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NFL Teams Highlight Rookies and Veterans Making Early Impressions
Coaches across the league described several players who stood out during spring practices and minicamp. The observations cover wide receivers, tight ends and a defensive tackle who received extra repetitions or showed consistency.
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Coaches and staff members from eight NFL teams identified players who impressed them during offseason workouts. The observations focus on rookies and second-year players who earned additional repetitions or showed consistency in drills.
Bears coach Ben Johnson said a rookie wide receiver who ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine received ample reps as a punt returner and showed offensive skill. "He tends to make a play almost every single day right now that says, OK, if we can harness all of this energy and make sure that we can trust him and he's going to align where he needs to and run the route the way we need him to, that we really could use him and he could be a big weapon for us this year," Johnson said.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said a second-year wide receiver "feels like a veteran right now" and called his work during Phase 2, OTAs and minicamp consistent. Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft said the team signed a third tight end after another club released him and added that the player caught five passes for 36 yards and a touchdown in eight games last season.
Minnesota Vikings coaches placed an undrafted rookie wide receiver with the second team during spring drills, indicating early consideration for a depth role.
Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie gave a 30-year-old defensive tackle the nickname "Kingpin" after the player solidified a role on a unit focused on run defense. Carolina Panthers staff members drafted a wide receiver in the third round despite an existing starter on the roster; the 6-foot-5 rookie showed impact in OTAs and minicamp.
New Orleans Saints coaches gave a fourth-round wide receiver extra repetitions during minicamp while other receivers were limited or injured; he scored touchdowns in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaches noted a wide receiver who had five touchdowns as a rookie last season caught two more scores from a quarterback in the team's final practice.
