Week 3 of the NFL preseason has come to a close, marking the end of the 2025 preseason. But before we get too far ahead, we broke down one standout player from each team.
Several are established starters — or even stars — in the league, showing no rust as they prepare for the regular season. Others are providing one last-ditch effort to make their team’s final 53-man roster.
Let’s get to it.
Chicago Bears
QB Tyson Bagent
Fresh off signing a new 2-year, $10 million deal with the Chicago Bears, Tyson Bagent immediately validated the contract against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Playing the entire second half, he excellently operated the Bears’ offense, marching up and down the field on his way to leading 19 second-half points.
What a week for Tyson Bagent.
Signed a two-year, $10M contract extension on Wednesday ✍️
Threw for 3 TDs, including the game winner, on Friday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/QdMjUKpo0Z
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2025
He finished with a stat line of 20 for 28, 212 yards, three touchdowns, and 10 yards on the ground. He capped it off with a clutch six-yard touchdown pass with three seconds left, lifting Chicago above Kansas City. Bagent certified himself as one of the top backup quarterbacks in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals
LB Maema Njongmeta
The Cincinnati Bengals’ final preseason outing was far from pretty, as they fell 41-14 to the Indianapolis Colts. However, linebacker Maema Njongmeta was a bright spot on the defense, as he finished with 12 total tackles (six solo). He made the roster as an undrafted free agent a season ago and looks to be on track to do the same in 2025.
Buffalo Bills
KR/WR Laviska Shenault
Laviska Shenault, once a rookie sensation with the Jacksonville Jaguars, is a long shot to make the Buffalo Bills’ final roster. He’s made little impact as a wide receiver, with his best chance likely being on special teams as a returner.
And against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Shenault displayed his return skills. He was given two chances to return kickoffs, finishing with returns of 38 and 37 yards. That set up the Bills in good field position and could be the final push he needed to make the roster.
Denver Broncos
WR Courtland Sutton
The Denver Broncos capped off their preseason by playing the starters most of the first half. In that time, quarterback Bo Nix and top wide receiver Courtland Sutton once again proved their connection, as Sutton caught four passes for 83 yards and a second-quarter touchdown.
The Broncos will need Nix and Sutton to be on the same page to improve upon last season’s 10-7 record; on Saturday, they appeared to have upped their level of chemistry on the field.
Cleveland Browns
QB Dillon Gabriel
It’s hard to imagine Dillon Gabriel’s second preseason outing going any better, as he finished 12 of 19 passing for a team-high 129 yards and a touchdown — on just two drives. One was a two-minute drill, as Gabriel was stout in the pocket and delivered accurate passes to his receivers all the way down the field, ultimately resulting in a touchdown.
Though Joe Flacco is the starter, Gabriel proved that he deserves a shot at some point in the regular season, especially if things go sideways for the Browns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Tez Johnson
Though he stands just 5’10” and 165 pounds, Tez Johnson played big in the Buccaneers’ final preseason game. He was a reliable target for quarterbacks Connor Bazelak and Kyle Trask, catching a game-high eight passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
TEZ JOHNSON IS FLIPPING AWESOME 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MmYgpTO7qO
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 24, 2025
He also made headlines for his impressive flip, further showcasing his athleticism and creative celebration skills in the end zone.
Arizona Cardinals
RB Bam Knight
For Bam Knight, it looked bleak as far as his chances of making the Arizona Cardinals’ final roster before their preseason finale. But after bursting for a 67-yard touchdown, Knight showed that he could flourish if given more opportunities and with members of the Cardinals’ offensive line still on the field.
It’s still unclear if he’ll make the final roster, but Knight put his full explosiveness on film. On Saturday night, he did himself some favors.
Los Angeles Chargers
LB Marlowe Wax
Undrafted rookie linebacker Marlowe Wax was all around the ball on Saturday, finishing with six total tackles (five solo), one sack, one tackle for loss, and a pass defensed. It was precisely the type of performance that could be the final push that allows him to make the final roster for Los Angeles.
Kansas City Chiefs
QB Patrick Mahomes
What a surprise to see one of the best players in the NFL impress while getting an extended run in the preseason. That was the reality in the Chiefs’ preseason finale for three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Patrick Mahomes preseason highlights 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/wRDjuCKVh9
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) August 25, 2025
In three drives, he completed eight of 13 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown on a perfectly thrown back shoulder pass to receiver Rashee Rice. It was business as usual for Mahomes, who looks to be in midseason form.
Indianapolis Colts
QB Riley Leonard
Coming into the draft, there were concerns about Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard’s passing ability. For a position mostly about passing the ball, that’s a significant concern. But on Saturday against the Colts, Leonard looked like a completely different player.
