2026 NFL Preseason

Freethinker said:
Good summary!

I've put this little chart together to help track our running backs that are fighting for roster spots and get PT each game. So I've obviously excluded CMac and Skattebo, as they are being rested. Max Hurleman has only been used as a WR, despite being listed as a RB so I've left him off too. That leaves 10 players, which feel like the most we've had since CF has existed. I think all of these guys can either make their teams (maybe half) while the others will be prio practice squad additions. Its a strong group.

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Thanks for taking the time to make this chart. It's very much appreciated!
 
Leonardfan said:
Sam Scott was cut by the Jets today.
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Bummer. Hoping he can catch on with another team to play in the 3rd preseason with a good enough performance to land on a PS.
Edit: he was waived with injury, so I believe if he’s not waivered he would land with the Jets IR.

On the brightside, safety Tanner Wall was one of the players signed to fill the cut players spots.

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Bucky said:
Exciting Whites
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Here's highlights from the Patriots-Eagles game, which means mostly White highlights. Nice to see even if it's a preseason game.

In addition to all the overachievers scoring TDs and running well, Tommy DeVito looked fast running in this one and had nice touch on his passes.

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I guess the ability to fast in a straight line and jump far and high doesn’t always make for a good tight end.

Round 2: TE Eli Stowers​

Stowers was a high school quarterback who moved to tight end in college. He put on a show at the NFL Combine, where he broke records for his vertical leap (45 1/2") and broad jump (135"). He also ran a 4.51 40. He is undersized at 6'4, 239, but he is an elite athlete.

In college, Vanderbilt lined up Stowers all over the place, trying to create mismatches against slower linebackers and smaller defensive backs. Once he had the ball in his hands, he got yards after the catch using his speed, or by dragging DBs.

So that was the appeal: Elite athlete, high ceiling, some receiving chops.

The downside on Stowers as a prospect was that he was probably more of a big receiver coming out of college, and that he would need to become a much better blocker to become a more well-rounded NFL tight end.

Unfortunately, throughout camp Stowers hasn't shown much to get excited about as a receiver or as a blocker. He has not exhibited the explosive traits that are in his body, he has sometimes looked tentative as a blocker, and he simply hasn't made catches further than, like, 10 yards down the field. The guess here is that Stowers is swimming mentally, trying to learn an offense while acclimating to the speed of the NFL. He's thinking, and not just playing. The hope is that in time he will catch up mentally and begin playing fast.

But for now, Stowers is unplayable, and likely to be a gameday inactive. He is also currently on the shelf with a hamstring injury.

I've been asked if Stowers could potentially be a "redshirt" IR candidate, but I don't see that. The team used a valuable second-round draft resource on him, so they're going to want to give him every opportunity to get better during the season. If he's on IR, he won't be able to practice with the team.
 
Lake McRee with the TD on a TE screen. He might have a chance to make the team, he's had a productive preseason.
 
Will Howard with two short TD passes in the first quarter. He'll play the first half, Allar the second half.

The second TD went to Lake McRee, who's looked good in the preseason but will likely not make the roster.
 
Howard under a lot of pressure, was sacked a few times and threw a pick when McRee apparently ran the wrong route. He threw mostly short passes as the Pitt offense mostly sputtered in the first half despite Howard's two short TD passes, with just 98 total yards.

2026 first round pick Max Inhenachor, a tackle from Nigeria, played for the first time and was predictably bad. The Steelers have taken non-White tackles in the first round three of the past four years, and none have panned out to this point, especially all-time turnstyle Broderick Jones from Georgia.
 
Strong 9 yard TD run by Eli Heidenreich! He converted a couple first downs earlier on the drive with good runs. Hurleman had another nice catch and run, this one of 26 yards. The Steelers offense looks far better starting the second half thanks mainly to Heidenreich and Hurleman.
 
Wetjen with a sweet punt return for a TD!! He had been bottled up all night with no room to run, but used his speed and shiftiness for the TD on this one.
 
The best case scenario for Wetjen this season is that the Steelers use him at least a little as a receiver, and he continues to make some plays, which then contrasts with the ineptness of the two upsiders who are battling to be WRs 3 and 4 (if they do turn out to be inept), causing Wetjen's playing time as a receiver to slowly increase. Injuries would obviously help as well, and Aaron Rodgers makes it very clear when he's unhappy with receivers, and he may be a factor in helping Wetjen see more playing time as the season goes on. A long shot to be sure given the Caste System, but far from an impossibility.

Wetjen being used so little as a receiver at Iowa (just 23 catches in three years) is an indictment of Kirk Ferentz, who while a CF favorite overall, has clear deficiencies when it comes to offense and playing the right talent on that side of the ball.
 
Snow Plow said:
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Floriea ended up having 2 TDs tonight. Not that any of us care which non-White QB starts for the Browns, Dillion Gabriel played better tonight than either the criminal sex pest or the nepobaby. I'd think he should be starting in a "fair" competition but he seems to be clearly behind the other 2 losers.
 
Rams DB Nick Andersen with the fumble recovery on a mishandled ball by Herbert.

@Freethinker what's even funnier about the Browns QBs is that they are currently playing their 4th string all upside QB draft pick and all he is doing is running with the ball. You would think it would be incumbent upon Green to actually try to play QB, go through reads and make throws but his only instinct is one read and run. Some fine QB development there by Monken.
 
Leonardfan said:
Rams DB Nick Andersen with the fumble recovery on a mishandled ball by Herbert.

@Freethinker what's even funnier about the Browns QBs is that they are currently playing their 4th string all upside QB draft pick and all he is doing is running with the ball. You would think it would be incumbent upon Green to actually try to play QB, go through reads and make throws but his only instinct is one read and run. Some fine QB development there by Monken.
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Yea, I'm sure that guy will be a bust too. He never stood out for years in college. Based on his running ability, he looks like he could be a fine gadget player but not a serious QB.

Back to the Rams. Earlier today they traded one of their RBs who was ahead of Dean Connors on the depth chart (Jarquez Hunter). According the Ourlads and BSPN, Connors is now the 4th string RB. Would imagine he has a much better chance of making the team than earlier today.

Currently 6 carries for 29 yards early in the night! A catch for 10 yards. Massively outplaying the black RB Waters who would be his main competition.
 
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Watching the Rams vs Chargers on NFLN right now its clear to me that rookie Ty Simpson is way more developed as a QB than Trey Lance, who is now 6 years removed from being drafted. Simpson looked in control going 18 for 23 for 119 yards and a TD in the first half. Lance was awful. One read and run. Didn't complete a pass and took a sack trying to rollout on a 4th down. He's so bad he's making 3rd string DJ Ukulele look good in comparison.
 
I'm a little worried about the Pats not believing in Lan Larrison. Was hoping to see more from him today but they didn't play him much. He
has the talent but will the coaching staff give him a chance? It's not looking good in my opinion. Hope I'm wrong.
 
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