NFL All-Preseason team: Jaxson Dart, Isaac TeSlaa, Andrew Mukuba among biggest standouts in 2025

Daniel Chavkin

•
NFL All-Preseason team: Jaxson Dart, Isaac TeSlaa, Andrew Mukuba among biggest standouts in 2025 image

The preseason is over, but before we move on to the regular season, it's time to take a look at the best players from the Summer.

Every year, players excel during preseason games to earn their way into more playing time or onto an NFL roster. Usually, rookies steal the show in their first taste of NFL action, but sometimes journeymen players are able to take advantage of playing time and play some of the best football of their careers.

While playing well in the preseason isn't a precursor to succeeding in the league during the season, it does at least give a glimpse into which players may be breakout candidates during the year. Here's a look at which players shined in the 2025 preseason.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Jaxson Dart

NFL preseason MVP: QB Jaxson Dart, Giants

Dart was the second quarterback taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, as the Giants traded up to select him No. 26 overall. The former Ole Miss quarterback had some questions entering his rookie season, but he seemed to pass many tests during his first NFL preseason.

Dart has a stellar preseason for New York, only adding to his hype ahead of his rookie season. The quarterback had three touchdowns without turning the ball over once against the Bills, Jets and Patriots, and although he ended the preseason early due to an injury, he already made noise by that time.

With his success, Dart earns preseason MVP, as no other player's success in the preseason meant more to their team than his. The Giants only feel better about their decision to take Dart over other players like Shedeur Sanders and Tyler Shough, as Dart proved he may be more ready for the NFL than most analysts believed.

MORE: Tracking the most notable cuts from NFL preseason

StatTotal
Completion Percentage68%
Passing yards372
Passing Touchdowns3
Interceptions0
Passer Rating113.1
Rushing yards52
Rushing Touchdowns1

Dart's preseason included a passing touchdown in each game, which began on the road in Buffalo and ended with two games at home.

NFL Preseason All-Stars

QB: Jarrett Stidham, Broncos

While Dart's success was more important to his team's future, Stidham lit up defenses more in the preseason. In two games, Stidham produced 376 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions as he prepares to be Bo Nix's backup for the second-straight season in Denver.

With the preseason, Stidham cemented himself as one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league. Stidham didn't play in a game in 2024, and has only started four games since entering the league in 2019, but still provides Denver confidence that he can fill in for Nix if something happens.

RB: Ollie Gordon, Dolphins

The Dolphins running game always feature the potential for breakout player, and Gordon is the latest recipient. A sixth-round pick out of Oklahoma State in April, Gordon won the Doak Walker Award when he rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns in Stillman.

During the preseason, Gordon has already impressed with 83 rushing yards an one touchdown on 18 carries. If De'Von Achane misses time with injury, Gordon could quickly become a household name.

WR: Isaac TeSlaa, Lions

A third-round rookie out of Arkansas, TeSlaa had a strong preseason to show he may be the next Lions big contributor on offense. TeSlaa was breakout player of the Hall of Fame Game, when he totaled 46 yards on two catches, and that continued over the course of the preseason as he produced several highlights.

TeSlaa's preseason included a pair of touchdowns, one against the Dolphins and one against the Falcons. He ended his preseason with 10 catches for 146 yards and three scores.

MORE NFL: Tracking the latest trade rumors for Micah Parsons, Terry McLaurin and Trey Hendrickson

WR: Mason Tipton, Saints

Mason Tipton is fighting for playing time in New Orleans, so it's a good thing that he's had a strong preseason. Tipton produced 158 yards on eight catches in three preseason games, which includes a six-for-100 performance against the Jaguars in Week 2.

Tipton also scored an impressive long touchdown in his first preseason game against the Chargers, which also marked Tyler Shough's first NFL score.

TE: Robert Tonyan, Chiefs

Years ago, Tonyan was the Packers' top tight end, but injuries have hampered his career. Still, Tonyan is just 31 years old and has shown this Summer that he could contribute again in the NFL, this time for the Chiefs.

In preseason, Tonyan totaled eight catches for 90 yards and a score, all of which led the team. His contributions may have earned him a roster spot as a backup behind Travis Kelce and Noah White.

MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL: Top 300 overall cheat sheet for 2025 PPR drafts

OL: Grey Zabel, Seahawks

A first-round pick out of North Dakota State, Zabel has been able to seamlessly transition to the NFL with his performance in the preseason. Zabel is set to start at left guard for the Seahawks this season, and his production in August could be a sign that Seattle made the right choice.

