It’s still early in the preseason, but some first-year pros are already making names for themselves, while others have unfortunately fallen further down their respective depth charts.
Each week, after poring through the film and data from each NFL contest, some rookie performances will stand out more than the rest.
These five risers are players who have definitively improved their standing with stellar opening outings, impressing coaches and fans alike in their first live game reps.
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders
14/23 passing for 138 yards and 2 TD
Perhaps the most polarizing rookie quarterback prospect in recent history, Shedeur Sanders certainly had the whole football world watching when he took an NFL field for the first time.
With starter Joe Flacco observing from the sideline, as well as backups Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel both sitting out due to injury, Sanders was the next man up for Cleveland.
The fourth-string fifth-rounder put on a show in his first professional start.
Sanders tossed two touchdown passes and generally looked comfortable and confident in the pocket, making decisive reads and threading the needle numerous times against the Carolina Panthers’ porous starting defense.
If Sanders continues to impress moving forward, the calls for him to be the Browns’ Week 1 starting quarterback will quickly reach deafening decibels.
Baltimore Ravens WR LaJohntay Wester
2 receptions for 41 yards
3 punt returns for 104 yards and 1 TD
Not much is expected from sixth-round draft picks.
That didn’t stop Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver LaJohntay Wester from kicking down the door in his preseason debut against the Indianapolis Colts.
Wester was likely going to need to make his mark on special teams to cement his status on the Ravens’ final roster, and he made an emphatic statement with his first-ever NFL touch.
The former First-Team All-American punt returner wasted no time in taking one back 87 yards for a touchdown to start his professional career.
Baltimore may have found one of the steals of the 2025 class in Wester, adding even more explosiveness to an already lethal roster.
New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart
12/19 passing for 154 yards and 1 TD
Jaxson Dart just might have the juice.
Though not expected to be the Giants’ starter right out of the gate, with veteran Russell Wilson currently slotted as QB1, New York’s 2025 first-round pick surprisingly looked like a polished pro in his first preseason appearance.
Much like Sanders, Dart likely won’t begin the regular season as the initial starting quarterback. Still, as obviously the most talented option in the room, don’t be surprised when the former Ole Miss gunslinger swiftly surpasses the more experienced arms ahead of him on the Giants’ depth chart this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Ke’Shawn Williams
2 receptions for 55 yards and 1 TD
Who doesn’t love an underdog story?
Watching little-known players make the most of limited opportunities is what preseason is all about.
Steelers UDFA wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams did exactly that in his first NFL action, leading Pittsburgh in receiving against the Jaguars with 55 yards on just two catches, including a highlight 26-yard touchdown grab.
The diminutive slot demon could legitimately push for playing time in this pitiful receiver room, competing for snaps behind DK Metcalf with Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, and Scotty Miller.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Nick Jackson
6 solo tackles, 1 interception, and 1 sack
Another overlooked undrafted player attempting to earn a roster spot, Jackson was arguably the most impressive of all the initial rookie showings.
After not hearing his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, the underrated linebacker quietly landed with the Buccaneers before abruptly grabbing everyone’s attention with his prolific play against the Tennessee Titans.
Getting extended run with most of the starters resting, Jackson was a force all over the field, making multiple plays in the backfield and in coverage.
Despite a litany of legitimate veterans in front of him and his obvious lack of draft pedigree, Jackson proved without a doubt that he can play at this level.
His production did not go unnoticed, and the dynamic defender’s performance has set him up to potentially secure a roster spot and a role in an admittedly crowded Bucs LB room.
First-year players across the NFL have already begun to showcase their potential during the initial wave of preseason games, with promising performances emerging as a critical factor in their professional trajectories.
Standout plays, consistent effort, and quick adaptation to the NFL’s speed can significantly enhance a player’s standing, moving them closer to a coveted spot on the 53-man roster or even elevating their projected roles.
Ultimately, these initial exhibition contests serve as a crucial proving ground for most rookies and can heavily influence coaches’ final decisions regarding roster composition and depth chart designations for the upcoming season.
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