2013 NFL Rookies

[BINGO]

Johnathan Franklin - RB - Packers

Packers fourth-round RB Johnathan Franklin will miss the majority of offseason work due to the NFL's graduation rules.

UCLA's final exams do not end until Friday, June 14. Franklin will be allowed to participate in this weekend's rookie minicamp, but he'll miss the other OTAs and the full-squad mandatory minicamp on June 4-6. Fellow rookie Datone Jones, however, can be in Green Bay for all offseason work because he graduated from UCLA last year.
Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

May 8 - 8:48 AM

 

[BINGO]

Jags GM: Robinson will average 10-15 touches

Speaking in a Tuesday radio interview, GM David Caldwell said the Jaguars hope to get fifth-round pick Denard Robinson 10-15 touches per game as a rookie.

It's a huge number — likely an unrealistic one — but proof of how high the Jags are on the former quarterback's playmaking ability. The vast majority of Robinson's touches should come as a change-of-pace running back, but Caldwell said he'll also see some snaps as a slot receiver. The Jags plan to feature Robinson on returns. It sounds like Robinson will beat out veteran Justin Forsett to be Maurice Jones-Drew's primary backup if all goes to plan for the Jags. Robinson is an intriguing Dynasty-league prospect.
Source: Alex Marvez on Twitter

May 7 - 8:47 PM




Update: Jaguars plan 10-15 *snaps* for Denard

Updating a previous item, GM Dave Caldwell stated in a Tuesday radio interview that the Jaguars plan to give fifth-round pick Denard Robinson "10 to 15 snaps" per game as a rusher and receiver.

Radio host Alex Marvez tweeted during or immediately after the interview that Caldwell had penciled in Robinson for "10-15 touches a game & returning kicks." In a column recapping the interview, Marvez wrote Caldwell was actually speaking about offensive snaps. Big difference. Robinson is good enough to eventually make himself impossible for an otherwise bad Jaguars team to keep off the field, but he's not scheduled to play a major offensive role initially.
Source: FOX Sports

May 8 - 12:21 PM

 

[Crimsoncrew]

Jags GM: Robinson will average 10-15 touches

Speaking in a Tuesday radio interview, GM David Caldwell said the Jaguars hope to get fifth-round pick Denard Robinson 10-15 touches per game as a rookie.

It's a huge number — likely an unrealistic one — but proof of how high the Jags are on the former quarterback's playmaking ability. The vast majority of Robinson's touches should come as a change-of-pace running back, but Caldwell said he'll also see some snaps as a slot receiver. The Jags plan to feature Robinson on returns. It sounds like Robinson will beat out veteran Justin Forsett to be Maurice Jones-Drew's primary backup if all goes to plan for the Jags. Robinson is an intriguing Dynasty-league prospect.
Source: Alex Marvez on Twitter

May 7 - 8:47 PM




Update: Jaguars plan 10-15 *snaps* for Denard

Updating a previous item, GM Dave Caldwell stated in a Tuesday radio interview that the Jaguars plan to give fifth-round pick Denard Robinson "10 to 15 snaps" per game as a rusher and receiver.

Radio host Alex Marvez tweeted during or immediately after the interview that Caldwell had penciled in Robinson for "10-15 touches a game & returning kicks." In a column recapping the interview, Marvez wrote Caldwell was actually speaking about offensive snaps. Big difference. Robinson is good enough to eventually make himself impossible for an otherwise bad Jaguars team to keep off the field, but he's not scheduled to play a major offensive role initially.
Source: FOX Sports

May 8 - 12:21 PM

Haha. Yeah, that makes A LOT more sense, though it's still a fairly high number. Though on that team, if he's returning KOs, he could have six touches right there alone...

 

[BINGO]

Cooper Taylor - DB - Giants

Giants agreed to terms with No. 152 overall pick S Cooper Taylor on a four-year, $2.34 million contract.

