Every NFL team is currently in the middle of a month-long break before training camp begins in mid to late July. Most teams have their rookies report to camp a few days or a week earlier, with veterans arriving shortly after them. However, that is not the case for all, as ten teams have everyone report on the same day.
Due to restrictions on live contact and the absence of padded practices during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, competitions for starting jobs do not heat up until training camp. Many rookies drafted high are expected to start right away in Week 1, potentially dethroning current starters. This list focuses on five players who either began 2024 as starters or filled in and started most of the year, and free-agent acquisitions or players who assumed roles do not count.
Buffalo Bills: S Damar Hamlin
Damar Hamlin underperformed in coverage and missed late in the season due to injury. He recorded 89 tackles, two TFLs, two interceptions, and five pass deflections, allowing a 73% completion percentage, 396 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a 103 passer rating in 14 starts. Hamlin missed Weeks 15-17 due to a rib/back injury.
Also Read: Buffalo Bills: Ruled Out a Starting Defensive Back for Their Week 17 Clash
He sat out part of OTAs with a right foot/ankle injury and missed Day 1 of mandatory minicamp before working off to the side on Day 2 and returning to practice on Day 3. Second-round pick and second-year player Cole Bishop took over his spot and received first-team reps. Bishop performed well and took the early lead before missing minicamp with an undisclosed injury.
Miami Dolphins: G Liam Eichenberg
Liam Eichenberg had a rough showing in both pass protection and run blocking, causing him to “lose” the starting job. He allowed 29 pressures, three quarterback hits, and two sacks, posting a 49.7 pass-blocking grade, a 58.7 run-blocking grade, and a 53.1 PFF grade in 17 games and 14 starts. The Dolphins “benched” Eichenberg in favor of Isaiah Wynn for the final three games, with both players alternating in that span.
While it remains to be seen where free-agent acquisition James Daniels, who missed the spring to recover from an Achilles injury, lines up, the other guard position will be up for grabs. Both Eichenberg and second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea have received first-team reps. So far, Savaiinaea has impressed the coaching staff, and his momentum could carry him into a Week 1 starting job.
New England Patriots: LB Jahlani Tavai
Jahlani Tavai struggled in coverage and was average against the run and rushing the passer before being benched in Week 18. He recorded 115 tackles, seven TFLs, one sack, one interception, and five pass deflections in 17 games and 16 starts. Tavai also posted 30 stops, 14 pressures, a 107 passer rating in coverage, a 42.7 coverage grade, a 65.8 pass-rush grade, a 63.7 run-defense grade, and a 54.7 PFF grade.
The front office re-signed Christian Ellis and brought in Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens, two of whom will start. Tavai could have the same fate as Ja’Whaun Bentley and Sione Takitaki or serve in a backup or reserve role.
New York Jets: S Tony Adams
Tony Adams underperformed in coverage, battled a nagging injury, and was benched midway through the season. He recorded 84 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, one interception, and six pass deflections, allowing a 65.9% completion percentage, 417 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a 102.2 passer rating in 15 games and 11 starts. Adams missed Weeks 8 and 9 with a hamstring injury and was benched in Weeks 11-15 but returned to the starting lineup for the final three games.
Fourth-round pick Malachi Moore has impressed throughout the spring. As Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic points out, if Moore continues to impress the new coaching staff, he could start in Week 1.
Baltimore Ravens: LB Trenton Simpson
Trenton Simpson was a liability in coverage and later lost the starting job in Week 15. He recorded 73 tackles, five TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and four pass deflections in 17 games and 13 starts. Simpson also posted 22 stops, eight pressures, a 125.8 passer rating in coverage, a 55.3 coverage grade, a 60.6 pass-rush grade, a 63.2 run-defense grade, and a 58.7 PFF grade.
Although the Ravens expect him to contribute on early running downs, the plan is not to utilize him on late obvious passing downs, diminishing his role. This could pave the way for fourth-round pick Teddye Buchanan.
