NFL Preseason 2015: Report Card Grades for All 1st-Round Rookies After Week 1
After months of preparation on their part and hype from everyone else, NFL rookies finally had the opportunity to take the field for live game action this past week as the league had its first of four full slates of preseason games for all 32 teams.
While the box scores of preseason outings are ultimately meaningless and forgettable, the games constitute important experience for young players, especially rookies. As such, a majority of the 2015 NFL draft’s top picks—including No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston and No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota—received a significant portion of playing time in Week 1.
Eight first-round picks were unable to play in their preseason openers because of injuries. We have graded the other 24 based on how well (or not well) they performed within their allotments of snaps in Week 1.
Not all 24 of those rookies had equal opportunities in Week 1—some played only two or three series with first-team units, while others worked with second-team units but saw more extensive playing time.
For the purposes of this slideshow, we graded each player only on the plays he did or did not make while he was on the field during his first preseason game. We did not grade players on how much playing time they received or what competition they went up against.
1. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Facing the lofty expectations that come with being a No. 1 overall pick, Jameis Winston failed to live up to them in his first preseason game. He completed just nine of 19 passing attempts and threw an interception Saturday night against the Minnesota Vikings.
At times, Winston displayed the passing ability and physical tools that give him the potential to develop into one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. He threw a number of impressive downfield passes, including a 40-yard deep completion to Vincent Jackson, and showed his athleticism with four runs for 18 yards, including an eight-yard rushing touchdown accentuated by a dive over Vikings cornerback Jabari Price at the goal line.
Those moments were indicative of Winston’s long-term promise, but his overall body of work in his first preseason game shows that the quarterback remains a work in progress.
The interception was not entirely Winston’s fault, as Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn appeared to hold his intended target, Mike Evans (though no penalty was called). Accuracy was a big problem for Winston early in his one-half outing on Saturday, however, as the rookie threw a number of passes that landed nowhere near their intended targets.
It didn’t help matters that he was stuck playing behind a largely inexperienced offensive line that struggled throughout his time in the game. That said, he is going to need to speed up his decision-making—and ideally his throwing motion, if possible—while achieving better ball placement on his throws in order to have more success under pressure going forward.
Grade: C-
2. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
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After being hyped up in training camp for going 11 straight practices without throwing an interception, according to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com, Marcus Mariota crashed back down to earth on the first series of his preseason debut against the Atlanta Falcons. Attempting to throw a screen pass to running back Bishop Sankey off his back foot, Mariota was picked off by Falcons linebacker Justin Durant in the backfield.
The second series of Mariota’s first preseason game also ended with a turnover. Standing sedentary in the pocket, Mariota was hit by Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, who forced a fumble that Falcons linebacker Paul Worrilow recovered and returned 14 yards for a touchdown.
Needless to say, the No. 2 overall pick’s first live game action in an NFL uniform did not go as hoped. But despite the fact that giveaways marred his night, the Tennessee Titans rookie still demonstrated the potential as a passer—as I broke down for Bleacher Report after Friday night’s game—that makes him a franchise quarterback prospect.
On his third and final series against the Falcons, Mariota completed five consecutive passes for 78 yards to lead the way for a 90-yard Titans touchdown drive. Altogether, he completed seven of eight passing attempts for 94 yards, with the interception being his only incompletion.
Mariota exhibited the ability to throw the ball with touch and accuracy downfield while maneuvering the pocket and going through his progressions. Turnovers sink his grade for his preseason premiere, but he showed enough positives within the game for him to still come away with a passing mark.
Grade: C
3. Dante Fowler, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Selected with the No. 3 overall pick out of Florida, defensive end Dante Fowler suffered a torn ACL during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie minicamp and is out for the entire 2015 NFL season.
Grade: DNP
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4. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
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As Amari Cooper caught three passes and ran the ball once on the opening possession of the Oakland Raiders’ preseason, it became immediately apparent that the No. 4 overall pick is going to play a big role within the offense in 2015.
Cooper demonstrated his route-running ability as he caught a 12-yard pass on a curl route and an eight-yard pass on a sideline comeback, while he also added a two-yard gain on a swing pass. Additionally, he had the opportunity to run the ball on a fly sweep toss, which went for a three-yard gain.
While none of those plays will carry an extended shelf life on Cooper’s highlight reel, they were indicators that the Raiders are looking to get him involved in the offensive game plan in a multitude of ways.
