3 Rookie Standouts & 3 Letdowns from NFL Preseason Week 1
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Playing great in your first-ever NFL action doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll become a star. But on the flip side, playing poorly doesn’t mean you’re destined to be a bust, either.
We’ve seen it time and time again with rookies — some take off right away, while others take time to develop. So today, I’m highlighting three rookies who impressed me and three who disappointed me in their preseason debuts.
But first, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions from both categories.
Honorable Mentions
Impressed:
Cam Ward — QB, Tennessee Titans
5/8, 67 yards
Will Campbell — OT, New England Patriots
held his ground well in the run and pass game
Tyler Warren — TE, Indianapolis Colts
3 receptions, 40 yards
Travis Hunter — WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
2 catches, 9 yards
Disappointed:
Tyler Shough — QB, New Orleans Saints
15/22 1 TD (54 yards), 1 INT (pick 6)
R.J. Harvey — RB, Denver Broncos
7 carries, 25 yards, 3.6 yards per carry
Tetairoa McMillan — WR, Carolina Panthers
2 receptions, 43 yards, 2 drops, ran wrong route, missed an end-zone catch
Impressed
Jaxson Dart — QB, New York Giants
The 25th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Jaxson Dart entered the game with a lot to prove — especially in a crowded QB room that includes Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Tommy DeVito. While he’ll likely start the season on the bench behind future Hall of Famer Russell Wilson, Dart made a strong first impression.
Facing the Buffalo Bills, Dart completed 12 of 19 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown, including a beautiful 29-yard strike to Lil’Jordan Humphrey under heavy pressure. That play alone showed off his arm strength and overall potential.
He also displayed some mobility, rushing for 24 yards on three attempts, including a 19-yard scramble that moved the chains.
Does one good performance mean he’s the next franchise QB? Not necessarily — but based on what we saw, the Giants may have found their future at the position.
Shedeur Sanders — QB, Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders was once projected to be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft but fell to pick No. 144 — partly due to concerns about maturity. After criticizing teammates in college and getting caught speeding twice within two weeks after the draft, the spotlight was on him to prove he belongs.
And against the Panthers, he did exactly that.
Sanders threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns, consistently hitting his receivers in stride and showing off his talent. The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders might have slipped in the draft, but he didn’t look like a Day 3 pick on the field.
Whether he can overcome his off-field concerns is a different story, but talent-wise, Sanders looks NFL-ready.
TreVeyon Henderson — RB, New England Patriots
What better way to kick off your NFL debut than by returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown?
TreVeyon Henderson didn’t waste any time making an impact. After the return TD, the Patriots didn’t need to see much more. Still, in limited touches, Henderson impressed — rushing once for 18 yards, and catching three passes for 12 yards.
It’s early, but the Patriots may have found a do-it-all running back in the former Ohio State star. Sure, the Brady era is over, but with top young talent on the roster, Patriots fans should feel excited about the future.
Disappointed
Kaleb Johnson — RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kaleb Johnson had an opportunity to show something in his NFL debut but didn’t capitalize.
Playing 22 snaps, he received eight carries and managed just 20 yards, averaging only 2.5 yards per carry. The former Iowa standout struggled to create any explosive plays.
After the game, Johnson admitted, “Everything’s faster [in the NFL],” — an honest reflection that shows he’s aware of what he needs to work on. He’s talented, but things didn’t look great for him in the outing.
Ashton Jeanty — RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Running backs often struggle in their NFL debuts, and Ashton Jeanty was no exception. The No. 6 overall pick was a non-factor against the Seahawks, rushing three times for -1 yard.
Sure, the workload was small — but it’s hard to sugarcoat a negative rushing total. While Jeanty has a similar frame to former bust Trent Richardson, I wouldn’t panic just yet. The Raiders barely gave him a chance, and it’s unfair to write him off after just three carries.
What stings a bit more is that his former Boise State teammate, George Holani, now with the Seahawks, rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. That contrast definitely raised some eyebrows.
Jeanty’s debut was underwhelming, but let’s wait until the regular season before drawing conclusions.
Derrick Harmon — DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Derrick Harmon is loaded with potential, but he’ll need to do more than what he showed in his first preseason game.
Playing 30 snaps, the defensive tackle finished with just one QB hit and zero tackles. For a top pick, that’s not an encouraging stat line — especially against mostly backup offensive linemen.
Yes, it’s preseason. No, it’s not the end of the world. But if you’re struggling to stand out against second and third-stringers, it does raise concern.
I’m not calling him a bust — not even close — but Harmon will need to bounce back quickly to quiet the doubters.
Final Thoughts
Preseason Week 1 doesn’t make or break a rookie’s career, but it’s our first real look at how they might translate to the pro level. Some players rise to the occasion. Others need time.
If this first week is any sign, the 2025 rookie class might be one of the best in recent memory.