2014 NFL ROOKIES

[BINGO]

Teddy Bridgewater - QB - Vikings

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told NFL Network that Teddy Bridgewater will take first-team reps during OTAs.

"Teddy's been great," Zimmer said. "He's had good command of the offense. I like his leadership. Throwing the ball well. He's progressing at a good pace." The Vikings were impressed with Bridgewater during minicamp and he hasn't shown any issues picking up Norv Turner's offense to this point. If Bridgewater outplays Matt Cassel this preseason, he should be the Week 1 starter.
Source: NFL.com

May 17 - 10:51 PM

 

[BINGO]

Stanley Jean-Baptiste - DB - Saints

Saints signed second-round CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste to a four-year contract.

Jean-Baptiste doesn't project to get much playing time as a rookie, but has the skill-set to start at outside corner in Rob Ryan's defense. He should open 2014 in a sub-package role behind Keenan Lewis, Champ Bailey, and Corey White.

May 17 - 9:08 PM

 

[BINGO]

Morgan Moses - T - Redskins

ESPN Redskins reporter John Keim "would be surprised" if third-round OT Morgan Moses was an immediate starter.

Considered a second-round prospect, Moses fell to the third-round due to concerns over his work ethic. He's more of a project than plug-and-play right tackle and is a liability in run blocking. Moses only has to beat out Tyler Polumbus for the starting job, so he's facing little in the way of competition. Polumbus allowed four sacks and 28 quarterback hurries in 2013.
Source: ESPN.com

May 17 - 6:09 PM

 

[BINGO]

Terrance West - RB - Browns

Browns rookie RB Terrance West says the Ravens texted his agent to say they were going to pick him with the No. 99 overall pick.

The Browns had other ideas, trading up to the No. 94 overall pick to snag the Towson prospect. The Ravens eventually settled for RB Lorenzo Taliferro at pick No. 138 overall. West was one of the hotter running back prospects in the draft and has a great shot to contribute early with injury-prone Ben Tate ahead of him and run-first OC Kyle Shanahan calling the shots.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter

May 17 - 1:14 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jemea Thomas - DB - Patriots

Patriots signed sixth-round pick DB Jemea Thomas.

Called a "four-down type player" by coach Bill Belichick, Thomas' biggest strengths are his versatility and his football intelligence. He will be asked to contribute on special teams right away and could develop into a movable piece for the Patriots' secondary.
Source: ESPN Boston

May 17 - 12:37 PM

 

[BINGO]

Kadron Boone - WR - Eagles

An "AFC personnel man" told CSNPhilly's Geoff Mosher Eagles UDFA rookie WR Kadron Boone was "gonna make that team."

Boone did not make much of a mark at LSU playing behind Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. and Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry, but Mosher's unnamed personnel man said Boone has the skill set to fill the vacant Jason Avant role in the Eagles offense. Mosher echoed the scout's claims, saying Boone has a "good chance" to make the Eagles' roster if he can quickly pick up Chip Kelly's offense. It may be a long-shot, but Boone will be a player to keep an eye on during training camp.
Source: CSN Philly

May 17 - 12:03 PM

 

[BINGO]

Blake Bortles - QB - Jaguars

ESPN Jaguars' reporter Michael DiRocco took the under when asked if rookie QB Blake Bortles will start more or less than five games in 2014.

DiRicco is buying into the party line as the Jaguars have been adamant Bortles will spend most of the season as Chad Henne's backup. Coach Gus Bradley believes former Jags QB Blaine Gabbert was scarred by being thrown into the fire too fast, and he wants to avoid the same situation with Bortles. Jacksonville seems sure now, but the courage of their convictions will be tested if the team struggles out of the gate.
Source: ESPN.com

May 17 - 10:45 AM

 

[BINGO]

Jace Amaro - TE - Jets

Jets rookie TE Jace Amaro said he wants to "be a tight end that catches 100 balls a year."

It is a lofty goal, but Amaro has the skill set to be a big-time receiving threat for a Jets team in need of them. He is a prototypical "move" tight end that will threaten the seam and work the middle from the slot. Rookie tight ends have historically struggled to find success in the NFL, but Amaro is in a great position to buck that trend this season.
Source: ESPN New York

May 17 - 9:34 AM

 

[BINGO]

John Brown - WR - Cardinals

Rookie WR/KR John Brown has reportedly impressed Cardinals' brass during rookie workouts.

"John Brown is blowing everyone away," a team source said. "Explosive and sudden. Great hands and a better route runner than we even thought." Brown will likely be limited to special teams and situational offensive roles this season, but he has the skill set to develop into a deep-threat in Bruce Arians' offense. His 4.34 speed and 5-foot-10, 179-pound frame are almost identical to T.Y. Hilton, who thrived in Arians' offense in Indianapolis.
Source: Arizona Republic

May 17 - 9:15 AM

 

[BINGO]

John Youboty - DL - Broncos

Broncos DE John Youboty suffered an Achilles injury during rookie minicamp Friday.

The severity of the injury is not yet known, but the Broncos fear it could be serious. Youboty was signed as an undrafted free agent last season and spent all of 2013 on the Broncos' practice squad.
Source: Denver Post

May 17 - 2:07 PM

 

[BINGO]

Chris Watt - G - Chargers

Chargers third-round OG Chris Watt practiced at right guard in his first Chargers practice.

