NFL Preseason 2024: Biggest Takeaways from Week 2 Games

The NFL preseason rolled into Week 2 as rosters continue to take shape across the league.

Some franchises are making moves in hopes of improving, like the Atlanta Falcons, who traded for outside linebacker Matthew Judon and signed free safety Justin Simmons this week. Others are simply trying to survive the war of attrition as injuries mount.

The second week of preseason is fascinating, because multiple franchises undertook intersquad scrimmages during the practice week. Coaches will argue those practices are far more important than an exhibition game. But those contests are still played.

"All week we've been talking about, 'This game doesn't count,'" New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters prior to the start of preseason, "'but it does matter.'"

While the play of several high-profile rookies remains the focus, many veterans are also vying for their roster spot ahead of the regular season.

Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, Maurice Moton, Kris Knox and Gary Davenport team up to provide insight into the biggest storylines from every game in Week 2 of preseason.

Week 2 Preseason Schedule

• Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots: Slide No. 1

• Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens: Slide No. 2
  
• Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chicago Bears: Slide No. 3 
• New York Giants vs. Houston Texans: Slide No. 4
• Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Slide No. 5
• Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns: Slide No. 6
• Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Slide No. 7
• Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts: Slide No. 8
• Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans: Slide No. 9
  
• New York Jets vs. Carolina Panthers: Slide No. 10
• Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins: Slide No. 11
• Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Slide No. 12
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Slide No. 13
  
• Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Slide No. 14 

• New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers: Slide No. 15
  
• New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers: Slide No. 16
  

Eagles: Right Guard Status Places Philly Back on Track

The Philadelphia Eagles' new-look front five appears to have stabilized as the squad heads toward the third week of preseason.

The Eagles fell apart over the second half of the 2023 campaign, which led to a first-round playoff embarrassment at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During that contest, the Bucs sacked Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts three times and hit him on six more occasions. The run game also averaged a paltry 2.8 yards per carry.

Anytime those stats come to light, the offensive line needs to be questioned, even a line that's been traditionally great, like the Eagles' version.

On top of a bad ending to the campaign, future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce retired.

A transition occurred, starting with right guard Cam Jurgens, who moved back to his natural position of center. Right guard, meanwhile, remained wide open as training camp started. Well, the competition appears closed.

The biggest (literally and figuratively) revelation coming out of the Eagles' second preseason contest was someone who didn't even play.

Tyler Steen entered camp as the favorite to claim the right guard spot. Instead, Mekhi Becton worked every day to the point where the job appears to be his, because he didn't even dress during Thursday's contest.

Steen did, though. Unfortunately, he reaggravated an ankle injury during the game and didn't return.

With the 6'7", 363-pound Becton now inserted, the Eagles are prepared to bulldoze some opponents, with Lane Johnson at right tackle, and a left side of Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson, who are 6'8", 365 and 6'6", 322, respectively.

Once again, Jeff Stoutland's unit has the potential to take over games and physically dominate opponents.

Patriots: Timeline for Rookie QB Drake Maye Shortens

When discussing the New England Patriots' current quarterback setup, it's best to quote the incomparable Chris Berman, "Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick."

Drake Maye becoming the starter is only a matter of time, and his time may come much sooner than expected.

From the moment of his selection with this year's third overall pick, head coach Jerod Mayo set expectations.

"We're not sitting here saying Drake is our starting quarterback," Mayo said in April. "He understands that. He understands the things he has to get better at. And with coaching and hard work and the coaches we have, the support system from ownership, I think he has the chance to go out there and really play at a high level."

Maye wanted to compete immediately, but the rookie struggled at the start of training camp, whereas Jacoby Brissett is a proven veteran. As such, the organization positioned Brissett to be its QB1 throughout the offseason process and training camp.

However, the Patriots offense isn't going anywhere fast. Brissett and Co. did not look crisp Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Brissett completed three of seven passes, with a late and inaccurate throw into the end zone that led to an interception.

Conversely, Maye looked like a playmaker who could move the chains with his feet and institute a quick-strike, downfield passing attack (had fellow rookie Javon Baker caught a perfectly placed deep pass). The first-year signal-caller's four-yard score off a zone read proved to be the only touchdown through three quarters of play.

