Ole Miss Football: Preseason Updates for the 2018 NFL Rebels

The 2018 NFL Preseason is fully underway and for Ole Miss football fans we are all hoping our favorite NFL Rebels will have great preseasons.

With football season just around the corner Ole Miss football fans are getting ready to watch our Rebels hit the field on September 1. However, there are NFL Rebels who have been in fall camp for some time and are now in the second week of the 2018 NFL Preseason. With 31 former Ole Miss players active on NFL rosters you can imagine there will be news from the Rebels in the NFL and there has been. So far the former Rebels have done surprisingly well.

Ole Hotty Toddy has been following a number of NFL Rebels in the preseason and we want to keep Ole Miss fans updated. Of course, by now you have probably read about the success which Chad Kelly is having in Denver. Earlier this week after his first NFL preseason game Kelly was promoted to second string QB for the Broncos. Kelly will be back in action Saturday evening against Chicago and we’ll follow-up that game because of the obvious quarterback controversy which is looming in Denver.

Two other players OHT has been following are Breeland Speaks of the Kansas City Chiefs and Marquis Haynes of the Carolina Panthers. Speaks made his NFL preseason debut and was on the field for 32 snaps in the Chiefs preseason opener. So far Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been happy with what he has seen from the rookie and believes he has been developing well thru the fall camp.

Marquis Haynes who is now a Carolina defensive end has been showing glimpses of what made him so good off the edge at Ole Miss. Haynes has been doing very well and has been receiving instructions on technique from some of the best veterans in the business. Julius Peppers and Mario Addison who is ahead of Haynes on the depth chart have both taken Haynes ‘under their wing’ and helping develop Haynes into a dominant threat off the NFL edge.

Some NFL Rebels Vets

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Naturally there are quite a few NFL Rebels who are veterans and have made or are making their mark in the league. Of course, as with any preseason we don’t get to see much of the NFL starters but they are grinding just as hard as the new rookies.

One NFL Rebel everybody is anxious to see more of this fall is Giants QB Eli Manning who is entering his 14th season in the league. There is some speculation this season could be Manning’s swan song, but Eli has not mentioned retirement and seeing he has never had any major injury Eli could easily see a few more years in the pros. Will this be the season for Eli? Manning certainly has a good set of weapons at his disposal and could top 60K career yards in 2018

Another NFL Rebel expected to have a big season is Mike Hilton of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hilton has established himself as a very dominant force in the Steelers defense and looks to have a huge 2018 season in the defensive backfield for Pittsburgh. We all know what an aggressive player Hilton is and with his head hunter style of play he will be a thorn in the side of opposing offenses this season.

Last season Hilton recorded 64 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INTs and 1 forced fumble. Of course, Hilton is projected to be a starter for the Steelers in 2018 and expected to pick up where he left off in the 2017 season. Hilton will have a great season in the Pittsburgh secondary playing multiple positions in the Pittsburg secondary. Described by teammates as a ‘pitbull’, Hilton will be fun to watch this season.

Other NFL Rebels To Watch For

Wide receiver Mike Wallace his now entering his 10th season as a NFL Rebel and is expected to be a huge part of the Philadelphia Eagles offense in 2018. Wallace has established himself as one of the best receivers in the NFL over past seasons and looks really good in fall camp so far this season. The downfield threat which Wallace creates for opposing defenses will be fun to watch in 2018. Expect to see Wallace continue to make a statement in the NFL.

Brandon Bolden has solidified himself as part of the New England Patriots and his now entering his 7th season with New England. Bolden has been a solid go to utility back and sensational on special teams for the Patriots and looks to be a significant factor in the 2018 season. Brandon Bolden is a huge fan favorite in New England and could have a huge season.

As the 2018 Preseason continues into the regular season Ole Hotty Toddy will be bringing our readers updates on the NFL Rebels. We wish all of our former Ole Miss Rebels in the NFL the best for this season. Good luck NFL Rebels! Hotty Toddy!