2013 NFL Rookies

[BINGO]

Johnathan Franklin - RB - Packers

Rookie RB Johnathan Franklin managed 17 yards on seven carries (2.43 YPC) in the Packers' pre-preseason intrasquad scrimmage.

Meanwhile, fellow rookie Eddie Lacy pounded Green Bay's first-team defense for 65 yards on eight runs (8.13 YPC), playing a team-high 17 snaps. Franklin was the Packers' No. 3 back through the rotation, behind Lacy and James Starks. Franklin is primarily competing for passing-down and chance-of-pace work. He's not a serious candidate to enter the season starting games over Lacy.
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Aug 4 - 2:48 PM

 

[BINGO]

Russell Shepard - WR - Eagles

Undrafted WR Russell Shepard is running with the Eagles' first-team offense in Sunday's training camp practice.

Shepard is having a "real nice" camp, according to CSN Philly's Reuben Frank. This comes a week after the Sideline View's Adam Caplan called the ex-LSU Tiger one of the Eagles' "biggest surprises" so far. Shepard is a big-time athlete, as evidenced by his 41 1/2-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump. He's a candidate to bump longtime Eagles slot receiver Jason Avant off the team.
Source: Reuben Frank on Twitter

Aug 4 - 1:46 PM

 

[BINGO]

Gavin Escobar - TE - Cowboys

Second-round TE Gavin Escobar reportedly hasn't made any standout plays in training camp and is struggling with his blocking.

ESPN Dallas lists him in the "stock down" category after two weeks of camp. Escobar couldn't block a lick at San Diego State, so reading that he's struggling there comes as no surprise. But he has strong hands and was a dynamic slot receiver in college. With James Hanna nursing a hamstring injury for the past week, Escobar had a chance to emerge as the No. 2 tight end. He's done nothing to help his stock. Escobar may turn out to be this year's Michael Egnew.
Source: ESPN Dallas

Aug 4 - 1:06 PM

 

[BINGO]

Tyler Eifert - TE - Bengals

With A.J. Green (knee) missing practices, Bengals first-round TE Tyler Eifert has "definitely" become Andy Dalton's "favorite target."

Eifert was named one of the Cincinnati Enquirer's five "standouts" in training camp through the first week of practices. He's reportedly hauled in double-digit passes every day in 11-on-11 drills. OC Jay Gruden recently hinted that the plan is to use Eifert "much like a receiver" in two-tight end sets. He isn't at TE1 status in fantasy circles, but Eifert's shaping up as a quality TE2.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

Aug 4 - 12:39 PM

 

[NinerSickness]

We missed out on this kid too:


David Amerson - DB - Redskins

Second-round pick David Amerson has received more first-team reps than any cornerback in Redskins camp.

Per the Washington Post, coaches and veteran players have both described Amerson as "the most talented corner on the team." Amerson obviously doesn't lack talent, but he's still prone to peeking into the backfield, a problem that plagued him throughout last season at North Carolina State. In an ideal world, the Redskins will fix that issue and use Amerson at outside corner in all nickel packages, opposite Josh Wilson with DeAngelo Hall in the slot.
Source: Washington Post

Aug 4 - 5:01 PM

Yeah, it would've been great to have gotten him. But Vance McDonald may prove more important to the team that he would have this season, so I'm not trippin' about this one.

 

[BINGO]

Yeah, it would've been great to have gotten him. But Vance McDonald may prove more important to the team that he would have this season, so I'm not trippin' about this one.

I'm not totally flipping out about it either.

 

[NinerSickness]

I'll admit that I was keeping my fingers crossed that Amerson would be there at 61 though.

 

[BINGO]

Dee Milliner - DB - Jets

Jets first-round CB Dee Milliner has already surpassed Kyle Wilson on the depth chart, and coach Rex Ryan feels "very comfortable" with him on the outside.

Wilson was never going to hold off Milliner opposite Antonio Cromartie, but it's notable nonetheless. Milliner is going to be tasked with some heavy lifting right off the bat, but it's Cromartie who's "replacing" Darrelle Revis.
Source: Manish Mehta on Twitter

Aug 6 - 1:22 PM

 

[BINGO]

Eddie Lacy - RB - Packers

Eddie Lacy is getting the first rep in every Packers running back drill Tuesday.

Coaches are rewarding Lacy for his standout performance at Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage. As beat writer Rob Demovsky says, the second-round rookie will "probably be the starting running back." If Lacy indeed locks up early-down duties, he'll be a middle-round value pick in fantasy drafts. The Packers gave Cedric Benson 14.2 carries per game last year before a foot injury ended his season. Lacy is far more talented and explosive than Benson. He'll also get all the goal-line chances in an offense that will be in the red zone often.
Source: Rob Demovsky on Twitter

Aug 6 - 11:11 AM

 

[BINGO]

Kenny Stills - WR - Saints

The Times-Picayune says fifth-round WR Kenny Stills is reminiscent of Lance Moore.

Stills has taken advantage of some first-team reps provided by injuries to Marques Colston and Joe Morgan. He's looking "quick and slippery," but still too "raw" to truly compete for No. 3 duties. Much like Moore, Stills can play the Z or slot position in New Orleans' offense.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Aug 6 - 11:01 AM

 

[BINGO]

Rookie David Bakhtiari gets first crack at LT

The Packers are giving fourth-rounder David Bakhtiari the first chance to replace Bryan Bulaga (ACL) at left tackle.

