Preseason 2023 NFL Week 1: Biggest Takeaways from Thursday's Games
The NFL is back, sort of. Last week's Hall of Fame Game unofficially kicked off the 2023 preseason, and many casual fans won't consider exhibition action "real" football anyway. However, the first full week of games since last year's playoffs kicked off Thursday.
The Houston Texans and New England Patriots opened Week 1 of the preseason with a predictably sloppy 20-9 game that didn't feature either team's full complement of starters. In a slightly more exciting late game, the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-13.
Of course, the preseason isn't about the final score or which stars are seeing early action. It's about seeing rookies for the first time, checking out old faces in new places (or positions), tracking scheme changes and getting a look at back-end-of-the-roster players battling to make the team.
In that regard, Thursday's early action didn't disappoint. Here's a look at our biggest takeaways.
C.J. Stroud Will Need Time to Develop
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We've become accustomed to highly drafted rookies starting early in the modern NFL, though the trend isn't universal. If Thursday night was an accurate indication of C.J. Stroud's development, the Texans may be reluctant to start the second overall pick in Week 1.
Stroud didn't lead his team to points and struggled to recognize the Patriots' pressure in his two drives. The first of them was ended by an ugly interception that the rookie either misread or simply misfired into the arms of safety Jalen Mills.
After two series, Stroud gave way to incumbent quarterback Davis Mills, and the rookie finished 2-of-4 with the pick and one sack taken.
Stroud's performance came in stark contrast to Dorian Thompson-Robinson's debut for the Cleveland Browns last Thursday (92 passing yards, 36 rushing yards, two TD drives) or the debut of Patriots QB Malik Cunningham—though theirs came in the second half and not against projected starters.
The good news is that Stroud has used his mistakes as a learning experience in the offseason and should do the same after Thursday.
"We all want plays back, decisions back, reps back, but some of his best plays came after a mistake," journeyman Texans quarterback Case Keenum said, per ProFootballTalk's Myles Simmons.
Keenum (64 career starts) is capable enough to lead the offense if Stroud isn't ready to go against the Baltimore Ravens in a few weeks. And Stroud being a work-in-progress isn't truly concerning because Houston, which had just 11 wins over the last three seasons, is too.
Keion White Shines in His Debut
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Stroud had a forgettable NFL debut, and Patriots rookie first-round pick Christian Gonzalez may want to forget about his first action as a pro. On his first defensive snap, Gonzalez closed on Texans receiver Nico Collins but hesitated and took a driving hit from Collins at the end of the play.
However, there was zero delay in Keion White's game on Thursday. New England's second-round pick was flying all over the field, making tackles and disrupting plays in the backfield. He only had two tackles and an assist but frequently pressured Houston's quarterbacks and helped to turn one botched handoff into a fumble recovered by linebacker Calvin Munson.
It was a nearly flawless outing for the former Georgia Tech pass-rusher, who was the 34th-ranked overall prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's final draft board. White's upside was never in question, but the former tight end was expected to be more of a developmental prospect than he appeared to be against Houston.
"The biggest issue with White is he's definitely a 'raw' prospect who has plenty of positive traits, but his technique is still a work in progress," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.
White appears ready to contribute, and he could quickly become another difference-maker on a Patriots defense that recorded 54 sacks a year ago.
Tank Dell Doesn't Disappoint
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Stroud struggled in limited action, and it was a quiet night for third overall pick Will Anderson Jr. However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for Houston's rookie class.
Former Houston wideout and third-round pick Tank Dell was arguably the brightest spot on the Texans offense against New England. He finished with five catches, 65 receiving yards and what might become the most unbelievable touchdown catch we see this preseason.
Dell also returned one punt for 13 yards.
While Dell is a small receiver at 5'8" and 165 pounds, he was productive in college (1,398 yards, 17 TDs last season) because of his combination of quickness and elusiveness. Those skills caught his coaches' attention during the offseason.
"He's an elite separator, and it shows on the (field)," offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said, per John McClain of SportsRadio 810. "He wants to work. He's always listening. I think I've mentioned just how hungry he is. Things you talk about he puts on tape."
