The NFL’s preseason schedule has officially come to a close, leaving less than two weeks until the regular season kicks off. This means all 32 teams are in crunch time, faced with critical decision-making as they work to trim their rosters to 53 players by the looming deadline on Tuesday evening.
While most spots have already been secured, there are still some last-minute evaluations to be made. It could be just a fun August story, but for Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, there may be another hidden gem waiting to shine in Patrick Mahomes’ offense.
Undrafted free agent running back Steele made a statement during training camp and preseason, rushing for 50 yards and a touchdown on only four carries against the Chicago Bears. Andy Reid hinted that the Chiefs are still assessing Steele, but his impressive performance has certainly put him in strong contention for a spot on the roster. With his size and versatility, Steele could prove to be a valuable asset for the Chiefs this season.
Meanwhile, linebacker Speights from LSU didn’t even have to play in the final preseason game for the Los Angeles Rams to secure his spot on the Week 1 gameday roster. Standing out with his strong work against the run, Speights has the potential to make an impact on special teams and possibly even earn a significant role on defense if the Rams make any moves at the inside linebacker position.
And then there’s the intriguing story of McAllister, who transitioned from playing running back in Division II to becoming a standout receiver in the Canadian Football League. His explosive punt return touchdown and acrobatic pass reception for a score have put him firmly on the NFL radar. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce noted that McAllister’s performance was definitely noteworthy, regardless of whether he ends up on the Las Vegas roster.
As the teams make their final roster decisions in the coming days, these standout players are making their cases to stick around and make an impact in the NFL. With the regular season approaching fast, the excitement is building as teams gear up for another thrilling year of football.
