The Most Scrutinized Player in Every 2017 NFL Training Camp

Brent Sobleski@@brentsobleskiX.com LogoNFL AnalystJuly 24, 2017

The Most Scrutinized Player in Every 2017 NFL Training Camp

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    Every NFL franchise requires one or two key individuals to perform above expectations for the team to maximize its potential. 

    With everyone reporting to training camp by Saturday, no roster is perfect. It falls on those who haven't performed to expectations, recently signed players or draft picks to turn a weakness into a strength. 

    These problem areas are easily identifiable during training camp. Usually, they appear in the form of a position battle, lingering injury to a key performer or needed progression from a once highly regarded individual.

    A year ago, the Atlanta Falcons had a gaping hole at center. Alex Mack became available in free agency, and the organization signed him to a five-year, $45 million deal. His presence in the middle of the offensive line galvanized the entire unit on its way to becoming the league's top scoring offense. 

    The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, are still trying to figure out whether last year's No. 1 overall pick, Jared Goff, will develop into the franchise quarterback the organization felt the need to trade up to acquire. 

    Both were bold maneuvers and defined their teams' direction, yet fell on opposite sides of the spectrum. 

    All 32 teams claim a player currently residing on the fence with the squad's future in his hands. These are those who deserve the most scrutiny as the first week of training camp gets underway around the country.

Arizona Cardinals: DE Robert Nkemdiche

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    Robert Nkemdiche entered the collegiate ranks as one of the most heralded recruits of the past decade. His every move, good and bad, was closely monitored during his time with the Ole Miss Rebels. His skill set placed him in the conversation as a potential No. 1 overall pick. 

    A lack of production throughout his career and a well-documented hotel incident the previous December drove him down draft boards. The Arizona Cardinals still decided to take a chance on his immense natural ability with the 29th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. 

    However, Nkemdiche wasn't ready for the professional game, and the Cardinals staff decided not to push him into the lineup. Instead, the defensive lineman was active in only five games with no starts and registered a single tackle. 

    Arizona doesn't have the luxury of bringing Nkemdiche along slowly this fall. He needs to develop into a key component along the defensive front after the team's tone-setter, Calais Campbell, signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. Campbell graded as the league's second-best interior defender last season, per Pro Football Focus

    Nkemdiche shouldn't be expected to perform at the same level, yet he needs to be a factor up front.

Atlanta Falcons: OG Wes Schweitzer

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    The entire Atlanta Falcons team will be under scrutiny after the most demoralizing loss in Super Bowl history to the New England Patriots. How the group responds as a whole after the 34-28 overtime defeat will be vital to the franchise's long-term health. 

    But that's an organizational issue. The team must still practice and prepare for another campaign as thoughts of Super Bowl LI linger. 

    The Falcons needn't dwell on their February failure. The roster as it's currently comprised can be a contender for multiple years. However, one glaring hole can be found along the offensive line. 

    Right guard is available for the taking. Chris Chester retired this offseason after starting all 32 games during his time with the Falcons. The team didn't sign or draft an immediate replacement. 

    The organization will rely on those already on the roster to fill the void. Wes Schweitzer and Ben Garland will get the first crack to claim the starting role. Schweitzer is expected to win the competition after being a sixth-round pick last year. 

    The collegiate left tackle from San Jose State needed to transition inside while improving his functional playing strength. 

    "All of that stuff has been a major focus this offseason," Schweitzer said, per ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure. "It's the core [strength] and sitting down with your hips because in college, you can get away with being high with your stance. But in the pros, you really have to play with your hips down."

    As long as the 314-pound blocker proves to be strong enough at the point of attack, the Falcons offensive line should be ready to make another run at a division crown.

Baltimore Ravens: DT Brandon Williams

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    The Baltimore Ravens want more from Brandon Williams, and the organization was willing to pay to get it.

    The two parties reached an offseason agreement on a five-year, $52.5 million contract, which made him the NFL's seventh-highest-paid defensive tackle in terms of guaranteed money at $33.75 million

    Fletcher Cox, Marcell Dareus, Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Malik Jackson and Kawann Short have more guaranteed, but they're well-rounded interior defenders. Williams has been among the NFL's best run defenders since he became a starter in 2014 and served as a two-down nose tackle. 

    With Michael Pierce taking over nose tackle responsibilities, the Ravens want Williams to be a more disruptive force. 

    "I think he could [make an impact as a pass-rusher] because he is going to be a pocket pusher," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, per ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley. "He can work edges. Guys, we know he is athleticyou have seen all the things he can do athletically. I believe he can do it."

    The 340-pound Williams managed a meager 4.5 sacks during his four seasons. Sacks aren't the only means to create pressure, though. A defensive tackle with the ability to collapse the pocket prevents quarterbacks from stepping up in the pocket and creates more opportunities for edge-defenders. 

    More money means a higher profile. Williams is being paid like a star defender. He'll need to play like one.

Buffalo Bills: WR Sammy Watkins

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    The Buffalo Bills made one of the league's most surprising decisions when the team chose not to pick up the fifth-year option on Sammy Watkins' rookie contract. Granted, Watkins has been inconsistent and injured during his three-year career, but he's also flashed brilliance. 

