The NFL's three-game preseason has now been in effect for several seasons, but a consensus on how to approach the relatively new format has not yet been reached.Some coaches still like to play their starters each week, giving them a little action to get them ready for the rest of the season. Other coaches won't play their top players at all, instead relying on joint practices to prepare veterans and high-end rookies for action while avoiding the potential for in-game injuries.Because of this, fewer notable players are in action during the preseason. That creates plenty of opportunities for le ser-known athletes to stand out. These preseason All-Stars often work their way onto NFL rosters as key role players and rotational pieces.Not every top preseason talent will make a roster. Some will be relegated to practice squad detail while others may find their opportunity during the season as injuries occur.Still, NFL fans will want to know the names of the best preseason players so they can have a handful of new sleepers to monitor during the regular season.The 2024 preseason produced many le ser-known stars and role players about whom NFL junkies can get excited.The Sporting News presents its 2024 Preseason All-Stars, led by our preseason MVP, who was one of the most efficient signal-callers in his limited action.DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: (SN Illustration)NFL preseason MVP: QB Bo Nix, BroncosThe Broncos' selection of Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was met with plenty of skepticism. The Oregon quarterback was the sixth quarterback selected in the first round, and some wondered whether spending a high-end resource on a 24-year-old quarterback would prove to be a wise investment.Based on Nix's preseason performance, the Broncos should be pleased with their selection.Nix entered the 2024 preseason fighting for the starting job in Denver. He wasn't guaranteed to win it, though many believed he had more upside than the two quarterbacks against whom he was fighting: Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.That said, Trey Hendrickson Jersey Nix . Hewas one of the best and most accurate quarterbacks during the NFL preseason, leading Denver to wins inhis two appearances,performing efficiently in extensive action. He completed 76.7 percent of his pa sesand finished with a pa ser rating of 116.7, second-best in the league among pa sers with at least 30 attempts.MORE: | StatTotalComp. %76.7Pa sing yards205Pa s TDs2INTs0Pa ser rating116.7Nix wasn't just good as a pure pocket pa ser. He showed a willingne s to throw on the run and thrived doing so, as he showed on several throws throughout the preseason.Bo Nix looking comfortable out there He finds Tim Patrick for the TD!: on : Stream on NFL (@NFL) Nix's mobility was one of the biggest factors that separated him from his competition, in the opinion of Broncos coach Sean Payton."I would say a lot of the off-schedule movement throws, and I think he's been consistent," Payton said when asked why he chose Nix as the starting quarterback, per . "It's not really a reflection on Jarrett or even Zach, it's some of the things Nix has been able to do pretty quickly his arm strength down the field, all the things that when we evaluated him, you kind of trust your instincts."Nix had more to gain than most of his five first-round quarterback counterparts during the preseason, and he delivered while helping the Broncos compete. Denver is hoping that will carry over to the regular season, but even if not, Nix's performance made him the biggest standout of the preseason.NEW NFL RULE EXPLAINERS: | | NFL Preseason All-StarsQB: Mac Jones, JaguarsJones got a much-needed change of scenery during the 2024 offseason when the Patriots traded him to his hometown Jaguars. It appears that Jacksonville's investment was a good one.Jones performed consistently throughout his three preseason appearances. He helped guide the Jaguars to a 3-0 record and posted the highest pa ser rating in the NFL among qualified quarterback (115.9).Jones also showcased his talents as an accurate pa ser while being willing to push the ball downfield when appropriate. He completed 73.1 percent of his pa ses while averaging 8.1 yards per attempt during the preseason.Mac Cooks | Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) The Jaguars seem encouraged by Jones' performance, as evidenced by Doug Pederson's comments about him following Jacksonville's third preseason game."Mac has played extremely well in the last couple of weeks and has really bought into what we do," Pederson said, per . "Hell still revert back to his Patriots ways every now and then, and we have to remind him hes in Jacksonville. But hes done a good job managing and running the offense, getting everybody involved. He sees the field well, throws a good ball, so hes done a good job."That certainly makes Jones sound and look