Jun 21, 2021

  • NFL NationESPN

Unlike last year, this offseason looked more like what we're used to with an in-person NFL draft, OTAs at team facilities and the return of minicamps for nearly clubs. Simply at present that it's all backside the states, we won't get another live await at players until preparation camps open around the league at the end of July.

And then who took the bull by the horns this offseason to make their marker?

We asked our NFL Nation reporters to option out a surprise standout from each of the 32 teams. Here's what they told us:

Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | Machine | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
Ocean | TB | TEN | WSH

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

WR Isaiah Hodgins

Hodgins was a standout during the beginning few days of last year's training campsite, but a shoulder injury sidelined him for the entire flavour. With a clean bill of health, he stood out once once again in OTAs and minicamp, even shedding the carmine noncontact jersey earlier the team bankrupt for the summer. Hodgins all the same has an uphill battle in a crowded Buffalo receiver room, but he has received praise from both omnibus Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

play

0:45

Which rookie QB starts more than games this year: Lance, Fields or Jones?

Domonique Foxworth shares his thoughts on which rookie NFL quarterback will take the most snaps this season.

Miami Dolphins

CB Trill Williams

Williams, an undrafted rookie out of Syracuse, is already showing his range, versatility and potential to make a roster-spot push despite a deep Dolphins defensive-back room. He nabbed an impressive interception off Tua Tagovailoa and a couple of laissez passer breakups, and generally looks like he belongs. The truthful exam will exist when the pads come up on, but Williams is definitely worth keeping an centre on. -- Cameron Wolfe

New England Patriots

LB Josh Uche

The 2020 2nd-round pick from Michigan played 17% of the defensive snaps equally a rookie but looks primed for a meaning leap this flavour. It was notable to see him paired with top linebackers Dont'a Hightower, Matt Judon, Ja'Whaun Bentley and Kyle Van Noy, and his speed, suddenness and potential as a confusing laissez passer-rusher were on display in multiple drills. -- Mike Reiss

New York Jets

LB C.J. Mosley

Mosley, who opted out final season and played only two partial games in 2019 due to injuries, is poised to accept a bounce-dorsum twelvemonth. He looked slimmer and quicker in offseason practices, which should assist the transition to a 4-3 scheme. One of the league'due south best off-brawl linebackers before signing with the Jets in 2019, Mosley now must bear witness in training campsite that he tin bit off two years' worth of rust. If he tin can, it volition be huge for the defense. -- Rich Cimini

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

WR Sammy Watkins

Coming off the worst flavor of his seven-twelvemonth career, Watkins was the Ravens' all-time receiver at minicamp. He fabricated several contested grabs and delivered the best catch of the offseason, getting separation from Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey along the sideline for a long touchdown reception. This represented a large first footstep between Watkins and Lamar Jackson in terms of chemistry. "I'one thousand non going to prevarication to you; information technology is fun," Jackson said of Watkins. "A big receiver, overnice target, fast guy. Sammy is going to make our task a lot easier." -- Jamison Hensley

Cincinnati Bengals

WR Tee Higgins

It's non often you see the team's leading receiver from the previous season go relatively unnoticed during the offseason. Merely with the addition of Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins hasn't been in the limelight as much this offseason. Still, coaches and teammates have noticed Higgins' physical evolution, which was expected after he declared for the NFL early. The onetime Clemson standout seems poised for a big flavour. -- Ben Baby

Cleveland Browns

DT Tommy Togiai

The quaternary-round pick out of Ohio State has fabricated a splash during both OTAs and minicamp. The combination of ability and quickness is there. Because one of Cleveland's projected starting defensive tackles has an injury history (Malik Jackson) and the other (Andrew Billings) didn't play in 2020 due to COVID-xix concerns, Togiai could get an important piece upwards front end for the Browns. -- Jake Trotter

Pittsburgh Steelers

CB James Pierre

The offseason departures of Mike Hilton and Steve Nelson created a few open jobs in the secondary, and Pierre is fighting hard for 1. He is jockeying for fourth dimension on the field -- likely on the outside -- and doing information technology with standout plays in mandatory minicamp. The 2d-year undrafted complimentary agent out of Florida Atlantic picked Ben Roethlisberger off twice in Wed's do, including i interception in the end zone during a 2-infinitesimal drill. Pierre played simply 27 defensive snaps last season simply was a cardinal special-teamer with 227 snaps. The Steelers take mined undrafted gratis-agent gems in the by with guys like Hilton, and Pierre's offseason workouts testify he's a solid candidate to be the next. -- Brooke Pryor

