The NFL is officially just 31 days away. Training Camp is officially underway and reports are already flooding in. With so many players now on new rosters and a rookie class looking to make an immediate impact, training camp becomes that much more important.
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Rookie Report | August 6
Changing of the Guard
Out of all major sports leagues, the NFL feels like the league where we see rookies have the most immediate impact. Last year we saw stand out rookies like Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers come in and immediately become the best football player on the field.
In Washington we saw Jayden McDaniels finish one game short of a Super Bowl appearance, in his rookie year. On the defensive side we saw guys like Cooper DeJean not only have an immediate impact in the regular season, but becoming just the second rookie cornerback to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl; the first being Reggie Phillips of the Chicago Bears in 1986.
This year we’ve got an incoming rookie class full of studs and guys that will see the field, day one. Let’s kick it off by talking about the rookie class and how they’ve looked so far at training camp.
Numero Uno
We’ve got to start with the #1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Cam Ward. Ward’s entering a Titans locker room that has lacked both skill at the quarterback position and leadership; a void Ward is more than capable of filling.
Cam went 10-3 his final year with the Hurricanes, throwing for 4,313 yard, 39 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He finished the year with a 172.2 quarterback rating and even added four rushing touchdowns for good measure.
Cam’s shown flashes of brilliance in training camp, making throws in tight windows, getting the ball out deep and even showing off of his athleticism with his rushing ability. These highlights however have been stained by turnovers, with Ward recording four interceptions over the team’s first two practices with full pads.
Despite some early struggles, Cam’s leadership has shined through. He’s at the facility everyday at 5:30 AM, he keeps himself accountable and most of all, he leads by example.
Today we’re seeing reports come out that Ward’s had his best day of camp. He finished the day 15/19, going 8/10 during a two-minute drill that was capped off by a touchdown. Ward completed passes to both Lockett and Ridley on the drive as their chemistry continues to develop.
It’s been a typical camp for a rookie quarterback, highlights, lowlights and whole lot of learning. The Titans win total currently sits at 5.5 with their odds to win the division sitting at 8-1. I won’t sit here and tell you that the Titans are going to win six games, I’ll let our Titans expert Daniel Collins do it.
Friday the 13th
Mike Meyers, also known as Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty was selected sixth overall in this year’s draft by the Raiders and he’s looking to make an immediate impact here in Las Vegas. Jeanty finished with 2,601 rush yards last year for Boise State, he averaged 7.0 yards/carry and scored 29 touchdowns. That’s not a typo, 29 touchdowns on the ground and just one threw the air; for a total of 30 touchdowns.
Jeanty was a Heisman Trophy finalist and pretty much the entirety of the Boise State offense. He’s a running back coming into the NFL that looked poised and ready to handle an immediate workhorse type of workload. Jeanty finished with 374 carries last year, 43 more rushing attempts than his quarterback had completions.
As soon as the pads came on, it became evident what Jeanty can do. His athleticism, explosiveness and ability to hit the gaps has been on full display early in camp. One of Jeanty’s only critiques from his final year at Boise was his ability to pass protect. Early reports from camp have shown no such issues, with Head Coach Pete Carroll praising his ability to transition to the pro-level play style so far.
It’s looking like Jeanty’s going to be a focus for this offense and with Pete Carroll at the helm, don’t be surprised if he eclipses his season rush yard total of 1075.5 or his season touchdown total of 7.5.
Golden Hour in Green Bay
The Packers did something they haven’t done 23 years, draft a wide receiver in the first round. Matthew Golden was selected with the 23rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and has already made a lasting impression on the coach staff and his quarterback, Jordan Love.
When Love was asked who the Packers most impressive newcomer is, without hesitation, Matthew Golden. Love describes Golden as a stud with aggressive hands, smooth route running and the kind of speed you want from your potential WR1.
Golden’s footwork has been on full display, showing his ability to toe the sideline and provide tight targets for his QB. He’s also got the Packers’ biggest play so far in training camp, hauling in a 60-yard touchdown just a couple days ago. He may not be at the top of any mock drafts, but don’t sleep on the Golden Boy in Green Bay.
Deep Dive
Diving deep into these rosters and even deeper into this rookie class, a few more names have stood out during training camp. Guys like TreVeyon Henderson for the Patriots or Omarion Hampton for the Chargers. Two young running backs in situations where they could not only have an immediate impact, but take over the starting job before the season comes to a close.
Hampton looks ready for an increased workload due to the Najee Harris eye injury. Harris has yet to practice and with reports around his eye being kept very quiet, it’s hard to tell how ready he’ll be for Week 1. Hampton finished with 1,660 rush yards in his last year at North Carolina and now enters a Jim Harbaugh offense that loves to pound the rock.
Fast Break Fleury
The Patriots are a completely revamped team this year. They’ve hired former Patriot Mike Vrabel to be the team’s new head coach and he wasted little time filling out his staff. Josh McDaniels was brought back to New England to head this offense and reintroduce his fast break offense that saw so much success here at Foxborough.
The Patriots offense has looked good during camp but one of the stand outs has been rookie TreVeyon Henderson. He’s not only shown flashes out of the backfield, but his abilities as a pass catcher cannot be understated. Two days ago, as the Patriots practived Red Zone offense, Henederson finished with five receptions, three receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
Henderson is a weapon and the Patriots won’t shy away from using him this year. With limited lines available right now, I’m staring at his season total rushing yards at 700.5. With Rhamondre Stevens still ahead of Henderson on the depth chart, it may take a few weeks; but Henderson’s value will be apparent by about Week 5.
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