1. DeShone Kizer, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns
Kizer has officially been named the Browns' starting quarterback after impressing in his first three preseason NFL games. The rookie second-round pick enters the preseason finale having put up two total touchdowns and one interception in three games. And while he is completing less than 52 percent of his passes, the Notre Dame product has shown a tremendous ability to stretch the field.
It won't be enough for Kizer to be considered a relevant fantasy option as a rookie in 2017. But for those of you who took a chance on him in dynasty/rookie pool drafts, you should be extremeny excited about what you have seen from this young quarterback. The fact that he earned a starting gig in the preseason magnifies this even further.
2. Stacy Coley, Wide Receiver Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are definitely looking for a receiver to step up behind Stefon Diggs. Free agent signing Michael Floyd is suspended for the first four games of the season. Meanwhile, 2016 first-round pick Laquon Treadwell has shown very little since he entered the NFL. Enter into the equatino a player in Coley who has been super impressive thus far in the preseason.
Coley opened his first exhibition slate by three receptions for 67 yards against the Buffalo Bills. He then followed that up on Sunday night by tallying four catches for 76 yards against an improved San Francisco 49ers defense. It will be interesting to see how much early-season play Coley gets should he make the team. It's definitely something to watch.
3. Alfred Morris, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys
With Ezekiel Elliott facing a six-game suspension to start the season, Dallas will be left relying on veterans Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris to hold down the fort for a rushing attack that finished in the top three last season. While most figure McFadden will see the bulk of the touches, it's Morris who has impressed the most in the preseason.
The former Washington Redskins Pro Bowler ranks scond among running backs in rushing this preseason and is averaging a robust 5.3 yards per attempt. If Elliott is indeed suspended, we're going to want to see how the Cowboys allocate their rush attempts. With the best offensive line in football, whoever is seeing the bulk of those attempts will become a fantasy relevant option.
4. Cooper Rush, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys
Short of Dak Prescott going down with a long-term injruy, we're not going to see too much from this rookie from Central Michigan. Even then, what Rush has done to earn the team's No. 2 quarterback job has been nothing less than extraordinary. He's completed 74.5 percent of his passes for 398 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions in four preseason games. That's some absurd stuff right there.
There's even been mentions comparing him to Tony Romo — also an undrafted free agent — in Cowboys camp this summer. Surely that's putting the carriage before the horse, but it's not an indication that Rush himself hasn't been impressive. He sure the heck has thus far this summer.
5. Raheem Mostert, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers
Locked in a battle for the final running back job and potential return duties, Mostert has been super impressive for the 49ers this summer. The former Purdue standout turned a screen pass into an absurd 87-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. He also added a touchdown run in the game. All said, Mostert put up 130 yards and two touchdowns on six touches.
That came on the heels of the second-year back gaining 89 yards on 15 attempts in the preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in August. Sure Carlos Hyde will be the 49ers' starter this season. We're also expecting rookies Matt Breida and Joe Williams to see action. But Mostert brings something completely different to the table. Big-play ability. It's at least something to watch should he make the team.