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As the NFL season is set to kick off in a few weeks, the preseason provided some impressive performances from players looking to prove they belong.
The preseason games are for fringe roster players who, for one reason or another, have to take advantage of the reps before the regular season begins. Whether it's rookies getting their first NFL action or players on the bubble hoping to secure a roster spot, August featured many players providing standout performances.
In some cases, players who excelled in the preseason will carry this over to the regular season as a spark in their careers; in others, this preseason could be a highlight if they are unable to keep the performances up when the regular season begins.
Here's a look at the best players from the 2026 preseason.
MORE: Most notable players cut from NFL rosters
NFL preseason MVP: QB Ty Simpson, Rams
Simpson was a controversial pick when the Rams took him in the first round in April, but the former Alabama quarterback had an impressive showing in his first NFL action. Simpson completed 47 of 60 passes during the three games, good enough for a league-leading 78.4 completion percentage for 382 passing yards.
The rookie quarterback added three touchdowns and no turnovers while leading the Rams to multiple scoring drives. He made a few very impressive throws that showed why he was a first-round pick.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 28, 2026His preseason debut was his most impressive, as he had 190 yards, two touchdowns and just four completions against the Chiefs.
Ty Simpson couldn’t miss in his Rams debut vs. the Chiefs Yesterday 🎯🔥
21/25, 190 PYDS, 2 PTD, 0 INT, 125.0 Rating pic.twitter.com/FtEbxTheIb
It is noteworthy that Simpson did not push the ball down the field much, but he appeared to both execute and excel at running the Rams gameplan.
Simpson is not expected to play much in the regular season as the Rams compete for a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford at the helm. Therefore, these reps were crucial for him before the season began.
| Games | 3 |
| Completions/Attempts | 47/60 (78.3 percent) |
| Passing yards | 382 |
| Touchdowns | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer rating | 109.9 |
NFL preseason All-Stars
QB: Joe Fagnano, Ravens
Fagnano had the most impressive numbers of any quarterback this preseason, leading the league with 509 passing yards and a completion percentage of 74.7 percent. He added three touchdowns and just one interception, soaking up much of the Ravens' playing time at quarterback.
— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2026With Tyler Huntley solidified as the backup, Fagnano at least showed off why a team should stash him as depth. The UConn product should find himself as a third-stringer or practice squad option somewhere, potentially even in Baltimore.
RB: Mike Washington Jr., Raiders
There was a brief moment after Ashton Jeanty got injured when it seemed that Washington Jr. was going to be thrust into the starter role for the season. Instead, the rookie will enter the year as Jeanty's backup, but he has more than proven that he belongs in the NFL.
Washington averaged 7.9 yards per carry in his first two preseason games, which included an explosive 53-yard run against the Arizona Cardinals. Additionally, his 59.5 yards per game led the league entering the final week of preseason action.
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026WR: Jalen Brooks, Cardinals
Brooks was dominant in the preseason, as his 222 receiving yards were easily the most in the preseason. Brooks did have the benefit of playing in the Hall of Fame game, but he took advantage of playing in four games by totaling 15 catches and a touchdown.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 7, 2026The Cardinals have solid depth at wide receiver but still could find room for Brooks in a rebuild year. If not, though, someone else will surely take a shot on a player who had such a strong training camp.
WR: D’Zhaun Stribling, 49ers
The 49ers took Stribling with the first pick of the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, showing how highly they view the wide receiver. With Ricky Pearsall out for the year, Stribling becomes a crucial part of the season in San Francisco.
In two games, Stribling had 11 catches for 109 yards, but seemed to add to his hype during practices as well. He will enter the season with a chance to be one of the leading receivers among rookies.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 21, 2026TE: Rivaldo Fairweather, Cardinals
Fairweather's 150 receiving yards on 17 catches led all tight ends in the preseason as he battled for a spot on the Cardinals' depth chart. The 2025 undrafted free agent out of Auburn spent most of last season on the Cowboys' depth chart, but joined the Cardinals late in the season.
As the Cardinals have Trey McBride leading the way at tight end, Fairweather showed enough to potentially convince another team to take a chance on him for the year.
OL: Shiyazh Pete, Cowboys
Pete is an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky who is fighting for a spot on the Cowboys' roster, but he's already made history as the first member of the Navajo Nation to sign an NFL contract. In a preseason game against the Cardinals, Pete blocked for a touchdown, then got a standing ovation from Navajo fans in the crowd.
This Cowboys rookie offensive lineman got a standing ovation after a 4th quarter preseason touchdown he blocked for ⬇️
Shiyazh Pete is the first Navajo to ever sign with an NFL team. Saturday night, Navajo nation showed up in Glendale, AZ, for the undrafted rookie out of… pic.twitter.com/tmHZRGVeqI
However, it was Pete's postgame speech that went viral and got the attention of the sports world. Pete's leadership skills were on full display, and even if he doesn't make the team, will always have this moment to remember.
this game, this star, this team will make us brothers 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/rEcvDTzSkd
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 23, 2026DT: Landon Robinson, Bengals
One of the standouts throughout the league, Robinson really impressed as the Bengals decided to keep him on their initial 53-man roster. The defensive tackle had 2.5 sacks and nine tackles in three games while showing an impressive motor.
.@Bengals @Eagles @LandonRobinson continues to impress...Canr wait to watch him contribute week 1....He has earned that right #whodey #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/RvTl42DHu9
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 29, 2026Robinson was a seventh-round pick out of Navy who grew up a Bengals fan, making this moment extra special. He should have a chance to contribute as part of Cincinnati's defensive line rotation during the year.
