NFC South under-the-radar rookies
With training camp and preseason underway, unheralded rookies will make strong impressions and climb depth charts. Here are four under-the-radar rookies to watch in the NFC South.
Atlanta Falcons
Clark Phillips III, cornerback (fourth round): Selected 113th overall, he could get a significant workload to begin the season as corner Jeff Okudah recovers from an ankle injury. Unfortunately for Clark, he was carted off the practice field with a lower leg injury Tuesday. It would be a major loss for Atlanta if he misses significant time.
The four-year Utah corner has made a strong impression during offseason workouts and training camp. An early highlight during camp occurred when he outdueled wide receiver Drake London on this interception.
"The inches London [6-foot-4] had on him didn't matter in that moment as Phillips [5-foot-10] reached up to tip the pass before bringing the ball into his body for the first interception of the day," wrote Falcons beat writer/analyst Tori McElhaney.
Head coach Arthur Smith applauded Clark's effort, saying, "Clark didn't back down." Later, Smith heaped even more praise on his rookie corner, stating that he "continues to do something every day that catches our eye."
Carolina Panthers
Jammie Robinson, safety (fifth round): Robinson, taken with the 145th pick in the draft, has a chip on his shoulder. "I know there's not 144 guys better than me," he told reporters shortly after the draft. The returns from offseason workouts and training camp suggest Robinson isn't wrong.
Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson raved about Robinson's potential earlier this year. "Jammie's a pitbull. He's one of my favorite players in the DB room," he said, adding, "He can be a difference-maker early; like a Tyrann Mathieu hybrid, for real." That's high praise.
Mathieu, a third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, finished fourth in the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. By his third season, Mathieu was a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro.
New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller, running back (third round): At TCU, Miller may have only scratched the surface of what he's capable of. "They didn't really use me in the passing game that much," he said during training camp. He anticipates that will change in New Orleans.
With Alvin Kamara serving a three-game suspension to begin the season, the Saints will depend on Miller to fill a similar role as the veteran standout. In six seasons, Kamara has averaged 71.7 receptions and 625.5 yards rushing per season. Miller, meanwhile, had 29 receptions for 229 yards in three years at TCU.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SirVocea Dennis, linebacker (fifth round): Dennis might have a hard time getting playing time on a defense with veterans Shaquil Barrett and Devin White at inside linebacker. But the Bucs will still find a role for Dennis. Co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rogers hailed him as having "great characteristics. The ball likes to find him."
His solid instincts will serve him well in the NFL, even if he's used sparingly on defense as a rookie. That's because special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong envisions Dennis having a big role on return units. "[H]e is what I call a 'one-timer.' You tell him one time and it is done," he said, adding, "He checks all the boxes."
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