NFL in Focus: Key Takeaways from Week 2 Minicamps
The second week of NFL minicamps kicks off this Monday, with 30 teams ready for training. The Detroit Lions canceled their sessions, and the Chicago Bears already held theirs last week. This is the time to assess attendance after voluntary workouts, the performance of rookies versus veterans, and the functioning of offensive and defensive systems under the direction of the new coordinators.
Here, an analysis of the key aspects that our reporters will be observing in each team during this week:
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Will James Cook appear?
The running back has not participated in organized team activities (OTAs) while seeking a contract extension, but the team insists Cook will play this season with the Bills. Three other players from the Bills’ 2022 draft class received extensions. Cook, 25, is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and although there have been conversations with his representation, the two sides did not reach an agreement.
Cook’s attendance at the mandatory minicamp will be the next crucial step in resolving his situation.Miami Dolphins
Who will stand out in high school?
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is publicly on the trade market, but there’s no obvious replacement on a team that was looking for a starting cornerback before deciding to move the former All-Pro.
Kader Kohou has been a starter, although primarily as a nickel back, throughout his career. Will players like cornerbacks Cam Smith or Ethan Bonner be able to take a big step forward in their development, or will the Dolphins rely on veteran free agents to fill the void?New England Patriots
Will any of the wide receivers separate themselves from the group at mandatory camp?
The numbers are important, with Kayshon Boutte noting that the Patriots have 12 and, likely, only six will make the initial roster. Veterans Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, third-year slot DeMario Douglas, and the 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams are considered safe. This leaves two projected spots for the rest of the group, which includes nine-year veteran Kendrick Bourne, Boutte, the 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round), and undrafted free agent Efton Chism III, among others.
Spring is usually a period to build momentum heading into the start of training camp at the end of July, and each member of that group has done something notable to prepare for what appears to be an intense competition.
New York Jets
Is someone emerging as the number 2 receiver?
Number 1 is clear: Garrett Wilson, but there’s a significant drop-off after him.
The most likely candidates are Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard, but neither brings a dynamic element to the passing offense. Rookie tight end Mason Taylor could be that player someday, but it’s too much to expect an immediate impact. The Wilson-Justin Fields chemistry is well-documented, dating back to their days at Ohio State, but Wilson will face a disproportionate amount of coverage if the Jets don’t have another threat. They used a third-round pick last year on Malachi Corley, thinking he would be a starter, but he’s out due to an undisclosed injury after a disappointing rookie year.AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Who will primarily work at the left guard position with the starters?
The left guard is the only starting position available on the NFL’s best offense in 2024 after Baltimore didn’t re-sign Patrick Mekari, who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. This is likely to be a battle between Ben Cleveland and Andrew Vorhees. Cleveland worked with the first team in the first week of OTAs, and Vorhees lined up with the starters at the start of Week 2. Both have limited starting experience. Cleveland has seven career starts, and Vorhees has three. Third-round pick Emery Jones Jr. could join this competition in training camp after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Cincinnati Bengals
Will defensive end Trey Hendrickson appear?
The team has informed Hendrickson that they plan to fine players who don’t attend. Last year, Ja’Marr Chase began his holdout in minicamp that lasted throughout training camp. Mandatory minicamp will be the final checkpoint on Hendrickson’s situation, which could extend into camp.Cleveland Browns
Does anyone stand out in the Browns’ four-way quarterback competition?
Coach Kevin Stefanski has cautioned against reading too much into practice reps in the spring, but veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett have split most of the first-team reps over rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Minicamp will be the last chance to make an impression before the competition intensifies in training camp.Pittsburgh Steelers
Will T.J. Watt be playing?
Now that Aaron Rodgers is on the roster and expected to be at minicamp, all eyes are on Watt. The Steelers star is in contract negotiations and has not been seen at voluntary workouts. Although Watt has not spoken publicly about his contract status, he posted a photo of himself flashing a peace sign after a game on his Instagram story earlier this offseason. Watt attended the minicamp and training camp, but only did individual work while holding out during his last contract negotiation. That record-breaking deal was finally finalized just before the season. This time, we’ll get some indication of how negotiations are going when, or if, Watt shows up at the practice facility for minicamp.AFC South
Houston Texans
Will C.J. Stroud throw in the minicamp?
Coach DeMeco Ryan said he has “no concerns” about Stroud, who is dealing with general soreness in his right shoulder, not throwing during OTAs. The Texans have a new offensive coordinator in Nick Caley and it would benefit them for Stroud to get some reps with a new offense. It doesn’t make or break the offseason, but it probably won’t become a distraction. Still, it would be good to see Stroud throw in minicamp.