Clearly, Maye has the talent and upside advantage. The Patriots have concerns everywhere, whether it's the offensive line or skill positions. Throwing a rookie quarterback to the lions may be a mistake. But he's showing to be the better playmaking option during the preseason.

Falcons: Rookie DL Ruke Orhorhoro Makes Most of Playing Time

The Falcons had a busy week defensively with the additions of edge-rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons. But with almost three dozen players sitting out Saturday's game, the younger Atlanta players were afforded additional playing time.

At least one made the most of it.

Back in April, the Falcons traded up in the early stages of Day 2 to select Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro. At the time, Atlanta general manager Terry Fontenot talked up the 6'4", 293-pounder's athleticism and versatility.

"Talk about a big, powerful, athletic man," Fontenot said. "Excellent skill set, versatile up front, plays the runs, plays the pass, excellent motor, top-notch makeup. So, we're very excited about him, the versatility he brings up front, the player he is."

It didn't take long for the rookie to make his presence felt Saturday. In the first quarter, Orhorhoro collapsed the pocket almost instantly and logged a sack of Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson.

Orhorhoro had missed practice time this week with a shoulder injury, but the big man certainly appeared to be feeling OK on that play.

Atlanta appears relatively set at defensive tackle with veterans Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata. But if Orhorhoro continues to be that sort of disruptive force, he's going to be hard to keep off the field.

Ravens: ILB Trenton Simpson Continues Impressive Offseason

The departure of Patrick Queen (to the hated Pittsburgh Steelers, no less) left the Baltimore Ravens with a massive hole at inside linebacker. While talking to reporters back in June, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talked up second-year pro Trenton Simpson's ability to step into that void.

"Trenton is a quick learner – something even as simple as punt protection footwork," Harbaugh said. "He played a little bit as a rookie; the first couple of days of the Phase Two stuff, he really didn't look very good with the footwork. Like everything else, we're chasing perfection. We're confronting every issue. We confronted the punt footwork, and now he looks fantastic. He's perfect in what he's doing out there. That's kind of an example of all of the other stuff he's doing on defense. He knows what he's doing out there. The next step will be training camp, preseason games and on from there."

Those positive reports continued into camp, and then in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles Simpson led all Ravens players with 11 total stops. Against the Falcons on Saturday Simpson was once again flying around the field, including an impressive open-field tackle and pass breakup that both put a stop to Falcons drives in Baltimore territory.

With each passing day, Simpson appears to strengthening his grip on the starting job opposite the great Roquan Smith at linebacker.

Believe in the Chicago Bears Offseason Hype

While we should avoid preseason overreactions, no one can deny that rookie quarterback Caleb Williams looks like a special player.

On Saturday, Williams made a spectacular throw to wideout Rome Odunze, who streaked downfield to haul in a 45-yard pass. A few plays later, Williams scampered into the end zone for a touchdown.

In their first season together as rookies, Williams and Odunze could have a game-breaking rapport. Williams, with all of his arm talent, has one of the league's best receiver trios that features Odunze, DJ Moore and Keenan Allen.

NFL fans have more than one reason to take an early leap onto the Bears bandwagon.

The Bears defense looks to have picked up where it left off in the second half of last season. Cornerback Kyler Gordon led Chicago's swarming defense in the first half, logging four solo tackles, two for loss, and a sack. The Bears forced three turnovers for the game.

In his latest win-loss predictions, Bleacher Report NFL analyst Moe Moton projected the Bears would go 10-7, and he feels good about it.

Bengals RBs Zack Moss, Chase Brown May Have Interchangeable Roles

Fantasy football managers who need to make a decision between Zack Moss and Chase Brown in their upcoming drafts didn't get much clarity about the Bengals backfield.

Running backs Trayveon Williams and Elijah Collins took the majority of the carries in the first half on Saturday. Zack Moss and Chase Brown sat out with most of the starters.

Based on the Bengals' decision to sit their first-stringers, Moss and Brown could head into the regular season on equal ground for the majority of touches out of the backfield.

Brown has generated more buzz within the fantasy football community, though Moss is coming off his best year. Moss is listed as RB1, but the two tailbacks seem more like co-starters.

