Yardbarker
x
8 Rookies Who Impressed in Saturday's NFL Preseason Games
Denny Medley-Imagn Images

8 Rookies Who Impressed in Saturday's NFL Preseason Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports  |  By Luke Easterling  |  Last updated Aug 15, 2026 10:59 PM ET
Google Add us as a preferred source on Google

The first full week of NFL preseason action came to a close with a big slate of games Saturday, and a ton of players from this year's rookie class made the most of their first opportunity to shine in a real-game situation.

Here are eight rookies who made a big splash in Saturday's exhibition action:

WR Camden Brown, Cowboys

Brown spent the majority of his college career at Auburn before transferring to Georgia Southern last year, and despite earning all-conference honors, he didn't hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft. His name got called plenty Saturday night against the defending Super Bowl champs, as Brown led the Cowboys with 62 receiving yards on just three catches. Two of those receptions went for touchdowns, including a one-hander that will be on every highlight reel the rest of the weekend. This kind of outing should immediately lock up a roster spot for Brown, and he'll be worth watching the rest of the preseason.

WR Ja'Kobi Lane, Ravens

Lane only made three receptions in Saturday night's win over the Eagles, but his first game action backed up all the hype we've been seeing from his performance throughout training camp up to this point. One of those catches was a 16-yard touchdown that saw Lane grab the ball over the middle and break through would-be tacklers before reaching the ball across the goal line for the score. Lane was one of my favorite receivers to evaluate in this year's draft class, and I expect his physical tools to be a massive addition for Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore passing game this year.

QB Ty Simpson, Rams

Simpson was easily the most controversial first-round pick in this year's draft, but there's no arguing with the early returns we saw from the No. 13 overall selection in his first preseason action. On the road against the Chiefs, all the Alabama product did was complete 21 of his 25 pass attempts for 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns (no interceptions) in a 20-12 victory. Sure, it's just the preseason, and he didn't have to go against the Chiefs' starting defense, but this is exactly the kind of production and efficiency the Rams had in mind when they made the bold choice to take Simpson with a top-15 pick instead of a player who could make a more immediate impact.

RB Emmett Johnson, Chiefs

He may have been a recruiting afterthought coming out of high school, but Johnson continues to make a name for himself after a productive season at Nebraska last year. Saturday night against the Rams, Johnson led the Chiefs with 59 yards rushing on 12 carries (a touchdown run was called back for a holding penalty), averaging nearly five yards per attempt while showing an impressive blend of power and explosiveness. Kansas City signed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency, but the backup job is wide open in the offensive backfield, and Johnson made a strong first impression as he competes for that role.

RB Ja'Mari Taylor, Jaguars

A 24-20 comeback win over the Saints was sparked in large part by Taylor, who finished the game with a team-high 78 rushing yards on 22 carries, including a short-yardage touchdown. Taylor earned a fifth-round grade on my board heading into this year's draft, but the Jags managed to grab him as an undrafted free agent, adding a dynamic back with a well-built frame and big-play explosiveness. After Travis Etienne Jr.'s departure in free agency, the Jags should be willing to let the hot hand rule the offensive backfield, and Taylor made a strong case for his own role in that conversation.

DE Michael Heldman, Saints

An undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan, Heldman made his presence felt in a big way Saturday against the Jaguars, racking up three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Heldman had six total tackles with a trio of quarterback hits, showing a knack for being able to make big plays in the opposing backfield. With Cam Jordan in the twilight of his career, and not much in terms of proven depth behind him, the Saints would love to have themselves a game in Heldman to develop for the future at a premium position.

WR Malachi Fields, Giants

One of the best things you can give a young quarterback is a big pass-catcher who can play above the rim and make anything catchable. That's exactly the kind of player Fields was at Notre Dame, and showed off the same skill set Saturday against the Vikings. Fields finished the game with 34 yards on a team-high three receptions, including a toe-tapping touchdown for the highlight reels, hauling in a jump-ball in the end zone from Jaxson Dart. Fields is the perfect complement to Malik Nabers in the Giants' receiver room, and fans should expect these kinds of plays on a weekly basis once the regular season starts.

WR Barion Brown, Saints

After finishing his college career at LSU, Brown didn't have to go far to start his NFL journey with the Saints, and the early returns have been impressive. Brown caught four passes for 53 yards Saturday against the Jaguars, including a 28-yarder than was a step away from turning into a longer touchdown. A sixth-round pick, Brown's straight-line speed gives him a ton of upside as a big-play threat down the field and after the catch, as well as potential in the return game. More performances like this one throughout the preseason should lock him into a roster spot.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.