AFC Southward

Houston Texans

DL Charles Omenihu

Nosotros oasis't seen a lot of the Texans this spring -- merely three practices considering the team canceled minicamp. One histrion the Texans hope they see stand out this season is Omenihu. Without J.J. Watt, Houston needs to find other players to get to the quarterback, and defensive line coach Bobby Rex said he thinks Omenihu's versatility gives him a lot of potential to make an impact. "You can play him at a lot of positions and he can bear on the quarterback in a lot of dissimilar ways," King said. "... We expect large things from Chuck this yr." -- Sarah Barshop

Indianapolis Colts

QB Carson Wentz

How Wentz looked on the field wasn't the merely important office of the offseason equation for the Colts' new starting quarterback. The other part was how he would fit in with his teammates after reportedly non having a great relationship with his teammates while with the Philadelphia Eagles. The transition, according to those inside the organisation, has been a smooth one. "He comes in and asks near my family, my sister and things like that," running dorsum Nyheim Hines said. "As a new guy, it's pretty cool. Information technology shows that he'south caring and trying to take care of united states." And Wentz on the field? He has turned a lot of heads then far. "He has a really pretty deep brawl," Hines said. "I've liked everything I've seen from him so far." -- Mike Wells

Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Laviska Shenault Jr.

Shenault has arguably been the Jaguars' best offensive player throughout OTAs and minicamp. He's not exactly an under-the-radar guy, but with the addition of Marvin Jones Jr. and a rejuvenated DJ Chark Jr. and draft pick Travis Etienne getting reps at receiver, had Shenault not had a expert offseason, he ran the risk of getting left behind in terms of touches. The Jags are keeping him at receiver instead of trying to use him in the backfield at times, and his evolution has been ane of the highlights of the spring. -- Michael DiRocco

Tennessee Titans

QB DeShone Kizer

The backup QB position is similar insurance. You don't realize how important information technology is until y'all demand to use it. Kizer has looked skilful in OTAs and minicamp, especially when ripping throws on midrange routes beyond the heart. He spent most of his fourth dimension with the Titans last twelvemonth as a "quarantine QB" working only with QB omnibus Pat O'Hara. His quick decision-making in OTAs and minicamp is testify that he has gained a strong grasp of the playbook. Kizer's skill set is very like to Ryan Tannehill's in that he can make nearly of the throws and is adept at making plays on the move. The fifth-twelvemonth veteran is set up to compete with incumbent backup Logan Woodside. -- Turron Davenport

AFC W

Denver Broncos

WR Kendall Hinton

The last time nearly saw Hinton, he was the guy saddled with the near unenviable of tasks when he lined upward at quarterback, on 24 hours' find, for much of the Broncos' 31-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints. But when coach Vic Fangio was asked this past week if there was a player who had stood out in offseason workouts, it was Hinton. There is no question Hinton, a former Wake Wood quarterback/wide receiver, even so faces enormous odds in a crowded depth nautical chart at receiver, but he has shown plenty of improvement this spring. Added quarterback Drew Lock: "He'due south super-aggressive to the ball. You feel like you tin throw him a brawl one-on-one and he's going to go get it." -- Jeff Legwold

Kansas City Chiefs

TE Noah Gray

The fifth-round draft choice has impressed the Chiefs with his smarts, pass communicable and route running. With the Chiefs looking to keep Travis Kelce fresh over the course of a 17-game schedule, it'southward like shooting fish in a barrel to come across how Grayness could go a significant corporeality of playing fourth dimension, both in occasionally replacing Kelce and as part of multiple-tight-stop formations. -- Adam Teicher

Las Vegas Raiders

CB Nate Hobbs

The 5th-circular option from Illinois got plenty of reps at slot corner in OTAs and minicamp and was lauded past both third-yr cornerback Trayvon Mullen and new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Bradley said Hobbs, who chosen himself the "best underdog" the Raiders had always drafted on typhoon dark, was "ahead of the curve" at the position, where he was competing with second-yr nickelback Amik Robertson and veteran Nevin Lawson. -- Paul Gutierrez

Los Angeles Chargers

WR Tyron Johnson

"T-Billy," equally he is known at the facility, is a legit 4.3 guy who made the about of his 20 receptions concluding twelvemonth for 398 yards. He is actually fun to lookout running routes. In minicamp, he was a mistiness, and coaches talked him upward big-time. He's a qualified third receiver (behind Mike Williams and Keenan Allen) and should open things up for Justin Herbert. -- Shelley Smith

