The second week of 2024 NFL minicamps kicks off Monday, with 22 groups gathering for exercises after 10 held theirs final week.
It is an opportunity to see who reveals up after skipping voluntary exercises, how rookies carry out in opposition to veterans and the way offensive and defensive techniques look underneath new coordinators.
Right here is one key factor our NFL Nation reporters shall be watching from every workforce that hits the sector this week:
Leap to:ATL | ARI | BAL | BUF | CARCIN | CLE | DEN | GB | JAXKC | LAC | LAR | LV | NE | NONYG | NYJ | PIT | SEA | TB | WAS
How is rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. creating? The Cardinals have saved the aggressive elements of OTAs closed to the media, so there hasn’t been an opportunity to see what Harrison can do on the sector. With the expectations round Harrison rising — seemingly by the week — his relationship with quarterback Kyler Murray shall be one of the vital facets to observe. Murray hasn’t been shy about his expectations for Harrison, saying the rookie may be what “takes us to a different stage.” — Josh Weinfuss
How is QB Kirk Cousins meshing along with his ability gamers? Free agent signee Cousins is coming off a torn proper Achilles that ended his 2023 season, however he has been capable of do all the pieces through the Falcons’ no-contact offseason program. Which may change throughout coaching camp when contact is allowed. For now, the 35-year-old Cousins is attempting to construct chemistry with Atlanta’s younger stars: operating again Bijan Robinson, broad receiver Drake London and tight finish Kyle Pitts. All are 23 or youthful. Throughout a current OTA follow, Cousins hit 4 totally different targets — Pitts, London and broad receivers Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud — for touchdowns in 7-on-7 drills. — Marc Raimondi
What’s going to the first-team offensive line appear like? That is the most important query mark for Baltimore, which is changing three starters in guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson and proper deal with Morgan Moses. All of these spots are up for grabs. The Ravens have been rotating gamers alongside the road all through the spring practices to search out the best mixture. The battles at left guard (Josh Jones vs. Andrew Vorhees), proper guard (Ben Cleveland vs. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu) and proper deal with (Roger Rosengarten vs. Daniel Faalele) would be the most attention-grabbing to observe. The one two linemen assured beginning jobs are Professional Bowl heart Tyler Linderbaum and left deal with Ronnie Stanley. — Jamison Hensley
How is quarterback Josh Allen connecting with the receivers? This shall be a query by way of the beginning of the season as this new model of the Buffalo offense continues to take form. Previously two OTAs open to the media, the protection had the higher hand in workforce drills with interceptions and tipped passes, whereas there have been some standout catches. However actually, it is all too early to inform with out pads on. There is a robust battle to make the roster at broad receiver, nonetheless, and persevering with to construct the reference to Allen shall be key because the workforce heads towards camp; that extends to the opposite place teams as nicely. — Alaina Getzenberg
What to know for the 2024 NFL offseason
• 2024 NFL schedule: Predictions, takeaways• OTA, minicamp dates for all 32 groups• Publish-draft 2024 Energy Rankings: 1-32 ballot• Greatest remaining gap on each roster (ESPN+)• One QB query for all 32 groups (ESPN+)• Draft: See all 257 picks | Choose evaluation
Has QB Bryce Younger improved? OK, it is not that straightforward. Control the offensive line that did not have guard Robert Hunt throughout voluntary exercises. Will the rebuilt inside safety make Younger simpler and permit him to have extra time to search out new receivers Diontae Johnson and rookie Xavier Legette? These offseason strikes had been all about making Younger higher, and this would be the first time they’ve all been collectively on the sector. — David Newton
Is Joe Burrow on monitor? Burrow shall be intently monitored after Cincinnati determined to present him relaxation days as he recovers from surgical procedure on his proper wrist. Whereas that is not alarming, it’s notable given Burrow’s workload in earlier years. Burrow is aware of the necessity to stability preparations for the upcoming season with a wholesome and sustainable workload that his physique can handle efficiently. How that course of goes between now and the tip of July shall be essential to Cincinnati’s success. — Ben Child
How is Deshaun Watson progressing? The Browns’ beginning quarterback has been throwing each different day as he stays restricted in voluntary exercises on account of his rehab plan after a season-ending shoulder harm in November. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned Watson’s stage of participation at minicamp shall be determined by his medical workforce. Teammates and coaches have praised Watson’s work, at the same time as he is needed to primarily take psychological reps on relaxation days. With Watson’s full complement of pass-catchers anticipated to be in attendance, it is going to assist an offense incorporating a brand new scheme if he can improve his exercise. — Daniel Oyefusi
