2013 NFL Rookies

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As usual, an annual thread catered to these group of guys.

 

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Cordarrelle Patterson - WR - Vikings

One AFC personnel executive told ESPN 1500 Twin Cities that No. 29 overall pick WR Cordarrelle Patterson is going to need the "full process" as a rookie.

"It's going to take time," the AFC executive said. "It's going to take a patient coach. There's going to be a lot of teaching. There's going to be a lot of walkthroughs. He's going to need to see it and then physically do it. It's going to take repetition and reinforcement in the classroom. He's going to need what we would call 'the full process.'" Patterson played just one year of Division I football, so it's understandable that he's going to face a learning curve. He'll likely open up the season as Jerome Simpson's backup at "X" receiver.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities

May 3 - 10:16 AM

 

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Kenjon Barner - RB - Panthers

The Panthers like No. 182 overall pick RB Kenjon Barner's big-play ability and believe that initially it will translate well to third-down situations.

Carolina also likes Barner on special teams as a return man and gunner. It's hard to see Barner getting much playing time on offense, especially if DeAngelo Williams remains on the roster. The Panthers also have a stable of return men, so Barner could easily be a weekly inactive throughout the year.
Source: panthers.com

May 3 - 11:45 AM

 

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Akeem Spence - DL - Buccaneers

Bucs GM Mark Dominik expects No. 100 overall pick Akeem Spence to be the team's starting nose tackle this season.

Spence (6-foot-1, 307) is a bit undersized to play a traditional nose tackle role, but the guy he's looking to replace, Roy Miller, was only 6-foot-2, 310. His competition will be veteran Gary Gibson after Corvey Irvin's release on Thursday.
Source: Roy Cummings on Twitter

May 3 - 11:59 AM

 

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Mike James - RB - Buccaneers

Bucs GM Mark Dominik "repeatedly mentioned" No. 189 overall pick RB Mike James as having the "inside track" to the No. 2 job behind Doug Martin.

Following the trade of LeGarrette Blount to New England, the backup job behind Martin is wide open. Brian Leonard will play a third-down and pass-protecting role, but he shouldn't see many carries. That leaves James and 2012 seventh-rounder Michael Smith as the other options. Smith was a weekly inactive last season, and James is a bit of a fullback/tailback tweener with pedestrian speed. Related: Michael Smith
Source: Stephen Holder on Twitter

May 3 - 10:21 AM

 

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Markus Wheaton - WR - Steelers

Steelers OC Todd Haley called No. 79 overall pick WR Markus Wheaton a "versatile, good, polished player," and hinted that he may line up all over the field.

"This guy has played the slot a bunch when he wasn't outside," Haley said. "He is a little wider base, a little more running back. He was in the slot. He was in the backfield. That tells us he's a smart guy. Any time a coach feels comfortable moving a guy around a bunch like that, that's good." Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders will be the starters on the outside, but Wheaton should see significant snaps in the slot. If Heath Miller isn't ready for Week 1, we can expect Haley to run a lot of three-wide sets.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

May 3 - 9:11 AM

 

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Cordarrelle Patterson - WR - Vikings

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities observed at the Vikings' pre-draft rookie camp that first-round pick Cordarrelle Patterson's "explosion" stood out.

Pelissero posted a quick video of Patterson exploding into a slant pattern and creating a cavity of separation from the cornerback. "Even in install you can see the explosion with Patterson," tweeted Pelissero. "He's such a smooth mover, too." Even if Jerome Simpson enters the season as the Vikings' starting X receiver, we anticipate Patterson overtaking him sooner rather than later.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

May 3 - 1:11 PM

 

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Shamarko Thomas - DB - Steelers

The Steelers are expected to use fourth-round pick Shamarko Thomas as Ryan Clark's backup free safety as a rookie.

The Steelers are talking up Thomas as a Bob Sanders-type of player. "He's not the biggest kid, but he certainly doesn't play that way," GM Kevin Colbert said of Thomas, who goes 5-foot-9, 213 but runs 4.42. "He leaves it on the field." Clark is entering his age-34 season and his contract expires in 2014. Related: Ryan Clark
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

May 3 - 1:36 PM

 

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Jamie Collins - LB - Patriots

Patriots second-round pick Jamie Collins will start off as a linebacker.

Collins played both linebacker and defensive end while at Southern Miss. "We’ll look at him in different spots, and see how it goes with him, and also see how it goes with him relative to other players we have and what kind of groupings," coach Bill Belichick said. "Not sure exactly how it’s going to turn out." It doesn't really matter where Collins lines up; he's mostly going to be rushing the passer.
Source: ESPN Boston

May 3 - 12:05 PM

 

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Dion Jordan - DL - Dolphins

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland said No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan could end up at linebacker.

