NFL predictions: Unlikely stars for all 32 teams entering 2019

Denver Broncos: Khalfani Muhammad, RB

After being drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans, Khalfani Muhammad spent his rookie season on their practice squad but was released the following offseason.

After a very short stint with the Patriots, Muhammad was eventually signed by the Denver Broncos practice squad in December of 2018 and the re-signed to a reserve/future contract upon the season’s end.

Now Muhammad is looking to stick with the Broncos and is making a strong case to do just that.

He has made a name for himself this preseason and has made big plays in multiple different roles.

He leads the team in rushing with 146 yards on 31 carries, he’s second on the team in receptions with 9 and he has returned three kicks with an average of nearly 23 yards per return.

His speed and quick cuts have been on display and he’s earned a spot in that backfield and could see action in 2019 as a return man.

Kansas City Chiefs: Ben Niemann, LB

The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl in 2019 and will need help from each unit to get them there.

While everybody will talk about their star-studded offensive weapons, the defense very well could be the key and one name that has impressed and could be used a lot more this season is Ben Niemann.

Niemann has been everywhere for the Chiefs this preseason and has been a welcomed surprise on a team that needs help at linebacker.

The undrafted second-year player out of Iowa has shown off great instincts and has kept everything in front of him on his way to finishing second on the team in tackles in his three preseason appearance with 15.

His play should lead to him being used a bit more in sub-packages in 2019 and he will see plenty of action on special teams as well.

Oakland Raiders: Nathan Peterman, QB

Don’t look now but everybody’s favorite punching bag in the NFL has had an excellent preseason.

Nathan Peterman has been an easy target for NFL fans to roast after some bad outings with his former team, the Buffalo Bills.

Now in Oakland, Peterman is doing his best to put that behind him and start fresh.

So far so good, as Peterman earned rave reviews for his play in camp and has been accurate and impactful during the preseason.

In four outings, Peterman completed 71% of his passes for 475 yards and threw 3 touchdowns with no interceptions.

On top of that, he’s shown quite a bit of ability with his legs as well. He has 78 yards on the ground, including a 50-yard scamper where he outran several defenders in the process.

The Raiders are set at QB with Derek Carr but Peterman has likely won the backup job, which could be exactly what he needed to get his confidence back.

San Diego Chargers: Adarius Pickett, S

With the recent and unfortunate injury to star safety Derwin James, the San Diego Chargers should be looking closely at guys who will help fill that void while he’s out.

One surprising name that has stood out thus far during the preseason is Adarius Pickett.

Pickett is an undrafted free agent that played his college ball at UCLA, where he was a second-team All-Pac-12 in 2018.

In four preseason games with the Chargers, Pickett has tallied 17 tackles (second on the team) and brought down his first interception in the preseason finale. A play where he showed great patience and read the quarterback the entire play to come down with it.

Pickett is pretty low on the depth chart and is realistically only looking to fill the final spot in the safety rotation but his play should earn him a shot at making the final roster and continuing his efforts towards climbing the ranks.