It is the quarterbacks, as it is going to be every day till coach Sean Payton names a starter. Payton has mentioned it is a three-way competitors for the job with rookie Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson. Payton has promised all three will get as many snaps as attainable till a call is made. Many across the workforce consider Nix will in the end emerge because the starter as a result of Payton has pushed so many chips to the center of the desk by making him the twelfth choose of the draft, and he’ll be keen to begin the developmental clock as rapidly as attainable. However till Payton makes it official, all the pieces shall be concerning the quarterbacks. — Jeff Legwold
Second-round picks Javon Bullard and Edgerrin Cooper. No beginning jobs are going to be received or misplaced in June, however the Packers’ two highest-drafted defensive gamers this 12 months may make a significant impression in new coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme. Each confirmed flashes throughout OTAs, however neither one has fairly locked up a beginning job but. Cooper has a superb shot to begin at one of many three inside linebacker positions within the 4-3 base protection, whereas Bullard is squarely within the combine on the security spot subsequent to free agent addition Xavier McKinney. — Rob Demovsky
How are the rookies creating? Coach Doug Pederson is excusing many of the veterans from minicamp, so the main focus will primarily be on the rookies, particularly broad receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the workforce’s first-round choose. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was filled with reward for Thomas final week, saying Thomas has adjusted to the offense a lot faster than anticipated. “He is actually good,” Lawrence mentioned. “I feel that is the one factor I am most impressed with: He is choosing up the offense tremendous quick. He is a quiet man, so we’re nonetheless getting him to ask questions and stuff, however he does not ask any questions. He at all times is aware of what to do.” — Michael DiRocco
Will the Chiefs get improved play from their broad receivers? The Chiefs want Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy up to the mark as quickly as attainable, given the potential that they might start the season with out final 12 months’s prime broad receiver, Rashee Rice. It is unclear whether or not Worthy, the Chiefs’ first-round draft choose, will have the ability to take part due to a sore hamstring that restricted his follow time throughout OTAs. The Chiefs are additionally hopeful of bounce-back seasons from Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, and minicamp will present a glimpse into whether or not they can contribute greater than final season. — Adam Teicher
Better of NFL Nation
• What the NFL’s ultimate 4 had in widespread• A take a look at 49ers RB plans behind McCaffrey• Raiders assured they’ve LT of the long run• What we’re watching at minicamps• Mayfield pleased to have extra command in 12 months 2
The quarterback battle between second-year returner Aidan O’Connell and vagabond veteran Gardner Minshew. Proper now, it’s extra mutual admiration than intense competitors, however the Raiders did signal Minshew, on his third workforce in three years, to a two-year, $25 million free agent contract with $15 million assured. O’Connell already earned the respect of the locker room with a robust conclusion to his rookie season (eight landing passes and 0 interceptions in Las Vegas’ 3-1 end). The Raiders’ lone loss in that stretch? To Minshew and the Colts. “He is a workforce man; I am a workforce man,” Minshew mentioned. “We each wish to win. We each wish to get higher.” — Paul Gutierrez
The broad receivers. After the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams within the offseason, the Chargers’ receiving corps grew to become essentially the most evident uncertainty. It is going to be Justin Herbert’s first season with out what was one of many league’s finest receiving pairings. The Chargers drafted three receivers, together with Georgia’s Ladd McConkey within the second spherical, and signed receiver DJ Chark Jr. How they battle for reps with returnees Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston (final 12 months’s first-round choose), shall be a major storyline. — Kris Rhim
Matthew Stafford’s contract standing. Final week, Rams coach Sean McVay mentioned he did not have an replace on whether or not there had been progress on a brand new contract or extension for the quarterback, saying, “We’re simply conserving all the pieces inside.” McVay did say he expects Stafford, who has participated within the Rams’ voluntary work this spring, to be at minicamp. Two years in the past, the Rams reworked defensive deal with Aaron Donald’s contract proper earlier than minicamp, however sometimes they get contract extensions accomplished throughout coaching camp or proper earlier than the beginning of the season. — Sarah Barshop
