NFL Training Camp is in full swing, and some rookies who don't have large names are making a big impact.
It's that time of the year when the NFL is busy at training camp. Rookies and vets return to work, hoping to be the last team standing in February. However, it's the former group that tends to grab the most attention as they look to take a big step in their football life.
There is the group that heard their name called in April, and there is the other group who didn't but made enough of an impression during the rookie minicamp that convinced coaches that they needed to come along for training camp and get a shot against the veterans.
Amongst the rookies are a few, drafted and undrafted, that stand out amongst the veterans and have them looking over their shoulders and thinking, "this kid is good." Those kinds of youngsters not only shine out in preseason, but they make enough of an impression to be on the final 53.
Let's visit five of those players; remember that both types of rookies are included.
NFL rookies turning heads: 5. Jamal Woods, Indianapolis Colts, DT
Huh? How can a UDFA with minimal stats in college suddenly get to the pros and make such an impact in rookie minicamp or training camp? According to James Boyd of The Athletic and Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, pre-assumptions amount to nothing.
"His explosiveness, I think, in rookie minicamp is what jumped out at us," Bradley said, per James Boyd of The Athletic. "We felt like even in the short period of time, just watching the drill work — obviously, his film work that we studied before, but the way he came in, the way he approached it and some of his explosiveness showed up in that short period of time."
Say what you want about Bradley as a head coach in Jacksonville; the man knows about explosiveness on the line of scrimmage and how it helps a team win games. If Woods can pick up a few tricks from the veterans on the Colts' defensive line, who knows how long it will be before he reaches his full potential? So far, he's shown something, or he wouldn't be sticking around.
NFL rookies turning heads: 4. Drew Sanders, Denver Broncos, LB
A third-round pick from Arkansas, Sanders has a unique frame to him. A tall linebacker but with great anticipation of the snap count. It probably explains why Denver felt he would come in and make an impact. According to early reports, it looks like Sanders is exactly that and more. CBS Sports reported Sanders had an early pick-six that caught the eye of coaches and players alike.
"Drew is an unreal athlete," fellow Broncos rookie Marvin Mims Jr. said, via SI.com. "He's looked like that since senior year in high school. I mean, the dude is unbelievable."
Hmm. Unreal? Well, bless those scales and feathers. If Sanders can live up to that name, two groups of Sanders could be making noise in the Rocky Mountain state (Deion Sanders and Colorado).
NFL rookies turning heads: 3. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans, QB
Well, if you are the No. 2 overall pick, you had better be turning heads in training camp, and from the outskirts and reports from ESPN, CJ Stroud is doing that while being engaged in a QB battle with last year's starter Davis Mills, who helped the Texans land the No. 2 overall pick thanks to a last-second win over the Indianapolis Colts.
"That's my brother, man. I'm happy for him, but his situation is his situation, and mine is mine," Stroud said. "I know that I gotta work on on my end and do whatever I have to do to make this team better. It's not about the starter, who's not the starter. It's about getting better for Week 1 against Baltimore. Right now, we are building as a team. It's not just falling individuals."
Nice words, but Stroud was taken No. 2 for a reason. Houston is in dire need of a franchise QB, having not had one since Deshaun Watson. Stroud has already gotten the organization's attention. Still, he must continue that trend, prepare for the upcoming season, and ultimately be the starter and franchise guy the Texans invested in.
NFL rookies turning heads: 2. Tyrique Stevenson, Chicago Bears, CB
Well, can't really be surprised because of the current situation in the Windy City. With Jaylon Johnson as the only productive starting cornerback last season and Kyler Gordon going through rookie pains at times, reinforcements were required. As such, Chicago opted to draft Stevenson in Round 2.
Though the attention has been placed on Justin Fields for much of the offseason, and rightfully so, the Bears' defense wasn't exactly top-notch either. They essentially were abysmal, which makes sense when a team starts the rebuilding process from scratch. New talent is required, and Chicago has brought it into their organization.
Stevenson has shown out in practice, and given the current situation, he and fellow rookie Terell Smith have no choice but to stand out. General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus will not stand for non-maximum effort and non-maximum intensity. Steveson is showing it so far, which is good. He needs to keep it up.
NFL rookies turning heads: 1. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers, QB
Yes, we had one UDFA, two Day Two picks, and the top two quarterbacks in the draft compile this list. It is what it is, but the omission of Bryce Young is unfair, considering what Carolina had to do to get him into their organization. They had to make a blockbuster trade with the Bears in order to land Young, and the price wasn't cheap.
Draft choices and wide receiver DJ Moore were shipped to Chicago to bring the Tuscaloosa superstar to town. So far, the word out of camp is that Young has taken control of the offense, getting first-team reps and looking sharp. That's everything you would expect from a guy taken at the very top of the draft.
Head Coach Frank Reich has a tall order ahead of him in trying to help the Panthers franchise get back to consistency. The good news is he has a young franchise quarterback to build around. Now, it's on the organization to put the right pieces around him to help him have any chance of success.
