The NFL preseason offers a slight glimpse of what to expect for the season. There will be highly touted rookies the world will get to watch, and there will be veterans who have switched teams, and household names who have stayed on the same team but were part of a coaching change. Every NFL team has some intrigue in the preseason, but here are the 10 players to watch for the 2026 NFL preseason.
10 Players to Watch for the 2026 NFL Preseason
10. WR Cyrus Allen, Kansas City Chiefs
Allen was a fifth-round pick by the Chiefs back in April and has been making waves at camp. Allen has been working with the first team offense in KC, and in a lackluster receiver room, Allen could emerge as a go-to guy for the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes.
9. QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
Ward was the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and, with a new coaching staff, will look to improve upon a tumultuous rookie season. During his rookie season, Ward’s head coach was fired, and the Titans were often outmatched with every team they played. With Robert Saleh in the fold and former head coach Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator, big things will be expected of Ward.
8. DT Dexter Lawrence, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals traded a top-10 pick to land the All-Pro defensive tackle from the New York Giants, and he is expected to help transform the Bengals’ defense as the Bengals look to return to prominence in 2026.
7. WR Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
Beckham Jr. was signed by the Giants as they were looking for offseason help in the midst of dealing with the injury to standout Malik Nabers. Beckham Jr. will be looking to make a strong impression on the Giants organization, as his roster spot is not guaranteed. So, Beckham Jr. will certainly need to show up and show out.
6. RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
Not only will Love be a player to watch in the preseason, but he will also be one to keep an eye on in the regular season. Love was the third-overall pick back in the draft in April as one of the highest drafted running backs ever. He will be looked at to pay immediate dividends for the Cardinals.
5. WR Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens
Lane, a USC Trojan standout drafted in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, has been turning heads at Ravens camp. Lane has consistently made plays daily, so much so that longtime beat reporter Jamison Hensley of ESPN said he had never seen a rookie have the training camp Lane has had in his 27 years covering the Ravens. Lane will be a player to keep an eye on this preseason.
4. QB Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders
Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion, will get reps in the preseason even though he will not be the week one starter. Mendoza has been learning behind Kirk Cousins, and the Raiders have made it clear that, even though Mendoza is the top pick, the plan is for him to sit this season and learn.
3. QB Ty Simpson, Los Angeles Rams
Simpson and the Rams made waves back in April when the Rams selected Simpson 13th overall in the draft out of Alabama. The pick shocked the NFL world as the days leading up to the draft, Simpson wasn’t quite a Lock to be a first-round pick. The Rams looked at him as an eventual successor to Matthew Stafford and decided to take him with their highest first-round pick.
2. QB Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
Murray was named the starting quarterback over former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Murray will be learning a new offense and will be looking to get the Vikings back on track after a down 2025 season.
1. QB Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
The second-year quarterback is currently in a quarterback battle for the top spot with veteran Deshaun Watson. Both players have been exchanging reps with the first-time offense, with neither quite pulling away with the job. Sanders will need a strong preseason showing so that he can go into the season as the unquestioned starter for the Browns.
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