He completed 15 of 20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown on the day. Always a tough runner, he also added 14 yards on the ground. As the Colts dealt with the quarterback battle won by Daniel Jones and attempted to continue improving the game of Anthony Richardson, they had to have seen promise from the sixth-round rookie Leonard.
Washington Commanders
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Washington Commanders’ 30-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens didn’t come with many standouts, making running back Chris Rodriguez’s five carries the highlight here. He finished with 34 yards on those five carries and showed a burst that the offense needs with last year’s starter Brian Robinson Jr. out the door in a trade to the San Francisco 49ers.
With Austin Ekeler on the wrong side of 30 years old and lacking depth in the backfield, Rodriguez very well could be Washington’s opening-day starter — something he showed promise that he can do during their preseason finale.
Dallas Cowboys
CB Robert Rochell
Largely a reserve cornerback in his four seasons in the league, Robert Rochell made one final push to make the Dallas Cowboys’ final roster by finishing with seven total tackles and, most importantly, two pass defenses against the Falcons.
With injuries affecting the cornerback room in Dallas, Rochell could be a surprise inclusion on the 53-man roster.
Miami Dolphins
RB Ollie Gordon II
Once again, Ollie Gordon II could be a spot-starter for the Miami Dolphins while fellow running backs De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright deal with injuries early in the season.
Last week, Gordon carried the ball 10 times for 50 yards; this week, he took eight carries for 43 yards. A healthy 5.4 yards per carry would be good enough for the Dolphins to believe they can rely on Gordon in a full-time role early on.
Philadelphia Eagles
K Jake Elliot
Though it’s preseason, the Philadelphia Eagles wouldn’t have won their game against the New York Jets without Jake Elliot’s leg. He scored 13 of the Eagles’ 19 points, allowing the Eagles to edge the Jets’ 17 points barely.
Elliot went four for four, including a 53-yarder, and knocked down his only extra point of the day. Philadelphia already should feel confident in its kicker, but Friday’s performance doubled down on that feeling heading into the 2025 season.
Atlanta Falcons
WR Nick Nash
Attempting to make the Atlanta Falcons’ final roster, Nick Nash played his best football of the preseason on Friday against the Dallas Cowboys. On nine targets from third-string quarterback Easton Stick, Nash finished with six catches for 87 yards.
Nash is a big, physical, Drake London-like receiver; someone starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. could rely on if injuries force reserves into action.
San Francisco 49ers
LB Chazz Surratt
A third-round pick in 2021, Chazz Surratt didn’t live up to that billing with the New York Jets. However, after following former New York head coach and current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, he may have a better chance to impact in 2025.
In their preseason finale against the Chargers, Surratt registered a game-high 11 tackles, including six solo. He was constantly around the ball, giving the belief that he could surprise and be included on the 49ers’ final roster.
New York Giants
QB Tommy DeVito
The New York Giants carved up the New England Patriots’ secondary for five touchdown passes and a 42-10 rout on Thursday. Fourth-stringer Tommy DeVito threw three while completing 17 of 20 passes for 198 yards.
#Giants QB Tommy DeVito vs. the Patriots in the preseason finale:
– 17/20 passing
– 198 passing yards
– 3 passing TDs
– 0 INTs pic.twitter.com/eHb4HF96Zh— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 22, 2025
With Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart presumably guaranteed roster spots, DeVito may be on his way out of New York. But what a way out it was, as he showed teams around the league that he is certainly an NFL-caliber passer, at least in a reserve role.
Jacksonville Jaguars
P Logan Cooke
2025 Pro Bowl punter Logan Cooke performed admirably well in the Jaguars’ 14-6 loss to the Dolphins, punting the ball five times with an average of 49.6 yards. He also downed two inside the 20-yard line, again displaying himself as one of the best players on the Jaguars’ roster.
New York Jets
LB Zaire Barnes
2023 six-round pick Zaire Barnes has yet to record a tackle in a regular-season game for the Jets. But that wasn’t the case for the former Western Michigan linebacker against the Eagles, as he led the team with seven total tackles, five of which were solo. He also registered a tackle for loss.
Barnes is in a dogfight to make the final roster as one of the last linebackers, and he made a nice final impression on Friday night.
Detroit Lions
S Loren Strickland
It’s not always a great defensive sign for a safety to lead the team in tackles, but it’s a good thing for the individual. That’s precisely what safety Loren Strickland did against the Houston Texans, recording nine total tackles, eight solo with a tackle for loss.
Having not recorded a tackle as he enters his second season as an undrafted safety out of Ball State, Strickland faces an uphill battle to make the Lions’ 53-man roster. But he certainly helped his chances, as he stuck out on Saturday night.
Green Bay Packers
LB Isaiah Simmons
Isaiah Simmons led the Green Bay Packers in tackles for the second straight week, totaling seven solo tackles. The rangy former first-round pick has flamed out at his previous stops, but stands a great chance to make the Packers’ final roster with two strong preseason outings.