There was an apparent miscommunication between Cooper and quarterback Derek Carr on what would be Carr’s final throw of the game. As Cooper tried to beat a cornerback with a double move to the end zone, Carr apparently expected the wide receiver to come back to the ball and tried to force a pass into double coverage, which resulted in an interception by St. Louis Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson.
Without knowing the play call, it’s tough to know whether Cooper deserves any blame for the turnover. Otherwise, though, his brief outing as a pass-catcher in Week 1 was unblemished.
Cooper’s overall grade takes a small hit because he was unsuccessful on a pair of blocking attempts against Johnson in front of plays (one run, one screen pass) that went to his side of the field.
Grade: B-
5. Brandon Scherff, RG, Washington Redskins
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Although the Washington Redskins envisioned Brandon Scherff to be a right tackle when they selected him with the No. 5 overall pick, the Iowa product has moved to the right guard position—where he started Thursday night—at least for the time being.
The position change makes sense for Scherff. A powerful player who has good size and forward explosiveness but limited lateral agility and length, he was a better run-blocker than pass-blocker for the Hawkeyes, and moving inside should put him in the best position to play to his strengths.
With that being said, pass protection is generally considered to be easier at the guard position—as it enables an offensive lineman to be protected on both sides—while run blocking can be more challenging, as it requires lining up against bigger defensive tackles rather than edge defenders.
We could see that balance in Scherff’s play in his preseason debut against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.
The rookie had a good showing in pass protection, as he did not suffer any bad beats. As a run-blocker, he displayed his ability to accelerate to the second level.
As a drive blocker, however, Scherff struggled to generate any push to move Browns defensive linemen backward. He has the raw power necessary but needs to play with better leverage, which should come as he gains experience at his new position.
Grade: B-
6. Leonard Williams, DE, New York Jets
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With Muhammad Wilkerson sidelined by a hamstring injury and Sheldon Richardson relegated to second-team work after a tumultuous offseason, Leonard Williams had an opportunity to move into the starting lineup at defensive end for the New York Jets on Thursday against the Detroit Lions.
Considered by many draft analysts to be the top prospect regardless of position in the 2015 draft, the No. 6 overall pick has the talent to make an immediate impact on the Jets defensive line. An underwhelming showing in his preseason debut, however, showed Williams is not quite ready to fill in seamlessly for Richardson, who is suspended for the first four games of the season and could miss more time after a July arrest.
As a pass-rusher, Williams was able to muscle his way past Lions starting left guard Manny Ramirez on a pair of occasions to get close to quarterback Kellen Moore as he threw the ball. He did not show much in the way of pass-rushing moves, however, and will need to be quicker off the snap to put regular heat on opposing quarterbacks.
In run defense, Williams struggled to maintain gap control at the line of scrimmage. On multiple occasions, he enabled opposing blockers to turn him away from runs to his side, even though he exhibited the strength to keep the offensive linemen from moving him backward.
While Richardson has been a high-rate tackler relative to his position throughout his first two NFL seasons, Williams did not record any tackles in his 13 snaps played Thursday. As an interior defensive lineman, he does not need to make regular tackles to be a great player, but he does need to work on his technique in order to hold his ground more effectively and make a bigger impact.
Grade: D
7. Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears
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Kevin White was unable to play in the Chicago Bears’ preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, and we learned this past weekend that he will miss the entire preseason and at least part of the regular season as well.
Per Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com, White will undergo surgery to have a rod inserted in his tibia after suffering a setback last week in his recovery from a stress fracture.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace said Saturday that White will begin the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, which will force him to miss at least the first six games of the year, per Mayer. Pace acknowledged that it is possible the No. 7 overall pick could miss his entire rookie season.
Grade: DNP
8. Vic Beasley, DE, Atlanta Falcons
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Like his rookie counterpart playing quarterback for the Tennessee Titans on the other side of the ball, Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley had a sloppy start in the preseason opener but ultimately settled in to make some plays before the end of his brief inaugural NFL outing.
On the first series of the game Friday, Beasley appeared to be trying to guess what the Titans offense would do on each play, and his pre-snap anticipation failed him on three straight snaps.
After hanging back to play the run as Marcus Mariota completed his first pass and then trying to rush around the outside as Titans running back Bishop Sankey ran up the middle on the next play, Beasley got his name in the play-by-play for the first time when he was flagged for jumping offside.