Texans' John Metchie III Could Draw Interest from WR-Needy Teams

John Metchie III emerged as a standout out of Alabama, and the Texans selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft. Unfortunately, he had a rocky start to his career from a health perspective.

Already recovering from a torn ACL, Metchie was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia and missed his entire rookie campaign. He returned to action last year and caught 16 passes for 158 yards.

On Saturday against the Giants, Metchie had a strong showing, hauling in six out of seven targets for 68 yards and a touchdown.

ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime wrote, "his explosiveness appears back" in his observations of Metchie through mandatory minicamp.

At best, Metchie projects as the Texans' No. 4 wideout behind Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell and Nico Collins. Noah Brown and Robert Woods are also in the rotation. Tight end Dalton Schultz had a sizeable role in the passing game last year. Diggs has a one-year deal, though Dell and Collins are long-term building blocks for the receiver room.

Receiver-needy teams should offer a middle-to-late-round pick for Metchie. Now fully healthy, he could be an immediate No. 2 receiver upgrade.

Giants QB Daniel Jones Needs More Preseason Work to Knock Off Rust

Giants fans who watched the first quarter of Saturday's game may have wished they covered their eyes.

On the first three drives, the Giants punted and then Daniel Jones threw interceptions on back-to-back possessions.

On the first turnover, Jones held onto the ball far too long and made a poor decision, which allowed safety Jalen Pitre to score on a pick-six.

On the following drive, Jones placed the ball a little too far inside, and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. picked it off.

Keep in mind that Jones saw action for the first time since he tore his ACL last November. Giants head coach Brian Daboll should give Jones at least another half in the final week of the preseason to help him establish his rhythm.

Rookies Continue to Shine for the Kansas City Chiefs

While the buzz emanating from Saturday's meeting between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs will revolve around Patrick Mahomes' behind-the-back pass—which will be replayed ad finitum—far more tangible results occurred during the second week of preseason.

Specifically, the Chiefs' rookies once again look to be major positives as the back-to-back Super Bowl champions move into the regular season, with hopes of becoming the NFL's first-ever threepeat.

In Week 1, undrafted running back Carson Steele found himself counted among the league's top-10 rookie performances, per Bleacher Report's rankings.

During Kansas City's latest outing, the organization's actual draft picks shined.

Xavier Worthy showed exactly why the Chiefs drafted the fastest man in NFL combine history with this year's 28th overall pick. The first rounder had four touches for 74 total yards, including a 22-yard touchdown reception.

The second-round selection of Kingsley Suamataia looked just as good, if not better. Suamataia has all but secured the Chiefs' starting left tackle spot. The BYU product still needs to polish his technique. But he has the potential to protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side for the next decade.

Finally, safety Jaden Hicks continues to flash. With the Chiefs' first and second units, the fourth-round draftee led the way with six total tackles.

Clearly, the Chiefs don't rebuild; they reload.

Rookie Hybrid Flashes Versatility In Lions Offense, Special Teams

Sione Vaki primarily served as a safety during his college career. However, he finished his final season on campus by playing both ways. When the Lions drafted Vaki in this year's fourth round, they did so with a projection of him joining their running back rotation.

Vaki impressed during his preseason debut by averaging 7.3 yards per carry. That number decreased to 3.7 against the Chiefs. However, the rookie also caught four passes for 59 yards.

Furthermore, he returned a kick as well.

As the Lions continue to sit their starters throughout preseason, a player like Vaki gets the opportunity to make plays. He hasn't disappointed.

D'Onta Foreman Is Back, Shows What He Can Provide to Cleveland Browns Backfield

Sixteen days ago, running back D'Onta Foreman left Cleveland Browns practice on a stretcher, then a helicopter, to be checked for a neck injury.

A week later, he returned to the practice field.

The preseason is about development and football, in general. But there are great stories found throughout the league, with Foreman counted among them. The running back was on the field against the Minnesota Vikings to get his first in-game action of the season.

The fact he returned so quickly after a scary situation is good enough. But there's also a roster component for him being in the lineup.

Nick Chubb remains on the Browns' physically unable to perform list after last season's devastating knee injury. Foreman will be big part of Cleveland's early running back rotation.