Matthew Judon’s presence and stage of participation. The veteran exterior linebacker hasn’t been an everyday at voluntary practices, which head coach Jerod Mayo famous has been his commonplace strategy through the years, and he is coming off a torn proper biceps harm that restricted him to 4 video games final season. He is additionally within the final 12 months of his contract and is scheduled to earn $7.5 million, which is beneath the marketplace for a participant of his caliber when wholesome. Obligatory camp will present an preliminary snapshot of his present standing — health-wise and along with his mindset concerning his contract. — Mike Reiss
The cornerbacks. Marshon Lattimore hasn’t been round since November after getting injured in a Week 10 recreation, and it has been a protracted offseason of commerce rumors and hypothesis about his future. Saints coach Dennis Allen mentioned he expects to see Lattimore in minicamp. Lattimore’s return, together with the potential participation of second-round choose Kool-Assist McKinstry, who has not practiced whereas rehabbing an harm, makes the cornerback group essentially the most intriguing place to observe. — Katherine Terrell
Will Daniel Jones take part in dwell drills? The Giants’ beginning quarterback has been on the sector for OTAs, however has been restricted, and coach Brian Daboll hinted lately he may get into 11-on-11 drills by minicamp. That will be a constructive signal, contemplating Jones is lower than seven months faraway from an ACL harm that has an 8- to 10-month restoration timetable. Jones’ rehab has been “proper on schedule,” based on Daboll. If the Giants resolve to maintain him out of dwell drills at minicamp and play it protected till coaching camp, it is one other alternative for Drew Lock to attempt to impress as QB1. — Jordan Raanan
Will Professional Bowl pass-rusher Haason Reddick present up? The Jets’ greatest addition skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason program, presumably as a result of he is angling for a contract extension. He forfeited a $250,000 exercise bonus by staying away; if he blows off the two-day minicamp, which is necessary, he’d incur greater than $50,000 in fines. His absence would escalate the state of affairs to a better stage of concern. It definitely would not be a superb optic for the Jets, who traded a 2026 conditional third-round choose for Reddick. He is on account of make $14.25 million in base pay within the ultimate 12 months of his three-year, $45 million contract, however the wage is not assured. That may very well be one of many sticking factors. — Wealthy Cimini
Will Justin Fields get any first-team reps? As Mike Tomlin has typically mentioned, Russell Wilson is in “pole place” within the competitors between the 2 newly acquired quarterbacks. The true competitors will undoubtedly ramp up later this summer time in coaching camp, however necessary minicamp is the following vital alternative to guage the 2 signal-callers in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system. Whereas the Steelers traded for Fields with the intention of the 2021 first-round choose studying from Wilson, Fields expressed a need to compete with the previous Broncos quarterback and mentioned final month he isn’t planning on sitting on the bench all season. — Brooke Pryor
How Geno Smith and Sam Howell are faring in Seattle’s new offense. There is no such thing as a contract drama hanging over the Seahawks’ offseason, neither is there a quarterback competitors, however there’s loads of intrigue. Smith and Howell are studying new coordinator Ryan Grubb’s scheme, which he estimated in early June to be virtually 50% put in. The three OTAs that had been open to reporters had been heavy on 11-on-11 work, which made it clear that Smith, who has already been declared the starter and took all of the No. 1 reps, is nicely forward of Howell. Obligatory minicamp will supply a greater take a look at every quarterback’s progress since receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett ought to each be there after being out and in throughout OTAs. — Brady Henderson
Left deal with Tristan Wirfs’ participation. A supply near the state of affairs advised ESPN the three-time Professional Bowler and All-Professional will attend. However in what capability? Wirfs is ready to play underneath the fifth-year choice if either side cannot attain a deal on an extension. As a result of the 2 sides are negotiating, Wirfs has not been collaborating in OTAs. He has been on the facility within the weight room however hasn’t been out on the sector. Quarterback Baker Mayfield joked, “Tristan’s nonetheless round. We’re not holding out on the friendship though he is holding on us.” — Jenna Laine
How is Jayden Daniels creating? A lot hinges on Daniels’ improvement, and at OTAs he displayed quite a lot of what the Commanders cherished about him earlier than the draft: accuracy, contact and work ethic. He has additionally proven poise and persistence. However as Washington progresses with its set up of the offense — and the protection begins to check him extra — how does he reply? Will he exit the spring wanting on tempo to begin the season opener? Among the questions on him will revolve round whether or not the Commanders have given him the mandatory assist to succeed. They want him to be a part of the answer as a rookie, not the complete one. — John Keim
