Raheim Sanders is drawing preseason attention as the Browns running back was named among several former South Carolina Gamecocks to keep an eye on while NFL preseason action gets underway. The list comes as teams begin sorting out roles and looking for early signs of who can help when the games count.
That matters now because there are seven preseason games on Friday and Saturday, giving Sanders and the other former Gamecocks a first chance to make their case. The Carolina Panthers meet the Buffalo Bills, while the Cowboys face the Seahawks in the evening window, adding to a slate built for roster evaluation.
Sanders is part of a wider group of South Carolina alumni spread across the league this weekend. Jalon Kilgore is listed as a Bills rookie safety, Bryan Thomas Jr. as a Jaguars rookie, Joshua Simon and Nick Muse as former Gamecock tight ends on Atlanta's depth chart, Nate Adkins as a third-team tight end for the Broncos, Kingsley Enagbare as the Jets' starting defensive end, Alex Huntley as a defensive tackle for the Dolphins, Javon Kinlaw as Washington's defensive end and Darius Rush as a cornerback for Washington.
The catch is that the preseason spotlight does not come with a clear workload for Sanders. He was identified as a player to watch, but there is no indication yet that he is set for significant playing time, which leaves his actual role to be sorted out once the Browns take the field.
For Sanders, that makes these first preseason snaps less about the headline and more about proving he belongs in the mix. The next real answer comes with the games on Friday and Saturday, when the Browns' plans for him will finally start to show.