Carolina Panthers
QB Bryce Perkins
Just a week after signing with the Carolina Panthers and playing well in their preseason finale, Bryce Perkins once again finds himself as a free agent after the Panthers curiously released him on Monday.
That’s not to say the 2025 UFL MVP didn’t put good football on tape for other teams, as he completed 10 of 11 passes for 71 yards with two carries for 28 yards. He totaled nearly 100 yards with just one incompletion, so he should’ve earned himself more time, which could come with another NFL team soon.
New England Patriots
S Kyle Duggar
Kyle Duggar has spent training camp and preseason fighting for a roster spot, as his positioning with the first-team defense has slipped once head coach Mike Vrabel came to town. But the 2020 second-rounder did everything he could to assure the team that he deserves to be on the 53-man roster against the Giants.
He finished with six solo tackles and two passes defensed from his safety position, which was easily his best performance of the preseason. If he is to continue as a member of the Patriots, it would be because of this last gasp effort in which he played excellent football.
Las Vegas Raiders
P AJ Cole
AJ Cole was one of the few who didn’t sleepwalk through the Raiders’ preseason finale against the Cardinals, as he punted the ball six times, averaging 51.2 yards per boot. Though he was credited for one touchback, he also downed four inside the 20-yard line, far outweighing the one miscue.
Cole has been one of the best in the business for years, and once again proved it against Arizona.
Los Angeles Rams
WR Brennan Presley
A week after reaching 102 yards on six catches, Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Brennan Presley continued his quest to make the final roster impressively. Against the Browns, Presley caught all three of his targets for three receptions for a team-high 51 yards.
The former Oklahoma State pass catcher is small (5’8″), but made numerous plays throughout the 2025 preseason. It’d be a surprise to see head coach Sean McVay cut a potential playmaker.
Baltimore Ravens
LB Trenton Simpson
2023 third-round pick Trenton Simpson has yet to live up to his draft status, recording just 2.5 sacks and 86 total tackles in two seasons.
But he nearly matched his career sack total against the Commanders in the Baltimore Ravens’ final preseason game. Simpson came away with 1.5 sacks, six tackles, and a pass defensed, an all-around tremendous effort for the Ravens linebacker.
New Orleans Saints
CB Rejzohn Wright
Though cornerback Rejzohn Wright has not recorded a tackle in the NFL as he enters his second season, he’s pushing to make the New Orleans Saints’ final roster in 2025.
On Saturday against the Broncos, he finished with a team-high nine tackles, with seven charted as solo takedowns. He also registered a pass defensed, something the 6’2″ cover man did regularly during his time with the Oregon State Beavers in college.
Seattle Seahawks
P Michael Dickson
Considering the Seattle Seahawks managed just seven points against the Packers, punter Michael Dickson got a lot of time to show off his leg. And that he did, averaging 47.3 yards on six boots. The most impressive feat was placing four punts inside the 20, continuing to prove himself as a weapon on special teams for the Seahawks.
Pittsburgh Steelers
DE Yahya Black
A 2025 fifth-rounder out of Iowa, Yahya Black impressed greatly in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason finale. He came away with five total tackles and two sacks, a quarterback hit, and a forced fumble, repeatedly causing pressure off the edge. If he continues to play like this, Black could be a rotational player for the Steelers.
Houston Texans
WR Quintez Cephus
Playing against his former team in the Lions, wide receiver Quintez Cephus performed well as he fights for a roster spot on the Texans. He finished with four catches for 51 yards and a touchdown on a nice snag on a fade route.
The Texans’ wide receiver room is crowded, with several rookies in the mix. But Cephus brings a veteran presence and could be a surprise guy to watch for on the 53-man roster.
Tennessee Titans
WR Van Jefferson
Veteran receiver Van Jefferson, who was not guaranteed a roster spot with the Tennessee Titans, offered a tremendous final effort on Friday. The former Ram caught three passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 65-yard catch-and-run score down the sideline.
Van Jefferson takes it 65 Yards to the house! 🔥@Titans pic.twitter.com/pdTrviwi1g
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) August 23, 2025
Those were Jefferson’s only catches of the preseason, leaving the coaching staff with a tough decision regarding whether he makes the 53-man roster. Regardless, he stood out as a difference-maker in their preseason finale.
Minnesota Vikings
LB Chaz Chambliss
Undrafted rookie linebacker Chaz Chambliss could be considered a long shot to make the Minnesota Vikings’ final roster, but he showed out in their final preseason outing.
From his linebacker position, the former Georgia Bulldog totaled nine tackles (six solo, also a team-high). He also registered a tackle for loss. Chambliss isn’t considered the most athletic, but he showed potential for developing into a reserve backer.
