#ProTops: NFL Preseason Primer
Three rookies and an XFL standout are among several former Hilltoppers competing for professional gridiron glory in 2023.
After the tease that was last Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game, a full week month of teasing commences Thursday night, with the first full week of the NFL preseason kicking off.
11 former Hilltoppers will start the preseason with a club, meaning you’ll have something to watch in this normally barren time of year for football fans, a number that includes three rookies hoping to crack the 55-man roster.
(ed. note - With our new publishing schedule, we will not be providing true week-by-week updates was we have in the past. So, this is your preseason primer on our NFL ProToppers, complete with each full preseason schedule.)
Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots
The story for Zappe this year is similar to last, a heated quarterback battle with first-round pick and presumed starter Mac Jones. Once again, the former Houston Baptist and Hilltopper gunslinger is winning over members of the Patriots press, and if Jones is on a short leash again in 2023, Zappe could have his chance to shine, with a year of NFL experience under his belt.
Presumably, he’ll see a healthy amount of playing time as the Pats primary backup, which was made official on this week’s depth chart.
New England Patriots preseason schedule
Aug. 10: vs. Houston Texans, 6 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 19: at Green Bay Packers, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25: at Tennessee Titans, 7:15 p.m. (NFL Network)
George Fant, Houston Texans
Fant is now on his third team in his improbable NFL career, saying “goodbye” to the Big Apple this past offseason.
After a workout with the Tennessee Titans amid late free agency deals, the Texans picked Fant up instead on a one-year deal. As he is projected to be much-needed offensive line depth in protecting future franchise quarterback CJ Stroud, he could be moved to a potential starter after losing right tackle Tyus Howard to a hand injury.
However, he starts the preseason as the second-string left tackle, behind Laremy Tunsil.
Houston Texans preseason schedule
Aug. 10: at New England Patriots, 6 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 19: vs. Miami Dolphins, 3 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 27: at New Orleans Saints, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Lucky Jackson, Minnesota Vikings
Jackson has been one of the offseason’s most interesting stories. After a stand-out season for the XFL’s DC Defenders, it was enough to land him a workout with the Vikings & a contract was signed soon after.
After making progress in camp, Jackson will get a chance for some appearances in preseason play, starting Thursday night against Seattle on NFL Network.
However, he’s competing with a very stacked wide receiver corps so I wouldn’t rule out him getting completely lost in the shuffle.
Minnesota Vikings preseason schedule
Aug. 10: at Seattle Seahawks, 9 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 19: vs. Tennessee Titans, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: vs. Arizona Cardinals, 12 p.m. (ESPN)
DeAngelo Malone, Atlanta Falcons
It’s year two for the Atlanta native Malone with the Falcons, and he is looking to break through in what is expected to be an improved Atlanta defense. In the first depth chart of the preseason, he’s listed as the third-string, or “reserve,” outside linebacker.
Atlanta Falcons preseason schedule
Aug. 11: at Miami Dolphins, 6 p.m.
Aug. 18: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 24: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 6:30 p.m. (NFL Network)
Mike White, Daewood Davis, Miami Dolphins
After signing with Miami, White is looking for a fresh start with another backup quarterback role with a highly rewarding offense. He is competing to win the backup role behind starter Tua Tagovailoa. He will split reps with Skylar Thompson, who played two games last season as a rookie due to injury issues to Tua and Teddy Bridgewater (who, just this week, signed with Detroit).
Davis will bring his speedy, big-play prowess to a Dolphins receiving corps that has more than enough other players to help push him to compete harder. Hopefully, we can get a White/Davis Topper connection by the end of the preseason.
In the preseason’s first unofficial depth chart, Davis is listed as the sixth receiver on Tyreek Hill’s side of the field, while White is the No. 2 QB, something the crew at The Phinsider were surprised about, thinking Thompson would have had the inside track as the “vet” in the Phins’ system.
Miami Dolphins preseason schedule
Aug. 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons, 6 p.m.
Aug. 19: at Houston Texans, 3 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 26: at Jacksonville Jaguars, 6 p.m.
Brodric Martin, Detroit Lions
The lone ProTops draftee of the 2023 class is starting his career on the right track, and fast. Martin has had a solid camp and has been quite impressive to the Lions’ brass.
Opening the preseason as the No. 2 DT, behind Isaiah Buggs, Martin should be able to prove he was worth the third-round selection over the coming month.
Detroit Lions preseason schedule
Aug. 11: vs. New York Giants, 6 p.m.
Aug. 19: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 12 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 25: at Carolina Panthers, 7 p.m. (CBS)
Devon Key, Denver Broncos
After an injury to starting safety Justin Simmons, Key has been making use of more training camp reps for the Broncos’ depth on defense. He will be fighting for a roster spot after the recent shakeup on defense.
Denver Broncos preseason schedule
Aug. 11: at Arizona Cardinals, 9 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 19: at San Francisco 49ers, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 26: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 9 p.m. (NFL Network)
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
It is hard to believe that Higs is in year eight of his NFL career. The most storied tight end in franchise history will more than likely sit the preseason in preparation for the 2023 regular season.
After their run to the Super Bowl in 2021, the Rams sputtered in 2022 and look to be in for a long 2023 as the horizon of a rebuild seems near. It should come as no surprise that Higbee opens the year as Los Angeles’ TE1.
Los Angeles Rams preseason schedule
Aug. 11: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 19: vs. Oakland Raiders, 8 p.m.
Aug. 26: at Denver Broncos, 9 p.m. (NFL Network)
Kahlef Hallassie, Kansas City Chiefs
Hallassie, who signed with the defending champs after going undrafted, is in a four-way battle for the No. 4 CB spot that’s currently held by incumbent L’Jarlus Sneed. He should see some playing time in the rotation throughout the month.
Kansas City Chiefs preseason schedule
Aug. 13: at New Orleans Saints, 12 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 19: at Arizona Cardinals, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26: vs. Cleveland Browns, 12 p.m. (NFL Network)
Jordan Meredith, Las Vegas Raiders
Meredith and the Raiders will close out the weekend with famed Bay Area rivals, the 49ers. After spending much of 2022 on the practice roster, he will be looking to keep his good fortune as he vies to make his name in Las Vegas, though with an uphill battle, as the No. 3 center to start the preseason.
Las Vegas Raiders preseason schedule
Aug. 13: vs. San Francisco 49ers, 3 p.m. (NFL Network)
Aug. 19: at Los Angeles Rams, 8 p.m.
Aug. 26: at Dallas Cowboys, 7 p.m.