Rounding Up Latest Buzz Surrounding NFL's Big-Name Rookies
With the NFL draft and rookie minicamps behind us, the league is now in the organized team activities stage of the offseason, allowing rookies to get on the field with their veteran teammates for the first time.
These early workouts don't necessarily sort out position battles, but they give us an opportunity to see how coaches are using certain players and dissect their projected roles for the upcoming season.
Unfortunately, it's also the first time that injuries start to pile up, and a few rookies have already been bitten by the injury bug.
As OTAs continue through the end of May and into early June, here's a roundup on the latest news and rumors surrounding some of the league's top rookies.
Shaq Lawson (Bills)
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The Buffalo Bills suffered the biggest blow during rookie minicamps when they learned first-round pick Shaq Lawson would need shoulder surgery.
According to Dan Hanzus of NFL.com, the surgery could force Lawson to miss up to half of his rookie season in Buffalo.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein added that there were "absolutely" teams that knew about Lawson's shoulder issue prior to the draft.
The decision to have Lawson undergo surgery is somewhat surprising, especially since the team initially had him work out during rookie camp in early May. The Bills, despite having apparent knowledge of the injury, appeared to have underestimated the effect it would have on his immediate future.
According to the Bills Twitter account, head coach Rex Ryan added this explanation for the decision: "If he didn't have the surgery he could play right now. What we're trying to get is Shaq Lawson at 100%."
Jalen Ramsey (Jaguars)
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The Jacksonville Jaguars suffered a scare when they learned first-round pick Jalen Ramsey would need knee surgery. Fortunately, it turned out to be a minor meniscus tear.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that this news was the "best-case scenario" for Ramsey based off the possible outcomes and he is expected to return to the field in time for training camp.
Even if Ramsey's recovery is slower than expected, the Jaguars secondary appears to have the depth to handle Ramsey missing some time, if necessary.
Former Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara signed with the Jaguars this offseason and joins Davon House and Aaron Colvin in Jacksonville. Those three will likely compete for the starting job opposite Ramsey, once Ramsey returns to full health.
Myles Jack (Jaguars)
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The Jaguars drafted Myles Jack in the second round knowing his rehab from knee surgery last fall was not complete, which means we still haven't seen him work out with the team.
In fact, Jack wasn't even present at the Jaguars OTAs due to an NFL rule that prohibits rookies from attending OTAs until their respective school's senior class has officially graduated. Because UCLA's commencement ceremony is later than most, Jack had to skip the workouts.
Once Jack returns, he'll begin taking reps at inside and outside linebacker, according to ESPN.com's Mike DiRocco.
DiRocco speculates that Jack will eventually take over for Paul Posluszny at inside linebacker, but likely not until after the 2016 season.
In 2016, Jack's playing time likely depends on the progress he makes in his rehab. As Jacksonville is still in the process of rebuilding, it's unlikely it will rush Jack onto the field until he's 100 percent.
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Jared Goff (Rams)
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The Rams start OTAs on May 31, which marks the beginning of the quarterback battle between first-round pick Jared Goff and veteran Case Keenum.
According to ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner, Keenum is expected to enter the offseason workouts as the starter, but head coach Jeff Fisher has stated Goff will get first-team reps "sooner than later."
Part of the early learning process for Goff will be adjusting to playing from under center, as he transitions from California's Bear Raid offense in which he operated almost exclusively from the shotgun.
Learning to take snaps isn't a difficult process and doesn't necessarily need to be done with the first-team unit. At this early stage of the offseason process, the number of reps Goff takes with the first team probably isn't a strong indication of his chances of starting in Week 1.
The Rams may simply ease Goff in during OTAs before upping his responsibilities in July and August.
Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys)
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According to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram (h/t FoxSports.com's Cameron DaSilva), Cowboys running back coach Gary Brown says the starting job won't be handed to Ezekiel Elliott. Brown stated: "He's going to compete. Zeke has to earn it. I think that's the best thing for our team and for those guys going forward."
As for Elliott, he didn't appear fazed by his coach's comments. He responded by saying, "It's definitely better to have the competition. It keeps you on your toes and makes sure you get your work done. The competition makes you better."
The competition is likely just being used as a way for the coaching staff to keep everyone in the backfield motivated. The coaches likely feel that a veteran such as Darren McFadden has earned the respect of a competition, even if everyone involved knows the outcome.
Despite Brown's comments, there's no reason to believe this ends with any other result than Elliott starting in the backfield in Week 1.
Paxton Lynch (Broncos)
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Paxton Lynch didn't look like he was ready to be an immediate starter in the NFL during his final college season at Memphis, but he may have a legitimate shot at winning the starting job in Denver.
At least during OTAs, head coach Gary Kubiak decided to give equal opportunities to Lynch, Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian with the first-team offense, according to USA Today's Lindsay H. Jones.
Lynch made a positive impression on his teammates, including cornerback Aqib Talib who stated "he got that ball out of his hands fast, and that's important in the league.”
The edge in this competition has to go to Sanchez due to his experience, but it's encouraging to hear Lynch drawing positive reviews so early in his Broncos career.
Corey Coleman (Browns)
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The Browns drafted Corey Coleman in the first round to help replace Travis Benjamin and it sounds like he'll be filling that void in multiple ways.
Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor believes Coleman is a candidate to return both punts and kickoffs, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer.
It's rare for high-profile players to play such a significant special teams role, but Tabor told the media, "I never think of them as first-round draft picks. ... If it's going to help you win, that's what we want to do."
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton added: "However we can get the ball in his hands, returning kicks, throwing screen routes, throwing post routes, we know that he'll score the ball."
It's possible the Browns are considering using Coleman on special teams because they know his role on offense will be somewhat limited early in his career. Baylor's offense requires its receivers to run a severely limited route tree, so Coleman has more to learn than the average NFL rookie receiver.
Coleman's special teams role may simply be a way for the Browns to get the ball in his hands as often as possible from day one, and he'll see a lesser special teams role when he takes on a more substantial role in the offense.
Carson Wentz (Eagles)
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When the Eagles drafted Carson Wentz with the No. 2 overall pick, the assumption was he would spend the majority of his rookie year learning behind Sam Bradford.
After an impressive performance at OTAs, Wentz may already be forcing himself into a heated competition for the starting job.
In an interview on the 94WIP Morning Show (h/t Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com), offensive coordinator Frank Reich was asked if Bradford was the clear front-runner for the starting job and responded: "No, that's probably not the right impression. ... This is one of the most competitive industries in the world and so, to say that there's not competition, that's just the furthest thing from the truth."
Perhaps Reich was just repeating a line that the Eagles plan to feed the media throughout the offseason, but other reports indicate Wentz has closed the gap.
ESPN.com's Phil Sheridan was among those reporting that Wentz actually outplayed Bradford early in OTAs.
Unless the Eagles shut down these reports by naming Bradford the starter, this debate will likely linger throughout the summer.
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
