NFL Preseason Week 2’s 14 Top Standouts

With Week 2 of the 2022 NFL preseason in the books, it’s time to look back at the who’s who of the weekend slate. Here is a list of players—and a few extra—that caught my eye.

Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts

A second-rounder in 2021, Odeyingbo looked unstoppable at times, recording two sacks in Saturday’s loss to Detroit. A rotational sack artist that touts all the traits to consistently push the pocket, he will look to carry his success into the regular season as the Colts eye an AFC South crown. 

Travon Walker, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars

The top pick in April’s draft, Walker was impressive once again for the Jacksonville front four. A powerful man with pterodactyl-like length on the interior, he will only continue to blossom with the more snaps he earns.

Josh Allen and Travon Walker are going to be a lot to handle for a long time in Jacksonville.

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— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) August 21, 2022

Khalen Saunders, IDL, Kansas City Chiefs

A third-rounder in 2019, Saunders’ name has been kicked under the rug since his arrival in Kansas City. He’s totaled just 521 snaps in three campaigns for Andy Reid, but 2022 could be a breakout year for the big man out of Western Illinois. He was dominant Saturday against the Commanders and would be a nice rotational piece for the Chiefs behind Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi.

Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders

For you NFL fantasy gurus out there, grab Robinson Jr. while you can. Antonio Gibson returned kicks for Washington on Saturday and Robinson earned the bulk of the workload with the starters. The RB1 spot looks like his job to lose as we head toward the final week of exhibition play.

Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jacksonville attempted to make life tough on the rookie signal-caller, yet Pickett remained unfazed with extra bodies in his face. The lone first-round quarterback from this year’s class completed six of his seven passes for 76 yards while engineering a fluid two-minute drill that covered 63 yards in 42 seconds. He continues to thrive in game action and has left Mike Tomlin with an awfully tough decision to make as the regular season creeps closer. 

Josh Palmer, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

A product out of Tennessee, Palmer was EVERYWHERE for Los Angeles against the Dallas secondary. Following a 41-yard hookup with quarterback Easton Stick, the former third-rounder added a 16-yard catch a few plays later—and on the following series took a screen pass to the house while dragging a defender the last few yards to paydirt. He looks primed for a breakout campaign working alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Improvement comes with reps, and Lawrence looks like he’s starting to figure it out. He delivered on time and accurately and looked extremely fluid in layering throws over the outstretched arms of defenders. He made it look easy, and it’s exactly what head coach Doug Pederson—and Jaguars faithful—hope will transfer to the regular season. 

James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo didn’t do much wrong against Denver in their 42-15 rout, and Cook joined in on the fun rushing for 38 yards on nearly 10 yards a pop. He looked smooth, explosive, and should jigsaw nicely into a deep Bills backfield.

James Cook meshes so nicely in Buffalo’s O. pic.twitter.com/30bEjZAPDs

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) August 20, 2022

Nick Bolton, LB, Kansas City Chiefs

Bolton was all over the field in his two series of work against Washington. He’s quickly become an anchor at the second level for the Chiefs alongside Willie Gay, and 2022 could be a season we look back on as the year that Bolton became one of the league’s elite three-down linebackers.

Javon Kinlaw, IDL, San Francisco 49ers

Coming off a torn ACL, if Kinlaw is able to pop like he did this weekend, watch out. A man with a frame carved out of sheetrock, Kinlaw looked quick, stout at the point of attack, and looked to have a plan each time he was presented the opportunity to rush the passer. His sack of Kellen Mond could be a sign of things to come. 

Lance McCutcheon, WR, Los Angeles Rams

McCutcheon was outstanding once again. totaling five receptions for 96 yards. While he failed to reach the end zone after amassing two touchdown catches in his NFL debut, McCutcheon has all but locked up a roster spot as a UDFA out of Montana State. He’s been the best preseason story and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him work into targets this fall for Sean McVay’s offense.

KaVontae Turpin, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Dwayne Harris all over again? A former TCU standout, Turpin was electric against the Chargers, returning both a punt and a kickoff for a score. The MVP of the USFL this past summer, talents like Turpin are hard to keep off a roster due to his ability to flip the field in the blink of an eye. Plus, for a Dallas receiver room in search of depth, his speed could present an excellent weapon for Dak Prescott to utilize this season. 

Devon Allen, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

It’s a long trek up a steep slope for Allen who hadn’t buckled a chinstrap in nearly six years before camp this summer, but when you consider the Eagles’ history at the wideout spot and the ‘need for speed’ arms race within every offense across the NFL, he could make the final 53. From the days of DeSean Jackson to more familiar faces in DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, and, cover your eyes Eagles fans, Jalen Reagor, general manager Howie Roseman has never been shy to add guys that can open up the throttle when it comes to perimeter burners. 

Allen could have more than just a fighter’s chance of making the roster if he’s able to recapture his collegiate success and prove to head coach Nick Sirianni he’s more than just a unique story as a blazing pass-catcher. Sunday was a massive step in the right direction as he hauled in this 55-yard touchdown pass from Reid Sinnett.

Devon Allen can flat out FLY. Such a cool story turning in his track spikes for cleats.

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— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) August 21, 2022

Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Are eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in the first half any good? The NFL got cute by allowing Likely to slip to the fourth round, and he will prove to be a dynamic weapon alongside Mark Andrews moving forward. Good luck, opposing defenses.