Following the penalty, however, Beasley started to raise his game. He brought pressure that helped influence Mariota into throwing an interception and also had pressure on Jonathan Babineaux’s strip sack of Mariota. In the two plays between those forced turnovers by the Falcons defense, Beasley held his ground against Titans tight end Craig Stevens to lead a run stop on the left side and then chased down Sankey to make a tackle in pursuit on a run five yards up the middle.
It’s clear that Beasley is still a raw talent who needs to improve his technique and play anticipation. Nonetheless, he flashed some playmaking ability in just two series in his Falcons debut, though the penalty hurts his overall grade.
Grade: C
9. Ereck Flowers, LT, New York Giants
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Asked to predict which top-10 pick would struggle the most in his preseason debut, most analysts likely would have chosen No. 9 overall selection Ereck Flowers. Considered to be a raw project coming out of Miami, the rookie offensive lineman has been immediately thrust into playing left tackle, a position where first-year players tasked with playing right away typically struggle.
To the contrary, Flowers actually had the strongest showing among the seven top-10 picks who were healthy enough to play in preseason Week 1. While his matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday did not position him to go up against any standout defensive ends, he looked surprisingly solid in pass protection while also exhibiting potential as a run-blocker.
The strength of Flowers, a 6’6”, 329-pound blocker who led all 2015 NFL Scouting Combine participants with 37 reps on the bench press, was clear to see. He showed that he could stonewall pass-rushers by getting his hands firmly on them while also showing the ability to get to the second level and overwhelm linebackers with his size and power.
Flowers’ feet also looked good in his preseason debut. He demonstrated a smooth, agile kick slide while not allowing any pass-rushers to beat him around the outside.
He lost some battles due to leverage, which is a common problem for an offensive lineman with his height and length, and he was flagged on one play for grabbing Bengals defensive end Will Clarke’s facemask. Overall, though, Flowers looked good for a player who was seeing his first NFL action at left tackle.
Grade: B+
10. Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams
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St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher told reporters Friday that No. 10 overall pick Todd Gurley, who is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered while playing at Georgia last November, will not see any preseason playing time, according to ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport wrote that “the Rams don't even expect him to be ready for the season.”
“They believe he'll miss the first couple games, not wanting to risk injury until he's ready,” Rapoport wrote last week. “The ligament is strong, but the area around it isn't there yet. With so much invested in a player compared to a young Adrian Peterson, St. Louis will be cautious.”
Grade: DNP
11. Trae Waynes, CB, Minnesota Vikings
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Trae Waynes had an advantage over most rookies in preseason Week 1—he had already gone through his “welcome to the NFL” moment in the preseason-opening Hall of Fame Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In that game, his flaws were exposed as he allowed three receptions and was penalized three times, as Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton broke down.
Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Waynes played better. He forced a pair of incompletions with strong coverages against Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and he also recorded three tackles and was not flagged for any penalties.
Still, Waynes had some mishaps in coverage, especially when he had to play off the receiver. Most notably, he allowed Tampa Bay wide receiver Vincent Jackson to get by him for a 40-yard reception on Jameis Winston’s longest completion of the night. He also gave too much cushion to allow wide receiver Louis Murphy to come back to the ball in front of him for a 17-yard catch.
Although he recorded three tackles, his form in accumulating those tackles was sloppy. One of those tackles, which came at the end of a five-yard scramble by Winston, could have been flagged as a late or high hit.
So, while Waynes was much more competitive in his second preseason game than his first, the cornerback still has a long way to improve upon his technique and take full advantage of his physical ability. So long as he continues to get beaten deep for big plays, the Vikings should have some qualms about moving him up their cornerback depth chart, where he appears slated to be the No. 3 player this year.
Grade: D+
12. Danny Shelton, NT, Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Browns drafted Danny Shelton with the expectation that the nose tackle would make a big impact right away on their run defense, which allowed more rushing yards than any other NFL team’s unit last season.
If the No. 12 overall pick’s play in his first preseason game was any indication, he will.
Playing against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Shelton’s size and power immediately stood out. The 6’2”, 339-pound interior defensive lineman consistently held his ground at the line of scrimmage and drove opposing blockers backward into the backfield on numerous occasions.
Shelton also has great lateral mobility for a man of his size. He demonstrated that trait as well in his preseason debut, as he was able to move out of his initial gap to get in on multiple run stops.
While he was only officially credited with one tackle, he helped redirect other run plays by occupying blockers and filling his lane. Shelton looks ready to do significant damage in the trenches while physically overwhelming opponents in one-on-one matchups.
