Fansided

Every team’s biggest surprise in training camp 2019

By William Schneiderhan

LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 15: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins warms up before a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 15: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Washington Redskins warms up before a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FedExField on August 15, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Murray State defensive back D’Montre Wade (DB39) is seen during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Murray State defensive back D’Montre Wade (DB39) is seen during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Kansas City Chiefs

D’Montre Wade, CB

Patrick Mahomes won MVP, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce had massive seasons, and the Chiefs were one drive away from the Super Bowl in 2018. Now, Andy Reid looks to replicate that success in search of that long awaited Super Bowl win.

The downfall for the 2018 Chiefs was the defense. More specifically, the secondary. With a lot of personnel and coaching turnover in that area, D’Montre Wade has become a name to watch.

From reports, Wade has had himself a great camp. He has made plays in practice, picking off passes against offensive starters. His stock has never been higher, and he may help strengthen that secondary in 2019.

Wade is currently under concussion protocol, and he had a little blip on his resume after being disqualified from the first preseason game for a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Los Angeles Chargers

Jason Moore, WR

Philip Rivers took a sip from the fountain of youth last season. He led a potent Chargers team to a record of 12-4. Although, the team ultimately fell short in the playoffs after suffering a blowout loss on the road to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.

On both sides of the ball, some key players left in free agency, and now Tom Telesco has to deal with a disgruntled running back. While Telesco sorts out the Melvin Gordon situation, Jason Moore may become the team’s third or fourth receiver in 2019.

Moore, undrafted out of Findlay University, is a big, physical receiver. With Keenan Allen as the clear-cut number one, and Mike Williams ready to become the Tyrell Williams’ replacement, Moore can find a home as the third or fourth receiver.

In four years at the University of Findlay, he hauled in 39 touchdowns and had one year of 1,000+ receiving yards.

Denver Broncos

Elijah Wilkinson, OL

Like many teams, the Broncos had to work with a poor offensive line last season. In fairness, injuries riddled the unit, seeing multiple starters such as Matt Paradis and Ronald Leary miss significant time.

Hitting the refresh button, John Elway went out and landed perhaps the biggest offensive line guru in the league, Mike Munchak.

Munchak’s magic looks to be working early on, as Elijah Wilkinson has been the talk of Broncos’ camp. Multiple reports suggest the lineman has been one of the most impressive players in camp.

Wilkinson has been with the Broncos since he signed with the team as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Massachusetts in 2017. Still only 24- ears old, he started seven games last season. This season, he will look to become a mainstay on the team’s offensive line.

Oakland Raiders

Antonio Brown, WR

Jon Gruden placed his broadcaster’s microphone down and took the head coaching job with the Oakland Raiders prior to the 2018 season. Fans were filled with optimism, only to end the disappointing year riddled with anger.

Under Gruden, the team went 4-12 and Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper were traded. Now, with a fresh start, Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock molded the 2019 roster via free agency and a strong draft.

Antonio Brown was one of those players brought in, and he is currently the biggest surprise in camp, and not in a good way. While many coaches have been positively surprised with the performances of some of the lesser known players in camp, Gruden has to be grinding his teeth over the current Antonio Brown drama.

Brown hasn’t been featured heavily in camp due to lingering injury and a helmet issue. As seen on “Hard Knocks,” Brown doesn’t appear willing to rehab his injury slowly. The helmet saga has become one of the more interesting, yet excessively distracting issues for the team.