2018 NFL Preseason: Biggest Rookie Standouts So Far

The 2018 NFL preseason is underway. While teams continue to shuffle their depth charts, fans are enamored with how the current rookie class is looking.

It certainly hasn’t taken long for some of them to get going. One game, real or not into their careers and they’ve already managed to create a buzz. This is welcome news for their respective fanbases, but it’s hard to determine which ones have stood out for the right reasons. So here are a few names that managed to separate themselves from the pack, less because of the pure numbers and more due to their impact and long-term possibility.

Baker Mayfield (QB, Cleveland Browns)

He’s the #1 overall pick, so something like this should be expected. Now Mayfield wasn’t great all the time in his debut, missing on a lot of passes. However, he finished with 212 yards and two touchdowns without an interception while making some truly impressive throws. He looked exactly like the player that Cleveland believes can finally end the years of torment at that position. It’s looking like there won’t be any time spent on the bench.

Kerryon Johnson (RB, Detroit Lions)

The Lions haven’t had a reliable running game for years, putting the entire onus on Matthew Stafford to carry the offense. Something he’s done to the best of his abilities. If this team is going to become a true contender though, they need to balance things out. Kerryon Johnson was drafted to do just that. Going for 34 yards on seven carries in his debut was a welcome sign that he can be the feature back they can feed to keep defenses honest.

Javon Wims (WR, Chicago Bears)

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The Bears have been so focused on that other draft pick out of Georgia that it’s been easy to overlook how well the other one has played. Javon Wims, their 7th round wide receiver has looked tremendous so far this preseason. He has nine catches for 95 yards. What’s most intriguing is that six of those catches resulted in a first down for the Bears offense. The kid is big, strong, and quicker than he looks. They might have something there.

Rasheem Green (DE, Seattle Seahawks)

Few teams have cultivated pass rushers quite like the Seattle Seahawks have over the past few years. It looks like they did it yet again with defensive end Rasheem Green. The USC standout delivered 1.5 sacks in his first game action while also making seven tackles. Scouts said he had immense upside but needed to learn more about how to play like a true defensive end. He couldn’t have gone to a better team for that mission.

DeShon Elliott (S, Baltimore Ravens)

People got their first glimpse of the playmaker DeShon Elliott could be when he and Texas took it to Sam Darnold and USC last season. The Ravens apparently never forgot that, making sure to grab him in the draft. Seems their memories served them well. Elliott is making himself right at home in that loaded Baltimore secondary. Not only does he have eight tackles but also a forced fumble and a recovered fumble. It will be fun to see how he progresses for them.

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