Rod Streater and 5 Emerging Unknowns of the NFL Preseason

One of the best parts about the NFL's preseason is the opportunity for buried players to showcase why they deserve a roster spot. Every August, a relatively unknown player makes a name for himself by taking the lid off preseason chances. 

It has only been one week into the 2012 preseason, but we already have a number of candidates for such a player. 

In the following slides, we break down five mostly unknown players who have begun making a name for themselves through one week of exhibition play.

Rod Streater, Raiders

On a night when both offenses struggled mightily—the final scoreline was Cowboys 3, Raiders 0—Streater was one of the lone bright spots. The undrafted rookie out of Temple caught six passes on eight targets for 66 yards, leading both teams in each category. 

Streater's performance Monday night was more of a continuation of the strong camp he's had in Oakland. He's seen reps with the first-team because of injury, and coach Dennis Allen has been complimentary of his 6'3", 200-pound rookie throughout much of camp.

He's not pushing to be a starter in this offense, but a role as the No. 4 receiver is certainly within his grasp. 

Cole Beasley, Cowboys

Beasley has had an interesting camp, to say the least. After coming on strong early, Beasley quit the team because of personal reasons. 

However, he's since reconsidered that decision and returned, and the plays followed him. 

According to ESPN Dallas, Beasley worked his way into the Cowboys' starting three-wide receiver set after Miles Austin went down with injury. 

"

He quit for a couple of days only to return and work his way into the first-team three-wide receiver package with Miles Austin out because of a hamstring injury. He has done nothing but make plays in whatever circumstance. Can he do it against another team?

"

Beasley failed to catch one target Sunday, but there was little success found in the Cowboys' passing game. He did return one punt for 16 yards without incident. Keep an eye on Beasley as the Cowboys' preseason continues on. 

Roberto Wallace, Dolphins

With Chad Johnson out of the picture in Miami, Wallace is making the case to be one of the Dolphins' starting wide receivers. 

Mostly a special teams player over his first two NFL seasons, Wallace caught four passes for 71 yards in the Dolphins' preseason win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Friday.

Now, according to Amando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Wallace is getting time with the first-team offense. 

"

He had a fine game in the preseason opener Friday night. He was rewarded by running with the first team offense on Sunday. This is his opportunity to shine.

"

Salguero also warns that this could be Wallace's last chance at sticking with the Dolphins. But so far, so good for the 26-year-old receiver.

Alfred Morris, Redskins

Momentum seems to be gaining for Morris in Washington's crowded backfield. 

Days after Morris rushed for 54 yards on 15 carries during the Redskins' 7-6 win over Buffalo, head coach Mike Shanahan praised his rookie running back from Florida Atlantic.

From CSN Washington:

"

You can see he’s got good running skills and he’s got that forward lean. He’s got good instincts. It’s going to be fun to see him over the next three games, see if he still plays at a hard level.

"

Peter King of Sports Illustrated also chimed in on Morris, stating that the 23-year-old back could win the job eventually. 

"In time, I could see sixth-round pick Alfred Morris from Florida Atlantic winning the job -- if he blocks well," King wrote Monday. "Good one-cut runner, improving receiver."

Don't sleep on Morris, especially in a backfield managed by Shanahan. Anything can happen.

Bobby Rainey, Ravens

Undrafted out of Western Kentucky, and stuck behind the likes of Bernard Pierce and Anthony Allen in the Ravens' backfield, Rainey started to build his case for being Baltimore's backup to Ray Rice on Thursday.

Rainey carried 10 times for 29 yards and caught three passes for 28 yards and a score against the Atlanta Falcons. He also tallied 76 return yards. That kind of versatility could give him an edge over the likes of Pierce and Allen, especially in the passing game. 

On his touchdown reception, Rainey caught a short screen and cut back against an over-aggressive Falcons defense for the score. With more impressive showings like Thursday, the Ravens might be hard-pressed to keep him off this roster.