Ranking Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and other rookies with the most to prove at NFL mandatory minicamps

Mandatory minifield starts for 10 NFL teams today. The reality is that this stage of the calendar has little influence on the eventual careers of newcomers in the league, but there are some who have a little more to prove as veterans and newcomers come together for the first time.

Here’s a look at eight players with the most to prove in mandatory minicamps:

1. QB Bo Nix, Broncos (Round 1, No. 12 overall)

There’s little more that can be said about Denver’s selection of Bo Nix. The organization has made a huge investment in the player and desperately needs him to be successful and establish a positive trajectory for the next decade. It’s a tough division to move up quickly, considering the presence of quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes.

T’Vondre Sweat will be under a microscope following his DWI arrest shortly before the draft. Tennessee did a lot of independent research on the player and felt comfortable drafting him at the top of their range, but that doesn’t change the fact that all eyes will be on him until he establishes a personal line of credit in NFL. Fortunately for him, he will be alongside Jeffery Simmons, who overcame his own youthful adversities.

Firstly, where will Jordan Morgan play? If he is left tackle as assumed, then he will be competing with starter Rasheed Walker to replace veteran David Bakhtiari. Green Bay presented itself as an emerging contender in the NFC last season as its young players began to come of age. If the Packers can get reliable play at left tackle, then there aren’t many holes in this roster.

Tyler Guyton will transition from right back to left back. It can be done, but it is also not certain that success will come. He has the athleticism to make this type of movement possible. The Cowboys will also add first-year starting center Brock Hoffman along an offensive line that now features three former first-round picks.

The pressure is off on Cooper DeJean to produce after falling in the first round, but he will want to prove to his teammates and the rest of the league that he deserved to be eliminated much earlier. The Iowa product is a versatile talent with no immediate playing time guaranteed, considering the presence of veterans Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. DeJean’s best opportunity to prove himself will likely come before the season as he competes for a bigger role.

6. OT JC Latham, Titans (Round 1, No. 7 overall)

Similar to Guyton, JC Latham will transition from right-back to left-back. Latham started out at left tackle in high school, but is obviously a bit removed from that experience. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan has experience in this type of situation, having helped with Jedrick Wills’ transition. The world knew Tennessee would use the No. 7 overall selection at left tackle, so now Latham is tasked with proving the organization right.

Michael Penix Jr. will be the guy in the short term because Kirk Cousins ​​has not been cleared to return from injury; this should happen before training camp. Penix is ​​not expected to see significant playing time for at least one and possibly two years, but he could look to prove critics of his selection – of which there were many – wrong.

The biggest concern with Amarius Mims entering the draft was his lack of availability. Mims became a first-round selection despite starting just eight games for the Bulldogs. He was named the starting right tackle at the start of the season, but was limited by a high ankle sprain. Cincinnati is projected to start Orlando Brown and Trent Brown at both tackle spots, but Mims just needs to stay healthy and continue his development.