NFL All-Preseason team: Tyler Huntley, Dameon Pierce, George Pickens among biggest standouts in 2022

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Jacob Camenker
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The NFL's preseason isn't the same as it used to be. There are now three games instead of four, and teams are even more hesitant to play their starters. Most of the starters' action comes during joint practices, so why risk getting them hurt in a "meaningless" game?

But those contests do have meaning to some. A lot of players need opportunities to showcase their talent. Many of them wind up standing out during the August contests when they get them.

That doesn't mean that all of the best August players will stand out during the regular season. It doesn't even guarantee that they will make rosters for Week 1. But at least they have put themselves on the map as they work to make their NFL dreams come true.

MORE: QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | Buy NFL tickets

As with any preseason, a lot of rookies and relatively unknown younger players got in on the action. Some of them even looked to be ready to earn key roles for contending teams.

So, which NFL players had the best preseason this summer? The Sporting News presents its 2022 Preseason All-Stars, led by our preseason MVP, who guided his squad to a 3-0 record.

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NFL preseason MVP: QB Tyler Huntley, Ravens

The Ravens extended their preseason winning streak to 23 during the 2022 campaign, and the 24-year-old Huntley played a massive role in that.

He started all three of Baltimore's games and was superb. He was one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL, completing 31 of 36 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns.

Huntley was routinely able to complete difficult passes while on the move or back across his body to wide-open receivers. He also was good at fitting balls into tight windows, as he showed on this touchdown connection with Isaiah Likely.

Huntley fits the Ravens' offense well thanks to his combination of mobility and arm talent. Coach John Harbaugh was complimentary of the second-year player and said that he believes the former undrafted free agent could be an NFL starter.

“I definitely believe that. There’s no question in my mind about that," Harbaugh said, per Pro Football Talk. "I’m glad we have him. We’re very, very blessed to have him as one of our players, one of our quarterbacks."

Huntley's performance should put him on the radar of quarterback-needy teams. 

MORE: Meet Tyler Huntley, Ravens backup QB who replaced injured Lamar Jackson in 2021

NFL Preseason All-Stars

QB: Skylar Thompson, Dolphins

Thompson was a seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he looked polished in extensive preseason action.

The Kansas State product got off to a solid start when he played the entire game against the Buccaneers and went 20 of 28 for 218 yards and a touchdown in a 26-24 Miami victory. He showed good mobility, he didn't turn the ball over and he struggled only occasionally with pass-rush pressure (he was sacked three times).

From there, Thompson's stock rose. He garnered more attention as he showed well against the Raiders and Eagles. His performance drew the praise of Dolphins quarterback coach Darrell Bevell, who has been an offensive coordinator and interim head coach during his career.

"He looks like he belongs out there," Bevell said, per the Miami Herald. "He looks like if he got a call, he would be ready to go.

"I wouldn’t say [I’m] surprised, but I’m very encouraged and pleased how far he has come in the mental part of it. The skill set we saw on tape is what we really liked. The makeup of the guy and the work ethic he has, has enabled him to do what he’s doing. The skill set is there."

Thompson finished the preseason 36 of 48 passing for 450 yards and five touchdowns. He didn't throw an interception. He led the NFL with a 138.4 passer rating.

Honorable mention: Kenny Pickett, Steelers; Bryce Perkins, Rams; Sam Ehlinger, Colts

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RB: Dameon Pierce, Texans

Pierce was one of the better running backs of the preseason and became a potential fantasy football value pick. He played in just two games but was dominant when he was on the field.

Pierce racked up 86 yards on 11 preseason carries, and his 7.8-yard average was the highest among running backs with at least 10 carries. He also found the end zone and ran with excellent vision.

There is no doubt that Pierce should be the Texans' RB1. He was their most impressive back during the preseason and should be rewarded for that.

Honorable mention: Brittain Brown, Raiders; DeeJay Dallas, Seahawks

MORE: Dameon Pierce's fantasy outlook for 2022

WR: George Pickens, Steelers

Pickens had one of the best training camp-preseason combinations. He was a workout warrior and his on-field performance lived up to the hype that circulated ahead of the preseason.

Pickens began by catching three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks. The score was a thing of beauty: he went up and got Mason Rudolph's pass while also tapping his feet down in bounds in the back corner of the end zone.

Pickens proved to be a favorite target of all three Steelers quarterbacks. He could be on his way to becoming the squad's top receiver in the regular season. At the very least, he appears to have established himself as a starter.

IYER: Grading George Pickens, Romeo Doubs and other rookie WRs after preseason Week 2

WR: Lance McCutcheon, Rams

McCutcheon was the Rams' leading receiver in each of their three preseason contests. He announced his presence by logging 87 yards and two touchdowns on five catches against the Chargers, and then followed that up with five catches for 96 yards against the Texans. He capped off his preseason with five catches for 76 yards against the Bengals.

At 6-3 and 202 pounds, McCutcheon has the size to catch contested balls, and he made some during the preseason. He also can use his route-running skills to win, as he demonstrated against Derek Stingley Jr. in preseason Week 2.

McCutcheon is the classic preseason breakout. Few expected the undrafted rookie to make a splash, but he did a lot to stake his claim to a 53-man roster spot. 

Honorable mention: Michael Bandy, Chargers; Romeo Doubs, Packers; Khalil Shakir, Bills

TE: Isaiah Likely, Ravens

Likely looks like a star in the making as a receiving tight end. The fourth-round rookie was dominant in preseason Week 2 against the Cardinals, with eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Arizona was helpless. He got open regularly and also did plenty of damage after the catch, as evidenced by the play below.

