Buffalo Bulls In The NFL Update Khalil Mack James Starks Branden Oliver

Josh Thomas is taking advantage of Orlando Scandrick's injury. Everytime Thomas is brought in "for depth" he plays well enough to make the final cut decision a difficult one.

Broaddus: Scouting The Young Pass Rushers, Other Standouts From OTAs | Dallas Cowboys
There was talk before last season of moving Brandon Carr from left cornerback to the right side to help him not have to deal with as many passes. The thought was to move Orlando Scandrick to the left, but then he was lost for the season and the plan was scrapped. At least for this camp, Carr has moved to the right side with Morris Claiborne seeing action on the left. Another note is that Josh Thomas is filling in as the nickel back again while Scandrick continues to recover.

Last year in Minnesota he came into camp very late and was believed to be just a camp body. He played so well in practice and the preseason that sites like "The Daily Norseman" listed him as a keeper and were disappointed when Thomas was among the last players cut.

Now in Dallas for the second time in his career he has a full preseason to show he should be the guy you keep in that last round of cuts.

Around the NFL:

The story which got the most attention this week as Khalil Mack's teammage, Derek Carr, saying that Mack can break the sack record this season.

Is Khalil Mack capable of a 30-sack season... :: Panic Button
While Silver & Black fans are foaming at the mouth over what Mack might do this season, Raiders QB, Derek Carr says Mack could be poised for a record-breaking year. Asked by Adam Schein on Sirius XM's Schein on Sports if Mack can hit 20 sacks, Carr threw up an even bigger number.

"20 sacks for Khalil is easily attainable ... He could have 30 if he just didn't get held all the time," Carr said. "I'm not kidding you. I go back and watch him, because me and him are close, close friends. So I go back and watch him and those things I'm not kidding you, this guy gets held more than anything I've ever seen in my life.

From what I've been seeing Eddie Lacy has put the cheeseburgers down and gotten himself back into shape. This probably means that James Starks slips back to the "2" part of the packs 1-2 punch. But for Green bay having Starks gives them one of the better running back tandums in the NFL.

Green Bay Packers RB corps ranked among best in NFL
Despite the struggles of Eddie Lacy last year, the Green Bay Packers had an overall strong ground game, averaging 115.6 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry. But now that Lacy is looking more in shape and the Packers also have James Starks returning, the Packers running back corps is looked at as one of the best in the NFL.

Branden Oliver is healthy again in San Diego and the staff is trying to figure out ways to use the back. By most accounts he is slated to the third string back behind Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead. But Olivers solid rookie season and his work ethic have the coaches developing schemes to use him.

Mailbag: Rookie Camp Recap and Branden Oliver's Role | San Diego Chargers
Oliver said it was tough to be sidelined with his toe injury, so he is grateful to be out on the field working alongside Melvin Gordon, Danny Woodhead and the other running backs. Beyond his talents, he is also one of the most popular players in the locker room, so everyone is happy to see number 43 back out there.  To answer your second question, he most definitely will have a role.  He is a physical back who grinds and thrives out of the backfield in the screen game.  I will have an article on the running backs coming out next week, but here is a small taste of what RB Coach Ollie Wilson had to say about Oliver:

The SeaHawks have a log jam of players trying to win starting jobs on the Offensive line. Among them is of course Kristjan Sokoli.

Seahawks: Grading the 2016 offseason | Cover32
Then again, the Seahawks finally have something the unit has been lacking for a few years: real competition. Germain Ifedi, Joey Hunt and Rees Odhiambo will battle with the likes of Justin Britt, Mark Glowinski, Terry Poole, Kristjan Sokoli and Patrick Lewis for the inside positions. Garry Gilliam, Bradley Sowell, George Fant and J’Marcus Webb will compete outside

The Bolt Report talked to UB coach Alan Hensell about Matt Weiser. The Chargers have so much turnover going on that Weiser really has a shot of at least making the developmental squad.

Coach's Corner: Alan Hensell on Matt Weiser - SD Bolt Report
The Chargers did a full-scale renovation of the tight end position this offseason. Gone are Ladarius Green, John Phillips and David Johnson, three veterans who played an average of 539 snaps apiece last season (Antonio Gates, for comparison, played just 496). The Chargers filled the void with second-round pick Hunter Henry and New York export Jeff Cumberland, but there is still room for another developmental player with Gates nearing the end of his illustrious career and Cumberland on a one-year deal.

One rookie to keep an eye on is Matt Weiser, a Buffalo product and Henry’s mini camp roommate.

Finally, there is Joe Licata who is not only trying to fend off Keith Wenning but the Cincinnati front office.

Giants, Bengals Tried To Claim Mettenberger
It’s possible that the Bengals were curious to see if Mettenberger could have performed well enough over the summer to make them comfortable enough to move McCarron. Or, maybe they were only looking to put some additional competition for the No. 3 spot alongside with Keith Wenning and undrafted rookie Joe Licata.

I'm not going to pretend to know what's going on with Cincinnati quarterbacks. I know that Licata sent Matt Johnson packing and that they are only going to keep two quarterbacks on the roster. Whoever lands at #3 will be a practice squad player, like Wenning was last season.