~~While the preseason is just an early exhibition of what an NFL season has to offer, these games do provide a slate for rookies and unknowns to make their start. Breakout campaigns have their first start here, so which 10 players shined the most, and made their mark in the early going of the 2014 season?
10. Michael Sam, Defensive End, St. Louis Rams
What will one sack per preseason game earn you? A spot on the team’s 75-man roster and status as an IDP candidate. Sam has earned his stripes performing well in each of the team’s first three exhibitions, but only time will tell if Sam has done enough to make the 53-man roster in a crowded depth chart.
9. Mark Sanchez, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
A name synonymous with disaster has turned over a new leaf in Philadelphia. Earning the trust of teammates has been easy, but Sanchez has flourished outside of the spotlight, showing tremendous accuracy and poise through the preseason. It appears Philadelphia has found their lifeline should Nick Foles go down at any point this year.
8. Andre Williams, Running Back, New York Giants
Williams has cemented his role as the goal-line back for the Giants, keeping Peyton Hillis forever buried on the team’s depth chart. While Rashad Jennings has kept his role as the starter for now, expect Williams to push the career-backup as the season goes on.
7. Emmanuel Sanders, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
With Eric Decker just a memory and Wes Welker down for the count, someone must step up in Denver’s receiving corps. That man must be Sanders, who has shined thus far in the preseason capping it off with a five-catch 128 yard performance with two scores against the Texans.
6. Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
Yes it is the preseason and no he will not supplant Matt Cassel as the team’s starter from day one, but Bridgewater is headed in the right direction. After leading a game-winning drive in the team’s second preseason game, Bridgewater posted two scores on just seven passes against Kansas City. Far from a starting spot, Bridgewater is slowly narrowing the gap between him and a leading role with Minnesota.
5. Jeremy Hill, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
Second-round picks are expected to start immediately, and Hill is no exception. Looking much better than counterpart Giovani Bernard for the Bengals, Hill is working his way to a larger role with the team one game at a time. Bernard has struggled this preseason, leaving the door wide open for Hill to eat into a large chunk of carries.
4. Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
While you will not see this man in a starting role this season, or so the Jaguars would have us believe, Bortles has outshined and outplayed Chad Henne throughout the preseason. A player many considered to be an unpolished talent is proving doubters wrong while showing he is more than ready for a starting role in the NFL.
3. Zach Ertz, Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles
You can find your top breakout tight end candidate right here. Deemed the red-zone target by Chip Kelly and staff, Ertz will be the focus in pay-dirt for one of the league’s top offenses, while providing a large body as a possession receiver even outside the 20-yard mark. Expect Ertz’s strong summer to carry over into an even stronger year for the Eagles.
2. Carlos Hyde, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers
This electric rookie has 49ers fans saying, Frank who? Hyde has been the lone bright spot of the 49ers offensive preseason, and looks like lock to steal carries from San Francisco’s workhorse, Frank Gore. Hyde will likely receive the lion’s share of the carries early, saving Gore’s legs for the playoff race.
1. Benny Cunningham, Running Back, St. Louis Rams
From virtually unknown to a potential starter, Cunningham has averaged over five yards per carry all preseason and is giving Zac Stacy owners early heartburn. While he will not supplant Stacy for the workhorse role, it appears Cunningham will be used as a change pace back ahead of rookie Tre Mason.