Preseason: Players to Watch (NFC West)

San Francisco 49ers: WR Randy Moss: If I had to list my top 5 players to watch this preseason, my number one would be wide receiver Randy Moss. Moss is one of the best receivers in NFL history, and called it quits after an atrocious 2010. This past offseason, coach John Harbough signed Moss to a one-year deal, adding more depth to a struggling passing game. Randy was not the only offensive weapon signed (Mario Manningham, Brandon Jacobs, A.J Jenkins, LaMichael James), but is clearly the most risky. Thirty-five is old for any football player, let alone one who relies so much on speed and agility. How will this one year hiatus affect Moss' 2012 campaign? Keep a close eye on this aging star.

Randy Moss (Paul Sakuma/AP Photo)

Arizona Cardinals: QB John Skelton: The main reason why John Skelton is not the Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback is due to his not so great statistics in 2011. What helps Skelton though is the fact that he was able to go 6-2 when named starter against the St. Louis Rams. If John Skelton were to start racking up fabulous statistics week in and week out, no doubt this organization would play the 24 year-old. The quarterback competition is still up in the air, so it will be an absolute necessity for him to play well in all 4 preseason games.

Seattle Seahawks: QB Matt Flynn: Matt Flynn has been a popular topic so far for The NFL Report, and we will finally see him start in his first NFL exhibition game as number one on the depth chart. Hopefully, the Seahawks will not have wasted $26 million over a three year span on this quarterback who has started just two NFL games. Seattle went 7-9 last season, and if Flynn were to play as he did against the Lions, the Seahawks are looking at a spot in the playoffs.

St. Louis Rams: CB Cortland Finnegan: Finnegan was the second biggest defender to be on the market this past off season, and the St. Louis Rams were the highest bidders. The St. Louis defense ranked 26th overall in points allowed per game, and they figured Finnegan will be able to repair their problems on the defensive side of the ball. He has gained respect throughout the league from opposing quarterbacks, and if he continues to play the way he's been playing, the Rams record might see one or two more wins in 2012. 

Preseason: Players to Watch (NFC South)

New Orleans Saints: LB Curtis Lofton: What...a...MESS! The recent bounty charges have suspended two current Saints defenders; linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Will Smith. No doubt this defense will struggle in 2012, but the organization went out and acquired linebacker Curtis Lofton. While playing for Atlanta, Lofton managed 492 total tackles, 142 of those came in 2011 (5th in the league). It will be difficult for Lofton to replace the three-time pro-bowler in Jonathan Vilma, so it will be important for him to play his best football yet. Hopefully, he will start 2012 on a high note by doing well in his four preseason games.

Curtis Lofton (Derick E. Hingle/US Presswire)

Atlanta Falcons: CB Asante Samuel: The Atlanta Falcons ranked 20th overall in passing yards allowed last season, so they went out and signed Asante Samuel. Problem solved, right? Sure, Samuel has made a name for himself in the National Football League, but the star is showing sings of aging. Since his extraordinary 2006 season with the Patriots (10 interceptions, 65 tackles, 24 putdowns), Samuel's stats have dipped, where last season was quite possibly the worst of his career. The 31-year old has been lucky injury wise, even though he has played just three complete seasons. Will his age catch up with him, or is Samuel going to lead the Falcon's defense back into the top ten?

Carolina Panthers: LB Luke Kuechly: In my opinion the single most talented defender to come out of last April's draft, Luke Kuechly has high expectations on this Carolina Panthers defense. His accomplished college career (ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, First-team All-American) got him drafted 12 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by Carolina. The Panthers defense struggled immensely last year, so drafting a linebacker helps there defense in almost every category. Kuechly is one of the favorites to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and it all starts with his first few games in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Josh Freeman: The worst defense of 2011 was awarded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and newly drafted safety Mark Barron won't be able to fix all of their problems. This means head coach Greg Schiano will have to rely heavily on their offense. However, if the 2011 Josh Freeman were to show up instead of the one we saw in 2010, the Bucs will be eyeing yet another season below the .500 mark. It was rumored the quarterback might be traded in 2012, so where he plays next season relies on how he plays in 2012. 