"That’s what I like about him," Ireland said. "He’s very versatile and he played linebacker [at Oregon] and he also rushed the passer. [When] we get our hands on him, [we will] see where the best place he’ll fit. We’ve got a great vision for him. Part of that’s going to be rushing the passer but the other part’s up to [coach Joe Philbin]." Jordan will certainly rush the passer plenty, but he's so athletic that he could end up covering tight ends like Rob Gronkowski.
Source: Miami Herald

May 2 - 10:27 PM

 

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Marc Anthony - DB - Ravens

Ravens agreed to terms with No. 247 overall pick CB Marc Anthony on a four-year contract.

Anthony was the lone corner the Ravens drafted, so they're banking on Lardarius Webb (torn ACL) returning to health and former first-round pick Jimmy Smith stepping up his play. Anthony will try to earn a special teams spot.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 2 - 7:57 PM

 

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MarQueis Gray - RB - 49ers

The 49ers are listing MarQueis Gray as a running back.

Signed as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft, Gray played wide receiver and quarterback at Minnesota. Presumably, he'll try to play an H-back type role, although he's probably a practice squad candidate at best.
Source: CSN Bay Area

May 2 - 6:13 PM

 

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Ricky Wagner - T - Ravens

Ravens agreed to terms with No. 168 overall pick OT Ricky Wagner on a four-year contract.

Wagner (6-foot-5 7/8, 308) was a three-year starter at Wisconsin, playing the last two seasons at left tackle. The 2012 All-Big Ten selection will provide depth in Baltimore, and he could develop into a swing tackle.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 2 - 5:40 PM

 

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Aaron Mellette - WR - Ravens

Ravens agreed to terms with No. 238 overall pick WR Aaron Mellette on a four-year contract.

Mellette (6-foot-2 3/8, 217) tore up D-1AA competition for 304 catches, 4,254 yards, and 44 touchdowns while at Elon. He ran a 4.54 forty and posted a 10-foot-3 broad jump at the Combine. After Torrey Smith, the Ravens' wide receiver depth chart is wide open. Mellette could challenge for snaps as a rookie.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 2 - 6:23 PM

 

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Ryan Jensen - G - Ravens

Ravens agreed to terms with No. 203 overall pick G/T Ryan Jensen on a four-year contract.

Jensen, a 2012 FCS All-American at Colorado State-Pueblo, allowed zero sacks as a senior, and he's projected to play guard at the NFL level. The Ravens' backup spots along the offensive line are all up for grabs.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 2 - 6:31 PM

 

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Kyle Juszczyk - RB - Ravens

Ravens agreed to terms with No. 130 overall pick FB Kyle Juszczyk on a four-year contract.

Juszczyk -- pronounced USE-chick -- played H-back and tight end while at Harvard, and he was a two-time FCS All-American. A solid blocker, "Juice" could force FB Vonta Leach out of a job if his game translates well to the next level.
Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter

May 2 - 7:29 PM

 

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Kapron Lewis-Moore - DL - Ravens

Ravens agreed to terms with No. 200 overall pick DE Kapron Lewis-Moore on a four-year contract.

Lewis-Moore recorded 12 sacks in his four years at Notre Dame, but he tore his ACL in the BCS title game against Alabama and isn't expected to contribute this season. The 6-foot-4, 298-pound lineman will open training camp on the PUP list, but he could become a factor in 2014.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 2 - 4:55 PM

 

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Marquess Wilson - WR - Bears

Bears agreed to terms with No. 236 overall pick WR Marquess Wilson on a four-year contract.

Wilson (6-foot-2 5/8, 194) only played nine games in 2012 before leaving Washington State and alleging "abuse" against coach Mike Leach. As a junior in 2011, Wilson caught 82 passes for 1,388 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has a realistic shot at seeing significant snaps as a rookie in three-wide sets.

May 2 - 4:25 PM

 

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Khaseem Greene - LB - Bears

Bears agreed to terms with No. 117 overall pick OLB Khaseem Greene on a four-year contract.

Greene (6-foot 3/4, 241) plays faster than his 4.71 forty time indicates, and he also has a nose for the football. He led Rutgers with 125 tackles and forced six fumbles as a senior. Greene projects as Lance Briggs' heir apparent at weak-side linebacker, but he'll likely focus on special teams as a rookie.

May 2 - 4:21 PM

 

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Mychal Rivera - TE - Raiders

The Contra Costa Times projects Mychal Rivera as the Raiders' Week 1 starting tight end.

Yikes. Rivera is a sixth-round project out of Tennessee that measured small, slow and weak at the Combine. We doubt he'll be able to hold the starting job through camp. The Raiders' tight end position is going to be a black hole for fantasy owners as David Ausberry is the only other pass-catching option for coach Dennis Allen. No. 172 pick Nick Kasa will also be in the mix to start.
Source: Contra Costa Times

May 2 - 11:53 AM