The Ravens don't have a lot of talent at wide receiver, but the idea of pairing Likely with fellow tight end Mark Andrews should give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares. His blocking is still a work in progress, but Likely should still find his way onto the field as a mismatch receiving weapon.

Honorable mention: Matt Bushman, Chiefs; Lawrence Cager, Jets

MORE: Who is Isaiah Likely? Meet Baltimore's newest weapon at tight end

OL: Zach Tom, Packers

Here's another fourth-round pick who has been a pleasant surprise.

Tom played right tackle and left guard during the preseason and did not allow a sack in 124 snaps. He committed just one penalty while posting a pass-blocking grade of 87.6, per PFF.

The versatile Tom could emerge as a starter at right tackle if the Packers want to move Elgton Jenkins back to guard, or serve as a super-sub backup.

Honorable mention: Cam Jurgens, Eagles

DE: Micheal Clemons, Jets

Clemons was a fourth-round pick by the Jets out of Texas A&M, but it looks as if he should have been selected earlier. He wreaked havoc in the backfield during practices and games; nowhere was that more on display than the "Monday Night Football" game against the Falcons.

Clemons got penetration and was a stud run defender. He stuffed Tyler Allgeier twice in the second quarter, including one time on the goal line where he prevented Allgeier from getting in.

On paper, Clemons' numbers are solid, with seven tackles and a sack in three games. But he was more disruptive than those stats indicate. It looks as if he may work his way into the Jets' defensive line rotation.

Honorable mention: George Karlaftis, Chiefs; Arden Key, Jaguars; Tashawn Bower, Raiders

MORE: Breaking down the Jets' wide receiver depth chart

LB: Clay Johnston, Bengals

Johnston had one of the best preseason games ever by a linebacker in Week 2 against the Giants. He had 20 tackles and a sack while playing the majority of the game.

The Baylor product was not only a hard hitter during the preseason, he also was a sound tackler. He demonstrated solid technique and more often than not stopped opponents in their tracks.

Johnston finished the preseason with a league-leading 29 tackles. The seventh-round pick by the Rams in the 2020 NFL Draft seems to have found a home as a reserve in Cincinnati.

Honorable mention: Olakunle Fatukasi, Buccaneers; Jack Sanborn, Bears

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OLB: David Anenih, Titans

Few players made as much of an impact on defense as Anenih did this preseason. The 6-2, 245-pound pass-rusher racked up three sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed in three games. 

Anenih is a pure pass-rusher, and he stood out late in each of the Titans' contests. He logged two sacks in the team's first game against the Ravens and then had a strip sack of Kyle Trask against the Buccaneers.

Tennessee was looking for pass-rush depth entering the offseason. It may have found it with the undrafted Anenih.

Honorable mention: Boye Mafe, Seahawks

CB: Dee Alford, Falcons

Alford was a stud in each of Atlanta's first two games. He allowed just seven catches for 42 yards on 13 targets and logged an impressive interception against the Jets.

In those two contests, Alford posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 92.3. That was second-highest among rookies, trailing only Ravens linebacker Josh Ross.

Alford was a CFL All-Star and won a Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2021, his first season in the league. The Tusculum product should now get a chance to prove himself as he's given a bigger role in Atlanta's secondary.

Honorable mention: Samuel Womack Jr., 49ers; Martin Emerson, Browns

MORE: Will Desmond Ridder start over Marcus Mariota in 2022?

S: Bryan Cook, Chiefs

The Chiefs spent a second-round pick on Cook, and the rookie didn't disappoint in his first NFL preseason.

He looked good throughout, and he managed an interception. He picked off a deep pass by the Packers' Jordan Love and was positioned perfectly to make a solid return.

The degree of difficulty of the play wasn't high, but Cook showed that he is a fluid athlete with a well-rounded skill set. He finished the preseason with seven tackles and the pick. He looks poised to play a key role as Kansas City's third safety.

Honorable mention: Micah Abernathy, Packers

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KR/PR: KaVontae Turpin, Cowboys

Turpin joined the Cowboys after being named the USFL's Offensive Player of the Year. He showed off his skills with the ball in his hands when he returned a punt and a kickoff each for a touchdown against the Chargers.

Turpin ended up leading the NFL in punt return yardage (48.0), and his 48.3 yards per kick return is the highest average among players who had at least three returns. He made a strong case to be included on the Cowboys' roster and was perhaps the easiest All-Star choice on this list.

Honorable mention: Jonathan Ward, Cardinals; Kyle Philips, Titans

K: Evan McPherson, Bengals

McPherson went 9 of 10 on field goal attempts during the preseason. The lone miss was on a 58-yard attempt. He made his other three tries from 50-plus yards, and he didn't miss an extra point kick. The second-year pro appears on track to follow his strong rookie season with another great campaign.

Honorable mention: Daniel Carlson, Raiders; Jason Sanders, Dolphins

MORE: McPherson watching Super Bowl 56 halftime show a 'sore subject' for Bengals

P: Blake Gillikin, Saints

Gillikin had one of the most impressive kicks of the 2022 NFL preseason, an 81-yard punt. It evidently surprised the NFL so much that he was selected for a random drug test following that game.

If Gillikin's 51.1-yard average (fifth-best in the NFL) wasn't enough, he logged six punts inside the 20. He's clearly more than just a big leg; he is able to control his kicks, too.

Honorable mention: Cameron Johnston, Texans; Ryan Wright, Vikings

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Jacob Camenker Photo
Jacob Camenker

Jacob Camenker is a senior content producer at The Sporting News.