Indianapolis Colts
What does Anthony Richardson Sr.’s injury do in the battle for the quarterback position?
The Colts wanted a quarterback competition this offseason, but the aggravation of Anthony Richardson’s shoulder injury likely put an end to those hopes in minicamp. Richardson has been sidelined since last week and will not participate in this mandatory camp, so the stage belongs to Daniel Jones. This will be an ideal opportunity for the veteran, who is entering his seventh season, to demonstrate that he can be the Colts’ starting quarterback. Richardson’s injury has already given Jones a head start in the battle for the quarterback position. This week offers the opportunity to build some continuity with his receivers and offensive linemen in full team practices, as Jones will not be sharing first-team reps, as planned.
Jacksonville Jaguars
How much work will Travis Hunter get on defense?
In the three OTAs that were open to the media, Hunter worked exclusively as a receiver, but he has spent time as a cornerback in several closed practices and coach Liam Coen has been impressed. “The movement skills and some of the man-to-man coverages, the feel in zone coverage, you can definitely see how natural it is for him,” Coen said. “He’s trying to learn the plays as much as possible, but when you see him in the 7-on-7s and in team settings, he doesn’t look out of place in any way.”
Tennessee Titans
How will the repetitions be divided between quarterbacks Cameron Ward and Will Levis?
It’s crucial that Ward, this year’s No. 1 pick, acclimates because he’ll likely get the starting job. But don’t count out Levis. Titans coach Brian Callahan said there will be a competition during minicamp and training camp. Both quarterbacks took turns starting in 7-on-7 and team periods during OTAs. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has already been impressed with Ward’s vision and ability to find the open receiver. That’s an early sign of progress. But the best way to prepare Ward is to increase the reps, especially with the first team.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
Will we have an idea of what the runner rotation will be like?
When we last saw the Broncos’ offense, Javonte Williams was the lead running back, Audric Estime was a healthy scratch for the playoff loss in Buffalo, and his replacement, Tyler Badie, only had two carries. Since then, Williams signed with the Cowboys in free agency. In OTAs, it has become clear that the Broncos wanted to get a good look at second-round rookie RJ Harvey, and coach Sean Payton has said he sees Harvey as an every-down option. And while any conclusions from minicamp should come with a caveat, it will be interesting to see how the workload is divided next week.
Kansas City Chiefs
How much can Josh Simmons participate?
The Chiefs selected Simmons in the first round this year to address their long-standing problem at left tackle, despite the fact that he is recovering from a torn patellar tendon injury. If Simmons participates fully, that’s a good sign for his chances of starting when the regular season begins. If not, his situation remains something to keep an eye on. The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, and he would step in if Simmons isn’t ready to play.
Las Vegas Raiders
How will the competition of cornerbacks continue to develop?
During OTAs, Las Vegas had rookie Darien Porter and Eric Stokes getting first-team reps at outside cornerback, while Jakorian Bennett and Decamerion Richardson had second-team reps. There’s still plenty of time before the depth chart is finalized, but it’s clear that the competition at cornerback is wide open.
Los Angeles Chargers
How will the starting offensive line look?
The Chargers have three established starters, with tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, as well as Mekhi Becton at right guard. The starters at left guard and center, however, will be determined this offseason. Zion Johnson, who started at left guard the past two seasons, has taken snaps at center during OTAs. Trey Pipkins III, who played right guard last season, will be in the mix at left guard, and last year’s starting center, Bradley Bozeman, and free agent signing, Andre James, should be in the mix at center and guard.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
What will Micah Parsons do?
The pass rusher missed most of the OTAs, but said on social media that he will be at minicamp. That doesn’t mean he’ll do all the work on the field while he waits for a lucrative extension. Earlier in the offseason, he hinted that he might attend activities but not do the on-field work, so call it a holdout. But Parsons also said he learns best on the field than on video, which could affect how quickly he learns the changes from new coordinator Matt Eberflus. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said that he and Parsons have been communicating throughout the offseason and that he has no issues with Parsons’ approach.
New York Giants
How do Jaxson Dart, Russell Wilson, and Jameis Winston look?
All eyes are on the Giants’ quarterbacks this spring, summer, and season. They will determine the team’s ability to compete and the future of coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. The Giants will get a better look at how Dart compares to starter Wilson in minicamp. “Everyone will get reps,” Daboll said about minicamp. That includes Tommy DeVito, who has been alongside Dart with the third-team offense in OTAs.
Philadelphia Eagles
How do the new players fit into the defense?
