The OTA/Minicamp period is a training run for the firehose that opens up during training camp. We learn about players advancing in their development. We get our first peek at new offensive schemes and roles, and players on new teams. We learn about injuries, surgeries, and recovery progress. We get a lot of coach and player speak to digest. Most of it is not actionable, but it is very useful as a "study guide" for knowing where we should focus when camps open, so we are poised to act when the faint signal gets louder. Let's go over what has been happening and where our attention should be later this summer.
Quarterback Minicamp News
- Miami head coach Jeff Hafley suggested that the team could use QB Malik Willis on "tush push" plays at the goal line.
- Jacoby Brissett reported to mandatory OTAs and ended his holdout, but he's now in a quarterback competition with Gardner Minshew II and third-round pick Carson Beck after being seen as the starter before the draft.
- Shedeur Sanders has closed the gap between him and Deshaun Watson in the Cleveland quarterback competition and has a chance to win it if he can get the ball out quicker in camp and the preseason.
- Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy split reps with the first team, and neither quarterback pulled ahead in what appears to be a legitimate quarterback competition for Minnesota.
- Broncos QB Bo Nix revealed that he had a second ankle surgery for a bone spur during the offseason. He participated in OTAs in a limited fashion and is on track to be ready for training camp.
Running Back Minicamp News
- Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson is focused on improving his pass blocking and route running/receiving skills.
- Jaguars RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. had surgery performed on his left foot after suffering an injury earlier in the offseason program, but is expected to be ready for training camp.
- Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten is having a "strong offseason".
- Browns RB Quinshon Judkins is looking and feeling like his old self in his recovery from a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula. He's also a fan of new head coach Todd Monken.
- Broncos fourth-round pick Jonah Coleman was a standout in his first offseason.
- It was revealed that Broncos RB RJ Harvey suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder in the AFC Championship Game and had it surgically repaired in the offseason. He participated in spring practices in a limited fashion and should be ready for training camp.
- Chiefs RB Ken Walker III said he expects to be used more in the passing game in Kansas City than he was in Seattle.
- Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah were standouts and could replace Malik Davis as the backup to Javonte Williams. Blue has rebounded from a rough rookie year, and the change is "night and day", according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and the team is trying to get his speed in play in the passing game. Mafah is running with more natural power and could become the early-down backup.
- Giants RB Cam Skattebo participated in 11-on-11 drills at the end of OTAs and doesn't appear to be struggling in his comeback from a dislocated ankle and broken fibula.
- Packers RB Josh Jacobs was arrested on domestic violence charges on May 26.
- Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd worked with a doctor this offseason to figure out why he had trouble staying healthy, and the team is optimistic about him after he played a much bigger part in spring practices than he had in his first two seasons.
- Vikings sixth round pick RB Demond Claiborne was a standout and drew a comparison to Jahmyr Gibbs by teammate Aaron Jones Sr..
- Carolina's 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks participated in OTAs and is expected to be full go for training camp. He's coming back from a second ACL tear of the same knee in December 2024.
- Saints RB Alvin Kamara showed up for minicamp, but it's not clear yet whether he will be released, traded, or play this season in New Orleans. The Saints would save more cap room by trading Kamara (or by him retiring) than by releasing him.
- Tampa RB Bucky Irving was able to participate by the end of OTAs as he comes back from shoulder surgery, but head coach Todd Bowles described free agent signing Kenneth Gainwell as part of a "one-two punch" with Irving.
- First-round pick RB Jadarian Price and third-year UDFA George Holani split first-team snaps. RB Zach Charbonnet is recovering from February 20 ACL surgery, but head coach Mike MacDonald left open the possibility that he returns earlier than expected (which is sometime in the second half of the season).
Wide Receiver Minicamp News
Photos provided by Imagn Images
