Ranking the Most Impressive Preseason Performers So Far

We're just about halfway through the 2015 NFL preseason.

As of this morning, 10 NFL teams have played two exhibition contests. There's a full slate on tap for Saturday as well.

But who's been the most impressive performers of the preseason to date? Which stars have shined? Which scrubs have opened eyes and climbed depth charts?

If we looked at it purely statistically, this list would be a who's who of "who?" After all, the NFL's leading rusher entering Week 2 of the preseason is Senorise Perry of the Chicago Bears.

Guess Matt Forte should pack his bags.

Still, by looking at the efficiency of the snaps that players did get, we can at least assemble a subjective list of the top performers of the 2015 NFL preseason.

A list just like this.

9. Frank Clark, DE, Seattle Seahawks

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

There wasn't a player in the 2015 NFL draft who started his professional career under a darker cloud than Michigan defensive lineman Frank Clark. Given the domestic violence charges that led to his dismissal by the Wolverines, there was talk that Clark had no business playing in the NFL at all.

Still, the Seattle Seahawks rolled the dice, picking Clark in the second round, a move Clark told Bill Bender of the Sporting News surprised even him:

"

I was surprised because of what I'd been through, and I got drafted so high. I've always known I was a good talent. I knew I was good. I've got a lot of confidence in myself, but at the same time for the Seahawks to take that chance on me...

"

So far, the 6'2", 273-pounder has made the most of that second (and likely last) chance. In the Seahawks' first preseason game against the Denver Broncos, Clark led the team with nine total tackles, forced a fumble and had a sack that was nullified by a penalty.

In the Seahawks' second exhibition Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs? A fat bag of nothing. But statistically speaking, such is life up front.

With no margin for error, Clark's next couple of weeks of practice and performance could literally determine if he ever plays an NFL down that counts.

8. Martavis Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

There may not have been a more hyped young receiver in the NFL this year than Martavis Bryant of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015.

OK, so maybe Brandin Cooks of the New Orleans Saints.

The hype surrounding Bryant took a hit, though, when Markus Wheaton, and not Bryant, was listed as the starter opposite Antonio Brown on the Steelers' official depth chart.

Of course, it didn't take long for Bryant to remind us of his big-play potential. In the Steelers' preseason loss to Jacksonville, Bryant showed his game-breaking speed, hauling in a 44-yard touchdown bomb from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

And yet that grab (and Bryant's play) earned only a B-plus from Bucky Brooks of NFL.com: "Bryant is an intriguing player with an impressive set of skills. Already slated for a big role as a deep threat, he could crack the Steelers' starting lineup by demonstrating more attention to detail as a route-runner."

Wow. Tough crowd.

7. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Dating all the way back to rookie minicamp, there's been something of a love-in going on in the Motor City. Show me a report about rookie running back Ameer Abdullah, and I'll show you a glowing one.

And the lovefest kept rolling right into Week 1 of the preseason, where Abdullah ripped off 67 yards on only seven carries, including a nifty 45-yard scamper.

Passions cooled a bit when he played only seven snaps against the Washington Redskins, gaining seven yards on two totes.

However, head coach Jim Caldwell insisted to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that all is well where Abdullah is concerned: "There was circumstances within the ballgame, just kind of the flow of things and how they go. There'll be games like that, particularly when you're only playing a limited amount of time."

Still, through two games, Abdullah has averaged more than eight yards per carry. Everyone loves that.

Well, everyone but Lions starter Joique Bell, who may find himself watching Abdullah from the sidelines come Week 1.

6. Ryan Shazier, ILB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Ryan Shazier in the first round in 2014, hoping that the wildly athletic former Ohio State star would bolster the team's inside linebacker corps.

Instead, he suffered through injuries in a disappointing rookie year.

However, head coach Mike Tomlin told Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated that he's counting on Shazier to help ignite the team's defensive overhaul in 2015: "This transition is going to allow a new group to form and guys to ascend. You can’t rush that. It happens through time, and I’m interested in watching it develop as we push through this journey that is the 2015 season."

Burke, for his part, feels Shazier is up to the task: "Shazier may possess the most raw talent of anyone currently on Pittsburgh's defensive two-deep. If he stays healthy and taps into that potential this season, the Steelers will be far more formidable."

If Shazier's 13 total preseason tackles is any indication, he is tapping away.

5. Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington Redskins

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Here we go again.

Last year, Kirk Cousins was pressed into service as the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins when Robert Griffin III got hurt.

Things started out quite well, but as the turnovers added up, the shine wore off, with Cousins eventually getting benched in favor of Colt McCoy.

Ouch.

Well, it's a new season but the same story. In Thursday's preseason win over the Detroit Lions, Griffin took a number of big shots, suffering a concussion and a shoulder stinger, per ESPN.com's John Keim.

Enter Cousins, who completed eight of 12 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Granted, that came against Detroit's second-team defense, but Cousins told Jacob Feldman of the Washington Post he was simply making the most of the opportunities he was given: "You’ve got to evaluate what you’re given a chance to do, and if that’s the opponent you’re given, then you’ve got to make the most of it. And I think the good thing is the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to do that."

As Cousins mentioned, it's the second straight game in which he's looked sharp in relief, as he completed 12 of 14 passes against the Cleveland Browns the week before. Both performances carried passer ratings in excess of 110, per NFL.com.

Quarterback controversy, anyone?

4. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has something of an edge on the other players on this list. After all, he was afforded an extra bite at the proverbial apple when the Vikings played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame Game.

However, there's no denying that whether it was against the Steelers or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bridgewater has made the most of his limited playing time this preseason.

His line so far is 11-of-14 passing, 120 yards and a passer rating well over 100. Those are not eye-popping numbers, but they're hardly anything to sneeze at.

As offensive coordinator Norv Turner told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Bridgewater's work ethic has been impressive:

"

He got a lot of adversity early, and I have been with young guys and that was too much for them and it really set them back and took them a while to recover. Teddy thrived on it.

He kept working harder and getting better, and then when we got better around him, he started playing with confidence. And probably the best thing about him was, under duress a lot of the time, he showed great accuracy.

"

That improvement in all aspects, from leadership to accuracy, has been evident in the preseason.

If it keeps up? Look out, NFC North.

3. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills

David Richard/Associated Press

When the spring began, the general belief was that the battle to start at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills was a two-horse race between veteran Matt Cassel and third-year pro EJ Manuel.

Well, someone neglected to inform the third horse.

Now, as Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com reported, it's Tyrod Taylor who has staked his claim to be the Bills' Week 1 starter:

"

Tyrod Taylor did his best to win the Buffalo Bills' starting job on Thursday. Now it's up to Rex Ryan to make a decision, even if he doesn't appear to be in a hurry.

Taylor played the entire first half of Buffalo's 11-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns, completing seven of 10 passes for 65 yards. He also led the team in rushing with 41 yards on four carries.

Taylor passed the eye test. He delivered some nice throws on third down, showing calm in the pocket. He also created plays out of nothing with his legs. That is going to impress Ryan, who has a fondness for mobile quarterbacks.

"

Granted, Ryan has made it no secret he's in no hurry to make a decision under center. "Right now, I think I have three quarterbacks who can play," Ryan said, per Rosenthal.

But it's also no secret that Taylor has outplayed Cassel and Manuel to date. If Taylor gets the nod as the starter for the all-important "dress rehearsal" preseason game next week, we may have an answer, whether Ryan wants to give one or not.

2. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Matt Ryan's first preseason drive went about as well as such things can go. The 30-year-old carved up the Tennessee Titans with six completions in six tries for 86 yards, including a 13-yard scoring strike to Julio Jones.

Ryan told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com that the play-action concepts instituted by new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan paid big dividends against the Titans:

"

Obviously, the play-action is huge. When you can get it going and you make the defense defend the run, it opens up some lanes kind of in the back end. Worked perfectly [Friday night]. Got the linebackers to suck up and then had some space behind there. And Julio ran a great route and made a great catch. It was a big play for us.

"

Ryan followed that up with another surgical performance against the New York Jets. Five attempts. Four completions. Seventy-five yards. And another score.

Is it Week 1 yet?

1. Eric Berry, SS, Kansas City Chiefs

Matt York/Associated Press

Because Eric Berry does.

Football is a game. It's a brutal game. A game played by men at the very peak of physical condition. A game played by men who make tens of millions of dollars.

But it's a game.

Cancer is not a game.

Not even a year ago, Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He literally did not know if he would live or die.

Friday evening, he took the field against the Seattle Seahawks.

That's your top performance, right there.