8 NFLers hurt most by missed OTAs and minicamp

The coronavirus pandemic forced the NFL to cancel organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamps this offseason, and it remains unknown when players will be allowed to take the field alongside teammates and coaches again.

While some players actually benefit without early activities this offseason, other names around the league will suffer from not having OTAs and minicamp. These are the eight NFLers that these cancellations hurt the most.

Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Rookies will be more negatively affected by the lack of OTAs and minicamps; after all, it's their first official opportunity to work out as pros. Burrow, who's likely the only first-year quarterback who'll start in Week 1 this season, could face even bigger challenges with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The LSU standout hasn't practiced in front of his new coaches, and not only does he need to learn a new NFL game plan, he's not exactly stepping into a thriving offense. Granted, Burrow will have access to the plays from home, but making sure he's on the same page as his teammates and Zac Taylor, who struggled in his first year as head coach, requires repetition.

"You have to find a way to get in your backyard and get reps in," Taylor advised Burrow, according to FiveThirtyEight's Michael Salfino. "Whether it's telling your girlfriend or mom where to line up, or how many steps to take on each route - just make sure you know it inside and outside. We're going to challenge our guys to get creative."

Without OTAs and minicamp, Burrow has fewer opportunities to develop chemistry with two of his top wide receivers - and they could probably both use the practice. Veteran A.J. Green likely needs time to shake the rust off after missing last season with an injury, while Tee Higgins is another rookie making the transition to the pros.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers

After undergoing season-ending elbow surgery last September, every workout with the Pittsburgh Steelers is precious for Roethlisberger ahead of his age-38 campaign. In April, the veteran signal-caller said he was planning to participate in minicamp and OTAs as he attempts to return to top form, but he'll have to wait to line up with his teammates again.

Roethlisberger appeared in just two games last season and watched Pittsburgh's offensive struggles mostly from the sidelines. Playing with backup quarterbacks, the Steelers' receiving corps also disappointed in its first year without Antonio Brown. For instance, JuJu Smith-Schuster recorded just 42 receptions in 12 games one year after leading the club with 111 catches.

Taking the field in May and June before training camp would have been tremendously helpful to both Roethlisberger's rehab and his ability to make adjustments with his receivers. The Steelers added second-round rookie wideout Chase Claypool and free-agent tight end Eric Ebron this offseason.

Matt Rhule, head coach, Panthers

No team needs practices, drills, and interaction between players and coaches more than the Carolina Panthers. It's Rhule's first head coaching job in the NFL, and he's joined by offensive coordinator Joe Brady and defensive coordinator Phil Snow, who don't have pro experience in those capacities either.

Rhule and his coaching staff need to introduce their system to a new quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, other offseason acquisitions, and a bunch of rookies - Carolina drafted seven defenders this year and signed 17 undrafted free agents.

Several spots on the Panthers' roster are up for grabs, especially on defense. Rhule will need to evaluate dozens of players, adjust a rebuilding team, and implement a new scheme in his first NFL campaign without the luxury of workouts during spring and early summer.

Aldon Smith, DE, Cowboys Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Dallas Cowboys gave Smith another NFL chance after his promising career was derailed by off-field issues. He hasn't played a game since 2015, and his return to pro football naturally comes with question marks and uncertainties.

OTAs and minicamp would be ideal for a player like Smith, who needs to go through every step of getting back into football shape before confirming his return. Being able to meet with his new coaches and teammates and execute drills in a unit that needs pass-rushing help would definitely work in his favor.

Dallas' defensive line could also benefit from using pre-training-camp activities to set up its new interior formation after the arrivals of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe. Though McCoy and Poe played together in 2019, the Cowboys might need extra time to figure out the best way to use their new veteran duo on the heels of a subpar season from the D-line.

Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers

Brady will turn 43 in August, and after two decades with the Patriots, he'll try to bounce back from an unimpressive 2019 campaign with the new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Yes, the legendary quarterback has an undisputed work ethic, which he displayed when he picked up materials from his new offensive coordinator and conducted a throwing session with some of his new teammates earlier in May.

However, that's barely a taste of the complete experience of hearing head coach Bruce Arians during drills while working with a full receiving corps featuring Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, and Co. Getting up to speed with his receivers and coaches as early as possible would catalyze Brady's adaptation to Tampa Bay.

Alexander Mattison, RB, Vikings

The prospects of non-starters aiming to impress are dimmer without OTAs and minicamp. With Dalvin Cook reportedly prepared for a potentially long holdout, Mattison would have had a chance to practice with the Minnesota Vikings' first team, at least for a few weeks.

The Vikings drafted Mattison in the third round last year and the Boise State product made a positive impact through his first 13 games. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry as a rookie, which ranked 16th among all running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts. Those numbers, combined with a breakout year in the near future, could eventually earn Mattison a chance to start.

Cook may be out throughout training camp, which would still offer Mattison a good chance to step up. If the Vikings are reluctant to give Cook a lot of money, they might look at Mattison differently this offseason, and every opportunity he gets as the main back could help improve his stock.

Jarrett Stidham, QB, Patriots Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Though it's not a lock that he'll start for New England, Stidham appears to be the chosen one to replace Brady at the beginning of the 2020 season. While replacing a six-time Super Bowl champion would seem to require extra workouts under any circumstances, Stidham is also a second-year signal-caller who attempted just four passes as a rookie - with one interception.

The canceled activities are missed opportunities for the 2019 fourth-rounder to repeat Josh McDaniels' game plan on the practice field and continue developing chemistry with his receiving corps, which includes two rookie tight ends (Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene) and a 2019 first-round wideout who didn't play much (N'Keal Harry). They'll have to figure things out in a likely shortened training camp and preseason.

From the Patriots' perspective, they get a reduced sample size to evaluate a young player who's stepping into a larger role and needs first-team reps. New England still isn't sure about its future under center and Stidham needs to prove himself on the field.

Thaddeus Moss, TE, Redskins

OTAs and minicamps are crucial for players trying to make a regular-season roster and draftees who just arrived in the NFL and need to prove they can lock down their roster spot. Undrafted rookies are in an especially tough spot without those activities.

Moss' name wasn't called in April's draft and he signed with the Washington Redskins shortly afterward. The son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss is the most notable undrafted player this offseason. He amassed 47 catches for 570 yards and four touchdowns in LSU's dominant 2019 campaign and his draft stock got a bump from some solid performances late in the season, including two scores in the national championship game.

However, with no minicamp or OTAs, Moss won't have as much time to prove his durability or show why teams were wrong to pass on him. The Redskins didn't acquire any high-profile tight ends this offseason after Jeremy Sprinkle led the team at the position with just 26 receptions, 241 yards, and one touchdown.

Other notable undrafted free agents seeking roster spots include Chicago Bears linebacker Ledarius Mack, Detroit Lions tight end Hunter Bryant, and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Anthony Gordon.

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