The final week of the NFL preseason has been completed, as plenty of players around the league had one last chance to play their way onto an NFL roster. While some players are battling for that active roster or practice squad check, some starters did play in Week 3 of the preseason in one final tune up before the games count in two weeks.
There were some intriguing developments in Week 3 of the preseason, as evidenced in the winners and losers segment this week. Who helped their stock with their teams? Who hurt it?
Young finally played in the preseason after the Carolina Panthers sat him the first two games. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick looked the part of a starting quarterback in his one series, completing his first five passes and leading the Panthers on a 12-play, 85-yard touchdown drive — culminating with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Matthews before departing.
That might have been the Panthers’ best offensive drive in the Young era, and perhaps a sign of things to come with head coach Dave Canales. Young is automatically better under his tutelage.
The Philadelphia Eagles ended up playing Smith in their preseason finale with the second-team players, but the 2023 first-round pick didn’t showcase much. Smith struggled to get pressure on the quarterback against backup offensive linemen who may not make the Vikings roster, while Julian Okwara — who is a player on the roster bubble — was productive and consistently in the backfield.
Philadelphia’s edge rushers are developing into a concern, and Smith’s production is going to be key in 2024. Based on training camp and Saturday’s preseason finale, the expectations may have to be tempered for Smith.
The San Francisco 49ers always seem to churn out good running backs thanks to Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. Guerendo was worth monitoring when San Francisco selected him in the sixth round, a combination of size and speed that can…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-preseason-winners-and-losers-for-week-3-bryce-young-shines-in-debut-trey-lance-doesnt-help-his-case/
Author : Jeff Kerr
Publish date : 2024-08-26 11:32:30
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