Dell put some strong play on tape Thursday. In a Texans offense that is short on proven wide receiver talent, the rookie is likely headed to a prominent early role.
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The Patriots May Have Found a New Safety in Jalen Mills
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Mills' early interception wasn't the only play on which he stood out Thursday. He could be spotted communicating with other members of the defense pre-snap and finished with two tackles, including a fantastic stop of Dare Ogunbowale at the goal line.
It's probably too early to pencil in Mills as the starting safety opposite Kyle Dugger, but Thursday's brief performance should be an encouraging sign for New England fans.
The Patriots could use a new veteran leader at the position after longtime starter Devin McCourty retired early in the offseason. Mills, who primarily played cornerback for New England over the past two seasons, may be ready to step into that role.
The move back to safety, a position he played at times with the Philadelphia Eagles, is something Mills has embraced.
"It gives me the ability to not only show my versatility but be around the ball a little more and make more plays," Mills said in June, per CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan.
Mills originally joined the Patriots in 2021 on a four-year deal but was released shortly after the start of free agency in March. He returned on a new one-year, $8.3 million deal just a few days later, and it's looking like New England's decision to bring back Mills was a wise one.
Malik Cunningham Deserves a Chance to Stick in New England
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The Patriots might get a big offensive boost from new/former coordinator Bill O'Brien in 2023, but we didn't see it Thursday.
New England's offense was stagnant behind the direction of quarterbacks Bailey Zappe and Trace McSorley—starter Mac Jones did not play—and the only Patriots points through the first three quarters came off the Mills interception. Inconsistent line play didn't help, and Zappe, in particular, faced constant pressure.
Things got a lot more exciting in the fourth quarter, though, when undrafted free agent Malik Cunningham got into the game. The former Louisville star looked terrific as a dual-threat signal-caller and flashed much more than Zappe or McSorely did.
While Cunningham's biggest highlights came on the ground, he did a great job of sitting in the pocket, working through progressions and delivering a catchable ball. He had a beautiful throw on the run that was dropped by Tre Nixon in the end zone.
Cunningham finished 3-of-4 for 19 yards with 34 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
New England is also developing Cunningham as a receiver, and the rookie has "impressed" his coaches with the transition, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra,
Cunningham showed enough to warrant a longer look at quarterback, and if he can be developed at two valuable positions, he deserves a spot on the Patriots' 53-player roster, possibly at the expense of McSorley.
Ty Chandler Is Ready for a Bigger Role
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When the Vikings parted ways with star running back Dalvin Cook this offseason, most expected longtime backup Alexander Mattison to take over the role of lead back. That's probably still Minnesota's plan, especially given his experience with the Vikings' schemes and personnel.
"I think he's proven it over his career, when he's gotten opportunities, and he's been very productive," offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said of Mattison last month, per Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. "He just always knows what he's going to do."
However, Mattison may not quite be the every-down player that Cook often was. If the Vikings are eyeing a committee approach, second-year back Ty Chandler is making a case for a prominent role.
Selected in the fifth round, Chandler missed time with a thumb injury and only saw limited opportunities and six carries as a rookie last year.
Chandler saw a heavy workload against Seattle, and while his numbers weren't eye-opening, he did a tremendous job of showing his value in both the running and passing games.
When he was in the game, Minnesota ran a lot of its offense through Chandler, who finished with 11 carries for 41 yards and four catches for another 29. The 25-year-old appears ready to slide into Mattison's former role as the No. 2 back
Early Positives from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison
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Dell wasn't one of the draft's most highly touted receiver prospects. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jordan Addison were.
The Seahawks made Smith-Njigba the first wideout off the board in April, while the Vikings selected Addison three selections later.
Neither first-round rookie shined quite like Dell did, though it's worth noting that Drew Lock and Nick Mullens started at quarterback in place of Pro Bowlers Geno Smith and Kirk Cousins, respectively.
It's very clear that both receivers will play big roles as rookies. Seattle's first offensive play was a pass to Smith-Njigba, who was tackled for a two-yard gain by Lewis Cine—it's good to see Cine healthy following last year's knee injury. Smith-Njigba finished his first half of work with three catches for 25 yards.
