One of the best parts of the NFL preseason is finding the complete out-of-nowhere stars that start to make a name for themselves. While not every player will be able to translate this into regular season success, the following five players have impressed with their limited playing time and could earn larger roles than even their own teams expected.
5 Out-of-Nowhere Preseason Stars
Aidan O’Connell
The battle for the Las Vegas Raiders backup quarterback job was not supposed to be interesting. Jimmy Garoppolo is the unquestioned starter, but Brian Hoyer, an established veteran with experience in the system, should have been the ideal QB2. However, after two weeks of preseason action, that might not be the case. Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell has set the world on fire, completing 26 of his 36 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns through the first two games of preseason action.
While O’Connell has only played against third- and fourth-string defenses, the rookie looks calm, collected, and poised, which is honestly more than you can say about Hoyer. If this keeps up, don’t be surprised if one of the biggest stars of the preseason starts the season as Jimmy Garoppolo’s direct backup.
Shane Buechele
Patrick Mahomes will never lose his starting job, but every legitimate Super Bowl contender needs a backup quarterback capable of keeping the ship afloat for a few weeks in case of an injury. Prior to the start of the preseason, that somebody was probably going to be Blaine Gabbert. However, after the past two weeks, preseason star Shane Buechele could be pushing for the backup job.
The quarterback had a phenomenal game last week, completing all 10 of his pass attempts for 105 yards while finding the endzone on a 15-yard rushing touchdown. This wasn’t an outlier, as he played well against the New Orleans Saints during the preseason opener. While Gabbert is still the favorite to win the backup job, Buechele has performed well enough to make it interesting.
Shane Buechele on the move! pic.twitter.com/Mlz8ZWLJbr
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) August 20, 2023
A.T. Perry
A.T. Perry had a relatively quiet game against the Los Angeles Chargers, recording three receptions for 22 yards while most of the starters didn’t play. However, that shouldn’t take away from just how good he was in his NFL debut. Perry was one of the biggest preseason stars of Week 1, hauling in all six of his targets for 70 yards and a touchdown. Both his coaches and quarterback commented on his impressive day, and he should start the season as the third or fourth wide receiver on the depth chart.
Elijah Dotson
Elijah Dotson set the world on fire in his NFL debut. As one of the biggest stars of the preseason, Dotson made a phenomenal first impression, recording 92 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to repeat this feat in Week 2, as he recorded just 21 yards on six carries. However, seeing as the Chargers running back depth chart is wide open, he could still secure a roster spot with a strong performance in Week 3.
#Chargers UDFA RB Elijah Dotson with a HUGE breakout game in his NFL preseason debut.
6 carries, 92 yards, 2 TDs pic.twitter.com/3xjkejFt0L
— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) August 13, 2023
Kayshon Boutte
The New England Patriots love spreading the wealth on offense, and Kayshon Boutte has not seen too many snaps in the preseason. However, the rookie sixth-round pick has played incredibly well when given the opportunity. During Saturday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers, the preseason star hauled in both of his targets for 47 yards and a score, including an impressive 42-yard touchdown grab in which he outran the entire defense. New England’s offense isn’t exactly loaded with playmakers, so don’t be surprised if Boutte ends up playing a sizable role in New England’s passing attack.
