NFL All-Preseason team: Ty Simpson, Mike Washington, D'Zhaun Stribling among biggest standouts in 2026

NFL All-Preseason team: Ty Simpson, Mike Washington, D'Zhaun Stribling among biggest standouts in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News .

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As the NFL season is set to kick off in a few weeks, the preseason provided some impressive performances from players looking to prove they belong.

The preseason games are for fringe roster players who, for one reason or another, have to take advantage of the reps before the regular season begins. Whether it's rookies getting their first NFL action or players on the bubble hoping to secure a roster spot, August featured many players providing standout performances.

In some cases, players who excelled in the preseason will carry this over to the regular season as a spark in their careers; in others, this preseason could be a highlight if they are unable to keep the performances up when the regular season begins.

Here's a look at the best players from the 2026 preseason.

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NFL preseason MVP: QB Ty Simpson, Rams

Simpson was a controversial pick when the Rams took him in the first round in April, but the former Alabama quarterback had an impressive showing in his first NFL action. Simpson completed 47 of 60 passes during the three games, good enough for a league-leading 78.4 completion percentage for 382 passing yards.

The rookie quarterback added three touchdowns and no turnovers while leading the Rams to multiple scoring drives. He made a few very impressive throws that showed why he was a first-round pick.

What a catch from Brennan Presley in the endzone! 🤲 📺 @CBSLosAngeles | 📲 https://t.co/R5m5kJYWYi pic.twitter.com/8zZMy6r9Sa

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 28, 2026 His preseason debut was his most impressive, as he had 190 yards, two touchdowns and just four completions against the Chiefs .

Ty Simpson couldn’t miss in his Rams debut vs. the Chiefs Yesterday 🎯🔥 21/25, 190 PYDS, 2 PTD, 0 INT, 125.0 Rating pic.twitter.com/FtEbxTheIb

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) August 16, 2026 It is noteworthy that Simpson did not push the ball down the field much, but he appeared to both execute and excel at running the Rams gameplan.

Simpson is not expected to play much in the regular season as the Rams compete for a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford at the helm. Therefore, these reps were crucial for him before the season began.

Games 3 Completions/Attempts 47/60 (78.3 percent) Passing yards 382 Touchdowns 3 Interceptions 0 Passer rating 109.9 NFL preseason All-Stars

QB: Joe Fagnano, Ravens

Fagnano had the most impressive numbers of any quarterback this preseason, leading the league with 509 passing yards and a completion percentage of 74.7 percent. He added three touchdowns and just one interception, soaking up much of the Ravens ' playing time at quarterback.

Joe Fagnano with a STRIKE to LaJohntay Wester in the end zone 🙌 WASvsBAL on @NFLNetwork Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/JqKJLJcBMx

— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2026 With Tyler Huntley solidified as the backup, Fagnano at least showed off why a team should stash him as depth. The UConn product should find himself as a third-stringer or practice squad option somewhere, potentially even in Baltimore. MORE:  How much money do NFL practice squad players make?

RB: Mike Washington Jr., Raiders

There was a brief moment after Ashton Jeanty got injured when it seemed that Washington Jr. was going to be thrust into the starter role for the season. Instead, the rookie will enter the year as Jeanty's backup, but he has more than proven that he belongs in the NFL.

Washington averaged 7.9 yards per carry in his first two preseason games, which included an explosive 53-yard run against the Arizona Cardinals . Additionally, his 59.5 yards per game led the league entering the final week of preseason action.

The rookie Mike Washington Jr. TAKES OFF for 53 yards 😤 Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/dIDqYckE2T

— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026 WR: Jalen Brooks, Cardinals

Brooks was dominant in the preseason, as his 222 receiving yards were easily the most in the preseason. Brooks did have the benefit of playing in the Hall of Fame game, but he took advantage of playing in four games by totaling 15 catches and a touchdown.

Oh my! Carson Beck just dropped a dime to Jalen Brooks for a 49-yard gain, and Brooks got POPPED but still held on to the ball. Football!! pic.twitter.com/jWifMVY1Yg https://t.co/7fyXvNU351

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 7, 2026 The Cardinals have solid depth at wide receiver but still could find room for Brooks in a rebuild year. If not, though, someone else will surely take a shot on a player who had such a strong training camp.

WR: D’Zhaun Stribling, 49ers

The 49ers took Stribling with the first pick of the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, showing how highly they view the wide receiver. With Ricky Pearsall out for the year, Stribling becomes a crucial part of the season in San Francisco.

In two games, Stribling had 11 catches for 109 yards, but seemed to add to his hype during practices as well. He will enter the season with a chance to be one of the leading receivers among rookies.

Strib picking up 22 yards 😤 📺: ESPN & KPIX pic.twitter.com/ghjSkUWheI

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 21, 2026 TE: Rivaldo Fairweather, Cardinals

Fairweather's 150 receiving yards on 17 catches led all tight ends in the preseason as he battled for a spot on the Cardinals' depth chart. The 2025 undrafted free agent out of Auburn spent most of last season on the Cowboys ' depth chart, but joined the Cardinals late in the season.

As the Cardinals have Trey McBride leading the way at tight end, Fairweather showed enough to potentially convince another team to take a chance on him for the year.

OL: Shiyazh Pete, Cowboys

Pete is an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky who is fighting for a spot on ...

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