Power Ranking the NFL Preseason MVP Candidates

The NFL preseason is half over, and we've already seen stalwart performances from highly touted rookies and bottom of the roster guys trying to claw their way onto the roster alike. If there was an award for the "MVP" of the preseason, these would make the cut.

12. Redskins CB Jimmy Moreland

Maybe the guy with 18 career college interceptions and six pick-sixes can play a little. After dominated both FCS competition at James Madison and Senior Bowl receivers, Moreland was picked in the seventh round by the Redskins, and has rewarded them by playing stalwart coverage, recording six tackles, and forcing a fumble. He's easily been the most impressive corner this preseason.

11. Eagles OT Andre Dillard

Lane Johnson and Jason Peters have the tackle spots locked down, but the Eagles finally found a long-term replacement in Dillard. The first-round pick out of Washington State has a way to go as a run blocker, but is already showing off his sweet feet and technical mastery in pass protection. When his time comes, he'll prove the Eagles got a stud.

10. Steelers WR James Washington

Antonio Brown who? The former Oklahoma State star was expected to take a big leap forward as the Steelers' No. 2 receiver, and has produced early in the preseason with eight catches for 162 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's first two preseason games. Washington has a knack for going downfield, so don't expect the Big Ben bombs to stop anytime soon.

9. Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham

After looking lost and nervous whenever he had to play against a ranked team at Auburn, Stidham looks cool and composed as a Patriot, throwing for 372 yards and two touchdowns in two games. Arm talent was never a question with him, but poise and accuracy were. While he'll likely never replace Tom Brady or be a long-term starter, he's shown that he can be a serviceable backup at the next level.

8. Buccaneers TE Tanner Hudson

An unheralded, undrafted tight end out of Division II school Southern Arkansas (Go Muleriders!), Hudson has exploded with Bruce Arians' Bucs, leading all receivers in the preseason with 177 yards and two touchdowns. Even though he is still on the roster bubble, Tampa Bay will have a hard time parting with him if he continues to light it up like he has.

7. Vikings RB Mike Boone

After scraping onto the Vikings roster as an UDFA out of Cincinnati, Boone has been competing with third-round pick Alexander Mattison and former Detroit Lions back Ameer Abdullah for the RB2 job. Boone has more than laid his claim to the role, as he is currently leading everyone in rushing yards this preseason with 136 while adding a touchdown for good measure.

6. Saints QB Taysom Hill

The Saints quarterback/running back/wide receiver/punt protector is up to his usual tricks in the preseason. He is second in rushing yards behind Boone this preseason with 98 while also racking up 216 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Some view Hill as nothing more than a gimmick, but he looks ready to prove he can be an important cog on a championship team this season.

5. Browns LB Mack Wilson

Wilson, who slid to the fifth round after being projected as a first or second round pick for months, is actually outperforming third round pick Sione Takitaki, although both have had fine preseasons. Wilson picked off two passes, including one from Dwayne Haskins, in his first preseason game against the Redskins, and looks like the prototypical rangy, fluid linebacker defensive coordinator Steve Wilks covets.

4. Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers

I may go to my grave unsure of how the league made 254 picks in the 2019 draft and Meyers was not one of them. A shifty wide receiver who can easily get separation on shorter routes, Meyers already has 153 yards and two touchdowns racked up through two games. No team values wide receivers who get separation more than new England, making Meyers a perfect fit for the Patriots.

3. Giants QB Daniel Jones

After being mocked relentlessly for begin taken sixth overall, Jones has been extremely impressive, going 16-of-19 with two touchdowns in his first two games. While he did lose two fumbles and the preseason is a far cry from the regular season defenses and expectations he will face, Giants fans can finally look at their franchise quarterback and feel confident about the future after his first two appearances.

2. Eagles DE Daeshon Hall

After being selected with the 77th overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Carolina Panthers, but ending up cut after a year in which he recorded no tackles and got hurt, Hall might have finally found a home in Philadelphia. The former Texas A&M star has three sacks through two games, including two of Jacksonville Jaguars rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew. The Eagles pride themselves on an aggressive defensive line, and Hall will fit in nicely.

1. Buccaneers QB Ryan Griffin

Griffin has been in the league since 2013, making over $4 million in that time, but hasn't thrown a pass. Griffin is the king of the preseason, which is why Tampa Bay brought him back for his FIFTH season as their third string quarterback and signed him to a contract extension. With a league best 531 yards and two touchdowns, it's been business as usual for the former Tulane quarterback.