His production in the run game Saturday wasn't impressive at 1.8 yards per carry, but those numbers include a one-yard touchdown plunge. Plus, the 235-pound back produced in the passing game, with five receptions for 46 yards.

Cleveland's ground game won't be where the team wants it to be at the start of the regular season, whether Chubb is cleared or not. Foreman must pick up the slack since he's clearly ready for more game action.

Former First-Round Draft Pick Finally Shows Signs of Life for Minnesota Vikings

Safety Lewis Cine became the first-ever draft pick during the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era. The general manager endured significant criticism at the time for trading down, when many viewed his dealing as poor value. The fact that Cine barely played over the last two seasons doesn't help matters.

The 24-year-old defensive back entered this year's training camp without a clear path toward making the regular-season roster. He seems to have taken notice based on how he played against the Browns.

Cleveland and Minnesota faced each other during practices throughout the week. Thus, both teams rested their starters during the preseason contest. Cine was on the field and made plays, including a tipped-pass interception and a big hit—which he was known for coming out of the Georgia Bulldogs program.

Cine still has an uphill climb to make the Vikings roster. At the very least, he's putting up a fight and finally showing some of the talent that made him a first-round selection.

Russell Wilson's Debut as Pittsburgh Steelers' QB Proves to be a Dud

If offense is what you like, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Buffalo Bills in the second week of the preseason wasn't the game for you. Both offenses, even with starters on the field.

Granted, Josh Allen didn't play. Pittsburgh didn't have the same excuse at the game's most important position.

Entering the contest, anticipation mounted as veteran quarterback Russell Wilson joined the Steelers lineup for the first time. Wilson dealt with a calf strain through the first few weeks of training camp. He didn't participate in the team's first preseason contest as a result.

Wilson finally played and did nothing to excite or build confidence in his standing as the starting quarterback. The 35-year-old veteran completed eight of 10 passes but averaged only 4.7 yards per attempt. He was sacked three times, and the offense converted only two third downs during Wilson's five drives, with no points.

Technically, Chris Boswell did miss a 52-yard field goal attempt during that stretch, though Pittsburgh started that drive at its 44-yard line after a Miles Killebrew interception.

The Steelers offense should be much better this year compared to last. Yet it didn't look it on Saturday night.

Edge-Rusher Greg Rousseau Dominates for Buffalo Bills Defense

Greg Rousseau appears on the precipice of a breakout season.

Every statement of the previous kind needs to include as asterisk, as the preseason is a time for overreaction.

Still, Rousseau dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line during Saturday's action. The 2021 first-round draft pick registered 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss, which is impressive considering he had five sacks all of last season.

The standout performance wasn't a case of a talented defender taking advantage of inferior competition. Rousseau blew up the Steelers' starting offensive line, specifically right tackle Broderick Jones.

Jones is earmarked to become the Steelers' starting left tackle. He finished strong during his rookie season. But Rousseau had his way with him during this particular contest.

Young Safety Answers Bell After Indianapolis Colts Fail to Add Veteran Defensive Back

The Indianapolis Colts were adamant with their desire to see how the young players in their secondary would perform before going out and signing a veteran option.

They waited. Quandre Diggs signed with the Tennessee Titans. They waited some more. Justin Simmons signed with the Atlanta Falcons. They still waited.

Nick Cross had to have heard all of the conversations about how free safety was the glaring hole on the team's roster and took it personally.

Cross finished Saturday's contest against the Arzina Cardinals with five tackles and a tackle for loss. He flew about the field and covered a large portion of the field.

When Cross entered the 2022 NFL draft, he was the class' youngest player. He's still only 22. Development takes time. The Colts could have pulled the trigger and added a veteran presence. But the upside Cross presents is significant.

If Saturday's effort is a first step toward Cross securing the position long term, the Colts' patience will be rewarded.

Rookie Running Back Trey Benson Provide Juice To Arizona Cardinals Offense

For years, young running backs often rely on their natural skills to simply run by or through defenders. The professional game is different, because those same skilled runners can't do the same any longer. They need to learn how to be patient and understand what an NFL hole looks like.

Trey Benson struggled during his first taste of NFL action. This year's 66th overall pick averaged only 2.6 yards per carry in his professional debut.

