More than ever this year, the NFL’s star players are watching preseason action rather than playing in it. As usual, we did see much more star power in the third week of the preseason, but still, not as much top guys played as we can become accustomed to. So, more than ever, the preseason has been a great training group for young players to show what they can do. This is who comprised the All-Preseason team after the three most crucial preseason games. There was not a ton of emphasis on stars/starters that played at a very high level, but only for a series or two.
Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
A lot of young quarterbacks played very well in the preseason. But it was Jones that stood out most game-to-game in terms of his overall consistency. He made tough throws. He made the easier throws. He showed excellent poise and body language and when needed, Jones made plays with his athletic ability. It is only preseason, but Jones’ efficiency and on-field demeanor should have Giants fans very excited for the future. With all respect to what Eli Manning has done in this league, the Giants should have no hesitation in naming Jones their opening day starting quarterback.
Mike Boone, RB, Minnesota Vikings
If the preseason showed us anything, Minnesota’s running game has a chance to be incredibly improved. Boone ran for more yardage through three games than any other player in the NFL, but the two above him on the depth chart, Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, also were spectacular. Adding Gary Kubiak to the Vikings coaching staff is going to pay off for Boone and this offense in a big way. Boone has also proven his worth on special teams and showed the ability to rip off a long run as well as running with intensity.
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Pollard was electric and played a great deal of snaps with Dallas’ first team. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry and Pollard was a major contributor as a receiver, where he has vast potential. If Ezekiel Elliott were to miss time, Pollard would get the bulk of the running back touches it seems. That being said, he isn’t built to shoulder an Elliott-like overall load.
Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Amari Cooper sat the preseason out and it was obvious that Gallup then inherited the role of Dak Prescott’s top target. This is great news for the Cowboys, an offense light on receiving weapons and in search of a legit number two option. Counting on Jason Witten at this extremely advanced stage of his career for that role would be foolish.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots
Only one player accumulated more receiving yards than Meyers through three games and he has been targeted an awful lot, which isn’t by accident since Bill Belichick does nothing by accident. He projects best as a sharp route-running slot receiver that catches everything thrown his way. However, Meyers may or may not have the confidence of Tom Brady and Meyers didn’t have his best game with the future Hall of Famer distributing him the ball.
James Washington, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
In each of Washington’s three preseason games, he lit it up. Washington won at all levels, but really shined deep downfield. He has slimmed down and clearly has a great on the field relationship with Mason Rudolph, his former college teammate. Now Washington needs to show that he and Ben Roethlisberger can do the same thing when it counts for real.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions
Wow, does Hockenson look the part in an NFL uniform. He has the physical capabilities and overall makeup to quickly become one of the best at his position in this league. Not only were his immense talents on display, but it was obvious that Matthew Stafford already has extreme confidence in the rookie tight end. Tanner Hudson deserves a very honorable mention at the tight end spot as well after racking up more receiving yard than anyone else in the league.
Andre Dillard, OT, Philadelphia Eagles
Most considered Dillard as this draft class’ best pass protector and with the athletic profile to keep developing in this department as well as in the run game. Well, he sure looks like he belongs thus far and amazingly enough, even after trading up for Dillard in the first round, Philadelphia might not need his services at least for a while.
Mike McGlinchey, OT, San Francisco 49ers
There are not many high-pedigree players on this list that already have a strong NFL resume. That being said, while McGlinchey was very good as a rookie for San Francisco last year, he has been awesome when seeing the field in the preseason. In fact, the 49ers offensive line has a chance to be a lot better than some might expect and it is really starting to take shape in Kyle Shanahan’s athletic image.
Michael Deiter, OG, Miami Dolphins
Boy oh boy do the Dolphins need Deiter this year and in the upcoming years to come. He looks up to the challenge of immediately being Miami’s second respectable starting offensive linemen along with Laremy Tunsil.
Fred Johnson, OG, Pittsburgh Steelers
Johnson is a mammoth-sized guard with height, mass and girth that even the casual observer can’t help but notice. But surprisingly, Johnson rarely loses the leverage battle and maintains good pad level for such a large human. He could be another in a long line of undrafted Steelers offensive linemen to play well in this league.
Erik McCoy, OC, New Orleans Saints
No team has dedicated more resources to the interior of their offensive line than the Saints during Drew Brees’ fantastic stay in New Orleans. When Max Unger (who New Orleans traded Jimmy Graham in his prime for if you remember) retired, it opened a huge hole in the middle of this offensive line. Well, the Saints pounced on McCoy in the draft and McCoy has pounced on the starting center job in New Orleans. He could be a long time foundational player for the Saints. McCoy could actually be an upgrade over Unger’s 2018 season before long. The rich get richer.
