Rookie Donte Moncrief has impressed as a rookie. (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
With help from an NFL preseason that has not yet shrunk from four to two games, undrafted rookies and under-appreciated veterans took advantage with surprising performances that earned a first, or one more, chance on a team roster.
In the AFC, the undrafted free-agent rookies included cornerback Malcolm Butler from little West Alabama and inside linebacker Zach Orr out of North Texas. This week Butler will often line up at New England Patriots practice on the same unit with the great Darrelle Revis. Orr is with the Baltimore Ravens as a special teams standout who also works out at the same position recently held by legendary linebacker Ray Lewis.
And in Pittsburgh, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the former first-round pick (Oakland, 2009, No. 7 overall) known for being all speed and no hands, surprised coaches and teammates by converting his slim chance into a sixth season in the league.
Here is a closer look as the Surprises of Summer from all AFC training camps, as reported by correspondents covering each team for The Sports Xchange (teams listed in alphabetical order within each division):
AFC EAST
BUFFALO BILLS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson.
A rookie, seventh-round draft pick, Henderson went from a player almost not drafted in May due to his checkered off-field past at the University of Miami, to someone who will likely start at right tackle Sunday when the Bills travel to Chicago to take on the Bears.
In training camp, Henderson filled in at left tackle for Cordy Glenn who missed three weeks with a medical condition, and more than held his own. When Glenn returned, Henderson was switched to the right side where he played in college, and though he made some rookie mistakes, Henderson held up well and is the Bills’ best option at the position.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Defensive end Terrence Fede.
The seventh-round pick from Marist missed the preseason finale with a knee injury, but already proved he is a raw talent with unrefined technique but he gets upfield effectively in passing situations and gives a good effort against the run.
He is expected to be in the rotation at defensive end.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Cornerback Malcolm Butler.
Like so many undrafted free agents, Butler was perceived as an afterthought signing last May. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound corner out of FCS (Div. II) West Alabama was just a name on the roster heading into training camp.
But then he took reps with the first defense and took significant time at both corner spots opposite Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. He spent the summer proving himself a physical, feisty corner.
Given Browner’s season-opening four-game suspension, Butler will have more chances to continue his rise from unknown to rotational option in the Patriots’ retooled secondary.
NEW YORK JETS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Wide receiver Saalim Hakim.
Hakim wasn’t even on the radar when training camp began, but the former practice squad player surged past veterans Jacoby Ford and Clyde Gates to win the primary kick returner job. His deep speed should also allow him to factor into the offense as a situational threat.
AFC NORTH
BALTIMORE RAVENS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Inside linebacker Zach Orr.
This undrafted rookie out of North Texas beat the odds to make the Ravens’ roster. Orr primarily made the cut through his special-teams prowess. He had a big hit on special teams in the preseason finale. Orr wasn’t expected to make the team at the start of training camp.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
–Surprise of Summer: Fullback/H-back/tight end Ryan Hewitt.
Undrafted out of Stanford, Hewitt went from an interesting side story to leap-frogging Orson Charles, who was released in the cut to 53.
Hewitt’s versatility as an H-back and tight end make him a valuable asset in the physical, run-oriented scheme new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson wants to employ.
Hewitt capped off his impressive preseason with a 1-yard touchdown catch against Indianapolis on Thursday, making a nice adjustment in the back of the end zone after the pass was deflected.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Wide receiver/returner Taylor Gabriel.
Gabriel is a 5-foot-8, 168-pound undrafted rookie from Abilene Christian. He is a jitterbug type whose talents are conspicuous on returns that give him an open field, Gabriel impressed coaches and teammates from the start with his work ethic as much as his amazing physical talents.
He caught two passes against the Chicago Bears for 38 yards and finished the preseason with a team-best 10 catches for 128 yards. Gabriel had one memorable kickoff return of 68 yards against the St. Louis Rams.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Former first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders (2009, No. 7 overall) has struggled through a pedestrian career with Raiders (2009-12) and Indianapolis (2013). When he signed with the Steelers was signed as a free agent in May he seemed to be a long shot to make the club.
