6 Early Breakout Candidates From the 2024 NFL Preseason
While the scoreboard is irrelevant, don't let the anti-football people tell you the NFL preseason doesn't matter.
The games are significant for players who are looking to prove themselves, whether that be to make the 53-man roster or to carve out a role on the team during the regular season. With clubs finalizing the roster yesterday, here we'll focus on the latter category and dive into six players who were standouts over the last month and are breakout candidates this fall.
To qualify, a player must be entering Year 4 or less this season, hasn't been a full-time starter yet in his career and, of course, had to have a notable performance in the preseason. Also taken into consideration will be their reviews stemming from training camp and potential role on the team heading into the campaign.
Dyami Brown
1 of 6
Coming out of North Carolina three years ago, Dyami Brown was a speedy receiver who had big-play potential. "Brown projects as an outside-only WR who will bring a vertical threat right away to an NFL offense with the room and traits to develop into a very good No. 2 option," his B/R scouting report read.
But the 2021 third-round pick has been disappointing for the Washington Commanders so far, totaling just 29 catches for 476 and three touchdowns in his career. However, that should change heading into Year 4.
Brown only got a handful of snaps in the preseason and managed to haul in five of six targets for 74 yards in two games, including an impressive 42-yard grab where he showed off that 'home run' potential mentioned above. On top of that, the former Tar Heel was a standout in training camp.
"I thought you've seen some big plays from Dyami through this training camp," Dan Quinn said via Zach Selby of the Commanders' website.
"There's actually some in the spring that got my attention, to say, 'Okay what's there?' And his ability to get on top of people and stay. He's got size, he's got length, so there's actually a good play in the one-on-ones that transferred into the game to go."
Brown's recent performance likely played a factor in Washington's decision to trade former first-round pick Jahan Dotson to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. That also should create a bigger opportunity for the fourth-year pro to get more targets as a complementary piece to No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin.
Also, the addition of Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator will allow Brown to play in a system that is similar to the one he became an All-American in at North Carolina. So, look for the wideout to finally break through and have an impressive showing during a contract year.
Velus Jones Jr.
2 of 6
Velus Jones Jr.'s tenure with the Chicago Bears as a wide receiver has been pretty underwhelming. He's racked up just 11 catches for 127 yards and one touchdown during his first two seasons. However, what might have seemed insignificant before this year's preseason is the fact he had 154 rushing yards and a score on 17 carries in 2022 and 2023.
The latter figures might have inspired the Bears' coaching staff to move Jones to running back, where he stood out over the past month. The 2022 third-round pick totaled 25 carries for 158 yards (6.3 ypc) and two touchdowns during the preseason, including an impressive 111-yard performance on just 13 touches last weekend.
He also managed to make a strong impression during training camp by making plays, showing a willingness to learn a new position and to do what's best for the team.
"It's been exciting to see [Velus] with the ball in his hands because he's a dynamic player, we all know that," running backs coach Richard Hightower said via Larry Mayer of the team's website. "With the ball in his hands, he is dangerous. I'm happy that the kid is embracing that role and carrying our Bears essentials and values like we would like him to do."
It's starting to feel like the Tennessee product is following in the footsteps of another former Volunteer wideout—Cordarrelle Patterson.
Similar to Jones, Patterson's first few years in the league as a wide receiver were somewhat unremarkable. Then, he started getting carries out of the backfield and has managed to carve out a 12-year career as a change-of-pace back and kick returner.
The third-year pro is also expected to contribute to Chicago's return game this season, drawing another parallel between him and Patterson.
Austin Booker
3 of 6
Austin Booker is the first rookie to appear on this list, and despite being a fifth-round pick, he projects to make a significant impact on the Chicago Bears' defense. It wouldn't be surprising to see Booker outplay his draft status in Year 1, especially since he was given a third-round grade by B/R's scouting department.
"His combination of length and movement skills give him a high ceiling as a pass-rusher in the NFL," the Kansas product's scouting report says. "...Booker also uses his long limbs well to work the offensive lineman's hands either before or after initial contact. That's a big reason why he's able to win with so many pass-rush moves."
Those pass-rush skills were apparent in the preseason, as he registered 2.5 sacks. Granted, that all came in one game, but he has won consistently over the past month. Pro Football Focus credited him with nine total pressures on just 58 opportunities.
The biggest reasons Booker fell in the draft were because he lacked experience with only one start in college and he's a work in progress against the run. There's no way to expedite the former, but the latter shouldn't be too much of an issue in Chicago this fall.
With DeMarcus Walker in the starting lineup, the Bears don't necessarily need a run defender on the edge. That said, the defense could use a second pass-rusher to complement Montez Sweat. That's where the rookie can come off the bench and make an impact this season.
