The Sports Xchange

In this week’s round of minicamps and OTAs, it is only logical that the players who stood out the most would be passers, receivers and pass defenders. After all, in no-contact drills there isn’t any blocking or tackling.

So it was that receivers and defensive backs dominated the list of Stars of the Week in a survey of all 32 teams by correspondents who cover each team for The Sports Xchange.

Still, there are some names worth special notice as camp Stars of the Week, such as veterans who have little to prove in these workouts but were impressive anyway.

Included in that group are Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson, Houston running back Arian Foster and his former teammate, wide receiver Andre Johnson, now with Indianapolis. In Foxborough, tight end Rob Gronkowski was healthy for a change and looked great.

Quarterbacks are always at the center of attention, but some of them stood out more than usual this week for various reasons.

Oakland’s Derek Carr threw the ball with authority, putting to rest concerns about a finger injury.

Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger appears ready for a great season, although he might be one quarterback who actually thrives when there is contact.

Reports from Florham Park, N.J., indicate that Geno Smith had a good week for the New York Jets, which is not something said lately about quarterbacks with that team.

From Berea, Ohio, the Cleveland Browns appear to have a quarterback who will rise up and be the starter. They can call him J. Football, but that J stands for Josh, as in Josh McCown, and not last year’s No. 1 pick, Johnny (Football) Manziel.

Here is a closer look at the camp Star of the Week for each team (teams listed in alphabetical order)

ARIZONA CARDINALS

–Camp star of the week: Patrick Peterson, cornerback. He has been impressive throughout the offseason. A year ago at this time, he was struggling with a health issue later diagnosed as diabetes. This year, he lost 13 pounds, is down to 203 and feels faster and quicker.

“I feel rejuvenated,” he said.

ATLANTA FALCONS

–Camp star of the week: Ricardo Allen, cornerback. The second-year pro worked with the first-team defense this week as the Falcons try to find a starter at the position.

The Falcons drafted him out of Purdue in the fifth round in 2014 and like his range and tackling ability.

“Defensively, Ricardo Allen is a guy that’s had a terrific offseason,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “He’s really working hard.”

Allen spent part of last season on the practice squad and didn’t play in a game after being added to the active roster on Dec. 16.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

–Camp star of the week: Breshad Perriman, wide receiver. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound speedster from Central Florida is big, fast and explosive.

The first-round draft pick displayed his deep speed in team drills in front of the media on Monday and caught a long touchdown pass while surrounded by defenders. He elevated over defensive backs to make the catch.

Perriman nearly made another big play earlier in practice but was unable to complete what would have been an incredible catch. Perriman’s hands have been solid so far and he hasn’t made the concentration drops that dogged him last year when he caught 50 passes for 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns before declaring for the draft.

“What we saw on tape is what we are getting,” offensive coordinator Marc Trestman said of Perriman, who signed a four-year, $8.705 million contract. “We really liked what we saw on tape, obviously. And what we’re getting is a guy who is continually improving. He has a good understanding of the game. He’s not just a fast guy, he’s a smart guy.

“He is going to learn how to use patience and use other aspects of playing the position, his size, his hand speed, to get off the line of scrimmage. So that’s really awesome to see that he’s a quick learner, and he’s catching the ball and making plays just like we saw him do on tape.”

BUFFALO BILLS

–Camp star of the week: Nickell Robey, cornerback. There might not be a player happier about the arrival of head coach Rex Ryan in Buffalo than Robey. Two years ago as an undrafted rookie, the 5-foot-8 Robey enjoyed a startling season in the nickel role in Mike Pettine’s defense that is an offshoot of what Ryan runs, a hybrid 3-4.

Last year, Robey took a step back as he struggled in coverage, and with his tackling, in Jim Schwartz’s 4-3 scheme. But he looks perfectly comfortable now that the 3-4 is in vogue.

“Scheme-wise, just doing a lot more blitzing, playing a lot more aggressive coverage,” Robey said. “The scheme is Pettine’s but a lot more aggressive. I feel like the coverage is a lot more aggressive on the back end. The D-line, they are able to rush more aggressively so it helps out everybody.”

