With the regular season set to begin Sept. 5, players are beginning to separate themselves from the competition in training camp.
For the Atlanta Falcons, a first-round pick apparently has secured a backup role behind a highly paid veteran. Meanwhile, in Dallas Cowboys camp, an undrafted free agent is making his case to be a starter.
With a Week 2 slate of preseason games looming, Yardbarker NFL writers dish on a riser for each team in NFC camps.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Safety Markquese Bell | After playing out of position as a linebacker last season, Bell was back at safety against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, finishing with a team-high nine tackles (six solo) and the first of four interceptions of Stetson Bennett. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he is undersized for a linebacker, but Bell has made a strong case to become starting strong safety for new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Running back Eric Gray | Seemingly stuck behind rookies Dante Miller and Tyrone Tracy Jr. in camp, the second-year RB made the most of his four carries against the Detroit Lions with 52 yards (48 on one carry) and two touchdowns on Thursday night. He also led the team with four catches for 46 yards receiving, thus making a strong case to become the team’s No. 2 running back behind former Houston Texan Devin Singletary.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. | Currently listed behind Zack Baun on the team’s unofficial depth chart, Trotter Jr. made a team-high six tackles (four solo) and had a huge sack on a third-and-two play to force a punt in the second quarter of a preseason win over the Baltimore Ravens. He also made a big tackle on special teams and looked comfortable in his famous father’s No. 54 jersey.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Tight end Ben Sinnott | Sinnott, the last of Washington’s three second-round picks in 2024, led the Commanders with three receptions for 57 yards, including a 44-yard catch in the second quarter, in a preseason loss to the New York Jets. On that play, the 6-foot-4, 247-pound rookie broke multiple tackles. None of Sinnott’s catches came on passes from first-round pick Jayden Daniel, but the two could play together in the next outing. Sinnott is the third tight end on the unofficial depth chart. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Cornerback Max Melton | Melton, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, did not play in the Cardinals’ preseason opener Saturday against New Orleans, but he has is one of the early standouts. Lining up as a first- and second-team corner, he is one of the few corners in camp to slow first-round WR Marvin Harrison Jr., per Theo Mackie of azcentral.com.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Defensive tackle Braden Fiske | With the retirement of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald this offseason, the Rams re-tooled the middle of their defensive line. One of the big investments in the position is second-round pick Fiske of Florida State, an early standout in camp with his athleticism and effort. He has played so well that head coach Sean McVay gave him the veteran treatment for the team’s preseason opener and did not play him against the Cowboys.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Linebacker Dee Winters | Winters, a second-year linebacker from TCU, has had a tremendous offseason after performing well in OTAs. In the preseason opener against Tennessee, he had five tackles, including one for a loss.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Tight end Brady Russell | Tight end is one of the positions that needs depth for Seattle, and Russell is making a convincing case to get more playing time. In a preseason win against the Los Angeles Chargers, he showcased dominant blocking and caught three passes for 25 yards and a touchdown. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. | Dexter turned heads at the start of camp, showing up leaner and more agile than last season, and his stock is trending upward because of it. He has wreaked havoc pretty regularly, easily shedding blocks, disrupting plays and getting to the quarterback with ease.
DETROIT LIONS | Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw | Rakestraw quickly made an impact, logging three interceptions during the first week of camp. He has played physically and always seems to be around the ball — traits that should help him win a spot in Detroit’s deep secondary.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Cornerback Kalen King | There’s plenty of competition at cornerback behind Jaire Alexander, but the former Penn State star could be carving out a solid role for himself in the slot. He has been around the ball quite a bit and impressed coaches with his ability to make big plays. “I think they may have gotten the biggest steal of the draft,” Penn State associate head coach Terry Smith said in May, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Wide receiver Jalen Nailor | Minnesota’s No. 3 receiver spot was open for competition heading into camp, and Nailor may be the leader in the clubhouse for the position. He seems to be past his injury issues — a concussion and hamstring issues plagued him last season — and head coach Kevin O’Connell recently praised him for his route running and versatility. — Michael Gallagher
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. | The Falcons’ first-round pick left no doubt (if there was any left) that he’s the team’s best option for No. 2 quarterback behind starter Kirk Cousins with his strong performance in a 20-13 preseason loss at the Miami Dolphins. Penix went 9-for-16 for 104 yards, prompting first-year Falcons head coach Raheem Morris to call it “a really good night for him.”
CAROLINA PANTHERS | Outside linebacker Eku Leota | Leota was a disruptive force in the Panthers’ 17-3 Week 1 preseason loss to the Patriots. The 2023 undrafted free agent made a compelling argument for a larger role than last season (77 defensive snaps in eight games), leading Carolina with two tackles for loss and getting credit for four QB pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Wide receiver A.T. Perry | In late July, head coach Dennis Allen told reporters Perry was “plenty talented enough to be on this team … but we need to see it more often out at practice.” (h/t Nick Underhill) It wasn’t practice, but the second-year wideout had a great game in Saturday’s 16-14 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals, leading the Saints in receiving yards (85), many of which came on a 58-yard reception late in the second quarter.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Running back Bucky Irving | Ranked third on the unofficial depth chart, Irving showed why he deserves touches out of the backfield with a promising effort in a 17-14 preseason win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The rookie fourth-round draft pick (No. 125 overall) had six carries for 28 yards and a touchdown, prompting praise from head coach Todd Bowles for his downhill running style, per Brianna Dix of the team’s website. — Eric Smithling
