Baltimore Ravens
First round selection CJ Mosley has been acclimating to the professional level wonderfully. There is still plenty of off-season and preseason football to be played, but Mosley has already been listed as a starter in the base defense. His questionable medical history, as most Alabama alumni have, has yet to be an issue. Mosley’s linebacking partner Daryl Smith has even taken notice of Mosley’s early success.
Along with Mosley, Timmy Jernigan and Michael Campanaro have been impressive in camp thus far. Though, the headlining story of the Ravens draft class is Lorenzo Taliaferro arrest. Taliaferro was arrested in late May for public drunkenness and destruction of property. His court date is set for July 31 and the charges are still pending. For now, Baltimore’s staff will play the waiting game and focus on what Taliaferro can do on the field.
Cincinnati Bengals
With the Bengals cornerback depth chart being as stacked as it is, Darqueze Dennard is doing all he can to earn a starting spot. Although, even the No.3 spot will be a challenge to earn because Dre Kirkpatrick is healthy and played well last year. Similarly, Jeremy Hill is fighting for playing time, but it seems as if he is winning. With him on the team, there has been more talk as to what the Bengals will do with BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Continuing the same theme, AJ McCarron is going to have issues earning the No.2 quarterback job. Veteran Jason Campbell is now on the roster, as is Matt Scott, who was a better college prospect just two years ago than McCarron was this past year.
Other Cincinnati rookies may be struggling for playing time, but center Russell Bodine has taken the starting center job with ease. His only competition is Trevor Robinson, who was not even the starting center last season. With Bodine locking up the starting center job as a rookie, Cincinnati may be able to forget about the position for a long time.
Cleveland Browns
Many assumed that the NFL would instantly make Johnny Manziel “simmer down” with his off-field “antics” (though, in reality, he has never done anything wrong since his freshman year to begin with). So far, Manziel has continued to be himself, which should not be seen as an issue. On-field, Manziel has not made headlines, but he has been consistently working and trying to learn and get better.
Guard Joel Bitonio has been as impressive as a rookie lineman can be. It is still early in the process, but it appears as if Bitonio has made a good enough impression to earn him a starting job in a few months. Bitonio’s smooth technique and fluidity should allow him to take handle the job day one.
Justin Gilbert, like most rookies, is fighting for playing time. At first glance of Cleveland’s roster, one would assume a first round cornerback would easily be given the No.2 cornerback job, but with Leon McFadden and Pierre Desir on the roster, nothing will be gift-wrapped for Gilbert. That being said, it is more likely that Gilbert will look more and more like a starting cornerback as the off-season continues.
Pittsburgh Steelers
First round pick Ryan Shazier only has one real competitor for his starting job: Vince Williams. Williams was a rookie last year, but coming out of college, he was a solid linebacker. He was not better than Shazier, but he will be a competitor nonetheless. That being said, Shazier is much more fit to be the roaming linebacker that Dick LeBeau wants.
While Shazier has it “easy,” Stephon Tuitt and Martavis Bryant will be fighting from behind. Both are much less likely to win a starting job right out of the gate. Tuitt, if healthy, may be able to move out of his likely rotational spot. If he does, he would replace Cam Thomas, who Pittsburgh recently acquired from San Diego. On the other hand, Bryant is almost a lock to be shut out of the No.1 or No.2 receiver position. Antonio Brown is a top ten receiver and Markus Wheaton is a perfect replacement for Mike Wallace’s old role. Bryant will be fighting with Lance Moore for reps as the No.3 receiver.