Preseason: Players to Watch (NFC North)

Green Bay Packers: RB Cedric Benson: Yesterday, running back Cedric Benson became a Green Bay Packer. Because Benson is past his prime, and also due to several legal issues in the past, Cincinnati did not want to re-sign this free agent. Obviously Green Bay was willing to take the chance with Cedric, otherwise their lack of a running game would hurt their Super Bowl chances once again. At age 29, Benson's best years are behind him, or so we think. The rusher says he feels great, so if Benson dominates in his upcoming preseason game, then the Green Bay Packers can be even more lethal in 2012.

Brandon Marshall (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings: QB Christian Ponder: The Minnesota Vikings did a complete 180 since Brett Favre's playoff run. Last year, the Vikings went 3-13, the third worst record of 2011. This organization has decided to start quarterback Christian Ponder, who will have 4th overall draft pick Matt Kalil protecting him. Ponder is forced to compete in one of the league's most competitive divisions, where three teams are all serious contenders for a playoff spot. Last year, Ponder thew just as many picks as he did touchdowns (13), so he will need to work on his consistency when throwing the ball. This preseason will show the progress made by Christian Ponder, and if he is capable of resurrecting a franchise.

Chicago Bears: WR Brandon Marshall: Brandon Marshall, once a Denver Bronco, struggled while playing for the Miami Dolphins, where he did not reach 100 receptions in either season. In 2009, Marshall had one of the league's best chemistry's with quarterback Jay Cutler. After Cutler moved to Chicago, Marshall soon joined him in the Windy City just two years later. The Bears went from the number two seed in the playoffs in 2010, to missing the playoffs entirely in 2011. If the magic is still there, than this quarterback-wide receiver duo will be unstoppable in 2012.

Detroit Lions: OT Riley Reiff: The Detroit Lions relied heavily on their passing game last season, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson. In order to keep Stafford healthy, as well as give him more time in the pocket, the Lions drafted offensive lineman Riley Reiff. Reiff stands at 6'6", 313 pounds and showed he can overpower college stars while playing for Iowa. But can he overpower NFL defenders with more experience and in some cases, more skill? We will see this preseason, for if he is not capable of blocking a defensive lineman, Matthew Stafford may not be able to play all 16 games like he did in 2011. 

Preseason: Players to Watch (NFC East)

New York Giants: RB David Wilson: With the loss of Brandon Jacobs still fresh in the minds of New York fans everywhere, rookie David Wilson must fill the void left by the two time Super Bowl champion. Wilson was selected with the 32nd overall draft pick out of Virginia Tech because of a spectacular combine and accomplished college career. His numbers led all running backs in broad jump and vertical, while posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.40. Wilson won ACC Player of the Year, not only because he ran the ball well (1,709 rushing yards, 5.9 yards per carry), but also because of his flashes of brilliance when it came to catching the football. Ahmad Bradshaw remains the definite starter, but Wilson is the face of New York's future running game.

Robert Griffin III (Bill Wippert/AP)

Philadelphia Eagles: LB DeMeco Ryans: Five years ago, DeMeco Ryans won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year thanks to his 156 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, and lone interception. However, his statistics gradually worsened each year until 2010, when Ryans suffered a season ending Achilles tear. By the time he returned for all 16 games in 2011, Ryans was clearly not the same defensive player, only racking up 64 combined tackles. The Texans did not want to deal with their once rising star, and traded him away to Philadelphia. Ryans will clearly start by the time Week 1 rolls around, but it is a matter of whether or not he can get back to the player he once was.

Washington Redskins: QB Robert Griffin III: Like Andrew Luck, RGII is one of several rookies that everyone will be eyeing when it comes time to their regular season debut. Many have compared this Heisman winner to the likes of Michael Vick; arm strength, mobility, and accuracy are all apparent attributes among the two. Washington Redskins fans are calling RGIII "the guy," meaning he is supposed to be their savior, hopefully giving them a shot at the playoffs. Can he succeed in the NFL even though Baylor didn't make it to a major bowl game? If he begins to struggle in the preseason, maybe it wasn't such a bad move in drafting quarterback Kirk Cousins last April.