Grade: A
13. Andrus Peat, OT, New Orleans Saints
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Andrus Peat is not projected to be a starter for the New Orleans Saints this season, but the No. 13 overall pick has huge long-term upside as a pass protector on the edge. Playing on both sides of the line in his preseason debut, the offensive tackle showed off that pass-blocking ability.
In the Saints’ opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Peat worked with the second-team offense at right tackle and with the third-team offense at left tackle. While this spared him from having to go up against the Ravens’ top pass-rushers, Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, he was mostly dominant in keeping the Ravens’ backup outside linebackers away from the quarterback.
Possessing a tremendous combination of agility and length at 6’7” and 313 pounds, Peat put it to good use on Thursday. Quick with his feet and clean in his kick slides, he showed a consistent ability to get out in front of edge-rushers and then keep them at bay by locking out his vines for arms.
On a couple of occasions, he allowed Ravens defenders to fight their way through him and get close to the quarterback. There were many more occasions, however, in which he isolated his man outside of the pocket for the duration of a play.
While Peat looks as though he could step in as a starter and hold up as a pass protector right now, his weakness is in run blocking. He struggled to make an impact in the ground game on Thursday, rarely providing any push to move his opponent off the line of scrimmage.
If the Saints view Peat as Zach Strief’s successor at right tackle, improving as a run-blocker will be imperative. To do so, he needs to do a better job of sinking his hips and getting low in order to get into his opponents’ pads and gain leverage.
Grade: B+
14. DeVante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins
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Having undergone surgery to replace a screw in his foot on June 5, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, No. 14 overall pick DeVante Parker has yet to return to the field for the Miami Dolphins. He did not play in the team’s preseason opener on Thursday against the Chicago Bears.
According to Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post, Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said Monday he is “hopeful [Parker] can play in a preseason game but said it's too early to tell.” It remains unknown whether the wide receiver from Louisville will be ready to play in the team’s regular-season opener.
Grade: DNP
15. Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers
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Melvin Gordon rarely ever had a quiet game at Wisconsin, where he ran for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns in his final season last year. But while he was a repeated source of big plays for the Badgers last year, the running back’s preseason debut for the San Diego Chargers provided nothing of substance or excitement.
Gordon only received six carries against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, which makes it difficult to draw any real conclusions about how his running style might translate to the NFL. Even so, it appeared evident that the yardage will not come as easily for Gordon at the professional level as it did at Wisconsin.
He ran for only 11 total yards Thursday with no more than four on any single carry. He did not do anything of significance in the passing game, though he was only in the contest for three passing plays.
While Gordon stood out for his explosiveness and agility at the collegiate level, neither quality shined through against the Cowboys. As Bleacher Report’s Cian Fahey broke down following the game, Gordon was overly hesitant in hitting the hole and did not have any opportunities to make a play in space.
As Fahey wrote, Gordon’s underwhelming debut is no reason to panic; it was just uneventful. Nonetheless, it was a disappointing showing for the No. 15 overall pick, who is widely projected to be a favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Grade: D
16. Kevin Johnson, CB, Houston Texans
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Kevin Johnson saw playing time from the first series to the last in the Houston Texans’ preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. In total, he played 29 snaps, the most of any player on the Texans defense, according to Pro Football Focus.
Throughout his time in the game, Johnson showed a consistent ability in coverage—mostly on the outside—that could make the No. 16 overall pick from Wake Forest an immediate asset to the Houston secondary in 2015.
He did not suffer any downfield beats in coverage. He was able to consistently mirror his opponent as he demonstrated a fluid backpedal and a great understanding of how to get into proper coverage positions.
Despite being a small cornerback at 6’0” and 188 pounds, Johnson showed no hesitancy in coming up to play with physicality. He recorded two tackles in his preseason debut, including an excellent shoestring tackle just three yards downfield as 49ers rookie wide receiver DeAndrew White tried to gain yardage off a screen pass.
The only blemish of Johnson’s debut came on a 53-yard run by 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne, on which 49ers fullback Bruce Miller blocked Johnson out of the play. All in all, he had an excellent debut and looked ready to be the Texans’ No. 3 cornerback, as he is projected to be this year.
Grade: A-
17. Arik Armstead, DE, San Francisco 49ers
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To some degree in his preseason debut against the Houston Texans, Arik Armstead demonstrated the physical tools that made him the draft’s No. 17 overall pick. More obvious, though, was that he remains a raw project who needs time to hone his skill set before taking on a big role for the San Francisco 49ers at defensive end.
