Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Matt Williamson

11 secret stars of the preseason: Week 2 edition

The second week of the preseason is nearly in the books. This is part two of a four part series of lesser-known players listed in alphabetical order that are asserting themselves and making an impact.

Michael Deiter, OG, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have some serious problems with their offensive line. Few seem to recognize it but Laremy Tunsil is already one of the NFL’s best left tackles. But the rest of this starting five is littered with question marks. Actually, with the now possibly exception of Deiter, those question marks are really just gaping holes. Against the Buccaneers, Deiter put together a very solid performance. His protection was sound and he was an impact blocker in the running game. Maybe Miami now has two quality offensive linemen.

Sam Eguavoen, LB, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins might have really found something in Eguavoen, a 26-year-old linebacker that played three years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL, but this is in his first season in the NFL. Eguavoen shows obvious athletic ability in space and is at his best as a nickel or dime linebacker. That being said, he made play after play on Friday night near the line of scrimmage showing very good hand usage to disengage from blocks as well as extremely sound tackling. At a minimum, Eguavoen should be a core special teams player, but on a team looking for help in all areas, he might contribute much more in his rookie season.

Jermaine Eluemunor, OG, Baltimore Ravens

Eluemunor already looks like a starting NFL guard. He has a great thick powerful frame for the position, but isn’t overly heavy-footed or top heavy, especially when considering his weight. Losing a pound or two might not be a terrible idea however, but he held his own with the first team and could turn into an answer for this improving offense.

Ryan Finley, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Finley might end up as the Bengals starting quarterback by Thanksgiving. That isn’t to tear down Andy Dalton, but Cincinnati can get out of the veteran signal caller’s contract with ease after this year and if the Bengals record is as poor as expected, this franchise might want to see what the rookie can do. What Finley has done already is throw the ball with touch, timing and best of all, great accuracy. He isn’t flashy at all and won’t wow the fans, but Finley has a great head for the game and keeps moving the football in the preseason.

Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens

This guy keeps impressing. His athletic ability jumps off the screen as both a ball carrier and as a receiver. Hill is dynamic, fast, a smooth mover and yet explosive when he decides to turn it upfield. Early on, if he can hold up in protection (a problem area for Hill in college), he should immediately be Baltimore’s primary receiving back. But with all respect to Mark Ingram, Hill’s input in this offense might become more “Primary” in all phases before you know it. We also know there will be plenty of carries to go around in Baltimore.

Tanner Hudson, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After racking up 93 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 2 of the preseason, Hudson now has 177 yards and two scores in two preseason games. And Hudson is looking great doing it. Hudson is tall and lean for the position and certainly more receiver than blocker, but could his emergence turn Cameron Brate into trade bait. Hudson looks quite capable, especially with his ability to get downfield, of complementing OJ Howard and giving Jameis Winston another dangerous weapon.

Justin Jackson, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Jackson was very productive each of his four years in college at Northwestern. He was injured much of his rookie training camp, but still managed to carry the ball 50 times and catch 15 passes in his first NFL season. We all know about Melvin Gordon’s situation, but even if Gordon were to report back to the Chargers tomorrow, Jackson is deserving of a bigger role in his second year. Jackson is a very decisive runner with excellent vision and burst. He gets skinny in tight quarters without compromising his power. Jackson has a lighter build, but plays with good leverage and balance and is well prepared to be a real asset in the passing game in his second season. Jackson breaks tackles and may have more workhorse-like traits than Austin Ekeler should Gordon miss time. Los Angeles did beat the Steelers and Chiefs without Gordon last year.

Gardner Minshew, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars’ pass protection was a real problem against Philadelphia, but Minshew impressed despite these difficult conditions. He ended up throwing for over 200 yards despite the poor protection and getting not all that much help from his receiving corps. Minshew’s deep balls were especially impressive and his toughness and competitiveness were undeniable.

Jarrett Stidham, QB, New England Patriots

Stidham played in an odd offensive scheme at Auburn, but looks very comfortable in his new home. The Patriots great coaching staff has done a fantastic job of making Stidham comfortable in his first two preseason games and this is a guy with a lot of ability. He has an NFL body and arm, but more impressive he has moved around, both inside and outside the pocket, very well and shows plus accuracy to all levels of the field. New England might really have something in this fourth round pick and Stidham couldn’t have a better mentor to learn from in his positional meeting room.

Tommy Sweeney, TE, Buffalo Bills

There isn’t much flashy about Sweeney, but barring injuries, he very much has the look of a tight end that will last a long time in this league. Sweeney ran with the first team on Friday night and hauled in a beautifully thrown pass by Josh Allen. With Sweeney’s two-way abilities in what should remain a pretty run-heavy offense, his role should be quite secure as a contributor from the get go once the regular season rolls around.

Darwin Thompson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Thompson entered the game about midway through the second quarter in Pittsburgh and immediately showed a gear that Damien Williams and Carlos Hyde lack. A smaller back, Thompson also stood out in pass protection with a physical edge. Thompson is sturdier and stouter than you would guess from just looking at him. He was instrumental on Kansas City’s only touchdown drive of the first half. Thompson didn’t play a ton, but maybe that is because Kansas City knows what they have in this young man and will unleash him in the regular season. Matched with Mecole Hardman, Kansas City’s already frightening offense could get a real shot in the arm with their new rookie big play skill players. You heard it here first: Thompson will be the Chiefs’ top running back when it is all said and done this year and Hardman will be a bigger part of Kansas City’s high-flying offense than Sammy Watkins.

A former scout for Pitt, Akron, and the Cleveland Browns, Matt Williamson worked with ESPN’s Scouts, Inc. for years. He is a contributor to Touchdown Wire and currently works for the Steelers Nation Radio Network.

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here