The NFL preseason offers a chance for players to show what they can do in a competitive environment as they try to earn a spot on their team’s final 53-man roster. Head coaches will be eager to find out who they can rely on, with difficult roster decisions to be made on every team.
The preseason also provides fans a long-awaited opportunity to see their teams in action after a painfully long offseason. While many teams will rest their star players, plenty of talent will still be on show. Here is one player from each team who fans should be looking out for this week.
Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB
Many believed Michigan standout Will Johnson to be the best pure cornerback in the 2025 draft class, yet injury concerns saw him slip to the second round. The Arizona Cardinals pounced on that value and now have a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year on their roster.
Despite missing significant time in 2024, Johnson tallied nine interceptions during his three years at Michigan, winning a National Title in 2023. Already projected to start opposite 2024 second-rounder Max Melton in his rookie year, Johnson should help the Cardinals improve on their nine interceptions last season.
Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., EDGE
Although James Pearce Jr. was drafted later than fellow first-rounder Jalon Walker, the Atlanta Falcons arguably spent more to acquire the former Tennessee standout. The Falcons gave up their second and seventh-round picks in 2025, plus their first-round pick in 2026, to acquire Pearce at Pick 26.
Pearce has been getting into it in camp, playing with an intensity that has boiled over multiple times recently. That aggression, though, helped him record 17.5 sacks over his final two years in college, something the Falcons would love for him to carry over into the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S
The Baltimore Ravens were already one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, if not the very best. It’s almost unfair, therefore, that they were able to select former Georgia safety Malaki Starks in the first round back in April.
A national champion in his freshman year and a consensus All-American in 2023, Starks has intelligence beyond his years and has impressed veterans and coaches alike in camp. He has been seeing reps at cornerback in camp, but will start at safety in September.
Like Johnson, Starks should be one of the favorites for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Buffalo Bills: Tyrell Shavers, WR
One of the least-known players on this list, Shavers has been making the most of his opportunities in camp this offseason. With Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Joshua Palmer, and Kaden Prather all missing time, Shavers has struck up a connection with franchise quarterback Josh Allen.
Maxwell Hairston would have been an obvious choice here, but he suffered an injury after impressing early in camp. Shavers took his lone target 69 yards for a touchdown in 2024 and has caught the attention of his head coach in practice. While still an outside shot to see significant action in 2025, he has an excellent opportunity to impress on Saturday.
Carolina Panthers: Trevor Etienne, RB
Tetairoa McMillan is the obvious choice here, but with his roster spot essentially locked up, Trevor Etienne is an interesting player to monitor over the preseason. The Carolina Panthers have their starting running back in Chuba Hubbard, and signed former Dallas Cowboys starter Rico Dowdle in free agency.
In the receiving game, Hubbard averaged 3.2 yards per target in 2024, the fewest of all 31 running backs with at least 40 targets. Dowdle was also on that list, finishing with the seventh-fewest average yards per target (5.1).
Etienne is unlikely to challenge either of those two veterans for ground work, but could immediately carve out a pass-catching role in his rookie year. He’ll have an excellent opportunity to make his mark in the preseason.
Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE
The Chicago Bears turned heads back in April when they selected Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick. The former Michigan tight end is almost certainly in for a significant role in his rookie year, and could be a cornerstone of Ben Johnson’s new-look Bears offense.
Loveland’s talent is reason enough to tune in to watch him, but his potential usage is also intriguing. Johnson, known for scheming up elusive plays from his time with the Detroit Lions, now has two starting tight ends in Loveland and Cole Kmet.
Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Burton, WR
There aren’t many NFL players with more to prove this year than Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton. Burton had well-known character concerns heading into the NFL last year, but Cincinnati took a chance on him in the third round.
Those character concerns became the story of Burton’s rookie year, with the player fortunate to still be on the roster this offseason. Once again, though, the Bengals took a chance on the young talent, only this time with different results.
Burton has applied himself throughout the summer, leaning on veterans like Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase for guidance. He can become a star in the NFL and should have a chance to prove it during the preseason.
Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB
The time has finally arrived for Shedeur Sanders to put all the talk behind him and prove his doubters wrong. His infamous draft slide will live long in NFL folklore, but the young quarterback will be looking to give historians something else to discuss in years to come.
