Early Studs and Duds from NFL Training Camps
The 2016 NFL season is just around the corner, and anticipation is building at a frenzied pace. Teams are smack dab in the middle of training camps, which means they are getting an idea of what to expect when the regular season kicks off Sept. 8.
Of course, while some players have managed to shine during the early camp period, others have stumbled.
We're going to take a look at those at both ends of the spectrum. We'll base our stud-or-dud choices on factors like individual expectations, positional competition, offseason development and reports from camp wherever possible.
To be clear, this isn't a prediction of success and failure in the coming season. Our choices are based solely on early training-camp results.
Stud: Terrelle Pryor, WR, Cleveland Browns
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Former Ohio State and Oakland Raiders starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor has spent the last year transitioning to wide receiver. Though such a position switch is difficult, Pryor seems to be making big strides in his new role with the Cleveland Browns.
The 6'4", 223-pound Pryor has the size and athletic ability needed to succeed as a pro pass-catcher. Now his route running and experience as a wideout seem to be catching up to those raw physical gifts.
The Browns recently held their annual Orange and Brown scrimmage, and Pryor emerged as one of the event's star attractions. According to Austin Ward of ESPN.com, Pryor secured a pair of touchdown receptions during the scrimmage, including an impressive 75-yarder.
Browns head coach Hue Jackson made it clear that Pryor's performance is a sign of the progress he has made over the past year.
"He's done a tremendous job," Jackson said, per Ward. "There are a lot of guys I could say that about, but he's definitely one who has taken this opportunity and is trying to make the most of it."
For now, it seems Pryor has parlayed his opportunity into a starting job. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com recently unveiled Cleveland's first unofficial depth chart of the 2016 season, and Pryor is listed as a starter.
Josh Gordon—who is dealing with a quadriceps ailment and will be suspended for the first month of the season—was listed as injured. Still, that Pryor is listed ahead of more experienced receivers like Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel is telling.
Considering Pryor has gone from an offseason curiosity to a possible starting receiver since the start of camp, it's hard to consider him anything but an early winner.
Dud: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Tennessee Titans
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The Tennessee Titans used a high second-round draft pick (40th overall) on wideout Dorial Green-Beckham last offseason with the hopes that he could develop into a No. 1 receiver. While Green-Beckham flashed some potential as a rookie—he produced 549 yards receiving and four scores—inconsistency was an issue.
Unfortunately, it seems Green-Beckham isn't making a significant jump in the consistency department this offseason.
"It's bad day, good day," Titans head coach Mike Mularkey recently said of Green-Beckham's progress, per Adam Vingan of the Tennessean. "Same thing it's been since the very first day."
Vingan reported Green-Beckham was near the bottom of the Titans' receiver depth chart early in camp. If Green-Beckham hopes to secure a starting job, he'll have to change the course of his training camp. Rookie wideout Tajae Sharpe has been earning praise throughout the offseason, and the Titans recently brought in longtime AFC South veteran Andre Johnson.
"Nobody wants to please and do good for this team more than he does," Mularkey said of Green-Beckham, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official website. "And I know that. He's just got to find a way to come out every day and make the plays that are called his way. That's got to be every day, and it just hasn’t been that way."
Stud: Leonard Floyd, LB, Chicago Bears
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The Chicago Bears traded up in this year's draft to secure talented pass-rushing prospect Leonard Floyd at No. 9 overall. It's looking like the Georgia product will get the opportunity to make an early impact.
“He’ll be a big part of us,” Bears head coach John Fox said of Floyd, per Chris Emma of CBS Chicago.
The knock on Floyd coming into the draft was that a long, thin frame (6'6", 244 lbs) might give him problems at the pro level. John Mullin of CSN Chicago recently explained why those concerns could be on their way out the proverbial window:
"Suddenly the “weight” questions around Floyd are disappearing. Floyd has answered some questions about his stoutness against the run. …
Floyd has worked his way into more playing time with steady progress and a work ethic that has impressed coaches, not only with the improved results, but also with an attitude toward not repeating mistakes and learning with every snap taken against NFL-grade competition.
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The fact that Floyd is showing that his build isn't a problem is significant. His ability to produce against the run will undoubtedly earn him more playing time in Vic Fangio's defense. The more time Floyd spends on the field, the more opportunities he'll have to do what the Bears drafted him to do—sack the quarterback.
As Tom Thayer of the Bears' official website recently put it, "People are going to be really impressed with Leonard Floyd."
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Dud: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, New England Patriots
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Due to his Deflategate suspension, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady must sit out the first four games of the 2016 season. This means that for the first time since Brady's second year, New England will open the campaign with someone else under center.
The Patriots are expected to start former second-round draft pick Jimmy Garoppolo for the first month. The team has groomed the Eastern Illinois product for two years now, and it isn't likely to thrust rookie Jacoby Brissett into action.
Unfortunately, Garoppolo hasn't set up high expectations during training camp.
Garoppolo hasn't been a total bust, though he has been a bit up-and-down in the accuracy department. However, the third-year man has consistently struggled when facing a strong pass rush.
The Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe recently explained during an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher and Rich:
"The problem I’m having with him is he’s having an issue with the pass rush. Some of that is because the offensive line isn’t helping him and part of it is the Patriots have a real good pass rush. But when he sees that pass rush, sometimes he’s holding the ball too long and other times he’s relying on the check downs too much.
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If Garoppolo was only struggling against New England's pass rush, then perhaps there wouldn't be much reason to worry. However, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reported Garoppolo also struggled with his decision-making when facing the pass rush in joint practices with the New Orleans Saints.
