With all NFL coaching camps open, some gamers are already making sturdy impressions.
May rookies supplant veteran extensive receivers in Miami and Pittsburgh? Will a wideout in Houston who performed sparingly in 2023 earn important taking part in 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 assert 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 observe for the job. He began on Buffalo’s first-team protection throughout its first and fourth practices.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | Extensive receiver Malik Washington | With veteran wideout Odell Beckham Jr. touchdown on the bodily unable to carry out checklist, Washington could have an opportunity to earn reps because the first-team offense’s No. 3 receiver. A sixth-round decide, Washington was one of the vital 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, according to Athlon Sports’ Nick Faria.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Extensive receiver Javon Baker | In response to 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 could be a dependable deep-threat goal for New England as a rookie. — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | Extensive receiver Marvin Mims Jr. | Mims’ workload ought to enhance 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 recreation 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 recreation. This offseason, Anudike-Uzomah trained with former Chiefs Professional Bowl DE Tamba Hali to hone his pass-rushing expertise. Maybe that can pay dividends.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Extensive receiver Tre Tucker | Veteran WR Michael Gallup’s surprising retirement might give Tucker extra alternatives. The third-round pick of Cincinnati flashed big-play skill 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 said, “(Hart) might go a great distance on this recreation” 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 general decide within the 2024 NFL Draft. He could also be a bit undersized at simply 182 kilos, however common supervisor Eric DeCosta believes he was “one of the best cowl nook within the draft.”
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Operating again Chase Brown | The Bengals should discover a option 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 displaying off his receiving skill with 14 catches for 156 yards and a landing as a rookie.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Defensive sort out Mike Corridor Jr. | The Browns placed veteran defensive sort out Dalvin Tomlinson on the bodily unable to carry out checklist, which can permit Corridor Jr. to get invaluable reps and state his case in Tomlinson’s absence. The No. 54 general 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 | Extensive receiver Roman Wilson | The Steelers signed veteran extensive receivers Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller this offseason in hopes of filling the void left by Diontae Johnson, whom the group traded to Carolina in March. Nonetheless, Wilson, a third-round decide, might show to be Pittsburgh’s finest No. 2 possibility reverse George Pickens after reeling in 48 catches for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns throughout his closing yr at Michigan. — Aaron Becker
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | Extensive receiver John Metchie | The beginning of Metchie’s NFL profession was interrupted by a terrifying leukemia diagnosis that saved him out for all the 2022 season. He returned in 2023 however appears primed to do rather more after impressing quarterback C.J. Stroud in minicamp by working a few of the “best routes” he’d ever seen. In coaching camp, he obtained the one of the best 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 dimension (6-foot-7, 253 kilos) and pace (4.61 40-yard dash), 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 function.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Cornerback Jarrian Jones | A 3rd-round decide on this yr’s draft, Jones has the potential to make an influence. He has obtained praise for his work on particular groups early in coaching camp, displaying outstanding coverage skills 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 skill to play inside or outdoors might finally result in extra alternatives in Tennesee’s 3-4 scheme. — Mike Santa Barbara
