AFC Team-by-Team OTA Notes
The NFL's offseason is officially in the books. Now that OTAs and minicamp are wrapped, we can sit back and sift through the news while beginning to draw some conclusions. As you get set for fantasy drafts coming in two short months, be sure to check out my NFC Team-by-Team Notes to get caught up. Also, follow me and Rotoworld Football on Twitter.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
As far as we know, Ray Rice has been a model NFL citizen throughout his six-year career. And Roger Goodell typically gives first-time offenders of the personal conduct policy a little bit of a leash. But since Rice was caught red-handed by the cameras in Atlantic City’s Revel casino and of course by TMZ, the situation is different: He publicly tarnished the shield in an ugly way. Whispers during minicamp suggested that Rice will be slapped with at least a 4-6 game ban – and given what he did versus what weed-obsessed Josh Gordon has done (and done again and again) to get a likely 16-game ban, I think that makes sense. … That brings us to Bernard Pierce, who participated in individual work during OTAs and minicamp as he comes off shoulder surgery. Pierce is expected to be a full-go from Day 1 of training camp, and will have an excellent chance to run with this starting job in the regular season. Despite a really bad Year 2 regression, his stiff arm and power were really impressive as a rookie in 2012. Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro can’t touch him. I wouldn’t draft Rice at all, and would be happy to use a mid-round pick on Pierce. He could very well take this job by the horns and run ahead of Rice all season.
New offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has been installing his trademark scheme throughout the offseason. We know what we’re going to get – consistent production out of the “X” receiver spot, the pass-catching tight end and the running game. … In 141 games as Kubiak’s primary “X” (1997-2005), Rod Smith averaged 5.5 catches for 74.3 yards and scored 62 touchdowns. In 109 games as Kubiak’s primary “X” (2006-2013), Andre Johnson averaged 6.6 catches for 90.4 yards and scored 49 touchdowns. Kubiak’s new “X” is Torrey Smith, an ascending playmaker that’s in a contract year and ready to take off at age 25. I’d love to have him as my WR2 even if he’s not a volume guy a la Rod or Andre. … I won’t be on Steve Smith, who has lost a step or three and has already accepted that he’ll play the Kevin Walter role for Kubiak. … I will be on Dennis Pitta, who I think would have led the Ravens in receptions last season if not for his hip injury. Now healthy, Pitta can do far more while working at the Owen Daniels/Shannon Sharpe spot in this scheme.
BUFFALO BILLS
Signs from offseason practice suggest that the Bills coaches realize they badly bungled C.J. Spiller last year. Not only did they keep sending him out there on a high-ankle sprain, but they also slammed him between the tackles over and over again. That’s not his game. During OTAs, the offensive coaches seemed “eager” to expand the way in which Spiller is used. That should mean getting him in the open field via standard screens, bubble screens, hitches, pitches – whatever it takes to be creative. I don’t think Spiller is the “till he pukes” kind of volume back this regime originally thought, but he’ll do a ton of damage on 13-15 touches per game. I like him in the third- or fourth-round if he’s there. … Fred Jackson has been defying Father Time, but I don’t want to be holding him when the music stops. If the 33-year-old runs out of gas this year, that Spiller pick will look even better.
There have predictably been positive vibes coming out of Buffalo on second-year QB E.J. Manuel, with coach Doug Marrone saying it’s “like a light going off” in terms of the playbook. It’s not the kind of coach speak worth buying into. Third-party reports say Manuel’s offseason performance has been decidedly mixed, citing accuracy issues. First-round WR Sammy Watkins is a strong candidate to be overdrafted and No. 2 WR/slot man Robert Woods isn’t on my sheet. There are whispers Mike Williams might not even make the team.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
There are so many notable scheme changes for fantasy football this season. One of the most obvious ones to me is in Cincy, where new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson will be switching to a run-based scheme that sets up the pass. It’s a no-brainer move due to Andy Dalton’s talent limitations, and it means A.J. Green is my WR7 right now – behind Calvin Johnson, Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, Brandon Marshall, Jordy Nelson and Julio Jones. It also means Dalton has been downgraded to low-end QB2 status despite finishing as fantasy’s No. 5 quarterback last year. He’ll act as a caretaker of the offense more than a playmaker now, pushing closer to Russell Wilson’s 407 attempts than his own 586 from last year.