While Armstead moves well for a man who measured in at 6’7” and 292 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, his best trait might be his power. Working with the second- and third-team units for the 49ers defense on Saturday, Armstead was able to showcase that power.
Most noticeably, he bull-rushed straight through Texans right guard Cody White to hit quarterback Ryan Mallett on a passing attempt late in the second quarter. Armstead also showed strength in holding his ground at the line of scrimmage, for the most part, in run defense.
With that being said, he seemed not to know how to take full advantage of his physical tools during a number of plays. He did not show any regular ability to use his hands to work off blocks. Balance was also a problem for him in Saturday’s game, as he seemingly ended up on the ground too often.
Armstead recorded two tackles on Saturday but failed to make an impact on most of his snaps, even though he worked against backups. He was also flagged for defensive holding on an attempt to pick up coverage against Texans running back Chris Polk in the backfield.
As 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said after the game, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Armstead did “some really good things and some really bad things, some not-so-good things.”
Grade: C
18. Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
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Moved into the starting lineup ahead of Sean Smith, who is suspended for the first three games of the regular season because of a DUI, Marcus Peters worked with the first-team defense at cornerback on Saturday.
This gave him the opportunity to go up against the starting offense of the Arizona Cardinals, including one of the most decorated wide receivers in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald. But it also meant that Peters only played 10 snaps in Saturday’s game, a small sample that left little to be evaluated.
The rookie cornerback went entirely untested on six coverage snaps. That’s a good thing, as it means he did not get out of position to give up any plays. Most of those snaps culminated in short passes by the Cardinals, however, that did not require Peters to take on a great deal of responsibility in coverage.
All in all, nothing stood out as good or bad in the No. 18 overall pick’s preseason debut. He made a minimal impact on the game, but at his position, that’s simply because no plays came his way.
Grade: B
19. Cameron Erving, LT, Cleveland Browns
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Cameron Erving spent most of Cleveland Browns training camp working at right guard, where he is competing with incumbent starter John Greco. For the Browns’ first preseason game, the No. 19 overall pick moved back to left tackle—the position he played for most of his career at Florida State—to start in place of Joe Thomas, who was “held out because of a coach’s decision,” according to Andrew Gribble of ClevelandBrowns.com.
Erving’s versatility to play all five spots on the offensive line is his greatest asset. That said, it was evident on Thursday against the Washington Redskins that the Browns should hope to avoid having to play him at left tackle, where he lacks the ability to play at the same All-Pro level as Thomas.
While Erving has the length and athleticism that NFL teams look for in a left tackle, it’s clear he has a long way to go with his technique if he is going to play that position successfully as a pro. At times, he was able to shield defenders out on the edge thanks to his ability to move quickly and spread his long frame, but sloppy footwork and hand placement allowed Redskins pass-rushers—particularly second-year outside linebacker Trent Murphy—to have success against him.
There were some good moments for Erving, who stayed in the game for all but the Browns’ final two possessions. He showed the ability to get to the second level and make some downfield run blocks, which is where he is at his best. Browns coach Mike Pettine felt “Erving had more pluses than minuses” in the game, according to Michael Beaven of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Still, it was apparent that Erving—who was also flagged for two penalties (one holding, one false start)—is not ready to be a regular blindside pass protector in the NFL. Having had his best success at Florida State when he was moved inside to center, he will likely have stronger performances in future games when Thomas is back manning the left tackle spot.
Grade: C-
20. Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
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Under head coach and uptempo offensive guru Chip Kelly, the Philadelphia Eagles offense has become a system predicated on quick passing. In his preseason debut for the team Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, wide receiver Nelson Agholor demonstrated the skill set that could make him a perfect fit.
Demonstrating tremendous quickness in his ability to turn and accelerate after the catch, Agholor made the first defender in front of him miss after all three of his receptions Sunday.
Agholor’s first catch-and-run was his most spectacular. After leaping to snag a pass thrown higher than it should have been by Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez five yards downfield, Agholor exploded and ran away from multiple defenders to score a 34-yard touchdown.
That play, which was one of the NFL's most impressive highlights of the weekend, made Agholor the only first-round pick in the rookie class to score a touchdown in Week 1 of the preseason.
With that being said, his preseason debut was not perfect. He dropped a wide-open 18-yard pass from Matt Barkley that would have converted a 3rd-and-12 in the second quarter, and he allowed Colts cornerback Greg Toler to knock away another catchable ball from behind in the first quarter.