Dallas Cowboys: WR Dez Bryant: Jerry Jones and wide receiver Dez Bryant have clearly shown their differences over the course of the off season, starting with Bryant's arrest last July. Jones was quoted as saying Bryant needed to grow up, otherwise the Cowboys will move on. The big question is how Bryant will be affected by these problems in the past. Supposedly the two have come to terms, but it is never a good sign when a team owner and a player get into a scuffle. 

Preseason: Players to Watch (AFC West)

Denver Broncos: QB Peyton Manning: Quite possibly the most dominant quarterback of the 21st century is no longer a member of the Indianapolis Colts, but instead a Denver Bronco. It will be odd to see Manning wearing orange and blue on Sundays, after 14 years of playing under the Lucas Oil lights. Peyton missed all of 2011 due to a neck injury, and though he feels 100%, we will not be sure until Manning plays in a few preseason games. Nearly 41,000 fans showed up to watch Manning scrimmage, so clearly he is on every one's mind in Denver. It will be interesting to see how Manning plays in the final three competitions.

Peyton Manning (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) 

San Diego Chargers: LB Melvin Ingram: The 18th overall pick is in my top 5 for the most talented defensive players coming out of the 2012 draft, and the San Diego Chargers are lucky to have him on their roster. San Diego was smart in moving him to the linebacker position over defensive end, for he has size identical to Patrick Willis and Ray Lewis. At DE, Ingram's height and weight would put him at a disadvantage when squaring off against a 6'5", 300 pound offensive lineman. Ingram set the school record for the most sacks in a single season while a Gamecock, and should improve San Diego's struggling pass rush. I have high hopes for Ingram in 2012, and I recommend keeping an eye out for this future star.

Kansas City Chiefs: NT Dontari Poe: Many, including myself, were skeptical about nose tackle Dontari Poe. Out of Memphis, Poe was not expected to be taken ahead of the third round, let alone the first 32 picks. However, after a monster draft combine, he got scouts everywhere in a tizzy. Kansas City were the buyers of Poe's draft day stock, and were later disappointed by his mediocre play. Head coach Romoeo Crennel said about Poe, "He needs to work on technique, he needs to work on understanding the system, he needs to get the calls correct all the time. He's got a ways to go." Dontari Poe isn't even a starter entering the regular season, unless he is able to change that in the preseason games.

Oakland Raiders: RB Darren McFadden: The raiders running back has had extreme difficulty staying healthy throughout the duration of a season. McFadden averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 2011, on track to get 1,403 rushing yards and 9 rushing TDs, both career highs. At age 24, McFadden has the potential to be one of the league’s best backs. All four of his season’s spent in the NFL were incomplete due to injury, and the preseason will show if he has enough in the tank to play all 16 games.

Preseason: Players to Watch (AFC South)

Houston Texans: QB Matt Schaub: For the first time since November of 2011, Matt Schaub will put on a helmet in tonight's game against the Carolina Panthers. Schaub suffered an injury to his right foot in a Week 10 game, and missed the remainder of the season. He was on track to throw for 3,966 yards with 24 touchdowns. Sadly, the Texans starting quarterback has two sides when it comes to his play quality. For example, in 2009, Schaub led the league in passing yards with 4,770, but, like I said before, did not have the start he would have liked in 2011. Worst of all, Schaub has difficulty staying healthy for all 16 games, with just two complete seasons under his belt. Hopefully, this upcoming preseason game will give us an idea on what type of Matt Schaub will show up to play in 2012.

Jake Locker (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck: Who else would occupy this slot? Andrew Luck most likely will have the highest expectations of any rookie since Peyton Manning, and rightfully so. The Colts struggled enormously last season, and drafted the best prospect in the nation. Now, we will see if the first overall pick can live up to the hype, and lead the Colts back to the Super Bowl within his 10-15 year career. His first game Sunday night will be in front of a jam-packed stadium, which is strange considering it is a Colts-Rams game. Alongside fellow rookie Coby Fleener (a tight end out of Stanford), Luck will take the stage in an attempt to "woo" the audience.

