NFL Preseason: 10 Backups Who Look Ready for Primetime

2011 NFL preseason is in full swing, and now is the time for young players to show what they've got.

As teams assess what their strengths are, they will also become ever aware of the holes they still need to fill.

Fortunately for weaker NFL teams, they can almost always fill a weak spot through free agency or trades - for the right price.

Some teams (i.e. Green Bay, New England) are very strong and deep in many positions. The depth will put these teams in an excellent position to accumulate young talent, or better yet, draft picks.

So what backups are ready to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight?

Let's find out what guys are ready for Prime-time.

QB Matt Flynn, Green Bay Packers

Matt Flynn, for those of you that don't already know, is Aaron Rodgers' backup in Green Bay.

Because he is behind such an elite QB on the depth chart, he likely won't see the field as a starter unless Rodgers gets injured.

In 2010, Flynn started for the Packers against the New England Patriots when Rodgers went down for a week with a concussion.

Against the Patriots, Flynn threw 23 completions on 37 passing attempts for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns. Though the Packers lost 31-27, Flynn played very well against a stout Patriots team.

This preseason, Flynn has thrown for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 66.7.

As a backup, Matt Flynn has been impressive thus far. Because the Packers already have their clear franchise QB in Aaron Rodgers, they owe it to themselves and to Flynn to see what they can get for a player that could be a starter for many NFL teams.

WR Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears

For the upcoming season, the Chicago Bears have Johnny Knox and Devin Hester listed as their starting wide receivers.

While I don't argue that Knox is hands-down the Bears best WR, Hester shouldn't even be on the field unless he's returning kicks. That, in combination with the fact that the Bears picked up WR Roy Williams, pretty much means that 2010 starter Earl Bennett is getting the shaft in Chicago.

I would argue that among all of the Bears' receivers, Bennett is the most deserving of the starting spot opposite Knox.

In 2010, Bennett was the Bears' third leading receiver behind Johnny Knox and RB Matt Forte. He recorded 46 receptions for 561 yards and 3 touchdowns. Averaging 12.2 yards per reception, he ranked fourth amongst Bears leaders.

Statistically, Bennett should be the starter over Hester. Given the fact that there are so many teams in need of quality WRs, Bennett could absolutely be in a position to step back into the spotlight where he belongs.

DE Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are known for having a strong defensive line.

With Ray Edwards' departure for Atlanta, the starting left end spot was left open for a battle between Brian Robison and Everson Griffen.

Before Griffen was even given a chance, Robison has spent the entire training camp and preseason with the first team. Griffen, however, has completely outplayed Robison in the two preseason games so far.

While the statistical differential is only two tackles, Griffen just presses the pocket better while coming very fast off the edge. Griffen's speed combined with that of Jared Allen on the right side would be a very high motor defensive line.

Griffen should beat out Robison for the starting spot, but if he doesn't, I think it would be because of his two offseason arrests (and tasing).

Either way, Griffen is ready for a starting role after spending his rookie season behind Allen and Edwards. If he can't start for the Vikings, there certainly are other teams that would be fortunate to have him coming off the edge for them.

WR Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts list their 2011 starting receivers as Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon. Barring a serious concussion in 2010, I think Austin Collie would have been starting alongside Wayne instead of Garcon.

In two seasons with the Colts, Collie has totaled 118 receptions for 1,325 yards and 15 touchdowns.

If Collie's concussion doesn't continue to hold him back, he can return to being Peyton Manning's go-to-guy (that is, If Peyton plays).

Collie has shown that he can be a big time receiver and probably will be soon enough. If his injury doesn't hold him back in 2011, I think that he is one current backup that is certainly ready for prime-time.

RB Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville Jaguars

Arguably the only consistent thing the Jacksonville Jaguars have going for them (other than missing the playoffs) is RB Maurice Jones-Drew. MJD is perennially one of the best RBs in the NFL and even played the entire 2010 season with a torn meniscus.

Needless to say, I don't think backup Rashad Jennings is going to get the starting job any time soon. That's not to say, though, that Jennings couldn't get a starting job somewhere.

In his two-year career with Jacksonville, Jennings has rushed for nearly 700 yards and 5 touchdowns. Not too shabby for a seventh-round draft pick.

Jennings has played pretty well in his short career thus far. After an already solid preseason showing, I think Jennings could be ready for a starting gig somewhere that doesn't already have an established RB.