An explosive athlete and sharp route-runner who can make defenders miss in the open field, Agholor can be a dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands for the Eagles offense. To take full advantage of his skill set, however, he has to be more consistent in catching the ball than he was on Sunday.
Grade: B
21. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Cincinnati Bengals
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Having suffered a torn ACL while playing his final game for Texas A&M in the Liberty Bowl in December, Cedric Ogbuehi is not expected to take the field at any point this preseason. It remains unclear whether the No. 21 overall pick will see any action at all in his rookie season.
According to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Cincinnati Bengals and Ogbuehi “are playing the long game when it comes to his rehab from knee surgery.”
“Doctors can estimate a timeline for recovery based on a variety of factors, and a player like Ogbuehi can be extremely dedicated to his rehab, but the Bengals are prepared to let Ogbuehi remain on the active/NFI list for as long as necessary for him to fully recover,” Owczarski wrote earlier this month.
Grade: DNP
22. Bud Dupree, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Like aforementioned Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree had an advantage of experience over other rookies in preseason Week 1, having already made his debut the previous Sunday in the Hall of Fame Game.
One might not have guessed that Dupree had that advantage by watching him play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday, though. Also like Waynes, Dupree had a disappointing first outing in Canton and continued to struggle in his second taste of NFL action this past week.
Dupree is an exceptional physical specimen, as evidenced by the 6’4”, 269-pound edge defender’s ridiculous numbers, including a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. Through two preseason games, however, he still needs to learn how to use that athleticism effectively against NFL offensive linemen.
When Dupree was mixed in for some work against the Jaguars' first-team offense on Friday, Jacksonville right tackle Jeremy Parnell repeatedly shut him down as a pass-rusher. Poor angles toward the quarterback diminished the effectiveness of Dupree’s burst. Additionally, the No. 22 overall pick failed to demonstrate any effective hand skills to fight his way off blocks.
Play recognition also appears to be an early problem for him. The rookie allowed Jaguars quarterbacks to run bootlegs and complete passes to his side on multiple occasions because he was fooled by play-action fakes and slow to pick up on his mistakes.
Dupree was not a liability in run defense, but he only recorded one tackle in 33 snaps. He only dropped into coverage on a few occasions, but Jaguars wide receiver Bryan Walters beat him on a quick out to the right sideline for an 11-yard catch.
Drafted to be an impact player, Dupree needs to become more technically skilled and mentally sharp in order to start playing up to his potential.
Grade: D-
23. Shane Ray, OLB, Denver Broncos
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Given the opportunity to play the entire first half and the first second-half series of the Denver Broncos’ Week 1 preseason game, No. 23 overall pick Shane Ray quickly put his explosiveness on display.
Attacking from the outside linebacker position in Denver’s new 3-4 defense, he demonstrated an outstanding burst off the edge. This enabled him to create frequent disruption during his time against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday.
The highlight of Ray’s night came on a carry by Seahawks running back Christine Michael in the second quarter. With an electric first step off the snap, Ray beat Seahawks left tackle Garry Gilliam with a rapid inside move and then hit Michael three yards behind the line of scrimmage to force a fumble. Seattle recovered the ball, but not before an 18-yard loss.
That was the only tackle by Ray in his preseason debut, but he also brought pass-rush pressure on a number of occasions, including on one play that forced Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson into a seven-yard sack by Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson.
While Ray flashed tremendous potential Friday, he does need to become a more disciplined player going forward. He was penalized for jumping offside just one play after his forced fumble, while he also took himself out of position on multiple running plays by overaggressively trying to attack and failing to maintain lane integrity.
Even so, he exceeded expectations for a player who is learning a new position after working on the defensive line at Missouri. Based upon what he displayed Friday, the Broncos have reason to be encouraged about Ray’s potential to contribute as a rookie.
Grade: B+
24. D.J. Humphries, RT, Arizona Cardinals
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Like Leonard Williams and Marcus Peters, D.J. Humphries has the chance to start immediately as a rookie because of a suspension. With Bobby Massie set to miss the first three games of the year for a substance-abuse policy violation, Humphries is in line to take over his role as the Arizona Cardinals’ starting right tackle to begin the season.
Massie was allowed to start with the Cardinals first-team offense in the team’s preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, but Humphries came in with the second-team unit and played the majority of the game. If the rookie can perform as well in the regular season as he did off the bench in his first preseason game, Massie might not get his starting job back.