the part of a high-end backup quarterback.Honorable mentions: Jayden Daniels, Commanders; Caleb Williams, Bears; Jaren Hall, VikingsVincent Carchietta-USA TODAY SportsRB: Eric Gray, GiantsGray didn't show much as a rookie in 2023, but he was one of the NFL's top running backs during the 2024 preseason.Gray racked up 138 total yards acro s two preseason performances and was one of the top receiving backs in the NFL. He logged nine catches for 68 yards through the air; only Julius Chestnut had more receiving yards than him among running backs with 70.On the ground, Gray showed good strength, quality burst and an ability to make plays in open space, just as he did with a juke move on his 48-yard touchdown run against the Lions.Eric Gray to the HOUSE! : FOX5 New York Giants (@Giants) Giants fans may want to see Gray more consistently force mi sed tackles, but he logged twoexplosive runs defined as runs of 10-plus yards by Pro Football Focus onsevencarries while averaging 8.14 yards after contact per play. That could be enough to get him some looks in the Giants' backfield during the 2024 regular season, though Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy will also be fighting for snaps.Honorable mentions: Velus Jones Jr., Bears; Frank Gore Jr., Bills; Emanuel Wilson, PackersWR: Brian Thomas Jr., JaguarsThomas was overshadowed during the 2024 NFL Draft by the top three receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze, but Thomas looked like a potential star in limited action during the preseason.Thomas played sparingly for the Jaguars, but he racked up an impre sive 93 yards on three catches. He demonstrated his threatening field-stretching ability his shortest catch was a still-impre sive 14 yards and frequently got open thanks to his already strong route-running capabilities.Trevor Lawrence finds the rookie Brian Thomas Jr. for the big gain!: on : Stream on NFL (@NFL) The Jaguars have Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis on the roster, but Thomas may be the No. 1 receiver by the end of his rookie season based onhis play in the preseason. At the very least, he and Davis will add a lot more vertical playmaking ability to a Jacksonville offense Scotty Washington Jersey that lacked it last season.WR: Jermaine Burton, BengalsBurton was a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he shined during the preseason. He finished third in the NFL with 157 receiving yards during the preseason, and Bengals quarterbacks had a perfect pa ser rating when targeting him, per Pro Football Focus.Add in that three of Burton's eight catches were contested and it looks like his physicality and athleticism will translate to the NFL level.Jermaine Burton this preseason: 86.1 PFF grade 8 receptions 157 yards 2 TDs 3 contested catches 158.3 rating when targeted PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) Burton may not immediately slide into the No. 3 spot on Cincinnati's depth chart as a rookie given the depth and Wyatt Hubert Jersey talent the Bengals have at receiver. Even so, the Alabama product overwhelmed the backup defenses he often faced during the preseason, so he has the potential needed to be a breakout star as he grows into the NFL game.Honorable mentions: Jordan Whittington, Rams; Trishton Jackson, Vikings; Tre Tucker, Raiders; A.T. Perry, Saints(Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY NETWORK)TE: Ben Sinnott, CommandersSinnott was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and has quickly endeared himself to Commanders fans. He has played with great physicality throughout the preseason and has been hard to tackle with the ball in his hands.Case and point, Sinnott's 44-yard reception against the Jets. He had a nice release that allowed him to get open early and once he caught the pa s, he ran through a couple of tackle attempts before a pile of Jets players brought him down.16 to 82 for 44 Washington Commanders (@Commanders) Sinnott finished the preseason withfour catches and 67 yards in two games. He is currently behind Zach Ertz on Washington's tight end depth chart, but it shouldn't surprise anyone to see him overtake the veteran after his eye-popping preseason performance.Honorable mentions:David Martin-Robinson, Titans; Tommy Sweeney, Bears;Cameron Latu, 49ersOL: Graham Barton, BuccaneersBarton entered the NFL as a versatile blocker who many believed would be a plug-and-play starter on the interior offensive line. He backed up those evaluations with a strong preseason.Barton showed well in his first NFL action. He played 18 snaps in the Buccaneers' first preseason game and didn't allow a single pre sure.Graham Barton in his NFL debut: 18 snaps 0 pre sures allowed 80.1 pa s-blocking grade 87.3 run-blocking gradeThe highest-graded 2024 OL draft pick in Week 1 PFF TB Buccaneers (@PFF_Buccaneers) Barton continued to look consistently good throughout the rest of his