by Eric Edholm , Christian Gonzales , Bobby Kownack & Nick Shook
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The 2025 NFL preseason begins in earnest with 16 games over four days. So, what are the most intriguing position battles? Which rookies can’t be missed? Eric Edholm, Christian Gonzales, Bobby Kownack and Nick Shook provide a viewing guide to this week’s action, with hot topics for all 32 teams.
*NFL+ subscribers can watch live out-of-market NFL preseason games across devices. Blackout restrictions apply.
WHEN: 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network, NFL+*)
COLTS: All eyes are on Indianapolis’ quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Both are expected to play a healthy amount in the Colts’ first two preseason games, though Shane Steichen announced on Tuesday that Richardson will start this opener and Jones will get the nod next week against Green Bay. While Richardson and Jones have each stacked some quality days during camp, how they fare in true game action could help tilt the position battle. For Richardson to win out — likely the Colts’ preferred result, considering he’s their former No. 4 overall pick — he can’t just make plays with his legs. He’ll need to show vast improvement from his career 50.6 completion percentage. As for Jones, how different will he look after spending the second half of last season in Kevin O’Connell’s quarterback school with the Vikings?
RAVENS: First-round safety Malaki Starks has taken a handful of practice reps at cornerback, adding another wrinkle to a stacked Ravens secondary. Coach John Harbaugh confirmed Starks will work primarily as a safety, but perhaps we will see him travel a bit in formation against the Colts, given the experimental nature of preseason. No matter where he lines up, the end goal is being a worthy partner to fellow safety Kyle Hamilton, a jack of all trades in coverage. It’s also worth keeping an eye on running back Keaton Mitchell, who flashed some awe-inspiring explosiveness in his 2023 rookie campaign before tearing his ACL. It took most of last year for Mitchell to get healthy, with the back receiving limited snaps in seven games (including two playoff contests). If he’s all the way back, the 5-foot-8, 191-pound blur would make a spectacular complement to Derrick Henry.
