The path to the starting lineup is very often a difficult one for many rookies, no matter how highly touted they were as college prospects.
Between the competition to move past veterans on the roster, overcome weaknesses due to a lack of seasoning or the overwhelming complexities of the pro systems compared to the schemes they ran in college, many factors play a part in a rookie's success.
Here are five intriguing situations that could go either way as training camp approaches.
OLB Courtney Upshaw, Baltimore Ravens
When Upshaw was drafted out of Alabama after falling to the Ravens in the second round, he was expected to be a developmental project. He spent his college career at defensive end, playing with his hand in the dirt, but now is converting to outside linebacker and learning how to play in space: covering tight ends and setting the edge on the run.
He was deemed the heir apparent to the hybrid linebacker/pass rusher position that has been occupied by the 2011 Def...
Original Story:
In this story, Morris Claiborne of the Cowboys has an almost identical storyline as Dre Kirkpatrick of the Bengals.
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July 09, 2012
