The first full week of the NFL preseason brought plenty of intriguing performances from top draft picks plus some surprise breakout showings across the league.
One down, two to go.
We’re one step closer to the start of the NFL’s regular season, as Week 1 of the preseason concluded Saturday night with the final seven games.
First overall pick Fernando Mendoza — the top offensive choice — made his pro debut Thursday, in the Las Vegas Raiders‘ 27-14 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and drew praise after throwing for 1 touchdown in four drives.
David Bailey, the top defensive pick who was taken 2nd overall, was credited with 1 QB pressure and 1 tackle in just eight snaps during the New York Jets‘ 30-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The respect was shown immediately, though, as he was doubled on the first play of the game by Tampa Bay’s backups.
The most alarming storyline that might have been New Orleans wide receiver Jordyn Tyson‘s hamstring scare after he exited the Saints’ joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday after sustaining an apparent leg injury.
The alarming part was that the 6-foot-2, two-time, first-team all-Big 12 selection missed four games during his final season at Arizona State Sun Devils because of a hamstring injury. Per an ESPN report, Tyson is expected to miss some time due to the injury, as it’s possible it could “linger” into the regular season.
Fortunately, there was more good news than bad after the first week.
Breaking Down The Top NFL Preseason Performances In Week 1
Drew Allar, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The rookie threw 2 touchdowns and ran for another in the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ 28-9 win over the Green Bay Packers. The third-round pick from Penn State finished his pro debut completing 10-of-13 passes for 154 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Wetjen and a 4-yard connection with Riley Nowkowski. The 22-year-old gunslinger also darted into the end zone for a 3-yard score. With no guarantees around aging veteran Aaron Rodgers in what he’s stated will be his final season, Drew Allar has legitimate starting-quarterback upside, standing a sturdy 6-foot-5 with a powerful arm.
Steelers rookie QB Drew Allar in his preseason debut:
🏈10-of-13 completions
🏈154 YDS
🏈3 Total touchdowns
🏈0 interceptions pic.twitter.com/88247O6wer— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 14, 2026
Camden Brown, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Camden Brown delivered a standout debut, turning just three targets into the highlight of the Dallas Cowboys‘ 17-7 preseason win over the Seahawks. The undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern — who transferred from Auburn and became the first Eagles receiver to top 1,000 yards in a season — caught all three passes for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brown’s first score was a 39-yard strike from Sam Howell that gave Dallas a halftime lead. His second was a spectacular 2-yard, one-handed diving catch from Joe Milton III in the back of the end zone. Brown’s versatility allowed him to produce while in sync with two quarterbacks and excelling as both a deep threat and red-zone target. His explosive debut may have boosted his chances of making the roster, as he continues fighting for a spot in a crowded receiver room.
Amar Johnson, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Amar Johnson rumbled for 2 touchdowns and added a 55-yard reception for good measure during the Los Angeles Chargers‘ 27-7 road win over the Houston Texans. The undrafted second-year back, who won two FCS national championships with South Dakota State, finished with 6 carries for 17 yards and 2 receptions for 68 yards. He scored on a 7-yard run in the second quarter and a 1-yard plunge early in the fourth quarter. He also ran in a 2-point conversion to complement his second touchdown and push LA’s lead to 21-7.
Amar Johnson continues to be a preseason superstar he’s up to 85 total yards and 2 touchdowns
Last year he dominated in Green Bay before the Chargers signed him pic.twitter.com/dGuKxcBW3R
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) August 14, 2026
Cade Klubnik, QB, New York Jets
Cade Klubnik wasn’t expected to start the New York Jets‘ preseason opener, but a late change may have boosted his case for the No. 2 quarterback job. The former Clemson QB, selected by New York in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft after a trade-up, was thrust into the starting role when starter Geno Smith was scratched with a sore ankle. The rookie made the most of the opportunity, completing 5-of-7 passes for 56 yards and leading two scoring drives in a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The numbers may not have been gaudy, but with limited preparation after Smith’s late scratch following a joint-practice injury, Klubnik looked composed, protected the ball, ran the offense efficiently, and earned praise from head coach Aaron Glenn for his poise.
Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Among a weekend of strong rookie debuts, Ja’Kobi Lane stood out by confirming his training camp buzz. The former USC receiver, a third-round pick (80th overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, caught all 3 targets for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Baltimore Ravens‘ 24-7 preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles. His highlight reel included a 16-yard touchdown, in which his 6-foot-4 frame and catch radius showed the mismatch potential that was on display during camp. Lane entered the preseason competing for a role and may have come away with the clearest path to early playing time thanks to his size, red-zone ability, and contested-catch skills.
TOUCHDOWN @cantGuardJak1!!!!!
Tune in on @wbaltv11. pic.twitter.com/OcUOBGsDkv
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 15, 2026
Evan McPherson, K, Cincinnati Bengals
After experiencing his worst year as a pro, the sixth-year veteran gave the Bengals something to be excited about during their 16-13 win over the Detroit Lions. Evan McPherson opened the scoring with the only points scored in the first quarter, nailing a 56-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 3-0 lead. Late in the third, he capped Cincinnati’s 14-play drive with a 33-yard boot, pushing the Bengals’ lead to 13-6. He’d follow that with a 41-yard stroke early in the fourth quarter to give Cincinnati its final points. After a topsy-turvy career, McPherson is looking for a second-straight successful year and Thursday was a good start.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
The No. 1 overall pick came away with identical praise from dozens of analysts who used the same word to describe the Heisman Trophy winner: poise. Mendoza threw a touchdown pass during four series in his professional debut, a fifth if you include a kneel-down at the end of the first half, and finished 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a 6-yard TD pass. The former third-stringer from Cal, who went on to lead Indiana to an undefeated season and the national championship, became the first top overall draft selection to throw a touchdown score in his preseason debut since Baker Mayfield tossed a pair for the Cleveland Browns against the New York Giants in 2018.
Fernando Mendoza in his first preseason game:
10-of-16
97 yards
1 TD pic.twitter.com/PCnC38nD4M— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026
Kurtis Rourke, QB, San Francisco 49ers
After more than a year away from the field, Kurtis Rourke turned in a strong NFL debut. The former Indiana quarterback, a 2025 seventh-round pick (227th overall) by San Francisco, missed his rookie season recovering from ACL surgery. He previously starred at Ohio before transferring to Indiana, where he threw for 3,042 yards, 29 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. In his preseason debut against Tennessee — his first game in 601 days — Rourke appeared composed by completing 12-of-14 passes for 101 yards and adding 14 rushing yards. More importantly, he looked efficient, while showing timing, accuracy and steady command of the offense. Despite his injury, Rourke’s performance was encouraging after a long layoff, strengthening his case in the battle for the No. 3 quarterback job behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones.
Ty Simpson, QB, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams drew criticism when they selected Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but his preseason debut quickly showed why coach Sean McVay and the organization were intrigued. The former Alabama quarterback impressed in his first NFL outing, going 21 of 25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns, helping lead the Rams to a 20-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. While much of his production came against backup defenders, Simpson’s 84% completion rate, calm decision-making, and poise matched exactly what the Rams hoped to see from a young quarterback viewed as a possible successor to Matthew Stafford.
21/25, 190 passing yards, 2 touchdowns.
A great start to the Preseason for @RamsNFL rookie QB @ty_simpson06. pic.twitter.com/QgkzQleVcl
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026
Seemingly growing more comfortable as the game went on, Simpson remained efficient, took what the defense allowed, and helped the Rams pull away in the second half. With Stafford still the clear starter, the Rams don’t need Simpson to take over right away, only to develop. And through Week 1, it’s clear he’s taken a strong first step toward justifying his draft position.
W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Staff Writer at TeamFB7.com. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez.
Editor's Pick
Fernando Mendoza Throws TD Pass In Raiders Debut