Game in the rear view http://www.baltimoreravensteamauthentic.com/terrell-suggs-jersey , the rest of the league kicks off their preseason slate starting tonight. While the final score is virtually meaningless, preseason contests serve as a prime time audition for those on the fringe of a roster spot, a platform for rookies to acclimate to the NFL and an opportunity for veterans to ramp up to ‘real’ game speed. Below are story lines to watch for around the league this week. Rookie debuts In a bit of strategic scheduling, The NFL’s top two picks in the 2018 draft will square off in Week 1 of the preseason. Number one overall pick Baker Mayfield will see considerable playing time, given that former Ravens back up quarterback Tyrod Taylor is slated to be the starter for the Browns. Considering Taylor’s journeyman career, the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner is certainly within striking distance of taking over the top spot on the depth chart, especially if he shines during the preseason and proves his size will not limit his ability to produce as a franchise quarterback. Saquon Barkley, selected second by the Giants, is one of the most anticipated talents coming out of the draft, and he is already a hot commodity on the fantasy football market. It will be intriguing to see how Barkley’s electric athleticism, good for two 18 touchdown seasons at Penn State, will translate to the pro level.NC State linebacker Bradley Chubb will debut against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. He has already impressed the Denver coaches enough during training camp to be slated number one on the depth chart. However http://www.baltimoreravensteamauthentic.com/joe-flacco-jersey , the Broncos have one of the best defense’s in the league, so Chubb will still have to keep pace with an aggressive clip and expectation at Mile High. Over in Miami, 11th overall pick safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is striving to work his way up the Dolphins depth chart. As an Alabama product, Fitzpatrick is no stranger to excellence. During his three years in Tuscaloosa, he recorded 110 solo tackles, five sacks, nine interceptions and four touchdowns. The preseason will be an opportunity for him to prove he deserves the edge over T.J. McDonald who is entering his second year with the organization. QB competitionsWith a whirlwind offseason for the quarterback position, many organizations will rely heavily on the preseason as a means to name a Week 1 regular season starter. Some competitions to key in on include the Bills, the Jets and the Cardinals.Against the Panthers on Thursday, Buffalo will distribute reps between AJ McCarron, Nathan Peterman and rookie Josh Allen. Drafted in 2014 by the Bengals, McCarron has played in just 11 NFL games http://www.baltimoreravensteamauthentic.com/marshal-yanda-jersey , starting in only three of those contests back in 2015 for a 2-1 record. Peterman was a fifth-round selection by the Bills in 2017, and he started two games last season when the Bills attempted to shake up the team by benching starter Tyrod Taylor. The Bills will likely view Allen as the quarterback of the future if either veteran performs well. However, as a top 10 pick, the Wyoming product could be poised to start sooner rather than later, given that both McCarron and Peterman have underwhelming resumes. With such limited experience among the trio, the starting role will be solidified based on the next four weeks.On Friday, the Jets will test the skills of Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater and Josh McCown. The Jets are in a similar spot to the Bills, with two shaky veterans and one unproven high draft pick vying for the job. Bridgewater, who once held great promise, suffered a gruesome ACL tear during training camp in 2016 and has never fully returned to form. McCown has bounced around the league since being drafted in 2002, with a 23-50 record as a starter. Sam Darnold will look to avoid the fate of many highly touted USC quarterbacks and become a successful NFL starter. Like Allen in Buffalo Womens Brandon Williams Jersey , the window is wide open for Darnold to being that campaign immediately. With the retirement of Carson Palmer, the Cardinals are evaluating Sam Bradford, Josh Rosen and Mike Glennon. To mirror the Bills and Jets, Arizona’s quarterback room is filled with uncertainty. The two veteran have struggled to produce whether due to injury in Bradford’s case or an inadequate skill set in regards to Glennon. Rosen was a polarizing figure throughout the draft process, and the UCLA quarterback has drawn unfair criticism for having other interests outside of football. Bradford has not played a full season since 2012, and Glennon has a career winning percentage of 37.5. Like his rookie counterparts in Buffalo and New York, Rosen will have the opportunity to win the regular season reps if he produces in the preseason. Unlikely heroes The preseason is when under the radar, thinly scouted players are able to make a name for themselves and force an NFL team to grant them an unexpected roster spot. Who will be the next player to replicate Victor Cruz’s break out performance in the 2010 preseason as an undrafted free agent out of UMass? Who will be the next surprise hometown hero like Adam Thielen from Division II Minnesota State? Bleacher Report breaks down the most intriguing undrafted free agent for all 32 teams.Patriots sign DB Cyrus Jones from Ravens’ practice squad The New England Patriots have signed defensive back and return specialist Cyrus Jones from Baltimore’s practice squad, per Jeff Howe. Jones was one of the more intriguing practice squad signings for the Ravens. He was a Baltimore native, and many believed that he could eventually overtake Janarion Grant for the return job. However, he now returns to where his NFL career began.After being selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones was cemented as a reserve defensive back and returner. He struggled to be a reliable returner. Jones made questionable decisions with New England Authentic Patrick Onwuasor Jersey , while also fumbling the ball five times. Jones is returning from a torn ACL he suffered during the preseason last year that forced him to miss the entire season. He now returns to New England as the team’s primary returner until Julian Edelman returns from his suspension.As a result of this signing, the Ravens had one open spot on their practice squad. With their depth in the secondary lacking due to Jimmy Smith’s suspension and Maurice Canady’s injury, Baltimore added another defensive back. They signed Makinton Dorleant, who stands at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds. He played college football at the University of Maryland for one season before transferring to the University of Northern Iowa. Dorleant went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft and eventually signed with the Green Bay Packers. He played four games for Green Bay but was released in April of 2017. He returned to the NFL in 2018 with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he was released during roster cuts.Dorleant rounds out Baltimore’s practice squad, and with Kai Nacua recently joining as well, it is unlikely he will be promoted this season.