2014 NFL ROOKIES

[BINGO]

Donte Moncrief - WR - Colts

Third-round WR Donte Moncrief is in the mix for No. 4 receiver duties.

The No. 4 job was supposed to be between Da'Rick Rogers and Griff Whalen while the 20-year-old Moncrief developed. But the Combine freak has been impressing, even earning some first-team reps. It's a great sign for Moncrief's Dynasty value.
Source: ESPN.com

Jul 31 - 9:58 AM

 

[BINGO]

Devonta Freeman - RB - Falcons

Falcons RBs coach Gerald Brown said Devonta Freeman is "going to be a really good receiver for us."

Freeman has reportedly shown "flashes" of every-down ability so far in camp, something we're watching very closely. Steven Jackson, already over the hill and a poor candidate to make it through the season, is currently sidelined by a multi-week hamstring pull. Note that Rotoworld's NCAA prospect guru Josh Norris was especially high on Andre Ellington and Zac Stacy last year. This year, his No. 1 running back in the draft was Freeman.
Source: ESPN.com

Jul 31 - 9:12 AM

 

[BINGO]

James White - RB - Patriots

Coach Bill Belichick sees fourth-round RB James White as a three-down back.

White was pegged as a "passing back" by some as he came out of Wisconsin, but the Patriots don't see it that way. "He does a good job in the passing game and in the running game -- both inside and outside. ... I think he has the ability to compete on all three downs, in both the running game and the passing game," said Belichick. White is shaping up as the primary backup to both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.
Source: ESPN Boston

Jul 31 - 9:05 AM

 

[BINGO]

Johnny Manziel - QB - Browns

Johnny Manziel has unofficially completed just 42-of-85 passes (49.4 percent) during 7-on-7 and team drills at training camp.

Manziel's off-field activities continue to draw headlines, but the Browns should be more concerned with his on-field work. At this point, he has not performed well enough to draw first-team reps. Brian Hoyer, a former UDFA and journeyman who is coming off an ACL tear, continues to get all the snaps with the "ones."
Source: ESPN Cleveland

Jul 31 - 8:57 AM

 

[BINGO]

Austin Seferian-Jenkins - TE - Buccaneers

After visiting Bucs camp Wednesday, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah came away believing team brass is "pumped" about second-round TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is "picking things up quickly."

Coach Lovie Smith stated at the start of camp that ASJ was "behind a lot" after missing spring work due to the University of Washington's late graduation. Things have apparently changed in a hurry for Seferian-Jenkins, who "made a lot of plays" during Wednesday's workouts. At 6'6/252 with a 37 1/2-inch vertical, ASJ is a rookie to monitor in touchdown-heavy fantasy leagues.
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter

Jul 30 - 11:18 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jordan Matthews - WR - Eagles

Second-round pick Jordan Matthews is still running with the second-team offense at Eagles camp.

Brad Smith is working as Philly's first-team slot receiver, presumably out of veteran deference. Matthews figures to pass Smith in short order. Per beat writer Jeff McLane, Matthews "has made all the catches so far" in camp, and particularly "shined" on Wednesday. Matthews' ADP is the late-11th round.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Jul 30 - 11:11 PM

 

[BINGO]

Teddy Bridgewater - QB - Vikings

NFL Network's Albert Breer's "sense is" Teddy Bridgewater has "closed the gap" on Matt Cassel.

This is certainly the way the wind is blowing. One report even indicated Bridgewater handled more first-team throws than Cassel at Wednesday's practice, by a 13 to 11 count. Christian Ponder opened camp sprinkled in with the ones, but his reps have gone to Teddy. Of all this year's rookie quarterbacks, Bridgewater has emerged as the likeliest to start his team's season opener.
Source: Albert Breer on Twitter

Jul 30 - 10:43 PM

 

[BINGO]

Marqise Lee - WR - Jaguars

Second-round pick Marqise Lee is lining up "all over the field" at Jaguars camp, and OC Jedd Fisch is "finding ways to feed him the ball."

"Marqise has that speed factor," coach Gus Bradley observed. "He has a chance to break one and is extremely quick. He’s freakish in his skill set in some of the things he does." With Allen Robinson at X receiver and Cecil Shorts (hamstring) on the shelf, Lee is working as the Jags' movement Z wideout and getting reps in the slot. He's got a legitimate shot to lead the team in 2014 targets.
Source: Florida Times Union

Jul 30 - 9:00 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jace Amaro - TE - Jets

Jets rookie TE Jace Amaro continues to struggle with mental mistakes and drops in camp.

Amaro's main struggles are with X's and O's. He played in a very simple, no-huddle attack at Texas Tech, and has found the transition to the Jets' more sophisticated offense a difficult one. Amaro has time to turn it around, but he appears unlikely to be a fantasy contributor in year one.
Source: ESPN New York

Jul 30 - 7:55 PM

 

[BINGO]

Eric Ebron - TE - Lions

The Detroit Free Press reports first-round TE Eric Ebron has dropped "an inordinate number" of passes through spring and the first two days of camp.

Before the draft, at least one NFL scout questioned Ebron's hands, especially when going over the middle. He had an 11.4 percent drop rate last season at UNC. Coach Jim Caldwell isn't worried, and blames Ebron learning so many positions and thinking too much for his shaky hands. It could be an up-and-down rookie year for Ebron. He's a late flier in re-draft, but we love him in Dynasty.
Source: Detroit Free Press

Jul 30 - 9:56 AM

 

[BINGO]

Demarcus Lawrence - DL - Cowboys

Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence is getting x-rays on his right foot and ankle after being forced from practice Tuesday.

