A facsimile of football has returned.
Week 1 of the NFL preseason is in the books, with all 32 franchises now having made the transition from training camp to the exhibition slate. How much those exhibition matchups actually matter is a point of debate, with several teams keeping their starters out en masse and placing a higher emphasis on joint practices, as well as their own workouts.
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Yet from unsettled position battles to rookies finding their way and end-of-roster hopefuls scrapping for spots, the initial tilts still can shape the coming weeks and months, even if at a reduced scale.
With that in mind, here are the biggest winners and losers from Week 1 of the NFL preseason:
NFL preseason Week 1 winners
Preseason action wasn’t necessary to confirm that a major role for Moore, who’s cracked 1,000 yards four times in his career and for whom the Bills gave up a second-round pick to acquire. Still, his connection with Josh Allen looks to be in stellar shape. Moore broke free for a 32-yard catch-and-run on the opening drive against the Panthers for the clear highlight of his three-catch, 61-yard day.
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This is sure to remain a group effort to support Allen, with targets spread out among Moore, fellow receiver Khalil Shakir, tight end Dalton Kincaid and running back James Cook, among others. But Moore has an extensive track record of propping up receiving corps in need of help. He looks in line to continue that trend in Buffalo.
One key caveat here: The Rams invest less into preseason results than almost any other team, so any flourishes in these games might fade even faster than they would elsewhere. That said, the initial glimpses of their first-round quarterback were highly encouraging.
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In nearly three full quarters against the Chiefs, Simpson completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards, with both of his scores going to undrafted free agent rookie running back Dean Connors. The game plan looked to be narrowed a good bit for the former Alabama passer, who largely worked short throws to the sidelines until late in the game. Still, Simpson was precise and efficient while avoiding any major mistakes. After operating alongside and against backups and roster longshots, it would be a leap to consider the one-year college starter fully ready to step in for Los Angeles anytime soon. But for both Simpson and the Rams, there’s at least something to build on for the rest of training camp and the preseason.
Ravens WR Ja’Kobi Lane
No rookie has generated hyperbole this summer quite like Lane, whom Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle compared to former Saints great Michael Thomas. In his preseason debut, the highlights kept coming.
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Lane hauled in three catches for 38 yards against the Eagles, with his night punctuated by a 16-yard catch over the middle that he took in for a score. The 6-4, 208-pound wideout also served up another reminder of his catch radius when he contorted and reached behind him for his first reception, an 18-yard gain. With everything he can offer Lamar Jackson as a target capable of coming down with even the most difficult of throws to his area, Lane looks like a more convincing Week 1 contributor with every big play.
49ers WR De’Zhaun Stribling
Running with whatever is thrown his way has never been a problem for Stribling, the second-round receiver out of Mississippi who made a habit of hauling in passes and racing downfield. And with the 49ers perhaps needing him to play a larger role than initially expected this season, Stribling is once again stepping up.
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Extending his strong work from training camp, Stribling racked up seven catches for 63 yards while running with the starters. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan praised both his sure hands and his physicality. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. undoubtedly needing assistance to keep the aerial attack running after Ricky Pearsall was lost for the season, expect Stribling to play an important role in providing Brock Purdy with some much-needed juice.
Drew Allar is the clear headliner here for Pittsburgh after his 10-of-13 performance against the Packers that included three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). To be sure, the outing was a promising development for the third-round quarterback, with whom coach Mike McCarthy went back to basics this offseason after the Penn State product’s star-crossed collegiate career. But with no real movement yet in the backup quarterback picture, let’s zoom out to appreciate an impressive wider set of rookie performances.
Receiver Germie Bernard‘s showing is likely the most consequential to a team trying to retain its playoff contender credentials under McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers. The former Alabama standout showcased all of his selling points – consistent separation, trustworthy hands and abundant run-after catch ability – that helped make him a second-round pick. Speed demon Kaden Wetjen also took a slant from Allar for a 74-yard score, evading one defender before outracing all the others to the end zone. Seventh-round running back and all-purpose threat Eli Heidenreich got an extended look, logging nine carries for 21 yards. And fifth-round fullback Riley Nowakowski got in on the action with a 4-yard touchdown delivered by Allar.
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With the focus on Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins’ debuts for the Silver and Black, Bech’s beginning to Year 2 in the NFL wasn’t a primary storyline for Las Vegas. Yet the receiver ended up being a rather captivating subplot in the contest against the Cardinals.