    The receiver, who missed 11 games over the last two seasons, is the same target with four 150-plus-yard receiving performances and comparable statistics to Julio Jones at the same point in their careers, per NDT Scouting's Erik Turner (h/t FanRag Sports' Jon Ledyard). 

    Watkins is only 24 years old with plenty of time to develop into the star receiver the Bills organization envisioned when it traded for the fourth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft to select him. However, the general manager and head coach who decided to make that move are no longer a part of the franchise. 

    Meanwhile, the Bills are devoid of talent at wide receiver. Watkins is the de facto WR1, while rookie Zay Jones will compete with veterans Corey Brown and Andre Holmes for targets. Buffalo is also scheduled to meet with Anquan Boldin on Monday, per ESPN.com's Dan Graziano

    Watkins must establish himself as the primary threat in the offense, or the odds of his being a member of the Bills next season will greatly diminish.

Carolina Panthers: LT Matt Kalil

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    Maybe the most head-scratching move of the entire offseason happened when the Carolina Panthers agreed to a five-year, $55.5 million contract with left tackle Matt Kalil. 

    Obviously, two factors came into play. First, the Panthers had a dire need to replace Michael Oher on the blind side since the team released him on Thursday with a failed physical designation, per NFL.com's Marc Sessler. Second, Kalil's brother, Ryan, can help ease the transition. 

    But neither desperation nor nepotism should drive personnel decisions. 

    Kalil's contract now ranks seventh among left tackles in total value and above those signed by David Bakhtiari, Andrew Whitworth, Jason Peters, Nate Solder and Donald Penn. 

    The Minnesota Vikings originally drafted Kalil with the fourth overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. The franchise wasn't eager to re-sign its former starter and desperately tried to upgrade the position this offseason. 

    Left tackle turned into a disaster last season for the Panthers. They had to do something at the position, because quarterback Cam Newton can't continue to take the same amount of punishment he has throughout his career. Kalil must develop into the answer, even though he has yet to show he's a reliable blocker during his first five professional seasons.

Chicago Bears: QB Mike Glennon

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    Quarterback Mike Glennon is biding his time as a member of the Chicago Bears. 

    Once the organization traded up in the first round of April's draft to select North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky, Glennon became nothing more than a one-year, $14 million bridge to the team's supposed franchise signal-caller. 

    It's only a matter of time before Bears fans revolt against Glennon. They'll think, "He's not the future, so he's just getting in the way." The 27-year-old veteran has the complete support of the organization, though. 

    According to the Chicago Sun-TimesAdam Jahns, general manager Ryan Pace guaranteed Glennon will be the Bears starting quarterback in 2017. 

    But will the support for Glennon start to crumble when he makes a mistake or experiences a bad day during camp? Depending on how well Trubisky performs, his presence can have a profound effect on the team's quarterback situation. 

    "I understand there is a lot that goes with having a high draft pick," Glennon said, per the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs. "In my mind, that's just kind of wasted energy if I let my mind go down that alley because all that can come of that is negative thoughts. It's not possible to never go down that way, but I like to stay clear of that as much as I can because not many good things can happen in my mind if I think about that all the time."

Cincinnati Bengals: LT Cedric Obuehi

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    Bengals offensive lineman Cedric Ogbuehi has been placed in an interesting situation. The 2015 first-round pick failed as a starting right tackle, yet he's being asked to take over the blind side less than a year later. 

    "I think that's my natural position and where I feel comfortable and we’ll just go from there," he said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer's Jim Owczarski.

    A tinge of irony exists within Ogbuehi's statement since he's never been a full-time left tackle. Even as a senior at Texas A&M, he finished the campaign at right tackle after the Aggies offensive line needed to be reshuffled due to injuries. 

    The Cincinnati Bengals still used the 21st pick two years ago with the intent of grooming Ogbuehi as Andrew Whitworth's heir apparent. Once placed in the starting lineup as a right tackle, the second-year blocker described his performance as a "s--t year," per Owczarski. 

    Meanwhile, Whitworth posted the league's best pass-blocking efficiency among offensive tackles last season, per Pro Football Focus. Whitworth, of course, signed with the Rams in free agency, which now puts the spotlight on Ogbuehi. Yes, Ogbuehi is a younger and cheaper option, but the team will likely experience a massive downgrade at left tackle if he doesn't display drastic improvement during training camp.

    Quarterback Andy Dalton and the rest of the Bengals offense is good enough to compete for a postseason bid if the offensive line does its job. Ogbuehi's play on the blind side could prove to be the fulcrum point between success or failure.

Cleveland Browns: DE Myles Garrett

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    Anytime a No. 1 overall pick enters the NFL ranks, he becomes the focal point for his respective organization. 

    Myles Garrett is expected to be a franchise-changing talent for the woebegone Cleveland Browns organization. In a draft class that didn't feature a true elite quarterback prospect, the Browns used their precious commodity atop the first round to acquire a defensive difference-maker.

    Since the organization appeared to tank last season, according to some, Garrett became the payoff. Those who felt as such will require the defensive end to be a dominant force early in his career to validate Cleveland's NBA-like approach. 

