Updating the Latest Buzz on Top Rookies at NFL Training Camps
The start to the 2016 NFL season is now less than a month away. The offseason is officially over and a full week of preseason has come and gone. While we still have some distance to cover before the regular season actually kicks off, we're beginning to get an idea of what teams are going to look like in 2016.
A portion of each team's roster this year will, of course, be comprised of rookies. Since none of these first-year players have NFL experience, they have been especially interesting to follow throughout training camp and the early preseason.
So how have these NFL neophytes fared? Well, we're going to examine some of the top rookies, focusing on high-profile rookies who have generated some noteworthy buzz in training camp.
We will be identifying players using reports and rumors from camp, as well as factors such as player expectation, player potential and team fit. We will also only be focusing on players who have been at camp, so guys like Shaq Lawson (injured) and Joey Bosa (contract holdout) won't qualify.
Darron Lee Could Be a Playmaker in the Jets Defense
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One of the reasons why the New York Jets took former Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee in the first round of the draft was to add some quickness and versatility in the middle of the defense. With guys like Darrelle Revis on the back end and players like Leonard Williams on the line, the linebacker unit is the one notable weakness on the defense.
If Lee keeps performing like he has, however, that weakness may soon be a thing of the past.
Lee hasn't worked himself into a permanent starting job yet, but he's performed well enough in camp that he's in the conversation. In New York's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Lee was all over the field, even on special teams.
"Accordingย to everyone else, that's what a rookie has to do," Lee said, per Connor Hughes of NJ.com. "You have to keep running down on special teams and stuff, then still go out there and make plays. Regardless if you're winded. Other than that, I had a lot of fun."
In addition to having fun, Lee was productive. He finished his preseason debut with four combined tackles and a sack. He'll get his next chance to impress on Friday against the Washington Redskins, but the Jet have to be happy with what they've seen so far.
Leonard Floyd Finally Reaches the Quarterback
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The Chicago Bears drafted former Georgia linebacker Leonard Floyd in order to add an edge-rushing presence to their 3-4 base defense. The 6'6", 240-pound pass-rusher will have some work to do in order to learn how to beat NFL-caliber strength, but Floyd has been making solid progress.
"No. 94 is a real talent for Chicago," one unnamed AFC personnel executiveย said of Floyd's camp progress, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. "His flashes were strong."
Floyd continued to build on the progress he has made in training camp with a strong performance against the New England Patriots on Thursday. He finished the game with two combined tackles and a half-sack. It marked the first time Floyd has reached the opposing quarterback as a proโthough he hasn't struggled as a rusher.
Pro Football Focus credits Floyd with four quarterback hurries for the preseason and rates him 65th in pass rush among all edge defenders.
If Floyd continues to develop at a steady pace, there's little doubt that he'll make Chicago's defense more formidable against the pass.
Corey Coleman Continues to Struggle with a Hamstring Injury
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The Cleveland Browns made former Baylor receiver Corey Coleman the first receiver off the board in this year's draft because of his stunning speed and game-breaking ability.
Coleman ran a blazing 4.37-second 40-yard dash at his pro day and finished his 2015 campaign with an impressive 18.4 yards-per-reception average. These are promising numbers, but they mean nothing if Coleman cannot stay on the playing field.
Unfortunately, Coleman hasn't been able to even get onto the playing field for Cleveland. The rookie has been dealing with a hamstring issue and has now missed two preseason contestsโeven though he has repeatedly found his way back onto the practice field. This should bring a bit of concern to Browns fans, as hamstring issues followed Coleman at Baylor.
Coleman, though, doesn't seem worried.
"Fast guys, it is hard when guys are fast, have a lot of muscle,'' Coleman said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "It's easier for them to pull [a muscle], pull up. But not [a concern] at all. Back in Baylor, I had a hamstring pull, same reason, but this time it's not a pull. It's real minor. Just looking out for me."
The good news is that these are only exhibition games that Coleman is missing. Cleveland won't need to worry too much unless Coleman can't get onto the field before the season opener.
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Jared Goff Has Some Work to Do Before Becoming a Starter
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The Los Angeles Rams traded all the way up to No. 1 overall in order to snag California product Jared Goff. The Rams are hoping Goff can develop into a top-tier signal-caller and their quarterback of the future.
As of now, it seems the rookie has a way to go.