preseason action, closing it with a pa s-blocking grade of82.2and a run-blocking grade of79.6. He has locked up the starting center job, displacing 2021 third-round pick Robert Hainsey and taking the first step in establishing himself as a top-tier center at the NFL level.Honorable mentions: Tyler Guyton, Cowboys;Dominick Puni, 49ersEDGE: Jose Ramirez, BuccaneersRamirez had one of the best single games by a defensive player of the 2024 preseason. He racked up all three of his preseason sacks against the Jaguars, energizing a Bucs pa s rush that recorded no sacks in its first preseason game.Ramirez was nearly unblockable against the Jaguars. He showed relentle s pursuit and good strength while chasing after Mac Jones and C.J. Beathard. He was aided at times by the quarterbacks holding onto the ball, but he was still consistently disruptive during the contest.HAT TRICK FOR : on WFLA Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) Ramirez didn't make the Bucs out of camp as a rookie, but he certainly capitalized on the opportunities presented to him by Tampa Bay's willingne s to rest Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Yaya Diaby.EDGE:Dallas Turner, VikingsRamirez got onto the All-Preseason team for his efforts in one game. Turner cracks the list largely for one play.Turner played sparingly in the preseason, but the edge rusher showed the skills that made him one of the most coveted pa s-rushing prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. He blew by Raiders veteran offensive lineman Andrus Peat in his first preseason game and used his speed to get a key red-zone sack.The Vikings' Dallas Turner is going to be a problem.I'm excited to see how Flores utilizes his skill set in various packages.Here's his sack vs. the Raiders.-- Cody Alexander (@The_Coach_A) If Turner can bring that type of energy to the fold consistently in Brian Flores' defense, he could end up being a stud. He only played 31 defensive snaps during the preseason, but the first-round rookie showed plenty on his lone sack about which to get excited.Honorable mentions:Oshane Ximines, Patriots; Daniel Hardy, Bears; Nick Herbig, Steelers(Scott Galvin/USA TODAY NETWORK)DT: Chris Williams, Browns/BearsWilliams played for the Browns throughout the 2024 preseason but was traded to the Bears after his final performance. It's easy to understand why Chicago wanted in on him.Williams is a solid pa s rusher who recorded two sacks during the preseason. That included an impre sive one during which he chased down Matt Corral, forced a fumble, and knocked it out of the end-zone for a safety.Chris Williams leaped for that safety Cleveland Browns (@Browns) Williams' five total tackles acro s three preseason games nearly matched his career total of six in 13 NFL games. He certainly was among the most productive interior defensive linemen during the preseason and it will be interesting to see how Chicago plans to use him.Honorable mentions: Leonard Taylor III, Jets; Taki Taimani, VikingsLB: Kristian Welch, PackersWelch played three preseason games for the Packers. He had a takeaway in each one, recovering a fumble in the first contest before logging an interception in his next two outings.Welch's coverage abilities were apparent during the preseason, as he allowed a pa ser rating of just 44.6 and showed great ball skills for a linebacker. His tip-drill interception against the Ravens was particularly impre sive, as he knocked the ball into the air but managed to stay upright and run under it to create the turnover.Defense forces another turnover! Green Bay Packers (@packers) Add in that Welch recorded a respectable 16 tackles and he looks like a good bet to make Green Bay's 53-man roster. The Iowa product may be able to hold the fort as a three-down backup should he make the final cut.LB:Joe Andree sen, BillsAndree sen was one of the best stories of the preseason. The Buffalo product signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent and thrived in practices and games. He racked up NFL Cincinnati Bengals Jersey 24 tackles and had a particularly strong performance in his 12-tackle game against the Steelers.Andree sen had two tackles for lo s against the Steelers and showed an ability to shoot the gap with speed and strength. On one of his best plays, he blew by Steelers second-round pick Zach Frazier, a player with a wrestling background who is known for being a mauler in the run game.Javon Solomon sets the edge, Joe Andree sen shoots the gap. Andree sen runs right through Frazier who is a physical mauling capable center Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) Andree sen may still be developing in coverage he allowed a102.1 pa ser rating when targeted during the preseason, per PFF but his playmaking potential was on display throughout the preseason. His downhill playmaking ability will make him among the more memorable defensive players during