is "sneaky twitchy" and the "most elusive of the group." Coleman at least knows the playbook already after having played for LaFleur. Carter probably has the most upside of the bunch.
SOURCE: The Athletic

May 29, 2021, 1:03 PM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

TREVOR LAWRENCE
QB, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is "not necessarily on a pitch count" at OTAs.

Coming off February shoulder surgery, the Jaguars were expected to limit Lawrence to 30-40 throws. He's been full-speed at offseason workouts the last few days and has no restrictions. Lawrence should be 100 percent ahead of July's training camp.
SOURCE: NFL Network

May 29, 2021, 9:26 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

AARON ROBINSON
DB, NEW YORK GIANTS

Giants signed third-round CB Aaron Robinson to a four-year contract.

The team now has only one more rookie to get under contract. One of the most versatile players at his position in college, Robinson (6'1/193) played both spots during his time at UCF, often lining up from the slot in nickel formations and as an outside cornerback in base. Robinson sports a thick, muscular frame and it shows in his play. He loves to get aggressive at the line of scrimmage, (as well as at the top of breaks) and really force wide receivers to match his scrappiness. When asked to play zone or from an off alignment, though, Robinson's feet can admittedly get stuck in the mud (16th-percentile short shuttle) at times. He still projects as a starting nickel corner with sticky man coverage skills and a hard-nosed mentality towards the run game a la Essang Bassey.
SOURCE: Pro Football Talk on Twitter

May 27, 2021, 8:30 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

RHAMONDRE STEVENSON
RB, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Longtime Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears compared rookie RB Rhamondre Stevenson to former New England RB LeGarrette Blount.

Fears coached Blount when the big-bodied back rumbled for 1,161 yards and 18 touchdowns on 299 carries in 2016 for the Tom Brady-led Pats. "That kind of body. That kind of athletic ability," Fears said of Stevenson, New England's fourth round draft pick, when comparing him to Blount. "He's probably a better pass receiver than even LeGarrette was. This kid has got pretty good hands. There are a lot of doors open here. We'll see what sticks to him." Fears said Stevenson has a "hell of a future for himself" if he can learn the Patriots' playbook in the coming months. Athletically, he said, the rookie has it all. "The thing that we like about the kid, he's a big kid. He's got great feet," Fears said. That Damien Harris has the edge to start the year as New England's early-down back shouldn't keep fantasy managers from drafting Stevenson in the later rounds. The Patriots are famously fickle with their backfield depth chart.
RELATED: Sony Michel, Damien Harris
SOURCE: audacy.com

Jun 4, 2021, 11:57 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

CORNELL POWELL
WR, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Patrick Mahomes complimented WR Cornell Powell's contested catch ability during Kansas City's OTAs.

Mahomes described Powell, the team's fifth round pick out of Clemson, as a "beast." "He's big out there, running across the field and making some big catches in some tough, contested spots," Mahomes said. The aged rookie, who enters the NFL at 24, had an excellent final year at Clemson, catching 53 passes for 882 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020. Powell last year had four receptions of at least 50 yards and at least one 20-yard reception in seven of his final eight games. Playing time could be hard to come by for Powell in 2021, though injuries or struggles among the Chiefs' tertiary wideouts could give the rookie a shot at fantasy relevance in KC's high-powered offense.
SOURCE: Chiefs.com

Jun 4, 2021, 8:49 AM ET

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

DeVonta Smith’s one-handed catch highlights the final Eagles OTA practice

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2021/6/4/22519160/devonta-smith-eagles-practice-notes-ota-philadelphia-training-camp-video-jalen-hurts-reagor-ward

[Jikkle]

DeVonta Smith’s one-handed catch highlights the final Eagles OTA practice

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2021/6/4/22519160/devonta-smith-eagles-practice-notes-ota-philadelphia-training-camp-video-jalen-hurts-reagor-ward

DeVonta is always going to look great in shorts but his issue will be when the pads come on and if he can beat press coverage at his size. If he's decent at beating it he'll be a stud.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

ELIJAH MOORE
WR, NEW YORK JETS

The Athletic's Connor Hughes noted Jets WR Elijah Moore has "been the most impressive player at OTAs and it’s not really close."

Moore (5'9/178), the Jets' second-round pick this year, has played inside and outside receiver during his brief time in OTAs. Hughes also noted that Moore has been uncoverable near the goal line which is doubly impressive given his lack of size. If the Jets decide to keep Jamison Crowder, Moore will likely open the year competing with Denzel Mims for reps on the outside. Mims, who has worked with the second-team offense so far, already looks to be falling behind Moore. Don't be surprised to see Moore's fantasy stock skyrocket if he continues to impress throughout the summer.
SOURCE: The Athletic

Jun 8, 2021, 8:49 PM ET