Week 1 of the NFL preseason is right here, with all 32 groups in motion over the subsequent few days.

Whereas there may be no scarcity of storylines, listed here are a few of the gamers who can definitely assist themselves over the subsequent few weeks. From rookies trying to carve out a roster spot, to veterans making an attempt to lock down a beginning function, listed here are some gamers to look at as preseason video games get underway.

Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams may not name it a “rebuild,” however there’s a transition of types taking part in out this season. Basic supervisor Les Snead described their strategy to the 2023 marketing campaign as “a step again when it comes to how we purchase gamers,” and outlined earlier this summer season that the Rams may view 2023 because the “12 months it’s finest to make the most of our draft picks on youthful gamers so we are able to develop and evolve.”

One youthful participant that may definitely assist himself the subsequent few weeks? Rookie broad receiver Puka Nacua out of BYU. The fifth-round choice has been drawing reward from teammates and coaches alike, and was getting time with the first-string offense earlier than broad receiver Cooper Kupp suffered a hamstring damage. A stable slate of preseason video games might see him lock down the WR3 spot with the Rams.

Demario Douglas, WR, New England Patriots

Talking of rookie broad receivers, a time-honored custom amongst New England Patriots followers is falling for a late-round or UDFA rookie wideout throughout coaching camp. Some gamers went on to make the roster, comparable to Kenbrell Thompkins and Jakobi Meyers, serving to hold New England’s streak of 19-straight seasons with a UDFA making the roster out of camp.

This 12 months the rookie WR drawing the majority of consideration is Demario Douglas, a sixth-round select of Liberty. Douglas has been inflicting New England cornerbacks issues a number of issues in one-on-one drills, and has been getting an increasing number of time with Mac Jones and the remainder of the beginning offense.

New England is predicted to be one of many groups this season that leans into greater personnel. With the return of Invoice O’Brien as offensive coordinator, and the acquisition of Mike Gesicki this offseason, 12 personnel is probably going going to be a standard sight round Gillette Stadium. Nonetheless, if Douglas continues to impress, he may carve out an elevated function within the Patriots offense, whether or not they’re in 12 or 11 personnel.

The rookie quarterbacks

Let’s face it. Quarterbacks transfer the needle. (It’s the entire cause Mark has a job in spite of everything, however we digress.) Throughout coaching camp, the quarterbacks that have a tendency to maneuver that needle most are the rookies.

You realize the names on the prime of the draft: Bryce Younger, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis. Younger has already been named the starter, and Houston appears on the verge of naming Stroud their QB1 forward of the season. Richardson might need the within observe on the job forward of Gardner Minshew, however a robust preseason slate would lock down that spot for the Colts rookie. As for Levis, preseason probably provides him the QB2 spot forward of Malik Willis.

However these are usually not the one 4 rookie quarterbacks that may assist themselves throughout preseason. In Arizona, buzz is constructing about fifth-round decide Clayton Tune. With Kyler Murray recovering from a knee damage, and veteran Colt McCoy coping with a neck damage, there’s a window for Tune to not simply solidify a roster spot, however maybe put himself in place to start out Week 1.

Out in Las Vegas, some Raiders followers are questioning if fourth-round decide Aidan O’Connell might beat out Brian Hoyer for the backup job, and perhaps put himself in place to start out a recreation — or extra — this 12 months. Dorian Thompson-Robinson was one of many highlights of the Corridor of Fame Recreation, and may very well be in line to earn a roster spot with the Browns, and Jake Haener has reportedly been “lighting it up” with the New Orleans Saints.

As well as, we can’t overlook about Stetson Bennett. The Rams rookie QB has impressed throughout coaching camp, and should have the sting within the QB2 battle with Brett Rypien.

Quarterbacks transfer the needle, and there are a variety of rookie QBs that may assist themselves over the subsequent few weeks.

Trey Lance, QB. San Francisco 49ers

Then there’s a — barely — extra skilled QB that wants a robust preseason of his personal.

The quarterback room in San Francisco is a captivating storyline this summer season. When the 49ers introduced that Brock Purdy had been cleared for coaching camp, Kyle Shanahan outlined that he would get all the QB1 reps, which has performed out these previous few weeks.

However the staff added Sam Darnold within the offseason, and let’s not overlook, they moved up within the 2020 NFL Draft to pick Trey Lance. If Purdy certainly locks down the beginning gig, what occurs with Lance and Darnold? Does Lance play himself into the QB2 job? Does he play himself right into a commerce with one other staff?

