The NFL preseason has officially come to an end, and with the regular season starting in less than two weeks, all 32 teams are faced with important roster decisions.

The deadline to trim rosters down to 53 players is fast approaching this Tuesday night. While many positions are already filled, teams still have a little time to finalize the remaining spots.

The last week of preseason, with starters and key backups mainly sidelined or seeing minimal playtime, turned into an opportunity for young players to showcase their skills. Although the stakes might not have seemed huge, several noteworthy winners and disappointments emerged during this past week:

Key NFL preseason winners for Week 3

Carson Steele

This might just be an intriguing story from August, or it could signal that Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has discovered another asset that could bolster their offense led by Patrick Mahomes.

Undrafted free agent running back Steele wrapped up a strong training camp and preseason with an impressive performance, running for 50 yards and a touchdown on just four carries against the Chicago Bears on Thursday. His 31-yard run was exciting but just shy of the end zone; however, he quickly followed it up with a touchdown on the next play, showcasing his capabilities.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid mentioned that the team is still assessing Steele, but his recent performance solidifies him as a solid contender for a roster spot. Standing 6-0 and weighing 228 pounds, Steele, who scored 14 rushing touchdowns last season at Ball State before moving to UCLA, presents a strong short-yardage and goal-line option and could also be utilized in some offensive packages as a fullback.

Omar Speights

Most undrafted free agents typically give it their all in the final preseason game in hopes of making an impression, but linebacker Speights didn’t even need to play during the Los Angeles Rams’ matchup against the Houston Texans on Saturday. Per general manager Les Snead, Speights is assured a spot on the Week 1 roster following a standout summer, especially with his performance in run defense.

It may be premature to expect Speights to replicate Ivan Pace’s success from last year, as Pace started 11 games for the Minnesota Vikings as a rookie. However, Speights is poised to become a contributor and has the opportunity to shine on special teams. Should the Rams decide to trade linebacker Ernest Jones—who mentioned he hasn’t requested a trade despite trade rumors—Speights may see significant playing time on defense right from the start.

Tyreik McAllister

For players who lack a significant history, special teams often represents their primary—if not only—path to the NFL. McAllister, once facing long odds, has built a persuasive case to remain with the Las Vegas Raiders due to his contributions on special teams.

Having played running back at Division II Charleston and leading the Canadian Football League in kickoff returns last season, McAllister electrified the field with an 81-yard punt return touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers. He later showcased his skills with a well-timed reception on an underthrown pass, which he then took 32 yards into the end zone. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce confirmed that this standout performance left a lasting impact. Regardless of whether he secures a spot on the Raiders’ roster, it’s clear McAllister is now on the NFL’s radar.

Isaac Guerendo

Though a hamstring injury sidelined the fourth-round running back for much of the 49ers’ training camp, Guerendo brought back some excitement with a remarkable 93-yard kickoff return against the Raiders, the longest of the preseason.

This strong showing likely establishes him as the top candidate to return kicks for San Francisco throughout the upcoming season. At 6-0, 221 pounds, and clocking in at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Guerendo could become a significant threat with the league’s evolving kickoff format, given his impressive speed and strength.

Tony Jefferson

Shifting focus from rookies, let’s highlight a veteran making a comeback.

After his productive career as a starting safety was cut short by injuries, Jefferson hung up his cleats in 2023 and transitioned to a scouting intern position with the Baltimore Ravens, one of his former teams. Now, he’s attempting to return to professional play, joining Jim Harbaugh in his first season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Jefferson made an impressive final statement in preseason, logging two interceptions, a sack, and forcing a fumble against the Dallas Cowboys. While making the initial 53-man roster may still be a challenge, the veteran has shown he has the potential to be a valuable asset during the regular season.

Russell Wilson

In what has been a quarterback competition lacking excitement this summer, Wilson seems to be taking the lead after coach Mike Tomlin labeled him as the one in “pole position” for the starting role. Although Tomlin refrained from announcing a starter following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Detroit Lions, Wilson’s early exit after guiding the offense on a five-play touchdown drive might indicate that he’s secured the QB1 spot. While Justin Fields had moments of promise, he again struggled with mistakes, which Tomlin has been vocal about. Wilson’s official naming as the starter later this week appears likely.

Spencer Rattler

After the Denver Broncos drafted Bo Nix at the 12th overall pick, a record-breaking 138 selections passed before another quarterback was chosen, leading to Spencer Rattler being picked by the New Orleans Saints on the third day of the draft. This gap left some, Don’t count out the South Carolina quarterback just yet. Rattler has shown remarkable progress during the preseason, reiterating his potential as a skilled passer. His standout moment came with a precision 21-yard touchdown throw to wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, leading to four scoring drives that highlighted his leadership skills. How this performance impacts his competition with Jake Haener for the backup spot behind Derek Carr remains to be seen, especially as Saints coach Dennis Allen has recently praised Haener’s practice performances. Nonetheless, Rattler’s prospects look promising as he approaches his rookie season.

Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers supporters might still feel uneasy about the progress of the 2023 No. 1 draft pick after just one preseason series. However, considering the rough start to his rookie year, any positive signs from new head coach Dave Canales and his staff are certainly welcomed. Young completed 6 out of 8 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills. His most impressive moment was on a fourth-and-3 play when he escaped the pocket, moved left, and connected with wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a 17-yard gain.

NFL preseason losers for Week 3

Trey Lance

The Dallas Cowboys’ third overall pick from the 2021 NFL draft received ample playing time in the preseason finale against the Chargers, which is critical for a quarterback with only 102 career passes over three seasons. Despite this, Dallas still appears hesitant to hand him the backup role, especially after investing a fourth-round pick in the trade with the 49ers last year.

Saturday evening illustrated the difficulty Lance faces. He showcased his talent with a 46-yard touchdown run and another passing score, yet the five interceptions he threw, including a pick-six after being tackled by an undrafted linebacker, are concerning. Lance’s decision-making, particularly during the turnovers, left much to be desired.

Owner Jerry Jones has confirmed that Lance will secure a spot on the 53-man roster, but it seems likely that Cooper Rush will take the No. 2 spot behind Dak Prescott. The main issue for Dallas lies in timing. Developing Lance, who is in the final year of his contract after the team declined his option, requires more meaningful playing time, but such opportunities may be rare on a team focused on immediate success, potentially sacrificing long-term progress.

Vikings’ 2022 NFL draft class

Defensive players from the Vikings’ 2022 draft class, including safety Lewis Cine, linebacker Brian Asamoah, and cornerback Akayleb Evans, are under evaluation and may face cuts or trades following their performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. The situation escalated over the weekend when cornerback Andrew Booth Jr., a second-round pick traded to the Cowboys earlier in August, allowed a 78-yard touchdown to the Chargers’ Simi Fehoko. The Vikings are likely starting to cut ties with this draft class, and Tuesday could mark a significant turning point.

Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye

How can both quarterbacks in a competition be viewed as losers on the same night? For players in New England, it’s tough to label anyone unfortunate enough to play behind this offensive line as a true winner. After being sacked due to a defensive end breaking through, Brissett exited Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders with what coach Jerod Mayo suggested was a minor shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Maye managed to complete 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown, despite facing poor protection.

Mayo’s comments indicating that Maye is “the second-best quarterback on our roster right now” imply Brissett will likely start if healthy. Nonetheless, with the current state of the offensive line, which has struggled with penalties, any quarterback might find it challenging to maintain their position long-term. If the line doesn’t improve soon, New England could hesitate to place Maye, the No. 3 overall draft pick this April, in a challenging situation early in the season.