The preseason concludes this weekend and the regular season commences Sep. 5. The past month has provided insight into expectations for players entering their first NFL season.
Gazing into our crystal ball, here is the Preseason NFL All-Rookie Team: Quarterback Williams is one of the most exhilarating young players in the NFL right now. He may prove to be more volatile than Denver's Bo Nix, but situation matters and Chicago is flush with supportive talent. The offensive line is adequate and the pass catchers are elite whereas there are more concerns with New England and Washington, for example.
Running back Running back is difficult to project because there is not a Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs that have both the talent and the opportunity. Brooks was my No. 1 rated running back in the 2024 NFL Draft but he is returning from a torn ACL suffered in November.
Although rehab has gone well, the Texas product is expected to miss one and potentially more games. However, if he eventually returns as the feature back behind an offensive line that signed two of the most expensive offensive guards eligible for free agency, then his carry share should not be all that different from someone in a platoon situation elsewhere. For example, Buffalo's Ray Davis and Miami's Jaylen Wright immediately came to mind as contenders given how well they performed in the preseason.
Davis will share time with James Cook and the Dolphins are drowning in running back depth with Raheem Mostert, De'Von Ach.