NFC: One potential fast riser on every team’s depth chart

With all NFL training camps open, some players are already making strong impressions.

Could a surprising wide receiver open the season as the Dallas Cowboys’ No. 2 option? Will a rookie running back earn significant playing time with the Los Angeles Rams?

Yardbarker NFL writers identify one potential fast riser on the depth chart for all 16 NFC teams.

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS | Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert | Brandin Cooks wasn’t surprised to see his teammate open camp with a spectacular catch. The veteran wideout has trumpeted Tolbert since OTAs. With All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb holding out for a new contract, the little-used third-year wideout could easily open the season as the team’s No. 2 receiver and even surpass Cooks’ 657 yards receiving from 2023.

NEW YORK GIANTS | Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. | New Giants running back Devin Singletary isn’t much of a receiver, but Tracy played 38 games at wide receiver before leading the Big Ten as a running back with 6.3 yards per carry last season for Purdue. If this year’s fifth-round pick can handle pass protection, Eric Gray’s run as New York’s No. 2 back could be over before it starts.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Linebacker Jalyx Hunt | According to SI.com’s Ed Kracz, the former college safety-turned-linebacker stood out against left tackle Jordan Mailata during first-team reps on the first day of training camp. Competing with edge rushers Bryce Huff, who played 42% of snaps for the Jets in 2023, and Nolan Smith, who played 16% of snaps for the Eagles last season, Philadelphia’s third-round project could play sooner than expected.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Tight end Ben Sinnott | Zach Ertz may have a history with new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, but the soon-to-be 34-year-old tight end found himself without a team for the last six weeks of the 2023 regular season. Per Pro Football Focus, Sinnott was the only tight end in this year’s draft to average double digits for depth of target over the past two seasons (10.2) and just one of four 2024 tight end prospects to hit 1,000-plus receiving yards since 2022. The second-round pick from Kansas State is an ideal candidate to surpass Ertz as the team’s No. 1 tight end. — Bruce Ewing

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS | Cornerback Max Melton | Other than free-agent signing Sean Murphy-Bunting, pretty much every cornerback spot, both outside and in the slot, is up for grabs. That means Melton, the Cardinals’ second-round pick, will have an opportunity to earn playing time.