the 2024 preseason.Honorable mentions:Donavan Mutin, Falcons; Maema Njongmeta, Bengals; Markquese Bell, Cowboys;Trenton Simpson, Ravens; Joe Giles-Harris, PatriotsCB: Jack Jones, RaidersJones had a productive preseason despite playing just 54 defensive snaps for the Raiders. He allowed a pa ser rating of59.6 on 28 coverage snaps and produced three pa s defenses and an interception.Jones' interception was a textbook undercut of a route. He read J.J. McCarthy's on-the-run throw well and dashed just in front of the receiver as the ball arrived and made a nice grab to force the turnover.Jacked! | FOX 5 Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) There were never questions about Jones' talent entering the NFL, and it seems like he is unlocking his full potential with the Raiders. He figures to be a key part of Antonio Pierce's defense as the Raiders after his strong, three-game showing.Honorable mentions: Deane Leonard, Chargers; Derek Stingley Jr., Texans; Darrell Luter, 49ers(Jonathan Hui/USA TODAY NETWORK)S:Tony Jefferson, ChargersJefferson reminded fans of why he has started 67 career NFL games during his two preseason outings with the Chargers. Los Angeles signed the 32-year-old safety in June after he unretired and he put together an amazing display against the Cowboys to prove he still deserves an NFL roster spot.Jefferson recorded 14 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in Los Angeles' 26-19 win over Dallas. His first pick was a thing of beauty, as he made a late break as Lance scrambled to his right and managed to dive in front of the receivers to intercept the pa s.tony called dibs | CBS LA + ESTRELLA + NFLN Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) His second interception saw him make a big-time play in the end zone, reading Lance's eyes as he looked to the right and getting into the fourth-year quarterback's throwing lane to create another turnover.Tony Jefferson has his SECOND pick of the game!: on : Stream on NFL (@NFL) Overall, Jefferson allowed a pa ser rating of just26.7 in 57 coverage snaps while playing well against the run. It appears the veteran still has his top skills and should be ready to play a role for Jim Harbaugh and Je se Minter's defense as he reacclimates to the NFL.Honorable mentions: Keidron Smith, Broncos; Reddy Steward, Bears; Jordan Battle, BengalsKR/PR: Tyreik McAllister, RaidersOnly two players scored a touchdown on a special teams return during the NFL preseason. The first was Raiders receiver Tyreik McAllister, who logged a league-best 81-yard punt return score in Las Vegas' 24-all tie with the 49ers a night before Seattle's Dee Eskridge took a punt back 79 yards vs. Cleveland.McAllister showed great, one-cut vision on the play, along with the speed and burst needed to become a potential top-tier return weapon.81-yard punt return TD for Tyreik McAllister!: on : Stream on NFL (@NFL) The NFL's new kickoff rule could incentivize the Raiders to keep McAllister on their roster. His presence Jackson Carman Jersey would allow Tre Tucker to focus on being a full-time member of the offense, which may appeal to new Las Vegas offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.Honorable mentions: Dee Eskridge, Seahawks; Isaac Guerendo, 49ers; Parker Washington, JaguarsK: Brandon Aubrey, CowboysAubrey has one of the biggest legs in the NFL, and he showed it off during the Cowboys' Week 2 preseason matchup against the Raiders.At the end of the first half, Mike McCarthy called upon Aubrey . The former Notre Dame soccer player made it to extend Dallas' lead to seven at halftime.Brandon Aubrey drills a 66-yard field goal : on : Stream on NFL (@NFL) Impre sively, Aubrey's made field goal was tied for the longest in NFL history with Justin Tucker, who made a record-breaking 66-yard kick in 2022 when the Ravens took on the Lions. That, plus his league-best three field goal makes from 50-plus yards during the preseason, is enough to make him the league's top kicker in August.If Aubrey challenges Tucker's record during the 2024 season, the former soccer player could earn his second consecutive All-Pro nod to begin his career.Honorable mentions: Jake Bates, Lions; Cameron Dicker, Chargers; Will Reichard, Vikings; Jason Myers, SeahawksP: A.J. Cole, RaidersCole put together a rock-solid preseason for the Raiders. He punted a league-high 16 times but pinned a whopping nine of those kicks inside the 20-yard line. That allowed him to log a net punting average of46.1 yards, which was a full yard better than his league-leading average from last season.Cole is clearly one of the best punters in the NFL, so it's no surprise Las Vegas didn't bring any competition for him. His usage in the preseason should provide the Raiders with confidence that they will have at least one area of strength on special teams for the 2024 season.Honorable mentions: Tommy Townsend, Texans; Tory Taylor, Bears