The Seahawks looked to upgrade their offensive line, with Zabel being the most notable addition of the past offseason.

DE: Austin Booker, Bears

Very few players popped in preseason like Austin Booker, a second-year player who played in all 17 games last year for the Bears. In 2024, Booker had just 1.5 sacks and 21 tackles, but his preseason this year alone featured eight tackles and 4.0 sacks.

Booker especially dominated against the Dolphins, when he had three sacks and six tackles, both leading the team. He then followed that up with another solid performance vs. the Bills, as it appears he is ready to take the next step as a player.

DT: Jordan Phillips, Dolphins

A fifth-round pick out of Maryland in the 2025 NFL draft, Jordan Phillips has had a strong start ot his NFL career thus far. The defensive tackle had four tackles in his first NFL game against the Bears, then followed that up with four more tackles and 1.5 sacks against the Lions in Week 2.

Phillips is currently slated to be a backup on Miami's defensive line, but could quickly earn playing time if he keeps up this play.

MORE NFL: How Jets RB depth chart is shaping out ahead of the season

EDGE: Anfernee Jennings, Patriots

Jennings is a veteran player for the Patriots, as he has been with the team since 2020 and played in 61 games in that span. Still, he's been fighting to prove himself to his new coaching staff, which should be paying off.

In two preseason games, Jennings had six total tackles and three sacks, which is among the more productive efforts in the NFL this Summer.

LB: Nick Jackson, Buccaneers

Jackson is an undrafted free agent who has significantly improved his stock since the Spring. After a six-year college career in which he started 73 games, Jackson is instantly one of the more experienced rookies in the NFL this year.

In two preseason games, Jackson has totaled four tackles, two sacks and a one-handed interception, which gives him a chance to make Tampa Bay's initial roster out of training camp.

LB: Cedric Gray, Titans

Gray is a second-year player for the Titans who seems to be figuring out his place in the NFL. The former fourth-round pick out of North Carolina played in just seven games in 2024, and he already is making a case for more playing time this year.

During the preseason, Gray totaled 19 tackles and 0.5 sacks for Tennessee's defense, which could use the boost of Gray taking his game to another level.

CB: Eric Rogers, Chargers

Rogers is an undrafted free agent fighting for a roster spot, but he's certainly given Los Angeles something to think about. The 23-year-old had four passes defended, two interceptions and two total tackles in the preseason, which, at the very least, gives him a chance to impress other teams if he can't crack the Chargers' 53-man roster.

Rogers' preseason peaked in the Chargers' second game of the Summer, when the rookie picked off Tyler Shough and took the interception back for a touchdown.

S: Andrew Mukuba, Eagles

The Eagles defensive depth is among the best in the league, as the team seems to always nail its draft picks. This year, that includes Andrew Mukuba, a safety out of Texas whom Philadelphia selected in the second round in April.

Mukuba produced one of the best defensive highlights of the preseason when he picked off Dillon Gabriel and took it 75 yards to the endzone. It marked the longest pick-six of the regular season and potentially sealed Mukuba's starting spot over Sydney Brown.

KR/PR: TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots

Henderson impressed in his limited playoff action, showing that the Patriots were wise to take him in the second round. The former Ohio State running back will likely be New England's best running back this year, but he also succeeded in the return game.

On the opening kickoff against the Commanders, which was his first NFL touch, Henderson scored a 100-yard touchdown, showing off his blazing speed in the process.

MORE NFL: Commanders RB depth chart after Brian Robinson trade

K: Cam Little, Jaguars

Little made this team for one play and one play only. The Jaguars kicker nailed a 70-yard field goal in his first preseason action against the Steelers, which would have been an NFL record if it happened in the regular season.

Little had a strong rookie season in 2024, but showed there is more room for him to grow after he nailed the 70-yard field goal. He ended his preseason perfect, making five field goals on five attempts and eight extra points on eight attempts.

P: Ethan Evans, Rams

Quietly, Rams punter Ethan Evans had a strong preseason to open his third NFL season. Evans had the longest punt of the preseason with an 81-yard boot, and he's averaged 63.4 yards on five punts during August. 

Daniel Chavkin

Daniel Chavkin is a Digital Content Producer for The Sporting News. A 2018 graduate from the University of Maryland, he has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and NFLTradeRumors.com.