The clear beneficiaries of that scheme change will be starter Giovani Bernard and rookie Jeremy Hill. Hill has run ahead of incumbent “big back” BenJarvus Green-Ellis ever since he stepped foot in Cincy, highlighting Jackson’s tendency not to mess around – he identifies talent and puts it in a position to succeed. I think there’s enough room for Gio to get 16-20 touches and Hill to get 7-9 plus goal-line work. “We’re just going to smash your face in – basically,” said Bernard of the new offense. Green-Ellis, now a third-stringer, may not be active on Sundays even if he sticks on the 53-man roster. … Another winner of the Jay Gruden for Hue swap is Marvin Jones. Inexplicably forced to rotate with Mohamed Sanu last season, Jones will now be an every-down player opposite Green while Sanu is going to be a role player and slot man. Simply a good football player that has shown a knack for making incredibly difficult catches, Jones is on my green highlighter list. Former Rotoworld boss Gregg Rosenthal has a good writeup on Marvin here.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Browns stuck to their guns throughout offseason practices, giving Brian Hoyer (ACL tear) the first-team reps in the drills he could participate in. He’ll enter training camp as the starter, meaning Johnny Manziel will actually have to earn the job. But let’s be honest. If Johnny Football can’t beat out a journeyman quarterback coming off a knee reconstruction, the Browns will have bigger problems than the fan/media crush that will besiege them. I’d bet on Manziel under center in Week 1, and am fine with him as a QB2 thanks to his rushing upside (see Robert Griffin’s rookie year in the Shanahan & Son scheme). … I’m also not ready to give up on Ben Tate even though the oft-injured ex-Texan was nicked up and didn’t take very many reps at OTAs or minicamp. He’s a one-cut runner in a Kyle Shanahan scheme that makes fantasy superstars out of these kind of backs. I’ll believe Terrance West is more talented than Tate when I see the I-AA product do it against NFL competition.
We still don’t have official word on Josh Gordon’s suspension, but anything less than a 16-game ban would be a shock. He was in Stage 3 of the substance abuse policy when he had another positive test. Then he rubbed it in Roger Goodell’s face by getting pulled over for speeding and allowing the cops to bust his “passenger” for weed. I don’t see the league showing any leniency even though they seem to be realizing their stance on marijuana is silly. … That leaves Miles Austin as the theoretical No. 1 receiver, but he hasn’t been a productive NFL receiver since 2010 and didn’t even participate in offseason workouts. The real targets here will be Jordan Cameron and Andrew Hawkins. Baby Hawk was playing both inside and outside during practices, a wise move because this talent-deficient receiving corps needs him on the field at all times – not just in the slot in three-wide sets. I know Hawkins is undersized at 5’7/180, but he has those jitterbug quicks a la Wes Welker and knows how to get open. I’ll gladly take a flier. Hawkins was reportedly the Browns’ best wideout at OTAs “by far” even though Gordon participated. … Deep sleeper Charles Johnson (ACL) is hopeful to be ready for training camp.
DENVER BRONCOS
The Broncos offseason has spoken volumes about their faith in Montee Ball. They let Knowshon Moreno walk for pennies, added no running backs in free agency, used no draft picks on running backs and named him their starter before OTAs even opened. For tons more on Ball, read my column on him here. … Three new things on Ball from OTAs/minicamp are noticeable steps forward as a long-yardage receiver, improved footwork/positioning as a pass protector and offensive line improvement. LT Ryan Clady’s return from a Lisfranc fracture allows Chris Clark to kick back to right tackle and powerful Orlando Franklin to move inside to left guard. The Broncos are going to run the rock between tackles with Ball even better than they did last year. I confidently have Ball as my RB6 and project C.J. Anderson as the handcuff.