Humphries’ fluidity as an athlete stood out in pass protection on Saturday. While he only had to play one three-down series against Justin Houston, he held his own against the Chiefs’ superstar pass-rusher. Throughout the game, Humphries showed smooth feet to get out in front of his opponents and shield them outside the pocket.
That’s not to say that he won every battle in pass protection. Inconsistent with his hand placement and lacking an effective punch, Humphries allowed some of his opponents—notably, Chiefs outside linebacker Dezman Moses on numerous occasions—to work their way past him to bring some pressure.
One quality not usually seen in an inexperienced offensive lineman that stood out in Humphries’ debut was that he kept his head on a swivel and picked up two or more blocks in one play on multiple occasions.
Humphries did not show much ability to overpower his initial opponents at the line of scrimmage. That said, he proved that he can explode to the second level and, once he gets there, authoritatively bury a linebacker or defensive back into the ground by imposing his size upon the defender.
While Humphries is still a work in progress from a technical standpoint, there was a lot to like about his first preseason action. It was clear to see that he has huge upside and that he should quickly prove to be an upgrade over Massie on the right side of the offensive line.
Grade: B+
25. Shaq Thompson, OLB, Carolina Panthers
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As Shaq Thompson had just returned earlier in the week to practice while battling through a hamstring injury, the Carolina Panthers decided to play it safe with the No. 25 overall pick and held him out of action against the Buffalo Bills in their preseason opener Friday.
Per Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer, the rookie linebacker “was dressed and ready to play” prior to the game. “Trainers thought it best to give him one more day,” Jones tweeted.
"Shaq has made some really good strides and has come back really well," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said after Friday’s game, according to Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com. "...Our objective is to get him a couple of good days of practice against Miami (at training camp Wednesday and Thursday) and then play Friday night," Rivera said of the team’s plans for the linebacker to play in Week 2.
Grade: DNP
26. Breshad Perriman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
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Rookie wide receiver Breshad Perriman did not see any action in the Baltimore Ravens’ preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday. According to Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun, “Perriman landed on his knee late in the team’s first training camp practice and suffered what coach John Harbaugh has called a ‘bruise/sprain’ to a tendon. He hasn’t practiced since.”
It is unknown when the No. 26 overall pick will be ready to return to action, but Harbaugh said Saturday that “Perriman still is expected to return before the start of the regular season,” according to ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley.
Grade: DNP
27. Byron Jones, CB/S, Dallas Cowboys
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No. 27 overall pick Byron Jones brought physical play, bend-but-don’t-break coverage and positional versatility to the Dallas Cowboys in his preseason debut against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday.
A tremendous athlete who also has great size (6'1", 199 lbs) and strength for the cornerback position, Jones did not get beaten deep on any passing plays in his first NFL action. He demonstrated fluidity and speed in his ability to backpedal and flip his hips while also using his hands effectively in press coverage.
He did not allow any Chargers receivers to get behind him on Thursday, but he did allow three catches for a combined 28 yards in front of him. In future games, he needs to get his head around and react more quickly to comeback routes and back-shoulder throws.
On all three occasions he allowed catches, Jones was in position to make an immediate and sound tackle. He also made two strong tackles in run defense.
The bulk of his on-field activity in Thursday’s game came at the cornerback position, where he was in the lineup for a majority of Dallas’ first-half plays. That said, the Cowboys also gave Jones some playing time at the safety position in the second half, testing the defensive back’s ability to potentially contribute at multiple positions this upcoming season.
If the Cowboys want Jones to be a shutdown-level cornerback, he clearly has some work to do in learning how to defend underneath throws. With that being said, he is a talented player whom the Cowboys should be able to rely upon to not give up big plays and to make an impact in run defense.
Grade: B
28. Laken Tomlinson, LG, Detroit Lions
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Drafted with the No. 28 overall pick to provide stability for the Detroit Lions at the left guard position, Laken Tomlinson looked as though he could do just that in the team’s preseason opener against the New York Jets.
The strength of the 6’3”, 323-pound interior offensive lineman was most evident in pass protection. As Jets interior defensive linemen tried to rush straight at him, Tomlinson repeatedly absorbed bull-rush attempts and kept his opponents at bay and off the quarterback.
His limitations as a run-blocker were more evident on Thursday, though. He struggled to stick blocks at the second level; on numerous occasions, he reached a linebacker but failed to get his hands in proper position, allowing the defender to slip off him and make a tackle on the running back. He did not show much power as a drive blocker either.