However, the third rounder elevated his performance Saturday against the Colts. Benson carried the ball nine times for 43 yards, which doesn't include a 20-yard run call back because of holding.

James Conner has developed into one of the game's most reliable ball-carriers. But Benson has legitimate home-run ability to create chunk plays as part of the rushing attack. As he continues to evolve and learn to become more decisive, those big runs should come naturally.

Seattle Seahawks May Have Something in Sam Howell

The Seattle Seahawks have their starting quarterback in Geno Smith, and that's unlikely to change this season, as long as he stays healthy anyway.

However, Seattle added a solid piece of quarterback insurance with its offseason trade for former Washington Commanders starter Sam Howell. The fact that the Seahawks gave up 2024 third- and fifth-round picks to secure Howell (along with fourth- and sixth-round picks) suggested that they saw more in him than just an insurance policy.

The 2022 fifth-round pick might be a quarterback Seattle tries to develop for the future, especially if they don't commit to Smith beyond the 2025 season—the final year of his contract.

Howell showed plenty of physical talent in Washington, though his pocket awareness and ball security left plenty to be desired. He ran Seattle's offense efficiently in the preseason opener, though, and was even better against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.

The Seahawks gave Howell four series, and he helped lead them to 10 points. He finished 11-of-14 for 153 yards and a touchdown while flashing the type of arm talent that meshes perfectly with new coordinator Ryan Grubb's offense.

Howell isn't likely to spark a quarterback controversy at this point in the preseason, but he could be a threat to do so if Smith doesn't quickly return to his 2022 form.

Julius Chestnut is Back for the Tennessee Titans

The Titans are looking to build around second-year quarterback Will Levis this season, or at least figure out if he can be the quarterback of the future. The process will involve a new offense under head coach Brian Callahan and a rebuilt backfield that no longer features Derrick Henry.

Tennessee signed Tony Pollard, who is likely to fill the dual-threat role that Joe Mixon held under Callahan in Cincinnati. Second-year back Tyjae Spears is widely expected to be the No. 2 back.

2022 undrafted free agent Julius Chestnut, however, reminded fans that he is still in the mix on Saturday. The Sacred Heart product battered Seattle's defensive front with a terrific blend of power and patience.

The 5'11", 228-pound Chestnut can potentially add another element to Tennessee's backfield committee, one the Titans haven't been able to use since early last season. Chestnut earned the No. 3 role last season but landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Chestnut is back and appears ready to contribute in 2024.

Carolina Panthers May Have Found a Gem in Trevin Wallace

The Carolina Panthers didn't show much or play many starters in their preseason opener, and Saturday's game was largely much of the same. This means that fans are still waiting to get their first glimpse at rookie first-round pick Xavier Legette.

Second-round pick Jonathan Brooks, who is recovering from a torn ACL, isn't expected to see the field until Week 3 or 4 of the regular season.

"This is a guy with a long career in front of him, somebody we think really high about, so we want to be really smart with him,'' head coach Dave Canales told reporters.

However, fans did get to see rookie third-round pick Trevin Wallace and lots of him. The first-year linebacker out of Kentucky was incredibly active against the New York Jets and showed terrific awareness and a knack for finding the ball-carrier.

Wallace tallied two solo stops and three assists, which came on the heels of an impressive training camp.

"Big, strong, and fast," Canales said, per S.M. Corder of All Panthers. "He can really fly."

Wallace may not start as a rookie, but he could be a long-term piece to Carolina's defensive puzzle.

Braelon Allen Should Be Locked in as New York Jets' No. 2 Back

The Jets didn't play many of their offensive starters on Saturday, and that included star running back Breece Hall. However, New York did give some additional work to rookie fourth-round pick Braelon Allen, who was one of the standouts of the preseason opener.

Allen was the 10th running back selected in April's draft, and he looked like an outright steal against the Washington Commanders last week. He flashed hard running, quick decision-making and some breakaway ability in that game, finishing with 54 yards on just six carries.

"Braelon didn't disappoint," head coach Robert Saleh said, per Ben Kenney of Badgers Wire. "...He is a very heavy runner."

