Fansided

10 NFL rookies who improved their stock in Week 1 of preseason

By Ian Wharton

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the start of an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the start of an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 11: Running back Chase Edmonds #29 of the Arizona Cardinals during the preseason NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 11: Running back Chase Edmonds #29 of the Arizona Cardinals during the preseason NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

8. Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers game wasn’t an enjoyable game as it spanned three hours and 40 minutes, but there were nuggets of positive plays littered throughout. For the Cardinals, one of their biggest positives was that fourth-round running back Chase Edmonds immediately provided an impact upon entering the game.

Five carries for 11 yards is nothing special on face value, but the 5-foot-9, 205-pounder showed toughness, balance, and determination to find the end zone in the above clip. Edmonds was tremendously effective at Fordham, racking up 5,862 yards and 67 touchdowns in his four-year career. But it’s important to see that production translate against NFL defenders so he can win the backup job.

Fordham tested comparably to backs like Jerome Harrison, Duke Johnson, and Felix Jones at the combine, and his play style resembles each. He’s looking to beat out similarly-built players in T.J. Logan and D.J. Foster. Producing in short-yardage situations is a major weakness for those two, but Edmonds may be next-in-line behind superstar David Johnson if he can keep coming through on these opportunities.