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NFL Nation, ESPNSep 10, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
The San Francisco 49ers capped off an exciting opening weekend for the 2024 NFL season with a win over the New York Jets on “Monday Night Football.”
The Baltimore Ravens came up a toe short against the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys earned big wins. A lot has happened since our Preseason Power Rankings, so we need to restack all 32 teams ahead of Week 2.
In addition to our rankings, NFL Nation reporters named a newcomer — defined as a rookie, new coach or offseason acquisition — who put up the best performance. From the New England Patriots‘ Jerod Mayo and Seattle Seahawks‘ Mike Macdonald grabbing their first career wins as head coaches to rookie playmakers lighting it up, we picked 32 players and coaches who impressed in their debuts.
Let’s get right into it with our No. 1-ranked team.
Our power panel of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluates how NFL teams stack up against one another, ranking them from 1 to 32.
Previous rankings: Preseason
Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Preseason ranking: 1
Best newcomer performance: WR Xavier Worthy
Worthy had the impact the Chiefs were hoping for when they drafted him in the first round. He delivered two plays of more than 20 yards, the first one a touchdown on an end-around the first time he got the ball and the other a touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs had three pass plays of more than 30 yards and three others of more than 20. Worthy’s mere presence on the field might have contributed even when it wasn’t him getting the ball. — Adam Teicher
Preseason ranking: 3
Best newcomer performance: DE Leonard Floyd
San Francisco signed Floyd in free agency to be the down-to-down complement to DE Nick Bosa that it hasn’t had since Dee Ford in 2019. The early returns were good Monday night. Floyd finished with two tackles, one sack, one stuff and one pressure that led to an interception vs. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers. — Nick Wagoner
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
Preseason ranking: 4
Best newcomer performance: DB Terrion Arnold
In his NFL debut, Arnold finished with eight total tackles in Detroit’s overtime win over the Rams. The rookie took 97% of snaps and appeared up and down at times while facing veteran QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp and a potent Rams offense. “It’s very evident it’s not too big for him,” coach Dan Campbell said of Arnold on Monday. “He’s got a lot to clean up, but yet man, it was very promising. He was in stride. He showed up for us, and he’s only gonna get better and better.” — Eric Woodyard
Preseason ranking: 2
Best newcomer performance: RB Derrick Henry
There weren’t a lot of options because the newcomers didn’t contribute much for Baltimore. Henry showed promise early, but the Ravens went away from the run game in trying to play catch-up with QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. On the opening drive, Henry ran five times for 17 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown. He had eight carries for 29 yards the rest of the game. Henry could have more opportunities in Week 2 when he faces a Raiders defense that gave up 176 rushing yards to the Chargers in Week 1. — Jamison Hensley
Preseason ranking: 5
Best newcomer performance: RB Saquon Barkley
Barkley stole the show in Brazil, rushing for over 100 yards and scoring three times against the Packers — twice on the ground and once through the air. He became the second player in franchise history to score three touchdowns in his first game, joining Terrell Owens, who did it in 2004. “We’re excited that he’s on our team, and he starts the season off right,” receiver A.J. Brown said. — Tim McManus
play
1:05
Sal Pal: Saquon Barkley’s playmaking fueled Eagles’ win
Sal Paolantonio details how important Saquon Barkley is to the Eagles’ offense.