Emmanuel Sanders is working both inside and outside at OTAs and minicamp, showing off the versatility that made him appealing in the first place. He’ll start off outside in Week 1, but it’s worth noting that Wes Welker is one headshot away from an extended absence. In that scenario, Sanders would move into the slot and second-round rookie Cody Latimer would slide in outside. … Latimer’s participating in offseason work has been limited as he comes off Jan. 19 foot surgery, so he’s not pushing Sanders just yet. We’ll be watching closely to see if it happens at training camp.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Andre Johnson is a rare holdout in that he’s not in search of money – he’s simply in search of a new team. Fed up as the Texans undertake another rebuilding project with Ryan Fitzpatrick, the 32-year-old Johnson wants to be traded to a contender. The problem is a $62.7 million contract that includes cap numbers of $15.6 million in 2014 and $16.1 million in 2015. Even if a team with Super Bowl aspirations and a need (like the Eagles) could stomach that for one year, cutting Johnson in 2015 would result in $7.3 million of dead money. The bottom line is that Johnson is either going to be playing for the Texans or no one this season. … In a testament to how empty the quarterback cupboard is, new coach Bill O’Brien named Fitzpatrick his Week 1 starter during minicamp. There’s no one to even compete with him.
In order to hide Fitzpatrick, the Texans are going to try to win games with the run and a very talented defensive front seven. That means lots of Arian Foster, who is over his 2013 back injury and says he’s “healthy and raring to go.” During OTAs, O’Brien said that Foster will fill the passing-back role filled by Kevin Faulk and Danny Woodhead when O’Brien was in New England. I think Foster is a legit threat for 330 total touches, with 65 of them coming through the air. Backup Andre Brown is a low-upside early-down back only. … DeAndre Hopkins is learning his third system in three years and the tight ends are going to be targeted a lot behind Johnson. I’m off Hopkins for now.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
One of the most disappointing storylines coming out of OTAs involved the coaching situation in Indy. Stubborn offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton hasn’t even picked the brain of newly hired special assistant Rob Chudzinski, which is a bad thing if you watched this offense last year. Hamilton tried to cram a square peg into a round hole, riding an inept running game until the Colts fell behind big and then telling Andrew Luck to pick up the pieces. You have a once-in-a-generation quarterback – use him. Right now, I’m not confident there will be parts of Chud’s creative and typically vertical style in this year’s offense.
It’s (allegedly) all peaches and cream for Reggie Wayne. If you ask him or anyone around the Colts, coming back from an ACL tear in 10 months at age 35 is no big thing. We’ll see. Wayne didn’t participate at all in the offseason program, meaning the first look we’ll get at him is training camp. If the Colts can get him to be an effective situational possession receiver this season, I’d consider it a win. … Which brings me to T.Y. Hilton, an elite playmaker who has 12 touchdowns and 14 100-yard games in his two NFL seasons (including playoffs). Hilton is practicing at all four receiver spots during OTAs and minicamp, giving him scheme versatility. I’d be surprised if Wayne’s or Hakeem Nicks’ lower legs hold up productively for the whole year. Hilton is the best player in this receiving corps. … 21-year-old rookie Donte Moncrief is getting some first-team looks, but he’s just a Dynasty hold. Note that Wayne and Nicks are on one-year deals.
Trent Richardson got the bulk of the OTA/minicamp first-team offensive work, ahead of a healed Ahmad Bradshaw (neck) and Vick Ballard (knee) watched. I know no one wants to touch T-Rich this year, but the Colts will be desperate to make it work after giving up a first-round pick for him. Note that another powerful back with a similar top-tier pedigree, Marshawn Lynch, didn’t clear 100 yards until his 19th game with Seattle after getting traded out of Buffalo. I’ll gladly take a shot on Richardson, who is back down to 225 pounds and hopefully slimming more weight, in the middle rounds.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
In a league in which timeshares at running back are all the rage, the Jaguars are taking a different approach. They’ve loudly told anyone who will listen that newly signed Toby Gerhart will be their battering ram, taking the “bulk of the carries” and handling the third-down duties he used to handle in Minnesota as well. That alone should pique fantasy owner’s interest, but there’s plenty more. First, Gerhart is an underrated athlete at 6’0/231 with 4.53 wheels, a 9-foot-10 broad jump and 38-inch vertical. He runs faster, jumps higher, jumper further and is quicker than Eddie Lacy (5’11/231, 4.57 forty, 9-foot-7 broad jump, 32.5-inch vertical). Second, backups Jordan Todman, Denard Robinson and Storm Johnson are not real threats. Third, the white running back stigma and Jaguars stigma* are keeping Gerhart’s ADP depressed. And finally, ex-Seattle assistant Gus Bradley knows how to ride a workhorse (Marshawn Lynch) and a defense to wins. Gerhart is one of the biggest values in fantasy drafts right now.