An imposing 6-foot-4, 228 pounds with 4.49 wheels, Taylor could also see time at weak-side linebacker. Coach Tom Coughlin expects Taylor to compete for snaps in the Giants' three-safety package, but the majority of his snaps should come on special teams.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter

May 10 - 12:06 PM

 

[BINGO]

Dustin Hopkins - K - Bills Bills

agreed to terms with No. 177 overall pick K Dustin Hopkins on a four-year contract.

One of the top kickers in the country last season, Hopkins should punch Rian Lindell's ticket out of town provided he doesn't bomb early in camp. Hopkins' 466 career points are an NCAA record for a kicker. He could prove a fine streaming option before the weather turns ugly in Buffalo.

May 10 - 11:51 AM




Jonathan Meeks - DB - Bills

Bills agreed to terms with No. 143 overall pick S Jonathan Meeks on a four-year contract.

Meeks is a 6-foot-1, 209-pound thumper, but the presence of fellow rookie S Duke Williams means he's unlikely to see much time on defense in 2013. Meeks has the skills to eventually crack the secondary, but should focus on special teams this season.

May 10 - 11:47 AM




Duke Williams - DB - Bills

Bills agreed to terms with No. 105 overall pick S Duke Williams on a four-year contract.

Williams will be in the mix at strong safety opposite Jairus Byrd, but GM Buddy Nix has hinted he could also see time in the slot. A textbook tackler, Williams should feature on special teams.

May 10 - 11:43 AM

 

[BINGO]

Marcus Cooper - DB - 49ers

49ers agreed to terms with No. 252 overall pick CB Marcus Cooper on a four-year contract.

The third to last pick of the draft, Cooper is facing long odds of cracking the 49ers' 53-man roster. He should be stashed on the practice squad where he'll be developed as a potential special teamer.

May 10 - 11:30 AM





Carter Bykowski - T - 49ers

49ers agreed to terms with No. 246 overall pick OT Carter Bykowski on a four-year contract.

A former tight end, Bykowski stands in at 6-foot-6, 306 pounds with33 3/4-inch arms. He has the measurables, but has little shot of cracking the 49ers' loaded 53-man roster. Bykowski's most likely home is the practice squad.

May 10 - 11:27 AM




B.J. Daniels - QB - 49ers

49ers agreed to terms with No. 237 overall pick QB B.J. Daniels on a four-year contract.

Daniels was drafted as a "quarterback," but will also get reps at running back, receiver and returner. An ineffective passer in the Big East, Daniels is not an elite runner. He's a roster longshot for a loaded 49ers team that has 11 draft picks to evaluate.

May 10 - 11:22 AM

 

[BINGO]

Johnathan Hankins - DL - Giants

Giants agreed to terms with No. 49 overall pick DT Johnathan Hankins on a four-year contract.

May 10 - 12:23 PM

 

[BINGO]

D.C. Jefferson - TE - Cardinals

Cardinals agreed to terms with No. 219 overall pick TE D.C. Jefferson on a four-year contract.

A pure blocker, Jefferson finished his Rutgers career with all of two touchdowns. He boasts a solid 6-foot-6, 255-pound frame, but lumbered to a 4.97 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He's a more likely candidate for the practice squad than 53-man roster.

May 10 - 1:38 PM




Ryan Swope - WR - Cardinals

Cardinals signed sixth-round WR Ryan Swope to a four-year contract.

College concussions -- reportedly four according to NFL Network's Mike Mayock -- killed Swope's draft stock despite a 4.34 forty time and comparisons to Eric Decker. Assuming Swope can avoid further brain injuries, he should win a roster spot behind Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Roberts, and Michael Floyd.

May 10 - 1:38 PM




Stepfan Taylor - RB - Cardinals

Cardinals signed fifth-round RB Stepfan Taylor to a four-year contract.