Watt played left guard his final three seasons at Norte Dame, but his clearest path to playing time runs through Jeromey Clary's right guard spot. Clary was a solid pass blocker last season but struggled mightily in the running game. Watt could immediately challenge Clary for the starting job.
Source: Union-Tribune San Diego

May 17 - 1:54 PM

 

[BINGO]

Preston Brown - LB - Bills

Bills signed third-round ILB Preston Brown.

Brown is a run-stuffer in the mold of current Bills MLB Brandon Spikes that lacks the athleticism to be an effective three-down player. Brown will likely contribute on special teams as a rookie before taking over for Spikes in 2015. The Bills view Brown as capable of playing all three linebacker spots, so he could start out on the strong-side as a rookie.
Source: Mike Rodak on Twitter

May 17 - 1:43 PM

 

[BINGO]

Lamarcus Joyner - DB - Rams

Coach Jeff Fisher confirmed the Rams expect second-round pick Lamarcus Joyner to immediately earn a job in their nickel defense.

Essentially a poor man's Tyrann Mathieu, Joyner will compete with incumbent Rodney McLeod to start at free safety on early downs, and cover slot receivers in St. Louis' nickel. "He’s just an outstanding player," said Fisher. "He played all over (Florida State's) defense. He played outside, he played in the slot, he played high, he blitzed, so he’s a plug-in day one nickel back."
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

May 19 - 2:40 PM

 

[BINGO]

Seantrel Henderson - T - Bills

The Bills have told seventh-round OT Seantrel Henderson that he has "one shot."

Henderson was suspended three times for marijuana use at the University of Miami, failed a drug test at the Combine and couldn't complete his Pro Day because he was "overheated." But if he can mature quickly, the Bills will have themselves a steal. The 6'7/331 Henderson was the nation's top offensive line recruit coming out of high school. "There's not much to do here but work," Henderson said of Buffalo. "So, no excuse."
Source: ESPN.com

May 19 - 12:51 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jarvis Landry - WR - Dolphins

Dolphins second-round WR Jarvis Landry worked at all three receiver positions during rookie minicamp.

Per the Miami Herald, "no one should write off" Landry playing meaningful snaps this season. Landry has the ability to play both outside and in the slot and could push Brandon Gibson for the No. 3 receiver job. He'll need to contribute on special teams initially, but should see time in three- and four-wide sets.
Source: Miami Herald

May 24 - 4:23 PM

 

[BINGO]

Blake Bortles - QB - Jaguars

ESPN Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco expects Blake Bortles to make starts this season.

The Jaguars want to give Bortles a year to develop, but DiRocco believes he'll be starting by December. Even if Chad Henne stays healthy and plays well enough to keep the job, it's hard to believe Jacksonville would go into next offseason without knowing what they have in Bortles. Despite the Jags' commitment not to rush Bortles, he's likely to make starts at some point in 2014.
Source: ESPN.com

May 24 - 3:58 PM

 

[BINGO]

Dee Ford - LB - Chiefs

Chiefs signed first-round OLB Dee Ford to a four-year contract.

The deal includes a fifth-year club option for 2018. Ford posted 10.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in the SEC last season despite missing the first two games. He didn't participate at the Combine due to medical reasons, but ran 4.59 at the his Pro Day with a 10-foot-4 broad jump and 29 bench press reps. Ford will be a sub-package rusher as a rookie and should push for a starting role in 2015.

May 24 - 2:29 PM

 

[BINGO]

Kelvin Benjamin - WR - Panthers

Panthers WR coach Ricky Proehl said he was "in awe" of Kelvin Benjamin during last week's rookie camp

"A guy his size and the way he caught the ball, just so natural," Proehl said. "You look at him, if he can grow and develop into the receiver I think he can be, he's going to be a huge asset." Benjamin has a major opportunity as the starting X receiver in Carolina, but his route running, shaky hands, and speed deficiency remain concerns. He's going to have to win in contested situations. With Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, Tavarres King, and Tiquan Underwood the only other options on the depth chart, Benjamin is likely to be behind just Greg Olsen for targets. If he can learn the Panthers' offense, Benjamin has potential to be the No. 1 option.
Source: ESPN.com

May 23 - 6:31 PM

 

[BINGO]

Brandin Cooks - WR - Saints

Drew Brees believes first-round pick Brandin Cooks will be a "big contributor" in the Saints' offense right away.

As do we. NFL Network's Bucky Brooks recently projected Cooks to catch around 70 passes in year one. "There's no doubt he's a guy who has the ability to be a big contributor for us on offense this year," Brees said. Brees said he expects Cooks to have a hand in replacing Darren Sproles and Lance Moore in New Orleans' offense. Moore and Sproles combined for 108 receptions in 2013, leaving behind a lot of opportunity for Cooks and sophomore Kenny Stills.
Source: Associated Press

May 23 - 2:17 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jimmie Ward - DB - 49ers

The 49ers plan to use first-round pick Jimmie Ward on roughly 60 percent of their defensive snaps as a rookie.

Ward isn't converting to corner full-time, though he has the skill set to do so. Initially, he'll back up Eric Reid and Antoine Bethea on early downs, and cover slot receivers in nickel packages. The Niners technically did not draft a "starter" at No. 30 overall, but Ward will play well over half of the snaps.
Source: CSN Bay Area

May 23 - 1:27 PM