    This is an unfair standard to hold any player to. For example, it's easy to point out that other elite edge-defenders such as Ziggy Ansah, Vic Beasley, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Von Miller and J.J. Watt combined to average 7.25 sacks during their rookie campaigns. It won't matter, because the Browns are starved for star power and need to establish an identity. 

    However, concerns already arose when Garrett missed multiple spring workouts due to injury. He suffered a lateral foot sprain near the end of minicamp. After dealing with a high ankle sprain as a junior at Texas A&M before declaring for the draft, questions about his durability came to the forefront. 

    Garrett must live up to his billing as a rare talent and flash early in his career.

Dallas Cowboys: CB Nolan Carroll

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    Multiple problem areas can be found throughout the Dallas Cowboys roster either due to offseason attrition or suspensions. 

    Defensive linemen Randy Gregory and David Irving have already been suspended by the league. Running back Ezekiel Elliott and linebacker Damien Wilson are awaiting possible league punishment for separate, yet concerning, incidents. 

    The secondary, however, must deal with the most turnover with one of the team's key acquisitions also facing discipline. 

    Barry Church, Brandon Carr, J.J. Wilcox and Morris Claiborne all started games last season as part of Dallas' defensive back line. The organization lacked salary cap space and used what little it had to sign veteran defensive back Nolan Carroll. Carroll started all 16 games for the Philadelphia Eagles last season. 

    The 30-year-old defensive back is coming off his worst season as a starter, though, per Pro Football Focus. Yet the Cowboys need to lean on him and Orlando Scandrick while draft picks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis get up to speed. 

    Even if Carroll transitions well into Rod Marinelli's defensive scheme, he may not be available at the start of the season. Police arrested and charged him with driving while intoxicated on May 29, per the Dallas Morning News' Claire Z. Cardona and David Moore. The league has yet to announce whether he'll receive a suspension. 

    Elliott's status may be the most important lingering issue for the Cowboys, but Carroll's situation needs to be closely monitored due to his potential impact among Dallas' weakest position group.

Denver Broncos: QB Trevor Siemian

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    The Denver Broncos' Trevor Siemian is embracing the upcoming quarterback competition between himself and second-year signal-caller Paxton Lynch. 

    "We're ready to roll," Siemian said, per Denver 9News' Mike Klis. "We got a lot of work done this offseason in the OTAs and minicamps. I know all the guys stayed after it these past six weeks. Can't wait to get things started."

    The 2015 seventh-round pick started 14 games last season as Peyton Manning's successor. He completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

    His erratic play can be attributed to a poor supporting cast. No one expects Siemian to shoulder the entire offensive load. He's not the type of quarterback with the necessary physical tools to consistently make plays outside the framework of the offense. He needs to rely on a stout offensive line and balanced offense. The Broncos lacked both last season. 

    Even so, Siemian's toughness and pocket mobility impressed. Despite a ramshackle offensive line, Siemian still had a lower sack rate than any other quarterback when blitzed, according to Pro Football Focus' Mike Renner (h/t BSN Denver's Zac Stevens). 

    But the Broncos selected Lynch in the first round for a reason. The 6'7", 244-pound quarterback has the physical tools every team wants at the position. His continued maturation as a pro-style passer remains in question, though. Lynch came out of a simplistic offensive scheme at Memphis and needed to adjust to a professional system. He looked lost at times during his two starts. 

    Siemian should be viewed as the favorite to take the first snap against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football to open the campaignwhile Lynch must prove he can handle the offense if he's even going to be considered a starting-caliber option.

Detroit Lions: OT Greg Robinson

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    Greg Robinson is already considered a bust after the Los Angeles Rams traded the former No. 2 overall pick to the Detroit Lions for a 2018 sixth-round pick. 

    What he was or wasn't for the Rams no longer matters. The Lions need to repair their offensive line after left tackle Taylor Decker suffered a torn labrum during minicamp. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, last year's first-round pick will miss four to six months due to the injury. 

    Robinson is the most likely to fill the slot in Decker's absence, even though the organization made multiple moves in an attempt to create competition. The once highly regarded blocker will have to keep Cyrus Kouandjio, Tony Hills, Cornelius Lucas, Corey Robinson and Joe Dahl at bay. 

    Greg Robinson has a chance to jump-start his career, though.

    His talent is obvious. During his first three seasons, the Auburn product struggled due to inconsistency regarding his technique, though. Physically, Robinson has the potential to dominate, as he did when he obliterated opponents at the collegiate level. However, the Tigers system didn't prepare him to handle NFL pass-rushers on a consistent basis. 

    The Lions offensive scheme should be a better overall fit. Offensive line coach Ron Prince prefers a more aggressive approach. If Robinson can get into blocks quicker out of his stance, his size, strength and athleticism can be overwhelming.

    Robinson needs to show he's capable of flourishing in this scheme, or another player will become the Lions starting left tackle.

Green Bay Packers: RB Ty Montgomery

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    A major position switch is grounds for a closer look. The Green Bay Packers converted wide receiver Ty Montgomery to running back during the 2016 campaign. 

