6 Rookies Impressing Coaches In NFL Training Camps
6. Austin Booker - Chicago Bears DE
When training camp opened for the Chicago Bears Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze were the players to watch, but rookie defensive end Austin Booker is the player turning heads.
Booker was just a fifth-round pick from Kansas this season, but he may be a steal for the Bears. Defensive Coordinator Eric Washington says,
"I saw a lot of things that I'm really excited about," said Washington on NBC Sports Chicago. His hand usage, his ability to counter. And with a pass rusher, especially a young player, it's just a mindset. He's competing out there, and he's competing to win."
Veteran NFL scout Jim Nagy said Booker should make an impact for the Bears this season. Nagy says he has 'sneaky power' with his best ball still ahead. Get a close look at Booker and all the Windy City youngsters on Hard Knocks on Max now.
5. Taliese Fuaga - New Orleans Saints OT
During Organized Team Activities this year, the New Orleans Saints moved rookie Taliese Fuaga to left tackle. Guarding Derek Carr's blind spot is a huge compliment and responsibility.
"I will say this, for as long as I've been here, he's the best rookie offensive lineman I've seen," Saints center Erik McCoy told reporters. "I think (Taliese Fuaga) is going to be a lockdown. I’m a fan. That’s all I can say about him.”
The Saints need stability up front after losing starter Ryan Ramczyk and moving former first-rounder Trevor Penning to right tackle.
Fuaga played right tackle for his entire career at Oregon State. While rookies can struggle on the offensive line, the Saints have faith in the 6 foot 6, 324-pound young man.
4. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. - Philadelphia Eagles LB
Rookie linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is no stranger to the NFL. He watched his father play 11 seasons in the league, eight with the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly drafted junior, and now he's getting noticed, not just because of his name.
Trotter Jr., drafted in the fifth round out of Clemson, is getting reps with the Eagles' first-team defense. He was entrusted with calling plays for the defense this week.
"I'm just focused on getting better every single day," Trotter said. "There's always stuff I can improve on. They rotate me in a little bit with the ones, but I just want to focus on continuing to improve and gain their trust and do whatever I can to help the team and find my role."
"It's basically like being home, so I can be comfortable with that and focus on football."
3. Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders QB
Jayden Daniels is flying under the radar in his rookie training camp with the Washington Commanders. That's not easy to do when you're the second pick in the draft. Daniels will be the starter in Washington's first preseason game.
"A lot of times you talk about rookies; it's like this guy is going to be really good." Tight end Zach Ertz said of Daniels, "Jayden is good now.”
Daniels was expected to get this job, and he's playing better than the staff could have hoped.. "He's earned that right to do that," Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said of Daniels. "Through the course of all the practices, you're keeping track of accuracy and completions and decisions of where it goes. It was really a byproduct of him really nailing those moments.
Quinn had high expectations of the quarterback before the OTAs started, and he said Daniels has exceeded all of them. There's a reason he was drafted second.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr. - Arizona Cardinals WR
There's also a reason Marvin Harrison Jr. was picked fourth by the Arizona Cardinals from Ohio State. He's been spectacular since he arrived in Phoenix for OTAs, even impressing Cardinals veterans.
"This guy is elite. He's a freak of nature," Cardinals tight end Trey McBride said." It's one of those things where a guy of his stature shouldn't be able to move the way he moves, shouldn't be as fast as he is, shouldn't be able to catch the ball the way he does. Everything he does is elite."
Harrison Jr. is listed as the team's number-one wide receiver on Arizona's first depth chart. He will be quarterback Kyler Murray's first option when the season starts against Buffalo. It's a lot to live up to, especially when his father is in the Hall of Fame.
1. Malik Nabers - New York Giants WR
Wide receiver Malik Nabers of the New York Giants is the best rookie in the league right now, and the G-Men need a number-one receiver. His speed and hands have people around the team very excited. He's getting a lot of praise heading into the final days of training camp.
"(He showed) what he's showed all camp," Giants head coach Brian Daboll said. "Competitive. Knows what to do. Been playing at a high level in practice, (we'll) see if that translates to the games. I have a lot of confidence in Malik."
His passion got the best of him this week. He got into a little dust-up in a joint practice with the Detroit Lions. The two teams will meet in their first preseason game on Thursday night (Dec 8).
“I’m just out here trying to compete at the highest point, make plays when I got the opportunity," Nabers said, "Continue to show my coaches that I’m able to play in this league,”
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