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

CB Nahshon Wright

Wright was something of a surprise pick in the third round, but his size (6-pes-iv, 183 pounds) made him a perfect lucifer for what coordinator Dan Quinn wants in a cornerback. Through the rookie minicamp and into the organized squad activities and mandatory minicamp, Wright has been around the ball a ton. He had multiple interceptions and a handful of laissez passer breakups. It hasn't e'er been clean and he has a long way to go, but the Cowboys might have hit on a less-than-known pick. -- Todd Archer

New York Giants

CB Madre Harper

The 2nd-year cornerback opened some eyes this bound. He came in bulked-up and in groovy shape, and took reward of a mostly vacant defensive backfield during OTAs when most of the Giants' cornerbacks didn't nourish. That created an opportunity Harper took reward of this bound. Later existence signed off the Raiders' practice squad early last season, Harper is one to watch this year. He has the size and skill set this coaching staff will observe ways to apply. -- Jordan Raanan

Philadelphia Eagles

OT Andre Dillard

The erstwhile first-round pick says he has a fire in him similar never before after missing the entire 2020 season with a biceps injury. He ditched social media to eliminate distractions and hit the weight room hard over the past twelvemonth, setting a number of personal records. He is stronger and more than confident, and has drawn praise from offensive line omnibus Jeff Stoutland for his on-field work. He'll battle information technology out with former rugby actor Jordan Mailata for the starting left tackle spot during preparation camp. -- Tim McManus

Washington Football Squad

CB Benjamin St-Juste

The third-round rookie was drafted this loftier for a reason, but he also showed that he might exist set to assistance sooner than anticipated. St-Juste showed excellent eye discipline and awareness, especially when in zone and passing off receivers leaving his area while picking up others entering. He showed that he was always ready to react, which resulted in numerous plays on the brawl. While there were times he was beat, it'due south non as if he looked lost or out of place. St-Juste's length will aid diversify Washington's coverage -- it tin match bigger receivers at present with two taller corners, St-Juste and William Jackson III. He has to bear witness he tin can play press at an NFL level to get more time, simply St-Juste got off to a strong start. -- John Keim

NFC Due north

Chicago Bears

WR Marquise Goodwin

The xxx-year-old veteran signed only a ane-year deal with just $350,000 in guaranteed money, but Goodwin still has elite speed. On multiple occasions in Chicago'due south offseason programme, Goodwin took the acme off the Bears' defense and hauled in what would have been long touchdown receptions. Along with second-year wideout Darnell Mooney, Goodwin might give the Bears another legitimate deep threat for quarterbacks Andy Dalton or Justin Fields, both of whom have displayed overnice touches on long passes during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. -- Jeff Dickerson

Detroit Lions

LB Jahlani Tavai

The third-year linebacker is ready to break out this yr later on cutting virtually 20 pounds in the offseason. He played at nearly 270 pounds last year but is now shut to 250. Detroit'due south front part is excited about his slender frame, which allows him to move better on the field and could produce better results. Initially his role was uncertain under the new government, only he has proved he's reliable with his dedication to his craft and could fulfill a much-needed function on a defense that ranked among the worst in the league terminal yr. -- Eric Woodyard

Green Bay Packers

WR Juwann Winfree

The quondam sixth-circular pick of the Broncos in 2019 has played in five career NFL games (three for Denver, two for Dark-green Bay terminal twelvemonth as a practice-squad elevation) simply has never caught a pass. He caught plenty of them throughout OTAs and minicamp this leap, and while the Packers' top four receivers appear set -- Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard and rookie Amari Rodgers -- Winfree looks like he'll make a potent run at a spot in the rotation. Besides, keep an center on another practice-team member from last yr, offensive lineman Ben Braden, who's gotten some piece of work with the No. one O-line at tackle with David Bakhtiari still recovering from ACL surgery. -- Rob Demovsky

Minnesota Vikings

CB Harrison Mitt

With Jeff Gladney absent amid legal issues and Cameron Dantzler sidelined with an credible injury, Mitt, a onetime fifth-circular selection, got a lot of reps with the first-team defense in OTAs and minicamp. He came away with a couple of interceptions. The Vikings moved Hand around as an outside corner and even lined him up in the slot, which should help his chances for making the roster this fall. The secondary looks a lot different this year. While Dantzler (if healthy), Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland will be the front-runners to earn starting jobs, Mitt's potent bound showing could put him in line to duke it out with Kris Boyd for one of the final spots on the depth chart. -- Courtney Cronin