Addison had one catch for 22 yards, but his most impressive play came on a sideline grab that was ruled incomplete:
Smith-Njigba and Addison ran crisp routes, avoided major miscues and looked comfortable on a pro playing field. It'll be a lot of fun watching these two over the course of the season and beyond, especially with their starting quarterbacks under center.
It must also be noted that Seattle didn't have Tyler Lockett or DK Metcalf in Thursday's lineup, while Minnesota rested Justin Jefferson. With standout veteran receivers on the field and drawing attention, these two rookies may be even more productive.
Ivan Pace Jr. Continues to Make Noise
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Making the 53-player roster as an undrafted free agent is never easy, but Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been making a strong push all offseason.
The Cincinnati product is a tad undersized at 5'10" and 231 pounds, but he plays with a high level of energy and instincts that have got him noticed during training camp and heading into the preseason.
"I'll give you one under-the-radar: Ivan Pace, I think, will show up on some Seattle tape," safety Harrison Smith told NFL Network (at the 5:29 mark).
Pace did indeed show up on tape against the Seahawks, though it wasn't all for the right reasons. He was flagged for throwing Seahawks running back Bryant Koback out of bounds—though that was offset by a holding call.
While new defensive coordinator Brian Flores won't like the penalty, he should love the way Pace (four tackles, two assists) was all over the field on Thursday. The 22-year-old was frequently around the ball-carrier or taking on blockers as he did during this play:
Flores is looking to bring a newfound energy to a Vikings defense that ranked 31st overall and 28th in points allowed last season. Pace's skill set and play style fits perfectly into that plan, and if he can learn to play with a semblance of control, he'll have a great chance to make the active roster.
Seattle Has Some Interesting Competition at Receiver
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Pace was not the only undrafted free agent who stood out in the nightcap.
Undrafted Seahawks receiver Jake Bobo had three catches for 55 yards and Seattle's second receiving touchdown of the game. Fellow undrafted free agent Matt Landers caught a touchdown pass from Holton Ahlers (also undrafted) midway through the fourth quarter.
Seattle's first touchdown was caught by Easop Winston Jr., who also had three catches and returned a punt.
These receivers are fighting just to make the team because Seattle is set to be very deep at wide receiver.
In Metcalf, Lockett and Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks may already have one of the best starting receiver trios in the NFL. Dareke Young saw playing time last season, and Dee Eskridge could be in the mix at some point as well.
However, Eskridge was suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season for violation of the league's personal-conduct policy. According to Gregg Bell of the News-Tribune, a spokesperson for Eskridge, Jarred Ausserer, said the receiver was arrested on misdemeanor domestic violence charges. The charges have since been dismissed per an agreement that requires him to complete domestic violence moral recognition therapy.
In all likelihood, only one of Bobo, Landers and Winston will make Seattle's final 53. Of course, these players aren't only auditioning for the Seahawks. Thirty-one other teams will watch the tape, and that tape could lead to a spot on another roster or practice squad following August 29 cuts.
Holton Ahlers Likely Headed to QB3 Role
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It would be a mistake to discuss undrafted rookies and mention Ahlers' standout performance.
The Seahawks quarterback and former East Carolina star was nearly flawless in limited late-game action. He went 4-of-4 for 43 yards with a touchdown and rushed for another 26 yards. His work came against third- and fourth-stringers. However, Ahlers cleanly outplayed Vikings rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall (6-of-14 for 37 yards), who also saw late playing time.
Ahlers, who threw for 13,933 yards and 97 touchdowns in five collegiate seasons, came to Seattle with plenty of physical talent but needed to adapt to a pro-style offense.
"He's got some transitions to make because our style is different than what they played [at East Carolina]," head coach Pete Carroll said in May, per Corbin K. Smith of FanNation. "They were coming up with plays off the sidelines all the time. No huddle and all that."
Ahlers appears to be picking things up quite quickly. While he's unlikely to challenge Lock for the backup role behind Smith, he could stick on the regular-season roster as Seattle's third quarterback.
In recent years, teams have tended to carry their third quarterback on the practice squad. However, the league recently reinstituted the rule that allows a third quarterback not to count against the active game-day roster so long as they are on the 53-player roster and not a game-day practice-squad elevation.
*Contract information via Spotrac.
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