Best Players of Pre-Season Week 1

 It's weird to be writing a recap of a week of football games. Football is back! Sort of at least! Week 1 of the pre-season has just wrapped up and we have now seen every team in the league at least once for the first time since the Winter. It is such an exciting time to be a football fan and we are just about 3 weeks from the Bucs and Cowboys on opening day. The pre-season is fun to watch for young players and guys trying to battle their way back into the league and onto a 53 man roster. Today we go through the players that made their name known through the first week of the pre-season. 

Rhamondre Stevenson, Running Back, New England Patriots
Statline: 10 carries, 127 yards rushing, 2 TDs

The first player we want to mention is Patriots' rookie RB Rhamondre Stevenson out of Oklahoma. Stevenson was an impressive bruising back during his time at Oklahoma and was considered one of the best potential mid to late round RBs in this year's draft class. He is already showing that off. The 120th pick in this draft, Stevenson is going to not only make his case to be a roster lock, but he could end up factoring in as the Patriots' lead back in their committee. Stevenson proved to the NFL world that his label of 'bruising back' isn't all he's good for. He exploded for a 90+ yard TD run early in the game and never looked back. Third year back Damien Harris appears to be the favorite to lead the way rushing for New England this season, but if Stevenson can continue to prove he is a productive runner who is more than just a bruising back, he might take the job. 

Justin Fields, Quarterback, Chicago Bears
Statline: 142 yards, TD passing, 33 yards, 1 TD rushing

Out of all the first rounder QBs that debuted on Saturday, Fields was arguably the most impressive. Struggling early, Fields eventually found some rhythm and also never looked back. When he had the ball on offense, things were electric. Bears offense was must watch. When was the last time you could say that? Fields threw for a solid 142 yards passing including a wide open perfect 20+ yard pass to Jesse James for a TD. Field was most impressive with his feet. Constantly moving out of the pocket and making throws on the run, Fields added a 10+ yard rushing TD in which he evaded a couple of defenders. The sheer speed that Fields plays with is second to pretty much none. (Maybe Lamar Jackson). Fields is going to be something right away for the Bears and it will not shock me nor should it shock anyone if Matt Nagy names him the starter for week 1 in the coming weeks.

Cody Barton, Linebacker, Seattle Seahawks
Statline: 9 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss

While the Seahawks backups and third stringers played most of the game in an ugly loss, Barton who is likely to start at one linebacker spot, played a lot, and played well. With the team transitioning to a new, younger era of linebackers and going out with the old, Cody Barton is going to be a player the team calls on a lot this season. Barton went out and proved why he deserves play-time with his performance against the Raiders. He totaled 9 tackles which is impressive alone but 2 of them were for loss and he also had 2 sacks. The sacks are probably the most impressive part of his all-around above average game. Barton seemed to really be everywhere and is looking a lot more comfortable in the Hawks defense heading into his third pro season. With KJ Wright out the door, the Hawks are going to expect a lot of production from Barton and 2020 first round pick Jordyn Brooks, it's safe to say right now that they could be positively rewarded. 

Alec Ogletree, Linebacker, Chicago Bears
Statline: 3 total tackles

While this statline definitely doesn't jump out to you, if you were watching the game, you would understand why Olgetree is making this list. He didn't play as much of the game as others on the list did, but during his time in, he made the absolute most of it. Ogletree who is still just 29 years old is trying to find his way back into the league. A former star player on the Rams and Giants, he's been in and out of football really ever since. The Bears made a low risk/high reward type play picking him up on a one year deal last week, and it looks like he has gotten the playbook down fast. Ogletree seemed to be everywhere on the first couple of drives and made some huge tackles. He was in the right place very often. He even made a TD saving TFL. If Ogletree can continue to prove himself throughout the next two weeks of the pre-season, it will be hard for the Bears to leave him off the final 53 man roster. He is too experienced and could bring so much to a somewhat weak Bears' LB room. A great start in the Windy City for Ogletree.

PJ Walker, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers
Statline: 161 yards passing, TD pass

The former XFL 'MVP' PJ Walker continues to turn heads against lesser talent. As XFL Houston's QB early last year, Walker was simply the best player in the entire XFL. He made throws at Mahomes type arm angles and was near unstoppable. He looked that way as the Panthers' QB during their game against the Colts. Walker throws the ball with such zip and velocity and it really seems like it could translate to starting caliber play. If Sam Darnold gets hurt or doesn't pan out quickly for the Panthers, they could turn to Walker. Walker had himself a great game including a couple of big highlight plays such as an on the run side arm throw to Terrace Marshall which went for big yards. He also zipped a pass in through a tight window to rookie TE Tommy Tremble for a TD. Walker has a future in the NFL. He is going to start somewhere soon. 

Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback, Denver Broncos
Statline: 2 pass deflections, 1 INT (returned for a TD)

Patrick Surtain II is going to be as good if not better than his dad. Pat Surtain Sr. is an NFL legend at CB. That's high praise but it's true. Surtain II was known for his shutdown ability and tight coverage at Alabama and it looks like the NFL game is not going to be much of an issue for Surtain who instantly made his presence felt. The 9th pick in the draft deflected a pass early before later on jumping a route and picking it off before returning it all the way to the house. The things that he did show that he is going to not only be a good corner, but probably a great one. It's a super welcome sign for Denver who spent a very very high pick on him. Corners are risky to take, and what we saw day 1 from Surtain is super promising. 

Honorable Mentions:
-Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins: 161 yards, 1 TD passing
-Ravens S Geno Stone: 2 INTs, 3 pass deflections
-Bengals EDGE Joseph Ossai: 1 sack (on Tom Brady), multiple pressures
-Packers QB Jordan Love: 122 yards, 1 TD passing
-Panthers WR Terrace Marshall Jr.: 3 receptions, 88 yards receiving
-Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard: 7 carries, 80 yards rushing
-49ers QB Trey Lance: 128 yards, 1 TD passing