Goff has made progress throughout training camp, but he doesn't appear ready to unseat Case Keenum as the starter. Keenum started the team's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys and posted a 6-of-7 passing, 58-yard performance. Goff's outingโ4-of-9 for 38 yards with an interceptionโlooked shaky by comparison.
It's worth noting, though, that three of Goff's passes were on target but were dropped by the receiver. He did show accuracy and a solid throwing arm during his time on the field, though the pick was a clear example of poor decision-making.
Goff should get some work with the first-team offense on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. This should help him present a better product, but it might not be enough to move Goff ahead in the competition.
โCase is still clearly ahead,โ Rams head coach Jeff Fisher recently said, per Jack Wang of the Los Angeles Daily News. โJaredโs getting better.โ
We'll see how much better this weekend.
Taylor Decker Is Showing Improvement
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The Detroit Lions took former Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker in order to help bolster their offensive line, though most assumed he'd be doing it from the right side. Instead, the Lions moved former first-rounder Riley Reiff to the right side and let Decker play on the left.
A week ago, it seemed the plan might not be a good one. Decker was flagged once on the opening drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers and allowed a strip-sack on the following play. The series was definitely a welcome-to-the-NFL moment for the rookieโone Decker was able to take with some perspective.
โEveryone is going to have bad plays," Decker said after the game, per Drew Sharp of theย Detroit Free Press. "You have to try and get better. You canโt let one bad play turn into 10 bad plays.โ
Decker was much better in his preseason encore against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. According to Pro Football Focus, the former Buckeye played 25 snaps against Cincinnati and didn't surrender a single quarterback pressure.
If Decker can continue keeping pressure away from the quarterback, the Lions are going to be much better off than they were a year ago.
Ronnie Stanley Is Performing Like a Blue-Chip Tackle
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The Baltimore Ravens made Notre Dame product Ronnie Stanley the first offensive lineman off the board in this year's draft. So far, the Ravens have to be pleased with their decision to do so.
Stanley has all but claimed the starting left tackle job, despite being hampered in camp with a soft-tissue injury. Though he did miss some practice time because of the injury, Stanley made it clear that he wouldn't be kept down.
โHe wanted to be out there,โ Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said after Stanley was injured, per Don Markus of the Baltimore Sun. "He said right after the scrimmage, โItโs nothing.'"ย
Stanley returned to start the Ravens' preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. He didn't allow a sack against the formidable Panthers defense and finished the first week of the preseason rated 11th overall among all offensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.
Stanley will face his next test on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. As of now, though, Stanley appears to be on his way to being a special rookie stalwart.
Ezekiel Elliott Is Still on the Mend
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The Dallas Cowboys may have surprised a few folks when they selected former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the draft. The thought, though, is that Elliott can help spring the Cowboys back into the postseason by providing a top-tier rushing attack.
Unfortunately, Elliott has been dealing with a hamstring issue and has yet to make his NFL preseason debut. He missed the first week of the preseason, andย according to Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram, he'll miss Friday's game against the Miami Dolphins as well.
The good news is that Elliott has at least returned to practice, and he feels that the missed time is only precautionary.
"I've never had a hamstring problem before, so this my first one," Elliott said, per NFL Media's Jane Slater (via NFL.com's Kevin Patra). "I didn't feel it pop or pull or anything. I just felt it strain, kind of tighten up and that's why I decided to slow it down because it's really not worth it going out there and hurting it even more."
Don't be surprised if Elliott makes his preseason debut next week against the Seattle Seahawks.
Paxton Lynch Might Not Need as Much Seasoning as Previously Thought
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The Denver Broncos have one of the league's more interesting quarterback competitions on their hands. Journeyman Mark Sanchez appears to have the inside track because of his professional experience, but rookie Paxton Lynch may have thrown a wrench in the proverbial machine with his performance in the team's preseason opener.
Against the Chicago Bears, Lynch stepped in and completed six of his seven pass attempts for 74 yards. He flashed his mobility, athleticism and strong arm on several plays, and he didn't make any glaring mistakes.
Of all the quarterbacks to play in the first week of the preseason, Lynch was rated 16th overall by Pro Football Focus.
Coming out of Memphis' spread offense, Lynch was widely considered a project quarterback. However, it's starting to look like he could be game-ready sooner than most thoughtโeven if Lynch isn't a favorite to win the quarterback competition.
According to NFL Media's Conor Orr, the Broncos plan to start Trevor Siemian against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.
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