While Allen wasn't quite as impressive against Carolina (3.4 yards per carry), he showed that he can be more than just an occasional backfield spell behind Hall. He again showed good power and hauled in a pair of receptions, finishing with 39 yards on 10 touches.

Israel Abanikanda and fifth-round rookie Isaiah Davis are also in the backfield mix, but Allen's spot as RB2 should be secure. New York shouldn't need to see him again in the preseason finale.

Miami Dolphins May Benefit From a "Svelte" Tua Tagovailoa

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa didn't play in the Miami Dolphins' preseason opener. For many fans, Saturday provided a first look at the new slimmed-down version of Miami's signal-caller.

Tagovailoa lost weight in the offseason, which, according to head coach Mike McDaniel, was in an effort to gain another edge.

"That's something that we directly relate—him and I—in terms of looking for those competitive advantages, so I think he identified that as one for himself and has," McDaniel said in May, per Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. "I think the results speak for themselves. He's svelte."

Tagovailoa reportedly lost "10 or 15 pounds" to increase mobility and better buy time in the pocket.

He isn't suddenly going to become run-heavy quarterback a la Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but Tagovailoa's increased escapability was on display early against the Washington Commanders. He rolled out, avoided heavy pressure and delivered a last-second dump-off that tight end Julian Hill took for an eight-yard game. Miami capped the drive with a touchdown.

Tagovailoa's mobility may be a big asset this season, especially with Dolphins' offensive line in flux. Robert Hunt and Connor Williams both departed in the offseason, while Isaiah Wynn remains on the PUP list.

Jayden Daniels Continues to Look Like the Washington Commanders' Week 1 Starter

Six quarterbacks were drafted in the first round this past April, but not all of them will be on the field in Week 1. Second overall pick Jayden Daniels, however, continues to look like he'll be under center for the Washington Commanders.

Daniels had a thrilling 42-yard strike in the preseason opener and ran for a touchdown though he didn't see extensive action. He was on the field more against Miami and showed a solid command of Kliff Kingsbury's offense and good poise against many of the Dolphins' starting defenders.

We didn't see many of the explosive plays that Washington had during joint practices with the Dolphins.

"They were definitely stretching the field," Dolphins cornerback Kendall Fuller said on August 15, per The Athletic's Ben Standig.

However, Daniels was in rhythm, accurate and efficient. He finished 10-of-12 for 78 yards, added 13 rushing yards and got Washington into scoring position on both of his drives. Due to kicker Riley Patterson's miscues, though, the Commanders had only three points when Daniels left for the evening.

Rookie WR Jordan Whittington Continues To Shine for Los Angeles Rams

The Puka Nacua comparisons won't stop if Jordan Whittington continues to show up and show out as a sixth-round rookie wide receiver.

A week ago, Whittington emerged as a top rookie performer and ranked among the top five for Bleacher Report's initial preseason rankings.

Since the Los Angeles Rams refrained form playing the starting units against the Los Angeles Chargers, Whittington continued to shine. This time, he caught five passes for 52 yards, which means he now has 11 catches for 126 yards throughout two preseason contests (with Stetson Bennett at quarterback).

His effort isn't just a good preseason story, either. Whittington has opened eyes.

"He's going to be a factor for us," Rams head coach Sean McVay said after the rookie's previous performance.

With a continued push, the rookie just may work his way into the rotation alongside Cooper Kupp and Nacua.

Los Angeles Chargers Cornerback Emerges as Certified Ballhawk

Deane Leonard made his mark on special teams during his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. The former seventh-round pick is now trying to emerge as something more under a new coaching staff.

The 2022 draft selection is currently listed as a second-team corner on the Chargers' unofficial depth chart. He's earning a spot as part of the team's secondary rotation.

Much like their Los Angeles counterpart, the Chargers didn't play numerous starters. Leonard used it as an opportunity to shine. The third-year cornerback defended three passes and snagged an interception.

Defensive coordinators are always looking for defensive backs capable of making plays on the ball. Leonard is showing he can do so, which should keep him in the mix to be the team's third or fourth corner.

Mac Jones Isn't a Bad Insurance Policy for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brian Thomas Jr. Flashes Again

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't play Trevor Lawrence against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Instead, they took another extended look at offseason trade acquisition Mac Jones.

