Buying or Selling Early Training Camp Buzz on 2024 NFL Rookies
The final stages of the 2024 NFL offseason are underway now that training camp has arrived and preseason games are just around the corner.
While these practices and exhibition contests are helpful for getting young players and veterans alike prepared for the long road ahead, training camp is arguably the most impactful for rookies. First-year talents have only a few weeks to get brought up to speed before being thrust into meaningful action at the start of the regular season.
Although camp is just getting started, there's already plenty of buzz surrounding some rookies. While it's important not to read too much into initial insights considering how rapidly things tend to shift at this time of year, they can be an early indication of how a player's rookie season will unfold.
With that in mind, let's dive into some of the latest news, rumors and hype while trying to separate fact from fiction.
Cowboys Edge Marshawn Kneeland Showing Out Against First-Stringers
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The Dallas Cowboys had a relatively quiet offseason, letting several key veteran contributors walk in free agency while foregoing high-profile replacements on the open market. As a result, they may need to lean on their rookie class to help them reach the next level following three consecutive 12-5 campaigns that all resulted in early playoff exits.
Second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland initially projected as a rotational edge-rusher, but there's been speculation that he could play a larger role after some strong performances against first-team opponents earlier in the offseason. According to Nick Harris and Patrik Walker of the team website, the Western Michigan product won several of his reps against starting offensive linemen back in May.
During an interview with The Athletic's Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel, Cowboys COO and co-owner Stephen Jones said his club did a "good job of drafting" and cited Kneeland as one of the players whom he expects to come in and play at a high level immediately.
While Kneeland may be a big part of Dallas' future, it's hard to imagine he'll usurp entrenched veteran DeMarcus Lawrence or perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons as one of the team's feature edge-rushers early in his career.
Kneeland will be able to contribute as a situational power-rusher, but he's overly reliant on strength to win battles in the trenches. If he can refine his technique and round out his pass-rushing arsenal over the next few seasons, he'll be a capable replacement for Lawrence.
Verdict: Sell Kneeland as a rookie starter for Dallas.
Jaden Hicks Playing Multiple Positions For Defending Champion Chiefs
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The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for a chance to make NFL history by going for an Super Bowl three-peat. To pull off that unprecedented feat, they may need rookies like fourth-round defensive back Jaden Hicks to contribute meaningfully.
Hicks spent most of his time at Washington State working as a safety, where he racked up 155 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions over his final two seasons. It remains to be seen if he'll have that same type of impact in the pros.
According to Ed Easton Jr. of Chiefs Wire, Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo plans to deploy the 6'2", 211-pound Hicks at several different spots.
"One thing that sticks out about Jaden (Hicks) is he's tall and long, and, yeah, he's playing a bunch of different positions," Spagnuolo said. "It's kind of he's going through what Chamarri Conner went through last year, where you're trying to learn everything in the volume of the defense, and yet he's not just learning one spot."
Spagnuolo also noted that Hicks has been the main beneficiary of Justin Reid's absence. With the veteran safety sidelined, Hicks has been stepping in to soak up most of those reps ahead of his rookie campaign.
While those practice sessions should help Hicks adapt to the NFL, the rookie may have a hard time finding a steady place in the Chiefs' lineup on Sundays. As Spagnuolo mentioned, Chamarri Conner—a 2023 fourth-rounder—spent much of his first training camp learning Kansas City's scheme before spending a majority of his playing time on special teams and logging only 305 defensive snaps as a rookie.
Barring a significant injury to Reid or another one of Kansas City's key defensive backs, expect Hicks to play a depth role and mostly log snaps on special teams in 2024.
Verdict: Sell Hicks playing a major role for Kansas City as a rookie.
Ja'Lynn Polk Poised to Emerge as New England's Top Weapon
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The New England Patriots long struggled to develop highly drafted receivers under former head coach Bill Belichick. Luckily, Jerod Mayo's new regime has a chance at reversing that trend thanks to the rapid emergence of second-round rookie Ja'Lynn Polk.