Sanders’s presence has created tremendous interest in the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback competition over the summer. Many fans and analysts alike have been frustrated by Sanders’s lack of first-team reps in practice.
With Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel out with injuries, Sanders will be front and center as the Browns kick off their preseason schedule on Friday.
Dallas Cowboys: Jaydon Blue, RB
Rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. would have likely made this list, but he will have to wait as he continues to recover from an ACL tear. Jaydon Blue, though, stands out as another player to watch this offseason, given the current ambiguity of the Dallas Cowboys’ backfield.
Veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are the current favorites to land the starting role, but neither player has shone in recent years. Blue, who played for Texas in college, brings his pass-catching prowess to the NFL and is already a local favorite.
Expect Blue to catch some passes on Saturday, with a third-down role a realistic fit from Week 1 of the regular season.
Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey, RB
Sticking with running backs, RJ Harvey finds himself competing with J.K. Dobbins for the Denver Broncos’ starting role in his rookie year. The former UCF standout led the Big-12 conference with 6.8 yards per carry and 22 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
Harvey’s pass-catching work should also work in his favor, especially in Sean Payton’s offense. The explosive back could carve out a starting role early in Denver, but should get plenty of work on third downs at the very least.
Detroit Lions: Isaac TeSlaa, WR
Isaac TeSlaa was a player to watch in the Hall of Fame Game against the Los Angeles Chargers, but was significantly out-targeted by seventh-rounder Dominic Lovett. Lovett also saw work in the return game, but he is set to miss this one with an abdominal injury, potentially making TeSlaa the go-to receiver.
In fairness to the former Arkansas receiver, he turned his three targets into two receptions and 46 yards against the Chargers, the most receiving yards on his team. Drafted in the third round back in April, TeSlaa was brought in for a reason by Detroit, and could stand out on Friday.
Green Bay Packers: Savion Williams, WR
Matthew Golden may be the receiver that Green Bay Packers fans will be most excited to see, after he was taken in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Savion Williams’s versatility makes him the most intriguing rookie to monitor over the preseason.
The former TCU standout can be used in both the pass and run games, and even saw work at quarterback in college. At 6’4″ and over 220 pounds, Williams can be a Swiss army knife for Matt LaFleur from Day 1, and adds another layer of unpredictability to the team’s offense.
Houston Texans: Woody Marks, RB
The Houston Texans have two intriguing rookie wide receivers from Iowa State, but rather than choose between them, Woody Marks is an interesting talking point. The fourth-round pick made a name for himself at USC last year, taking a big step forward as a runner.
It’s through the air, though, where Marks has separated himself. The running back tallied a massive 261 receptions for 1,546 yards over five years in college. Already an option in the passing game, Marks has been thrust into the team’s RB1 conversation with Joe Mixon struggling with an injury.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB
Staying in the AFC South, there is a far more familiar player to watch out for on the Indianapolis Colts. Anthony Richardson has stunned for both good and bad reasons since entering the NFL in 2023, but remains his team’s preferred starter.
However, he must improve dramatically as a passer to earn that role. Last season, Richardson recorded the third-lowest pass completion percentage of the 21st century (47.7%), among quarterbacks with at least 250 pass attempts.
The third-year quarterback is still young and is said to have shown progress this offseason, something he’ll do well to demonstrate against the Baltimore Ravens defense on Thursday.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, WR/CB
The most intriguing player on this list is Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter. The two-way hybrid playmaker won the Fred Biletnikoff Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2024, culminating in a Heisman Trophy win.
Therefore, it should be no surprise that a team was willing to trade significant draft capital to land Hunter, who will play two positions in the NFL. The Jaguars sent their first, second, and fourth-round picks, as well as their 2026 first-round pick, to Cleveland for Hunter, plus a fourth-round and sixth-round pick.
Hunter has been slowly integrated into the Jaguars’ defense, while working primarily as a receiver, and the entire NFL will be curious to see how he fares playing both sides.
Kansas City Chiefs: Nohl Williams, CB
The Kansas City Chiefs have a plethora of exciting offensive talent, and plenty of eyes will be on Josh Simmons and Jalen Royals. However, rookie cornerback Nohl Williams has been making plays in Chiefs camp and is a potential starter in 2025.