Preseason ranking: 6
Best newcomer performance: RB Joe Mixon
Mixon’s debut was elite. He ran for 159 yards with a touchdown, his third-highest yardage in a game for his career. It didn’t matter what front the Colts presented: He ran for 88 yards against a light box, 34 against a neutral box and 37 against a stacked box. Mixon kept the Texans’ offense afloat as QB C.J. Stroud shook off the rust and threw for 234 yards, short of his 274-yard average in 2023. — DJ Bien-Aime
Preseason ranking: 11
Best newcomer performance: LB DeMarvion Overshown
There were lots of choices thanks to Dallas’ big win, but Overshown gets the nod. He sat out his rookie season because of a torn ACL in his left knee but was all over the field against the Browns. He finished with nine tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits. His closing speed was eye-opening on his sack of Browns QB Deshaun Watson since he beat Micah Parsons to the signal-caller. There might be growing pains as the year progresses, but he is off to a great start. — Todd Archer
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Preseason ranking: 7
Best newcomer performance: DC Bobby Babich
This wasn’t a pretty defensive effort, but adjustments by Babich in his first game as an NFL playcaller are worth acknowledging, especially after nickel corner Taron Johnson left the game following a forearm injury on the first drive. The Cardinals did not score another offensive touchdown after halftime and the Bills limited QB Kyler Murray to 31 passing yards in the second half. “I felt Bobby and the defensive staff did a great job at halftime addressing [third-down issues] and then making some adjustments,” coach Sean McDermott said. “I think we came out better in the second half and played a little bit more our style defense.” — Alaina Getzenberg
Preseason ranking: 8
Best newcomer performance: DC Anthony Weaver
The Dolphins’ defensive performance in the second half of Sunday’s win over the Jaguars should give them confidence moving forward. Miami held Jacksonville to 0-for-5 on third down, forcing three three-and-outs and a four-play turnover on downs in six total series. The Dolphins’ defense pitched a second-half shutout in a comeback victory. Players raved about Weaver’s coaching style throughout the offseason, and their play in the face of a two-score deficit Sunday validated their feelings. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Preseason ranking: 13
Best newcomer performance: LB Jared Verse
Verse had the first sack of his NFL career Sunday when he took down Lions QB Jared Goff to end the first half. The Rams’ first-round pick had a 33% pass rush win rate at edge in the season opener, which was tied for sixth in Week 1 through Sunday night, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Verse’s play is especially key for a team trying to replace Aaron Donald’s production after the future Hall of Famer retired during the offseason. — Sarah Barshop
Preseason ranking: 16
Best newcomer performance: DB DeShon Elliott
Elliott, one of several offseason defensive acquisitions who made a splash Sunday, got the first interception of the game and had two passes defended. The pick came in the first quarter as Falcons QB Kirk Cousins threw a ball over the middle to WR Drake London. Elliott dove in front of London and snagged the pass. It was such a well-timed, anticipatory play that fellow newcomer Donte Jackson started celebrating the interception before Elliott even had the ball. The Steelers’ depth in the secondary is still thin, but Elliott made the game-changing plays needed to support a developing offense. — Brooke Pryor
Preseason ranking: 10
Best newcomer performance: S Xavier McKinney
There were plenty of miscues from the defense in new coordinator Jeff Hafley’s debut, but he got what he wanted from the safety position: more splash plays, thanks to McKinney. The $68 million free agent acquisition picked off Eagles QB Jalen Hurts in the first quarter of Friday’s loss in Brazil. The Packers had only seven interceptions last season, but they got two (Jaire Alexander had the other) and also recovered a fumble in Week 1. — Rob Demovsky
Preseason ranking: 21
Best newcomer performance: OC Liam Coen
The Bucs put up 37 points in Coen’s Bucs debut — the second most in Week 1. Granted, it was against a poor Commanders defense, but QB Baker Mayfield threw for four touchdowns and completed 80% of his passes. Tampa Bay punted only once, and last season’s league-worst rushing attack showed signs of life, averaging 3.7 yards per rush. — Jenna Laine
play
2:04
Rex Ryan slams Deshaun Watson, Browns in loss vs. Cowboys
Rex Ryan criticizes Deshaun Watson, Kevin Stefanski and the rest of the Cleveland Browns for their poor performance against the Cowboys.
Preseason ranking: 9
Best newcomer performance: RB Zack Moss
There weren’t a ton of newcomers to choose from in one of the more befuddling Bengals losses in recent memory. But Moss, a veteran who signed in free agency to replace Joe Mixon, scored the team’s only touchdown. He had nine carries for 44 yards and a score that kept Cincinnati in striking distance throughout the second half. OC Dan Pitcher called Moss an all-around back, and his usage suggested that was the case. He played 65% of the team’s offensive snaps and will continue in a key role for a unit that needs to improve going forward. — Ben Baby
Preseason ranking: 15
Best newcomer performance: QB Tyrod Taylor
What does it say about the Jets that their backup quarterback was the top newcomer in Week 1? With the game out of reach, Taylor replaced Aaron Rodgers and led a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, hitting Allen Lazard on a 3-yard touchdown pass. Other key newcomers, namely WR Mike Williams, OT Tyron Smith and OT Morgan Moses, didn’t distinguish themselves. — Rich Cimini
Preseason ranking: 14
Best newcomer performance: WR Brian Thomas Jr.
