As the preseason continues to unfold, offensive and defensive gems who shined will be a new series on Fans First Sports Network.

The goal is to analyze five offensive and defensive gems from a selection of the 32 NFL franchises each week of preseason action and then do the same thing when the regular season arrives.

In this second segment, two wide receivers, two running backs, and a former first-round quarterback trying to find his way makes the list.

BEARS WR DANTE PETTIS:

Being selected 44th overall from the University of Washington in 2018 by the San Francisco 49ers, wide receiver Dante Pettis had high expectations placed upon him early. While Pettis has struggled to gain his footing in the National Football League, his most recent preseason action versus the Kansas City Chiefs could benefit the receiver with a roster spot.

Pettis finished the second preseason game with three receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears’ receiving corps is extremely talented with the likes of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, but Pettis could slip in as a fourth receiver and become the main backup just in case any of the big three get injured or miss time.

JAGUARS QB MAC JONES:

New Jacksonville Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones has endured a rollercoaster of an NFL career. After being selected in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft (pick 15) by the New England Patriots, Jones has struggled greatly and has found himself in a backup role under Trevor Lawrence.

Jones needs all of the game time action he can get, and the preseason has given him that opportunity. In the Jaguars’ second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jones went 16/23 for 210 passing yards and two touchdowns. He helped orchestrate a 20-7 victory and made smart decisions and was accurate throughout the contest. Even though Jones may not be an NFL starter currently, he is still auditioning for the other NFL franchises who may be looking for a future signal-caller in the coming years.

TEXANS WR JOHN METCHIE III:

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III was selected in the second-round of the 2022 NFL Draft but quickly found himself battling off the field. Metchie III sat out his entire rookie campaign after a cancer diagnosis (acute promyelocytic leukemia). Just one year later, Metchie III returned to the field and is in fine playing condition.

In the Texans second preseason game, the third-year receiver caught six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Being only 24-years-old, the young athlete needs all of the preseason success in a crowded and talented Texans receiver room led by Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, and Nico Collins.

PANTHERS RB DILLON JOHNSON:

After going undrafted this year, Carolina Panthers running back Dillon Johnson is using the preseason to showcase his talents. You may remember Johnson’s name as he was a dominant force for the Washington Huskies en route to their College Football National Championship season.

Johnson shined in limited action on Saturday and captured 83 rushing yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry and had a long run of 22 yards. The rookie back must continue to preform in next week’s last preseason game and hope that he did just enough to secure a position on the practice squad and/or 53-man roster.

FALCONS RB JASE McCLELLAN:

Atlanta Falcons’ sixth-round draft selection running back Jase McClellan had a solid Saturday evening carrying the football. The former Alabama product who rushed for 803 yards on 166 carries a season ago, is taking his playmaking abilities to Atlanta.

McClellan carried the football eleven times for 55 yards and a touchdown. He had a long of 17 yards and also added two receptions for 13 yards, displaying his versatility in and out of the backfield.

WRAP-UP:

These are five offensive gems who shined during week two of the NFL preseason. If you missed the first segment, click here.

Make sure to look for the defensive gems article coming out very soon.