Four under-the-radar players to look out for in pre-season
For a lot of NFL fans the pre-season is merely time for a few warm-up games. The star players feature in a couple of drives and then head to the bench. However, for other players this can be the most important step in their career. This is a time where they can make the team or be cut, where a starting spot can be secured or lost.
Here we take a look at some players that (almost) every NFL fan should be hoping plays well in pre-season.
Jaylen Twyman – Defensive Tackle, Minnesota Vikings
Twyman is not a name most NFL fans will recognise. Even some Vikings fans will be unsure of who he is. Twyman has an inspirational story though. A defensive tackle drafted in the 6th round out of Pittsburgh, Twyman was called a draft steal by some.
Unfortunately, his career got off to this worst possible start. The young player almost lost his life after being involved in a shooting. He is miraculously able to play football again and will hope to gather some attention in pre-season.
He has already been receiving high praise for his performances in training camp.
Every NFL fan should be rooting for Twyman and hoping that he reaches stardom.
Javon Kinlaw – Defensive tackle, San Francisco 49ers
Another defensive tackle, another inspirational story. Kinlaw become a fan favourite before draft night due to people learning about his childhood. He spent a large portion of his youthful days homeless after moving to the USA from Trinidad and Tobago. He was selected in the 1st round with the 14th pick.
Kinlaw has only played 18 games through 2 seasons and recorded just 1.5 sacks in that time. This is down to injury struggles.
Production like this may have pushed Kinlaw down the depth chart, but the potential is still there. If he can dominate in pre-season it will be a big boost to his future career.
You can see what a unique athlete he is from the following video.
Efe Obada – Defensive Tackle, Washington Commanders
Efe Obada – Washington Commanders
As an NFL fan from the UK, nothing makes me happier than seeing British people in the league.
One of the more successful players from the UK is Efe Obada, who went undrafted in 2015. Since then he has been on several teams. He is best known for his time in Carolina where he recorded 7.5 sacks between 2018 and 2020.
He signed for the Commandeers this past off-season but is currently a 3rd stringer on the recent depth chart. Whilst there is tough competition in front of him on a stacked defensive line, Obada has shown he has the skillset to contribute in the NFL.
The 2022 pre-season is as important as ever for the Brit. A poor showing could lead to him being cut and searching for another new team.
Whilst I may have some biases towards a fellow countryman, it is important for the NFL to start developing more international players. Obada is in the right spot for this due to his close relationship with head coach Ron Rivera.
Laquon Treadwell – Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
NFL fans will remember Treadwell as being one of the biggest draft busts from 2016. The wide receiver had barely any production for the Vikings, the team who drafted him. His time in Atlanta was a failure.
But he has since found some more successful in Jacksonville, where he had his best year in 2021. Whilst his numbers were not extraordinary, they are trending in the right direction.
In training camp Treadwell has developed some chemistry with young QB Trevor Lawrence. He has become one of his favoured targets.
Considering Treadwell was almost out of the league a few seasons back, this is a phenomenal turnaround.
However, the WR will still have to prove he can be trusted. Expect to see him get lots of targets in pre-season so new head coach, Doug Pederson, can see what he’s about.
