Examining Top Rookie Buzz from Early 2016 NFL Training Camps

NFL training camps are finally here. The long wait for significant football action is over, and teams will spend the next several weeks laying their foundations for the 2016 season.

Positional battles, player development and, of course, offseason acquisitions will highlight the next month.

The majority of NFL teams began their training camps earlier this week, which means some developments have already been set in motion. Since many franchises had their rookies report earlier than veterans, though, much of the action has revolved around first-year players.

Today, we're going to take a look at the opening week of training-camp season and examine the latest buzz surrounding some of the top rookies. We'll dig through the biggest news and rumor bits surrounding them and give our take on what it all means in relation to the coming weeks and months.

One point of note here, since we're focusing on rookie stories related directly to training camp: Off-field or disciplinary issues won't be considered.

Joey Bosa Not at Chargers Camp

Gregory Bull/Associated Press/Associated Press

Chargers rookie Joey Bosa has participated in several offseason workouts but won't report to training camp unsigned.

The San Diego Chargers had all players report to training camp on Friday, but rookie defensive end and third overall pick Joey Bosa wasn't among them.

The former Ohio State standout still hasn't signed his rookie contract due to a disagreement with the team over the terms of offset language and signing-bonus payment. Bosa's non-appearance was reported by NFL Media's Steve Wyche.

Bosa is the only first-round draft pick who has yet to sign his rookie contract. He is represented by Creative Artists Agency.

Because of the pay slotting system used in rookie contracts, it seems unlikely that Bosa's holdout will last deep into training camp or the preseason. However, it appears equally unlikely that the rookie will subject himself to the potential injury risk of camp without having a deal in place.

This situation will be worth following in the coming days.

Doctson Reports to Washington Camp with Lingering Injury

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Rookie receiver Josh Doctson is dealing with an Achilles injury.

Unlike Bosa, Washington Redskins rookie Josh Doctson is under contract and did report to training camp. Unfortunately, the first-year wideout reported injured.

Doctson was placed on Washington's active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list earlier this week because of an Achilles injury. The TCU product has been dealing with the issue for much of the offseason, and it appears he could be missing a good portion of training camp, too.

Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, though, sounds hopeful that the talented pass-catcher will make a quick return.

“I don’t think he’s very far away,” Gruden said, per Stephen Czarda of the team's official website. “We’re being probably more cautious right now because it is a significant deal. The Achilles for a wide receiver with his explosion, we want it to be 100 percent. We don’t want it to re-occur, so we’re trying to nip it in the bud right now.”

The Redskins have every reason to be cautious with Doctson's injury. Then-rookie receivers Breshad Perriman of the Baltimore Ravens and Kevin White of the Chicago Bears both suffered injuries last offseason and never saw the field in the regular season.

Washington is likely hoping that a little caution now will lead to an available Doctson early in the looming season.

Baltimore Has Another Offseason Rookie Setback

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Rookie Kenneth Dixon is expected to earn a role in Baltimore's backfield this season.

As we mentioned, then-rookie Perriman suffered a knee injury during the 2015 season and never made it onto the playing field for the Ravens. Unfortunately, the team might be feeling a bit of deja vu after rookie running back Kenneth Dixon suffered a knee injury earlier this week.

The fourth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech was expected to be an early contributor in the Baltimore backfield this season. However, Dixon suffered a knee sprain on Thursday, which could potentially hamper his development.

The good news is that Dixon's injury doesn't appear to be serious.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Dixon only suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain and is "now considered day to day."

This likely means that Dixon will be back on the practice field sooner than later and that he should definitely be ready for the start of the season, barring any setbacks.

Jalen Ramsey Healthy and on the Field for Jaguars Camp

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Rookie Jalen Ramsey appeared to be 100 percent at the onset of Jaguars camp.

Jacksonville Jaguars fans have likely been holding their collective breath for much of the offseason because of a knee injury suffered by rookie defensive back Jalen Ramsey. The former Florida State star suffered a torn meniscus and underwent surgery not too long after being drafted.

Remember, these Jaguars fans watched then-rookie Dante Fowler Jr. suffer a torn ACL on the opening day of rookie minicamp just last season.

The Jacksonville faithful can breathe a sigh of relief, though, as Ramsey seemed to be at or near 100 percent when the team opened camp earlier this week.

AP sportswriter Mark Long reported that Ramsey worked with the first-team defense during the first two days of training camp and that he worked both on the outside at cornerback and in the slot. According to Ramsey, the Jaguars have no reason to hold him back.