The Eagles lost a significant number of defensive contributors this offseason, including cornerback Darius Slay Jr., defensive ends Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and defensive tackle Milton Williams. Meanwhile, starting linebacker Nakobe Dean is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon and “won’t be back for a while,” according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The Eagles will have a mix of promising players like cornerback Kelee Ringo, safety Sydney Brown, and defensive lineman Moro Ojomo, and new additions in cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, defensive end Azeez Ojulari, and rookies Ty Robinson and Andrew Mukuba competing for those spots. First-round linebacker Jihaad Campbell (shoulder) will eventually be in the mix as well, but won’t be on the field until sometime in August, according to Fangio.Washington Commanders
CB Marshon Lattimore’s game statusLattimore has skipped the voluntary OTAs sessions, something he also did in his last years in New Orleans. The key for Lattimore is to stay healthy during the season and play at a high level, which is why Washington traded for him last season. Any questions about his durability cannot be answered until the season. However, in his five games with Washington, he played with mixed results. For the Commanders to take a big step as a defense, they need a strong game from Lattimore.
NFC North
Chicago Bears
The Bears held their minicamp last week.
Detroit Lions
The Lions canceled their scheduled minicamp.
Green Bay Packers
Can RB MarShawn Lloyd finally show what he is capable of?
The Packers had high hopes for their third-round draft pick last year as a rookie, but ankle and hamstring injuries derailed his season from the start. Add to that an emergency appendectomy, and his rookie year was a bust, as he only played 10 snaps. He finally returned for offseason workouts during the last week of OTAs after missing more time for an undisclosed reason. The Packers liked his versatility as a running back and receiver out of the backfield. “He’s an explosive player,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said this offseason. “I think he’s getting to a better place, but he’s got to prove it over time, you know? And, unfortunately, he’s had a lot of things that have come up and where he hasn’t been available, and it’s hard to get it going when you’re not available.”
Minnesota Vikings
How will J.J. McCarthy perform?
The No. 10 pick of the 2024 draft has taken all first-team reps this spring following the departures of Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, and the decision not to sign free agent Aaron Rodgers. In the OTAs open to reporters, McCarthy has shown a mix of safe throws with the kind of hesitation, imprecision, and mistakes you’d expect from a first-time starter. At a minimum, the Vikings want to end minicamp with the assurance that McCarthy has progressed enough to warrant starting training camp as the starter.NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
Will Kirk Cousins play?
The veteran quarterback and the organization have been at a passive standstill. Cousins has been at the facilities a bit this spring, but he hasn’t been on the field in practice during OTAs. That part of the offseason program is voluntary. Minicamp is not, and if Cousins misses it, he could be fined. Cousins wants to start and it won’t happen in Atlanta with the franchise behind Michael Penix Jr. Cousins’ preference is to be released, but the Falcons feel comfortable keeping him as a backup given his price ($27.5 million in 2025) or trading him if something comes up.
Carolina Panthers
What is the impact of first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan on quarterback Bryce Young and the offense?
Arizona’s wide receiver was chosen at number 8 instead of a player who could help the NFL’s worst defense last season. It was the second consecutive year that Carolina selected a wide receiver in Round 1, and so far, the relationship between McMillan and Xavier Legette has been good. But will McMillan elevate the offense to surpass the potential value of a defensive player at number 8?
New Orleans Saints
The battle for the starting quarterback The battle for the starting quarterback will last all summer, with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough trading most of the first-team reps. But, minicamp will be the next step forward for both quarterbacks after several weeks of slowly increasing the competition with limited 7-on-7 work in OTAs.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
How much will wide receiver Chris Godwin participate and where is he in his rehabilitation from a left ankle sprain?
Godwin had a blazing start last season before the Week 7 injury ended his season. So, what will his participation look like? (Will he be on the sidelines the whole time? Will he work on the side with a member of the training staff? Will he do position drills?) General Manager Jason Licht has said he expects Godwin to be ready for Week 1, but he hasn’t gone into detail beyond that. This could be the first time this offseason we see how he’s recovering.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
How has the chemistry between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. improved during the offseason?
Harrison was good as a rookie, but there were several notable communication breakdowns with Murray, who is entering his seventh season. The two spent a considerable amount of time together during the offseason, opting to train in Arizona. But how will it pay off? Minicamp will give a brief glimpse of their timing and execution.
Los Angeles Rams
Will the Rams sign running back Kyren Williams to a contract extension?
Williams attended the start of the Rams’ organized team activities, so there’s no reason to believe he won’t attend minicamp. Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and Rams general manager Les Snead said during the league meetings that the team “definitely would like to engineer a long-term partnership with Kyren.” During OTAs, coach Sean McVay said communication with Williams’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about a contract extension has been “really healthy.” “We’ll see where this goes, but I think it’s been really healthy and positive progress, for sure,” McVay said.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ renewed defense San Francisco said goodbye to its coordinator and nine defenders who started at least one game last season.
