32 teams, 32 surprises: Which players stood out on...

playWhy Louis Riddick is worried about how Brendan Sorsby will fit in NFL locker rooms (1:37) Welcome to the NFL waiting period, the monthlong break until training camp begins in late July. Offseason team activities and mandatory minicamps have wrapped up and players are now on vacation. It's a perfect time to take a look back at under-the-radar players who turned heads this spring while battling for starting spots or depth roles. Which players surprised their coaches and teammates the most? Our NFL Nation reporters picked one player on every team who unexpectedly stood out and could make a serious impact in the fall. Jump to: ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF SEA | TB | TEN | WSH Elarms-Orr had an opportunity this offseason and took advantage of it. Linebacker Dorian Williams wasn't on the field during OTAs and minicamp due to an unspecified lower-body injury. With the increased snaps, Elarms-Orr made an impression in the battle for the open inside linebacker job next to Terrel Bernard. "He's doing everything we're asking him right now," defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said in May. -- Alaina Getzenberg Dolphins fans might remember Dulcich's late-season contributions, but he has emerged this spring as one of the primary targets in Miami's passing game. Quarterback Malik Willis has an entirely new group of skill players to build chemistry with, but during team drills, there was clear trust in Dulcich, who was one of the best tight ends in the league last season at making plays after the catch. He returned from injured reserve in Week 8 and finished the season averaging the second-most yards after catch per reception (7.6) in that span. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques Patriots' Mike Brown (33) and Marcellas Dial Jr. (27) battle within a drill during minicamp. Summer Lamont/Icon SportswireNew England PatriotsS Mike Brown With Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson locked as the starting safeties, there is a question about who will be the top backup, and the 6-foot-1, 218-pound Brown looks like the leading candidate. Brown was signed to a one-year, $1.35 million deal with a modest $50,000 signing bonus as an unrestricted free agent, not the type of pact that comes with great expectations. But he was working as a top personal protector on the punt team and rotated in immediately after Byard and Woodson on defense, as his familiarity with the D from his time playing for the Tennessee Titans under Mike Vrabel was possibly a catalyst for what was a strong spring. -- Mike Reiss The Jets figured Mitchell would take a leap this offseason -- his first with the team -- but he exceeded their expectations. Mitchell, acquired from the Colts last November in the Sauce Gardner trade, solidified himself as the No. 2 receiver. He displayed a firm grasp of the new system, allowing him to flash his vertical speed. His chemistry with quarterback Geno Smith was quickly apparent. Mitchell should be a nice complement to Garrett Wilson. -- Rich Cimini Walker, a fourth-round pick in 2024, was the standout wide receiver this spring, continually stretching the field. The pressure is on Walker after Baltimore drafted two wide receivers: Ja'Kobi Lane in the third round and Elijah Sarratt in the fourth round. Still, Walker is competing for the No. 3 spot behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Walker has made the most of his limited opportunities, scoring touchdowns on four of his seven career catches. -- Jamison Hensley There weren't many team reps during offseason workouts, but Newton made the most of his chances. The third-year cornerback filled in as an outside corner and had an interception in a 7-on-7 period, Joe Burrow's lone offseason blemish. Newton hasn't really been considered a viable option at that spot, but he might have put himself in the discussion as a depth player at outside cornerback behind Dax Hill and DJ Turner. -- Ben Baby The Browns drafted wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in April, but no Cleveland wideout was targeted more than Bond this spring. The second-year receiver continued to display his speed and showed off the 15 pounds of muscle he added this offseason with a bunch of contested catches. -- Daniel Oyefusi Steelers cornerbacks Daylen Everette (23) and Asante Samuel Jr. (22) participate in OTA drills. Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesPittsburgh SteelersCB Daylen Everette Everette, one of the Steelers' three third-round draft picks, turned heads with a larger-than-expected role in minicamp, as cornerback Joey Porter Jr. limited his participation as he awaits a contract extension. The player out of Georgia held his own as he battled with wide receiver DK Metcalf and got his hands on several passes. "He's a big physical guy, so going against someone like him, it can help me to guard anyone else," Everette said. "I enjoy going against him because I know it's helping me get better."

32 teams, 32 surprises: Which players stood out on...

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