This article is part of our NFL Barometer series.
A full slate of preseason games is now in the books, finally giving us some game tape to evaluate players on. Although it was only the initial taste of game action for all but two clubs – and many front-line players either sat or played very limited snaps – those first exhibitions featured an abundant amount of second-level skill players and key rookies, while also providing a glimpse of the roles in which teams are contemplating using them in the coming season. Additionally, as the injuries continue to pile up, the outlook for multiple players continues to shift.
With so much to examine this week, let's jump right into reviewing whose stock is either rising or falling heading into the second full week of preseason games.
Trending Up
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield, Browns: Although Tyrod Taylor was also impressive in the exhibition opener, Mayfield could continue to force the issue if he remains as productive as he was last Thursday. He looked poised and comfortable while throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns while also displaying some of his trademark mobility by gaining 13 yards on three rushes. This will be a battle to monitor over the rest of the preseason, with the top job still at least somewhat there for the taking if Mayfield is spectacular enough to warrant a shift in the Browns' current plan to open the season with Taylor at the helm.
Sam Darnold, Jets: Another first-rounder/veteran battle is emerging in the Big
A full slate of preseason games is now in the books, finally giving us some game tape to evaluate players on. Although it was only the initial taste of game action for all but two clubs – and many front-line players either sat or played very limited snaps – those first exhibitions featured an abundant amount of second-level skill players and key rookies, while also providing a glimpse of the roles in which teams are contemplating using them in the coming season. Additionally, as the injuries continue to pile up, the outlook for multiple players continues to shift.
With so much to examine this week, let's jump right into reviewing whose stock is either rising or falling heading into the second full week of preseason games.
Trending Up
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield, Browns: Although Tyrod Taylor was also impressive in the exhibition opener, Mayfield could continue to force the issue if he remains as productive as he was last Thursday. He looked poised and comfortable while throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns while also displaying some of his trademark mobility by gaining 13 yards on three rushes. This will be a battle to monitor over the rest of the preseason, with the top job still at least somewhat there for the taking if Mayfield is spectacular enough to warrant a shift in the Browns' current plan to open the season with Taylor at the helm.
Sam Darnold, Jets: Another first-rounder/veteran battle is emerging in the Big Apple, where Darnold has made up considerable ground since getting a late start to training camp due to contractual issues. As Mayfield did in Cleveland, Darnold made his mark in the latter stages of the preseason opener, even as Teddy Bridgewater was also sharp to open the game. This is yet another battle to keep an eye on, with Darnold in the mix for the starting job over Josh McCown (who, as the projected starter, barely played in the exhibition opener) if he can continue building on his preseason debut.
Running Back
Jordan Wilkins / Nyheim Hines, Colts: The two rookies have already been the subject of offseason hype and with good reason – they each bring solid college resumes and plenty of talent to the table. While both have reportedly enjoyed solid camps, the hamstring injury to presumed starter Marlon Mack is what currently earns them the Trending Up label. With Mack out the rest of the preseason, both Wilkins and Hines should see plenty of run in the remaining three exhibition games. Even more important is the fact that soft-tissue injuries like Mack's are notoriously unpredictable and tend to linger, which could leave his availability in the early part of the season questionable at best. Veteran Robert Turbin will also miss the first four games of the campaign due to suspension, meaning Wilkins and Hines could find themselves helming the Colts backfield in Week 1 and potentially beyond.
Samaje Perine / Kapri Bibbs, Redskins: The crushing ACL tear to rookie Derrius Guice suddenly vaults Perine back into relevance, as he could well end up as the Redskins' lead back to open the season. However, Bibbs continues to be worth keeping an eye on, as he brings some explosiveness to the table and opened the preseason with a strong four-carry, 48-yard rushing night against the Patriots, while also snaring his only target for 11 yards. With no roster locks at the running back position besides perhaps Perine, Bibbs could emerge from a group that includes Rob Kelley and Byron Marshall.