NFC Southward

Atlanta Falcons

RB Qadree Ollison

Accept all of this with the proper caveat -- the Falcons had players missing and outset-year head autobus Arthur Smith largely had his players non going full speed. But with Mike Davis not in attendance, Ollison seems similar he could be creating a spot for himself in the Atlanta offense. A third-year pro out of Pittsburgh, he has 23 career carries for 53 yards and four touchdowns. Only with a new scheme, perhaps Smith finds a larger role for him than he had under Dirk Koetter. He looked sharp and was used ofttimes throughout Atlanta's workouts. -- Michael Rothstein

Carolina Panthers

OT Dennis Daley

The temptation hither is to say TE Ian Thomas, because double-decker Matt Rhule said the quaternary-year thespian had a "tremendous offseason'' after having a mediocre 2020 flavour. But Thomas e'er seems to look good in exercise and it seldom translates to games. Daley is listed as a guard, simply practiced and then well at left tackle with Cam Erving and Trent Scott missing time with injuries that Rhule isn't ready to hand over the starting spot to anybody just still. At worst Daley gives the Panthers another pick at a cardinal position. -- David Newton

New Orleans Saints

TE Adam Trautman

Trautman's biggest jump came via the Saints' offseason transactions. They parted means with veteran Jared Cook and Josh Colina, leaving the second-year pro as their projected No. 1 tight end equally both a pass-catcher and standout blocker. But Trautman also has talked about how much he has grown after a stiff finish to last season and now experiencing his start truthful NFL offseason. -- Mike Triplett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR Jaelon Darden

Darden missed some of minicamp due to a tweaked hamstring, merely the 4th-round draft option who runs a 4.46 (he's 5-human foot-8 and 173 pounds) looked very explosive, fifty-fifty drawing comparisons to Emmanuel Sanders and John Brownish from coach Bruce Arians. "He'southward super quick and fast," Arians said. "He'due south a picayune thicker than I thought he was going to be when I watched him. He catches punts very easily and catches the football extremely hands. He can be very explosive." Arians also praised his fearlessness over the middle. Darden will compete with Jaydon Mickens for the punt and kick return chore. Competition will be trigger-happy in what'due south already a very crowded room of receivers, only the fact that Tom Brady had a say in drafting Darden should tell you all you demand to know. -- Jenna Laine

NFC Westward

Arizona Cardinals

WR Rondale Moore

A couple of important caveats: The Cardinals had a shortened offseason program compared to normal, so choosing a standout is largely guesswork. Also, Moore probably wouldn't be considered a surprise since he was a second-round pick, merely it's easy for him to get lost in the shuffle with the likes of DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Greenish on the roster. Simply Moore had passenger vehicle Kliff Kingsbury excited near the multiple ways he can deploy the rookie after the full-team minicamp. "He's very practiced in the open up field, making the outset guy miss," Kingsbury said. "He has a knack at some of those plays, then, yeah, he's going to exist a guy that's going to be fun to try to draw stuff up for, and see how many times we can get it to him." -- Nick Wagoner

Los Angeles Rams

TE Jacob Harris

Tyler Higbee was sidelined for the offseason program, which allowed Harris, a 4th-round pick from Central Florida, to take meaning reps throughout voluntary and minicamp practices. "Jacob Harris is a guy who has definitely stood out," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "Just his overall speed, athleticism, you lot kind of experience him on the field." McVay cautioned that Harris, who is 6-foot-5, 211 pounds and played receiver in college, must exist evaluated exterior of 7-on-7 play, but also commended his improvement since arriving in L.A. Harris will compete with second-yr pro Brycen Hopkins and Johnny Mundt for playing fourth dimension backside Higbee. -- Lindsey Thiry

San Francisco 49ers

RB Trey Sermon

Sermon was drafted to provide depth backside veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. with an eye toward a bigger role in the time to come. But that futurity might arrive sooner than subsequently as Wilson is out four to half dozen months following meniscus surgery and as Mostert deals with some lesser knee joint issues. Sermon made a stiff outset impression, particularly as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, and he looks poised to make an impact as a rookie so long as information technology carries over to grooming army camp and the start of the flavor. -- Nick Wagoner

Seattle Seahawks

RB Alex Collins

With Chris Carson (personal affair), Rashaad Penny (genu surgery) and Travis Homer (calf) not practicing of late, Collins has appeared to receive the most reps of any Seattle running back. He looks trimmer and faster than he did in his first Seahawks stint. Collins is fighting for a roster spot on a minimum-salary deal that includes no guaranteed money. -- Brady Henderson