Lawrence went down awkwardly on his right ankle while working against Tyron Smith in a one-on-one drill. He struggled to put weight on the leg after the injury, and eventually had to be helped off the field. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but the loss of Lawrence could be a devastating one for a Dallas defense already desperate for pass rushers. (And good defensive players, in general.)
Source: Clarence Hill on Twitter

Jul 29 - 9:01 PM

 

[BINGO]

Kelvin Benjamin - WR - Panthers

Kelvin Benjamin (knee) fully expects to be ready for the preseason.

Benjamin has a bone bruise. "I’m coming back even harder, 10 times harder," he said. "I’m getting a lot of treatment, just get better." Carolina's first preseason game is in 10 days. Even if Benjamin ultimately sits that out, he should be ready to rock by the time the Panthers host the Chiefs on August 17.
Source: Charlotte Observer

Jul 29 - 5:04 PM

 

[BINGO]

Colt Lyerla - TE - Packers

Packers undrafted rookie TE Colt Lyerla was relegated to the scout team on the third day of training camp.

Lyerla is at the bottom of the depth chart in a group that includes seven tight ends. The good news for Lyerla is that the tight end spot in Green Bay is the most wide-open position on the team. Lyerla has all the measurables and talent to make a quick climb once the pads come on and preseason games get under way. It's a reminder that Lyerla is a classic boom-or-bust prospect.
Source: ESPN.com

Jul 29 - 11:29 AM

 

[BINGO]

Christian Jones - LB - Bears

The Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell is becoming convinced that undrafted rookie LB Christian Jones is going to make the Bears' 53-man roster.

The ex-Florida State linebacker can drop in coverage, and is apparently showing well against the run at camp. LBs coach Reggie Herring recently called Jones raw, but the team is said to be high on him. A failed drug test at the Combine likely was the main reason he didn't hear his name called at the draft. Jones could push converted SLB Shea McClellin for snaps sooner than expected. He'll likely be an immediate contributor on kick coverage units.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Jul 29 - 10:23 AM

 

[BINGO]

Terrance West - RB - Browns

Browns RBs coach Wilbert Montgomery said rookie Terrance West "has some shades of Brian Westbrook."

"He can break you down with his right leg. He can break you down with his left leg," Montgomery continued. "He has that Ricky Watters, Walter Payton, lure-you-to-sleep-on-the-sideline move that I can accelerate or play like I’m going to accelerate and come back inside. Those are traits I haven’t seen in a while." High praise. However, this all came after Montgomery called Ben Tate "the guy" in the Cleveland backfield. The battle between the two is just beginning.
Source: Akron Beacon-Journal

Jul 29 - 9:54 AM

 

[BINGO]

Odell Beckham - WR - Giants

Odell Beckham (hamstring) will miss at least another week after his MRI came back negative for a tear on Monday.

While it's good he doesn't have a tear, Beckham's strain has lingered since the spring and become a fairly major concern early in training camp. The Giants hope he'll be back by their second preseason game. OBJ is competing for snaps with Jerrel Jernigan behind Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle. If he can't kick the injury, it's conceivable Beckham would open the season as the Giants' No. 4 receiver. We don't see much reason to take a flier on OBJ in re-draft leagues.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger

Jul 28 - 9:33 PM

 

[BINGO]

Kelvin Benjamin - WR - Panthers

Panthers first-round WR Kelvin Benjamin has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee, and is day to day.

According to coach Ron Rivera, there's no structural damage, but Benjamin's knee is "inflamed." The Panthers can breathe a sigh of relief, but Benjamin is still going to miss some all-important practice time as he attempts to get up to speed as the Panthers' de facto No. 1 receiver. He'll be a boom-or-bust option as a rookie. The Panthers' offense will be in dire straits if Benjamin doesn't "boom."
Source: Joseph Person on Twitter

Jul 28 - 3:37 PM

 

[BINGO]

Khalil Mack - LB - Raiders

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie has compared first-round OLB Khalil Mack to Clay Matthews.

No pressure, kid. "He's one of those guys that knows how to set the edge, and he has length and power and some tools to rush the passer," McKenzie said of his first-rounder. "He's got that first step, he can bend, he's relentless." Although it's rarely a favor to compare a young player to an established star, McKenzie has every reason to be excited. Mack will be a threat for double-digit sacks as a rookie, and should be in the conversation for DROY.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Jul 28 - 3:20 PM

 

[BINGO]

Jeremy Hill - RB - Bengals

Second-round pick Jeremy Hill has continued to run ahead of BenJarvus Green-Ellis in Bengals camp.

Hill was inserted as the power complement to Gio Bernard at OTAs and hasn't looked back. Per ESPN Bengals reporter Coley Harvey, Green-Ellis "doesn't appear poised to emerge from their shadows any time soon" as he runs with the second- and third-stringers. The Law Firm is now thought to be competing with Rex Burkhead for one roster spot. Even if he sticks, it's clear Hill is the bigger, younger, better option. The LSU rookie is a great value at his current ninth-round ADP, as 200 carries and 7-10 touchdowns are well within reach.
Source: ESPN.com

Jul 28 - 12:30 PM

 

[BINGO]

This is the UDFA we should have targeted immediately after the draft. Our situation would have been much much better (cut LMJ, and give Lattimore another year to rehab):

Isaiah Crowell - RB - Browns

The Browns reportedly think they have "a keeper" in UDFA RB Isaiah Crowell.

Crowell appears to have a strong chance at securing No. 3 back duties behind Ben Tate and Terrance West. Crowell was a five-star recruit to Georgia who put up a 185-850-4.6-5 stat line in 2011 as a true freshman. Per ESPN Cleveland, the staff is "really high" Crowell and he's gotten "a lot of early looks."
Source: Foxsports.com

Jul 28 - 9:36 AM