While this time of year is always a hotbed for overreactions, the NFL’s preseason stage does provide younger, lesser-known players with the option to make a name for themselves.
Now that most teams have had their dress rehearsals, giving them a concrete idea of what they want to accomplish this season, here are eight players who have made a name for themselves so far through three weeks of exhibition play:
QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo’s fractured back could have been another death blow in Dallas if not for Prescott, who has been the breakout star of the preseason. The fourth-round pick has completed 78 percent of his 50 passes, with a league-high five passing touchdowns, zero interceptions and a passer rating of 137.8. The rookie has also rushed for 53 yards and two scores. Calm against pressure with escapability and a live, accurate arm, Prescott has shown flashes of quarterbacking stardom. The Cowboys never expected nor wanted him to start right away in Week 1, but if three preseason games have been any indication, the stage won’t be too big for him.
RB Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks
Maybe the light has finally come on for one of the more talented, hyped and disappointing players in recent memory. Michael leads all players in preseason rushing yards with 157, but his awakening has been much more than just volume stats. He looks explosive, powerful and decisive, with the burst and one-cut ability that once made him such a tantalizingly prospect during his first stint with the Seahawks. Seattle lost Marshawn Lynch to Retirement Mode and expected starter Thomas Rawls remains the mend, so Michael’s strong preseason could turn into a serious role for the Seahawks early in 2016.
RBs DeMarco Murray/Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ new rushing duo is listed together here, largely because both backs have been so good through three preseason games. The two bulldozers have combined for 304 rushing yards, four touchdowns and 18 first downs on only 46 carries, with Henry ranking third in rushing yards (154) and Murray a close fourth (153) in the NFL. Murray has produced flashes of the back that won the league rushing title only two years ago, while Henry’s size and power might be too much for even NFL tacklers. Together, the pair could be devastating for a Titans offense wanting to run the ball down people’s throats in 2016.
QB Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ third-year quarterback missed Minnesota’s second preseason game with a sore shoulder, but he was dynamite in his other two healthy starts. Bridgewater went deep and hit Charles Johnson on a 49-yard touchdown during the preseason opener, only to one-up his debut by undressing the San Diego Chargers (12-for-16, 161 yards, touchdown) in the first ever game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. He even put a nasty juke on a Chargers defensive back to spring a 13-yard run. The Vikings would become an NFC heavyweight in a second if Bridgewater carries his impressive preseason into Week 1 and beyond.
CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Every team wants their first-rounder to play well in the preseason, but few actually get an outstanding start from their top pick. Hargreaves has given the Bucs a perfect introduction. He’s one of only five players with two interceptions this preseason, and during his longest playing time stint this past week, Hargreaves allowed just one catch—a check down on third-and-long—on four targets. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bucs’ 11th overall pick has been the highest graded cornerback in the NFL this preseason. He’ll likely be a rookie starter for Week 1.
WR Robby Anderson, New York Jets
Anderson has essentially wrote the book on how to make a 53-man roster as undrafted receiver. He leads the NFL in receiving yards (203), receiving touchdowns (two), 20-yard catches (four), 40-yard catches (two) and first downs (eight) in the preseason. Put up those kind of numbers and you make yourself next to impossible to cut, especially for a Jets team that doesn’t have roster locks at receiver beyond Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. Who knows if Anderson will become a legitimate receiver in the NFL, but he’s given himself a chance by being the most productive pass-catcher through the first three exhibition games.
WR Tajae Sharpe, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee’s fifth-round pick has likely earned himself a starting job at receiver because of his hyper productive preseason. He’s turned nine catches into 163 yards, which includes three receptions over 20 yards and a 60-yard hook up from Marcus Mariota. Sharpe has shown a unique ability to both get open and make contested catches in pressure situations. He’s now looking at a prime role within a Titans offense that is suddenly overflowing with potential playmakers.
DE Justin Trattou, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are loaded with defensive talent, but Trattou is making a serious run at playing time with a huge preseason. His 4.5 sacks lead the NFL in the preseason. Two of his 4.5 sacks came on Sunday against the Chargers, including a strip sack which began a touchdown drive for the Vikings offense. He’s still buried on the depth chart behind the likes of Everson Griffen, Brian Robison and Danielle Hunter, but it sure looks like Mike Zimmer could have a fourth play-making defensive end on his roster in Trattou.