10 NFL Players You’ve Probably Never Heard Of Who Are Dominating The Preseason
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The NFL is not an easy league to compete in, as competition is always intense with rookies, superstars, and veterans all competing to earn that elusive roster spot on an NFL team’s 53-man roster. While many of our favorite big names continue to make headlines during the preseason, there are quite a few under-the-radar guys making names for themselves and will likely earn that coveted final roster spot in 2026.
Even if some of these guys end up getting cut from their current rosters, they will find another chance on another NFL team’s roster and flourish under their offensive or defensive systems.
Which no-name players have played well in the 2026 preseason?
Malachi Fields
Fields was drafted in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft and is already making a nice impression on the field for the New York Giants by hauling in three receptions for 34 yards and scoring a touchdown in their preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
If Fields makes the Giants’ final roster, he’ll be an excellent endzone threat who can catch touchdowns over opposing defensive backs, thanks to his six-foot-four frame, and can move the chains effectively.
Not to mention, Fields is an effective blocker, resembling how a tight end blocks, and he can play special teams and logged a tackle during coverage.
Pro Football Focus graded Fields with a 90.3 after the first preseason week, which was the highest among wide receivers.
Fields would make an excellent WR2 on the Giants roster opposite Malik Nabers and could become a new favorite passing target for Jaxson Dart in the 2026 regular season.
On top of that, veteran competitors at the position on the roster like Darius Slayton and Calvin Austin III have struggled to command targets during their 2026 preseason reps, which further opens the door for Fields to earn that coveted final roster spot and make an impact during the regular season.
Keshawn Banks
Banks has bounced around the NFL and had a brief stint with the Orlando Storm of the UFL, and currently finds himself on the Falcons’ roster competing to earn a final roster spot for the regular season.
Banks played in 24 high-level snaps in the first week of the preseason and earned an elite 90.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. He had two tackles and a quarterback hit.
During his 2026 season with the Storm, Banks had 24 tackles and five sacks. He also helped the team earn an 8-2 record and appeared in the UFL playoffs before they lost to the DC Defenders.
With Jalon Walker out with a torn ACL and James Pearce Jr. suspended for eight games, it opens the door for Banks to not only make the Falcons’ 53-man roster but potentially earn a starting role on defense if he continues to thrive.
Even though he doesn’t have the traditional box stats with multiple sacks, Banks is a constant pressure generator who can square off against the best opposing offensive linemen in the NFL.
If Banks continues to play as he did for the Storm, he can make a tremendous impact for the Falcons’ defense during the 2026 season.
Kamari Ramsey
Ramsey was drafted in the fifth round by the Houston Texans during the 2026 NFL Draft and has been turning some heads during the preseason.
He played 14 snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers and did not allow a reception when acting as the primary defender, earning him a 94.8 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Ramsey showcased exceptional route recognition and playmaking instincts by jumping on a slant pass from Trey Lance in the red zone, intercepting it, and returning it for 40 yards. He also had two pass deflections in the game.
Ramsey’s football IQ has received praise as he blended seamlessly into the Texans’ incredibly productive defense by demonstrating his versatility lining up as a deep safety or down the nickel route.
The Texans kept Ramsey out of their week two preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders; he likely locked up a roster spot for the upcoming regular season, thanks to his dominant performance against the Chargers.
Ramsey will contribute nicely to the Texans’ already talented backfield during regular-season action.
Matthew Hibner
The Ravens drafted Hibner in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he’s shown some excellent contributions so far in the preseason.
Hibner caught five receptions for 61 yards in his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, including a 29-yard reception on the second play of scrimmage.
Pro Football Focus graded him a 92.6, one of the highest offensive rookie grades, thanks to his 7.6 yards after catch per reception.
Hibner was quiet during the Ravens’ second game against the Minnesota Vikings, but he still has work to do to earn the TE2 spot in the starting lineup against fellow rookie Josh Cuevas, who had three receptions for 46 yards in the Ravens’ 13-3 win.
If Hibner finishes the preseason on a high note, he’ll likely earn the starting TE2 role opposite Mark Andrews and have his blocking and catching skills nicely utilized in offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s schemes.
We can’t wait to see what else Hibner does with the Ravens during the preseason and potentially into the regular season.
Nadame Tucker
Despite being an undrafted rookie, Tucker has been leaving his mark in the preseason, showing elite bursts, high motor energy, and game-changing pass-rushing skills.
During practices, Tucker has won one-on-one drills against offensive linemen and recorded standout multi-sack practices during training camp.
Although Tucker hasn’t generated many tackles in the Chargers’ preseason games, he did register a crucial quick-pressure rate against the 49ers’ quarterback Adrian Martinez, forcing him to throw an interception to Junior Colson, who returned it for a 16-yard pick-six. Tucker had a 14.3 percent pressure rate in the game.
Tucker co-led the NCAA in sacks in the 2025 season with 14.5 sacks alongside David Bailey, as his relentless play style is forcing his way to potentially secure a spot on the Chargers’ 53-man roster.
He has elevated his stock under Chargers’ defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary, who was also Western Michigan’s defensive coordinator during his 2025 season, as he’s turned a long-shot roster bid into an intense battle for one of the final edge-rusher spots.
If Tucker earns that coveted final roster spot, he’ll continue to flourish and learn from O’Leary and veterans like Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu.
