NFL Preseason 2015: Best Surprises from Week 1 Games
A year ago today, Tyrod Taylor began his fourth preseason as Joe Flacco's backup in Baltimore—time the former Virginia Tech star patiently served.
But after quarterbacking the Buffalo Bills on Friday, Taylor showed everyone a change a scenery was all he needed.
The NFL's first week of preseason games presents a chance for new faces, like Taylor, to prove themselves, rookies to earn roster spots and veterans to...sit back and relax.
We've ranked Week 1's biggest (positive) surprises among the players, coaches and teams that exceeded expectations.
Our rankings are based on stats in the first preseason game, reputations coming in and outlook for the short-term future of each player, coach or team.
As Taylor played his way into Buffalo's starting QB competition, a few standout rookies exploded onto the scene including the Seattle Seahawks' Tyler Lockett, the Indianapolis Colts' Phillip Dorsett and the Detroit Lions' Ameer Abdullah.
Here are the biggest surprises from NFL Preseason Week 1.
8. Philadelphia Eagles QBs
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Tim Tebow and Matt Barkley, two former college football stars, got a chance to shine on Sunday.
In Philadelphia's first preseason game, Sam Bradford sat out and Mark Sanchez played just two less-than-stellar series—paving the way for the backups to get some looks.
Barkley turned heads in Kelly's no-huddle offense, finishing 12-of-20 for 192 yards with an interception. The highlight came when he led a 76-yard touchdown drive, which included two completions of 25-plus yards.
Tebow, who entered the game to a standing ovation, finished 6-of-12 for 69 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Both quarterbacks have had a worse go at it in the NFL than in college so Sunday was a surprise to many—Barkley for his throws and Tebow for his mere presence.
When rosters are cut to 53 on September 5, Kelly will likely have to choose between the two as the third quarterback behind Bradford and Sanchez.
CBS Sports' Jason La Confora notes that Barkley's performance can serve as trade bait if Kelly chooses to keep Tebow.
"It stands to reason that both Tebow and Barkley are not on the roster come Week 1, so Barkley's performance may have been the most positive revelation of the day for Philadelphia.
A strong preseason from Barkley, the former USC star, after last year's abject failures might eventually net the Eagles a late draft pick for him if nothing else.
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So far, in game action, Barkley has been the better of the two.
7. Phillip Dorsett, WR, Indianapolis Colts
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Phillip Dorsett, the Colts rookie out of Miami, got the start Sunday with T.Y. Hilton (personal reasons) and Donte Moncrief (groin) out. He took all the first-team reps as the second wideout alongside Andre Johnson.
It didn't take long for Dorsett to show Indianapolis he was worth a first-round draft pick.
Andrew Luck peppered him with eight targets, including the first two passes of the day, as Dorsett finished with four catches and 51 yards.
His only blemish was getting stripped after a 20-yard reception over the middle.
Although the Colts have a crowded receiving corps, Dorsett's immediate chemistry with Luck is a great sign for the rookie's contribution in 2015.
"He's a big play waiting to happen," head coach Chuck Pagano said of Dorsett, via Steve Andress of Colts.com. "He's going to be a dynamic guy for us."
If Sunday's performance was any indication, you've got to imagine Indy's offense will find a way to get Dorsett's 4.24 40-yard-dash speed onto the field this season.
6. Marc Trestman, OC, Baltimore Ravens
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Marc Trestman's offense seems to be working better in Baltimore than it ever did in Chicago.
It's only one preseason game, but starting quarterback Joe Flacco certainly benefited from new play-calling.
As the Ravens' new offensive coordinator, Trestman brings a pass-first scheme to a team that's been notoriously run-dominant.
Against the New Orleans Saints Thursday, the Ravens scored 20 first-half points behind a strong passing game.
Flacco was 5-of-6 for 33 yards while leading a touchdown drive, and backup Matt Schaub went 11-of-18 for 134 yards and a touchdown with one pick.
Trestman's pass-first approach looks to be off to a good start in Baltimore—and it's certainly a different look for a coach who lost his job after the Bears went 5-11 last season.
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5. Jarryd Hayne, RB, San Francisco 49ers
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The average NFL fan has no idea who Jarryd Hayne is. Heck, even a diehard might not have heard of him—and rightfully so.
The San Francisco 49ers running back is a year removed from tearing up the National Rugby League in Australia.
