Few Player Reports from OTAs - Okonkwo, Cowing and Royals

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It’s our favorite time of the year and just wanted to share a few updates from OTAs this week, mostly from yesterday. About 10% of the info can be found on our Twitter but for full reports check out our site. From JP Finaly on Chig Okonkwo Okonkwo has a real chance to become one of the more intriguing pieces in Washington’s offense. His athleticism immediately stood out during offseason work, and there is clear excitement about what he can bring as a dynamic tight end. The combination of speed, agility, and playmaking ability gives the Commanders a different type of weapon than they have had at the position in recent years. The offensive setup also seems built to maximize someone with Okonkwo’s strengths. More play action, more movement, and a broader passing structure should create favorable opportunities for tight ends to work in space. There is also optimism that a larger offensive role could unlock another level for him, especially if he develops strong chemistry with Jaden Daniels early in the season. From Matt Barrows on Jacob Cowing The standout in Thursday’s practice? It might have been third-year receiver Jacob Cowing, who caught four passes in 11-on-11 situations, including one on a perfectly thrown long ball from Rourke in which he came open on a post route. The 49ers were excited about Cowing a year ago at this time after he worked with Purdy and Ricky Pearsall in the early offseason. Cowing, however, then strained a hamstring on the first day of training camp and exacerbated the injury several times throughout the season. Another young receiver, Jordan Watkins, looked good last year before suffering a high-ankle sprain in the preseason opener and falling to the bottom of the depth chart as a result. “I was really excited how Jordan and Jake came back,” Shanahan said. “You could tell they came back — it wasn’t just (returning) healthy. You could tell they’ve been putting work in and coming in here in shape and stuff has allowed them to get further ahead in these five weeks than just coming here to get in shape. They’ve come here to play and work.” Charles Goldman on Jaylen Royals Last season, everyone expected Jalen Royals to be the natural replacement for Rashee Rice during Rice’s suspension. Knee tendinitis put a stop to that, but right now he’s taking advantage of the fact that Rashee Rice is not at OTAs. “Yeah, so they’re rotating in with the first group,” Reid said. “And Rashee (Rice) is not here. It gives Jalen (Royals) some great reps with the wide receiver position. Strong, he looks strong out there and running well, and that whole deal. So, it’s great for him. It’s great for him and for the quarterbacks to see what he’s all about on repeated reps.” A fourth-round pick out of Utah State in 2025, Royals caught two passes on three targets for four yards during his rookie season. This year, it seems like he’ll have an opportunity to secure a larger role in the offense. He needs to stay healthy regarding his knee. But it feels especially true if he continues to take advantage of these early offseason practice days and builds on them going forward. submitted by /u/32BeatWriters [link] [comments]