Early Predictions for NFL OTAs

When organized team activities (OTAs) commence this summer, coaches will get their first look at their full rosters. OTAs allow rookies to compete against grizzled veterans, which can help secure roster spots for 2015. We have some early predictions on what OTAs will bear for 10 different teams.

Veterans should be able to ward off younger players from taking starting spots. Rookies have a lot to adjust to in the NFL, including increased physical demand and a new playbook. Still, there will be young players who outclass their older competition.

What early predictions do you have for the upcoming NFL OTAs? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Jonathan Cooper Finally Breaks out

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

When the Arizona Cardinals selected guard Jonathan Cooper with their first-round pick in 2013, Cooper was expected to be a star. Cooper has the skill set to fulfill his lofty draft status, but injuries held him back early on. The OTA period is where Cooper can begin to rehabilitate his image and career.

He’s healthy for the first time in his professional career. The Cardinals are counting on him to complete their offensive line, as he is slated to start at right guard. Our prediction is that Cooper excels in early OTAs.

Cooper was considered one of the best guard prospects in years in 2013. He is a great athlete who can be an impact run-blocker but also has the strength to be a stout pass protector. His talent will now be on display for the Cardinals.

Tevin Coleman Claims the Starting Job

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

For the second time in as many years, the Atlanta Falcons invested a mid-round pick into a running back. Rookie Tevin Coleman brings great speed and playmaking ability to complement second-year tailback Devonta Freeman. Freeman is less of a dynamic runner but still worthy of sharing a workload.

Coleman’s ability to turn the corner and produce big plays will separate him from Freeman. New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will ride the hot hand in his zone-blocking rush attack. Expect Coleman to be very productive, as he averaged 7.1 yards a carry at Indiana.

Atlanta’s surrounding parts are much more impressive than Indiana’s. With defenses focused on stopping quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones, Coleman can feast.

Bleacher Report NFL Draft Analyst Brent Sobleski predicted Tevin Coleman will be the NFL's top rookie running back and a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, stating, "Coleman might not have been the first or second running back chosen in the draft, but he's the most likely to succeed and perform beyond expectations." 

Cameron Erving Moves to Right Guard

David Richard/Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns stayed true to their big board when they selected Florida State center Cameron Erving 19th overall. Long-term, it’s a move very easy to justify. Right away, though, Erving is going to be forced to play a new position.

Erving logged snaps at both left guard and center for Florida State. Cleveland has an elite player at each position already (Joel Bitonio at LG, Alex Mack at C), which will force Erving to the right side of the line. Since he was a better center than tackle prospect, the move to guard should be easier for Erving.

Playing Erving at right tackle could lead to a disastrous rookie season. He did not play well in space while at left tackle, so nothing will change at right tackle. Guard, however, puts him in a phone booth, which works to his skills better.

Ronald Leary Beats out La’el Collins

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The Dallas Cowboys were able to land stud offensive lineman La’el Collins after the draft via free agency. At least in OTAs, Collins will not be a starter, despite his first-round talent. Incumbent starter Ronald Leary is being overlooked by anyone penciling Collins into the lineup.

Leary, like Collins, is a stud run-blocker. He fits the Cowboys’ scheme perfectly, despite struggling some as a pass protector. 

At LSU, Collins was a power blocker who thrived as the Tigers offense plodded away. His pass-protection skills have a very high potential but left room for improvement at the 2015 Senior Bowl. That will hold him back early on.

Albert Wilson Shines

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

Toward the end of the 2014 season, Kansas City Chiefs receiver Albert Wilson was given an opportunity to play several offensive snaps per game. With his quick feet, Wilson proved to be tough to cover, and his roster spot for 2015 will be secured in OTAs.

Wilson was a surprise contributor down the stretch. He has a thick 5’9”, 203-pound frame and 4.43 speed. The Chiefs have done well to revamp their receiving corps, and Albert will prove that he deserves to be a part of the team in the future.

The Texans’ Quarterback Situation Remains Unsettled

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Houston Texans were stuck between a rock and a hard place this offseason. On one hand, they need a quarterback for the future. Returning talent Ryan Mallett and Tom Savage showed little promise in 2014, but the team was able to achieve a solid 9-7 record.

Picking 16th in the draft, Houston could not acquire a clear upgrade at quarterback. Adding veteran Brian Hoyer via free agency was a move to help right now, although he too doesn’t have enough ability to lead this franchise to the playoffs. He does, however, have familiarity within Bill O'Brien's offense.

Hoyer told Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official website, "It’s not new—for me, it’s kind of just getting back on the bike. You learn to ride a bike and whether you don’t ride it for a year or two, you can pick it up pretty quickly."

Malcolm Butler Earns a Starting Cornerback Role

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Losing Tom Brady for up to four games due to suspension could be costly for the New England Patriots. But he will eventually return to the field, so the Patriots will be fine with Jimmy Garoppolo for a few games. More costly is the loss of Darrelle Revis to a secondary that is now lacking top-end talent.

Before his Super Bowl heroics, cornerback Malcolm Butler had some good film late in 2014. He doesn’t have much experience, but he should beat out Bradley Fletcher. Fletcher struggled badly with the Philadelphia Eagles, and there’s not much upside with his playing style.

Oakland Struggles to Create Pressure

Mike Groll/Associated Press

The addition of Amari Cooper to the Oakland Raiders offense is going to help a passing attack that struggled to work downfield last season. As good as Cooper is, it’s fair to question whether the Raiders would have been better off addressing their pass-rush need in the first, then getting a receiver in the second.

Pass-rushers are probably the second-most valuable players in the NFL. With guys like Vic Beasley and Leonard Williams available, the Raiders could have paired star Khalil Mack with one of them to create a fearsome front.

Instead, the Raiders reached for Mario Edwards Jr. in the second round. Edwards is more likely to be a two-gapping run-stuffer than a good pass-rusher. Lined up next to Dan Williams and either Stacy McGee or Justin Ellis, Edwards and Co. will not inspire fear in other teams' offensive lines. 

Pittsburgh’s Defensive Transition Features Growing Pains

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Implementing a new defense for the first time since 2003, the Pittsburgh Steelers took a sharp philosophical turn this offseason. With Dick LeBeau gone, new defensive coordinator Keith Butler is already changing the way his personnel shapes up.

Instead of big, physical cornerbacks, the Steelers drafted two cornerbacks 5’10” or under. Ole Miss cornerback Senquez Golson and Ohio State’s Doran Grant are very talented but lack the premier size the team once coveted.

Relying on Cortez Allen and either Golson or Grant is going to feature growing pains. Young cornerbacks often take years to really hit their stride as they adjust to the NFL. For the Steelers’ sake, one of this young duo must step up early.

Dorial Green-Beckham Overtakes Justin Hunter

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The message was loud and clear when the Tennessee Titans selected receiver Dorial Green-Beckham in the second round of the NFL draft. It’s now time for third-year receiver Justin Hunter to fulfill some of his potential, or else he will quickly lose his starting spot.

Hunter has had major issues thus far in his career. His route running hasn’t improved past the basic route tree, and his drop rate ranked as the second-worst in the NFL last year, per Pro Football Focus. It may be a make-or-break year for Hunter in 2015.

All stats used are from sports-reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. 

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