According to NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry, the Washington product was the "most impactful pass-catcher on the field" during mandatory minicamp in June. He's drawn high praise from Mayo, who described Polk as "one of those guys that isn't afraid to do the dirty work" after his 69-catch, 1,159-yard, nine-touchdown final season with the Huskies.
The Patriots have lacked a true No. 1 wideout in recent years, but Polk is a candidate to take on that role thanks to his 6'1", 203-pound size, excellent ball-tracking ability, catching skills and blocking abilities. Although New England's receiver's room is crowded, the rookie can secure a spot atop the pecking order with a strong training camp.
ESPN's Mike Reiss recently highlighted Polk as a weapon to watch, citing an early rapport the receiver has displayed with first-round rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Reiss also compared Polk to former Patriots wideout David Givens, who helped lead the club to a pair of Super Bowl victories two decades ago by being physical and dependable.
While Polk still needs to beat out incumbents like Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster and will also face competition from fellow rookie Javon Baker, he's proving to be a special talent and has what it takes to separate from the pack.
Verdict: Buy Ja'Lynn Polk becoming New England's top wideout as a rookie.
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Cardinals' Marvin Harrison Jr. Ready to Become NFL's Next Superstar Receiver
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The Arizona Cardinals benefitted by having the No. 4 overall pick in a draft where the top three teams all desperately needed quarterbacks. That allowed them to acquire a generational wide receiving prospect in Marvin Harrison Jr., who is already turning heads before even suiting up for his first NFL training camp.
According to 12News.com's Luke Lyddon, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Harrison "meets and exceeds" his expectations so far. Fellow Cardinals wideout Michael Wilson believes Harrison "doesn't have a weakness in his game," while cornerback Garrett Williams said the rookie is "everything people said he is."
It's no surprise that Harrison has made a quick splash. He's intimately aware of the incredible effort it takes to become an elite NFL wideout thanks to his Hall of Fame father, although the Ohio State product has stated his desires to raise his game beyond that level.
During a predraft interview with ESPN's Marty Smith, Harrison said "my goal is to be best receiver to ever play." He's now taking the first steps toward accomplishing that goal.
Harrison's presence should lift a Cardinals offense that has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency in recent seasons. ESPN's Dan Graziano believes Arizona will be "sneaky good" and thinks it could "reach new heights much more quickly than a lot of people are assuming."
It's become obvious that Harrison is the real deal just from his handful of minicamp and OTA appearances. Once he puts on the pads and shines in training camp, he'll start showing the world that he's a top-tier receiver who is ready to dominate from Week 1 onward.
Verdict: Buy Marvin Harrison Jr. emerging as a superstar during his rookie season.
Jordan Morgan Can Play Any Role Along Green Bay's Offensive Line
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The Green Bay Packers may have added yet another versatile piece to their growing arsenal of multidimensional talents in the offensive trenches.
No. 25 overall pick Jordan Morgan spent nearly all of his time manning the left tackle spot at Arizona, but the Packers have been shifting him around and getting him comfortable at a variety of places. Morgan has spent time at right tackle and left guard in addition to his familiar left tackle spot during OTAs and minicamp.
On Monday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur spoke about the reasons for this somewhat unconventional approach while also lauding Morgan's ability to adapt to the different duties he's been tasked with.
"Obviously, you'd like a home for him, LaFleur told reporters. "We've seen the value in cross-training these guys. It happens every year where you have to move guys in order to get the top five out there. He's certainly capable of doing whatever we ask him to do."
The Packers clearly covet versatility in their offensive linemen. They've developed multiple O-line talents in recent years who can play all five positions, which Morgan may also find himself capable of doing at a high level following this trial by fire in training camp.
Morgan has opened training camp taking right guard reps with the first team. He could potentially start there to open the 2024 campaign, although it's far from certain at this juncture. There's still a chance he slides over to right tackle or left guard.
Regardless, Morgan has proven he can pick up each of these positions quickly and should have a starting role awaiting him at the end of training camp. Where that will be exactly remains to be seen, but it would be surprising if the rookie doesn't start establishing himself as a fixture in the offensive trenches once the regular season kicks off.
Verdict: Buy Jordan Morgan starting somewhere on the Green Bay offensive line in 2024.
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