A third-round pick, Williams has flown under the radar this offseason. That’s surprising, though, given that his seven interceptions led the FBS last season, leading to him being voted a consensus All-American.
The Chiefs are looking to bounce back in the short term after their crushing Super Bowl defeat in February, but Williams could prove a star for years to come.
Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB
Ashton Jeanty is no secret to NFL fans, and his starting role on the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense was guaranteed the second his name was called in Green Bay. That being said, a player as talented as Jeanty is always a must-watch.
The Raiders have another star offensive weapon after landing Brock Bowers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The offense will run through those two players in 2025, as new head coach Pete Carroll looks to topple Andy Reid’s Chiefs in the AFC West.
Given his importance to the team, he may see limited time, but watching Jeanty on an NFL field will be fun.
Los Angeles Chargers: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR
All the talk before the Chargers’ Hall of Fame Game was about Omarion Hampton and Tre Harris, the team’s first and second-round picks in this year’s draft. Instead, it was KeAndre Lambert-Smith who caught the eye, with two receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Lambert-Smith has been impressing in camp this offseason in a wide-open receiver room behind Ladd McConkey. The arrival of veteran star and Chargers fan favorite, Keenan Allen, should provide extra motivation for another big performance this week.
Los Angeles Rams: Terrance Ferguson, TE
There has been a lot of camp buzz surrounding the Los Angeles Rams’ seventh-round rookie Konata Mumpfield this offseason. However, given the presence of both Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, tight end Terrance Ferguson is the most intriguing Rams rookie to watch this preseason.
Veteran Tyler Higbee impressed after returning from injury last season, but that didn’t stop the Rams from targeting his potential replacement in the second round. Ferguson is a powerful runner after the catch, making the most of his massive 6’6″ frame.
With Nacua and Adams manning the perimeters, Ferguson could thrive on the inside in his rookie year, creating mismatches everywhere.
Miami Dolphins: Grayson Murphy, EDGE
Like Shavers in Buffalo, Grayson Murphy may be a less obvious player to look out for when the Miami Dolphins face Chicago on Sunday. Undrafted out of UCLA in 2024, Murphy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury picked up in the preseason.
He’ll be hoping for better luck this time, as will his team. Murphy has been described by teammate Jaelan Phillips as “probably the best pure pass rusher on the team,” while Mike McDaniel was also full of praise.
Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB
Minnesota Vikings fans got a glimpse of J.J. McCarthy last preseason, but a torn meniscus soon shut the quarterback down for his entire rookie campaign. A year later, McCarthy approaches preseason as the team’s QB1 again and will feature against the Texans this weekend.
The jury is still out on McCarthy due to Michigan’s run-heavy scheme, which asked little of the quarterback beyond game management. With an improved offensive line and a stellar support cast, head coach Kevin O’Connell might not ask much more of his young quarterback in 2025.
McCarthy will get a chance to prove his doubters wrong in 2025, starting Saturday.
New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson, RB
The New England Patriots are looking to course-correct under new head coach Mike Vrabel after falling apart at the seams since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020. The team has its quarterback in 2024 first-round pick Drake Maye, and has added some key skill players to help him out this offseason.
After veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, TreVeyon Henderson is the most notable of those new skill players, adding explosiveness in both the pass and run games. Henderson’s pass protection and safe hands make him the obvious passing-down back in New England, but he has the all-around talent to earn workhorse usage in Year 1.
New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB
The New Orleans Saints caused a stir when they selected Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That had nothing to do with his talent, though, as the reaction to the historic draft slide of the aforementioned Sanders dominated the conversation around the draft.
Months later, the consensus surrounding Saints camp is that Shough has struggled in practice and is being outshone by 2024 rookie Spencer Rattler. If Sanders balls out for Cleveland on Friday, all eyes will be on Shough as the Saints close out the weekend against the Chargers.
The Saints quarterback battle, as a whole, is one to watch this preseason, with the team non-committal in its first unofficial depth chart of the year.
New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB
Another quarterback taken ahead of Sanders was former Ole Miss standout Jaxson Dart. Unlike Shough, Dart is not considered to be in a battle for his team’s starting job, with veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston ahead of him.
