Week 1 of the NFL preseason is in the books, with several top rookies making their debuts and other names trying to make an impact and break onto rosters.
Below, we'll take a look at how top rookies performed in their debut, plus five players that flew under the radar in Week 1 of the NFL preseason.
We'll evaluate what kind of impact these players can make when the regular season kicks off next month.
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Top Player Performances in Preseason Week 1
Below are five players to watch moving forward in the NFL preseason who may be flying under the radar, especially for NFL DFS on PrizePicks.
Click each player to read more below.
- Top Fantasy Rookies Performances: Ward, Shedeur, Hunter
- Saints QB Tyler Shough — 165 Passing Yards
- Colts QB Daniel Jones — 144 Passing Yards
- Buccaneers RB Owen Wright — 87 Rushing Yards
- Falcons WR Dylan Drummond — 63 Receiving Yards
- Giants RB Dante Miller — 102 All-Purpose Yards
Ward, Sanders Debut in Preseason Week 1
Leading the big-name rookies taking the field for the first time, top draft pick Cam Ward looked solid for Tennessee. Ward threw for 67 yards on 5-of-8 passing, including a 27-yard connection with WR Calvin Ridley on his first attempt.
Jaguars WR Travis Hunter picked up two catches for nine yards in Jacksonville’s home loss to Pittsburgh.
Hunter played 11 snaps on offense and eight on defense as the Heisman Trophy winner will be busy on both sides of the field this season.
Hunter’s college teammate, Browns QB Shedeur Sanders threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead Cleveland past Carolina. Sanders is highly unlikely to start on opening day for Cleveland, but he took the Browns for a pair of scores and finished 14-of-23 for 138 yards.
Saints QB Tyler Shough — 165 Passing Yards
The New Orleans Saints are in major disarray heading into this season with a first-time head coach and questions at the quarterback position.
New Orleans drafted QB Tyler Shough 40th overall in April out of Texas Tech, hoping he can be the answer following Derek Carr’s sudden retirement.
Spencer Rattler started the Saints’ preseason opening loss to the Chargers, but Shough shined when he took the field. Shough posted 165 yards on 15-of-22 passing along with a touchdown and interception.
Rattler ran the offense for five drives and didn’t produce a point, while losing a fumble. Shough led the Saints to a field goal and threw a 54-yard touchdown pass. However, he also tossed a pick-six, which will be the first of many growing pains for the New Orleans rookie.
Colts QB Daniel Jones — 144 Passing Yards
Another team without a firm decision under center is the Indianapolis Colts, stuck between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
Richardson started the opener at Baltimore, but exited with a finger injury after getting sacked — he was able to return to practice this week though. That opened the door for Jones earlier than expected, the former top-10 pick with the Giants to prove his worth as the starting quarterback for the Colts.
Jones was less than impressive, completing 10-of-21 passes for 144 yards. Jones connected with Penn State rookie TE Tyler Warren on a 23-yard passing play, while one touchdown pass was called back due to offensive pass interference.
The Colts host the Packers on Saturday afternoon in NFL Preseason Week 2 as Jones is set to start. This will be a great audition for the former Duke signal-caller to help resurrect his career in Indianapolis.
Buccaneers RB Owen Wright — 87 Rushing Yards
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are loaded at the running back position, led by Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. Irving sat out the preseason opening win over the Titans, while White sustained a groin injury after picking up six carries.
White is now day-to-day, which could give RB Owen Wright more opportunities in the preseason.
Wright, who spent last season on injured reserve with the Ravens, made the most of his opportunity in his Tampa Bay debut. Wright rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries, along with a touchdown.
Yes, most of his work came in the second half, but Wright showed some promise in the event Irving gets injured this season and he can step up for the Bucs.
Falcons WR Dylan Drummond — 63 Receiving Yards
WR Dylan Drummond enters his third season in the NFL looking to make an impact. Following stops with the Lions and Giants, the former Eastern Michigan standout hauled in eight receptions for 63 yards against Detroit on Friday.
Drummond didn’t play alongside Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix, Jr., who were both inactive on Friday. The Falcons are set with their top two wide receivers, showcasing Drake London and Darnell Mooney.
However, if Drummond can contribute during the preseason, maybe he can be elevated and be a sleeper in the Atlanta passing attack.
Giants RB Dante Miller — 102 All-Purpose Yards
The Giants knocked off the Bills on Saturday as New York starts a new era with Russell Wilson at quarterback. There aren’t many proven weapons on this New York offense, but RB Dante "Turbo" Miller is trying to break through.
The undrafted rookie out of South Carolina was on the field for 41 snaps on Saturday. Miller rushed for 22 yards on 10 carries, but also picked up seven receptions for 80 yards.
Most of his action came alongside fellow rookie Jaxson Dart, who threw for 154 yards and a touchdown.
Make NFL Preseason Picks on PrizePicks
There’s exciting action in this week’s preseason NFL slate, including 11 matchups on Saturday. Now is the time to build your NFL Preseason. DFS Lineup on PrizePicks.
Just pick More or Less at least two NFL player stat projections — like pass or rush yards — to build your Lineup. Use the players above to build your Lineups around, or use a 6-Pick Lineup to reach up to 2000x payouts.
Check out the Playbook for more NFL DFS picks and analysis all the way through the season.