Pro Football Focus rated the Saints just 31st in pass rush last season. Garoppolo will need to be better in the regular season if the Patriots offense is to survive Brady's absence. It's a given opponents will test him with constant pressure.
Stud: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jacksonville Jaguars selected pass-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. No. 3 overall in the 2015 draft. Unfortunately, an ACL tear wiped out his rookie campaign.
The good news is the Jaguars have Fowler back, and he appears ready to be a major defensive factor. Jacksonville made it clear early in training camp that it wouldn't limit the Florida product during his return from injury.
"I think you are seeing him. We are not holding him back right now," Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley said of Fowler in early August, per Big Cat Country's Alfie Crow. "You know, I think the challenge for us is how long can he play at that level. ... I think we are trying to get a feel for that, and it's his conditioning."
As camp has continued, it's become clear the team doesn't need to worry about Fowler getting himself into football shape.
According to Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union, Fowler has "rarely been blocked in training camp" and was a standout of the team's recent scrimmage.
“He was good, especially early,” Bradley said of Fowler's scrimmage performance, per Carlyon. “You can feel his rush—very sudden, just like you see in practice. That’s what we told these guys—make sure you carry it over from practice into a heightened environment, and a lot of these guys did that.”
The next challenge for Fowler will be to win against players in different-colored jerseys. He'll soon be meeting them for the first time in his pro career.
Dud: Joey Bosa, DE, San Diego Chargers
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It might not be fair to call San Diego Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa a dud, considering the rookie hasn't stepped onto a training-camp field. When you consider the reason, however, there's no other way to look at him.
Bosa remains off the practice field because he has refused to sign his rookie contract. The Ohio State product and the Chargers continue to be at odds over the offset language and bonus payout to be included in the deal.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the sides haven't been in contact in nearly two weeks.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the Chargers want offset language in the contract that would financially protect the team if Bosa is released and signed by another team in the next four years. The Chargers also want to defer a large portion of Bosa's signing bonus to next offseason.
Bosa—or at least those who represent him—want either the offset language out of the contract or 100 percent of the bonus money up front, per Florio.
Since we're fewer than 30 days away from the start of the 2016 regular season, San Diego can't trade Bosa until next offseason. Either he signs his deal with the Chargers or he doesn't play as a rookie.
Bosa's holdout is the longest for an NFL rookie in seven years (Michael Crabtree in 2009), which is disappointing for all parties involved—including the fans.
Stud: Sammie Coates, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Second-year receiver Sammie Coates faces the challenging task of replacing suspended wideout Martavis Bryant in the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Bryant, who will miss the entirety of the 2016 season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, provided 765 yards and six scores last season.
If early indications from training camp are accurate, however, Coates is more than up for the challenge.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently explained just how impressive Coates has been throughout camp:
"If one week is any indication, he has shown the ability to be a game-changing receiver with his size, strength and speed. And, believe it or not, hands.
But what has really impressed the Steelers is that Coates came to camp ready to perform, ready to make a splash. It indicates to them a commitment to his team and a dedication to his profession, something that might not be able to be said about the receiver he’s replacing.
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Coates rarely got onto the field as a rookie in 2015. In fact, he only saw 37 offensive snaps during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. However, Coates saw time during the Steelers' playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, and he flashed some of that game-changing ability.
Coates produced two receptions and 61 yards against the Broncos.
The task of replacing Bryant meant Coates came into training camp with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. So far, he has managed to shine under that pressure. If he continues to develop like he has early in camp, the Steelers may forget all about the player whose spot Coates is manning.
Stud and Dud: Robert Griffin III, QB, Cleveland Browns
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The Browns recently named offseason acquisition Robert Griffin III the team's starting quarterback for the 2016 season. Considering Griffin is again an NFL starting quarterback a year after the Washington Redskins cast him aside, we're inclined to give him due credit.
However, Griffin seemed to "win" a quarterback competition heavily rigged in his favor—and he didn't do so convincingly—so we're considering Griffin both a stud and a dud.
Pat McManamon of ESPN.com reported during early camp that Griffin was getting almost all of the work with the first-team offense.
"If there is a competition, it's taking place between Josh McCown and the backups," McManamon explained.
Griffin flashed some skills during camp and in Cleveland's Orange and Brown scrimmage, per McManamon. However, it's worth noting Griffin hasn't been facing a live pass rush and has been going against a defense that ranked just 27th in the league (379.2 yards per game allowed).
Though the Browns might be optimistic about Griffin, few outside the organization are. Mike Sando of ESPN.com recently conducted a poll of NFL coaches and executives regarding NFL quarterbacks. Griffin was ranked as the 32nd-best starter out of 33 options in the poll.
Stud: Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints selected former Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas in the second round of this year's draft. Since arriving with his new team, he seems to have done nothing but impress.
The 6'3", 212-pound pass-catcher has stood out because of his size, route-running ability and natural receiving skills. Rod Walker of the New Orleans Advocate labeled Thomas as "easily" the best player during the first week of Saints camp. According to Walker, Thomas has been virtually uncoverable.
If Thomas can continue to impress through camp and during the preseason, he should be in line for a starting role.
Albert Breer of The MMQB recently reported that the Saints are "real high" on the former Buckeye.
If Thomas proves to be an effective starter, he will help Saints fans forget about the departure of longtime favorite Marques Colston. He could also help the New Orleans offense be one of the best in the league.
Thomas, after all, is playing with quarterback Drew Brees—who led the league with 4,870 yards passing in 2015 and finished the season rated sixth overall among quarterbacks, per Pro Football Focus.
Brees' presence might make Thomas a popular fantasy target in addition to an early training-camp stud.
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