Christian Wilkins, DT, Miami Dolphins
There are some young bright spots for the Dolphins, but none might be brighter than Wilkins. He didn’t always show up huge on the stat sheet, but he allowed for others in Miami’s defense to make plays when he was on the field. That isn’t to take away at all from what Wilkins can bring as an interior disruptor. Miami may also have a rookie defensive tackle find in Jonathan Ledbetter next to Wilkins.
Quinnen Williams, DT, New York Jets
Williams rounds out a pair of first round defensive tackles that very much lived up to their draft billing in their first NFL action. The Jets wisely didn’t overwork Williams, but when he was out there (often against first string offensive lines) he was throwing grown men around. Up the middle of the Jets defense could be as good as any in the league.
Brian Burns, Edge-rusher, Carolina Panthers
Burns had four sacks in the first three weeks of his first NFL preseason, and Carolina’s first round pick looked outstanding rushing the passer. He has an excellent combination of burst off the ball, bend and change of directions to find his prey. Burns should be an immediate pass-rush specialist in Week 1.
Daeshon Hall, Edge-rusher, Philadelphia Eagles
Hall had a simply tremendous preseason and stood out over and over again, no matter whom he was lined up against. Hall has length to go along with power and a thick build. He has bull rush at an NFL level, but also has more in his pass-rushing repertoire as well at the ability to stack and shed in the run game at the line of scrimmage. The Eagles are loaded with defensive linemen. A lot of young Edge players have stepped up, but New England’s Chase Winovich very barely missed this list by the tiniest of margins.
Cody Barton, LB, Seattle Seahawks
With the great Bobby Wagner on the shelf, Barton got a great opportunity to show Seattle what he is capable of. And Barton showed extremely well. Barton is a taller linebacker that runs and changes directions well. In time, he looks like the type of player than can combat today’s athletic tight ends and Wagner will act as a supreme mentor as Barton contributes on special teams in 2019 where Barton’s toughness and athletic traits should shine.
Sam Eguavoen, LB, Miami Dolphins
Eguavoen is 26 years old and spent time in the CFL. But the preseason shows that he is a keeper for the rebuilding Dolphins and could be a valuable versatile building block on the second level of this defense alongside Jerome Baker, who also showed very well in game action. Eguavoen made numerous plays in all phases of the linebacker position, but looks like his forte will be pass coverage, giving him a lot of appeal overall.
Ty Summers, LB, Green Bay Packers
Summers made a boatload of plays this preseason. He made tackle after tackle while also showing well in coverage. His athletic ability stands out, but Summers is more than just an athlete running around. He is learning the game very well, but needs to clean up the missed tackles. The Browns’ Mack Wilson absolutely could have made this list at linebacker as well.
Deon Bush, S, Chicago Bears
There are opportunities for new players to get snaps in Chicago’s great defense, especially in the secondary. Bush is making quite the case and showed up huge in the Bears’ most recent preseason game as well as Week 1, grabbing interceptions in both contests.
Taylor Rapp, S, Los Angeles Rams
Rapp could have just as easily been listed with the linebackers in reality, that is beauty of this young player. Rapp has spent a lot of time on the second level of Los Angeles defense and even creeps up to the line of scrimmage. With Mark Barron now in Pittsburgh, there is a big opportunity for this versatile and nasty jack-of-all-trades to help the Rams quest to return to the Super Bowl.
Juan Thornhill, S, Kansas City Chiefs
Thornhill could pair with Tyrann Mathieu to give Kansas City a pair of highly versatile and athletic safeties. This new defensive scheme could employ both players in a multitude of ways. Thornhill has stood out thus far and in time, could be the Chiefs answer to tight ends such as Hunter Henry and Noah Fant within the AFC West. The Cowboys’ Donovan Wilson is another safety that has shined during the preseason.
Corey Ballentine, CB, New York Giants
Ballentine showed up time and time again during the preseason, with Week 3 being his best game in his most difficult matchups. New York’s cornerback situation looks vastly improved, so Ballentine might have a tough time seeing the field early. But the Giants should be thrilled with having almost too many quality cornerback options heading into the regular season.
Jimmy Moreland, CB, Washington Redskins
Moreland plays the game the right way and in an aggressive manner that will rub off on his Redskins teammates. He very much has a nose for the football with a deft understanding of route concepts and how to read a quarterback. He should be Washington’s top slot cornerback from day one. Moreland makes a ton of plays and could go down as one of the absolute steals of this past draft.
