The NFL preseason is the best time to evaluate a lot of rookies before they begin their NFL careers.
We saw a handful of players have huge performances over the three preseason games.
This is the time for many undrafted players to show that they belong on an NFL team.
Also, it gives the higher drafted rookies a chance to secure their role on the team that drafted them.
Some of these players are already locked into established roles and some still have plenty of work to do before they get meaningful snaps in the regular season.
But, here are three rookies that had huge performances in the preseason.
Skylar Thompson, Quarterback, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins took a chance on Skylar Thompson from Kansas State in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He looks to be paying dividends after an incredibly impressive preseason performance.
Thompson completed 36 of 48 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns.
He threw zero interceptions in those three games and had a QBR of 138.4.
.@MiamiDolphins seventh-round pick @skylarjthompson showed why he deserves a roster spot in his preseason debut. 📈 pic.twitter.com/6K8O0F4DnK
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2022
Thompson made the Dolphins’ 53-man roster and will be the third-string QB behind Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater.
While he will most likely not play at all this season, it was hard not to be impressed with how he performed.
Completing 75% of your passes against any competition is quite impressive.
It will be interesting to see how his career moves along from here but he has a chance to be a quality backup in the league.
Anthony Brown, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens scooped up former Oregon quarterback, Anthony Brown, as an undrafted free agent.
He has done nothing but impress in his short stint in the NFL.
Brown played in all three of the Ravens’ preseason games and put up huge numbers.
He completed 35 of 47 passes for 464 yards and three touchdowns.
Also, he had the second-best quarterback rating behind Thompson at 117.7.
Despite his efforts, the Ravens waived him on Tuesday.
But, he should get another opportunity in the NFL.
Either as a part of the Ravens’ practice squad or on another team’s active roster.
This should not be the last we see of Brown in the NFL and he has earned the right to get another shot after his great preseason.
Lance McCutcheon, Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams might have found another small school wide receiver gem in Lance McCutcheon.
The Montana State product was the best receiver throughout the preseason.
He reeled in 15 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns in three games.
.@mccutcheonlance is a GROWN MAN 💪
📱: Stream #LARvsLAC on NFL+ https://t.co/uWNvagtj6A pic.twitter.com/V8kHTDWvlK
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2022
His 86.3 yards per game were the most of the entire preseason.
The Rams already have Cooper Kupp, who came from a small school in Eastern Washington.
Now they can add McCutcheon to that list.
The undrafted free agent made the Rams’ 53-man roster but is expected to be buried on the depth chart.
If an injury were to occur to the receivers ahead of him we may get a chance to see McCutcheon get an opportunity.
But, to at least start the season, his play will be secluded to special teams.
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