All articles tagged with #rookie minicamp
The New Orleans Saints signed wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner to their roster after a rookie minicamp tryout. The 6-2, 225-pound WR from Jacksonville State posted 53 receptions for 629 yards and seven touchdowns in his college career (including a 35-383-5 line in 2025). New Orleans also placed Nick Saldiveri on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform.
Jets rookie Cade Klubnik has shown strong early signs at rookie minicamp, including accurate throws and leadership, fueling optimism that he could contend for the QB2 role behind Geno Smith, though the sample size is small and preseason will determine his real role.
Jacksonville’s 27 rookies (10 draft picks, 17 UDFAs) hit the Miller Electric Center for a non-contact rookie minicamp, offering early signs for the team’s future. Second‑round TE Nate Boerkircher and third‑round OL Emmanuel Pregnon looked the part physically, though the practice format limited full evaluation. Day 3 standouts included TE Tanner Koziol and WR CJ Williams, who showed fluid movement and sure hands, and UDFA RB J’Mari Taylor, who flashed explosiveness and pass-catching ability. Veterans such as Chandler Brayboy added depth, while QBs Joey Aguilar and Derek Robertson pushed for No.3 behind Carter Bradley, with Robertson showing touch and Aguilar a live arm but inconsistent accuracy. The three-day camp will continue with pads for clearer assessments.
The Steelers made Drew Allar the only quarterback at rookie minicamp to push him through 35 snaps and gauge his ability to handle tempo, formations, and pre-snap decisions. With Mason Rudolph and Will Howard ineligible for rookie minicamp, Allar carried the workload and viewed the experience as a chance to ask questions and learn McCarthy’s philosophy. McCarthy, who has prior familiarity with Rudolph and Howard, is optimistic about Allar’s potential and development path after an injury-affected season at Penn State.
McCarthy called the Steelers’ rookie minicamp extremely productive, stressing a focus on installing the system and building mental/emotional readiness rather than flashy plays. He highlighted Drew Allar’s solid showing, including 35 team-snap reps, and said new linemen Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker looked the part as the team readies them to train with veterans next week, emphasizing pre-snap communication and formations as the key early work.
Day 2 of the Saints’ rookie minicamp was brief as several players were held for maintenance: first‑round pick Jordyn Tyson sat out a planned hamstring‑related rest day, while kickers and a few rookies (Christen Miller, Zxavian Harris) were out with injuries and CJ Donaldson wasn’t spotted. Coach Kellen Moore noted some players are on maintenance plans for minor injuries and conditioning. Barion Brown flashed with a diving downfield catch, signaling potential for a return‑game and receiving role as he focuses on route running and catching passes, with practices set to ramp up ahead of training camp.
On Day 2 of the Patriots’ rookie minicamp, Caleb Lomu spent the entire practice at left tackle, signaling a potential long‑term fit on the left side while Dametrious Crownover handled right tackle; seventh-round QB Behren Morton received heavy reps under Josh McDaniels, and UDFA receivers like Kyle Dixon showed activity in the team period. Several rookies were sidelined or limited (Raridon, Jacas, Hutchins), and head coach Mike Vrabel stayed actively involved, as the camp winds toward its Sunday conclusion.
On Day 2 of Carolina’s rookie minicamp, Chris Brazzell II stood out with elite catching range and speed, Monroe Freeling arrived at about 325 pounds looking the part and moving well, and rookie center Sam Hecht showed calm, professional play that could push for a rotational role. Coach Dave Canales emphasized the stacked WR room alongside Bryce Young targets like Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette, while post-practice drills mixed competition with light work as the team continues to settle in after the draft. Canales also used the session to acknowledge the Mothers Day holiday and the ongoing development of the rookies.
John Harbaugh arrived at the Giants’ rookie minicamp for his first close look at the team’s top four draft picks, signaling a plan to build a “bully” identity with a pit‑bull mentality that aims to impose the Giants’ will across the NFC East.
Denver's rookie minicamp features 60 players, including seven of the team's 2026 draft picks, plus college free agents, eligible veteran/first-year players, pro tryouts and rookie tryouts; the roster is listed alphabetically by participant.
Veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will participate in the Minnesota Vikings' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, joining 56 attendees (23 on tryouts). Rush, 32, has 42 NFL games with a 9-7 record and was released by the Ravens after Tyler Huntley was named primary backup; he previously started eight games for the Cowboys in 2024 and five in 2022. Minnesota has four quarterbacks on its roster and did not draft or sign a rookie QB, so Rush is competing for depth, along with fellow tryout Aidan Bouman, whose father is former Viking Todd Bouman.
At Jets rookie minicamp, Cade Klubnik, a fourth-round pick, showed leadership and poise in live drills, threading throws to Kenyon Sadiq and Malik McClain, buying time in the pocket and reading safeties. He spoke honestly about Clemson's adversity and his 'winner' mindset, underscoring early signs that he could be a long-term answer if his development continues.
The Steelers wrapped two-day rookie minicamp with Drew Allar taking all quarterback reps and earning a positive first impression as Pittsburgh maintains a slow-development plan. The offensive line remains a focus, with Gennings Dunker at left guard and competition among Dunker, Spencer Anderson, and Brock Hoffman, while Max Iheanachor stayed at right tackle. OTAs begin May 18 after a Mother’s Day break.
Washington’s rookie minicamp offered a mix of optimism and questions: Antonio Williams showcased his versatility for the offense, Sonny Styles flashed playmaking potential at linebacker, and a competitive kicking battle emerged as Drew Stevens pushes Jake Moody. Meanwhile, projections continue to cast doubt on Washington’s defense, despite early camp signs and new personnel.
Cleveland’s rookie minicamp in Berea features 53 players, including 12 undrafted free agents and 25 tryouts vying for roster spots; the weekend also includes veteran Jaelon Reagor in a tryout and long-snapping duties handled by John Ferimann, with most tryouts serving as depth and only a few likely to be signed.