NFL Preseason 2018: 6 Unsung rookies dominating thus far

The 2018 NFL preseason is almost done and we’ve picked out the best of the bunch so far in the first two weeks of the preseason. 

It’s not difficult to go unnoticed by the NFL media and fans when you’re a Day 3 pick or undrafted free agent. The preseason is where some of these players earn their keep, however. Their time to shine is the limited four-game exhibition slate we often take for granted.

For a number of teams, Week 3 of the preseason is the “dress rehearsal” for the starters, which means less playing time for the rookies who didn’t hear their names called on the first two days of the draft.

However, these six unsung rookies have been standouts for their respective teams up to this point.

6. Jerod Fernandez, LB, Washington Redskins 

Turn on a Redskins game and you’ll see one player jump off the screen on defense: Jerod Fernandez. Right now, he’s pushed far down on the depth chart and starting is not in his immediate future. Nevertheless, the Fernandez has done enough to warrant a spot on the team.

In his first game against the Patriots, he finished with six tackles. He came back the following week with a monster game against the Jets. Fernandez flew around the field, wreaking havoc and ending up with six tackles and two sacks.

The undersized inside linebacker could find himself going from UDFA to core special teams player in Washington. If he continues to shine, a team in desperate need of linebacker depth could trade for him as well. No matter what happens, Fernandez’s play has proven the NFL isn’t too big for him.