Working with both quarterbacks, Bech proved to be a surehanded option, securing a team-high three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown strike delivered by Mendoza. His most significant value, however, might rest in what he can offer as the kind of blocker that new coach Klint Kubiak’s scheme demands. Bech opened up opportunities for others throughout the night, with his best work coming when he helped clear the way for rookie running back Mike Washington Jr.’s 53-yard scamper. Though sixth-round rookie wideout Malik Benson has impressed during camp thanks to his connection with Mendoza, Bech seems to be in a solid spot to work alongside Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor in three-receiver sets.
It was a fairly unremarkable night in debuts for Gang Green, with the Buccaneers giving No. 2 overall pick David Bailey plenty of attention to keep the edge rusher at bay. Klubnik, however, was the clear exception. The fifth-round quarterback looked sharp and composed in his run with the first-stringers, twice connecting with top receiver Garrett Wilson and directing two scoring drives. He finished 5-of-7 for 56 yards.
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Coach Aaron Glenn said there were still things for the Clemson product to work on, but he lauded the rookie’s moxie and called the performance “really a thumbs-up.” The job of backing up starter Geno Smith should belong to Klubnik at this point, and – barring a surprising return to relevance – it would make sense for the team to get a closer look at him late in the year.
Dolphins WR Caleb Douglas
You might be hard-pressed to find a position group anywhere in the NFL less settled than the Dolphins’ muddled receiving corps. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan’s teardown has left marquee free-agent signing Malik Willis with a rather ragtag crew of pass catchers. Douglas, however, looks capable of emerging as the group’s top target.
In Friday’s contest against the Commanders, the third-round rookie from Texas Tech hauled in a laser from Willis, tipping the pass to himself with one hand before coming down with the 28-yard catch on his back. That light production – he was unable to get both feet inbounds on his only other target – might not seem particularly noteworthy. But his extensive run alongside Malik Washington showed that the 6-4, 205-pound wideout has as good a chance as anyone to leave his imprint on the passing game. His upside as a downfield weapon should endear him to Willis, who could find himself with a severe shortage of support on his new team.
Seeing a player with Beckham’s career accomplishments playing in the second half of a preseason game usually would warrant a double-take. Nevertheless, that’s where the three-time Pro Bowl pass catcher stands as he tries to work his way back with the Giants.
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In his first game action in more than a year, Beckham earned an ovation from the crowd upon his insertion into the lineup in the second quarter against the Vikings. He continued to give fans reason to cheer from there. Though he only logged two catches for 6 yards, Beckham consistently created separation, including downfield on a play where backup quarterback Brandon Allen looked elsewhere and threw an interception. He also made his presence known as a blocker. Opportunities might be minimal on what is tracking to be a run-heavy offense, but Beckham furthered his case to stick around.
NFL preseason Week 1 losers
Browns coach Todd Monken
Upon his hiring, Monken was touted by Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam for his “experienced, innovative offensive mindset.” That creative approach is sure to be necessary not only to navigate an unsightly quarterback competition, but also to spin it as anything but an anchor on the rest of the unit.
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Following a 34-10 loss to the Bears, Monken described Deshaun Watson‘s start as “awesome.” Few others would have applied the same descriptor to a performance in which the veteran passer still had a spotty pocket presence and never threatened the defense downfield. Maybe the performance only stood out relative to the Shedeur Sanders roller coaster, which might have been nausea-inducing. Regardless, the continued quarterback woes stand out as a clear cap on a unit that saw many of its other pieces – particularly rookie left tackle Spencer Fano and wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston – acquit themselves well. Monken maintained he wanted to “get through” the second preseason game against the Bills before deciding on a starter. Intentional or not, that verbiage is a reminder that the outlook behind center is something to merely attempt to survive – at least until next year.
Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa
Despite trading up in the third round last year to land TeSlaa, the Lions extended a good deal of grace to the former high-school quarterback as the Arkansas product found his footing. But if the hyperathletic 6-4, 214-pound wideout is to become more than a weapon on contested catches and in the red zone – six of his 16 receptions last year went for touchdowns – then he’ll need to prove more reliable than he did in the preseason opener.
