NFL Rookies Turning Heads Before Training Camps Even Begin

Training camps are around the corner in the NFL, bringing us that much closer to the much anticipated regular season.

Of course, the league never sleeps. We have already seen and heard plenty this offseason, particularly from rookies. Some have made quick—and unexpected—impressions with their skill. Let's take a look at some of the offseason's biggest buzz-makers among first-year players.

Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers

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The San Diego Chargers had a running back problem brewing this offseason. They corrected that in one fell swoop when they drafted Melvin Gordon in the first round.

Of course, drafting someone guarantees nothing—we have seen countless busts run through the league, after all. Gordon didn't seem likely to join them, however, and he has hit the ground running this offseason, impressing running backs coach Ollie Wilson, according to ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams:

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He studies and he’s smart. When you give him something, you know that you’re on to the next thing. Usually with rookies it takes a little while to get it done. Now, he’s still working through some of the protection stuff. But for the most part, when we give him something, he’s pretty much got it. So that’s going to help him stay on the field.

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If Gordon is indeed every bit as good off the field as on it, he will prove to be a fantastic pick for the Chargers.

Justin Hardy, WR, Atlanta Falcons

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There is a bit of a scrum for depth chart positioning in Atlanta behind Julio Jones and Roddy White, and Justin Hardy just might take charge this preseason.

The rookie has gotten off to a fantastic start, impressing the most important person of all—Matt Ryan, according to ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure:

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Justin Hardy's done a great job. He's really picked up things. And you can see him kind of every practice he goes out there, he gets a little more comfortable and he becomes a little more confident. That's going to bode well for us. His production for us this season is going to be important.

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Developing an early rapport with the team's starting quarterback can put any newcomer on the fast track to early playing time. It helps that Hardy is a tenacious slot receiver, which is probably why the Falcons drafted him in the fourth round.

Michael Bennett, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars

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The draft hummed along, round by round, passing Michael Bennett by as though he had forgotten to sign the entrance papers. The Ohio State product was pegged as a second-round talent, but the third day chugged along without nary a whiff of action for the big defensive tackle.

The Jacksonville Jaguars finally arrested his fall, nabbing Bennett in the sixth round. That surely excited defensive line coach Todd Walsh, who had been lobbying to take Bennett earlier and sees early development from his prized draft pick, according to Mike Cay of First Coast News:

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I was in beating on the table a lot earlier than we got him. You really see him flashing out there. He missed rookie minicamp, so that hurt a little bit of his development and how we play some things, but just in the short amount of time you start to see, even today, he had a couple of really nice plays, so he's flashing.

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That Jaguars defensive line just keeps getting better.

Jamil Douglas, OG, Miami Dolphins

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Miami's offensive line hasn't exactly been a thing of beauty in recent years despite the best efforts of various Dolphins front offices. Though seemingly improved if everyone can stay healthy, it wasn't a good sign that team players have outwardly expressed concern about the guard position, as reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

The team has to feel heartened by the early contributions of Jamil Douglas, at least.

Miami's fourth-round pick has shown enough to garner attention as a possible starter, and his teammates have noticed. Here is what linebacker A.J. Francis had to say, according to Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post:

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He’s strong and he’s a good, talented, young player. The thing about the o-line and d-line, it’s not like receiver where you can just come in Day 1 and be the man on the field. You’ve got to come in and get a little better everyday, day by day, chopping wood until the tree falls down. That’s what he’s working on and we’ll see when the pads come on in camp.

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If Douglas can continue to play well into training camp and the preseason, the Dolphins may have finally found an answer on the inside.

Preston Smith, OLB, Washington

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Washington's pass rush has been abysmal for a variety of reasons. The defense has ranked 22nd in sacks in each of the past two seasons and 24th in 2012, and it lost its best—albeit oft-injured pass-rusher—to free agency.

New general manager Scot McCloughan had a chance to bolster that in the first round with several highly touted guys available, but he chose to help the offensive line instead.

His consolation was Preston Smith of Mississippi in the second round out, and his gambit is already paying off. According to JP Finlay at CSNWashington.com, Smith has been rather impressive thus far in the nation's capital:

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Not much of OTAs have been open to the media, but in the sessions that are, it's clear that Smith is impressing the coaches. From May to June, Smith has seen an increase in reps with the first team defense. Now it seems like Smith is splitting time with Trevardo Williams, and the second year linebacker talked about the rookie.

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If Smith can get up to speed enough to make an impact early, he will make Washington's fans forget Brian Orakpo ever existed on injured reserve.

Darryl Roberts, CB, New England Patriots

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The cornerback position was ravaged in New England this offseason, so the Patriots could use an unexpected emergence or two in 2015. They may have found a diamond in the rough to help them.

As with most other seventh-round picks, Roberts was a hopeful shot in the dark. After all, players fall that far down the draft for a reason, though it's a wonder how a guy who ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at his pro day—along with impressive workout numbers elsewhere, per NFL.com's Gil Brandt—went so unnoticed. 

New England saw an athletic marvel to be molded into a solid contributor. Things might be shaping up a bit faster than expected for Roberts and the Patriots.

The 24-year-old Marshall product has been impressive to date, per NESN.com's Doug Kyed, who thinks he has a shot to start in a wide-open field at his position.

Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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For the No. 1 pick to turn heads in his first offseason, something must be askew to begin with. That is certainly the case with Jameis Winston.

The Buccaneers' quarterback of the future certainly brought some baggage with him to Tampa Bay, and his former school Florida State has only drawn more scrutiny since his departure. He needs to put all that behind him for his future's sake and for Tampa Bay's peace of mind

Buccaneers brass must be breathing a little easier this summer after the start Winston has gotten in the NFL.

The Heisman winner has drawn rave reviews thus far this offseason, bucking the critics by working doubly hard at times and constantly studying his playbook, per ESPN.com's Pat Yasinkas. His teammates had glowing reviews of the rookie, saying he had markedly improved in the short time he'd been with the team.

Phillip Dorsett, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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There was no need at wide receiver when the Indianapolis Colts were on the clock in the first round of the draft. They'd signed Andre Johnson with youngsters T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief in the fold, and there were bigger fish to fry.

Apparently Phillip Dorsett's speed was too good to pass up—the Colts snapped up the former Miami Hurricane despite a dearth of need.

As it turns out, speed isn't the only thing Dorsett brings to the table. Not long after rookie minicamps started, head coach Chuck Pagano praised his rookie for his football IQ, per Colts.com writer Kevin Bowen:

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The offense is not one that most guys can come in and play the X, play the Z, play the F, multiple spots. He’s picking things up well (though). He’s got good hands. I don’t know if he’s dropped four or five balls since he’s been here.

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Of course, Dorsett also impressed his new team with that well-documented speed. If he puts it all together quickly, Indianapolis is going to have a tough time keeping him off the field.