    Head coach Mike McCarthy only asked the convert to carry the ball 77 times in 15 games, though. His continued development will be a focal point of the Packers' upcoming practice sessions. 

    Montgomery already showed he's nearly impossible to tackle after leading all running backs in elusive rating, per Pro Football Focus. Granted, those opportunities were limited, but it shows the potential Montgomery brings to the backfield. 

    He's been preparing himself to shoulder a larger portion of the offense this fall. 

    "Now I lift like a running back," Montgomery said this spring, per the Packers News' Ryan Wood

    How he holds up and responds when his carries increase remains in question. The Packers didn't leave the draft without building some depth. General manager Ted Thompson decided to draft three different backs to provide a safety net. 

    Fourth-round pick Jamaal Williams came off the board first. He's a traditional between-the-tackles runner with the ability to spell Montgomery or serve as a short-yardage option. BYU's all-time leading rusher will get plenty of looks with the first- and second-team offense during camp, and he could cut into Montgomery's reps.

Houston Texans: DE J.J. Watt

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    The Houston Texans fielded the NFL's top-ranked defense last season without the services of three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. The unit was forced to do so because Watt required two back surgeries. 

    As a result, the four-time first-team All-Pro only played in three games and didn't look like the same force that dominated the league from 2012-15. 

    Expectations are high with Watt's return this season, and he seems to have recovered well. Watt participated in the festivities during his charity softball game and trained with a girls' youth soccer team in the last three months. 

    "I feel very good," Watt told ESPN.com's Sarah Barshop in April. "My body feels really good so I'm really looking forward to this whole offseason process and OTAs and just getting back to just playing football." 

    Aside from the Texans' upcoming quarterback competition, Watt's health and how the team manages it leading up to the regular season will be under heavy scrutiny. Every snap and activity will be closely monitored, especially early in training camp. 

    Head coach Bill O'Brien must be careful how he brings along his defensive captain. Last year, Watt rushed back after surgery, and he was never the same. The coaching and training staffs must keep him in check and ease him back into regular football activities to maximize his effectiveness during the regular season without fear of being reinjured.

Indianapolis Colts: S Malik Hooker

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    The Indianapolis Colts landed a potentially game-changing defensive back in the first round of April's NFL draft with the addition of safety Malik Hooker. His presence in the secondary has a chance to redefine the Colts defense. But he must first get onto the field before making any type of impact. 

    Hooker required surgeries for a sports hernia and torn hip labrum after the conclusion of the 2016 campaign. Due to his recovery, he didn't work out for any teams prior to the NFL draft, nor did he participate in any offseason activities after being selected by the Colts with the 15th overall pick. 

    "There is universal agreement from the player, coaching staff and front office that he will return for the start of training camp in late July," Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star reported in May. 

    Whether he does or not has yet to be determined. After missing all of the snaps during OTAs and minicamp, it's of the utmost importance for Hooker to get on the field, gain an on-field understanding of the Colts defensive scheme and build a rapport with his fellow defensive backs and front-seven personnel. 

    His injuries and recovery only tell part of the story, though. Expectations will be sky-high for the free safety. Based purely on last year's game performances, Hooker was considered a top-five talent in this year's class as an elite ball hawk playing along the back line. 

    Comparisons to future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed followed the Ohio State product due to his range and ball skills. When those type of expectations are heaped upon a young player, he'll be asked to provide an instant presence within a defense that finished 27th against the pass last season. 

    As long as quarterback Andrew Luck is able to throw at some point during camp, an emphasis will be placed on the Colts' revamped defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Blake Bortles

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    Two seasons ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars' Blake Bortles tied for second in the league with 35 touchdown tosses. For a short period, 2014's third overall pick appeared close to reaching franchise quarterback status. Yet he regressed during his third campaign. 

    His yardage, yards per attempt and touchdown passes all decreased last season. Some of the quarterback's issues can be blamed on a disjointed offense, and some issues can be blamed on injuries. But Bortles didn't display the necessary maturation, either. His mechanics and decision-making lapsed.

    In order to maximize the quarterback's potential, both he and new head coach Doug Marrone needed to reset. Bortles spent the offseason working on his footwork and shortening his release. Meanwhile, Marrone plans on simplifying the offense. 

    "I've had multiple discussions with Doug Marrone about taking things off my plate and just going out there and having fun," Bortles said during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio

    Some of the pressure will automatically be lifted with the first-round addition of running back Leonard Fournette. A more balanced offense has the capability of opening up the play-action and passing games. 

    The Jaguars are too talented not to be a competitive team. In order for Jacksonville to contend in the AFC South, Bortles must flourish.

Kansas City Chiefs: WR Tyreek Hill

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    With Jeremy Maclin's release, Tyreek Hill will step into a feature role for the Kansas City Chiefs offense. He'll no longer be just a complementary piece. Instead, he'll be expected to serve as the offense's WR1. 

    "He works hard, he is skilled," head coach Andy Reid said, per ESPN.com's Adam Teicher. "Is he still learning? Yeah, he’s still learning. I'll tell you that with receivers through a couple years here. That’s what they do until they get all those defenses down. He will give you good production, I think, at that position."