TeSlaa didn’t catch any of his three targets against the Bengals, with the first rifling between his hands and bouncing off his helmet before falling into the grasp of safety Jordan Battle for an interception. Lions coach Dan Campbell largely shrugged off the issues, saying TeSlaa would be “just fine.” Nevertheless, it’s difficult to envision a substantial volume of touches for him in an offense won’t often stray from feeding running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receivers Amon-Ra. St Brown and Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta.
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Jets WR Omar Cooper Jr.
When a team trades into the first round for a receiver, it typically seems like a foregone conclusion that the pick will factor heavily into immediate plans for the offense. That might not be the case for Cooper, who seems to have fallen out of favor in New York.
By all appearances, Isaiah Williams has overtaken Cooper as the lead option in the slot. The 2024 undrafted free agent worked ahead of the No. 30 overall pick against the Bucs, and Cooper – who did manage to rip off a 26-yard gain on one catch – remained in the game through the Jets’ sixth offensive drive. Glenn believes in giving young players extensive work, but that setup still suggests that the Indiana product might be a good deal further away from contributing to an underdeveloped receiver room than anyone likely would have predicted three months ago.
Plenty of running backs from the 2025 NFL Draft class encountered tough sledding in their initial pro work. None, however, seemed to have a rockier acclimation than Johnson, the second-round pick out of Iowa whose special teams blunder in Week 2 torpedoed his rookie campaign. And while McCarthy declared this spring that all returning players would have a clean slate, the second-year ball carrier’s future with the franchise looks cloudy at best.
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Johnson logged just two carries for 3 yards, and it didn’t seem as though his minimal usage was a reflection of the coaching staff protecting him. He had to wait until the second half to enter the game, as other backs got more meaningful and extensive looks. With Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle figuring to handle the lion’s share of touches in the backfield, Johnson finds himself in a precarious position as a backup without significant value as either a receiver or blocker on third downs.
Since being hired in January, Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski has repeatedly tried to turn the temperature down on his team’s quarterback competition. It stands to reason, then, that one quarter of preseason action wouldn’t alter the battle much – especially with only one passer participating. Even with Michael Penix Jr. remaining sidelined in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Tagovailoa has done little to set himself apart in the race.
In two series against the Broncos, the veteran signal-caller threw for just 22 yards on 3-of-5 passing. The offense was inert under his direction, recording just one first down in two series. He also dropped a snap out of the shotgun and couldn’t get anything going downfield. Even with some leeway granted given the absence of Bijan Robinson, the first impression wasn’t a very auspicious one. Tagovailoa might win the job by default if Penix isn’t soon cleared to participate in full practice work. Still, as has long been the case in Atlanta, more is needed from behind center.
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Raiders defense
Between Maxx Crosby being held out and coordinator Rob Leonard likely watering down his scheme significantly, it seems safe to say Las Vegas’ defense didn’t resemble its expected Week 1 form. Kubiak and Leonard better hope that’s the case, though.
The Cardinals engineered three long touchdown drives in the first half and two more field goals in the third quarter. It wasn’t until the second half that an Arizona pass fell incomplete. Things can change quickly for this unit, particularly with Crosby back in the fold. The unit still might leave Las Vegas liable to getting into shootouts, creating a dynamic that’s not exactly conducive to Mendoza’s insertion in the starting lineup.
MORE: Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders debut proved Kirk Cousins’ value – and that’s OK
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Rough blow for the former three-time Pro Bowl selection, who went down with a non-contact knee injury while in coverage against the Giants and was carted off. Adams had been trying to reboot his career as a hybrid defender in Brian Flores’ defense, even switching numbers to reflect the dual role. Now, however, it looks as though the 30-year-old – whose litany of ailments from 2022-24 limited him to just 15 games during that span – won’t make any contributions for some time, with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell saying after the game that the undisclosed injury “didn’t look good.”
“You’re just crushed for him,” O’Connell said during an in-game interview. “The role he was kind of paving for himself and just having a personality, experience, toughness that he brought in such a short amount of time – we’re going to miss him.”
Patriots K Andy Borregales
None of Borregales’ three missed field-goal attempts were gimmes, with the whiffs coming from 49, 55 and 56 yards. Still, a 2-of-5 bottom line won’t cut it for a second-year kicker who made just 84.4% of his field goal attempts as a rookie. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel drove home that point in his postgame news conference.
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“We’re expected to make them,” Vrabel said. “That’s pro football. They’re banging them in from 60 yards. They got two kickers on the roster, so Andy knows that we have to make those field goals.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL preseason winners and losers: Which rookies stood out?