Bakhtiari struggled on an island at Colorado, possibly because he was undersized (6'4/299) even at the NCAA level. Now the Packers are asking him to step in on Aaron Rodgers' blindside, leaving turnstile Marshall Newhouse on the right. It's a concern, but Bakhtiari will get plenty of help and the Journal-Sentinel points out that left tackle can be overrated in importance. The last five Super Bowl left tackles have been Bryant McKinnie, David Diehl, Chad Clifton, Jermon Bushrod and Max Starks. None can be considered elite.
Source: Rob Demovsky on Twitter

Aug 6 - 9:39 AM

 

[BINGO]

Geno Smith - QB - Jets

Jets coach Rex Ryan made it clear Geno Smith would receive snaps with the first-team offense in Friday evening's preseason opener at Detroit.

Mark Sanchez will start the game, but the Jets will leave their first-team line and wideouts on the field for when Geno plays. It puts Sanchez and Smith on a more level playing field. On SportsCenter, ESPN's Adam Schefter described Sanchez getting the start as "ceremonial." Smith can put a stranglehold on the Week 1 starting job by stringing together strong preseason efforts.

Aug 7 - 10:26 AM

 

[BINGO]

Chris Harper - WR - Seahawks

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll praised fourth-round WR Chris Harper Wednesday.

"He’s learning fast, he’s a real smart kid," Carroll said. "He has improved right before our eyes in the things he was going earlier that he picked up on. He’s doing a good job and we expect to see get the ball and do some things in (Friday's preseason opener)." A load of a man at 6-foot-1, 229 pounds, Percy Harvin's injury has increased Harper's odds of getting on the field as a rookie, but we still wouldn't expect him to see many snaps behind incumbent X receiver Golden Tate. Doug Baldwin will man the slot.
Source: Seattle Times

Aug 7 - 4:26 PM

 

[BINGO]

Bjoern Werner - LB - Colts

Colts first-round pick Bjoern Werner is expected to open the season behind Robert Mathis at "rush" outside linebacker.

Erik Walden is the starter on the other side for his run defense. In nickel packages, Werner figures to take over at rush 'backer with Walden leaving the field and Mathis replacing him on the strong side. Werner may not be a "starter," but should wind up playing more than 50 percent of Indy's defensive snaps.
Source: colts.com

Aug 7 - 12:56 PM

 

[BINGO]

No suprises here:

Tavon Austin - WR - Rams

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Rams rookie WR Tavon Austin has "looked every bit worth" the No. 8 overall pick.

The first skill position player off the board has been turning heads all offseason. He'll make his preseason debut on Thursday evening against the Browns. Although Austin should provide plenty of big all-purpose plays this season, he's an overdraft as anything more than a low-end WR3.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

Aug 8 - 11:56 AM

 

[BINGO]

Jawan Jamison - RB - Redskins

According to the Washington Post, Redskins seventh-round RB Jawan Jamison hasn't "looked exceptional" in camp.

That's a problem, as Jamison will have to be exceptional to crack the Redskins' crowded running back corps. Showing well in Thursday's preseason opener could immediately change his fortunes, however. Jamison needs to out-shine plodding third-year pro Evan Royster.
Source: Washington Post

Aug 8 - 11:24 AM

 

[BINGO]

Markus Wheaton - WR - Steelers

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers third-round WR Markus Wheaton has shown a "good ability to go over the middle in live contact (and) hang onto the ball."

"It looks like he wants to get into the competition," OC Todd Haley said. "We're all excited about him. ... For a guy who missed the whole offseason, you would not have any idea he did." It's high praise from a coach known to be tough on rookie wide receivers. The Steelers' No. 3 wideout, Wheaton is off the redraft radar to begin the season, but is someone to monitor in deeper leagues.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Aug 8 - 8:47 AM

 

[BINGO]

Shamarko Thomas - DB - Steelers

Rookie S Shamarko Thomas could see snaps in the Steelers' nickel and dime packages.

He's also expected to "spot" starters Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. RCB Ike Taylor has been impressed with Thomas' camp. "He's a monster," Taylor said. "A lot of people are going to be catching headaches or he's going to be catching headaches, it's going to be one or the other." A big hitter, Thomas drew a Bob Sanders comparison from NFL Network's Mike Mayock during the draft.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Aug 8 - 8:25 AM

 

[BINGO]

Aaron Mellette - WR - Ravens

Seventh-round WR Aaron Mellette has struggled to get off press coverage and "looks tentative within the offense" at Ravens camp.

Mellette has demonstrated efficient hands, but the jump in competition from Elon to Ravens practice has proved large for the draft's 238th overall pick. Mellette does not appear to be in the hunt for early-season playing time on offense.
Source: Baltimore Sun

Aug 8 - 1:55 AM

 

[BINGO]

Lawrence Okoye - DL - 49ers

Coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged rugby player-turned-49ers rookie DE Lawrence Okoye is "not a good football player" right now.

"His next goal is to be 'not a bad player,'" said Harbaugh. "I want him to be a bad football player because that's really the next jump up for Lawrence Okoye." Okoye will get lots of preseason reps, but looks practice squad-bound at best.
Source: CSN Bay Area

Aug 8 - 1:50 AM