Rookie Report: A pair of dark horses that could earn a roster spot

The Rookie Report highlights first-year players, focusing on how they might perform in their debut season and beyond.

Darryl Roberts, CB, New England Patriots

Roberts appears to have made a strong first impression on the Patriots' coaching staff, because the seventh-round pick has seen significant snaps during organized team activities and minicamp. He's even drawing comparisons to Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler.

A four-year starter at Marshall, Roberts didn't receive an invite to the NFL's Scouting Combine, which may have contributed to his fall in the draft. He did, however, put up impressive numbers at the school's pro day, including a 4.36 40-yard dash that would have ranked second among cornerbacks at the combine.

Earning a roster spot is always an uphill battle for late-round picks, but the mass exodus the Patriots experienced at cornerback this offseason leaves plenty of opportunity for a player like Roberts.

Roberts has Butler, Logan Ryan, Bradley Fletcher, and Robert McClain ahead of him on the depth chart, but nothing is set in stone at this point. He'll be someone to keep a close eye on once the competition really starts to heat up in training camp.

Jordan Taylor, WR, Denver Broncos

Growing up, Taylor always pictured himself playing center field for the Texas Rangers. Now, the undrafted receiver is looking to carve out a role for himself with the Broncos.

Consistency wasn't an issue for Taylor during his time at Rice. He led the Owls in receptions and receiving yards in three of his four seasons, finishing with 176 catches for 2,588 yards and 20 touchdowns. He'll have his work cut out for him in Denver, but has a few advantages over the rest of the competition.

At 6-foot-5, Taylor is the tallest of the Broncos' receivers - a group that includes the likes of Andre Caldwell, Bennie Fowler, Jordan Norwood, Kyle Williams, and Solomon Patton. Receiving an endorsement from one of your veteran teammates helps, too.

"Jordan Taylor, one of our receivers, he's an undrafted guy - he caught my eye a few times with his catches, his routes," tight end Virgil Green told the Denver Post. "He's a tall guy with a long stride and runs nice routes."

The Broncos have had an undrafted rookie on their 53-man roster every year since 2004, so as long as Taylor continues to impress, his odds of earning a spot look pretty good.

Quick Hits

• Cleveland Browns first-round pick Cameron Erving has been learning multiple positions on the offensive line - something he believes will actually help him in his transition to the NFL.
• Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy received some high praise from quarterback Matt Ryan.
• Derron Smith has been impressing Cincinnati Bengals defensive backs coach Vance Joseph with his sharp schematic questions.
• First-round pick Andrus Peat wasn't able to join the New Orleans Saints until last week because of Stanford's longer academic schedule, and is now playing catch-up with the playbook and his conditioning.
• T.J. Clemmings, Tyrus Thompson, and Austin Shepherd were all drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as offensive tackles, but may end up making the final roster as guards.