Known for his good speed and bad hands, Heyward-Bey earned respect with hard work early in camp, including overcoming a concussion. He has the speed to stretch defenses, but he earned respect from coaches for his willingness and ability to block for punt returns, and might be asked to try returning kicks or punts.
AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON TEXANS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Running back Jonathan Grimes.
Grimes entered the offseason program looking as if he would open training camp fourth on the depth chart behind Arian Foster, Andre Brown and Alfred Blue.
But he led the team in rushing in preseason. Foster didn’t play because the coaches continued to rest him coming off back surgery to prepare him for the regular season. Brown was waived during camp. Grimes carried 32 times for 136 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 4.3 yards a carry. He also caught five passes for 60 yards. When the regular season begins against the Redskins, expect him to be second on the depth chart behind Foster.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Wide receiver Donte Moncrief.
The Colts’ rookie wide receiver certainly opened a lot of eyes since he arrived. The third-round draft quickly adapted to the team’s offensive philosophy and learned to play both wide receiver spots, not an easy chore for a first-year player.
If he continues to develop, he might be the heir apparent to veteran Reggie Wayne’s role, although Wayne has shown no signs of slowing down just yet. Moncrief could prove to be a perfect long-term compliment to T.Y. Hilton.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
–SURPRISE OF CAMP: Wide receiver Allen Hurns.
This undrafted rookie from Miami worked hard and well to go from long-shot to hotshot and could be a starter in the season opener. He looked good since the beginning of OTAs, but made an emphatic bid for a major role in preseason game No. 3 when he had seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
He looks like a favorite target of veteran quarterback Chad Henne or rookie Blake Bortles. He took total advantage of extra reps due to injuries.
TENNESSEE TITANS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Safety Daimion Stafford.
A seventh-round pick in 2013, Stafford played only on special teams his first year. But this year he showed he is not only a big hitter with a nose for the ball, but apparently picked up the defensive system well.
Stafford won’t be a starter, but he solidified his spot on the team and the Titans won’t hesitate to use him.
AFC WEST
DENVER BRONCOS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Defensive tackle Marvin Austin.
Austin was regarded as a bust a few months ago. He was cut by three teams last year, and the 2011 second-round pick of the New York Giants appeared to be down to his last opportunity.
But this summer he was healthy for the first time in his career, and was dominant in the first weeks of practice. He added a sack in the preseason opener against Seattle then worked his way onto the second unit behind Terrance Knighton and 2013 first-round selection Sylvester Williams.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Wide receiver Frankie Hammond.
After a year on the Chiefs’ practice squad, Hammond has played his way onto the regular-season roster and keeps showing the K.C. coaches that he can make contributions on offense and special teams.
He signed in 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Florida. Hammond wasn’t quite ready for regular duty last season. But in offseason work, training camp and the preseason, he elevated himself to a role as the No. 3 or 4 receiver in the Chiefs’ offense. In four August games, he was the team’s leading catcher among wide receivers with seven receptions for 98 yards, a nice 14-yard per catch. He averaged 35 yards on kickoff returns and nine yards on punt returns.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Running back Latavius Murray.
The Raiders weren’t sure what they had in 2013, especially after Murray injured a foot in training camp. He was never truly healthy and ended up spending his rookie season on injured reserve. A year later, Murray gives the Raiders a legitimate option if Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden or both succumb to age, injuries or both.
Murray is powerful and swift, an angular 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, but also has breakaway speed.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
–SURPRISE OF SUMMER: Offensive lineman Chris Watt.
The buzz on Watt, a third-round pick out of Notre Dame, started during the rookie offseason workouts. But many were anxious to see how he would hold up against the veterans. That question has been answered as he nearly won a starting spot at right guard.
Watt couldn’t quite outlast Johnnie Troutman, but it was close. Not only did Watt prove he has the stuff to play guard, but he spent a good chunk of the final preseason game at the center spot. It is possible Watt is being groomed to replace veteran center Nick Hardwick at some point, but in the meantime is a backup anywhere along the line.
–Frank Cooney, founder and publisher of The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com, covered the NFL and the draft since the 1960s and is a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