Even with the front office recently trading for Darrell Taylor, Booker still should get plenty of opportunities in the regular season according to The Athletic's Adam Jahns.
"Booker's development didn't stop the Bears from trading for Darrell Taylor. But coach Matt Eberflus often says that you can never have enough pass rushers," Jahns wrote while listing the edge-rusher as a rookie standout in training camp.
"Booker seemingly improved every day in camp. He already has several moves in his arsenal. My favorite is his spin. You saw it in the preseason. The Bears might have found a late-round gem."
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Derick Hall
4 of 6
Coincidentally, the Seattle Seahawks trading Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears is part of what makes Derick Hall a breakout candidate this year. Hall didn't get many opportunities as a rookie, making no starts and participating in just 26 percent of Seattle's defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.
However, Taylor's departure combined with Uchenna Nwosu's injury that is expected to sideline Nwosu for two to six weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, should lead to more playing time for the second-year pro.
On top of that, Hall showed a ton of growth during the preseason with nine pressures on 38 pass-rush opportunities and eight "defensive stops" on 63 total snaps, via Pro Football Focus. That resulted in a 79.5 overall grade from PFF with marks of 77.9 against the run and 73.8 as a pass-rusher during the preseason.
So, the arrow appears to be pointing up for the Auburn product, and he's caught the eye of the Seahawks' new head coach Mike Macdonald.
"I'm glad that he's improved his entire game as a football player," Macdonald said (h/t Jeremy Brener of Seattle Seahawks on SI). "You can play him all three downs. His fastball is power on the edge, so use it. It's okay to do things that you're good at and then have a changeup.
"...I think you've seen the power and then how we're running our games and how we're kind of rushing four as one. I think he's generating a feel for what we expect and the timing of some of the movements and things like that."
Nick Cross
5 of 6
Coming out of Maryland, Nick Cross had the makings of being a well-rounded safety.
"Cross is a good defender who has the athletic ability to defend the pass along with the physicality and strength to hold his own in the run game," the former Terripan's scouting report read. "He will need to continue to work on his pass coverage in the NFL, but he's able to play the pass from all levels. He has the skills to be a potential starter."
But that hasn't come to fruition yet for the 2022 third-round pick. He's logged just four starts over the past two years and has been on the field for 11 percent and 25 percent of the Indianapolis Colts defensive snaps in those respective seasons, per Pro Football Reference.
However, the safety's performance in the preseason suggests the switch has finally flipped for him.
Cross earned an 83.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in three games this summer, showcasing the ability to be the well-rounded safety mentioned above with marks of 76.8 against the run and 75.3 in coverage.
One potential reason for that is Indianapolis has been playing him at free safety more often, which also made a difference in his performance during practice. "One switch the Colts made was to keep Nick Cross at free safety and Julian Blackmon at the strong spot," the Indy Star's Nate Akins wrote.
"They rotated the two against the Cardinals, which might have led to some of the issues with passing off zone assignments. Cross did not allow any explosive plays and showed a better ability to react to where the ball was going earlier [at free safety]."
Heading into the season, the third-year pro is listed as the starting free safety on the team's depth chart, so there are plenty of signs pointing toward him having a breakout campaign this fall.
Kris Abrams-Draine
6 of 6
Kris Abrams-Draine is the second rookie to appear in this column and, coincidentally, another fifth-round pick. Like Austin Booker, Abrams-Draine has the makings of someone who will outplay his draft status, especially since B/R's scouting department gave him a fourth-round grade.
"Abrams-Draine has plenty of upside and has an NFL skill set, but he will need to continue to develop his body," the Missouri product's scouting report read. "A high-end developmental player, he has the opportunity to play within the first few years of his career. He may be best suited for a scheme fit, but he does provide some versatility within most defenses."
Part of the versatility that the former Tiger displayed in college is the ability to cover out on the boundary and over the slot. That will be crucial this season as he could have a role off the bench for the Denver Broncos.
While the Broncos seemingly have their starting cornerbacks in place with Patrick Surtain II, Ja'Quan McMillan and Riley Moss, one injury can often ruin a secondary in the NFL. So, Abrams-Draine's ability to line up at multiple spots could help the rookie see the field in the fall and, if his preseason performance is any indication, he'll be ready for action.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 22-year-old was targeted 10 times in three games, surrendering just 16 yards and a passer rating of 39.6 while forcing three incompletions. That resulted in an 86.0 coverage grade, the third-highest among rookie cornerbacks.
So, it might be a while until Abrams-Draine's number gets called, but don't be surprised if he steps up and stands out when it does.
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