With the common season set to start Sept. 5, gamers are starting to separate themselves from the competitors in coaching camp.
In Pittsburgh Steelers camp, a rookie offensive lineman is urgent a veteran for a beginning gig. In the meantime, in New York Jets camp, a rookie quarterback is making his case to make the staff.
With a Week 2 slate of preseason video games looming, Yardbarker NFL writers dish on a riser for every staff in AFC camps.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | RB Ray Davis | Davis had been competing with Ty Johnson for the No. 2 working again place earlier than the latter suffered an damage in follow final month. However Davis might have already secured the job. Whereas he solely rushed for 2 yards within the Payments’ preseason blowout loss to Chicago, he was the staff’s second working again to seem within the sport and confirmed upside as a receiver, catching three passes.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | RB Jaylen Wright | The fourth-round rookie was listed because the sixth-string working again on Miami’s first unofficial depth chart, however his spectacular first preseason outing might have cemented his place because the staff’s No. 3 tailback. Towards Atlanta, Wright showcased his game-changing velocity, dashing for 55 yards and one landing in what NFL Community’s Brian Baldinger believes was the very best efficiency by a working again within the preseason to this point.
NEW YORK JETS | QB Adrian Martinez | The previous UFL MVP solely signed with the Jets two weeks in the past, however he has shortly emerged as a number one candidate for the staff’s third-string QB job following a pointy preseason debut. In New York’s 20-17 win over the Washington Commanders, Martinez accomplished 6-of-10 passes for 104 yards and rushed for twenty-four yards. He led the Jets on two scoring drives.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. | A former JUCO and USFL standout, Pharms starred in New England’s preseason opener in opposition to Carolina, racking up 4 tackles (one for loss) one sack and producing 5 pressures, per Professional Soccer Focus. The Patriots can be extraordinarily lucky if Pharms’ efficiency is an indication of issues to return as a result of star DT Christian Barmore is out indefinitely with blood clots. — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | Quarterback Bo Nix | On Sunday, Nix accomplished 15-of-21 passes for 125 yards and one TD and posted an above-average 102.3 passer ranking in a 34-30 win in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts. Extra importantly for the Broncos, the rookie mentioned he felt “relaxed” in his preseason debut and had little bother adjusting to the sport’s velocity.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Broad receiver Nikko Remigio | Former undrafted free agent Remigio led the Chiefs in receiving (three receptions for 35 yards) in a 26-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. His improvement might change into extra crucial as a result of Chiefs WR Marquise Brown suffered a dislocated sternoclavicular joint in his left shoulder throughout the preseason opener. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown’s standing for Week 1 of the common season stays unclear.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Broad receiver Tre Tucker | Regardless of questions on his dimension (5-foot-9 and 185 kilos), Tucker showcased his dynamic playmaking capacity on Saturday. The second-year wideout tallied two receptions for 73 yards in a 24-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Proper sort out Joe Alt | Alt stood out in a 16-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, permitting one strain on 13 pass-blocking snaps, per The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. In a postgame information convention, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh mentioned “Joe belongs” within the NFL. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Cornerback Nate Wiggins | In a preseason loss to the Eagles on Friday, Wiggins proved precisely why the Ravens are “very, very excited” that he fell to them at decide No. 30 on this yr’s draft, registering three tackles (one for a loss) and three passes defensed in his debut. He exited the sport after struggling a minor shoulder sprain however is taken into account day-to-day and needs to be again for the beginning of the common season.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | Broad receiver Jermaine Burton | Burton had the expertise to be a first-round decide this yr, however he fell to the third spherical as a result of character issues. After shedding Tyler Boyd (Titans) in free company, the Bengals wanted a wideout. On Saturday in a preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Burton rewarded them with a team-leading three catches for 82 yards and a landing.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Broad receiver Jamari Thrash | Thrash, a fifth-round decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, is unheralded, however that will not be the case for much longer after he led the staff with three catches for 43 yards Saturday in a loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. If he stacks good performances, he can set up himself because the No. 3 broad receiver behind veterans Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | Heart Zach Frazier | Frazier remains to be behind veteran Nate Herbig on the depth chart, however he made his first case for why he needs to be a Week 1 beginning middle throughout a loss to the Houston Texans on Friday evening. The No. 51 general decide within the 2024 NFL Draft allowed zero pressures (per PFF) on 19 pass-blocking snaps and was a people-mover in his spectacular debut. — Aaron Becker
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | Security Calen Bullock | The 2024 third-rounder, who’s having a standout camp, performed nicely in a 20-12 win over the Steelers on Saturday. Taking part in with the primary unit, he completed tied for third on the staff in tackles (4). Head coach DeMeco Ryans lately praised Bullock for his versatility at security and skill to play centerfield within the Texans’ scheme, telling Kay Adams of “Up And Adams” that the rookie is doing “a superb job.”
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Broad receiver Adonai Mitchell | Mitchell initially was anticipated to battle with Alec Pierce for one of many exterior spots at wideout. Nonetheless, an damage to Josh Downs might speed up issues for the 2024 second-round decide. Receivers coach Reggie Wayne believes Mitchell’s playmaking skills can fill the void. The previous Colts star known as the previous Texas standout an “alpha” throughout camp, per The Athletic’s James Boyd.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | Cornerback Christian Braswell | The previous Rutgers star, a sixth-round decide, hasn’t nailed down a roster spot, however he might pressure the Jaguars’ hand because of a strong efficiency throughout camp and the preseason. In Jacksonville’s preseason 26-13 victory over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Braswell completed second on the staff in tackles (4) and had an unimaginable returned compelled fumble for a landing worn out by officers. “But it surely’s nonetheless a spotlight in my e book,” he informed reporters afterward.
TENNESSEE TITANS | Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. | A fifth-round decide on this yr’s draft, Brownlee has shined throughout camp and earned kudos from third-year veteran cornerback Roger McCreary, who mentioned the previous Louisville standout has adjusted to the NFL shortly and exhibits off his “aggressive” tendencies day by day in follow. In a preseason win over the San Francisco 49ers, he completed with three solo tackles and a cross defensed. — Mike Santa Barbara
