Brick buildings and dense woods frame the Baltimore Ravens’ practice fields, providing a setting that is tough to beat anywhere in the NFL. The soundtrack tends to be less idyllic, but that's not a knock. Chatter from veteran defender Terrell Suggs serves as an entertaining soundtrack when a speaker system isn't sampling coach John Harbaugh’s music playlist to simulate crowd noise (if opposing stadiums play Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, this Ravens team isn't likely to be fazed).
As the Ravens’ minicamp was winding down late last week, my eyes kept returning to a 6-foot-7, 298-pound figure with surfer’s blond hair and a sleeveless jersey revealing biceps worthy of the additional exposure. Brent Urban, a fourth-round pick from Virginia, has caught coaches’ attention. He has little pedigree but is making sufficient impact this offseason to raise initial hopes and expectations for the season.
There are plenty of similarly intriguing candidates around the league. A few come to mind after visiting the Ravens, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins over the past few weeks. I’ve put together a list featuring Urban and nine others who are generating buzz based on their OTA performances, including another potential find in the Seattle secondary, a tight end in Green Bay and wide receivers galore.
Brent Urban, DE, Baltimore Ravens: There are a few candidates in Baltimore, including defensive lineman Kapron Lewis-Moore, a 2013 sixth-rounder coming off ACL surgery, and Ricky Wagner, who could wind up starting at right tackle after playing mostly as a sixth blocker last season. Urban stands out as a former hockey and basketball player from Toronto. Breaking into the Ravens’ line rotation will not be easy with Chris Canty, Pernell McPhee and Brandon Williams among those ahead of him, but coaches are hopeful Urban can work his way into their multiple defense sooner than the typical fourth-round choice.
Tharold Simon, CB, Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks seemed unconcerned when cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond signed elsewhere in free agency. Simon’s presence on the roster factored into their thinking, but it was tough to know what they had before Simon stepped onto the field this offseason following an injury-shortened rookie season. At 6-2, Simon fits the profile Seattle seeks in its corners. The 2013 fifth-round pick has consistently defended up passes and kept pace with receivers this offseason. All-Pro corner Richard Sherman frequently offered personal instruction.
Emmanuel Lamur, LB, Cincinnati Bengals: Bengals fans know about Lamur already. An undrafted free agent in 2012, Lamur was cruising through training camp and the preseason a year ago when a shoulder injury ended his season. Lamur is healthy again and seemed especially engaged with coaches through OTAs and minicamps. He has a chance to factor as a nickel linebacker if he can build upon what he has shown to this point.
Dallas Thomas, G, Miami Dolphins: It’s especially tough for linemen to prove themselves in noncontact practices, but Thomas showed up for camps healthy and in very good condition, allowing his athleticism to show through more than it did during a difficult 2013 rookie season. Thomas could be a favorite to start at guard ahead of rookie third-round pick Billy Turner.
Michael Wilhoite, ILB, San Francisco 49ers: Scouts have graded Wilhoite positively for past preseason contributions, but the 49ers had few opportunities to use him. That will change because All-Pro inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman will miss part of the season while he recovers from knee surgery. Wilhoite ranked 17th among 49ers last season in defensive snaps and can move up in the hierarchy by beating out 2014 third-round pick Chris Borland in the race to fill in while Bowman recovers. The early returns suggest Wilhoite has put himself in good position.
Richard Rodgers, TE, Green Bay Packers: Jermichael Finley has led the Packers' tight ends in receptions in four of the past five seasons. Andrew Quarless has done it once over that span. With Finley unsigned and Quarless recovering from injury, Rodgers has worked with the first-team offense this offseason. A great quarterback can make a receiver great (or a tight end, in this case). It happened in Green Bay last season when receiver Jarrett Boykin suddenly became relevant. Jared Abbrederis (slot) and Jeff Janis (outside) are a couple of young Packers receivers to watch in training camp, but Rodgers has the clearest path to the field. He made standout plays during offseason practices, leading coach Mike McCarthy to single out Rodgers as a rookie who caught the coach's attention. The real question, though, is whether Rodgers can block.
Chris Hogan, WR, Buffalo Bills: Hogan was part of the three-receiver personnel groupings at times this offseason, along with Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods. There's still a chance that Mike Williams will join Watkins and Woods as the top three receivers for EJ Manuel, but Hogan has made himself part of the conversation. During one recent practice, he caught two passes as Buffalo moved into scoring position during a two-minute drill.
Bernard Reedy, WR, Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons have big names atop their depth chart at receiver, but there could be openings for someone such as Reedy to snag one of the other roster spots at the position. The 5-7, 175-pound undrafted free agent from Toledo has shown elusiveness after the catch and an ability to track down the deep ball. Many receivers flash ability in minicamps and early in training camp, only to fade away when the dynamics change during preseason. Can Reedy make his fast start translate?
Marquess Wilson, WR, Chicago Bears: Wilson could emerge as the Bears' third receiver after catching just two passes as a rookie in 2013. He's been training this offseason in Florida with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. The feeling among some players in Chicago is that quarterback Jay Cutler is going to take a big step forward in Marc Trestman's offense, in which case there should be plenty of passes to go around.
Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars ran low on depth at receiver this offseason, allowing Hurns to get a volume of reps that most undrafted free agents never get. He played well enough to earn praise from quarterback Chad Henne and others. Hurns went undrafted out of Miami in part because he didn't seem to possess any exceptional traits. This was also a deep draft for receivers, however. Hurns is someone to watch when the Jaguars gather for training camp.