2013 NFL Rookies

[BINGO]

Trevardo Williams - LB - Texans

Texans coach Gary Kubiak acknowledged after rookie minicamp that fourth-round OLB Trevardo Williams is "a little ahead of" third-rounder Sam Montgomery.

Montgomery strained his back on the first day of camp, but Williams was a better 3-4 outside linebacker prospect to begin with. Williams has a real chance to be Houston's No. 3 rush 'backer as a rookie, behind Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus. "Tremendous speed," Kubiak said of Williams. "He can really run." An explosive if undersized pass rusher, Williams ran 4.57 at the Combine.
Source: houstontexans.com

May 12 - 3:40 PM

 

[BINGO]

Matt Barkley - QB - Eagles

The Philadelphia Inquirer thinks there's a chance fourth-round QB Matt Barkley could "get the nod" as the Eagles' starter.

Anything is possible, but it would be a huge surprise if Barkley took the first snap in Week 1. Beat writer Jeff McLane points to Barkley's accuracy, ball placement, and ability to throw on the run as reasons why coach Chip Kelly could prefer the rookie over Michael Vick and Nick Foles. Plus, Barkley is the only signal caller hand-picked by Kelly. It's going to be an interesting summer in Philly.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News

May 12 - 2:10 PM

 

[BINGO]

Alec Ogletree - LB - Rams

Per the team's official website, Rams first-round OLB Alec Ogletree is going to work at strong-side linebacker initially.

Ogletree is best suited for the weak side where he can chase ball carriers and cover tight ends. The Rams apparently feel comfortable with Jo-Lonn Dunbar sticking at WILL instead of flipping him to SAM. Ogletree intercepted a pass intended for the tight end on his first snap at minicamp, for what it's worth.
Source: stlouisrams.com

May 12 - 1:24 PM

 

[MHSL82]

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

Didn't realize this until now - if Flynn loses out, he will hate everything with the name Wilson - Russell Wilson, Tyler Wilson, the Wilson from Home Improvement, and the Wilson from Cast Away (maybe volleyball and tennis altogether). He'll also have been, in consecutive seasons, been replaced pre-season by a 3rd and 4th rounder, respectively.

 

[BINGO]

Tavon Austin - WR - Rams

Coach Jeff Fisher confirmed he envisions a big role for Tavon Austin right away.

Fisher wants Austin to be a weapon out of the slot, take some handoffs out of the backfield and be a factor in the return game. "We're going to try to get the ball to him as often as we can, however we do that," Fisher said. The Rams clearly envision Austin influencing games in the same vein as Randall Cobb and Percy Harvin. They're loading up his plate.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com

May 14 - 9:09 AM

 

[BINGO]

MarQueis Gray - RB - 49ers

49ers undrafted rookie H-back MarQueis Gray is trying to learn the old Delanie Walker role.

Gray was a quarterback and wide receiver in college. Now the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder is being asked to do some in-line blocking, run routes and carry the ball a little. "It's very hard," he said, "but you've just got to stay in the playbook and overcome adversity. ... Blocking and terminology being up front with the big guys – that's the biggest part of being a tight end." Gray could use a year on the practice squad.
Source: 49ers.com

May 14 - 8:46 AM

 

[BINGO]

Matt Barkley - QB - Eagles

According to NFL.com's Albert Breer, Matt Barkley has displayed "fantastic accuracy" in Eagles rookie minicamp.

However, Breer admits there's a "sizable" gap in arm strength between Barkley and Michael Vick. Barkley's accuracy has never been a question mark, so it would be news if he wasn't fantastically accurate in pad-less practices. Barkley's weak arm is the reason he's facing middling odds of carving out a long and productive NFL career.
Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

May 14 - 1:56 PM

 

[I_am_1z]

Matt McGloin signs with Oakland.

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/dream-chasers-matt-mcgloin-001000786.html

 

[BINGO]

Terrance Williams - WR - Cowboys

Bryan Broaddus of the Cowboys' official site notes that third-round WR Terrance Williams has a "long way to go."

Williams' first month in the NFL has been rocky. He didn't impress at the rookie camp thanks to drops and apparently hasn't shown much progress during OTAs. Williams is not a lock to beat out Dwayne Harris for the No. 3 wideout gig.
Source: Bryan Broaddus on Twitter

May 28 - 8:43 AM

 

[BINGO]

Markus Wheaton - WR - Steelers

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah believes No. 79 overall pick Markus Wheaton is "perfect" for the Steelers, and compares his toughness to Hines Ward's.

"He fits the new mold they've got there, guys who can win one-on-ones with quickness, but he's also got big-play ability with top speed and feisty toughness," Jeremiah said. "You can't just label him as a possession (or vertical) guy. He can't do all things at an elite level, but he's capable of doing everything." Wheaton should give fading veteran Jerricho Cotchery a run for his money in the battle for No. 3 duties.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

May 27 - 1:42 PM

 

[BINGO]

Eddie Lacy - RB - Packers

The Denver Post reports "at least three teams" believed No. 61 overall pick RB Eddie Lacy could have issues with his surgically-repaired toe "within two or three seasons."