    Reid's slight hesitancy at the end of his response is somewhat telling. Hill is a weapon in the Chiefs offense. Last season, the rookie finished with 860 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns.    

    His abilities as a returner made him a Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro performer as well. But it's his maturation as a receiver that will have the biggest effect on the Chiefs roster. 

    "His routes when he first came were kind of raw," Reid told Teicher. "They weren't as disciplined as they need to be in this offense. So much of this offense is timing and being in a certain spot and knowing defenses, knowing secondaries and all that, how you’re going to make adjustments."

    While Hill began to grasp all of these concepts during his initial campaign, he'll need to become a more consistent and precise route-runner to handle the responsibilities that will now be thrust upon him. 

    The Chiefs have very little beyond the young receiver. Chris Conley, Albert Wilson and Demarcus Robinson have the potential to fill the void left by Maclin, but Hill is now a primary threat alongside tight end Travis Kelce. The bar has been raised, and the second-year speedster will be required to become a complete receiver. 

Los Angeles Chargers: WR Mike Williams

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    Where do the Los Angeles Chargers and first-round selection Mike Williams go from here? 

    Last year, the organization found itself in a contract squabble with first-round pick Joey Bosa. Bosa missed the first four regular-season contests as a result. 

    The team's top selection in April's draft, wide receiver Mike Williams, may be M.I.A. for an entirely different yet still disappointing reason. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Williams will miss the start of training camp and possibly the entire season if season-ending back surgery is required. 

    Williams is dealing with a herniated disk. Any back issues become amplified considering the wide receiver suffered a fractured neck during his junior campaign at Clemson. However, Williams refuted Schefter's report. 

    "I'm good. Everything [is] good," he said, per WLTX's Joe Cook (h/t Chargers Wire's Will Reeve Jr.). The back situation ... That was some false information being released. I don't know who released it, but everything is good."

    Which is it? 

    Williams' status will be determined during training camp with fans and outside observers eager to see if the receiver takes the field.

Los Angeles Rams: QB Jared Goff

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    Just how bad did it get for Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff last season? At least one of the franchise's hallowed stars questioned whether last year's No. 1 overall pick is worthy of starting. 

    "For me, my guy that I would start the season with would be Sean Mannion," Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson said during an interview with Doug Gottlieb on The Herd." … I was at practice early last year before I got kicked off the sideline, and I was standing next to some of the guys. I said, 'He can throw it, he really can throw it,' and I said, 'Why they don’t play him?' They said, 'The money.'"

    Dickerson made the statement after prefacing it with a few qualifiers. The all-time great admitted Goff "didn't have a chance" due to a terrible offensive scheme and porous offensive line. 
    These things matter and can't be brushed off to make an argument in favor of another player.  

    By Dickerson's own admission, the Rams coaching staff didn't place Goff in a position to succeed. Quarterback takes time for most to understand and mature into a leadership role. 

    Goff is only 22 years old. To put that into perspective, both the Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz and Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott will be 24 years old at the start of the regular season. The Rams need to provide Goff with time and support. 

    Under Sean McVay's tutelage, an opportunity exists for Goff to make significant strides during training camp. 

    "[General manager Les Snead] said after the minicamp, coaches said [Goff] exceeded expectations," NFL Network's Steve Wyche reported. "And to quote Snead, 'Last year he was a blank slate, now that is no longer the case. He understands what NFL offenses want, and more importantly, he understands what NFL defenses want to do.'"

Miami Dolphins: DT Jordan Phillips

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    After the Miami Dolphins handed Ndamukong Suh a $114 million contract two offseasons ago, the organization doubled down at defensive tackle with the second-round selection of Oklahoma's Jordan Phillips. 

    Phillips displayed tremendous natural talent, yet he dealt with injuries and inconsistency. The injuries haven't been an issue at the professional level, but he's still plagued by inconsistency. 

    The 6'6", 335-pound defender can be an overwhelming force, yet those instances have been few and far between.

    "I had a better year but not as consistent as I need to be," Phillips admitted, per the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. "I need to play better. It's knowing I dominated the person in front of me. I didn't do that enough."

    The Dolphins defense will lean heavily on its 1-technique this fall after the team finished 30th overall against the run last season. Phillips must show he's capable of being a bigger part of the defensive line rotation. 

    "We talked about it before the end of last season that we need to get his reps up," head coach Adam Gase said, per ESPN.com's James Walker. "Twenty-five plays a game is not really going to do anything for us." 

    Miami requires a presence next to Suh. Phillips is supposed to serve in that role. He needs to prove he can.

Minnesota Vikings: WR Laquon Treadwell

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    The Minnesota Vikings' Laquon Treadwell is the only first-round rookie wide receiver in NFL history to manage just a single catch during his first season, per Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith

    Obviously, the Vikings expected much more from last year's top selection. However, he needed time to adjust and dealt with multiple nagging injuries that dramatically slowed his progress. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Andrew Krammer, the rookie dealt with a broken thumb, hamstring and ankle injuries along with lingering pain from the devastating leg injury he suffered at Ole Miss. 

    Treadwell only started one game last season, but he's expected to take on a much bigger role during his second campaign. 

