Analyzing NFL rookie preseason performances is a tricky task. Players get limited snaps, working with backups and against backups. That said, there were a handful of standout performances worth taking notice of. Particularly if you are a bettor or are prepping for a fantasy draft. Here are our top 8 rookie performances from week 1.
There were plenty of reasons to expect J.J. McCarthy to get off to a slow start this preseason. He only started 28 games in college, he's only 21 years old, and he was playing with the second-string offensive line and receivers. Despite this, he blew the expectations out of the water.
McCarthy sat in the pocket, under pressure, and delivered elite throws down field. He finished 11-of-17 for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He also ran for 18 yards on 2 carries.
It was his reaction to an early interception that was most impressive. The interception came off a bad throw caused by early pressure. He would be under pressure the entire game, but took the hits and delivered big play after big play.
The story now is the knee injury, and if Minnesota could rewind the clock, they'd likely not send him out there to take those hits with the backup offensive line. However, we are looking at a timetable that ranges from 1-4 months, making McCarthy a candidate for the PUP list.
Does Chicago finally have a king fit for their city? Caleb Williams looked like a seasoned pro in his first and only preseason drive, rushing for a long first down and throwing some passes that a 1st round QB normally wouldn’t attempt during his first time putting on the Chicago uniform against competition.
In Caleb’s “Summer League”, the hype is out of the roof but if he can hone in the playbook and get comfortable taking some hits outside the pocket in the next two preseason games, the Bears are going to be in good shape.
Burton is a player you need to keep your eye on in best ball and dynasty formats. Tee Higgins is on a franchise tag, Tyler Boyd is moved on to Tennessee, and Burton is left vying for that WR3 role. His first preseason performance helped as he dropped 82 yards in the second half while scoring a TD in the loss to Tampa. Watch for the Alabama wideout to get more run in the WR3 role during this preseason.
Daniels only went 2 of 3 with a 42-yard connection to Dyami Brown during the singular drive he played for OC Kliff Kingsbury and the Washington Commanders. Similar to Williams, Daniels looked like the same guy from LSU that won the Heisman - cool, calm, able to move in the pocket with ease.
Washington has had a hole at the Quarterback position for some time and even if Daniels struggles early in the year, I believe this is a long-term plan after spending the 2nd overall on the mobile QB.
One of my sleeper running backs for the season, Jaylen Wright out of Tennessee is already extremely explosive out of the backfield. In the Miami offense? He’s going to be dynamic out of the backfield. Mike McDaniel turned Raheem Mostert and DeVon Achane into top 10 backs so why can’t he do the same for a player that averaged over 7 YPC in SEC play during his last collegiate year? JW ran 10 times for 55 yards in the opener.
Do the Rams have another elite WR on their hands? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves but Jordan Whittington’s 6 catches for 74 yards during a preseason game definitely turned some heads. If you look back at last preseason, Puka scored in his preseason opener so something is in the air with these McVay wideouts during the preseason.
In Year 1, Jordan could easily progress into the WR3 or 4 role with the LA receiving core normally banged up throughout the season. If he finishes the preseason strong, he’ll be a top target in dynasty drafts and possibly sneak his way into DFS conversations.
Bo Nix is essentially what Sean Payton dreams of when a genie in a bottle asks him his wish for a Quarterback - not in a good way. Nix did have a solid preseason debut though, totalling 20 points when on the field for the Broncos while throwing for 125 yards, a TD, and going 15 of 21 from under center. Looking forward, it wouldn’t shock me if Payton calls Nix the QB1 and tries to jumpstart this retool today.
Although our focus is mostly on offense, cornerback Nate Wiggins cannot go unmentioned in these rankings. The Clemson CB was selected 30th overall to Baltimore who was in need of a physical corner in a very tough division with Chase, Pickens, Cooper, and possibly Aiyuk. The corner had 1 TFL, 3 PD, and allowed just a singular catch for 8 yards during his first outing with Baltimore - a stat line John Harbaugh has to be pleased with.