On Saturday, he did the same to Houston Texans defenders.
Here's Nate Scott of USA Today on Hayne's first game in professional football.
"Despite being league MVP, Hayne quit the NRL this past year to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL. He hooked on with the 49ers, and in his first preseason game with the team, he busted out a 53-yard run, and made a lot of people miss during kickoff and punt returns.
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As it stands, though, Hayne is trying to win a spot on the 49ers 53-man roster.
He might have a better chance as a returner rather than running back—but a job is a job in the NFL.
4. Oakland Raiders Offense
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The Raiders offense has a lot to be excited about heading into the season as a revamped unit.
Headed by new head coach Jack Del Rio and second-year quarterback Derek Carr, Oakland's hype centers on two new receivers in Michael Crabtree and rookie Amari Cooper.
In two series in Friday night's 18-3 win over St. Louis, the Raiders first-team offense was clicking well.
Carr led two drives—one ending in a field goal and the other an interception on the Rams six-yard line.
Cooper finished with three catches for 22 yards and an end-around run that went for three more. It was clear Del Rio wanted to get his first-rounder involved early and often.
Crabtree added two catches for 15 yards while starting tailback Latavius Murray had 35 yards on six carries, including an explosive 17-yard run.
When you consider Oakland had one of the worst NFL offenses last year—it scored the second-fewest points—Friday's coming-out party is a sign of vast improvement in 2015.
3. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
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Rookie wide receiver Tyler Lockett proved the Seattle Seahawks right for trading up to draft him in the third round a few months ago.
On Friday, the 5'10", 182-pound speedster's highlight came in the form of a 103-yard kick return touchdown.
Lockett averaged 45.6 yards on his four kick returns in the game and added another 18 yards off his lone returned punt.
Seattle's big offseason addition may be tight end Jimmy Graham, but Lockett brings an immediate spark to a special teams unit with a season-long kick return of 47 yards in 2014.
The wideout from Kansas State had the Seahawks raving after his first preseason game.
Quarterback Russell Wilson compared him to Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt.
"I thought Lockett's 83-yard touchdown was pretty good. See, I didn't see the last 20," head coach Pete Carroll said via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. "I was jumping up and down for Tyler's return."
Lockett could be one of the more dynamic returners in the league for years to come if Friday's showing tells us anything.
2. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills
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After an impressive debut with the Buffalo Bills, Tyrod Taylor will get the nod as the starting quarterback in Thursday's preseason contest against the Browns, according to head coach Rex Ryan.
Taylor went 5-of-8 for 49 yards in Buffalo's preseason opener, adding six rushes for 47 yards.
The dual-threat QB led the Bills to touchdowns on his first two series with the second team on Friday.
Considering where Taylor's been his first four seasons in the league—backing up Joe Flacco in Baltimore—the surge comes as a surprise.
For Bills fans, it's a sign of life from a quarterback position calling for someone to step up.
Taylor's main competitor is Matt Cassel, who was 7-of-8 for 45 yards in Week 1.
Bills GM Doug Whaley offered up plenty of praise for the former Virginia Tech star, per Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News.
"“It’s a production-based business,” Whaley said. “He produced with the twos so we’re excited for him to get in there Thursday with the ones to see what he can do. Everybody knows what he can do with his feet. But I’m impressed with a couple of his throws.
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“He’s got everything you’re looking for. We just have to make sure he can produce when his time’s called.”
Since Friday's performance, Taylor has been taking the first-team reps at practice in preparation for the start later this week.
1. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions
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The Ameer Abdullah hype train has taken off.
If you saw what the rookie did at Nebraska last year, you shouldn't be surprised. But in his first preseason action?
Not even the best look this explosive.
Abdullah showed off his speed, footwork and sharp cuts in the Lions' Thursday game, ripping off a 45-yard run that left a half-dozen Jets defenders grasping for air.
He finished with 67 yards on seven carries—leading all Detroit running backs in the game.
Abdullah captured the entire league's attention right away in his fist preseason action.
As Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News reports, even Jets head coach Todd Bowles compared the rookie to one former Lions legend.
"He looked like he did in college," Bowles said. "He's quick as a cat. He's about as quick as Barry Sanders. I'm not saying he is Barry, but he's a good running back."
Abdullah certainly stole the show this week—and he could swipe the starting running back duties from Theo Riddick and Joique Bell in Detroit as well.
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