Tennessee Titans: QB Jake Locker: It appears that at the moment, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has the lead over youngster Jake Locker due to an increased number of snaps. Jake Locker will have to prove he is worthy of the starting job within the next four preseason games. A passer rating of 99.4% last season in only five games gives him the opportunity to win the starting job. What he needs is to amaze his coaches and managers, whereas veteran Matt Hasselbeck will have to play some of the worst football of his career.

Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Rashean Mathis: Similar to Leon Hall, Rashean Mathis is an ex-Pro Bowler who had recently suffered an injury (torn ACL). Mathis will be 32 by the time opening kickoff takes place on September 9th, old for any player in the National Football League. Jacksonville's most valuable corner back in franchise history was recently signed to a one year, $5 million contract, for he owns four of the organization's defensive records. All may change, however, now that he has suffered an injury, and the preseason shall do a good job of showing his condition. 

Preseason: Players to Watch (AFC North)

Pittsburgh Steelers: OT David DeCastro: For a team who ranked 24th in sacks allowed, newly drafted offensive lineman David DeCastro will be extremely important in this team's offensive success. DeCastro weighs in at 6'5", 316 pounds, and is able to contain some of the nation's best defensive prospects. However, it will be interesting to see how DeCastro reacts to the big, skillful defensive linemen in the NFL. If we were to see DeCastro struggling in the four upcoming preseason games, the Pittsburgh Steelers should be worried about their draft pick.

Leon Hall

Baltimore Ravens: DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw: Imagine if opposing offensive linemen had to focus on someone else besides Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Haloti Ngata. What if newly drafted linebacker Courtney Upshaw turned into one of the NFL's biggest stars. Upshaw was one of the best blitzing linebackers entering the 2012 NFL Draft, and might be dangerous when factored in to this already dangerous Ravens defense. However, Upshaw has a lot of weight on his shoulders if the Ravens wish to balance out their defense without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs. Hopefully, the rookie will show signs of stardom in the next few preseason games.

Cincinnati Bengals: CB Leon Hall: After an injury to his Achilles tendon, Leon Hall was placed on the IR in 2011, missing the remainder of the season. Hall returned last Friday in the game against New York, with two solo tackles by the end the time the clock hit 00:00. However, rookie corner back Dre Kirkpatrick is expected to miss up to 6 weeks due to a fractured knee. If Kirkpatrick is later than scheduled, Hall will have to bear the burden if leading an already injury-ridden pass defense. Once the rookie returns, and lives up to expectations, the Bengals defense could be ferocious.

Cleveland Browns: QB Brandon Weeden: It only gets worse for the Cleveland Browns; not only are they without Mohamed Massaquoi and Chris Gocong (along with Joe Haden and Scott Fujita who both face suspension), but now, running back Trent Richardson, the 3rd overall pick, has also gone down with an injury. This puts a lot of pressure on rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden. Weeden may not have been put in the same class as rookies like RGIII and Andrew Luck, but at 28, Weeden enters the prime of his quarterback career. The Browns are not known to have a lethal passing game, and they are hoping that by the regular season, Weeden will be able to fix that. However, he should be careful, because Colt McCoy will always be lingering on the sidelines.

Preseason: Players to Watch on All 32 Teams

     The wait is over; after weeks of watching analysts bickering over Tim Tebow on "Sportscenter," it is time for the preseason. Though it is not the games themselves that we enjoy watching. No, no, no, the preseason is a symbol if anything else, giving us a glimpse of opening day which is only a few painful weeks away. In anticipation of September, The NFL Report will go by division, discussing each player to watch for all 32 teams. Be sure to comment, subscribe, or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thenflreport! Also, if you wish to set up a link exchange, email me at ledzepfan09@gmail.com! Enjoy!

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