It’s easy to get carried away with the early days of training camp, but we’re beginning to see players really separate themselves after several sessions in pads where the live fire is underway. There are dozens of players who are turning heads in a variety of ways, but there are seven players in particular who just keep getting mentioned when it comes to the standout players who could be huge factors in the regular season.
This list isn’t limited to rookies, but rather anyone who is showing up in a big way and making enough noise that it’s worth keeping an eye on them as we approach fantasy drafts, and the season beyond that.
D.J. Moore, WR — Buffalo Bills
The Bills made waves in the offseason by making a big trade for D.J. Moore to get Josh Allen a new weapon. The early returns on the union seem very, very good. Buffalo knew exactly what they were getting with Moore after GM Brandon Beane was with the Carolina Panthers when he was drafted, and head coach Joe Brady was his former offensive coordinator.
Reports from Buffalo indicate that Moore and Allen are immediately clicking in camp, forming the kind of bond you desperately want from a No. 1 receiver and a franchise QB. That receiver spot has been a real sticking point for the Bills in recent years, and if these two are on the same page then we could see it become the difference maker in 2026 that leads to the Bills getting over their postseason hump. How many times has Buffalo just needed that one extra gear in the playoffs that they haven’t been able to find? Moore could be that gear.
Ja’Kobi Lane, WR — Baltimore Ravens
It was stunning that Ja’Kobi Lane fell in the 2026 NFL Draft the way he did, but there are no surprises when it comes to what he’s showing in training camp for the Ravens so far. The 6’4 receiver isn’t a great separator, but was one of the best jump ball receivers in this draft class, with his ability to high point the ball and come down with contested catches being a standout skill.
Lane’s name has been mentioned a lot in Ravens camp as the rookie is turning heads and moved his way up the depth chart. There’s serious buzz now that a strong preseason could lead to Lane earning a starting spot across from Zay Flowers, diversifying the Baltimore passing attack and finally giving Lamar Jackson a pair of receivers he can rely on.
Jonathon Brooks, RB — Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks could be the feel-good story of the NFL so far. Selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Panthers gambled by taking a running back coming off an ACL tear, knowing that it would take him time to recover. Then, when Brooks was finally able to take the field he tore the same ACL in Week 14 of 2024, keeping him out for the entire 2025 season.
This was more or less the last-gasp to see if Brooks could be a part of the Panthers future, and he has instead busted the door down. There have been plenty of gasps every time he cuts or changes direction as fans wait with bated breath, but Brooks has absolutely blown away coaches and fans with his speed out of the backfield, as well as his ability to catch passes. Rather than be a true backup to Chuba Hubbard it’s now appearing more like the two could be a tandem in the 2026 season. It would be such a great story to see a guy who was almost out of football now find his footing.
Jalyx Hunt, EDGE — Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have so much defensive talent, and while Jalyx Hunt made a strong impression in limited time during the 2025 season, he’s really asserting himself now as a player to watch. Hunt has been blowing past the Eagles’ stout offensive line in practice and looking every bit of a double-digit sack guy, which is huge after Philly lost Jaelan Phillips in free agency.
It’s unclear how much Hunt will play this season, currently locked behind Jonathan Greenard on the depth chart, but even as a rotational pass rusher there’s a ton of value here.
Arvell Reese, LB — New York Giants
The big thing that scouts marveled about with Arvell Reese was his scheme versatility, and goodness has he shown that in Giants camp so far. Rather than pigeonhole Reese into a pass rushing role, John Harbaugh and Co. have pivoted to him playing as a standup linebacker in the Giants 3-4, and he’s turning heads in the best possible way.
Whether that has manifested itself as generating pressure off the edge, dropping into coverage, or closing on running backs — Reese has done everything asked of him and more for in training camp thus far. Putting his ability to do a little of everything behind the vaunted pass rush of Brian Burns and Abdul Carter could really separate the Giants from the pack this year.
Salvon Ahmed, RB — Chicago Bears
Running back has been a fairly consistent pain point for the Bears in recent years as they’ve been desperate to find a guy they can rely on for 20+ carries a game. Rookie Kyle Monangai had a promising 2025 season as a change of pace back behind D’Andrew Swift, but veteran journeyman Salvon Ahmed is the currently turning a lot of heads in camp.
A smaller, shiftier back, Ahmed could be the receiving weapon out of the backfield that the Bears have been missing. He’s been such an afterthought that he isn’t even on the depth chart, but turning in a number of brilliant practices has led to speculation that he could see a lot of reps in the preseason and find a home in the rotation. Definitely a player to watch who would really assert himself as the preseason progresses.
Peter Woods, DT — Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ decision to draft Peter Woods in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft was a fascinating one. They already had a fairly stout defensive line anchored by Chris Jones, so it felt a little like a luxury pick rather than a true need. Eatly returns indicat that the Chiefs could be the ones laughing, with Woods blowing away coaches and fans alike with his violence at the point of attack and ability to command double teams.
If Woods can form a tandem with Jones, adding to the pass rush with George Karlaftis — then we could see a fascinating new version of the Chiefs turn up that controls the line of scrimmage. This is definitely a player to watch moving forward, because any weapons added to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is worth keeping an eye on.