Alijah Clark
Second-year safety Alijah Clark has earned significantly more playing time during the 2026 preseason and stepped up with a strong performance by recording six tackles against the Arizona Cardinals in week two of the preseason.
Clark is continuing to step up for the Cowboys’ secondary following prominent injuries to Zion Childress, who’s dealing with a hamstring injury, and Julius Woods, who’s dealing with a concussion.
Clark recovered quickly from an early camp ankle issue to play significant defensive snaps to secure his roster spot.
Clark’s roster bid heavily relies on his elite “all-dawg” and aggressive play style that he brings on defense and special teams.
Clark’s versatility as a nickel-safety hybrid and his outstanding preseason production have put him in a fantastic position to fully secure a spot on the 53-man roster by the August 30 roster cuts.
It should be very exciting to see Clark unleash his lateral quickness and aggressive downhill tackling during the upcoming regular season for the Cowboys.
Jacob Thomas
Undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas has been playing some outstanding football for the Vikings so far this preseason, as he looks to potentially earn a spot on the team’s final 53-man roster for the upcoming regular season.
Thomas earned a 92.2 grade from Pro Football Focus after his performance in week two of the preseason, where he had six tackles and a pass deflection against the Baltimore Ravens, even though the Vikings lost 13-3.
Thomas has capitalized on injuries and vacancies on the Vikings’ roster, transforming his outlook from a training camp longshot to a guy who’s a strong candidate for the final 53-man roster.
In week one of the preseason against the New York Giants, Thomas made a spectacular interception by tracking Brandon Allen’s deep ball pass down the sideline. Oh, and the Vikings won that game 13-10.
Due to third-round rookie Jakobe Thomas dealing with a back injury, Thomas stepped up in joint practices against the Ravens and earned first-team defensive snaps and flourished in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ three-safety packages.
On top of that, Jamal Adams suffered a season-ending right knee injury in the team’s preseason game against the Giants, further opening the door for Thomas to claim a roster spot for the upcoming regular season.
Jonah Coleman
Fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman has been turning some heads during the preseason for the Broncos, having a strong debut during the team’s week one preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. He rushed for 24 yards on four carries in the game, showing good vision, patience, and yards-after-contact ability.
Coleman impressed coaches by cleanly identifying and picking up a free rusher on a passing play during the game, which built upon his reputation as a reliable third-down back from college.
However, in week two of the preseason against the Green Bay Packers, Coleman rushed for nine yards on three carries.
Despite the quiet second preseason game, Coleman is doing whatever he can to compete for the rotational backfield spot behind J. K. Dobbins in 2026.
Coleman has a “bowling ball” dynamic to his performance, as he plays with a low center of gravity by using an effective spin move and brute power against defenders to gain extra yards after contact.
Not to mention, Coleman has shown great patience in waiting for blocks to develop before executing sharp jump cuts when finding open lanes.
Head coach Sean Payton has noted during training camp that Coleman does not carry himself like any other rookie, as he catches on to advanced pass-protection schemes faster than most young running backs, and has paved his way to a regular-season role.
Rayshaun Benny
Benny has turned heads during the Ravens’ preseason by combining advanced technical maturity with immediate on-field impact, playing his way into final roster consideration despite being a seventh-round pick.
Benny played very well for the Ravens in their week two preseason matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, recording a sack on Carson Wentz, a quarterback hit, and a tackle for loss in the Ravens’ 13-3 victory.
19-year veteran Calais Campbell has praised Benny’s work ethic, noting his low pad level, great hand technique, and constant questions during meetings, adding that he is “already kind of advanced for most rookies.”
Benny has an edge in transitioning to the pros, as head coach Jesse Minter was Michigan’s defensive coordinator when they won the 2023 College Football National Championship game, a team Benny was a part of.
Because of that, he understands Minter’s system and schemes ahead of the 2026 regular season.
Despite playing fairly well and earning praise during training camp practices and meetings, Benny has a long way to go, as he faces immense competition from other defenders like Nnamdi Madubuike, Campbell, and Travis Jones.
Benny’s performance in the preseason has made him a prime candidate to either lock down a final roster spot on the Ravens or be a highly coveted asset on another team needing a young edge rusher.
Athan Kaliakmanis
Rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has been a very pleasant surprise during the preseason, as he’s been outperforming expectations and putting himself in a position to secure the third-string quarterback role for the Washington Commanders.
During the first preseason so far, Kaliakmanis completed six of 10 passes for 87 yards in the Commanders’ 20-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins and completed 11 of 14 passes for 162 yards in the team’s 17-13 loss against the Detroit Lions.
Even though Kaliakmanis hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass yet, he hasn’t thrown an interception, earning him a 114.9 passer rating so far.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn and analysts have praised Kaliakmanis’ poise under pressure and steady command of the offense, as he provides a reliable, traditional pocket-passing presence behind Jayden Daniels and backup Marcus Mariota, who is out due to an injury.
Despite finishing his final college season with a 5-7 record, Kaliakmanis completed 229 of 368 passes for 3,124 yards and threw 20 touchdowns against seven interceptions with the Rutgers Scarlett Knights.
On top of that, Kaliakmanis has earned a 90.8 grade from Pro Football Focus through his first preseason games and has for sure locked down the QB3 position with the Commanders for the upcoming regular season.