DT: Ty Robinson, Eagles
In case the Eagles' defensive depth isn't strong enough, Ty Robinson has taken a step forward in his second preseason. Robinson was a fourth-round pick in 2025 who played in 11 games last year, but has displayed his development to the surprise of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Vic Fangio earlier this week on Ty Robinson: "He came to life. He's been on life support since he's been here, but he came to life and hopefully that will continue."
Robinson continues to come to life with his sack of Tommy DeVito on third down.
Robinson was the only player in the NFL to record three sacks in the first two preseason weeks, going along with six total sacks.
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) August 23, 2026DE: Bryan Thomas Jr.
Thomas Jr. popped for the Jaguars' defense throughout the summer, totaling 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles in three games played. The rookie forced his way onto the 53-man roster with that performance, giving him a chance to compete for playing time on the defensive line.
Jacksonville Jaguars UDFA DE Bryan Thomas Jr's Preseason Highlights pic.twitter.com/U1rUepBJgD
— Duval Dive- A Jaguars Podcast (@TheDuvalDive) August 29, 2026Thomas Jr. was an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina who was very productive in his four years in college. His father, Bryan Thomas, was a successful NFL player in his own right.
LB: Red Murdock, Broncos
The Broncos made Murdock Mr. Irrelevant in the 2026 NFL Draft, hoping that the former Buffalo Bulls linebacker can find a role in the NFL. Murdock is the record-holder for most forced fumbles in NCAA history, and he already seems to be finding his footing in the NFL.
Through two games, Murdock produced 14 tackles while playing well for a deep and talented Broncos defense. While there is a lot of competition for playing time in Denver, Murdock has impressed by commanding the defense in the preseason.
Red Murdock had a very promising debut for the #Broncos.
Play strength to fight through screens and exceptional open-field tackling ability highlight his preseason opener. pic.twitter.com/ahMWDvuKyQ
LB: Anthony Hill Jr., Titans
Although the Titans had a pretty underwhelming preseason, linebacker Anthony Hill presented a bright spot on defense. Tennessee took Hill in the second round out of Texas, and Hill immediately showed off why he was a top-60 pick in the spring.
Hill had nine tackles, an interception and a pass defended during preseason games, including a standout performance against the Seahawks. He should get playing time early on a young Titans defense to begin the season.
Anthony Hill Jr. was the best player on the field in Seahawks vs. Titans pic.twitter.com/nKcl1cgYnj
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 24, 2026CB: Beanie Bishop Jr., Bears
Bishop has bounced around the league but should stick on a Bears defense that will need some turnover potential. The 26-year-old secured two interceptions against the Browns in the second preseason game, one against Shedeur Sanders and again vs. Dillon Gabriel.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 15, 2026— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 15, 2026Bishop's two interceptions stand out in the preseason, as very few players have produced multiple turnovers during the summer.
CB: Damar Hamlin, Bills
Hamlin had a really nice performance throughout the summer, ending the stretch as one of three players with two interceptions in game action. Hamlin picked of Steelers quarterback Will Howard first, then followed that up with an interception of Shedeur Sanders.
Shedeur Sanders with a throw a bit behind his target here. Tipped and picked by Damar Hamlin. pic.twitter.com/z9kWuuSFvL
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 22, 2026The performance should allow Hamlin to make the Bills as a depth defensive back option under a new coaching staff.
S: Zakee Wheatley, Panthers
A fifth-round pick out of Penn State, Wheatley has stood out for the Panthers in the team's secondary so far. The safety played in each of Carolina's first three preseason games, totaling 18 tackles while forcing a fumble in the Hall of Fame game against the Cardinals.
Best PFF defensive grades by category vs. AZ in the HOF Game
Overall: Zakee Wheatley* - 88.0 🔵
Run Def: Wheatley - 84.7 🔵
Tackling: Wheatley - 87.4 🔵
Pass Rush: Elijah Garcia - 85.9 🔵
Coverage: Isaiah Simmons - 82.4 🔵 pic.twitter.com/B1dQlurWLV
Wheatley is currently a backup on the Panthers depth chart but could earn playing time over the course of the season.
MORE: Full list of cuts from every NFL team
KR/PR: Jacob Cowing
Cowing was the only returner to score a special teams touchdown during the first two weeks of the preseason, earning him a nod on this team. A fourth-round pick in 2024, Cowing has yet to make a mark in the NFL but could have a chance to contribute this year both on special teams and on offense.
Cowing's return went for 83 yards as he sidestepped the sidelines to find a hole in Los Angeles' coverage unit.
— NFL (@NFL) August 21, 2026K: Trey Smack, Packers
The Packers hope that Smack can be the answer to their kicking problems, and the rookie out of Florida is off to a good start so far. Smack has made all seven of his attempts thus far, including a long of 59 yards and three kicks over 50 yards overall.
Trey Smack nessa pré-temporada:
7/7 em field goals
4/4 em field goals de 50+ jardas
Os Packers acharam seu novo kicker 👀 pic.twitter.com/95UJNNxQjB
Green Bay's special teams unit has been an issue in recent years, so Smack's development is an underrated storyline for the franchise. If Smack can keep this going into the regular season, the Packers will have a new weapon.
P: Brett Thorson, Vikings
Thorson competed with veteran Johnny Hekker during training camp, and he successfully won the Vikings punter job with a strong showing. Of Thorson's eight punts during the preseason, he landed five inside the 20-yard-line with a long of 58 yards and an average of 47.5 yards.
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