After a month of training camp and NFL preseason action, it's all over. Teams are now preparing for the regular season with their 53-man rosters and practice squads locked in.
It's time for the starters to take the field, but the fun in preseason is seeing younger players step up and dominate the competition. As usual, there were plenty of players who deserve to be shouted out, but that list would get way too long. It was hard to narrow down, but these eight players impressed their teams and fan bases with their play over the past month.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 27: UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano answers questions from the media during the NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine on February 27, 2026 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire NFL: FEB 27 Scouting Combine EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602275248
Throughout the summer, there was no expectation that theBaltimore Ravenswould keep three quarterbacks. It was always expected that the two would beLamar JacksonandTyler Huntley.
Enter undrafted free agent Joe Fagnano, who is 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds and has an interesting backstory. He's a 25-year-old rookie who spent seven years playing college football. It's a main reason he performed at such a high level for the Ravens in the preseason.
During his preseason action, Fagnano showed poise in the pocket and the ability to scan the field, making split-second decisions. It's something rookie quarterbacks struggle with, but for Fagnano it looked effortless. It'd be a dream for Ravens fans to not see Fagnano take a single regular-season snap, but that's not a bad thing. The team may have found a long-term backup for cheap this summer, which is more valuable than anything.
This is the second and last underrated free agent on this list, but it's hard to find players who had a more dominant preseason than Wesley Bailey. Undrafted out ofLouisville, Bailey packs great length on the outside with his 6-foot-5 and 265-pound frame. Throughout the summer and preseason, Bailey showed athleticism mixed with pure strength off the edge, which caught theLos Angeles Rams'eye.
AgainstNew Orleansin the second week of preseason action, he completely broke out. He played 48 defensive snaps and finished the game with 10 pressures, three quarterback hits and one sack. That performance sealed the deal as Bailey played just two snaps in the preseason finale. He joins a room ofMyles Garrett,Byron Young,Josaiah StewartandDesjuan Johnson.
Chicago Bearsdefensive tackle Jordan van den Berg maybe didn't have "crazy" stats throughout the preseason, but watching the film, he popped. At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, the sixth-round pick just moved so fluidly for his size. The explosion up the field with his first step and powerful hands were a handful for offensive linemen to handle.
The best part? He looks completely lost out there at the same time. Van Den Berg needs a lot of refinement, but the raw talent is there, and it's clear the Bears are ready to gamble on it. The team traded awayGervon DextertoAtlanta, freeing up space in the interior defensive line room.
Chicago's defensive line has been cited as a reason this team won't make the Super Bowl run many expect, but Van Den Berg could help address that issue if he can refine his athleticism.
ThePhiladelphia Eaglestook Ty Robinson in the fourth round of last year's draft, but didn't flash much as a rookie. He packs great size for an interior defender at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, but, as his own defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, said, "He's been on life support since he's been here."
Robinson needed a strong preseason, and that's exactly what he gave Philadelphia. In 113 total snaps, he totaled nine pressures, three sacks, and seven run-stop tackles, showing that explosive power he had atNebraska. The Eagles have given out some big contracts this offseason, so they need cheap depth along the defensive line. With Robinson impressing and making the final 53, he gives the Eagles just that.
November 1, 2025: Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. 4 moves his way to the end zone. .Mississippi State defeated Arkansas 38-35 in Fayetteville, AR. /CSM Fayetteville USA – ZUMAcm9_ 20251101_faf_cm9_079 Copyright: xRicheyxMillerx
Even withAshton Jeantyhaving an injury scare a couple of weeks ago, there was a bit of optimism surrounding the news.Las Vegas Raidershad MikeWashingtonJr. ready to step up, and throughout the preseason, he's done just that.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Washington stood out at the NFL Combine in the spring, running a 4.33 40-yard dash at 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds. His workout helped influence the Raiders to take him in the fourth round of the draft, and every time he gets the ball, it's a chunk play. On 23 attempts, Washington is averaging 7.3 yards per attempt, showing the big-play ability he has. He's been everything and more that the Raiders could've asked for, and he's made them feel confident in him getting more carries, even when Jeanty is healthy.
September 6, 2025: LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier 18 scans the defense on the run for an open receiver during NCAA, College League, USA football game action between the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. /CSM Baton Rouge USA – ZUMAc04_ 20250906_zma_c04_805 Copyright: xJonathanxMailhesx
It made no sense that quarterbacks likeTaylen Greenwent before Garrett Nussmeier in the 2026 NFL Draft, but it did. Nussmeier was a projected Day 2, early Day 3 pick, but fell all the way to the seventh round. TheKansas City Chiefstook him, and he's outplayed that draft position throughout this preseason.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Now we all knowPatrick Mahomesis the starter, but with Nussmeier getting time to learn behind Mahomes, he can be the real backup option for the Chiefs down the line. It's a cheap contract while he's on his rookie deal and will help the Chiefs save money and pay the other big positions on the roster. The team hasJustin Fieldsfor this season, but it'd make sense for them not to re-sign him after this season.
Nussmeier didn't do anything crazy during the preseason, but he showed what made him an intriguing prospect. He has the arm talent to make throws at awkward arm angles, showed pocket maneuverability, and showed his IQ for the game, getting the ball out quickly at times. The big nagging negative in his game is decision-making, which showed up at times, but overall, Nussmeier showed he can play.
January 9, 2026: Oregon s Emmanuel Pregnon in action during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – a College Football Playoff CFP Semifinal – featuring the 5 Oregon Ducks and the 1 Indiana Hoosiers, played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Indiana rolls over Oregon, 56-22. /CSM Atlanta United States of America – ZUMAc04_ 20260109_faf_c04_101 Copyright: xCecilxCopelandx
Emmanuel Pregnon had such a dominant debut for theJacksonville Jaguarsin Week 1 of the preseason; they didn't need to see any more. In 32 offensive snaps, Pregnon allowed one pressure with one quaterback hit, but throughout showed the power he plays with.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Pregnon fell to the third round of the draft, as many expected him to be taken in Round 2. He's a mauler at guard, just a huge presence at 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds; watching his film, he just looks comfortable at the guard position. It looks to be a major steal for the Jaguars early on, which is something this draft class needed.
September 19, 2025, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA: Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kaden Wetjen 21 catches the ball during the game between Rutgers University and Iowa Hawkeyes at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. Piscataway USA – ZUMAr225 20250919_zsp_r225_070 Copyright: xScottxRausenbergerx
ThePittsburgh Steelerstook Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the value seemed off at the time. Wetjen was more of a return specialist while at Iowa, so taking one that early seemed interesting. But it seems like the Steelers knew what they were doing, because Wetjen has showcased that speed throughout the preseason.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Wetjen's big play came on a simple in-breaking route in the first week of preseason action, where he turned what would've been a small gain into a 74-yard gain. He flashed his big-play ability in the return game as well against Buffalo, taking a punt return 45 yards to the house.
