What kind of analyst would I be if I didn’t score first-round rookies after the first preseason game? And I’m not here to disappoint, I’m here to give you, the reader, what you want. We are just one exhibition of him showcasing the professional careers of these players. For the Jaguars and Raiders, there will be two contests.
But now that we can watch legitimate NFL movies, we’re going to be handed out scores, whether they’re pointless games or not.
These are the first round rookies’ preseason stats. Before we begin, if a rookie isn’t listed, it’s because they either didn’t play in their respective team’s opening day or, for a variety of reasons, weren’t able to make a big impact, for better or worse. .
1. Travon Walker, EDGE/DL, Jaguars
Class A-
Most of Walker’s rushing was quickly thwarted, but he was a solid edge-setter on the run, forced to fumble when he crashed from the backside against the Browns, and Cleveland’s starting left tackle Jedrick. Pulled out a holding call to Wills. His sack in the Hall of Fame game was more due to Jarrett Stidham trying to scramble right up against him than individual wins from Walker. He landed another hit on Stidham with a more impressive outside speed rush. All in all, as a raw but freaky athletic specimen, the Jaguar should be pretty happy with Walker’s early return so far this preseason.
2. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Lyons
Grade: B.
Hutchinson had two tackles in ten snaps in his preseason debut with the Lions, with one tackle for loss. But no pressure. Hopefully we get to see a few more picks with the No. 2 overall pick before the regular season begins.
5. Kavon Thibodeau, EDGE, Giants
Grade: B.
Thibodeau is not considered officially under pressure in the preseason opener against the Patriots, but he was close on several occasions. His first snap was a push-pull on New England’s right tackle that brought a blocker to the turf. Thibodeau never jumped out of the gate, but he rarely looked out of place for his professional talent.
6. Ykem Akwonu, OT, Panthers
Class A-
Faced primarily with two ultra-long and athletic rushers, Montes Sweat and Efe Obada, Ekwonu was tough on offense, getting all but one rep in pass protection. He got up under those defenders most of the time, even in run games.
7. Evan Neal, OT, Giants
Grade: C+
Neil’s debut could have gone better. It was throwing those reps off balance. RUN AND SCREEN In his game, Neal was nimble, in control, and carried out what appeared to be his mandate.
9. Charles Cross, OT, Seahawks
Class A-
A silky-smooth set of passes that put Cross in the top 10 really paid off this weekend against the Steelers. Granted, he didn’t see his TJ Watt yelling around the corner, but mostly Derek.
10. Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets
Grade: B+
Wilson beat Press relatively early in the preseason opener against the Eagles and was urgent to create a separation. He caught his two passes for his 25 yards. I have no worries about his debut.
13. Jordan Davis, DT, Eagles
Grade: C
Davis played the way I expected him to – flashing a little bit against runs, pushing back the Jets center on one play and past him on another, but not important as a pass rusher. That said, his size alone draws a lot of attention inside his opponent’s offensive line.
14. Kyle Hamilton, S. Ravens
Grade: C+
Let’s start with the bad points. Hamilton has failed three times in his tackle attempts diving against the Titans. Otherwise, he showed off his dynamic deep coverage ability, often erasing throwing lanes when they materialized with his fluid footwork at his intimidating size. When a dive attempt morphs into a clean, under-controlled closeout, Hamilton is fine.
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17. Zion Johnson, OG, Chargers
Class A-
Outside the gate, Johnson looked like a seasoned veteran. This was largely because the Chargers were running often, and Johnson’s surprisingly low center of gravity and natural power are often in full play to pave lanes in ground games. His anchor was solid in his pro passing, aside from a frenzied whiff late in the first quarter and his rush of bulls that began to overwhelm him towards the end of the play. All in all, a positive start for the rookie right guard.
19. Trevor Penning, OT, Saints
Grade: D+
In the preseason opener against the Texans, Penning faced the harsh reality of not blocking any FCS other than Rusher. He surrenders his five pressures on just his 27 passes his blocks his snaps and is almost always unmatched against any type of defender utilizing any type of rush. did not. Consolation: He moved people with his run game.
20. Kenny Pickett, QB, Steelers
Grade: B.
Once Pickett entered the contest, I saw a tweet about the Steelers turning their offense into a 2021 Dolphins offense, but when you watch the movie, it’s essentially true. From a half roll with the first lead in the flat to a quick checkdown to a wide receiver screen, the Steelers didn’t ask much of a first-round pick in his preseason debut. That doesn’t mean it was a rookie performance flop. He handled the ball with decisiveness and precision, scoring one impressive midfielder near the sideline early in the fourth quarter.
23. Kaia Elam, CB, Bills
Grade: B-
It was a clean debut at Orchard Park in Rookie Corner and was over pass interference when he was caught looking into the backfield on a pass play. Other than that, Elam’s coverage was tenacious and he had pass breaks. For mostly male corners playing in zone-heavy schemes, Elam was smooth, but he didn’t stand out.
24. Tyler Smith, OG, Cowboys
Class A-
The debut of the Cowboys first-round pick as a professional went pretty much as expected after a good look at Tulsa’s film to set his sights on Smith during the pre-draft process. I even hit the center and tackle. But he fought like hell, showing a brute veteran-like strength in straight-ups, man-on-man scenarios, pass pros, and run games. I had one assignment. Other than that, I love the way Smith played against the Broncos.
26. Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Jets
Grade: C
Johnson saved his best rush… first. Yes, his first pass rush his snap came from Lane’s “Wide Nine” alignment against Johnson, the most impressive of the afternoon against the Eagles, bouncing off an established Wright his tackle. Other than that, Johnson looked agile and part of a long first-round pick, but he was restrained.
29. Call Strange, OG, Patriots
Grade: B.
First, Strange gets extra points for not wearing gloves in his preseason Patriots debut. His very new he England interior his blocker.Seriously, though somewhat sloppy, Strange didn’t look out of place at left guard in his 13 snaps and the tenacious finish he showed [Les Snead voice] UT-Chattanooga was clear against the Giants’ defensive lineman.
30. George Karrafutis, EDGE, Chiefs
Class A-
Karlaftis was very effective, destroying a full pass rush move arsenal against the Bears. He recorded three pressures in snaps assigned to get after the quarterback. He looked explosive and weaponized his arm at the point of attack.Karlaftis won later in the game with a one-armed bull his rush, outside his speed his rush, and swim . He was washed out on a few occasions against Ran, but overall made a dandy debut.
31. Duxton Hill, S/CB, Bengals
Grade: B+
Hill was everywhere in the first game of the preseason, scoring 40 snaps and rarely missing or looking out of place. Reacted quickly and was almost intercepted. he missed a tackle.
32. Louis Sinet, S. Vikings
Grade: B.
Just like he showed in Georgia, Sine started his preseason voyage by roaming at lightning speed covering the Raiders game. He made a solo tackle on the lower route, but otherwise didn’t see much of the ball thrown in his direction.