Redskins vs. Ravens: Tyrod Taylor and 5 Potential Stars of the Future

The third NFL preseason game is generally the game when each team shows off its starters the most.

However, there will still be some time for the Redskins and Ravens to show off some hidden gems, while there are also some starters who are at the stage in their careers when they are learning for the future.

Here is a list of five players to watch tonight.

Tyrod Taylor

Tyrod Taylor was very good in the Ravens opening preseason game despite being hindered by the performances of his teammates.

As a former Virginia Tech standout he will always draw comparisons to Michael Vick as far as his physical skills go. Taylor has the strength and speed to play other positions in the NFL, but he looks to have the mechanics and accuracy to play in the NFL also.

He is unfortunate in that he is playing for a franchise that is set at the quarterback position for the next few years despite Flacco's contract qualms.

Taylor likely won't see a huge amount of exposure tonight, but you can expect at least a quarter of quality play from him.

Ryan Kerrigan

The fact that the Ravens and Redskins will feature more starters tonight than backups, there is little point in delving into the performances of Leonard Hankerson and Roy Helu respectively—though Helu could see extended time after last week's performance.

Kerrigan has so far been impressive for the Redskins. He and fellow former first-round pick Brian Orakpo could become one of the most disruptive pair of outside linebackers throughout the whole league.

Bryant McKinnie likely won't feature tonight after so little time with the Ravens, so Kerrigan can look to take advantage of Jah Reid on the right side of the Ravens line as Oniel Cousins is still going to play right guard.

Terrence Cody

Terrence Cody has very big shoes to fill in the center of the Ravens' defensive line, both figuratively and literally.

Cody is being looked to to step up and replace the departed Kelly Gregg, as the team's nose tackle this year. The nose tackle position in a 3-4 defense is vital and the good play of Gregg has been a big reason why Ray Lewis has continued to be effective into his late thirties.

The former second-round pick had shown enough leading into this season to warrant the team releasing Gregg, but he will need to prove his consistency tonight and over the coming months.

Trent Williams

Trent Williams may not be a rookie or an unknown quantity but he still has a lot to prove.

Despite a solid showing as a rookie, Williams is expected to be an elite NFL tackle after his draft position and the inevitable comparisons to Ryan Clady. Tonight, he will get another chance to mark his continued development, with Terrell Suggs looking to take over the game.

His second season should be an eye-opener and will go a long way into determining whether he is the next Ryan Clady or Ryan Harris. He's already shown enough to be a decent left tackle, but Clady is on a level of his own. Joining him will be tough.

Ed Dickson

The Ravens need Ed Dickson to show something tonight as he has been outplayed by Dennis Pitta to this point in the preseason.

Both tight ends should feature during the regular season, but the team expects more from Dickson as he is likely to be listed as the starter.

The Redskins have a strong spine to their defense with hard-hitting safeties and tough linebackers; Pitta proving his resilience and talent against those types of veteran players would be huge for his confidence and development.

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