The 2021 first-round pick was a Pro Bowler as a rookie, but he only regressed in his second and third seasons with the New England Patriots. The Jaguars traded a 2024 sixth-round pick to add Jones as insurance behind Lawrence, who truly battled injuries for the first time as a pro last season.

Jones hasn't been perfect during the preseason. He has seemed skittish under pressure at times, and he continues to misfire the occasional throw. However, he seems to have a good grasp of Press Taylor's offense and has showcased some of the arm talent and processing skills that made him a first-round pick in the first place.

In the opener, Jones finished 9-of-11 for 98 yards. On Saturday, he saw extensive playing time and tossed a pair of touchdowns—his first, a beautiful third-down strike to Parker Washington.

Jones has likely already passed C.J. Beathard, who exited Saturday with a groin injury, as Jacksonville's primary backup. Though, if all goes well, he won't see the field in 2024. Rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr, is expected to see the field early and often.

Thomas showcased his deep-ball skills in the preseason opener with a 41-yard reception. He showed why he can be more than just a deep threat on Saturday. His lone reception only went for 14 yards, but it was a heads-up comeback grab with Jones under duress.

Bucky Irving May Be Ready to Boost the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ground Game.

The Buccaneers didn't play quarterback Baker Mayfield or much of their starting offense, though they shouldn't have many questions about their passing attack heading into 2024. Mayfield made the Pro Bowl as an alternate last season, while Tampa finished a solid 17th in passing yards and eighth in passing touchdowns.

Running the ball was much more of a struggle in 2023. While Rachaad White racked up 1,539 scrimmage yards, he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. No team averaged fewer yards per carry than the Buccaneers (3.4).

Two weeks into the preseason, it's looking like rookie fourth-round pick Bucky Irving might just provide the boost Tampa needs. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and found the end zone in his preseason debut, impressing head coach Todd Bowles in the process.

"He hit the holes, he caught the ball well, he pass blocked well. I will check the tape for everything else, but I thought he had a good first outing," Bowles told reporters.

Irving's numbers weren't quite as impressive on Saturday, but he again showed an ability to recognize openings, hit the hole and bust upfield with little wasted movement. He ripped off runs of six, five and five yards on Tampa's opening drive and finished with 26 yards on six carries.

White will likely remain Tampa's primary back, but Irving appears poised to steal quite a few carries in 2024.

Aidan O'Connell Didn't Win Raiders' QB Job, Gardner Minshew Lost It

The Raiders offense had a slow start with Gardner Minshew in the game into the second quarter. Aside from a 48-yard completion to wideout Tre Tucker, Minshew missed opened receivers and misfired when he did target them. Minshew went 10 of 21 passing for 95 yards against the Dallas Cowboys backups.

O'Connell, who lacks mobility, also struggled behind an offensive line that didn't have its best game. That said, he also fired a bit too high on a couple of throws.

O'Connell settled down and found his rhythm in the second half, leading a touchdown drive on the Raiders' first third-quarter possession, but he threw an interception that resulted in a pick-six on the following offensive drive.

While the Raiders' quarterback battle doesn't inspire much excitement for the regular season, the offense should be a little more efficient with wideout Davante Adams, tight end Brock Bowers and left tackle Kolton Miller back in full-time action.

O'Connell didn't clearly win the job with his performance, but Minshew struggled in a crucial game that will factor into the Raiders' quarterback decision.

Cowboys Rookie Offensive Linemen are Ready to Start

The Cowboys lost two starting offensive linemen in free agency: offensive tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz.

Despite those departures, the Cowboys' offensive line may not see significant regression. Also, keep in mind that Smith has missed 23 games over the last three seasons.

In this year's draft, Dallas selected Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe in the first and third rounds, respectively.

Guyton and Beebe didn't stand out in any specific way, though they stood their ground against the Raiders' starting defensive line.

Offensive linemen don't want to hear their names or numbers called several times during games because that usually means they committed unnecessary and untimely penalties.

On Saturday, Guyton and Beebe played a clean game and avoided glaring miscues, which are good signs for a couple of first-year players. They're ready to suit up with the starters against the Cleveland Browns on September 8.