* Perhaps my favorite preseason bet is Jaguars over 5 wins. Last year’s non-division schedule included Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, San Diego, Kansas City and Arizona. This year’s non-division schedule includes the mediocre NFC East and AFC North. Plus, the AFC South is the worst division in football and the Jags will be better in Year 2 of the Bradley era. Don’t fall for the stigma when thinking about Gerhart.
Chad Henne and Blake Bortles shared first-team reps throughout OTAs and minicamp, but the Jags are adamant that Henne will start come Week 1. They say they want Henne to start all year. That will turn into lip service once Bortles proves just how wide the talent gap is here. Look for the No. 3 overall pick to start before Halloween. … As our Evan Silva has mentioned, ex-Falcons exec David Caldwell likely hopes the progression of Bortles and the entire offense mirrors Atlanta’s recent history. Bortles as Matt Ryan, Gerhart as the Michael Turner, and a trio of exciting receivers (Cecil Shorts, Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee). But for this year, I see more Seahawks – and we know how their receivers have fared from a fantasy perspective. I love Robinson and think he’ll be a really good pro, but none of these pass-catchers are in play for me. … If you do want to dive into this passing game, note that Lee was practicing at “Z” during OTAs while Robinson was at “X.” That’s vital because Z is the vacant Justin Blackmon spot, while Shorts resides at X. … Blackmon remains suspended indefinitely and no one around the Jags seems to really know what he’s up to. I’d be shocked if he sees an NFL field before 2015.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs have had a shaky offseason, losing free agents like Jon Asamoah, Geoff Schwartz, Branden Albert, Tyson Jackson and Dexter McCluster. They thought they had an agreement with Emmanuel Sanders, but he backed out and signed with the Broncos. Then Andy Reid passed on any of the tempting wideouts available in the draft. … At OTAs, A.J. Jenkins failed to mount any kind of challenge to incumbent No. 2 receiver Donnie Avery. It’s a black hole as Avery is a deep threat playing with a checkdown captain quarterback. … Perhaps the most exciting “addition” for the Chiefs will be tight end Travis Kelce (knee surgery), who participated in individual work at OTAs/minicamp and is expected to be cleared for camp. If he’s truly healthy, the physically imposing Heath Miller type can sneak his nose onto the TE2 radar. … Knile Davis is over the leg he broke in the playoffs and participated in OTAs. He’s one of the reasons I wouldn’t hate anyone for taking Jamaal Charles at No. 1 overall. If we handcuff Davis, we have a top-10 RB every week no matter what. The same can’t be said for LeSean McCoy (Chris Polk/Darren Sproles) or Adrian Peterson (Jerick McKinnon/Matt Asiata). … The Chiefs are trying to talk 174-pound rookie De’Anthony Thomas as a running back, but no one is buying that. He’s a slot receiver/punt returner, and will be lucky to reach McCluster’s production.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Here’s what’s happened to Knowshon Moreno since a 37-carry Week 12 game against New England last season. He averaged 3.87 YPC the rest of the way, began losing significant snaps to Montee Ball, attracted almost no interest on the free agency market, settled for a somewhat insulting one-year, $3 million contract from Miami, showed up to offseason work overweight/out of shape and may need his knee scoped. Other than that, the Dolphins got themselves a winner! … Moreno’s woes have opened the door for Lamar Miller to run with the vast majority of first-team reps throughout the offseason program. I’m skeptical that he’s ever going to be a really good NFL back because he’s not physical enough, but I’d bet on him as the starter this season. If Moreno can get over his knee woes (he made need a scope), he’d fill in as a passing-down back. Daniel Thomas is a strict third-stringer on the roster bubble.
