The first week of the NFL preseason has come to a close, giving fans an idea of how rookies are transitioning into the league while also giving them a glimpse at their team’s depth at each position.
Some rookies wowed, others flopped. In the preseason, it’s easier to look at shortcomings as opportunities to improve, but for those who wowed, it’s important to see the glass in its entirety.
Playing well in the preseason is a good sign that concepts are clicking and timing is strong. At the same time, preseason isn’t indicative of how a team will perform in the 18-game NFL regular season.
With Week 1 of the preseason wrapped up, which players shined brightest?
5 Best Performances From Week 1 of the Preseason
While more than five players played well in the first week of the preseason, these are the ones who separated themselves from the good performances, submitting a strong work of art this first week.
Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears
As the No. 1 pick of last April’s NFL Draft, Caleb Williams coming out in his first preseason game and playing well was what the entire city of Chicago was hoping for. This fan base has been in quarterback purgatory for almost the entire span of its existence, but following Williams’ first start in Navy and Orange, the Bears should be very excited for what’s to come.
“You’re a Wizard Caleb Williams” 😳
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/asoNn4j5CP
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 10, 2024
Williams showed poise and comfortability in the pocket, going through his reads and delivering a few jaw-dropping passes in his limited reps against Buffalo.
In his two series of work, Williams completed 4 of 7 passes for 95 yards and a 101.8 passer rating, adding a 13-yard rush to his stat line.
Evan Williams, S, Green Bay Packers
The former Oregon Duck made a strong first appearance against the Cleveland Browns in their first preseason game. Evan Williams, who has been a strong performer in Packers training camp, continued that on Saturday, having one of the best days among Green Bay’s defense.
Williams ended the game with a team-high six tackles, adding a forced fumble to his day.
With the Packers drafting Javon Bullard — a second-round pick out of Georgia — Williams and Bullard will battle for the strong safety spot aside from newly acquired Xavier McKinney.
Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets
Joining a backfield with Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, a 20-year-old rookie out of Wisconsin, had the opportunity to cement himself as the backup.
Against the Commanders, he did just that.
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Allen rushed six times for 54 yards, leading the team in rushing. At Wisconsin, he rushed for 3,494 and 35 touchdowns.
Despite slipping to the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, it’s showing that Allen could be the workhorse back behind Hall. With Hall’s health a potential reason for Allen to get more carries, the Jets seem to be in good hands with the former Badger.
Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Wright was one of the top running backs coming into the 2024 NFL Draft, and when he landed on the Miami Dolphins, it appeared to be a perfect fit.
On Friday night, those assumptions were reassured, as the former Tennessee Volunteer rushed 10 times for 55 and a touchdown.
Joining a backfield featuring Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane ahead of him on the depth chart, there are obstacles to Wright seeing significant snaps early. However, if he continues to perform like he did on Friday night, he could move his way into seeing significant snaps this season on one of the most electric offenses in the league.
Joe Alt, OT, Los Angeles Chargers
Some draft analysts weren’t too excited about Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers selecting Joe Alt No. 5 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft — passing up on Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and other weapons for Justin Herbert.
However, in his first NFL appearance, Alt looked as good as advertised.
Alt played 20 snaps against the Seahawks, and of those snaps, was in pass protection for 13 of them. Of the 13, Alt allowed just one pressure.
While he might not be as entertaining to watch, Chargers fans will get over it when Herbert is in a clean pocket all season — at least on the right side of the offensive line.
5 Worst Performances From Week 1 of the Preseason
As stated previously, the NFL preseason is mostly a dress rehearsal for players who might not get all of the reps during practice. Or, they’re players who need every rep they can get.
However, these five performers must improve next week. Otherwise, their playing time could be in jeopardy.
Stetson Bennett, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Stetson Bennett spent his rookie season last year on the reserve/non-football illness list, giving him few chances to show what he’s capable of at the NFL level.
In his first appearance this season, he had his struggles against Dallas.
Bennett played all four quarters, completing 24 of 38 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. Off the bat, that doesn’t sound too bad, but riddled into that stat line were four ugly interceptions.
Justin Fields, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Following an up-and-down start to his NFL career, Justin Fields was traded from Chicago to Pittsburgh, giving him a fresh start in a new environment. And while it’s been reported that Russell Wilson is the likely starter in Week 1 of the regular season, Fields isn’t out of the running for the starting job.
That is unless his performance on Friday night deterred the Steelers from putting him in the starting lineup. Fields was 5 of 6 for 67 yards, but his biggest issues seemed to haunt him even in a new uniform.
Fields has struggled in his NFL career with being decisive with where he wants to go with the ball, and that trend showed up again featuring two sacks. He also fumbled twice, with quarterback/center miscues.
Troy Fautanu, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers
In his first appearance after being drafted with the 20th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Troy Fautanu was seen as one of the top tackles in the draft, joining an offensive line in Pittsburgh that needed his help.
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Friday night wasn’t his best first impression, though, allowing two sacks on the night.
There’s time for him to hammer it down, but after seeing Fautanu in an NFL game, he left more to be desired.
Trevor Penning, OT, New Orleans Saints
After being drafted No. 19 overall in 2022, Trevor Penning has had an up-and-down start to his career in the Big Easy.
As a player who brings a nastiness to the field, sometimes it has a negative effect on him and his team, whether it be fights in practice or penalties in games. Add injuries to the mix, and Penning is fighting an uphill battle for playing time.
This week against the Cardinals, Taliese Fuaga stole the show, exposing Penning’s weaknesses even more as he enters a pivotal third season.
Fuaga has been solid at LT. Penning not so much on the right side. pic.twitter.com/S25FIryQGj
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 11, 2024
AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers
The Packers lost Aaron Jones this offseason to the Minnesota Vikings, but with Josh Jacobs joining the mix this free agency, Green Bay’s backfield looks a little different.
They also added rookie MarShawn Lloyd from USC in the draft, making AJ Dillon’s future with the Packers look a bit bleak. Against the Browns this week, Dillon rushed just four times for an alarming two yards, as the 800-yard rusher in 2022 appears to be running out of gas.
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