Both Lacy and Alabama's team doctor have insisted there's no reason to worry about his toe, but many teams believe differently. Where there's this much injury smoke, there's usually fire, so it's possible Lacy isn't in store for a particularly long NFL career. As for 2012, Lacy is in good position to claim early-down and goal-line duties. He's on the RB2 radar.
Source: Denver Post

May 27 - 1:14 PM

 

[BINGO]

Tavon Austin - WR - Rams

No. 8 pick WR Tavon Austin took some snaps at running back in Rams OTAs Friday.

It's not a surprise for a player who rushed for 643 yards last season, but is further confirmation the Rams will use Austin all over the formation. St. Louis hopes to have found its own version of Percy Harvin and Randall Cobb.
Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

May 27 - 12:28 PM

 

[BINGO]

Lane Johnson - T - Eagles

Eagles OL coach Jeff Stoutland calls No. 4 pick OT Lane Johnson "everything that we thought he would be."

"From a skill set standpoint, he’s really good," Stoutland said. "His arms are long. He’s explosive. ... Now, the things that we knew about even coming into the draft, we’ve got to get him into some really good habits right now. That’s just everyday stuff — over and over and over so it becomes a good habit." Perhaps the most freakish athlete in this year's draft class, Johnson is currently penciled in at right tackle.
Source: CSN Philly

May 27 - 10:11 AM

 

[BINGO]

Larry Warford - G - Lions

MLive.com confirms third-round OG Larry Warford is the "early favorite" to replace Stephen Peterman at right guard.

We'd call him the heavy favorite. After drawing interest from the Rams at No. 30, Warford will be competing with journeyman Dylan Gandy and 2012 practice-squader Rodney Austin. Something will have gone wrong if Warford doesn't win.
Source: MLive.com

May 27 - 8:45 AM

 

[BINGO]

Ezekiel Ansah - DL - Lions

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions will "try to cram" as much football knowledge as "humanly possible" into No. 5 pick DE Ziggy Ansah before Week 1.

"It’s all new to him," coach Jim Schwartz said. "It helped that we had him a week at the Senior Bowl. He got introduced to some of the techniques that we play. But all our rookies, their heads are spinning right now. A lot’s being asked of them." Schwartz believes refining Ansah's raw technique will be a "constant process." Schwartz had previously insisted the Lions didn't draft Ansah as a project, but his comments suggest otherwise.
Source: Detroit Free Press

May 27 - 8:24 AM

 

[BINGO]

Zach Ertz - TE - Eagles

The Eagles are working with second-round TE Zach Ertz on his blocking.

"[Receiving] is his strength," said TEs coach Ted Williams. "But he is big enough, he’s strong enough, he’s willing and we’ve got to be able to get him to be an in-line tight end. We have to produce that skill in him because ... you’ve got to be able to do both." One NFL scout characterized Ertz as a receiver because his blocking was so poor. His role in Chip Kelly's offense is up in the air.
Source: Philly Mag: Birds 24/7

May 25 - 2:33 PM

 

[BINGO]

Aaron Dobson - WR - Patriots

NFL Films' Greg Cosell believes Patriots second-round pick Aaron Dobson is similar to Larry Fitzgerald in terms of size and hands.

Dobson didn't drop a single pass as a senior at Marshall. "This is going to sound crazy, but I thought that his size/hand combination, at times, reminded me of Larry Fitzgerald," Cosell said. "He’s not Larry Fitzgerald, obviously, but he’s a big kid who can move very well with really good hands. ... Overall an excellent combination of size, fluid movement and hands."
Source: Boston Globe

May 24 - 1:43 PM

 

[BINGO]

Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Cardinals third-round FS Tyrann Mathieu enters the NFL in the league's drug test program.

That means Mathieu is subject to as many as ten drug tests per month. The 21-year-old former LSU Tiger's off-the-field drug problems are well-documented, and he has repeated several times that he's fine with drug testing and that his issues are behind him. Mathieu signed his four-year rookie deal on Thursday, and he received just $265,000 up front. Another $355,000 is available in roster bonuses from 2014-2016, and they will void if he ends up getting suspended.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

May 23 - 7:21 PM

 

[NinerSickness]

D.J. Hayden of Oakland Raiders out until training camp with abdominal surgery - ESPN

 

[BINGO]

D.J. Hayden of Oakland Raiders out until training camp with abdominal surgery - ESPN

D.J. Hayden - DB - Raiders

A source tells ESPN that D.J. Hayden's abdominal surgery is related to his previous heart surgery.

Last year, Hayden tore the vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body to the heart after a collision at practice. Doctors had to cut through his sternum in order to save his life. Many teams gave Hayden a medical red flag on draft day, but the Raiders gladly took him 12th overall and said he was at no further risk of injury. He began to feel symptoms during OTAs last week and remains in the hospital now. Hayden's status for camp is unclear.
Source: ESPN.com

May 29 - 8:23 AM