QB Ryan Mallett, New England Patriots

One of the biggest story-lines of the 2011 NFL Draft was how far Ryan Mallett slid down the draft board.

After Mallett's first preseason showing, I think he made the teams that passed up on him regret doing so.

Even though Mallett is the least likely of all 2011 drafted QBs to receive a starting role, he is perhaps the best equipped to be an NFL starter.

In his first showing, Mallett completed 12 of 19 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. On each of four drives that Mallet played, the Patriots were able to score in their 47-12 thumping of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Mallett demonstrated poise and composure in the pocket and got the ball to his receivers.

Until Tom Brady retires from the NFL, Mallett won't be a starting QB for the New England Patriots. I think the Patriots' reason for drafting him was to groom him and eventually trade him anyway.

Though Mallett probably isn't completely ready to be a starter for an elite team, he could start for any young team searching for a long term QB.

The Arkansas product was ready to shine coming out of the draft. Preseason has only showed his superiority over his fellow 2011 draftees. He should be able to step into the spotlight soon.

QB Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans

Jake Locker is sort of an exception on this list. I don't think that he would be ready to start for any team other than the Titans.

That statement is based purely upon the fact that Locker has completely shown up Matt Hasselbeck in the preseason up to this point and that he seems to have the fans 100% behind him.

He has shown that his accuracy isn't as much of an issue as previously thought, and that he can take a broken play and turn it into a big gain (i.e. Minnesota Vikings).

Locker seems to already be a fan favorite in Tennessee and is doing everything right in regards to becoming the franchise QB.

If the Titans aren't able to hang on to star RB Chris Johnson, who is seeking a contract extension, Locker will not only become the franchise QB in Tennessee, but THE GUY for the Titans.

The inevitability of Locker becoming the starter in Tennessee has me questioning: why not just start him now?

Once Locker gets his feet under him a little bit more in the NFL, this guy is going to be ready for the spotlight and for prime-time football.

QB Charlie Whitehurst, Seattle Seahawks

I think it's safe to say the Tarvaris Jackson got paid way too much in Seattle.

Head coach Pete Carrol claims that Jackson never got a fair shot in Minnesota to be the starter that "he can be."

The fact is, however, Jackson got more than one opportunity to prove his worth and completely fell on his face. The only reason Jackson even got the starting job is because Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrel Bevell just finished an unsuccessful stint in Minnesota with Tarvaris Jackson.

Though I feel bad for Seattle's fans who are expecting so much this year, it will be fun to watch this organization throw away a whole season with T-Jack under center. That is, unless they come to their senses and start backup Charlie Whitehurst.

When Matt Hasselbeck wasn't going to return to Seattle, the Seahawks brought in Whitehurst to fill the role of starting QB. It was a complete slap in the face when the team decided to give the job to Jackson.

This preseason, Whitehurst has completely outplayed Jackson (no surprise there), showing composure and the actual ability to complete passes.

Hopefully, this organization will come to its senses soon and go with Whitehurst, because the kid deserves to start somewhere.

WR James Jones, Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are known for their strong passing attack. They are, and have been for a while, very deep at wide receiver.

Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are still the definite starters, which leaves James Jones, Jordy Nelson, and Randal Cobb as the backups. Any team would be lucky to have a receiver corps as deep as this one; in fact, I think that some of their backups could be starters for other teams.

That list begins with James Jones.

Jones was a free agent in 2011 before resigning with the Packers to return to his backup role.

If he had explored the market a little more, I think that he would've found a starting role right there in his own division. All three of the other NFC North teams would have started Jones if he'd signed with them, but instead he chose to return to the defending champs.

I think Jones is physically ready for primetime, but he clearly doesn't have the self-confidence.

He'll be a sure starter soon.

RB Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders' biggest strength, right now, is in their run-game. Darren McFadden is working himself into the top 10 rushers in the NFL and back-up Michael Bush isn't too bad either.

Though McFadden is the clear No. 1, Bush has worked himself into the rotation very nicely. In 2010, Bush ran for 655 yards and 8 touchdowns.

I think that if Bush wasn't in McFadden's shadow, he would still have success as an NFL rusher.

For a team like the New York Giants, Bush could excel as a starter. At 6'1" and 245 lbs, Bush can use his size to beat defenders; he would be a great addition to a team that needs a spark on the ground.

I think Bush is good enough that he doesn't need to be in McFadden's shadow anymore. He's ready for prime-time, and I imagine that he'll be there soon.

What do you think?

Thanks for reading.

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