    With Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, the Vikings have two parts of the starting trio already in place. Treadwell's physicality will be a welcome addition to the group. His size (6'2", 215 lbs) and strength make him a potential yards-after-catch machine if healthy and provided with the opportunities to create.

    Since Michael Floyd received a four-game suspension after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, even more emphasis will be placed on Treadwell's development. The 22-year-old receiver should be given every chance in camp, preseason and the regular season to realize his potential.

New England Patriots: WR Brandin Cooks

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    Draft picks are an NFL franchise's most precious commodity. Anytime an organization decides to trade one of those assets, especially a first-round selection, a certain level of value is expected in return. 

    The New England Patriots traded their top draft choice this year to the New Orleans Saints for wide receiver Brandin Cooks. 

    On paper, the Patriots got a steal. Cooks is only 23 years old with a pair of 1,100-yard receiving campaigns already under his belt. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady distributes the ball as well as any quarterback in the game's history. As a result, Cooks doesn't need to be viewed as a WR1. Too many weapons can be found on New England's roster to worry about those designations. 

    What Cooks creates in the offense is far more important. His 4.33-second 40-yard-dash speed makes him Brady's first true deep threat since the quarterback broke records with Randy Moss

    Cooks can't replicate Moss on the outside—no one can—but the 5'10" target is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Not only is the wide receiver effective running vertical and post routes, but he excelled running out and crossing patterns, per Pro Football Focus

    He'll need to establish himself in camp, though. 

    "But coming to New England, it seems like it's an offense that guys do a bunch of different things and I'm looking forward to being able to do some things that I didn't necessarily have to do in New Orleans [and] hopefully to get the chance here and do it here," Cooks said, per the Boston Globe's Jim McBride

New Orleans Saints: LB A.J. Klein

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    Everyone knew the New Orleans Saints needed defensive help this offseason. No one outside the organization expected linebacker A.J. Klein to be the franchise's biggest addition. 

    The Saints made Klein the team's seventh-highest-paid player when the two parties agreed to a four-year, $24 million free-agent contract. His acquisition should provide a distinctive voice in the middle of the Saints defense after cycling through Curtis Lofton, Stephone Anthony and James Laurinaitis in recent years. 

    Accountability isn't the only reason the Saints pursued Klein. His skill set fits at either middle or strong-side linebacker. 

    "He's big, he's strong, he's physical," defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said, per the New Orleans Advocate's Joel A. Erickson. "Those are all things that I think we've been able to see, as much as you can in this environment (at minicamp), I think you're seeing those things on display."

    Klein can make a bigger impact once he participates in a fully padded practice. Until then, his presence is necessary to settle a unit with little-to-no consistency. Klein is now the focal point alongside Anthony, Dannell Ellerbe, Manti Te'o and Craig Robertson. 

    After finishing no better than 27th overall in total defense during Allen's two seasons as coordinator, Klein won't rectify all of the unit's problems. Consistency at middle linebacker can be a big step in the right direction, though.

New York Giants: LT Ereck Flowers

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    The New York Giants are a playoff-caliber team with major concerns at one of the game's most important positions. A team doesn't need a great left tackle to succeed, but the offense needs a reliable option on the blind side. 

    Ereck Flowers is neither a great left tackle nor reliable.

    Over the last two seasons, the 2015 Top 10 pick allowed the most quarterback pressures of any offensive player, according to Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke. Flowers entered the league as a 21-year-old ball of clay with all of the necessary physical tools to develop into a top-flight offensive tackle. His technique desperately needed to be refined, though. 

    Even with the young blocker's struggles, the Giants decided not to add another left tackle this offseason. Instead, the organization believes Flowers is ready to realize his potential. 

    Flowers is leaner and in better shape today than last season after dedicating himself to a new workout regimen this offseason. 

    "I think a big part of that is the ability to have the initial quickness," offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan said during minicamp, per SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. "... Just being able to change direction, to redirect, to react to the defender's second move, those types of things, that type of quickness. But he has also added some strength and some of those things which should help him."

    How Flowers responds during camp against the Giants' ferocious defensive front will indicate if he's really improved.

New York Jets: DT Sheldon Richardson

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    Sheldon Richardson's profile hit rock bottom last season after being the 2013 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and recognized as a Pro Bowl performer the following campaign. 

    The organization made him available during last year's trade deadline and April's NFL draft with very little interest from other franchises.

    Richardson's issues are twofold.

    First, he's entering the final year of his rookie contract with an $8.1 million price tag. Both the remaining length and amount make the defensive lineman difficult to move. Very few organizations want to take on that type of commitment without any long-term leverage. 

    Second, Richardson is viewed as a malcontent. According to NJ.com's Connor Hughes, the 26-year-old defender was "regularly late or miss(ed) team meetings" last season. He argued about his usage in the team's defensive scheme, per ESPN.com's Rich Cimini. The defender then blamed Brandon Marshall, who is now a member of the New York Giants, for the Jets' inner turmoil, per Cimini

    Denying Richardon's on-field ability is foolish. He can be a force when he wants to be. But he may not even make it out of training camp as part of the Jets roster if New York receives an attractive offer for his services.