CAROLINA PANTHERS

–Camp star of the week: Colin Jones, cornerback. With No. 1 nickel back Bene Benwikere recovering from a strained hamstring, Jones saw most of the work with the starters during OTAs. He made the biggest play of the day Thursday, intercepting quarterback Cam Newton at the goal line and then sprinting down the sideline for what would have been a touchdown in a regular-season game.

Jones, a former special teams ace and safety, was a big part of the Panthers’ late-season run in 2014. He’s best as a backup plan, but he’s not a horrible backup plan to have.

CHICAGO BEARS

–Camp star of the week: Alshon Jeffery, wide receiver. Jeffery appeared to adapt quickly to the new offense, which will focus on him being outside. He also must step up to a leadership role this season.

Jeffery’s pass-catching talents were obvious and his route running helped to get Eddie Royal open in the slot at times. Jeffery has skills as a jump-ball type of receiver but can develop into a more well-rounded veteran.

He is in the final year of his contract and after the team drafted Kevin White in the first round it is debatable whether the Bears would be willing to pay Jeffery at a rate a No. 1 receiver would command.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

–Camp star of the week: Darqueze Dennard, cornerback. Last year’s first-round pick looks like a No. 1 as the Bengals have a nice dilemma with four first-round corners vying for time.

The kids, Dennard and Dre Kirkpatrick (2012), are pushing the vets, Adam Jones (2005) and Leon Hall (2007). But they’ve got their hands full because Jones, their best corner last season, has looked just as good this spring.

Dennard, though, is staking his claim. In the one practice the media saw this week, he had an interception in one-on-ones and in team drills. In 11-on-11, Dennard plastered wide receiver Brandon Tate, tied him up at the top of his route, and when Tate and quarterback Andy Dalton couldn’t recalibrate their timing, Dennard circled back on the overthrow for the pick.

The Bengals’ coverage is based on press man-to-man, the scheme where Dennard flourished at Michigan State. So the fact he’s making plays in off coverage since press isn’t allowed in the OTAs has them encouraged. All signs point to him playing many more than the 61 snaps he got as a rookie.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

–Camp star of the week: Josh McCown, quarterback. The Browns had nine OTA sessions and McCown was the starting quarterback throughout — and his play validated that coaching decision.

McCown’s throws were on the money again Thursday. He threw through a tight window to hit tight end Rob Housler over the middle as an example of what he has done most of spring practice.

Just as important, McCown took charge of the offense. This is his first season with the Browns, but he has the command of a veteran that has done the same job with the same team for five years.

DALLAS COWBOYS

–Camp star of the week: Terrance Williams, wide receiver. Star receiver Dez Bryant has been absent from OTAs in a contract dispute and Williams has taken full advantage.

The Cowboys are raving about Williams’ offseason work, with head coach Jason Garrett contending Williams has become the pacesetter for the offense “in so many ways.”

“Terrance has had one of the best offseasons I’ve seen in a while,” quarterback Tony Romo said. “So I’m very excited about his approach, the way that he’s played up to this point in the offseason. He’s just improved, and I’m excited about that development.”

DENVER BRONCOS

–Camp star of the week: Ben Garland, guard. With nearly all of the starters excused for conditioning and weightlifting work during the team periods of practice, younger Broncos had a chance to shine. One who stood out was Garland, who plays at left guard and one of the few starters to remain on the field for all periods this week. His athleticism and ability to move with the flow of a zone-blocking scheme helped him spring running backs.

DETROIT LIONS

–Camp star of the week: Corey Fuller, wide receiver. Although Fuller still has a lot to improve on before he becomes a consistent contributor, he made a couple really nice catches in OTAs on Wednesday. Fuller had one touchdown from quarterback Dan Orlovksy in organized team activities on a ball that was contested by a safety until Fuller plucked it out of the air. Fuller will have a chance to be the No. 3 receiver in his third NFL season.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

–Camp star of the week: Jeff Janis, wide receiver. After hardly playing as a rookie last season, Janis has been making up for that lost time by showing himself to be another dependable target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers this spring.

As the Packers transition to their last hurrah of offseason workouts next week with minicamp, Janis can rest assured he made positive strides during the now-concluded organized team activities in the eyes of the coaches — and, as important, Rodgers.