The rookie had four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut, and it was the TD catch that created the most buzz. He ran a crossing route, got behind Miami’s safeties and caught the 14-yard throw from QB Trevor Lawrence with both feet inbounds along the end line. He also set up the Jaguars’ first touchdown, a 1-yard run by Travis Etienne Jr., by drawing a 40-yard pass interference penalty vs. CB Jalen Ramsey. — Michael DiRocco
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Preseason ranking: 20
Best newcomer performance: RB J.K. Dobbins
Dobbins, who signed a one-year deal with Los Angeles this offseason, broke free for two long runs (41 and 61 yards) that turned the game around for the Chargers’ stalling offense. He finished with 135 yards and one touchdown, the most yards by a Chargers RB in a season opener. Dobbins probably would have had more yards, but he was caught from behind and tackled by Raiders defenders on both big gains. Dobbins was disappointed about that postgame, saying he needed to get in shape. — Kris Rhim
Preseason ranking: 17
Best newcomer performance: S Jonathan Owens
The veteran safety returned a blocked punt 21 yards for a touchdown — the first of his seven-year career. Owens’ score was the spark the Bears desperately needed (they were down 17-3 in the third quarter at the time) and it ignited a 21-point scoring stretch for Chicago on a day when its offense failed to score a touchdown. Owens signed with the Bears in the offseason as a backup safety whose special teams dependability was a major draw. — Courtney Cronin
Preseason ranking: 22
Best newcomer performance: HC Mike Macdonald
The Seahawks got Macdonald a win in his head-coaching debut, and it was the defense that led the way. Macdonald and new DC Aden Durde had a sound game plan against Bo Nix, correctly anticipating the rookie quarterback would favor underneath throws. The Seahawks were ready for Denver’s short passing game and made Nix pay when he tried to push the ball downfield, intercepting two of his deeper throws. They held the Broncos’ offense to 231 yards and 16 points, gave up only 3.2 yards per carry to Denver’s running backs and forced three turnovers. — Brady Henderson
Preseason ranking: 18
Best newcomer performance: WR Adonai Mitchell
The Colts’ minimal roster turnover this season yielded few choices here, but rookie Mitchell demonstrated his ability despite catching only one pass for 2 yards. Two overthrows on deep balls from QB Anthony Richardson were disappointing because Mitchell had easily beaten his defender. On one, Mitchell’s route was so good that Houston CB Kamari Lassiter had no choice but to grab Mitchell as he ran past him, drawing an illegal contact penalty. Look for Mitchell to have an impact in the coming weeks. — Stephen Holder
Preseason ranking: 12
Best newcomer performance: WR Jerry Jeudy
There were few positives in a disappointing debut for the Browns’ revamped offense. But Jeudy, whom Cleveland traded for in the offseason, caught a touchdown pass. Jeudy finished with three receptions for 25 yards and was the second-most-targeted receiver Sunday, behind only fellow wideout Amari Cooper. There were other opportunities for QB Deshaun Watson to connect with Jeudy, and it’s one of the many things the Browns will try to fix in Week 2. — Daniel Oyefusi
play
1:50
Bill Belichick laments rookie QB performances in Week 1
Bill Belichick joins “The Pat McAfee Show” and critiques the lack of production in passing from rookie QBs, including Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams.
