6 players who must impress in final preseason showcase

Week 4 of the preseason doesn't garner much attention, but Thursday's games are incredibly important to players fighting for their NFL lives.

For a number of youngsters on non-guaranteed contracts, and veterans at risk of being replaced, this week is the last chance to break through to the 53-man roster.

Here are six players who must impress in their final tune-up for the regular season.

Robert Griffin III

Griffin will get his final chance to impress the Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff against the team that drafted him: the Washington Redskins. Upon signing a one-year contract in April, the former No. 2 overall pick has shared second-team reps with 2018 first-rounder Lamar Jackson.

After a year away from football, Griffin's play has made head coach John Harbaugh's selection process a difficult one. He's shown solid arm strength, impressive accuracy, and strong pocket presence under pressure during his four preseason contests to date.

The Ravens traditionally keep just two quarterbacks on their initial 53-man squad, so Griffin could be playing for more than just a job in Baltimore. With Jackson and starter Joe Flacco locked into the opening-day roster, the 28-year-old may be hoping a good game against the Redskins will lead to interest from other teams.

Rashaad Penny

Penny's NFL career hasn't kicked off the way he had likely hoped. The Seattle Seahawks selected the productive collegiate ball-carrier in the first round this past April (No. 27 overall), but he's accumulated just 18 preseason snaps due to a broken finger.

It had originally appeared as though Penny would be questionable for Week 1, but he's recovered quickly, returned to practice, and is set to fight for early- season carries. Unlucky for the running back, though, his absence has allowed Chris Carson to emerge as Seattle's top ball-carrier heading into the regular season.

The rookie has the talent to eventually take over as Seattle's every-down back but needs the spotlight to illustrate his skills. Thursday against the Oakland Raiders is a good start.

Corey Coleman

A former first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, Coleman was dealt to the Buffalo Bills for a future seventh-round pick earlier this month. He was on the roster bubble in Cleveland and he may be in the same situation in Buffalo.

Injuries and drops have plagued Coleman during his first two years in the league, and the receiver has failed to impress since the trade, primarily running with the second-team offense in practice. The young wideout is not a lock for the Bills' 53-man squad despite his first-round pedigree, but his guaranteed money from his rookie contract could force the Bills to keep him.

Even if Coleman makes the team, he could struggle to solidify a meaningful role behind Kelvin Benjamin, Andre Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, and Zay Jones. He'll make a last-ditch effort Thursday against the Chicago Bears. There isn't much talent standing in his way, so Coleman has run out of excuses.

Ronald Jones II

An exciting second-round pick out of USC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back has not lived up to the hype thus far. Jones was thought to have the inside track to the starting job, but he's struggled mightily as a runner this summer. With just 18 yards on 18 preseason carries, he's yet to flash the explosion and gap awareness that made him such a dangerous weapon in the Pac 12.

Jones has also disappointed as a receiver and pass-blocker, which may be the main reason he isn't close to being named the starter. The young running back hauled in a 37-yard reception Friday against the Detroit Lions but has otherwise looked lost in the passing game. His lack of college receiving production and questionable fit in an NFL passing scheme were his biggest knocks as a draft prospect, so he'll have to show improvement there before he can be trusted by Tampa Bay's coaching staff.

In the midst of Jones' struggles, Peyton Barber has emerged as the Buccaneers' lead back. If Jones fails to at least secure the third-down back position, it may be a while before we see him star on an NFL field.

Paxton Lynch

It's only Week 4 of the preseason, but Thursday's game against the Arizona Cardinals may be the biggest of Lynch's career. One step away from being officially labeled a first-round bust, the quarterback is on his last legs with the Denver Broncos. Chad Kelly has been promoted to backup behind Case Keenum, while Lynch has again struggled in his third offseason.

It is essential for Lynch that he displays marked improvement as a passer. His height and arm strength are his most valuable assets, but the inexperienced pivot must illustrate a better grasp of coverage concepts and blitz packages.

Denver almost certainly doesn't view Lynch as its long-term solution at quarterback, so he may have to convince other teams to take a flier on him if he's released. He has the talent but has never been able to shed his "raw" label and develop consistency as an NFL passer. Thursday's game will go a long way in determining what Lynch's next steps will be in his NFL career - if there are any.

Ameer Abdullah

After an inconsistent first three seasons, Abdullah is a victim of a numbers game in Detroit. The team added LeGarrette Blount in free agency and Kerryon Johnson in the draft, so the former second-round pick finds himself squarely on the roster bubble.

Abdullah is expected to see significant playing time in Detroit's preseason finale versus the Browns. The Lions will almost certainly dangle the 25-year-old in trade talks, so they'll want to showcase his skill set as much as possible to drive up his return price.

Abdullah has reportedly impressed his coaching staff during training camp practices, but it has yet to translate into preseason success. Whether it's on Matt Patricia's squad or somewhere else, he'll have one final chance to prove he's worthy of a roster spot and offensive role.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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