Taylor may have reminded coach Bruce Arians of Vick Ballard, who was Arians' feature back for a year in Indianapolis. He is a sub-average talent with pass-protection skills and a workmanlike on-field play style. Taylor enters a crowded Arizona backfield competing for snaps with more talented options Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Williams, and fellow rookie Andre Ellington.

May 10 - 1:36 PM




Andre Ellington - RB - Cardinals

Cardinals agreed to terms with No. 187 overall pick RB Andre Ellington on a four-year contract.

Ellington is currently fourth on the running back depth chart behind Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Williams and Stepfan Taylor, but is easily the most explosive of the four, and could make a nice move during training camp. A quick cutter who gets around the edge in a hurry, Ellington is dangerous in space. The numbers game could claim him as a rookie, but Ellington is a Dynasty name to watch.

May 10 - 1:33 PM

 

[packerzrule]

Johnathan Franklin - RB - Packers

Packers fourth-round RB Johnathan Franklin will miss the majority of offseason work due to the NFL's graduation rules.

UCLA's final exams do not end until Friday, June 14. Franklin will be allowed to participate in this weekend's rookie minicamp, but he'll miss the other OTAs and the full-squad mandatory minicamp on June 4-6. Fellow rookie Datone Jones, however, can be in Green Bay for all offseason work because he graduated from UCLA last year.
Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

May 8 - 8:48 AM

I look for him to have a bigger impact than Lacy

 

[BINGO]

D.J. Hayden - DB - Raiders

Raiders first-round CB D.J. Hayden says he "(doesn't) even think about" his fluke heart injury.

Raiders rookie minicamp — which was pad-less without hitting — was the first time Hayden had practiced since suffering a torn heart cavity in a freak November collision. "The only time I think about it is when somebody asks me," Hayden said. "But when I'm on the field I don't think about it. I think about the play, and I think about the coverage. I've put it past me." Hayden's final test will be taking live hits, but the injury shouldn't be an issue going forward.
Source: San Jose Mercury News

May 13 - 1:14 PM

 

[BINGO]

Chris Gragg - TE - Bills

Seventh-round Bills TE Chris Gragg's college teammate Ryan Mallett compares him to Aaron Hernandez.

"(It's) because of our size and the things that we do," the 6-foot-3, 244-pound Gragg said of the comparison. "(Hernandez) really doesn’t block that much. Our size is similar, but they say I’m a little bit faster." Gragg is indeed faster, clocking a juicy 4.50 40-yard dash at the Combine. Hernandez ran a 4.64 at his 2010 Pro Day. Coach Doug Marrone anticipates Gragg creating matchup problems. "He’s got 4.5 speed and I think he can stretch the field vertically." With Scott Chandler on the mend from a torn ACL, Gragg could get on the field as a pass-catcher early this season.
Source: buffalobills.com

May 13 - 12:10 PM

 

[BINGO]

Giovani Bernard - RB - Bengals

The Bengals dialed up a "steady amount of screen passes" for second-round RB Giovani Bernard in rookie minicamp.

Per reporter Joe Reedy, there were multiple times where Bernard caught a screen and was "gone up the sideline." It's just the latest indication that the Bengals plan to use Bernard as a true change-of-pace back as a rookie, getting him 8-10 carries while featuring him in the passing game. The Bengals want to get Bernard and his elite athleticism out in space as much as possible.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

May 13 - 11:47 AM

 

[BINGO]

Luke Willson - TE - Seahawks

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says fifth-round TE Luke Willson's 4.51 speed "certainly" shows up downfield.

Carroll said on Friday that Willson had been the "brightest spot" of Seahawks rookie minicamp. Willson is an extremely raw prospect, but a seam-stretcher for a team that's thin at tight end and works to create competition at every position. It's not outside the realm of possibility he'll earn a role on offense as a rookie.
Source: Seattle Times

May 13 - 11:34 AM

 

[BINGO]

B.J. Daniels - QB - 49ers

Seventh-round QB B.J. Daniels took snaps at running back and fielded punts at 49ers rookie minicamp.

