The NFL preseason is often derided as a bunch of meaningless football games, but seasoned NFL evaluators realize that it offers a lot of insight into coaching trust, who they’re playing with and against, and who gets meaningful snaps and who doesn’t, and who gets consistent first-team snaps. With the preseason hubbub behind them, people now want to know how these performances will affect the new NFL season and form early expectations.
The Quarterback Report: Rookie Stars and Positional Battles
The draft’s first overall pick, Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie Fernando Mendoza, flashed real promise without unseating the incumbent. Across extensive preseason action totaling 85 snaps, Mendoza completed 25 of 45 passes (55.6%) for 240 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions, showing a strong arm and fearlessness as a passer. Despite that showing, the Raiders opted to open the season with veteran Kirk Cousins under center, making Mendoza the first No. 1 overall pick since Baker Mayfield in 2018 not to start in Week 1. Cousins rewarded that trust with a 27-13 win over Miami in the opener, and Las Vegas has given no indication of an imminent change, telling reporters they’ll stick with Cousins as long as he and the team keep winning.
The Los Angeles Rams also found something big in their rookie quarterback Ty Simpson. The former Alabama standout was one of the biggest surprises of the preseason, making 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He showed maturity beyond his age, with some good decision making, especially in the fourth quarter.
Despite that strong showing, Simpson lost the backup job to veteran Stetson Bennett, whom head coach Sean McVay called clearly the better player throughout training camp. Simpson was ultimately listed as QB3, inactive as the emergency quarterback for the Week 1 opener against the 49ers, a reminder that even a standout preseason doesn’t guarantee an immediate role, though his poise has clearly put him on the franchise’s long-term radar.
Skill Position Standouts: The New Offensive Weapons
In addition to the quarterbacks, a handful of young offensive prospects showed intrigue to include in a fantasy football team. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling had one of the best pre-seasons of any rookie receiver. In his first game with the team, the receiver had seven receptions for 63 yards with first team coverage.
Stribling’s impact went beyond statistics. His discipline on the field, ability to get separation and knowledge of Kyle Shanahan’s offensive schemes gave him more chances. His preseason improvement put him in a position to play an impactful role in the offense with injured parts of the 49ers.
Running back Emmett Johnson also made headlines for capitalizing on minimal opportunities. Johnson averaged 4.9 yards per carry, and was competitive at the quarterback position, patient, visionary and explosive as the primary backup behind Kenneth Walker III. His blend of efficiency and opportunity will make him a player to keep a close eye on if you’re looking for some late round value.
The other TE of intrigue for the Los Angeles Chargers was Charlie Kolar in first-team games during the preseason. His relationship with quarterback Justin Herbert made it seem possible that he could be a steady receiving threat in the Charger offense. It’s a testament to injuries, scheme fit and good training camp play that young players can suddenly find themselves with opportunities.
On the Other Side of the Ball: Defensive Game-Changers
Preseason assessments cannot be based solely on offensive production. How a player plays defensively can often be a sign of whether he’s ready for greater duties. Edge rushers and secondaries across the league were able to get up and running and put pressure on opponents, churn up turnovers and were constantly a threat to any offense.
The Tennessee Titans got a nice indication from offensive guard Fernando Carmona, who graded 83.9 on his pass blocking, showing that he’s ready to go against aggressive defensive fronts. Offensive line play is hardly a specialty of commentators but a strong offensive line can make a huge difference for a quarterback.
You have to study defensive surprises as the schemes are often simple during the pre-season. Some great numbers can be misleading, because coaches typically don’t share any deep plans before a game. But when players win a series of games against good players, it can be a good barometer of their potential in rotation.
Defensive depth is a factor for bettors looking at the team totals and early season matchups. There are pass rushers and coverage defenders who get overlooked year after year and could make a difference in scoring patterns that may impact the market before it’s adjusted.
From Preseason Hype to Regular Season Reality: What It All Means
The most important takeaway from the 2026 NFL preseason is that not all breakouts carry the same weight. Stribling, Johnson and Kolar earned their preseason buzz with skills and opportunities that translated directly into real roles to open the season. Mendoza and Simpson, by contrast, offer a useful reminder that even statistically strong preseason performances don’t automatically win a starting job or a depth-chart promotion, both were ultimately passed over in favor of established veterans, at least for now.
However, precautions should be taken. Preseason football involves restricted starters, stripped down playbooks, and defensive schemes that are aimed at testing players, not overwhelming opponents. Advanced fantasy managers and bettors should never make any decision without taking into account the number of snaps a player will receive, competition factors and long-term team plans.
The preseason has provided some great data for anyone who’s watching NFL news, fantasy football sleepers 2026 and early NFL predictions. Rising players can have a bigger impact on the chances of player props, matchup ratings, and futures markets, before the general public catches on. By understanding these trends, they can spot any early indicators of which areas will need particular attention when evaluating team strength and possible surprises.
During the regular season, it’s not about promise, it’s about what you are bringing on field. These verified roster updates provide fans, analysts, and bettors with better information on which decisions to make during the year. The players who produced themselves away from the pack in August now have a chance to show their work wasn’t just a fluke, but that they can make an impact in the NFL.
