NFL Draft Notebook: Rookie minicamp standouts and much more

Now that rookie minicamps are in the book it is time to take a look at which NFL Draft picks are already looking like good fits for their teams. Some of these rookies look promising because of their strong performances at minicamp, while other players look like they will make a tremendous impact this year due to the ways they will be used with their new club.

Along with highlighting a few rookies who are already impressing this week’s NFL Draft Notebook also takes a look at the following

• Several small school prospects
• Why Ohio State running back Master Teague is overrated
• Top SEC prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft
• The latest NFL Draft news and notes

Rookie Standouts

Kyle Trask

Tampa Bay quarterback Kyle Trask had a great rookie minicamp displaying the accuracy that made him a Heisman candidate at Florida. He also did a great job of picking up the Tampa Bay offense and showed good command in the huddle for a rookie. He has caught coach Bruce Arians’ eye as well, as Arians mentioned that Trask has looked fantastic.

Justin Fields

Another quarterback who looked good at rookie minicamp was Chicago’s Justin Fields. Several things stood out with Fields starting with the leadership ability he is already showing. Another trait that has stood out with him is how athletic he looked and how easily threw while on the run. One more thing working in Fields favor is his strong arm as he displayed great zip on the ball according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.

Travis Etienne

A player who has been impressive due to the versatility he is showing is Jacksonville running back Travis Etienne. Along with seeing time at running back for the Jaguars Etienne will also see time at wide receiver this year. He will likely be used in a similar way as Percy Harvin was used at Florida or how Curtis Samuel was used at Ohio State when they were playing under Urban Meyer.

Rashod Bateman

A rookie who will likely have a big 2021 is Baltimore Ravens wide receiver, Rashod Bateman. He will likely be an impact player as the Ravens desperately need some more receiving options for Lamar Jackson, and because Bateman has already made a good impression on coach John Harbaugh. While meeting with the media, Harbaugh mentioned that Bateman has already made a very good first impression and that he looks as good as advertised when the team picked him with the 27th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Alim McNeil

While it is hard for a lineman to make much of an impression when playing without pads, one player who looked good in rookie minicamp was Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeil. McNeil weighed in at 6-foot-2 and 317 pounds and showed impressive quickness for a player his size. He will likely see significant time on the Lions defensive line this coming season.