NFL training camp is well under way, and preseason games are kicking off soon. While most fans are waiting for the “real” games to start, plenty will be tuned in and interested in the exhibition slate. The preseason still gives players at the end of a roster the opportunity to make a roster and carve out a role for a team, and starters hone their skills and build chemistry heading into September.
The preseason lets us know that summer is winding down and football season is here. It’s introduced us to future stars like Terrell Davis and Victor Cruz, and more household names will emerge for as long as preseason football remains part of the league schedule.
Some coaches and teams put more of an emphasis on playing in the preseason than others. For example, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid typically play their starters a decent amount, while some squads don’t want to play starters at all. It’s a risk-reward thing, but it has worked pretty well for Patrick Mahomes and company to build momentum heading into the regular season each year. Let’s jump right in with some players to watch this summer.
Seahawks RB Kenny McIntosh
The sports betting industry has grown so much since widespread legalization that you can bet on just about anything today. However, the NFL is very strict about their players gambling, so their advanced insights from during camp is only something that fans can take advantage of by tracking news around the league. With continued growth and access in recent years, many are even heavily interested in online gambling and fantasy football during the preseason. Kenny McIntosh feels like one of those players that can explode and become a fan-favorite.
The seventh-round rookie running back already received first-team reps in his first training camp practice with the Seahawks, and the Georgia product is a smooth operator that will be someone to watch during preseason action. Seattle has Kenneth Walker III and second-round rookie Zach Charbonnet; but McIntosh, as his scouting report indicates, has the skillset to carve out at least a passing game role in one of the deepest position groups in football.
Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
The Commanders reportedly had a third-round grade on rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., who they took in the sixth round of this spring’s draft. Ron Rivera wants to play to his defense, so the Commanders are expected to want to be able to run the ball often in 2023. It’s easy to envision Washington wanting to give Rodriguez a major workload in exhibition action, so prop bettors should take note.
Raiders RBs
The status of franchise-tagged running back Josh Jacobs remains a mystery at the start of training camp, and there’s a real chance the NFL’s reigning rushing champion misses games this season. Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden are both capable veterans that would get more action if Jacobs were to miss time.
But second-year backs Zamir White (fourth-rounder out of Georgia) and Brittain Brown (seventh-rounder out of UCLA) are two players to watch during the preseason. Both White and Brown can get downhill and pick up positive yardage, and Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels has talked about the importance of the preseason for running backs and the offensive line.
Chiefs WR Skyy Moore
The wide receiver group for the Chiefs is very deep, and 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore is one of the players to watch closely in the coming weeks. The former Western Michigan receiver might have the first crack at replacing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in the slot for the Chiefs. Andy Reid likes to play his guys during the preseason, so we’ll see how Moore’s connection with two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes is coming along in live reps.
Eagles LB Nakobe Dean
Set to take over as a starting linebacker for the NFC champion Eagles, Nakobe Dean might be thrown out there a lot as he gears up for a big-time leadership role on defense. Even if he doesn’t get a ton of snaps for a team that hasn’t played starters much in the preseason under Nick Sirianni, Dean doesn’t need to play an entire half or more to rack up a bunch of tackles.
Patriots LB Marte Mapu
Rhamondre Stevenson emerged as a major preseason star for the Patriots a couple of years ago, and third-round pick Marte Mapu is a rookie on the other side of the ball that could surprise some people throughout preseason action in 2023. Mapu is from small-school Sacramento State, but he can be a chess piece on defense for Bill Belichick. It’ll be interesting to see how the New England staff utilizes their third-round pick, both this summer and during the regular season.
Baltimore Ravens
We’ll end with a bonus of the Baltimore Ravens looking to extend their record-breaking preseason winning streak of 23 games. They haven’t lost an exhibition contest since 2015! While Baltimore is almost always favored in preseason games, bettors still could’ve taken away a nice profit by riding with them the past several years. In addition to the new-look offense under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, backups like quarterback Tyler Huntley will be fun to watch for the Ravens.