The 49ers are still listing Daniels as a quarterback, but he's well aware his passing "ability" isn't going to earn him a roster spot. "Whatever's asked of me to do, that's what I'm going to do," Daniels said. Unsigned rookie QB Collin Klein would be wise to adopt that credo. Proving he can do more than hold a clipboard at the NFL level could give Daniels a leg up on Scott Tolzien for No. 3 duties.
Source: CSN Bay Area

May 13 - 11:03 AM

 

[BINGO]

Kyle Long - G - Bears

The Chicago Tribune expects first-round OL Kyle Long to begin training camp at right guard.

That's where Long spent the majority of rookie minicamp before dabbling at right tackle on Sunday. According to reporter Brad Biggs, the Bears "like the idea of playing (Long) on the right side" when looking ahead to divisional matchups, particularly Ndamukong Suh and the Lions. We won't get a true sense of where Long is going to play before training camp.
Source: Chicago Tribune

May 13 - 9:43 AM

 

[BINGO]

Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

According to the Detroit News, No. 5 pick DE Ziggy Ansah got "visibly better and more confident" every day of Lions rookie minicamp.

Ansah played right end while fourth-round pick Devin Taylor manned left. Per reporter Chris McCosky, there were times when Ansah "completely dominated the 11-on-11 drills." That's to be expected of a day-one pick at rookie minicamp, but is still a good sign for the draft's rawest elite prospect. Ansah's first true test won't come until the preseason.
Source: Detroit News

May 13 - 8:47 AM

 

[BINGO]

Tyler Wilson - QB - Raiders

The Contra Costa Times believes it's "not a stretch" to think fourth-round pick Tyler Wilson could surpass Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor on the Raiders' quarterback depth chart this season.

Wilson reportedly looked like a "seasoned veteran" at rookie minicamp, throwing the football with placement and velocity. He'll look even better in preseason games because Wilson stands tall and firm in the pocket and isn't gun-shy under pressure. "Throwing the ball, he’s done a nice job," said coach Dennis Allen. "I don’t have any question about his arm strength and his accuracy."
Source: Contra Costa Times

May 12 - 6:31 PM

 

[BINGO]

Damontre Moore - DL - Giants

The Giants are grooming third-round pick Damontre Moore to be a hybrid stand-up outside linebacker and down defensive end.

Moore played both 3-4 rush 'backer and 4-3 end at Texas A&M as the Aggies switched schemes during his career. The Giants' current hybrid SLB/DE is Mathias Kiwanuka, though he's moving to end this season. At one point a projected first-round pick, Moore's stock fell due to questionable work ethic.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger

May 12 - 6:09 PM

 

[BINGO]

Marquess Wilson - WR - Bears

Bears coach Marc Trestman indicated seventh-round pick Marquess Wilson must add strength before he becomes a serious NFL contributor.

Although Wilson weighed 194 at the Combine, the Bears list him at 184. "He’s 20 years old, so he has a lot of growing to do," Trestman said. "Being around here and getting involved in our weight program over the next few months is certainly going to help him as well. He’s going to get stronger. He’ll get bigger and add more girth. And he’ll be around a place where he’ll be able to eat right."
Source: ESPN Chicago

May 12 - 5:52 PM

 

[BINGO]

DeAndre Hopkins - WR - Texans

After a stellar showing at rookie minicamp, Texans coach Gary Kubiak called first-round pick DeAndre Hopkins "special."

Hopkins reportedly "caught seemingly everything thrown his way" and made at least one highlight-reel catch on all three days of practice. "He’s special," Kubiak said after the final day of work. "Ball skills are extremely special. Very long; long arms. Big hands; you saw the catch he made out here today. He’s going to help us early, and we know that, and that’s why we brought him here."
Source: houstontexans.com

May 12 - 3:36 PM