Chris Carson, Seahawks: One of the top position battles at Seahawks camp is at the running back spot, where Carson and rookie Rashaad Penny are battling for the top job. It's been a good last few days for Carson in that regard, beginning with last Friday's preseason contest against the Colts. Carson led Seahawks running backs with 26 rushing yards on four carries, while Penny scuffled on his way to an average of two yards per tote over eight carries. Tuesday subsequently brought the news that Penny had broken his finger in Monday's practice, and that he'll have surgery Wednesday. The recovery time is estimated to be 3-4 weeks, leaving Carson in the driver's seat for top billing heading into the regular season.
Kerryon Johnson, Lions: Johnson made a strong first impression against the Raiders last Saturday night, pacing Detroit backs with 34 rushing yards and adding 33 through the air. LeGarrette Blount and Theo Riddick currently slot ahead of him on the depth chart as the early-down and passing-down backs, but one look at Johnson's skill set and college career substantiates the notion that he could eventually surpass Blount during the season for the role of lead back.
Royce Freeman, Broncos: The Broncos' running back situation remains fluid, with Freeman arguably having just as much chance as any of the other contenders for the top job. Listed as the No. 2 running back behind Devontae Booker heading into the first preseason game, Freeman notably outperformed the latter, gaining 38 yards on four carries – a tally that included a 22-yard touchdown run. Assuming full health, Freeman would appear to have the talent to overtake the pedestrian Booker with another three exhibition games still remaining to showcase his skills.
Wide Receiver
Marquise Goodwin, 49ers: Reports continue to emerge out of 49ers camp regarding Goodwin's impressive chemistry with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, a continuation of the rapport they displayed late last season. Goodwin was targeted three times by Garoppolo in the preseason opener as well, and with speed to burn, he appears poised for a career year out west.
Tajae Sharpe, Titans: The Titans' wide receiver picture remains murky to an extent thanks to the continued absence of Rishard Matthews from practices due to an injury that the team is not providing any details on. With the season opener fast approaching, it's now fair game to wonder whether Matthews will be available to start the 2018 campaign. Sharpe is one of the young wideouts benefiting from the situation, as he's been getting first-team work alongside Corey Davis. Sharpe also brought in one of two targets for 20 yards in the exhibition opener and could be primed for more work in Saturday's second preseason game against the Buccaneers.
Albert Wilson, Dolphins: Wilson was already set for a solid role in the Dolphins' offense during the coming season, but a hand injury to DeVante Parker currently has him working as the starting split end. Wilson improved in each of the first four seasons of his career with the Chiefs, and with Parker now out an indefinite amount of time – possibly even for the regular-season opener – he should have an extended opportunity to make a strong impression and build further rapport with quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys: Gallup has gotten plenty of attention in training camp thus far following a stellar college career at Colorado State. He validated some of that hype with a 30-yard touchdown catch in Thursday's preseason opener against the 49ers in which he streaked down the right sideline and displayed an impressive second gear. The third-round pick could make a serious case for a robust role in the coming season if he's able to similarly flash in the remaining preseason games, particularly with the Cowboys lacking any proven targets for Dak Prescott.
Tre'Quan Smith, Saints: Offseason acquisition Cameron Meredith remains very restricted and did not play in the preseason opener, giving third-round pick Smith plenty of run. He tallied a game-high four catches for 48 yards, and given Meredith's current limitations, he should have plenty of opportunity to continue stating his case for a sizable rookie-season role.
D.J. Moore, Panthers: Moore boosted his already formidable stock even further with his efforts in the preseason opener, hauling in four of six targets for 76 yards. Veteran Torrey Smith currently slots ahead of him in the depth chart, but Moore's first-round pedigree and talent could see him surpass Smith in relatively short order. In a Panthers offense that sports Devin Funchess as its No. 1 wideout, that could lead to an abundance of targets.
