The NFL offseason is officially over as both the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions open training camp this week. With the season just around the corner, this week’s Rookie Report highlights key developments from the 2026 rookie class, including a red flag with Travis Hunter, why Kaleb Johnson could be a breakout performer, and several other names to watch.
NFL rookie news and notes
One Concern with Travis Hunter
One of the more interesting storylines with this year’s rookie class is how much Travis Hunter will play both wide receiver and cornerback. While there is no doubt he is one of the best-conditioned players in football, my concern is with his injury history. During the 2023 season, he missed several games due to a lacerated liver, and in 2024 he battled shoulder injuries for part of the season. While I think his endurance will allow him to see significant time on both sides of the ball, the tendency for his body to wear down needs to be a red flag for the Jaguars.
Kaleb Johnson should have a big year
A mid-round draft pick who should have a big season and could be a steal in fantasy drafts is Pittsburgh running back Kaleb Johnson. He’s a physical downhill runner who broke 66 tackles last season, according to PFF, and fits perfectly in the Steelers' zone running game, the same scheme he ran with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Johnson has also impressed the Steelers with his pass blocking, which was viewed as his biggest weakness heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Another reason to expect a strong rookie year is the situation ahead of him. Current starter Jaylen Warren was named the fourth-worst starting running back in the NFL by NFL.com, and with his limited production to this point, Johnson should have every opportunity to earn touches early.
KALEB JOHNSON 40-YARD RUSH TD!!! 🔥 @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/4YAMpm5fU0
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2024
Where will Dylan Gabriel end up
One of the more interesting quarterback situations in the NFL is with the Cleveland Browns, who spent two draft picks on the position in the 2025 NFL Draft, taking Dylan Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. It seems doubtful the Browns will keep both rookie quarterbacks on the roster, so the question becomes which quarterback the team will move on from. From what I am hearing, the quarterback Cleveland will try to trade is Gabriel, and a logical landing spot for him would be the Miami Dolphins, who own two third-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. His fit in the Dolphins' timing-based passing system is a big reason why I mentioned Miami as a possible landing spot for him leading up to the draft.
Setback for Ravens’ Emery Jones Jr.
A player who will miss the start of training camp is Baltimore's offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. as he needed a second shoulder surgery. This is not good news for a prospect who was viewed as raw coming out of college and needed to improve his technique, especially when it came to hand placement, as he picked up nine penalties last season. However, he shows a high upside and with the proper coaching should be able to develop into a starting offensive lineman, if not by the end of this season, by the start of next season.
Speaking of the Ravens
While the news has been somewhat concerning on third-round pick Emery Jones, second-round pick Mike Green has been very impressive. He has caught the eye of Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr with his excellent combination of explosiveness, strength, and versatility as a pass rusher. These traits were on full display last season when Green led the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks at Marshall. If he can live up to expectations this season, look for the Ravens to have one of the top second-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
"I see a guy (Mike Green) that comes out here and works, but from a physical standpoint, [his] get-off is real, and he understands the level of the quarterback. I think he's going to be a really valuable piece for us. He’s strong. He’s explosive. He can rush on the outside, and he can rush on the inside."Ravens DC Zach Orr
Undrafted free agent to watch
An under-the-radar wide receiver to watch in training camp this fall is former Ohio wide receiver Coleman Owen, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts after the draft. Last season for the Bobcats, Owen set the Ohio record for receiving yards in a season, catching 78 passes for 1,245 yards and eight touchdowns. His top trait is extremely reliable hands, dropping just two passes on 113 targets last season. He also shows the strength to make catches in traffic and pick up yards after contact. Last season, he finished with 542 yards after the catch, which ranked eighth among the 2025 NFL Draft wide receiver class according to PFF, which also gave him the second-highest grade among receivers in the class with a 90.2. With the Colts, he will look to make the team as a backup slot wide receiver.
First Joe Schoen rookie to be cut
The New York Giants have yet to cut a rookie since Joe Schoen was named GM in 2022, but that could change this season. That player might be former Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone, who the team took in the sixth round. The biggest reason Fidone could be cut is that Theo Johnson and Chris Manhertz will almost certainly make the team, and Daniel Bellinger showed promise down the stretch last season. It also doesn’t help that Fidone has work ethic questions going back to his high school days at Lewis Central.