Nevertheless, the New York Giants make a big move, trading their second and third round picks, plus a 2026 third-round pick, to move up and take Dart in the first round. He may have a wait ahead of him, but Dart was drafted to be the team’s franchise quarterback of the future, making him a must-watch this weekend.
New York Jets: Arian Smith, WR
This would be rookie tight end Mason Taylor, who has stood out in camp and likely cemented his role as the New York Jets’ starting tight end. With Taylor suffering a high ankle sprain, though, Arian Smith should have a chance to catch the eye this week, with the team’s receiver room wide open.
Smith had some issues with drops in college, but has impressed coaches in camp and should play a significant role in the preseason. Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds are the current favorites to line up opposite Garrett Wilson for the Jets this season, allowing Smith to earn some work.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB
Second-round safety Andrew Mukuba was in contention here, but Jihaad Campbell has been put through his paces in Philadelphia Eagles camp ahead of a starring role in Year 1. With All-Pro Zack Baun missing time, Campbell has played many roles in camp and has impressed under pressure.
The former Alabama standout has already taken on important defensive roles in practice and won’t be introduced slowly in September. The Eagles look to have found themselves another star in the draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson, RB
The Aaron Rodgers saga has dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason, but there have been plenty of other notable additions to the team. One of them is former Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who is competing for a lead role in the backfield.
Johnson has long speed and explosiveness that make him a big-play threat at all times, but he has competition in the form of veteran Jaylen Warren. Warren’s pass-protection prowess may give him an edge early on, but Johnson could quickly prove too good to keep off the field.
San Francisco 49ers: Upton Stout, CB
The San Francisco 49ers have undergone a mass exodus this offseason, with several key players moving on to other teams. Charvarious Ward was one of those stars, leaving a gaping hole at cornerback. Luckily for the 49ers, third-round rookie Upton Stout has been excelling this offseason.
Spending most of his time with the first team, Stout has been making plays throughout the summer after regularly doing so for Western Kentucky over the past two years. Stout proved his ability to be a menace in coverage and to blow plays up in the backfield.
Don’t be surprised to hear his name multiple times when the 49ers face Denver on Saturday night.
Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Milroe, QB
Second-draft picks Nick Emmanwori and Elijah Arroyo are both players worth tuning in for this weekend, but Jalen Milroe is primetime viewing. The Seattle Seahawks took a shot on the otherworldly athletic ability of Milroe, who starred for Alabama after Bryce Young made the jump to the NFL.
The third-round draft pick is unlikely to see much gametime during the season, with 2024 surprise package Sam Darnold in line to start for the team. Nevertheless, he should be incredibly fun to watch in the preseason, with the speed to obliterate defenses from anywhere on the field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR
Emeka Egbuka has the highest floor of any receiver in the 2025 draft class and can reach a very high ceiling. Eyebrows were raised when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took him in Round 1, but he should prove an excellent pick for a team with a previously uncertain future at the position.
Chris Godwin hasn’t practiced after suffering a dislocated ankle against the Ravens in Week 7 last year. That should mean immediate work for Egbuka come September, who could start the season as the team’s WR2 behind Mike Evans.
Exceptional route running, intelligence, and safe hands make Egbuka a player to watch throughout the regular season, let alone the preseason.
Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB
The first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is set to play his first snaps for the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. Cam Ward took the long route to the NFL, as a zero-star recruit out of high school.
Ward showed patience, grit, and determination to make it to the top level of the game, and was rewarded with the opportunity to lead an NFL franchise into a new era. Ward will be joined by his Miami teammate Xavier Restrepo, another player to watch, but a host of other receivers descended upon Nashville this offseason.
Ward is unlikely to see much action this weekend, but Titans fans will relish seeing their new man in action.
Washington Commanders: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB
Cornerback Trey Amos is a player worth watching this preseason and will likely start for the team in 2025. However, much of the Washington Commanders camp buzz centers around rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
The seventh-round pick has been lighting it up in Commanders camp, leaving many wondering if he will usurp Brian Robinson Jr. as the lead back. Croskey-Merritt’s seventh-round draft capital can be attributed to eligibility issues that saw him play just one game in 2024.
In that game, though, he turned 13 carries into 106 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his evident ability. The running back is currently a relative unknown, but could blow up over the preseason schedule.
