Pederson among slew of COVID-19 positive tests
thews. The Rams are searching for new starters at six different positions.
Rookie watch: RB Cam Akers will receive the bulk of the attention in training camp. He’s the likeliest replacement for RB Todd Gurley. WR Van Jefferson will also be competing for a starting role as the third receiver, an important position in a Rams’ offense that often utilizes three receivers at a time.
Minnesota Vikings
Cook saga continues: RB Dalvin Cook is a focal point of the Vikings’ offense and he might command a big salary if Minnesota has to extend him before he participates in camp. Minnesota’s biggest free agent signing this offseason, DT Michael Pierce, opted out of the 2020 NFL season. The nose tackle position is now wide open.
Rookie watch: The Vikings could move Shamar Stephen over to nose tackle to replace Pierce. But Minnesota would need a promising candidate for the three-technique spot. Enter fourth-round draft pick James Lynch, who showed that he could bring pressure at Baylor, tallying 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2019.
New Orleans Saints
How much is continuity worth? Few teams are returning as many starters and coaches as the Saints. Except for a rookie or two and newcomers like WR Emmanuel Sanders and DB Malcolm Jenkins, the Saints’ starting lineup looks familiar. Chemistry already in place between Brees and veterans like TE Jared Cook should give them an edge after an atypical offseason.
Rookie watch: The rookie best positioned to make a splash is C/G Cesar Ruiz, the top Saints’ draft pick out of Michigan. Ruiz should get first crack at starting at center but needs to prove he can adjust on the fly with little practice time. If he makes too many mistakes, the Saints will have to move him out of position to right guard and roll with Erik McCoy at center. Also keep an eye out for LB Zack Baun, a third-rounder from Wisconsin who has a difficult transition from playing on the line of scrimmage to lining up off the ball ahead of him.
New York Giants
A Golden return: OLB Markus Golden reported to camp with the intent to sign his unrestricted free agent tender. GM Dave Gettleman had gambled on potentially losing the team’s 2019 sack leader. Golden will provide the Giants with their best edge rush option and should create opportunities for young talent such as OLB Oshane Ximines and OLB Lorenzo Carter, as well as veteran arrival and OLB Kyler Fackrell.
Rookie watch: Following LT Nate Solder’s decision to opt out of the 2020 season, rookie OT Andrew Thomas could be thrust into the starting role. The team’s first-round pick had spent much of the offseason preparing to play right tackle but will move back to his more natural side and assume the role head coach Joe Judge had envisioned. OT Matt Peart could also compete for a starting job on the right side with OL Nick Gates, who recently signed a contract extension, and veteran Cameron Fleming.
Philadelphia Eagles
Pederson tests positive: Head coach Doug Pederson said he “feels great,” his “energy is high,” and he has “no symptoms whatsoever” on Aug. 3, one day after he was told that he had contracted COVID-19. Pederson wouldn’t project a possible return date. Under the NFL’s protocol, Pederson can return 10 days after testing positive or after five days with two negative tests in addition to getting clearance from doctors. Also, OTs Lane Johnson (positive test) and Jordan Mailata and LB Nathan Gerry were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Rookie watch: QB Jalen Hurts is either the future at quarterback or a more athletic version of Taysom Hill and a guy that the Eagles will utilize from Day 1. How the Eagles introduce Hurts to the offense along with QB Carson Wentz is a major question.
San Francisco 49ers
Kittle watch: TE George Kittle’s contract extension is going to loom over the season if a deal doesn’t get done. The AllPro showed up on time for camp as he enters the final year of his rookie deal,. If Kittle holds out from playing, the 49ers might be more willing to close the significant gap that remains between them and their biggest offensive star. At press time, the 49ers had agreed to a one-year deal with former Pro Bowl TE Jordan Reed.
Rookie watch: An offseason foot injury to WR Deebo Samuel puts first-round pick WR Brandon Aiyuk in focus. The 49ers traded up six spots from No. 31 to select Aiyuk.
Seattle Seahawks
Safety dance: While it hasn’t re-signed DE Jadeveon Clowney, Seattle pulled a big move this offseason on a trade for superstar S Jamal Adams. They traded two first-round picks, a third-rounder and S Bradley McDougald to the Jets.
Rookie watch: LB Jordyn Brooks, whom Seattle selected in the first round, may be called upon to contribute significantly this season. While the Seahawks are stacked at the position with Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, any extra passrushing efforts could shore up what has become somewhat of a porous defensive line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New look: While QB Tom Brady already has a long-established on-field chemistry with new TE Rob Gronkowski, it’ll be interesting to see how quickly Brady develops a similar rapport with WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Bucs also added a veteran leader in the backfield by signing RB LeSean McCoy to a one-year deal.
Rookie watch: OT Tristan Wirfs and S Antoine Winfield Jr. look ready to be instant contributors. Wirfs is the highly prized first-round pick the Bucs selected to help protect Tom Brady up front. Last year’s offensive line allowed Jameis Winston to be sacked 47 times. The Bucs also allowed 270.1 passing yards per game last season, 30th in the league. Thirdround draft pick RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn landed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list, increasing the importance of McCoy.
Washington
Assessing the situation: COVID-19’s impact will force new head coach Ron Rivera and his staff to accelerate its assessment period. Will QB Dwayne Haskins be the starter? Will RB Derrius Guice take the top spot in the backfield?
Rookie watch: Expectations couldn’t be higher for DE Chase Young, the second overall pick in the draft who has been heralded as a generational talent. How Young finds his place on a potentially dominant defensive line should dictate whether Washington can establish a new era of contention.