One of my favorite bounce-back candidates this year is Mike Wallace. The reports throughout the offseason program have been glowing, with the most important nuggets stemming from usage. Fired offensive coordinator Mike Sherman just lined the $60 million free agent as a strict right-side receiver and had him go long, essentially turning him into a clear-out guy. Wallace is capable of much more, and new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is a good bet to pull it out of him. Lazor helped fellow speedster DeSean Jackson pop off for a career outlier last year. Wallace lined up at three different receiver spots during practices and even took some snaps out of the backfield. His chemistry with Ryan Tannehill can only get better in Year 2. … A rookie making some waves in Miami is Jarvis Landry. We know Brian Hartline (11 touchdowns in 3,565 career snaps) is just a guy and Brandon Gibson is coming off a patellar tear.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Patriots were far ahead of the curve, utilizing “12” personnel as a base long before it was en vogue. But they don’t have the horses to do it anymore, thanks to Aaron Hernandez’s (alleged) murdering spree and Rob Gronkowski’s latest injury. So they’re expected to go three-wide a lot more, therefore featuring Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson. … Dobson is one of my favorite value picks, thanks to his second-round talent and size (6’3/200) on the outside that Edelman and Amendola don’t have. It’s not good that he had to miss all of OTAs/minicamp due to foot surgery, but he is on track for Day 1 of training camp. … The groin injury that crippled Amendola’s season is finally healed. Julian Edelman has been the best receiver at practices, but the Patriots won’t want him to catch 105 balls again. I like Amendola as a late-round flier. … Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce appear to battling for one roster spot. … I was a little confused when the Patriots gave Brandon LaFell a $9 million contract that included a $3 million signing bonus. I don’t think he can beat out Edelman, Amendola or Dobson. But perhaps the Patriots have something up their sleeve, as there are suggestions LaFell could do some Hernandez things. It’s a situation to reexamine at camp.
The running game lost LeGarrette Blount’s 153 carries, 772 yards and seven touchdowns in free agency. The obvious candidate to pick up the slack is Stevan Ridley, an error-repeater who is in a contract year and has to know by now that the only way to stay on the field and then get paid will be to hold onto the football. It’s a coachable thing and the Patriots certainly haven’t thrown in the towel, as rookie James White is essentially another Shane Vereen. Ridley will be a high-risk, high-reward pick.
Since we’re dealing with the Patriots, we don’t have any firm reports on the progress of Rob Gronkowski as he comes off an ACL tear. During OTAs, he was spotted doing some cutting/bursting, and running sprints up the side of a hill. We can be confident that he hasn’t had any setbacks since blowing out the knee in Week 14. That said, he’s now had eight known surgery of his career and he proved last year that he does think long-term with his healthy, letting his elbow heal when the team and fans were putting tons of pressure on him to play. Gronk is certainly tempting in the third- or fourth-round of fantasy drafts because he’s a unique difference-maker, but I’ll be sticking to my policy of not taking players who are less than one year removed from a knee reconstruction. He could start the year on PUP, and we can’t be certain he’ll be the same guy just nine months after his tear (see Griffin, Robert).
NEW YORK JETS
Chris Johnson did not participate in OTAs or minicamp as he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He’s still penciled in as the starter, but the Jets seem to know what they’re getting here. “That’s up to him,” said running backs coach Anthony Lynn when asked if the nearly 29-year-old Johnson has another great year left. “He’s definitely going to get the ball. So, it’s what he does with the ball… he can have as many yards as he wants.” Johnson hasn’t run with a ton of passion since 2010, and that’s Chris Ivory’s specialty. With Lynn mentioning “hot hand,” it’s very unlikely Johnson will get near 300 carries this season. 200 is far more likely.