"Yeah. I feel good," Ramsey said, per Long. "If it would have been hurting a little bit, then I am sure they would have limited me a bit. But since I feel good, they thought it was OK to throw me in there."

This is a terrific development for the Jaguars, who are looking to revamp a pass defense that was rated 30th in coverage by Pro Football Focus last season.

Ramsey was widely regarded as the top rookie defensive back and one of the top overall talents in this draft. Having him on the field early and in multiple situations should be a major boon to the Jacksonville defense.

Michael Thomas Looking Like a Potential Steal for the Saints

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Rookie wideout Michael Thomas could be a star in New Orleans' offense.

The New Orleans Saints used a second-round pick on former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas and may have gotten a potential steal in the process.

At 6'3" and 212 pounds, Thomas provides a big and physical target for Saints quarterback Drew Brees. However, his attention-grabbing time in early training camp stems from more than just raw physical potential.

According to Fletcher Mackel of WDSU New Orleans, Thomas has been impressive all offseason but has been dazzling in training camp. The rookie's admirers aren't just media types, either. 

"He does things so instinctively, he doesn't seem like a young player," Brees said of Thomas, per Mackel.

"He's amazing, he's gonna be a great player," fellow wideout Brandin Cooks added, according to Mackel.

The Saints have some talented pass-catchers on the roster such as Cooks, Willie Snead and tight end Coby Fleener. However, Thomas' size and quick development make him a natural potential replacement for the departed Marques Colston.

Don't be surprised if Thomas takes over as the team's No. 1 receiver early in his rookie season.

Wendell Smallwood Impressing in Eagles Camp

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Rookie runnner Wendell Smallwood is already standing out in the Eagles backfield.

The Philadelphia Eagles didn't select former West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood until the fifth round of this year's draft, but it's already looking like the rookie will be an early contributor in the team's offense.

Head coach Doug Pederson recently explained, per the team's official website:

"

I was excited when we drafted him. I was excited during rookie camp when we had him in here, the entire offseason program, and he came back ready to go in a great frame of mind. He’s going to put himself in a position, I'm hoping, to help us this season. I think he's that good.

Excellent route runner, good hands, patient runner, and I love the fact that he's kind of a one-cut, no-nonsense type guy. He's a downhill guy but fast enough to separate and create some long runs. So I'm excited, again, once we start getting into pads, protection, how well can he protect?

"

The Eagles put a lot of resources into their backfield last season but came away with some rather disappointing results. Despite having the likes of Darren Sproles, Ryan Mathews and DeMarco Murray on the roster, the Eagles finished the 2015 season rated dead last in rushing by Pro Football Focus.

Murray is now a member of the Tennessee Titans, but Mathews and Sproles are competing for playing time with Smallwood. If the rookie is able to live up to the early hype, he's likely to see a big role in his inaugural season and also likely to help the team improve its rushing attack.

Corey Coleman Gunning to Be Cleveland's Top Receiver in 2016

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Rookie wideout Corey Coleman wants to be Cleveland's best receiving option in 2016.

The Cleveland Browns should be getting former star receiver Josh Gordon back on the field this season, as the NFL has reinstated him on a conditional basis. This, however, has not stopped rookie wideout Corey Coleman from entering training camp with the goal of being the team's top pass-catcher.

"I do want to be the best receiver on this team," Coleman said, per Scott Patsko of Cleveland.com. "That's my goal I had at Baylor, to be the best wide receiver on the team. I'm going to work real hard to live up to that goal."

The Browns drafted Coleman with the 15th overall pick—along with three other wideouts—in order to help turn around a receiving group that was beyond laughable in 2015. Pro Football Focus rated Cleveland 30th in receiving last season.

Getting Gordon back is clearly a big potential bonus, but having a motivated Coleman going after that top receiver job with some gusto could be an even bigger one.

Paxton Lynch Looking at Open Competition for Broncos Job

David Zalubowski/Associated Press/Associated Press

Denver quarterback Paxton Lynch has a shot at the starting job as a rookie.

Former Memphis signal-caller Paxton Lynch is in Denver Broncos camp with a legitimate shot at winning the team's starting job. Though he faces an uphill battle against more experienced pros such as Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian, Lynch is in an open competition.

According to Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post, Broncos executive John Elway has actually called the competition "wide open," though journeyman Sanchez appears to be getting the first shot at the starting job.

Lynch seems to believe that he has what it takes to handle the job.

"I definitely think I have the opportunity to better myself and put myself up in that position to play right away or sooner than I had thought," Lynch said, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. "I knew those guys were going to be ahead of me just because of experience."

At least the first-year quarterback doesn't lack for confidence. This should be an entertaining competition to follow.