Oakland Raiders: CB Gareon Conley

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    Gareon Conley's status with the Oakland Raiders remains in question. 

    The first-round pick faces accusations of sexual assault stemming from an April incident, according to Cleveland police. The Raiders still drafted Conley with the 24th overall pick in this year's draft. 

    Although, the team preferred to have him sign his rookie contract after being cleared. According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the Raiders and Conley are in communication with one another despite not knowing whether Conley will be formally charged. 

    At the time of Conley's drafting, general manager Reggie McKenzie expressed confidence in the organization's investigation into the matter. 

    "Bottom line, we've done miles and miles of research to make sure we were totally comfortable with our decision, which we were," McKenzie said, per USA Today's Lindsay H. Jones

    How the franchise will proceed with training camp on the horizon remains a mystery. 

    On the field, Conley is a true cover corner. According to Pro Football Focus' Austin Gayle, the Ohio State product allowed the fewest passing yards by a cornerback last season. The Raiders needed to improve in the secondary after finishing 24th in pass defense in 2016. 

    Conley's availability needs to be closely monitored, since his acquisition can turn into a great decision or a massive blunder.

Philadelphia Eagles: WR Nelson Agholor

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    With the addition of Alson Jeffery and Torrey Smith to the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver corps, 2015 first-round pick Nelson Agholor is now an afterthought. 

    Agholor's disappointing sophomore campaign resulted in 36 receptions for 365 yards and multiple dropped passes. 

    The 24-year-old receiver enters his third season as the fourth-best option within the Eagles passing game after giving the organization little choice but to seek reinforcements in Jeffery and Smith. 

    Sometimes, reality slaps a person in the face, and it's exactly what the individual needs to refocus. Agholor came out of Eagles minicamp as one of the team's surprise performers. 

    "The addition of Torrey [Smith] and Alshon [Jeffery], and sort of him kind of taking that step back and not [having] that pressure of every day having to perform has really helped him," head coach Doug Pederson said during minicamp, per ESPN.com's Tim McManus

    With the two new additions plus slot receiver Jordan Matthews, Agholor isn't just trying to work his way up the depth chart; he might have to battle for a roster spot. The Eagles also added a pair of receivers in the draft during the fourth and fifth rounds. Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson provide specific skill sets. Hollins is a special teams demon and a massive target at 6'4" and 221 pounds. Gibson is a vertical threat adept at stacking and outmaneuvering defensive backs. 

    Agholor took a lot of the blame for the offense's struggles last season. His rookie contract keeps him in good standing—meaning he costs the organization more to cut than retain—but he'll need to build upon a strong spring to work his way into the offense's wide receiver rotation.

Pittsburgh Steelers: LB T.J. Watt

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    Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

    While the Pittsburgh Steelers should have an interesting battle for the team's nickel corner, the defense is built from front to back. 

    The unit didn't experience much success last season until the pass rush came alive. Once the front seven proved it could provide consistent pressure, the entire unit improved and led to the team's playoff push. 

    James Harrison remains the alpha dog in the Steelers locker room. But even he will eventually succumb to Father Time—regardless of whether the 39-year-old linebacker still continues to perform mind-boggling feats of strength

    The veteran's load will need to be eased during camp and the regular season. Pittsburgh drafted Wisconsin's T.J. Watt in the first round of April's draft to begin the transition. 

    "His learning curve is real good," outside linebackers coach Joey Porter said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Paul Zeise. "With as many practices as we've had, I can count how many mistakes he's had on one hand. And that's rare."

    Watt should follow a similar career path as fellow outside linebacker Bud Dupree. Both were exceptional athletes coming out of the collegiate ranks, yet were considered developmental talents. Dupree started five games as a rookie and needed time to discover where he can win at the professional level against top-notch blockers. Watt will have to experience the same growing pains, even though the coaching staff must use him to extend its linebacker rotation. 

    The Steelers need to rely on Harrison less to maximize his effectiveness. Watt is supposed to be the solution.

San Francisco 49ers: RB Carlos Hyde

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    Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

    New 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is known for his ability to develop a strong running game even without a high-profile running back. 

    Carlos Hyde set career highs with 217 carries for 988 yards last season. The 2014 second-round pick isn't guaranteed a starting roleor even a roster spotafter leading the 49ers in both categories. 

    Rookies Joe Williams and Matt Breida impressed during OTAs and minicamp. Both are ideal fits in Shanahan's zone-stretch scheme. This could define Hyde's usage. 

    The 235-pound back excels when asked to run the inside zone. He can still do so in the new offensive system, but the entire philosophy is built around being able to gain and exploit the edges of defenses. Patient runners, who can explode with a single cut, are necessary for success. 

    Williams and Breida are both extremely quick with exceptional change-of-direction skills. Both should be able to easily hit the edge as long as it's correctly blocked. Hyde is more of a downhill runner. The contrast between these options can form a nice running back rotation with the veteran being used in short-yardage situations. 

    Hyde has a chance during training camp to prove he can be the type of back Shanahan requires. If he doesn't, his presence in the lineup will dramatically decrease.

Seattle Seahawks: OT Luke Joeckel

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    Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

    Luke Joeckel received a fresh start when he signed a one-year, $8 million free-agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. He desperately needed the change after failing at left tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars and earning a draft-bust designation. 

