AFC players on spot:
Marquise Brown, Tyrod Taylor
Buffalo Bills
Technically Stefon Diggs has been a member of the team since March, but it took all the way until training camp to hear from the receiver. Reflecting on being traded from the Vikings, Diggs said his first thoughts were excitement and his new quarterback Josh Allen. Diggs referred to the time the Bills came to Minnesota and beat the Vikings 27-6 in 2018 despite being double digit underdogs. Diggs said he’s trying to build up chemistry with Allen.
– Nick Wojton, Bills Wire
Miami Dolphins
Before his season-ending ACL injury in Week 9 against the Jets, undrafted free agent Preston Williams was one of the NFL’s most productive rookie receivers. Given the timing of his injury, his availability to start this season appeared to be in question until the news came last week that he was cleared for football activities. Given Williams’ size and physical play, a lack of dynamic short-area quickness that sometimes comes with ACL recoveries is less of a worry for Williams.
– Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire
New England Patriots
Cam Newton addressed the media last week for the first time since joining the Patriots in free agency and noted how “surreal” it is to play under Bill Belichick. New England has emphasized the quarterback competition is wide open, with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer expressing their excitement for the position battle. But Newton is clearly the favorite to win the job. He’s already impressing offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with his smarts, work ethic and experience.
New York Jets
Things can change quickly in the NFL, especially in 2020. Initially an expected cap casualty, MLB Avery Williamson is now a lock to regain his starting job a year after tearing his ACL in the preseason. With C.J. Mosley opting out, Williamson is expected to be New York’s defensive signal-caller. The Jets are easing Williamson back into football activities, but he’s confident he’ll be ready to go.
Baltimore Ravens
WR Marquise Brown played last year with a foot injury that caused him to drop to 157 pounds. Though he had a successful rookie season, he bulked up this offseason to 180 pounds, 10 pounds heavier than his days at Oklahoma. Despite the added weight, Brown said a GPS tracker showed he’s as fast as ever.
– Matthew Stevens, Ravens Wire
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is the biggest name at training camp, but it’s Joe Mixon whom coaches want to see more involved. As he comes off consecutive 1,100yard seasons, coaches have made it clear they’d like even more touches for their star running back, up from last year’s 278 carries and 45 targets. Cincinnati revamped its blocking schemes and approach halfway through last season, and over the second half, Mixon led the NFL in carries – his 278 were the most for the team by a running back since 2012 (BenJarvus Green-Ellis).
– Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
Cleveland Browns
Pro Bowl WR Jarvis Landry was recently activated from the
PUP list and appears recovered from offseason hip surgery. Landry emerged as much more of a downfield threat in 2019, blowing away his career-high yards per catch.With the Browns’ depth at WR a huge question, expect a healthy “Juice” to really break loose with QB Baker Mayfield now that he’s healthy.
– Jeff Risdon, Browns Wire
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh was fairly quiet in free agency in part to a lack of salary cap space. But the Steelers quietly made an upgrade at tight end with the free agent acquisition of TE Eric Ebron. He is finally healthy and in an offense that should be able to utilize his physical gifts. Ebron was ninth in the NFL in 2019 among tight ends with 12.1 yards per reception.
– Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
Houston Texans
RB David Johnson is irrevocably linked with the Houston Texans’ trade of WR DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals. In his first season, Johnson seeks to revitalize his career and validate coach and GM Bill O’Brien’s risky transaction, which added a three-down back to their offense. The 28-year-old is enthused. “This is the thing I am probably most excited about is how good and dominant our offensive line looks,” Johnson said.
– Mark Lane, Texans Wire
Indianapolis Colts
The offense’s top receiving target, WR T.Y. Hilton, missed six games in 2019 due to calf and groin injuries. He begins training camp on the non-football injury list after suffering the hamstring injury during a private workout. The unit’s top target will begin camp slightly behind as he works his way back from this soft-tissue injury.
– Kevin Hickey, Colts Wire
Jacksonville Jaguars
With the ramp-up period taking place at training camp, one player who has been under the spotlight is WR DJ Chark Jr. Recently, coach Doug Marrone spoke highly of the thirdyear receiver, who has embraced more of a leader’s role after putting up a career-high of 73 catches, 1,008 receiving yards and eight TDs in 2019. When combining his explosive skills with Gardner Minshew’s deep ball accuracy, the Jags have a chance to be dangerous.
– James Johnson, Jags Wire
Tennessee Titans
Vic Beasley Jr.’s tenure is off to a rough start after he showed up 10 days late to training camp and accrued fines worth $500,000. That’s no doubt troubling considering Beasley was Tennessee’s solution to improve a pass rush that was its downfall in last year’s AFC Championship Game. The good news for the Titans is that the players are still welcoming Beasley with open arms. Beasley is a great fit in Mike Vrabel’s defense and could make a big impact.
– Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Denver Broncos
The Broncos will ask OT Elijah Wilkinson to step up following Ja’Wuan James’ opt-out. It’s a familiar task for Wilkinson because he started in 12 games last season in the place of an injured James. Wilkinson committed six penalties and allowed eight sacks. Coach Vic Fangio said Wilkinson showed improvement in 2019 and will benefit from focusing on right tackle. “It’s a good thing for him personally because now he gets to go back to the position that he spent 800 to 900 snaps at last year,” Fangio said.
– Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
Kansas City Chiefs
Two of the Chiefs’ top receivers took a break from training camp to settle a score. Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman ran a 50-meter race at the team facility to determine who is the fastest receiver on the team. While the race wasn’t timed, the video evidence showed that Hill beat Hardman by a few paces. “Everyday we find ways to better ourselves,” Hill wrote in the video caption. In response to the video, QB Patrick Mahomes said, “I’m just lucky to have both of them.”
– Charles Goldman, Chiefs
Wire
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders used the 2020 draft to get more explosive on offense. One weapon they added was former Kentucky star Lynn Bowden Jr. Bowden started at QB and WR in college, and the Raiders are moving him to running back for his rookie season. However, offensive coordinator Greg Olson plans to use Bowden all over the field, even at quarterback. Olson named Taysom Hill as a comparison for Bowden, which means he could take snaps as a Wildcat QB in games.
– Marcus Mosher, Raiders Wire
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers drafted QB Justin Herbert in the first round as the long-term solution. Veteran Tyrod Taylor, who’s entering his 10th year in the NFL and second season with Los Angeles, told reporters that he’s preparing as if he’s going to start. “You’ve got to prove yourself. Not just to your coaches and teammates, but to yourself,” Taylor said. “My main focus is to go out and prepare myself for the season. I’m excited for the opportunity.” How long Taylor remains the Bolts’ starter will depend on his and the team’s overall performance.
– Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire