It was 20 years ago last month that Barry Sanders pulled one of the biggest surprises in NFL history. On the cusp of becoming the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, the Detroit running back stunned the world by announcing his retirement on the eve of training camp.
That still ranks as the biggest preseason surprise in history. But Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck’s surprise announcement of his retirement Saturday night is something that at least compares with the news about Sanders. Luck’s retirement is easily the biggest surprise of this preseason. But there are plenty of others. Some are pleasant and some are disappointing, but here are the top 32 surprises of this year’s preseason.
32. Brian Hill’s emergence
The Atlanta running back carried the ball only 20 times last season. But he averaged 7.8 yards per carry. That made the Falcons think he could take on a bigger role this year. He hasn’t disappointed. Hill has had a strong training camp and the coaching staff has been impressed with how he’s improved as a receiver. He could get some playing time behind Devonta Freeman.
31. A receiver you’ll hear more from in Cleveland
Naturally, Odell Beckham has gotten almost all the attention of Cleveland’s wide receivers. Jarvis Landry is locked in as the No. 2 receiver. But there’s been a pleasant surprise for the Browns at wide receiver. That’s Derrick Willies. He’s gone from a guy who was seen as on the roster bubble at the start of camp to contending for the No. 3 receiver spot.
30. Corey Davis a WR bright spot for Titans
It hasn’t been a great preseason for Tennessee’s wide receivers. Taywan Taylor has had problems catching the ball and rookie A.J. Brown has dealt with injuries. But Davis, a first-round pick in 2017, has made the most of the opportunity. He’s shown great improvement and could finally live up to his draft status.
29. David Montgomery, a rookie surprise
A third-round pick, Montgomery was chosen by Chicago because of his running ability in college. He hasn’t disappointed in that area. But the area where Montgomery has been a surprise is as a pass catcher. He’s shown he can catch the ball well out of the backfield and that could earn him some early playing time.
28. Maliek Collins rising star in Dallas
The defensive tackle has been solid in his first three seasons – when he’s played. But that’s been the problem. Collins has consistently battle injuries. But he was healthy for the entire offseason program and has been a bright spot for the Cowboys in camp. If he stays healthy, he could be in for a breakout year.
27. Cameron Sutton stepping up
The Pittsburgh cornerback started only two games and had one interception in his first two seasons. But Sutton has come on strong this preseason and has a chance to be the slot corner.
26. Jordan Reed is healthy
The Washington wide receiver was not dealing with injuries in the offseason for the first time since 2015, which was the best year of his career. Reed has been one of the bright spots for the Redskins so far and he could take on a big role in the offense.
25. Jake Kumerow has bounced back
The Green Bay wide receiver missed most of last season with a shoulder injury. But he has been perhaps the brightest spot of Green Bay’s camp. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who doesn’t dish out a lot of praise, has been raving about Kumerow.
24. The Chargers have a weak spot
Left tackle Russell Okung is injured and it’s looking as if he won’t be ready for the start of the season. That’s a massive problem for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. That means Trent Scott, who was benched last year, could open the season protecting Philip Rivers’ blind side.
23. Bigger role for DJ Chark
A second-round pick by Jacksonville in 2018, wide receiver D.J. Clark was pretty much a bust as a rookie. Although he contributed on special teams, he did very little as a receiver. That’s about to change. Clark has been the most improved player in Jacksonville’s camp. He’s likely to be the No. 2 or 3 receiver.
22. Mike Thomas may have found a role
With the Los Angeles Rams sitting most of their starters in preseason games, Thomas has gotten a lot of playing time at wide receiver. He’s no threat to start, but he may have done enough to earn the No. 4 wide receiver spot.
21. Darwin Watson a fantasy sleeper
The running back was taken in the sixth round by Kansas City this year. But he’s shown more than what normally is expected from a sixth-round choice. Damien Williams is the starter, but Thompson has earned some playing time in one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.
20. Will Dissly’s return
After a promising start to his rookie season last year, the Seattle tight end went down in the fourth game with a knee injury. He also was unable to participate in the offseason. But Dissly was healthy for the start of camp and he’s been Seattle’s most pleasant surprise.
19. Detroit’s invisible offense
The Lions have a new offensive coordinator in Darrell Bevell, but no one outside of the team really knows what his offense will look like when the season starts. That’s because Bevell has done a good job of not showing very much in the preseason. But with a quarterback who can put up numbers like Matthew Stafford, it’s likely the passing game will be the focal point.
18. Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson’s favorite target
Andrews, a tight end, could be one of Baltimore’s best offensive weapons. The Ravens may enter the season without rookie wide receiver Marquise Brown, who has been slow in recovering from a foot injury. That could lead the Ravens to use two tight ends much of the time. Jackson and Andrews had good chemistry at the end of last season and it has only grown stronger in the preseason.
17. Kalen Ballage’s rise to feature back
While all eyes in Miami have been focused on the quarterback competition between Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen, there’s been a pleasant surprise at running back. That’s Ballage, a second-year pro. He’s excelled and appears to have done enough to earn the starting running back job.
16. Olabisi Johnson, a seventh-round gem
The Minnesota wide receiver entered preseason with no guarantee of making the 53-man roster after being drafted in the seventh round. But Johnson has performed well and seems likely to make the roster. His ability to play special teams also has helped his status rise.
15. Ed Oliver’s development in Buffalo
Although the rookie defensive tackle has a ton of potential, he was seen as a project when camp started. But he has come on much faster than the coaching staff and front office expected. Their updated expectation is he could have a big impact in his first season.
14. Tampa Bay’s offensive line
The Bucs knew this wasn’t going to be an area of strength before they got to camp. But it’s turned out to be even worse than expected. The Bucs allowed seven sacks to the Browns in Friday night’s preseason game. The Bucs committed to tackles Donovan Smith and Demar Dotson in the offseason because the team wasn’t sure it could find replacements in free agency and the draft. This is a contract year for quarterback Jameis Winston. If the offensive line doesn’t improve immediately, Winston’s not going to have a fair chance and he’ll be playing somewhere else in 2020.
13. Jimmy Garoppolo’s inconsistency
The San Francisco quarterback’s return from last season’s injury had a lot of people expecting him to instantly be in top form. That didn’t happen. He didn’t look great in camp or at the start of the preseason. But Garoppolo had a bounce-back game Saturday against Kansas City and that’s brought some hope for the 49ers.
12. The longest of long shots
Damion Willis entered camp with the Bengals as an undrafted wide receiver out of Troy with only a slight chance to make the roster. But Willis already has done enough to earn a roster spot. He could even end up in the starting lineup.
11. Andy Isabella’s tumble on the depth chart
The Cardinals and fantasy football fans had high hopes for Isabella, a second-round draft choice. The thinking was that Isabella would be an ideal fit as a slot receiver. But he has struggled so far and Arizona brought in Michael Crabtree last week. Isabella could start the season as the No. 5 receiver.
10. Sony Michel’s quick return
The second-year running back missed the offseason program with an injury. But Michel was ready when camp started. He has shined throughout camp and the Patriots will have their top running back healthy and ready for the regular season.
9. DeSean Jackson’s rebirth
Jackson returned to Philadelphia, where he played early in his career, this offseason. The wide receiver had failed to develop good chemistry with quarterback Jameis Winston in Tampa Bay. But Jackson has looked sharp in Philadelphia and should reemerge as one of the league’s top deep threats.
8. Jared Cook still has plenty left
The Saints brought in Cook, 32, to strengthen the tight end position. So far, the Saints have gotten more than they expected. Cook has had a strong showing in camp. Coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees will take advantage of Cook’s talents and he could be a big part of the offense.
7. Emmanuel Sanders’ rapid return
The Denver wide receiver tore an Achilles tendon in December. That type of injury often takes a year or more to recover from. But Sanders got himself back on the field and has had a strong training camp. New Denver quarterback Joe Flacco should have a solid group of receivers to start the season.
6. Duke Johnson will get a chance to be a complete back
When the Texans traded for Johnson early in the preseason, coach Bill O’Brien said he believed Johnson had the skills to be an every-down back. That sounded like lip service because Johnson hadn’t been much more than a pass catcher in Cleveland. Now, it appears Johnson will be carrying the ball a lot after Lamar Miller tore his ACL and will miss the season.
5. Carolina’s lack of depth at quarterback
Starter Cam Newton injured his foot Saturday. The Panthers said they’re cautiously optimistic he’ll be ready for the season opener. But the injury has forced everyone to look at Carolina’s depth chart and there’s not much there. If Newton isn’t ready for the opener or is injured again during the season, the Panthers are staring down the barrel at a group of backups made up of Kyle Allen, Will Grier and Taylor Heinicke. It may be time to go find a veteran.
4. Quinnen Williams’ slow start
When a guy is drafted No. 3 overall, he almost always is expected to be an instant starter. But it doesn’t appear as if that will be the case with Williams and the Jets. He was given a crack at the starting nose tackle job, but that didn’t work out. It now appears as if Williams will open the season as a backup defensive end.
3. Antonio Brown’s behavior
It’s not shocking that the Oakland wide receiver is making lots of noise. He has a long history of doing that and that doesn’t make him different than a lot of wide receivers. What is surprising is the way Brown has been in the headlines. He’s bickering with the NFL over about what kind of helmet he can wear and the damage from frostbite to his feet has been one of the more unusual stories of the preseason. Coach Jon Gruden has backed Brown so far. But Gruden historically hasn’t had a lot of patience with receivers. Remember when Gruden benched a healthy Keyshawn Johnson in Tampa Bay in a personality conflict?
2. Daniel Jones’ emergence
The New York Giants obviously had high hopes for Jones when they drafted the Duke quarterback No. 6 overall. It was obvious they drafted Eli Manning’s replacement. Manning will open the season as the starter, but that’s not going to last. If Manning and/or the Giants start slowly, Jones will be in the lineup quickly. He’s shown he’s ready with an outstanding preseason, in which he has completed 25 of 30 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns and has made very few rookie mistakes.
1. Andrew Luck’s surprise retirement
Luck’s announcement on Saturday was by far the biggest surprise of this preseason, and of any preseason. There have been reports that the Colts knew Luck was contemplating such a move as far back as March. Still, they didn’t make any major moves at quarterback. That probably is because they have faith in Jacoby Brissett. Lots of scouts used to say Brissett could be a starter for another team. With Luck gone, he’s now the starter in Indianapolis.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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