Greater than two months earlier than coaching camps open, groups are already getting a great take a look at rookies in mini-camps and envisioning the roles they might play for the 2024 season.
With that in thoughts, we requested Yardbarker’s NFL writers to establish the rookie on every NFC group who might change a veteran as a starter.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | DE Marshawn Kneeland | Dallas has 700-plus snaps to fill after shedding defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler to free company. Kneeland gained’t change Professional Bowlers DeMarcus Lawrence or Micah Parsons, however after 28 tackles for loss with Western Michigan, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound run-stopper ought to see work on early downs, presumably forward of Sam Williams, the group’s second-round decide in 2022.
NEW YORK GIANTS | RB Tyrone Tracy (fifth-round decide) | With 5 years’ expertise at large receiver, Tracy ought to play as a third-down again, however at 5-foot-11 and 210 kilos, he might take snaps from RB Devin Singletary, the NFL’s Twenty first-leading rusher final season. At Purdue final season, Tracy averaged 6.3 yards per try (4.44 after contact) and compelled 46 missed tackles on simply 114 carries, per Professional Soccer Focus.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | LB Jalyx Hunt (third-round decide) | New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio loves Hunt however can’t be impressed with linebacker Nolan Smith, who had one sack and performed simply 16% of snaps as a rookie in 2023. With 46 tackles (9 for loss,) 6.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, two pressured fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one blocked kick and a pick-six in 2023 at Houston Christian, the previous faculty security might simply soar the road in Philadelphia’s defensive rotation.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | WR Luke McCaffrey (third-round decide) | Jahan Dotson, the sixteenth total decide within the 2022 NFL Draft, has simply 1,041 yards receiving in two years with the group. McCaffrey led Rice with 13 landing catches final season and with three inches and 13 kilos on Dotson (5-foot-11, 182 kilos), the previous faculty quarterback might simply turn into the group’s No. 2 receiver and a favourite goal of its new quarterback, Jayden Daniels. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Working again Trey Benson (second spherical decide) | Veteran James Conner is coming off a profession yr, however the Cardinals used a second-round decide on Florida State’s Benson (1,896 yards dashing previous two seasons). He is likely one of the prime backs within the 2024 class and will give Arizona’s working recreation a giant enhance and take taking part in time away from Conner, who’s 29.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Working again Blake Corum (third spherical decide) | Kyren Williams had an important season for the Rams in 2023 (1,144 yards dashing), however he performs an especially unforgiving place, one in which there’s at all times anyone youthful and more energizing able to take your spot. Williams’ heavy workload final season (228 carries) opens the door for him to put on down this season, giving former Michigan star Corum an opportunity to steal carries and even begin.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | OL Dominick Puni (third spherical decide) | Though the 49ers have all 5 starters returning on their offensive line, it’s nonetheless a unit that may use upgrades. That’s very true on the appropriate aspect, the place former Kansas standout Puni has the flexibility to play both guard and sort out. That might spell bother for both guard Spencer Burford or sort out Colton McKivitz.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Guard Christian Haynes (third spherical) | Fixing the inside offensive line is a giant precedence, so former Connecticut standout Haynes might begin straight away. He most probably would take the spot of guard Anthony Bradford, who made 10 begins final season for the Seahawks. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | Working again/kick returner Ian Wheeler (undrafted) | Among the many rookies, quarterback Caleb Williams and large receiver Rome Odunze are Day 1 starters, however undrafted free agent Wheeler might be a part of them. A star working again at Howard, Wheeler had 1,322 yards (31.5 YPA) and three touchdowns as a kick returner (52 makes an attempt), which means he might doubtlessly push for the position in Chicago presently occupied by WR Velus Jones, who’s already on the sizzling seat.
DETROIT LIONS | Defensive sort out Mekhi Wingo (sixth-round decide) | The ex-LSU standout slipped a bit within the draft, maybe because of his 6-foot, 286-pound body, however he posted the second-fastest three-cone drill (7.33 seconds) and third-fastest 20-yard shuttle (4.45 seconds) amongst DTs on the mix. Wingo might contend for a spot forward of Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike alongside the line of defense. He might additionally begin at edge-rusher, the place he lined up throughout rookie mini-camp.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Middle Jacob Monk (fifth-round decide) | Monk impressed in his ultimate yr at Duke, permitting just one sack in 343 pass-blocking snaps, and will begin at heart ultimately. He has common dimension for the place (6-foot-3, 310 kilos), however Monk is speedy, athletic and has large versatility, beginning video games at proper guard (36), proper sort out (12) and heart (10) in faculty. That places him in wonderful place to compete with Josh Myers and Sean Rhyan for the beginning RG spot.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | CB Khyree Jackson (fourth-round decide) | A giant, bodily cornerback with closing velocity, Jackson has large upside, permitting just one landing and a 41.6 passer ranking in 320 protection snaps final season with Oregon. With a stable camp, Jackson might overtake 2022 fourth-round decide Akayleb Evans, who completed seventieth amongst cornerbacks in 2023 with a 52.5 ranking, per Professional Soccer Focus. — Mike Santa Barbara
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | EDGE Bralen Trice (third-round decide) | His Washington Huskies teammate Michael Penix Jr. may need a protracted wait to turn into Atlanta’s beginning quarterback, however Trice might problem for a beginning position on the line of defense with a powerful camp. The Falcons had one of many league’s worst go rushes final season, so Trice would possibly be capable of unseat veteran Lorenzo Carter.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (fourth-round decide) | Carolina in all probability didn’t spend the primary decide of Day 3 on Sanders to have him sit behind tight ends Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble for lengthy. The 2-year starter at Texas had 99 receptions for 1,295 yards and 7 landing catches the previous two seasons.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | QB Spencer Rattler (fifth-round decide) | Rattler’s surprising drop to Day 3 might finally be a blessing for the previous five-star recruit. The previous South Carolina star ought to have an opportunity to earn the No. 2 spot behind Derek Carr, who was pressured to depart three video games final season because of damage. And if Carr falters, who is aware of?
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | WR Jalen McMillan (third-round decide) | McMillan can instantly compete for the slot-receiver position in Tampa’s offense with wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin lined up on the surface. He performed alongside Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk at Washington, so he already is aware of tips on how to stand out in a crowded subject. — Eric Smithling
