With a fluctuating cast of characters and opaque team goals, the NFL preseason is, at best, an imprecise and incomplete platform for evaluation.
But the exhibition slate nevertheless is where jobs are often won as well as a barometer of where certain young players stand headed into Week 1. And with most teams leaving the final contest to end-of-roster cutdowns, the preseason has likely already revealed its biggest burgeoning stars after three weeks.
Here are 13 players (not including established starters) who stood out this preseason:
Browns QB Baker Mayfield
Coach Hue Jackson quashed any suggestion of a quarterback controversy even before the No. 1 pick came on board, saying up to and throughout the preseason that Tyrod Taylor was firmly entrenched as his starter. Yet the optimism percolating in Cleveland is inextricably tied to the presence Mayfield, whose stat line (57.7% completion rate, two touchdowns and one interception) belied his performance. Displaying poise, patience and accuracy, he engendered confidence in his ability to command the offense. If Taylor falters, the onus will be on Jackson to determine a succession plan.
Jets QBs Sam Darnold and Teddy Bridgewater
By definition, a quarterback competition can have only one true winner. Yet even before the Jets officially name their starter, multiple parties — including the team itself — have reason to feel victorious. All signs point to rookie Sam Darnold earning the top job after the No. 3 overall pick largely evaded turnovers and mistakes while capitalizing on the short passes defenses afforded him. But Bridgewater's demonstrations of refined passing (73.7% completion rate, 316 yards, two touchdowns and an interception) could make him a desirable trade target just months after he was an afterthought on the free agent market. Even as Darnold hurtles toward a tough opening stretch that includes three games in the first 11 days of the season, the Jets appear to have multiple promising options at quarterback for the first time in quite a while.
Broncos RB Royce Freeman
The third-round rookie from Oregon seemed destined to emerge from the preseason still locked in a timeshare with Devontae Booker. But after Freeman demonstrated he was the more dynamic option after tallying three touchdowns and averaging 5.6 yards per carry, it might only be a matter of time before he begins to earn a bulk of the workload. Freeman should see plenty of early-down reps, though he'll have to prove himself as a blocker and pass catcher to expand his role.
Raiders RB Chris Warren III
The son of former Seahawks standout Chris Warren had almost as many yards on the ground in three exhibition games (250, most of any back in the preseason) as he did all of last season at Texas (314). At 6-2 and 246 pounds, Warren is a battering ram who can help wear defenses down when Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin need a breather. DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard are also battling for roster spots, but the undrafted free agent has a legitimate shot at making the final cut.
Rams RB John Kelly
No sixth-round rookie would compel the Rams to lighten Todd Gurley's workload, but Los Angeles looks to have a promising option for spot work behind last season's offensive player of the year. With Gurley out of preseason action after signing a four-year, $57.5 million deal this summer, Kelly established himself as a dependable asset with 197 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries. The Tennessee product might not immediately take the backup gig from Malcolm Brown, but he looks poised to leapfrog the third-year back at some point.
Steelers WR James Washington
Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert has a sterling résumé for drafting receivers, and he might have another hit in Washington. The second rounder from Oklahoma State answered questions about his boxy build and deep speed by routinely beating defensive backs on downfield throws and contested catches. So long as the abdominal injury he suffered in the third preseason game is not serious, Washington should capably replace Martavis Bryant as a big-play threat and No. 3 option behind Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Eagles TE Dallas Goedert
The defending champions' shorthanded first-team offense stumbled throughout August, but the emergence of another weapon in the passing game was a rare bright spot. Goedert didn't appear to be bothered by the sizable jump in competition after playing at South Dakota State, recording nine catches for 149 yards (the most for any tight end) and a touchdown. Zach Ertz will still see the lion's share of targets at the position, but Goedert should still figure heavily into the Eagles' plans (as departed Trey Burton did in 2017), especially given how often the team utilizes two tight-end sets.
Bengals DEs Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis
Cincinnati's young edge rushers feasted against backups, as Lawson and Willis combined for six sacks, while rookie Sam Hubbard also made waves. Lawson could be on the verge of a breakout season after quietly racking up 8½ sacks as a rookie. Willis likely has the lower ceiling of the two but is stout against the run. With starters Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson not signed beyond this year, both of the second-year defensive ends should figure prominently into the Bengals' rotation and future plans.
Titans OLB Harold Landry
An ankle injury suffered Saturday was the lone hiccup this preseason for the second-round edge rusher from Boston College. Although Landry only logged three tackles and one sack, he consistently beat offensive tackles with his ability to turn the corner and bend. New Titans coach Mike Vrabel won't settle for a pedestrian pass rush, and Landry should find plenty of work behind starters Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan.
Packers CB Josh Jackson
After leading the Football Bowl Subdivision with eight interceptions last season at Iowa, Jackson wasted no time in proving his play-making ability against NFL competition. The second-round pick returned an interception for a touchdown and had another takeaway for a score wiped out one week later by a teammate's penalty away from the ball. Jackson might be given limited work this year given the presence of Tramon Williams, Kevin King and Davon House, but he and first rounder Jaire Alexander give Green Bay a promising future at corner.
Falcons S Damontae Kazee
Coach Dan Quinn's burgeoning defense might have another versatile asset in Kazee, a fifth-round pick last year and former cornerback at San Diego State. The early returns on the position switch have been quite promising. In addition to leading Atlanta in tackles in two games, Kazee showed good recognition ability from the middle of the field when he tracked down Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' deep pass for an interception in Week 2. His range and comfort lining up in a variety of spots should provide increased flexibility to an already adaptable secondary.
