Baltimore Ravens:
DT Travis Jones – The 24 year old defensive lineman has been very impressive in camp and will likely battle for snaps with Michael Pierce and Broderick Washington. Travis Jones is a guy looking to have a great preseason showing as he attempts to prove he has a role on the team. If Jones keeps impressing in preseason we may see yet another breakout IDL for Baltimore.
Buffalo Bills:
WR Curtis Samuel – The Swiss Army knife of weapons joined Buffalo this offseason and has been impressive in camp. This preseason I’m excited to see how Buffalo will want to utilize Curtis with all of the skills he possesses. Joe Brady is an offensive genius who may get more out of Curtis than any other team he’s played for.
Cincinnati Bengals:
WR Andrei Iosivas – Currently projected to be the WR3 for Burrow, Iosivas has had a fantastic training camp so far with some impeccable grabs. This preseason is going to be a great opportunity to see what’s in store for the young playmaker that may prove to be an essential part of the team’s future. With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins still searching for contracts, Iosivas may be a young player Cincinnati relies upon moving forward.
Cleveland Browns:
QB Jameis Winston – The former first overall pick might actually get significant playing time this year judging off of Deshaun Watson‘s trend of injuries and suspensions, as well as Watson’s struggles while actually on the field. Preseason will be an opportunity to see how Jameis will play on the Browns offense as he may get quite a few starts for Cleveland.
Denver Broncos:
WR Troy Franklin – Was a top 20 player on my board entering the draft, yet somehow slid to the 4th round for Denver. In a disappointing receiver room, Troy Franklin has an extremely clear path to a starting role with Marvin Mims Jr. and Josh Reynolds as current starters. Franklin has made numerous impressive grabs in training camp and is overall maybe my biggest sleeper of all rookies heading into preseason. I expect a fantastic showing by Troy in preseason as he attempts to prove to be the steal of the NFL draft.
Houston Texans:
IDL Marcus Harris – The 7th round rookie defensive tackle has good upside at 6’3 295 and has a legitimate opportunity to find a role on this defense with Denico Autry suspended and lack of depth at the position. Harris could find himself as an early contributor if he has a strong showing in these preseason games after already impressing in the HOF Game.
Indianapolis Colts:
LB Jaylon Carlies – The 5th round rookie linebacker has been very impressive at camp and the team knows it. He has a legitimate chance to jump E.J. Speed as a starting linebacker and preseason is the first step towards that. Carlies is expected to continue finding success for the Colts as maybe the most athletic linebacker on the roster.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
IDL Maason Smith – The rookie defensive tackle has looking nothing short of dominant in training camp so far being an absolute bulldozer in team scrimmages breaking through on basically every snap no matter who’s blocking him, or how many people are blocking him. Maason has managed to cause pressure even when double blocked and picked up by a third spare blocker. Many labeled him as a massive reach in the draft but Maason is trending to prove those allegations to be false as he looks to have a dominant preseason as one of the most impressive defensive rookies in the league so far.
Kansas City Chiefs:
OT Kingsley Suamataia – The 2nd round rookie I just about guarantee is going to be the starting left tackle for KC very early over Wanya Morris. Kingsley has been impressive and I had as a top 35 prospect, preseason will be the first showing of how reliable the left tackle will be for Mahomes as the Chiefs attempt to 3-peat.
Las Vegas Raiders:
RB Dylan Laube – The 6th round rookie running back has been explosive in preseason with extremely good hands out of the backfield. Dylan has a legitimate chance to become the RB1 for the Raiders and likely has already earned himself rotational snaps. Preseason will be a test to see if Laube is legit as he’s been nicknamed Mini-McCaffrey.
Los Angeles Chargers:
WR Quentin Johnston – Last year’s first round pick isn’t even a projected starter in a lackluster receiving core. Quentin hasn’t exactly shined in training camp, so he’s looking towards preseason to prove he’s progressed and should be considered a building block for the Chargers long term.
Miami Dolphins:
WR Malik Washington – The 6th round rookie receiver has been immensely impressive at training camp with fluid route running and reliable hands. He was immensely productive in college but slid due to his lack of size, Miami knows exactly how to utilize players with Washington’s skillset though and I expect Malik to make a jump as the Dolphins WR3.
New England Patriots:
WR Javon Baker – Baker has been INSANELY impressive through training camp so far and I expect to become the Patriots WR1 by the end of the year. Javon has a chance to truly separate himself from even the starters and fellow rookie Ja’Lynn Polk in preseason. The Patriots might have a gem on their roster from the looks of it thus far.
New York Jets:
Edge Will McDonald IV – The 1st round pick last season had a disappointing year, but looks towards a breakout season as he’s looked much improved this training camp. Jermaine Johnson says he expects big things from McDonald and preseason is going to be the first glimpse to what Jets fans hope is dominance from the 2nd year player.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
CB Beanie Bishop Jr. – The undrafted rookie has had an insanely impressive training camp and is on pace to be the starting slot corner for one of the best defenses in the league. I’m very eager to see how well Beanie plays in preseason as the Steelers may have got a STEAL this offseason. Honorable mention to Justin Fields who’s been the most surprisingly great quarterback this offseason.
Tennessee Titans:
LB Cedric Gray – The best tackler in the draft class with great athleticism, Gray has high upside and a clear chance to start as a rookie in a lackluster linebacker room. I expect Gray to produce in training camp as he fights for a starting role.