8. Ty Simpson
The Los Angeles Rams drafted quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the draft as an heir apparent to reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford. The NFL world ridiculed the Rams for the selection. It seems like Simpson had the last laugh following the first week of preseason.
The rookie quarterback completed 21 out of his 25 (or 84 percent) passes for 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his first NFL action. While there is a long way to go in proving the Rams right with the draft choice, it was a masterful appearance. At minimum, it does not seem like Simpson was as bad a move as once believed by the overarching NFL community.
9. De’Zhaun Stribling
The San Francisco 49ers had themselves a bit of a head-scratching draft as well. Some say the team reached on players and took positions they did not need. Enter De’Zhaun Stribling.
The rookie wide receiver led the team in receptions and yards in the first preseason game. The timing could not be any better for the 49ers, either, as the team is dealing with a wave of injuries early on in training camp and is currently without its top three projected receivers (and Ricky Pearsall will miss the entire season). If nothing else, Stribling proved that he can handle the pressure of being a top target in San Francisco if he is needed to step up in that capacity, and potentially played himself into a starting role.
10. Jonah Coleman
Speaking of playing oneself into a starting role as a rookie, Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman had himself an outing on Friday. The first-year runner may have only run six times for 24 yards, but it did look impressive. Coleman showed a burst and was a shoestring tackle away from busting off a big run on several occasions.
That is not the only thing worth mentioning about his play, however. The Broncos are currently without JK Dobbins, who led the team in rushing last season, and are, potentially, looking at players who can step up in his absence along with sophomore running back RJ Harvey.
What did Coleman make of the opportunity? Well, he only got reps with the starting offense and outplayed Harvey, who ran five times for 16 yards. It is only one game, but there is a world in which Coleman can play himself into the starting running back job, even if only temporarily, in Denver if he continues to play like he did on Friday night.
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