The 2022 NFL preseason is officially in the books. All 32 teams are now aiming to finalize their rosters and prepare for Week 1. That doesn’t mean the final pre-season games were unimportant, though. Here’s a look at the main takeaways from each team’s latest exhibition action:
Andy Isabella could yet emerge. The former second-round speedster was quiet for three seasons in the NFL, but he had 115 yards against the Titans. Could he stay, with DeAndre Hopkins’ suspension looming?
Desmond Ridder is not ready yet. But neither does the setup around it, and that may be true for a while. The rookie QB was hot and cold on a straight day for the Atlanta offense despite a win over the Jaguars.
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Anthony Brown belongs as QB3. The undrafted Oregon product dazzled as both a jammer and big-play thrower against Commanders, seemingly giving Baltimore another young double threat under center.
They need a bettor. Obvious, yes, but after sitting down hard and then cutting Matt Araiza in the wake of his alleged misconduct off the fieldthey can’t go into the year with Matt Barkley as a regular special teams starter.
Baker Mayfield is ready. His shoulder is intact, his throws are zipped and he spreads the ball. He better be ready too, given that Sam Darnold is now unavailable for the foreseeable future.
The defense must be strong. It would have been a decent bet with Matt Eberflus taking over, but even without top starters they managed with Jacoby Brissett and the Browns to record an encouraging win.
Evan McPherson is still that guy. The kicker was a perfect three-for-three on field goal tries as Cincy’s red zone offense stalled against the Rams. His star is still rising on the special teams scene.
The offense could have big repercussions. Not just because Deshaun Watson is suspended, but because Jacoby Brissett is yet to take a live match rep with the full first-team roster. His debut, their preseason finale, was uneven.
Dan Quinn apparently still has his touch. Despite resting big names, the Dallas “D” racked up the big plays against the Seahawks, totaling five takeaways to ensure a close game.
They are built to perform. This was already evident based on their front, back and outfield personnel, but it was confirmed against the Vikings, with Mike Boone going wild from limited ranges to headline their attack. .
Dan Campbell can have a defense. Or at least a semblance of one, compared to last year. The starting unit kept the Steelers out of the end zone early Sunday, despite some great shots from Mitch Trubisky.
Tyler Goodson deserves touches. If Matt LaFleur is ready to rely more on the ground game after Davante Adams, the undrafted rookie could fit in as No. 3 behind Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon after a shady night against the Chiefs.
Dameon Pierce is ready to be RB1. If not now, then soon. The Florida product wasn’t the only rusher to gain yards against the 49ers, but he was the team’s most consistent line mover in that position.
Sam Ehlinger is safe and sound. Undrafted rookie Jack Coan had an accurate late shot in Week 2 of the preseason, but Ehlinger led a pair of goals against the Buccaneers and showed his legs to secure the QB spot. #3.
They have tough decisions at the receiver. Seriously. Tim Jones went for over 100 yards in the Final, but Trevor Lawrence’s late-2021 favorite Laquon Treadwell also scored. Laviska Shenault Jr. is also on the brink. Someone has to go.
They have underrated weapons. Tyreek Hill’s departure will be the big story all year, but tight end Matt Bushman emerged against the Packers, and rookie receiver Skyy Moore also showed his speed and vision on special teams.
Patrick Graham has some duct tape to lean on. His defense, despite resting most of the regulars, snuffed out the Patriots’ starting offense, knocking Mac Jones off his mark and helping Las Vegas to an easy win.
Joshua Kelley is ready. To handle RB2 duties behind/alongside Austin Ekeler, that is. The veteran reserve translated a solid summer into a productive day against the Saints, even though the offense only managed 10 points.
Lance McCutcheon is probably a lock. The Montana State product was the team’s leading receiver again against the Bengals, and general manager Les Snead has since all but confirmed the rookie will make the final roster.
Tyreek Hill is their focal point. Mike McDaniel made a point of involving the speedster early against the Eagles, having Tua Tagovailoa unload a deep shot on the first play and then connect again with wide on the same drive.
This is the time of KJ Osborn. The third-year wide was already due for a bigger role in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, but with reserve Bisi Johnson now sidelined with another ACL tear, he’s even more important in that position. .
Their staffing choices could doom Mac Jones. Hyperbola? Maybe not, given that Jones was visibly and rightly frustrated with their miss of an outing against Raiders backups, with Bill Belichick still letting old, non-offensive assistants run the show.
The O line is now a concern. Substituting Terron Armstead at left tackle was going to be tough enough. Now rookie Trevor Penning, the hand-picked successor, is out indefinitely after needing surgery for a foot injury.
Kenny Golladay is on a thin layer of ice. Maybe not in terms of a place on the roster because of his contract, but at least on the depth chart. He played 14 snaps against the Jets despite other starters sitting out, and coach Brian Daboll didn’t guarantee his job afterwards.
Denzel Mims could have commercial value. The former second-rounder sat out days after requesting a relocation, going for 100 yards on seven catches and also entering the end zone with a diving score against the Giants.
They will probably only keep two QBs. Youngster Reid Sinnett had a promising Week 2 but fell to the Dolphins, leaving Gardner Minshew as the only likely replacement for Jalen Hurts entering the new year.
They have a tight call to make to QB. Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett both made the most of their pre-season opportunities, posting a nice touch behind an uncertain line. Do the Steelers prefer the experience or the rise?
Trey Lance will have growing pains. Not that it’s unexpected. But the new starting QB failed to get San Francisco on the board before retiring against the Texans, making San Francisco fans eager for action.
DeeJay Dallas has his work cut out for him. With Chris Carson retired and Kenneth Walker knocked out, the veteran substitute is set to see a big boost in touches as the healthiest ball carrier in Pete Carroll’s heavy attack.
Tom Brady is doing very well. Each of TB12’s seasons in Tampa Bay, he hit his stride within the year, when it counts. In limited action against the Colts, he connected with Julio Jones and looked perfectly at home on the court.
Treylon Burks is still a bit of a mystery. And yes, his rookie year hasn’t even started yet, but his performance at the Cardinals was complete: an early injury, a promising touchdown and no more questions about his availability for 2022.
Sam Howell has the guts to steal a job. Probably apparent for a while, but like Taylor Heinicke, he’s playing with fire. The rookie wasn’t perfect against the Ravens, but he pulled through a few losses and turned them into big wins.