With all NFL coaching camps open, some gamers are already making sturdy impressions.
Might rookies supplant veteran huge receivers in Miami and Pittsburgh? Will a wideout in Houston who performed sparingly in 2023 earn vital enjoying time?
Yardbarker NFL writers determine one potential quick riser on the depth chart for all 16 AFC groups.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | Security Damar Hamlin | Two years faraway from his on-field cardiac arrest, Hamlin finds himself within the combine to say the beginning security place reverse Taylor Rapp. He should beat out free-agent signing Mike Edwards and rookie Cole Bishop, however Hamlin might have the within monitor for the job. He began on Buffalo’s first-team protection throughout its first and fourth practices.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | Vast receiver Malik Washington | With veteran wideout Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown on the bodily unable to carry out checklist, Washington may have an opportunity to earn reps because the first-team offense’s No. 3 receiver. A sixth-round decide, Washington was probably the most productive gamers in school soccer final season for Virginia, catching an FBS-high and ACC-record 110 passes for 1,426 yards and 9 touchdowns.
NEW YORK JETS | Edge rusher Takkarist McKinley | Edge rusher Haason Reddick’s holdout has opened the door for McKinley, who could not crack an NFL roster final season after his launch by the Cowboys. The previous first-round decide has made essentially the most of his alternative, racking up six sacks in three practices, in response to Athlon Sports activities’ Nick Faria.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Vast receiver Javon Baker | Based on Boston.com’s Khari Thompson, Baker, a fourth-round decide, hasn’t obtained many first-team reps to date, however that would quickly change as he’s turning heads in coaching camp. The 6-foot-1, 202-pounder has made a number of spectacular catches, offering optimism that he is usually a dependable deep-threat goal for New England as a rookie. — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | Vast receiver Marvin Mims Jr. | Mims’ workload ought to improve after Denver’s commerce of WR Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns in March. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Broncos plan to make use of the second-year wideout as an “explosive play man” within the passing sport and within the new kickoff returns setup.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Defensive finish Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Anudike-Uzomah ought to fill in for beginning DE Charles Omenihu, who’s recovering from an ACL tear he suffered within the AFC title sport. This offseason, Anudike-Uzomah educated with former Chiefs Professional Bowl DE Tamba Hali to hone his pass-rushing expertise. Maybe that may pay dividends.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Vast receiver Tre Tucker | Veteran WR Michael Gallup’s surprising retirement might give Tucker extra alternatives. The third-round pick of Cincinnati flashed big-play capacity in 16 video games throughout his rookie season, main the Raiders in yards per reception (17.4).
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Cornerback Cam Hart | Per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper, the rookie impressed in the course of the first day of coaching camp with a spectacular interception. Following the apply, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh stated, “(Hart) might go a good distance on this sport” if he retains enhancing. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Cornerback Nate Wiggins | Veterans Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens will get the primary nod as beginning outdoors corners, however don’t overlook Wiggins, the No. 30 total decide within the 2024 NFL Draft. He could also be a bit undersized at simply 182 kilos, however normal supervisor Eric DeCosta believes he was “the most effective cowl nook within the draft.”
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Working again Chase Brown | The Bengals should discover a strategy to substitute their third all-time main rusher, Joe Mixon, after buying and selling him to the Texans in March. Cincinnati signed veteran Zack Moss in free company, however Brown, a fifth-round decide in 2023, might show to be the reply after averaging 4.1 yards per carry and exhibiting off his receiving capacity with 14 catches for 156 yards and a landing as a rookie.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Defensive deal with Mike Corridor Jr. | The Browns positioned veteran defensive deal with Dalvin Tomlinson on the bodily unable to carry out checklist, which can permit Corridor Jr. to get helpful reps and state his case in Tomlinson’s absence. The No. 54 total decide was Cleveland’s first choice within the 2024 NFL Draft after registering 45 tackles (10 for a loss) and 6 sacks at Ohio State.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Vast receiver Roman Wilson | The Steelers signed veteran huge receivers Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller this offseason in hopes of filling the void left by Diontae Johnson, whom the staff traded to Carolina in March. Nonetheless, Wilson, a third-round decide, might show to be Pittsburgh’s greatest No. 2 choice reverse George Pickens after reeling in 48 catches for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns throughout his closing 12 months at Michigan. — Aaron Becker
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | Vast receiver John Metchie | The beginning of Metchie’s NFL profession was interrupted by a terrifying leukemia analysis that saved him out for the whole 2022 season. He returned in 2023 however appears primed to do rather more after impressing quarterback C.J. Stroud in minicamp by working a number of the “greatest routes” he’d ever seen. In coaching camp, he received the the most effective of No. 1 cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Tight finish Jelani Woods | Woods missed final season with a hamstring harm however might be a breakout candidate for the Colts if wholesome. With a compelling mixture of measurement (6-foot-7, 253 kilos) and pace (4.61 40-yard sprint), he ought to separate himself from the remainder of the depth chart, together with Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory, and carve out a major position.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Cornerback Jarrian Jones | A 3rd-round decide on this 12 months’s draft, Jones has the potential to make an affect. He has obtained reward for his work on particular groups early in coaching camp, displaying excellent protection expertise and flexibility that would earn him extra snaps on the surface. He additionally might push veteran Darnell Savage for nickel reps.
TENNESSEE TITANS | Linebacker Cedric Grey | The 6-foot-2, 225-pound rookie linebacker is already in line for a spot within the rotation after a profitable four-year profession at North Carolina, the place he ranked among the many high 5 within the ACC in tackles 3 times. Grey’s sideline-to-sideline pace, instincts and talent to play inside or outdoors might in the end result in extra alternatives in Tennesee’s 3-4 scheme. — Mike Santa Barbara
