Week 2 of the NFL preseason is officially in the books, and 2026 rookies continue to give us plenty to talk about.
After the first week gave us our first real look at this year’s rookies, Week 2 was about seeing who could build off that momentum. Some rookies continued to shine. Others finally got their opportunity to make an impact.
And for a few players with high expectations, the second preseason game raised even more questions.
The preseason is still the preseason, but with roster cuts getting closer, these games are becoming more important for rookies trying to prove they belong.
Standout NFL Preseason Rookie Performances
Here are five rookies who stood out in the second week of preseason and five who had more underwhelming performances.
5. Cade Klubnik, QB, New York Jets
Cade Klubnik continues to make the most of his opportunities with the New York Jets. The rookie quarterback entered the preseason without the same expectations as the top quarterbacks selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, through two preseason games, he has continued to show why the Jets were willing to take a chance on him.
Klubnik had already made an average debut in the first week of preseason, after unexpectedly starting against Tampa Bay. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards despite working with a group he had not received many reps with during training camp.
However, the second week of preseason Geno Smith returned to handle the opening series for the Jets. Klubnik showed more of the confidence that has made him one of the more interesting rookie quarterbacks to watch this preseason. He had a nice 16-yard scramble on third-and-2, and while he didn’t lead the Jets to the end zone, he didn’t make any major mistakes.
What stands out most is his composure. Klubnik is still learning the NFL game, but he has not looked overwhelmed by the moment. For a fourth-round pick competing for a role behind the Jets’ established quarterbacks, that is exactly what New York wants to see.
He is not be competing for a starting job right now, but Klubnik is doing everything he can to show that he deserves to remain part of the Jets’ long-term plans as a backup.
4. David Bailey, Edge, New York Jets
David Bailey had one of the better responses of any rookie in the second week of the preseason.
After a quieter preseason opener, Bailey made the impact play Jets fans had been waiting to see.
The No. 2 overall pick recorded a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving New York its first real glimpse of the pass-rushing ability that made Bailey one of the best prospects in the 2026 draft class.
The expectations surrounding Bailey are obviously enormous. He entered the NFL after putting together a dominant final college season, recording 14.5 sacks and 81 pressures at Texas Tech. His 21.3% pressure rate was the best in the nation in 2025, making him one of the most productive pass rushers in the entire draft class.
That is why his debut felt relatively quiet. However, the following week told a different story.
Bailey finally showed the explosiveness and ability to get after the quarterback that made him the second player selected in April. One sack does not suddenly mean he has everything figured out, but this was an important step in the right direction.
The Jets drafted Bailey to be a difference-maker, and his performance in Week 2 gave everybody a glimpse of exactly that.
3. Derrick Moore, DE, Detroit Lions
Derrick Moore finally got his first opportunity to take the field in the NFL, and he made sure to make an impact.
The Lions’ second-round pick missed Detroit’s preseason opener while recovering from a minor groin injury, but he returned against Washington and immediately showed why Detroit was so excited to draft him.
Moore recorded a sack, forced fumble, tackle for loss and 2 tackles in his preseason debut.
The strip-sack was easily the highlight of his night. Moore chased down quarterback Sam Hartman late in the first half, forcing the fumble and showing off the explosiveness that made him such an intriguing pass-rushing prospect.
It was an impressive first game considering Moore had missed valuable practice time during training camp because of his injury.
There were still some things Moore needs to clean up. Many experts noted he struggled at times to beat Washington’s tackles and was flagged for jumping offside. But for a rookie making his first NFL appearance, Moore did exactly what Detroit needed him to do.
He made a splash play. After missing the first preseason game, that was a great way for Moore to finally introduce himself to Lions fans.
2. Keylan Rutledge, OG, Houston Texans
Keylan Rutledge has shown why the Houston Texans were willing to use a first-round pick on him.
After a strong preseason debut, Rutledge followed it up with another impressive performance in Week 2. The rookie has been given an opportunity to compete for a starting role along Houston’s offensive line, and he is making the most of it.
Rutledge started at left guard against the Las Vegas Raiders, stepping into the starting lineup as the Texans continue to figure out their offensive line. He played with the physicality and confidence that has stood out throughout training camp. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been among the players expressing praise for Rutledge.
“He’s a dog. His mentality. He comes in every day, he wants to do the hard things. He wants to do the dirty work. I love him. I think he’s going to be great for us.”
That confidence has been a big part of Rutledge’s preseason. The rookie has not been afraid to get physical, whether it is against defensive linemen during games or established veterans during practice
That aggressiveness has translated onto the field. For a first-round rookie offensive lineman, that is exactly what Houston wants to see. The Texans are still figuring out their offensive line heading into the regular season, but Rutledge is making the decision much easier.
After two strong preseason performances, he is looking more and more like someone who could be starting when Week 1 arrives.
1. Jalon Daniels, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jalon Daniels takes the top spot after delivering one of the most impressive rookie performances of Week 2.
The undrafted rookie quarterback entered the game against the Kansas City Chiefs and helped lead Tampa Bay to a 16-15 comeback victory. Daniels finished the game 9 of 14 with 71 passing yards and a touchdown. He also added 19 rushing yards on the night.
What makes Daniels’ performance even more impressive is his situation. He was not one of the top quarterbacks selected in April. In fact, he was not drafted at all.
Daniels entered the NFL needing to fight for every opportunity, and through the preseason, he has done exactly that.
The Buccaneers’ official recap highlighted his poise during the comeback, and that is what has stood out most about Daniels. He has shown the ability to stay composed, operate the offense and make plays when given the opportunity.
For an undrafted rookie, a preseason game can be the difference between earning a roster spot and looking for another opportunity. Daniels is making sure Tampa Bay’s coaching staff notices him.