Saints EDGE Carl Granderson Primed for Breakout Season

After four so-so seasons in New Orleans, edge-rusher Carl Granderson quietly had an excellent season for the Saints last year, setting career-highs in both tackles (78) and sacks (8.5).

Those numbers are pretty impressive, but Granderson admitted to reporters earlier in the offseason that he could have been even better had he not gotten a bit gassed during the season.

"It's always good to start off strong, but looking back at last year, it got rocky in the middle," he said. "For me, it's maintaining and being consistent, and the numbers will come. The middle of the season for me was kind of like you hit a wall, and then you turn it up when it's too late. So, moving forward to this season, I expect my production to start off hot and in the middle keep it going, and then toward the end crank it up even more."

Granderson was plenty cranked up against the San Francisco 49ers, logging a sack of Brock Purdy in the first quarter.

Cameron Jordan may be a bigger name, and Chase Young may have been the second overall pick in the draft. But it's Granderson who is the anchor for the New Orleans pass rush.

If the Saints are going to compete in in the NFC South in 2024, Granderson needs to build on last year's success.

The 49ers Need to Get a Deal Done with Brandon Aiyuk—Now

It's dangerous to read too much into Sunday night's performance from Brock Purdy against the Saints—running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle were all spectators.

So was wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, just as he has been all offseason amid a contract impasse that has led to rampant trade speculation and reports that a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers is in place if the Niners can't come to an agreement on an extension with the 26-year-old.

However, the NFL Network's Mike Garafalo reported recently (via David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone) that the team is close to agreement on a deal that will keep San Fran's leading receiver from a year ago on the roster.

"It's really close to being done," Garafolo said. "That's why the 49ers have said, 'We're not going to make a move and trade him away because we feel like we could still get this deal done.'"

Given Brock Purdy's dismal showing with second-team receivers against the Saints (two completions in six attempts for 11 yards with one near-interception and a sack allowed), the Niners need to seal this deal.

This is a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The Niners need every weapon they can get this year.

Rookie LB Ty'Ron Hopper Rare Bright Spot for Packers in Ugly First Half

Sunday's matchup between the Packers and Broncos was something of a mismatch—while the Broncos rolled out most of their starters, Green Bay went with the second-team to open the game.

And it showed.

Backup quarterback Sean Clifford made Green Bay fans pray that Jordan Love never gets dinged up, barely averaging seven yards a completion and throwing an interception. With Josh Jacobs, A.J. Dillon and rookie MarShawn Lloyd all watching from the sidelines, the Packers gained all of 37 yards on 14 carries in the first half.

There was, however, at least one player who fared well. The Packers hit the off-ball linebacker position hard in the 2024 draft, first drafting Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M in the second round and then circling back for Missouri's Ty'Ron Hopper one round later.

Cooper, who has been sidelined for much of the summer with a hip injury, wasn't out there against Denver. But Hopper drew the start and was Green Bay's most active defender, pacing the team in the first half with six total tackles (four solo).

It isn't going to get Hopper in the starting lineup. But it was a rare bright spot in an ugly 30 minutes of football by Green Bay.

Rookie QB Bo Nix Solidifies Hold on Starting Job for Broncos

The Broncos and Packers held joint practices ahead of Sunday night's matchup, and as Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette tweeted earlier this week, Packers quarterback Jordan Love came away from those practices impressed with Broncos rookie Bo Nix.

"I'm a big supporter of Bo Nix," Love said. "We'll see what pans out in that QB situation. I wish him all the best if he gets an opportunity to start, play in some games this year. He's in it for the long journey, keep stepping up & get better every day"

Over the past week, Nix saw increased reps with the starters, and it was the former Oregon standout who drew the start against the Pack. On Denver's first drive of the game Nix took the Broncos right down the field, connecting with running back Javonte Williams on an apparent touchdown pass that was called back due to Nix being past the line of scrimmage when he released the ball.

That mistake was unfortunate, but the improvisation and mobility Nix displayed on the play was impressive.

Nix was even better on his second drive, leading the Broncos on an 11-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Tim Patrick.

Over those two drives, Nix was 8-for-9 for 80 yards and a score. Granted, it came against Green Bay's reserves, but if Sunday night was any indication the quarterback battle in the Mile High City is all but over.