Seventeen games have now been played, and all 32 NFL teams have had their share of preseason action. Now it’s time to sort through the top takeaways from PFN’s Trey Wingo.
Takeaways From NFL Preseason Week 1
The 3 Rookie QBs Underwhelmed
The timeframe of Thursday to Saturday was supposed to be a chance for NFL fans to get energized about the top three rookie quarterbacks taken in the first round Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers), C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans), and Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts). Yet, all three underwhelmed in their respective contests.
“They got a long way to go,” Wingo said. “None of them showed anything close to fulfilling the hope and promise of being drafted that high.”
Stroud, the second overall pick, was the first of the first-round rookie QB class to see action. He ended up completing just two passes out of four attempts, settling for 13 yards, and also picked off.
Stroud’s night ended with watching the undrafted rookie passer for the New England Patriots, Malik Cunningham, who was lining up with the wide receivers before pivoting back to his position at Louisville, become the more impressive first-year QB.
On Saturday, Richardson went 7 of 12 for 67 yards but was also picked off and settled for a QB rating of 39.2 in the 23-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Young was the final one to play. While he went 4 of 6 passing, the yardage only accumulated to 21 yards, and he was sacked once in the Panthers’ 27-0 loss.
However, that doesn’t mean the sky is already falling on the trio.
“Look, I’m not saying they won’t get there,” Wingo explained. “But nobody popped right out the gate, and the struggle bus was real for all three of them.”
‘Legitimate’ Hype for 2021 First-Round QB on Hot Seat
The preseason’s first week ended up becoming a fresh start for one past first-round quarterback under heavy scrutiny entering Year 3 — Justin Fields.
Wingo, however, took a liking to what the NFL world saw out of Fields versus the Tennessee Titans.
“The hype around Justin Fields in Chicago seems it might be legitimate,” Wingo said.
Fields relied on his legs last season and became the NFL’s third QB to rush for 1,000 yards in a season…but he was reliant of that trait without a bonafide receiving threat. On Saturday, Fields only threw the ball three times…but tallied 129 yards and a touchdown pass to newcomer DJ Moore.
“We saw what he did with his legs last year. You add in DJ Moore, and certainly, he’s a more dynamic quarterback,” Wingo said. “If you’re a Bears fan, you have to like what you see.”
Jordan Love Will Earn Some Respect
Staying in the NFC North, Jordan Love is another facing a heavy amount of watchful eyes as he takes over for franchise legend Aaron Rodgers.
Love gave an early taste of what could come for the Green Bay Packers — a taste of efficiency. And following completing 7 of 10 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, Wingo is convinced about the new era of Packers football featuring Love.
“Jordan Love is going to surprise people,” Wingo predicted. “He’s going to be much more efficient than what people give him credit for.”
Wingo pointed out that Love not only gets the benefit of feeding the ball to a pair of dynamic wideouts in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs but how waiting behind Rodgers is another beneficial element for Love.
“I think he’s had to wait just as long as Rodgers did before he took over for Brett Favre, and I think that’s going to pay dividends,” Wingo said. “Jordan Love is going to be a surprise.”
Wingo Likes ‘Wiggle’ and Production of Dallas Cowboys Rookie
While first-round nose tackle Mazi Smith trended on social media for putting his brute force on display versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, he wasn’t the Dallas Cowboys rookie Wingo mentioned in his fourth takeaway.
It ended up going to sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn, who turned Wingo into a believer after breaking off some electric runs in the 28-23 loss to the Jags.
“I like the wiggle in Cowboys rookie Deuce Vaughn,” Wingo said. “Not saying he can be the standard bearer. But be a part of a two-back system and a change-of-pace guy. He’s going to be slippery if he stays healthy.”
Super Bowl Champs Will Need To Get Top Rusher Back Soon
Before the dramatic ending that saw the New Orleans Saints intercept a late pass and then hit the final field goal for the 26-24 win over the defending Super Bowl champions, there was the sight of the Kansas City Chiefs getting pushed around in the trenches and watching the home team score in their first three possessions.
And that was without top edge rusher Chris Jones — a contract holdout following his career-tying 15.5 sacks last season. Wingo believes the stakes just got higher between both K.C. and Jones.
“The negotiating stance of Chris Jones went up,” Wingo said. “Without him in the lineup, the Chiefs’ regular starters on defense generated little to no pressure against the New Orleans Saints.”
Wingo declares that a deal must get done soon or face someone else hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
“Chris Jones proves he’s worth every dollar he’s asking for. And the Chiefs need to realize they need him if they want any shot at repeating as Super Bowl champs,” Wingo said.