There was a lot of semantics being bantered throughout offseason practices regarding the quarterback situation. The bottom line is that Geno Smith will enter camp as the starter, and will take 70-75 percent of the first-team reps. Michael Vick struggled at minicamp, earning a “dud” ranking from the Star-Ledger. It would take a faceplant from Smith to lose the Week 1 starting job – which isn’t out of the realm of possibility. … That messy quarterback situation is why Eric Decker will be overdrafted. Going from Peyton Manning to Geno is like jumping out of plane without a parachute. … One interesting note to file away is that rookie tight end Jace Amaro “lined up everywhere,” confirming that he’s essentially a rocked up wideout. Amaro lined up in the slot on nearly 90 percent of his snaps at Texas Tech. If you want to take a rookie tight end, Amaro is a better bet than Eric Ebron or Austin Seferian-Jenkins. The No. 2 wideout job is open to competition, with underwhelming Jeremy Kerley likely to win out.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
The wideout picture has started to gain some clarity as Denarius Moore continues to struggle with consistency. Veteran addition James Jones is the No. 1, Rod Streater is the No. 2 and Andre Holmes is the No. 3. I’d have more interest in them if Derek Carr can usurp Matt Schaub early in the season – Carr has already flown past Matt McGloin into the backup spot. … David Ausberry has seized control of the starting tight end spot, running ahead of Mychal Rivera. He’s a TE3. … The running back position appears headed toward a true committee, with Maurice Jones-Drew handling more of the traditional work and Darren McFadden serving as a change-of-pace, outside option. It’s not a situation I’ll be investing in.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Second-year wideout Markus Wheaton opened the offseason in Emmanuel Sanders’ old “X” role and hasn’t looked back. Expect him to stick there throughout the year, with Martavis Bryant and Justin Brown in situational roles. Still, it’s not a very big job in this offense, as evidenced by Sanders’ 67/740/6 line from last year. … Offensive coordinator Todd Haley confirmed that the no-huddle will be a staple of this offense, something that he began to implement late last season. Ben Roethlisberger was fantasy’s No. 4 quarterback across the final nine games, and remains an underrated player in real life and fantasy. I’m fine with him as my QB1 in a 14-team league, and would love him as a backup. … Le’Veon Bell’s versatility will keep him far ahead of LeGarrette Blount, especially with Haley going to more hurry-up. There’s enough room for Bell to get 240 carries/60 catches, and Blount to chip in with 110-130 rushes of his own in this “B & B” (Avon and Stringer) backfield.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
A big surprise out of San Diego has been the return to health of Malcom Floyd following last season’s potentially career-ending neck injury. He was a full-go during both OTAs and minicamp, and reportedly looked like his old self. Floyd is just a deep threat and jump-ball specialist that won’t be on the fantasy radar, but he’ll open the field up nicely for this Chargers passing game. … I understand all the excitement on Keenan Allen this season. I’m just not on board if I have to take him in the second round. When I’m taking a receiver that high, I want someone that has a freakish talent a la Julio, Dez, Demaryius, Calvin, AJ, BMarsh, Jordy etc. I like Allen, but he’s a 4.7 guy that goes a pedestrian 6-2/211 and plays with a quarterback that was left for dead 12 months ago. I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but I think defenses can contain Allen now that they have an offseason to prepare. Note that eight rookies have had 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie. Only A.J. Green, Marques Colston and Randy Moss backed that up with 1,000 yards as a sophomore. Michael Clayton, Anquan Boldin, Terry Glenn and Joey Galloway came up short.
Antonio Gates missed much of the offseason program due to a serious illness in his family, leaving Ladarius Green to handle much of the first-team work. It can’t hurt Green’s breakout chances, but the real story will come in usage during the preseason. Last year, his snap count was continually rising to very usable levels, but too often he was used as a blocker. The Chargers would have to be crazy not to unleash Green as their No. 2 pass-catcher this season, but we’ll have to wait to see if that’s Mike McCoy’s plan. He should note that Gates averaged just 3.0 catches for 27.8 yards and scored one touchdown over the final eight games of last year (including playoffs).
TENNESSEE TITANS
The biggest riser between last year and this year is Justin Hunter, a 6-foot-4 red-zone figure who has added 15 pounds. Wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said Hunter is “the receiver that puts us in the playoffs.” The second-year man will play every down opposite Kendall Wright, with Nate Washington sliding back to a No. 3 role. We’ll see where his ADP goes, but Hunter is on my late-round flier list for now. … Wright is not on my list because he’s a volume-dependent slot player with quarterback issues. I think we can find more upside than 10.8 yards per reception in the fifth or sixth round, even if Wright’s college tape suggested he’s capable of bigger things.
Shonn Greene sat out much of the offseason program with knee woes that linger back nearly a full year and Sankey missed OTAs due to the NFL’s silly rules regarding late graduation. Regardless, this is obviously the rookie’s job after the Titans made him the first running back off the board and compared him to Tiki Barber. We’re not sold on Sankey’s natural ability, but he’ll be running behind a very good offensive line and the Titans will be run-heavy to hide Jake Locker. There’s some RB2 appeal. … Speaking of Locker, he’s made a nice return off his Lisfranc surgery and participated in minicamp. The foot should not be an issue in his make-or-break fourth season.
