NFL Preseason 2018: 6 Unsung rookies dominating thus far
by Michael Johnson NFL SpinZone
4 hours ago
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.
6. Jerod Fernandez, LB, Washington Redskins
5. Tegray Scales, LB, Los Angeles Rams
4. Justin Watson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Bilal Nichols, DL, Chicago Bears
2. Chris Warren, RB, Oakland Raiders
1. Rasheem Green, DE, Seattle Seahawks
Justin Watson, the Buccaneers' fifth-round pick this year, says his brother Tommy "gets me through the hard stuff on a day-to-day basis."
Courtesy of the Watson family
When you think of the top receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft, Justin Watson’s name wouldn’t come up. Despite surpassing 1,000 yards receiving in each of his last three collegiate seasons and totaling 31 touchdowns, Watson went virtually unnoticed. He measures in at 6-3, 215 pounds and posted a 4.4-second 40 and 40-inch vertical at his Pro Day. The lack of recognition is likely because he’s an Ivy Leaguer who played for the Penn Quakers. The Buccaneers saw something in him still and selected him in the fifth round.
In the first two preseason games, Watson has shined. In Week 1 against the Dolphins, he finished with three receptions for 30 yards. The following week against the Titans, he totaled 54 yards with four catches and one touchdown. Don’t expect him to take over the No. 2 spot right away. However, he could be lining up opposite Mike Evans with O.J. Howard on package plays — especially in the red zone.