“I think the biggest thing with Aaron is he wants us to be mentally on the same page,” Janis said. “He knows physical mistakes are going to happen, like dropped balls and things like that, but mental errors are unacceptable to him. So I think that’s where I’m really trying to take a step. After the play, or something (good) like that happens, and he comes over and says, ‘Good job!’ That’s just a big confidence boost.”

HOUSTON TEXANS

–Camp star of the week: Arian Foster, running back. This Pro Bowler is one of the best known Texans, so it is hard for him to be a pleasant surprise. Still, Foster has been impressive during OTAs and was praised by head coach Bill O’Brien this week.

With the Texans still deciding between Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett at quarterback, and the team’s offensive line weakened by the departure of veteran center Chris Myers, Foster must have another Pro Bowl-worthy year for the Texans’ offense to take the next step in 2015.

Foster, 28, ran for 1,246 yards at 4.8 yards per carry last season. Yet he missed almost four full games because of injuries. If the Texans are going to improve on 9-7, Foster will have to carry them again.

“He was a big part of it,” O’Brien said. “When he plays and he’s out there, he means a lot to our offense. He’s one of the best backs in the league. I believe what I’ve seen this spring out of him, he’s a very motivated individual. He’s out there, he’s practicing hard, and he’s been here every day.”

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

–Camp star of the week: Andre Johnson, wide receiver. The former Houston Texans Pro Bowler has been impressive during the Colts’ OTAs and in the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp. Johnson was the star of the show during Indianapolis’ open minicamp practice at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday night.

He walked the tight rope in the back of the end zone for a touchdown reception from quarterback Andrew Luck in one goal-line drill. And he displayed the full measure of size, speed and toughness on several pass receptions during seven-on-seven drills.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

–Camp star of the week: Allen Robinson, wide receiver. Robinson wasn’t expected to be much of a contributor in the Jaguars’ OTAs as he continued to mend from foot surgery in November. He didn’t see much live action the first two weeks but finished strong.

Robinson was singled out by head coach Gus Bradley on the team’s final day of OTAs, with Bradley commenting that Robinson “really showed up in the OTAs.”

Robinson made several leaping catches and continually hooked up with quarterback Blake Bortles in the 11-on-11 portions of the OTA practices. Robinson was leading the Jaguars in receiving through the first 10 games of his rookie season in 2014 when he suffered a foot injury in the Dallas game in London. A week later, he was placed on injured reserve and five days after that he had the surgery. At 6 feet 3, 210 pounds, he offers size and speed, which is why the Jaguars took him in the second round of the 2014 draft. His performance this week was an indication that he’s fully recovered from the surgery and will be unrestricted when the Jaguars report to training camp in late July.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

–Camp star of the week: James O’Shaughnessy, tight end. A fifth-round draft pick this year out of FCS (Division I-AA) Illinois State, O’Shaughnessy gradually picked up the system and by the end of this week was running with the first team.

“The first couple of days, it kind of hit me smack in the face,” O’Shaughnessy said. “For the last two weeks, it’s started to sink in that I’m a part of this team and I can compete at this level and play with some of the great guys I’ve been watching the last six, seven years. To play on the same field as Travis Kelce and Jamaal Charles and Alex Smith is unbelievable to me.”

Because Demetrius Harris underwent foot surgery, the Chiefs are looking to build depth. But at his current rate of ascent, O’Shaughnessy might be at the top of that chart himself. On Thursday, he was clearly part of the No. 1 offense.

“I guess you could say I’m surprised,” he said. “Going against the No. 1 defense really gives you a clear idea of what you’re going to face every Sunday.”

MIAMI DOLPHINS

–Camp star of the week: Jamil Douglas, guard. The fourth-round pick from Arizona State took a good amount of first-team snaps at left guard on Monday when the media was allowed to watch practice. That could be a bit of foreshadowing for starter Dallas Thomas.

Head coach Joe Philbin said one thing he liked about Douglas was his mental game, that “you don’t have to tell him things twice.”

That’s not a distinguishing characteristic for Thomas, who is entering his third season, so Douglas seems to be making a push on the depth chart that is worth watching.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

–Camp star of the week: Eric Kendricks, middle linebacker. The Vikings have seen enough of this rookie second-round draft pick to know that the middle linebacker job is his to lose once the team hits training camp on July 25.

