Five Players to Watch During Training Camp

Author- Peter DiPaola

NFL teams will start to attend training camp at the end of this month in preparation for the 2018 season.  With the training camp season upon us, here is a list of players to keep an eye on this year.

Tavon Austin

Tavon Austin who spent his last five seasons with the Rams finds himself on a new team, the former top 10 pick who was drafted as a wide receiver is listed as a running back, per the Dallas Cowboys website. Since being drafted Tavon Austin has caught 194 passes for 1,689 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he has also ran for 1,238 yards and 9 touchdowns on 184 carriers. Tavon is a dual threat on offense catching and running the football, and while he did not seem to fit in Sean McVay's offense in Los Angeles last season, his skill set can help the Dallas offense. With the release of Dez Bryant during the offseason, and the Dallas Cowboys rushing attack on offense, Tavon could be a perfect fit in Dallas. He could help spell Ezekiel Elliot, and help in the passing game as well, Dallas was ranked 26th last season.

Teddy Bridgewater  

Former first round pick Teddy Bridgewater is entering his fifth season in the NFL. He spent his previous four seasons in Minnesota, he spent one season sidelined (2016) following a gruesome injury during a non-contact drill during a team practice in August in which he tore his ACL and dislocated his knee.  Bridgewater only attempted 2 passes in 2017, during his first seasons (2014 and 2015) he threw for 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions while completing 64.8% of his passes for 6,150 yards.  He also ran 91 times for 301 yards and 4 touchdowns during his first two seasons. He will be competing with Josh McCown and Sam Darnold during camp and the preseason, but if he shows promise and good health he could be a starter for the Jets in 2018, or maybe even traded if a team needs a quarterback.

Richard Sherman 

After spending his first seven years in a Seahawks uniform, Sherman is now playing for the division rival 49ers. Richard Sherman only played into early November during the 2017 campaign due to a ruptured Achilles injury. Now 8 months removed from the injury that ended his season, and on a new team, keep an eye on Sherman, he knows the NFC West, how to play championship football, and he has been regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the game.  Aside from what he brings to the table regarding his play making ability, his recovery from his injury will be a story to follow.  During his career he has 32 interceptions, 2 pick sixes and 5 fumble recoveries.  His work ethic and play over his career makes him a welcomed addition to the 49ers.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback Jameis Winston is suspended the first three games of the season due to violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, which now means that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be starting those games. This is Fitzpatrick's second year in Tampa Bay, last season he started three games (played in six), throwing for 1,103 yards, 7 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and completed 58.9% of his passes. He brings plenty of NFL experience with him as he has played for 7 different teams during his career, he is now entering his 14th NFL season with 133 games played (119 of those are starts). How he performs during camp and the preseason will be important for the Buccaneers to keep an eye on, he has had his ups and downs in the NFL. Tampa Bay cannot afford a slow start to their season if they want to make the playoffs in 2018.

Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon was finally able to find the field last season after being suspended the prior two seasons, and part of the 2014 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. 2013 was his best season in which he led the league in receiving with 1,646 yards in just 14 games, and he has two 200 yard performances that season. Based on his skill set and what he was able to do in 2013, he can be on the best receivers in the NFL, and he is part of a receiving corp. that features Jarvis Landry and Coleman. Keep a look out for how he looks during camp and to see how the Browns will use him in an offense with plenty of talent at receiver, tight end and running back. If he can play as well as he did in 2013, or close to it, the Browns will be able to move forward from their losing ways and attempt to make their way back to winning games and making the playoffs. 

Statistical and suspension information from www.pro-football-reference.com

Injury news from www.nfl.com

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Peter DiPaola

Amos Conway