Underwhelming NFL Rookie Performances
5. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza entered the NFL with more expectations than almost anyone in the rookie class.
The Raiders selected the former Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner with the No. 1 overall pick after he established himself as one of the best players in college football. Mendoza’s combination of size, arm talent and processing ability made him widely viewed as a potential franchise quarterback before the draft.
That is what makes his second preseason performance underwhelming. The expectations for a No. 1 overall pick are always going to be different. However, one underwhelming performance will not define his upcoming career, nor should it warrant any overreactions.
Mendoza does not need to dominate the preseason, but every appearance will be heavily evaluated as Las Vegas looks toward the future. In this second week, he struggled to consistently find the rhythm expected from a quarterback drafted to eventually lead the franchise. He also threw a pick-six on the opening drive. While it didn’t look to be entirely his fault, it’s the optics that will lead to overreactions.
This is not a reason to panic. Mendoza is a rookie quarterback, and the preseason is where mistakes are supposed to happen. He is still learning an NFL offense and adjusting to the speed of professional defenses.
However, considering the expectations surrounding him, he left more to be desired.
The Raiders will hope he can finish the preseason with a stronger performance and head into his rookie season with momentum.
4. Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans
Carnell Tate‘s preseason is becoming a storyline for the wrong reasons.
After a quiet debut, Tate once again failed to make the impact expected from a player selected fourth overall.
Tate entered the NFL with the talent to become a major part of Tennessee’s offense. As one of the highest-selected players in the draft, he was expected to immediately compete for targets and show why the Titans invested such a high pick in him.
Through two preseason games, that has not happened consistently.
The concern is not Tate’s talent level.
It is that he has yet to put together the type of performance that makes you feel like he is ready to immediately take over a significant role. For a fourth overall pick, the expectations are understandably much higher than they are for most rookies.
There is still plenty of time for Tate to turn things around. One strong game can completely change the conversation surrounding his preseason.
But heading into the final preseason game, the Titans need to see more from one of their biggest investments.
3. Drew Allar, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Drew Allar looked like one of the biggest rookie winners after his debut. That is what makes second week performance a bit more disappointing.
Allar entered the second preseason game with momentum after making a strong first impression in his NFL debut. However, he was unable to carry that same level of success this past week.
The biggest difference was the lack of consistency. Instead of continuing to build on his phenomenal debut performance, Allar struggled to establish the same rhythm and make the same explosive plays that helped him stand out during the preseason opener.
This is also why Allar being on this list should be taken differently from some of the other players. He is not here because his preseason has been entirely bad. In fact, his strong performance in the first week of the preseason is exactly why expectations were higher heading into the second week.
Allar only finished the game 11-of-23 passing for 110 yards, but zero touchdowns. He was also sacked three times. Rookie quarterbacks are going to have ups and downs. That is part of the adjustment to the NFL.
The question now is how Allar responds. If he can bounce back in the final preseason game, the second week could quickly become nothing more than a learning experience.
2. Drew Shelton, OT, Dallas Cowboys
Drew Shelton‘s preseason has not gotten off to the start the Dallas Cowboys were hoping for.
The fourth-round pick out of Penn State struggled again in the second week of the preseason as he allowed four pressures, including three hurries and a quarterback hit. According to PFF, Shelton received a 0.0 pass-blocking grade in the game.
After allowing three pressures in his first preseason game, Shelton has now given up seven pressures through two games.
That is not the type of start the Cowboys wanted from a rookie they selected with the hope that he could eventually become their swing tackle.
Shelton has been getting opportunities at multiple positions along the offensive line, which could be part of the adjustment. The Cowboys have moved him around between tackle spots and even given him some looks at guard during training camp.
But with the regular season getting closer, Shelton needs to start showing more consistency. The talent is there, and this is still only the preseason. However, after two difficult performances, Shelton has plenty to prove heading into the final week.
For a fourth-round pick, this is not the end of the road by any means. But this second performance was certainly a performance Shelton will want to put behind him.
1. Malik Benson, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Malik Benson entered the second week of preseason with plenty of momentum.
The sixth-round pick had been one of the biggest surprises of Raiders training camp, consistently making plays and showing that he could potentially earn a meaningful role despite being selected late in the draft.
Unfortunately, this past week was a much different story.
Benson caught just one of his five targets for 18 yards against the Houston Texans. He also had a dropped pass on third down and later had the ball punched out by a Texans defender.
The frustrating part for Raiders fans is that Benson did show flashes of what was scene earlier in camp. His lone reception was an 18-yard catch. But the mistakes outweighed the positives.
For a sixth-round pick trying to earn his way onto the field, every opportunity matters. Benson has already shown during training camp that he has the talent to compete for a role, but this week’s performance was a reminder that he still has to become more consistent.
One bad preseason game does not erase everything Benson has done so far. However, after entering the second week as one of the Raiders’ biggest rookie surprises, his performance against Houston was definitely a step in the wrong direction.
The final preseason game gives Benson one more opportunity to get back on track and remind the Raiders why he has generated so much excitement throughout training camp.
One More Week To Make An Impression
Two weeks of preseason football have now given us a better idea of which rookies are starting to separate themselves.
Jalon Daniels has become one of the biggest surprises of the preseason, while David Bailey responded to a quiet opener with the type of impact play Jets fans wanted to see. Derrick Moore also made his presence felt with a sack and forced fumble, while Keylan Rutledge continued showing why he could be an important piece for the Texans.
On the other side, several top rookies still have work to do. Drew Shelton and Malik Benson have plenty to prove heading into the final preseason game.
Fortunately for all of them, there is still time. One preseason performance does not define a rookie. Neither do two.
However, week three is the final opportunity to show coaches why a rookie should either start, or make the 53-man roster.