Tight End
Nick Vannett, Seahawks: Vannett is reportedly on track for the top tight end job in Seattle on a couple of fronts. Not only is position mate Ed Dickson bogged down by a quadriceps injury that doesn't seem to be improving, but Vannett has also been impressing with his play in practice and the preseason opener. The 2016 third-round pick started Thursday's preseason game against the Colts and brought in two of three targets for 20 yards and a touchdown. The 25-year-old is also an above-average blocker, so a starting job would presumably bring him plenty of snaps in the coming season.
Luke Willson, Lions: Word out of Lions camp is that Willson is the leader in the clubhouse for the top job, not exactly a significant surprise given the overall lack of depth at the position. However, Willson has shown solid pass-catching ability in the past during his time in Seattle, and an opportunity for starter's snaps with a quarterback the caliber of Matthew Stafford could lead to career-best numbers.
Trending Down
Running Back
Doug Martin, Raiders: The Raiders don't have any appreciable financial stake in Martin outside of what they're currently paying him in camp and preseason, as he received no signing bonus on his one-year contract. In the preseason opener, the Muscle Hamster saw only one carry while a trio of other backs – Chris Warren, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard – received appreciably more opportunities behind starter Marshawn Lynch. Early indicators are far from positive for Martin, who could easily find himself on the outside looking in by summer's end.
C.J. Prosise, Seahawks: Another week and another health concern for Prosise, who was a late scratch from Thursday's preseason game against the Colts with a hip flexor injury. He's now considered day-to-day, but he can ill afford to miss any time. Even with rookie Penny temporarily sidelined with a finger injury, Mike Davis and J.D. McKissic are both active and making a push for spots behind the top duo of Carson and Penny. With Prosise having played just 11 games over his first two seasons, his reliability is increasingly in question.
Marlon Mack, Colts: Mack suffered a dreaded soft-tissue injury in the preseason opener, pulling his hamstring against the Seahawks. He's projected to miss the rest of the preseason, and the regular-season opener is far from a lock. His multi-week absence will give rookies Wilkins and Hines extended opportunities to showcase their skills, which could alter the Colts running back landscape moving forward.
Wide Receiver
Cameron Meredith, Saints: While the team continues to insist Meredith hasn't suffered any setbacks in his recovery from last year's MCL and ACL tears, they also continue to keep him under considerable restrictions. Meredith was held out of the preseason opener and has missed a string of consecutive practices. Meanwhile, rookie Smith made a strong case in the preseason opener, and could continue to earn a greater share of playing time, particularly while Meredith remains on the sidelines.
DeVante Parker, Dolphins: Parker has been struggling with getting open throughout camp, and now a hand or finger injury – the team hasn't officially confirmed which – is preventing him from catching the ball at all. He's considered week-to-week at present, but given the seriousness of the injury relative to his job description, this could be a situation that lingers into the early portion of the regular season. Meanwhile, in his absence, offseason acquisition Wilson will have an opportunity to continue making an impression on head coach Adam Gase.
Tight End
Ed Dickson, Seahawks: Dickson has apparently all but lost the opportunity to win the No. 1 tight end job to open the season, as the quadriceps injury that put him on the NFI list isn't showing much improvement. With no clear return date in site and a complete lack of practice time, Dickson figures to be well behind the curve in the early stages of the regular season, at minimum.
Michael Roberts, Lions: Roberts presumably had an opportunity to take a hold of the starting tight end job this summer given the unsettled nature of the position on the Lions, but he's come up short in that regard. Willson has all but secured the No. 1 role, with Roberts previously suffering from a leg injury and then failing to impress upon his return.
George Kittle, 49ers: A separated shoulder in the exhibition opener against the Cowboys currently has Kittle's stock depressed, as it will cost him the rest of preseason at minimum. While his standing as the No. 1 tight end is not in danger, the missed practice time and opportunity to continue building rapport with Garoppolo puts a temporary damper on the momentum the second-year player had been building throughout the offseason and the summer.