In the last week of OTAs, Kendricks assumed control of the position in the base defense and definitely will be a strong candidate to remain on the field in the nickel alongside outside linebacker Anthony Barr.

With reporters able to watch practice on Thursday, Kendricks looked instinctive, quick and fast. He made an especially alert read and play when he nearly intercepted a pass from starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

–Camp star of the week: Rob Gronkowski, tight end. Coming off a healthy season and at full go in the offseason for the first time in years, Gronkowski has caught everything thrown his way this spring.

He looks poised to once again be the centerpiece of the Patriots’ passing attack. It will be interesting to see what he can do if he is fully healthy to start a season for the first time since 2012.

A year ago, he was limited in the first month of the season and still finished with more than 80 catches for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. A healthy Gronkowski on opening day is a scary proposition for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

–Camp star of the week: Delvin Breaux, cornerback. While this is based on only one OTA practice, Breaux, who is trying to make the roster after playing in the CFL, had an impressive performance in the workout open to media on Wednesday.

A New Orleans native, Breaux got a chance to work with the ones because Brandon Browner sat out. Breaux had a one-handed interception of a Drew Brees pass in a seven-on-seven drill and on the next play Brees tried to hit Seantavius Jones on a deep crossing route, only to have Breaux break it up again.

Breaux later broke up two passes intended for Brandon Coleman — one on a fade route in the end zone — in a two-minute session. The plays turned some heads, especially from his secondary mates.

NEW YORK GIANTS

–Camp star of the week: Cooper Taylor, safety. A 2013 fifth-round draft pick, Taylor has been unable to stay on the field in his first two seasons. This offseason, he cleaned up his diet and added fascial stretch therapy to his training regimen.

So far so good for Taylor, out of Richmond. With Nat Berhe sidelined, Taylor has been making the most of his extra reps with the first-team defense, lining up alongside rookie Landon Collins at safety.

Taylor mostly lines up on the weak side of the formation and is asked to cover and to defend the run. He looks sharp doing both but is in no way a lock for a starting job. Still, this might be the best he has played since hearing his name called in the draft.

NEW YORK JETS

–Camp star of the week: Geno Smith, quarterback. Hey, that’s what two decent practices earn a player after two mostly miserably seasons.

Smith threw three picks in the first practice of minicamp on Tuesday but didn’t commit any turnovers on Wednesday or Thursday. He completed a 70-yard touchdown pass both days.

The Jets are a long way from finding out whether or not Smith can take advantage of his last chance to establish himself as their starter, but it certainly can’t hurt him to enter training camp on a positive note.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

–Camp star of the week: Derek Carr, quarterback. If there was ever any concern over Carr missing more than a month because of an injury to the ring finger on his throwing hand, it was alleviated when he returned to practice at near full strength.

Carr was a bit rusty — it was the longest layoff from throwing in his career — but it was a lift to have the team’s unquestioned leader in the first-team huddle. His play on the field and demeanor off it gave a noticeable lift to the team as the OTAs and minicamp came to an end Thursday.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

–Camp star of the week: Nelson Agholor, wide receiver. The first-round pick out of USC has been impressive in the team’s OTAs. He has lined up outside and inside on both sides and performed like anything but a rookie.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

–Camp star of the week: Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback. It’s no surprise that Roethlisberger excelled not just this week but in all three weeks of OTAs, which came to a close on Thursday before next week’s minicamp.

He excelled ever since he landed in Pittsburgh in 2004. But that does not mean his superior play this spring should go overlooked. He took control of an offense he believes can outperform even the one from 2014 that ranked second in the NFL. He has been sharp and been particularly good throwing the long ball in practice.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

–Camp star of the week: Bradley Marquez, wide receiver. The undrafted rookie free agent is being noticed on the OTA practice field, using his speed and hands to get open and make plays.

On Thursday, he hauled in a deep pass from backup quarterback Austin Davis. The sky might be the limit for Marquez, who played outfield in the New York Mets’ organization in 2012 and 2013 while also playing football at Texas Tech, until deciding to concentrate on football for his final collegiate season.