A powerful preseason from Lance can solely make his life simpler.

D.J. Chark Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are in love with D.J. Chark Jr. What started as a mid-free company signing so as to add assist to a woeful receiving room, Chark has shined and shortly emerged as a participant who might cement his place because the WR1 for Carolina.

As much as coaching camp the belief was that Adam Thielen can be a lock because the No. 1, largely as a result of there wasn’t anybody else for the job. Nonetheless, the chemistry that’s developed between Chark and Bryce Younger is actual, and has reached the purpose that it’s gotten the eye of head coach Frank Reich, who referred to as their budding relationship “thrilling.”

Because of this Chark was named WR1 within the Panthers’ first depth chart of the season. A giant efficiency in preseason might result in a everlasting WR shuffle that sees Chark lay declare to WR1, in flip permitting Thielen and Jonathan Mingo to separate reps between the surface and slot. This may be a momentous enhance to the Panthers’ passing assault.

Kyle Trask, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Does anybody need to be the beginning quarterback for the Buccaneers? I’m unsure they actually do. Tampa Bay’s QB room is embarrassing, and proper now there’s nothing separating Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, each of whom have been equally horrible.

Mayfield’s NFL story is kind of set at this level, however Trask is ready the place his NFL future may very well be outlined this 12 months. As a way to persuade the entrance workplace that he may be the QB, he must win the job, then go on and have a profitable season — in any other case it’s assured the staff will draft a QB in 2024.

A giant preseason might work wonders for Trask profitable the job and beginning the method of creating his profession.

Breece Corridor, RB, New York Jets

That is an attention-grabbing one, as a result of everybody is aware of the beginning RB job in New York is Corridor’s. Nonetheless, as he returns from damage, paired with the staff reportedly being attention-grabbing in Dalvin Cook dinner — it’s sufficient to provide pause in regards to the staff’s plans at RB this season.

Primarily what Corridor must do is present that he’s again to full-strength and doesn’t want one other again to be a part of a committee with him. No less than, not somebody with the prowess of Cook dinner, who might lay declare to the RB1 spot.

I don’t suppose that is a lot of a menace, nevertheless it’s one thing to look at.

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are a staff that has a bit little bit of a groundswell increase for them when it comes to hype this season. Led by new head coach Demeco Ryans, the protection has loads of younger expertise on the roster, together with second 12 months CB Derek Stingley. Misplaced amongst all the hype Sauce Gardener bought is Stingley having a reasonably good 12 months regardless of the accidents he had.

Going into 12 months two with a way more secure head coach in Houston this time round, Stingley ought to have the ability to present what made him the third total decide within the 2022 NFL Draft. The brand new protection ought to enable him to be extra aggressive and use his athletic skills, whereas serving to to carry a protection that may very quietly be higher than anticipated.

Evan Hull, RB, Indianapolis Colts

The previous Northwestern Wildcat made loads of followers in Cellular on the Senior Bowl, resulting in him being drafted on Day 3 by the Colts. Nonetheless, with Jonathan Taylor injured/may not need to be there, and Zach Moss sidelined by a damaged arm, the preseason may very well be his likelihood to indicate off when paired with the primary staff offense.

Hull isn’t the largest or quickest again, however he has nice contact stability and burst, and may work within the return and receiving recreation as nicely. With the Colts RB room getting skinny, Hull can use this opportunity as a possibility to maneuver up the depth chart and earn touches within the common season.

Chase Younger, EDGE, Washington Commanders

Younger is coming into a pivotal 12 months. The previous 2nd total decide has battled by a torn ACL to get again to being absolutely wholesome, however didn’t have his fifth-year possibility picked up by the Commanders. He has to play nicely with a view to earn an extension, however earlier than that, he has to regain the explosiveness he had at Ohio State and in his first NFL season. NFL Community’s Kevin Patra stories that Younger has taken off the knee brace that he wore for nearly two years for the reason that damage, and that now he feels explosive once more. This can be a enormous growth for him, as a result of his recreation was so reliant on explosion.

The preseason may not be probably the most in-depth judgement of top quality play, however for Younger it may be an opportunity to maneuver at 100% for the primary time in two years. It’ll be essential to see how he strikes throughout this time.