That said, Tomlinson did have a couple of impressive pull blocks to lead the way for third-down conversion runs. He also showed that once he had a firm grasp on his opponent, he could turn a defensive lineman away from the direction of a run.
A smart player who was a four-year starter at Duke, Tomlinson still needs to work on playing with more consistent hand placement and leverage. Nonetheless, he looks ready to hold his own as a starter now, even though he worked with the second-team offense in his preseason debut.
Grade: B-
29. Phillip Dorsett, WR, Indianapolis Colts
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The big question surrounding the Indianapolis Colts’ selection of Phillip Dorsett with the No. 29 overall pick has been whether the team will be able to find a consistent role for the speedy wideout in their offense this season.
As quarterback Andrew Luck completed two consecutive passes to the Miami product to start Sunday’s preseason outing against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Colts made a statement right away that they fully intend to get Dorsett involved.
With T.Y. Hilton excused for personal reasons and Donte Moncrief sidelined by a groin injury, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, Dorsett jumped into to the starting lineup at wide receiver, opposite Andre Johnson, for Indianapolis’ preseason opener.
He took advantage of his opportunity right away on the first series by making a diving six-yard catch and then exploding to turn a screen pass into a seven-yard gain. On the Colts’ second series, he ran a downfield out route to the right sideline for an 18-yard reception.
Following his hot start, Dorsett’s day went downhill. He only caught one pass on his final five times targeted. He gained 20 yards on his final reception, but Eagles cornerback Eric Rowe, a fellow rookie, stripped him for a fumble that the Philadelphia defense recovered.
Dorsett flashed some playmaking ability on Sunday, showing that he can use his speed to get open and/or to extend plays after the catch. That said, it was also evident that he has work to do to become a more complete wide receiver. He ran some sloppy routes over the course of his half of play and also showed minimal effort as a run-blocker.
Grade: C+
30. Damarious Randall, CB, Green Bay Packers
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The Green Bay Packers held out No. 30 overall pick Damarious Randall in the team's preseason opener against the New England Patriots on Thursday because of a groin injury.
According to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, the cornerback from Arizona State “returned to practice Monday and said he has been fully cleared,” so he is expected to make his preseason debut this upcoming Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Grade: DNP
31. Stephone Anthony, ILB, New Orleans Saints
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Already penciled in as the New Orleans Saints’ starting middle linebacker, No. 31 overall pick Stephone Anthony played only two defensive series against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. Even so, he recorded six total tackles, emerging as the active presence the Clemson product will be expected to make all year.
As a run defender, he was consistently around the ball in his 24 snaps against Baltimore. He made three stops within three yards of the line of scrimmage and showed that he could shed through blocks to make plays.
In pass defense, Anthony looked to be out of his element. He appeared to be lost in pass coverage on numerous occasions. He also allowed two receptions in front of him to Crockett Gillmore, though he made immediate tackles on the Ravens tight end after both catches.
Anthony did not make any memorable plays in his preseason debut, and there is reason for concern that he could be a liability if left on the field in pass defense.
What the Saints really need Anthony to be, though, is a leading tackler in the middle of their defense, especially against the run. He demonstrated in his first NFL game action Thursday that he has the skill set to do so this upcoming season.
Grade: B-
32. Malcom Brown, DT, New England Patriots
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Malcom Brown’s assignment for his first NFL preseason game was a tough one. Playing in the middle of the New England Patriots’ first-team defense on Thursday meant going up against a Green Bay Packers interior offensive line of Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley and T.J. Lang that is arguably the best in the entire NFL.
Despite the high-level competition, Brown held his own. The 6’2”, 319-pound nose tackle exhibited strength in maintaining his ground at the point of attack, even showing the power to move Sitton and Linsley backward on multiple occasions.
With the exception of one 15-yard run by Packers running back Eddie Lacy, on which Linsley stuck Brown and enabled the running back to go right by him, the No. 32 overall pick did a great job of filling his gap and redirecting runs.
Even so, Brown has some work to do from a technical standpoint. In order to make a bigger impact on games and make more plays, especially as a pass-rusher, he needs to do more with his hands in order to free himself of blockers.
Brown needs to make that improvement before he can truly be the Patriots’ new Vince Wilfork, but he showed the potential in his first preseason game to be the tough-to-move gap-plugger that he was drafted to be.
Grade: B
Snap counts courtesy of Pro Football Focus premium statistics.
Dan Hope is an NFL/NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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