    Jacksonville moved the 2013 second overall pick to guard last year, but he'll receive an opportunity to protect Russell Wilson's blindside. Joeckel will compete with George Fant to start. Neither is an intriguing option. 

    Jockel surrendered 53 quarterback pressures during his last full season at the position, per Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke. The site graded Fant as the league's worst left tackle last year. 

    Yet the Seahawks coaching staff remains upbeat about its options. 

    "I'd like to get to camp, but I'm the most excited coach on the staff right now," offensive line coach Tom Cable said during minicamp, per ESPN.com's Sheil Kapadia. "That's what I've told coach [Pete Carroll] and John [Schneider, Seahawks general manager]. ... Our personnel guys nailed this, so it’s just a matter of getting them in the right spots and going and playing ball."

    Cable's enthusiasm is a bit much. The Seahawks offensive line is still considered one of the league's worst. If Joeckel finally realizes his potential and holds down the blind side, the unit will start to trend in the right direction.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C Ali Marpet

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    Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

    The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense is loaded. The acquisition of veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson and first-round tight end O.J. Howard makes the unit even more potent. The offensive line needs to hold together and keep quarterback Jameis Winston upright if Tampa Bay is going to realize its full potential. 

    As such, Ali Marpet's move from guard to center will create ripple effects throughout the roster. 

    The Division III product adjusted much faster than anticipated after being a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft. He's started 29 of 32 possible games since coming into the league. He'll now take over as the focal point of the offensive front. 

    "It goes way back to the evaluation process of when we were thinking about drafting Ali," offensive line coach George Warhop said, per Scott Smith of the team's official site. "The thought was that he could play guard but we thought he really would be a very good center at some point. From day one, since he’s been here, he’s been snapping, so the process started two years ago. So, to us, to me, it was just a natural progression for him to move to center."

    This may have been the team's plan all along, but Marpet isn't a natural center. He played left tackle in college before moving to guard in the NFL. It'll take some time for him to understand all of the calls and build a comfort level at the position. 

    Meanwhile, Marpet's move opens up a spot at guard with J.R. Sweezy expected to return after missing all of last season due to back surgery. Left tackle Donovan Smith remains a question mark as well. This group needs to come together as a unit, and the responsibility starts with Marpet.

Tennessee Titans: CB Adoree Jackson

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    Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

    The Tennessee Titans acquired one of the 2017 draft class' most gifted athletes when the organization called Adoree' Jackson's name with the 18th overall pick. Jackson is still a work in progress, though. He flashed the potential to become a shutdown corner during his time with the USC Trojans. 

    "We drafted him because he's fast, but he's faster than fast," Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said, per FanRag Sports' John Glennon. "He's got a really good knack for the ball and he's got tremendous burst.

    "That's the game today in the NFL. You've got people spread out all over and the quarterbacks are pretty adept at getting the ball to them. So you need people to match them and he’s one of the kind who can."

    Jackson has the physical ability to match up against NFL receivers, but he's never been a full-time defensive back. In college, he played some offense and contributed on special teams as well. As such, he is going to make mistakes and blow assignments. There were times during the draft evaluation when Jackson looked like the best player on the field and others when he easily gave up big plays. 

    It falls on LeBeau and the rest of the coaching staff to make sure the first-round pick's understanding of the game matches his natural skill set. 

    Even with these expected missteps, Jackson's inclusion alongside Logan Ryan and Johnathan Cyprien should improve last year's 30th-ranked pass defense. 

Washington Redskins: WR Terrelle Pryor

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    Nick Wass/Associated Press

    Terrelle Pryor and the Cleveland Browns couldn't agree on a long-term contract extension prior to the start of free agency. Cleveland reversed course and signed Kenny Britt to become the team's top wide receiver, while Pryor decided to sign a one-year, prove-it deal with the Washington Redskins.

    The injection of Pryor into Washington's wide receiver corps is vital since the team's top two leading receivers last seasonDeSean Jackson and Pierre Garconleft in free agency. Pryor led the Browns with 1,007 receiving yards in 2016, but the quarterback-turned-receiver is still a work in progress. He's certainly not the vertical threat of Jackson's caliber or the natural route-runner Garcon is.

    The 28-year-old is a completely different athlete compared to the team's previous preferred targets. Pryor stands 6'4" and weighs 228 pounds with 4.3-second 40-yard dash. Physically, there are very few receivers who actually stack up with him. 

    His success will rely on his continued development, understanding of a new offensive scheme and the type of rapport he can build with quarterback Kirk Cousins. 

    "Terrelle is a different target and gives us some different options down the field, but we do have to get him squared away on some of the fundamental route concepts that we have," head coach Jay Gruden said in May, per the Washington Times' Nora Princiotti

    Pryor continues to put in the work, but it takes time to acclimate oneself to a new set of teammates and system. It can pay off in the end, but it'll take plenty of reps during training camp for the freakish target to prove himself as Washington's WR1. 

    All stats via Pro Football Reference or NFL.com unless otherwise noted. Contract numbers are courtesy of Spotrac

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