In 2014, he had 65 receptions for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns and was honorable mention All-Big 12. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has noticed Marquez, saying, “You would expect he has very good hand/eye coordination (because of his baseball background). He understands the game, runs good routes. You’ll see him make quite a few plays in the preseason this year.”

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

–Camp star of the week: Corey Liuget, defensive end. Liuget became this week’s star and a whole lot richer one when signing a $50 million contract extension. But despite his new deal, Liuget didn’t slide through this week’s workouts. Instead, his battles with new left guard Orlando Franklin were among the most spirited of the final week of OTAs.

But Liuget gets a tip of the hat for not only his on-field production but what he considers his increased role with the Chargers.

“For me, I see myself as a defensive line leader, and also a very vocal defensive guy,” Liuget said, a day before inking his impressive contract. “I just want to take it to the next level more than anything. At the end of the day, these guys are looking at me like, ‘You are the guy who is going to help lead us. Lead and we’ll follow.’

“I just want to be the guy that breaks a guy down but also builds him back up. To let him know that you actually are better than what you’re doing, and I believe you can improve each and every day just like myself and others.”

Sounds like a star of the week to us. The Chargers are hoping he’s a star all 16 weeks in the upcoming season.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Camp star of the week: Bradley Pinion, punter. The 49ers’ three-day minicamp June 9-11 began with another “What’s going on here?” moment. The club had just traded one of their most dependable players, punter Andy Lee, to Cleveland.

By the end of the third session, everyone was so impressed with Pinion’s leg strength that some were wondering aloud if he could kick field goals, too.

Don’t fear, Phil Dawson. The fifth-round pick is here to help Dawson keep his job, not take it away. Pinion held as Dawson capped the June 11 workout with a 7-of-7 field-goal effort, hitting from up to 51 yards.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Camp star of the Week: Tyler Lockett, wide receiver. A third-round pick taken after the team traded three picks to the Redskins to move up 26 spots, Lockett has so far given every indication that he will be worth the effort, impressing coaches throughout with his work not only at receiver but more vitally as a returner. The Seahawks had struggles filling both the punt and kickoff return jobs last season, the former open after Golden Tate signed with the Detroit as a free agent and the latter becoming open after Percy Harvin was traded before Week 6.

The Seahawks put a priority on getting a returner in the draft and focused early on Lockett, who starred in both roles at Kansas State. While OTAs allow only a limited look at special teams, Seattle’s coaches have been impressed with Lockett’s instincts and natural feel for the spot, and his quickness in punt returns in putting one foot on the ground and taking off.

TAMPA BAY BUCANNEERS

Camp star of the week: Adam Humphries, wide receiver. Humphries went undrafted and was invited to the Bucs’ rookie minicamp, eventually landing a contract. The former Clemson receiver is opening eyes and making plays as one of the team’s slot receivers. Humphries has a good chance to make the 53-man roster if he continues to make plays the way he did in OTAs.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Camp star of the week: Perrish Cox, cornerback. In signing Cox in the offseason, the Titans hoped they could shore up what was a major weak spot at cornerback where Blidi Wreh-Wilson struggled in 2014. Cox had five interceptions for the 49ers last season, and thus far has been showing up around the football in consistent fashion during OTA work. Cox has intercepted passes in several of the open OTAs and seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered for Tennessee in attempting to improve a leaky secondary from a year ago.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Camp star of the week: Tress Way, punter. In his NFL debut last season, Way averaged 47.5 yards per punt, a figure exceeded in Redskins history only by charter Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh back in 1940, 1941 and 1942. Way also tied for the NFL lead with Jacksonville’s Bryan Anger last season.

“He boots the crap out of it,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said after Way hit a light fixture hanging near the top of Washington’s indoor practice facility during Tuesday’s drills. “He’s going to break this bubble down before too long. He has really been impressive to me since we got him, not only as a punter but as a kid. His leg gets stronger every day. He’s got great hang time. He’s consistent. There are things he needs to work on (such as directional punting), but I feel very, very good about that position.”

–Frank Cooney, founder and publisher of The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com, is in his sixth decade covering football and is a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. TSX correspondents contributed to this story.