Preseason ranking: 23
Best newcomer performance: QB Sam Darnold
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell gave out five game balls after Sunday’s 28-6 victory over the New York Giants, and four of them went to newcomers. But none were more impactful than Darnold, who completed 15 of his first 17 passes. His 80.3 QBR was one of the best single-game marks of his career, as was his completion percentage above expectation (CPOE) of 12.7%. No pass carried more future implications than the 44-yard rainbow he dropped into WR Justin Jefferson‘s hands against double coverage, a throw Jefferson urged him to make throughout the offseason and one that suggests Darnold has developed a high level of trust in the Vikings’ best player. — Kevin Seifert
Preseason ranking: 25
Best newcomer performance: S Will Harris
Harris, a free agent signing, set the tone immediately by picking off Panthers QB Bryce Young on his first pass attempt. That led to a banner day for the group: The Saints’ defense held Carolina to only 10 points and had five QB hits and four sacks. Harris concluded Sunday with two tackles and one pass defended. “Will has had a great spring. He’s a smart player. He’s a player that can really play four or five positions,” safety Tyrann Mathieu said. — Katherine Terrell
Preseason ranking: 30
Best newcomer performance: HC Jerod Mayo
The first-year head coach had his team ready to play in Cincinnati after running what nine-year veteran QB Jacoby Brissett said was one of the most challenging training camps he has experienced. Mayo noted that conditioning and controlling the line of scrimmage would be deciding factors in Week 1, and the players responded with a performance that included 39 rushing attempts, two forced fumbles and one fourth-down stop. Mayo received a Gatorade bath on the sideline courtesy of veteran DTs Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale and then received a game ball from owner Robert Kraft in the locker room. — Mike Reiss
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Preseason ranking: 19
Best newcomer performance: Edge Matthew Judon
Judon was a bright spot for a team whose defense played surprisingly better than its offense against the Steelers. Judon had half a sack, two quarterback pressures and five tackles. That’s not bad for someone who has been practicing with the Falcons for only three weeks, not to mention a player returning from a torn bicep injury that ended his 2023 season. Atlanta hasn’t had a double-digit sack leader since Vic Beasley in 2016. Maybe Judon will be the Falcons’ savior in that department. — Marc Raimondi
Preseason ranking: 29
Best newcomer performance: RB DeeJay Dallas
Dallas made NFL history with his 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Arizona’s loss to the Bills. It was the NFL’s first touchdown return in the new dynamic kickoff format. Dallas, who signed with Arizona this offseason as a free agent, had three returns for 123 yards and a touchdown. — Josh Weinfuss
Preseason ranking: 24
Best newcomer performance: DL T’Vondre Sweat
Sweat didn’t post any stats in the box score, but the big rookie had an impact. “[He] really showed up for us both in the run and the pass game,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said. “He’s been rising I think ever since he’s gotten here.” Any concerns about Sweat’s conditioning can be put to bed, as he played 67% of Tennessee’s defensive snaps. — Turron Davenport
Preseason ranking: 27
Best newcomer performance: TE Brock Bowers
The No. 13 draft pick had a solid performance in the Raiders’ loss to the Chargers. Though Bowers did not start, he led Las Vegas in targets (eight) and catches (six) for 58 receiving yards. Bowers, who sat out practice the final two weeks of the preseason nursing a foot injury, also played 68% of snaps on offense. His numbers are sure to go up as the Raiders find their footing going forward. — Paul Gutierrez
Preseason ranking: 28
Best newcomer performance: QB Jayden Daniels
Make no mistake, there were a couple of throws by Daniels that could have made for chunk plays, and he opted to either run or go elsewhere. With experience, those throws will eventually be made. But Daniels showed he can hurt teams while developing because of his legs; he ran for 88 yards on 16 carries and threw for 184 yards. As he gets more comfortable facing NFL defenses, more big plays with his arm will follow. — John Keim
Preseason ranking: 31
Best newcomer performance: S Brandon Jones
Though the Broncos’ run defense faded down the stretch in the loss to the Seahawks, Jones was active with six tackles. He is half of a new safety duo along with P.J. Locke, replacing last season’s veteran pairing of Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons. As their biggest signing in free agency this offseason, the Broncos are giving Jones what he says is the biggest opportunity of his career. He will fill a more versatile role than he did in four seasons with the Dolphins, and the Broncos will need Jones to play at or near his peak often. — Jeff Legwold
Preseason ranking: 26
Best newcomer performance: CB Dru Phillips
There were not a lot of choices considering the way Week 1 played out for the Giants, but Phillips was one of the few bright spots. The third-round pick had four tackles, one for a loss, and a forced fumble playing out of the slot in his first career game. He produced that in only 15 defensive snaps. The physical nature the Giants liked from him coming out of Kentucky immediately showed. — Jordan Raanan
Preseason ranking: 32
Best newcomer performance: WR Xavier Legette
If there was a small bright spot in an embarrassing 47-10 loss at New Orleans, it was first-round pick Legette. After a training camp in which he was at best the No. 4 wide receiver, Legette had a team-leading four receptions. They were for only 35 yards, but the Panthers had 161 total yards passing. It’s encouraging that Legette was getting open for QB Bryce Young. — David Newton
