NFL rookies had some time to get acclimated to their new cities and teammates. Now, we all get to see how these newcomers handle the best competition they've ever faced.
Below, I've graded the performance of one rookie from each of the past week's 16 preseason contests. Some of these players are well-known to football fans, while others are trying to make names for themselves on the professional gridiron.
These evaluations are not predictions of how players will fare in this upcoming season, nor are they long-term career projections. Each mark simply takes stock of how the rookie played in Week 3 of the 2026 preseason.
BILLS 28, STEELERS 27
Iheanachor's play against Buffalo made it clear that the first-round pick needs to refine his game before becoming a starter. He showed athleticism getting out of his stance, quickly entering a jump-set and negating a linebacker outside the right hash while leading on a touchdown run in the third quarter. Iheanachor also stopped veteran Michael Danna's bull rush on a third down early in the second half. The rookie was often late with his hands, however, missing a reach block on rookie 5-technique Zane Durant and giving up a sack late in the first half. Iheanachor was called for holding on Pittsburgh’s next possession.
BROWNS 37, PATRIOTS 13
Lomu looked solid at right tackle against the Browns, nicely sustaining his first block in pass protection, effectively stopping veteran edge rusher Julian Okwara on second down and easily handling a twist on third down. Lomu showed some cracks in his game during the next series. He slipped off a down block on a first-down run and stopped his feet on an outside rush by Okwara on second down before recovering just enough when the rusher spun inside. He showed some attitude finishing his blocks, though, resetting his hands and extending to shut down another twist on his final play of the night.
49ERS 18, RAIDERS 12
Stukes showed his speed, toughness and versatility against the 49ers. He made plays in the box, working through traffic to help out on a third-and-1 stop in the second quarter and later fighting off a tight end to halt an off-tackle run. Stukes played in single- and two-deep looks in coverage, taking away a target on third-and-8 to force an incompletion and sticking with an intermediate bootleg route before making the stop on the underneath pass. He stuck his nose into run plays, chopping down a running back early on. However, he failed to free himself from WR Jordan Watkins’ block on a 14-yard gain and missed RB Jordan James near the end zone. Stukes bit on a second-quarter reverse but hustled to the opposite sideline to prevent a disaster for Las Vegas’ defense.
RAMS 20, CHARGERS 18
Burke smoothly stopped Rams pass rushers and finished his blocks through the whistle. Despite his massive 6-foot-9, 315-pound frame, Burke quickly blocked down against defensive tackles and manhandled smaller defenders to create huge holes in the run game. He adjusted well to oncoming targets in tight spaces and looked fluid moving in the open field, twice forcing defenders to the ground while leading outside runs. Quicker edge rushers challenged his recovery to cut off the inside lane, however, as he needed help from the left guard to stop Devean Deal from hitting the quarterback on one play in the second quarter.
Loading...Watch highlights from the preseason Week 3 matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2026 NFL preseason.
RAVENS 41, COMMANDERS 3
The top rookie punter had an excellent outing against Washington, placing two of three punts inside the 20-yard line. He showed outstanding leg extension on his first punt, which landed at the Commanders’ 16-yard line and stopped quickly at the 14. Eckley's third effort was almost muffed by Washington at the 10, forcing the returner to catch the ball near the ground as it dropped out of the sky. The sixth-round pick might not have quite as powerful a leg as former Ravens punter Jordan Stout, but he showed he could flip the field by belting a 53-yarder with sufficient hang time to force a fair catch in the fourth quarter.
PANTHERS 16, TEXANS 13
Harsh went undrafted this spring but his play against Carolina helped him make Houston’s initial 53-man roster. He overwhelmed the right tackle on the Panthers’ first series with a bull rush, ripping down Kenny Pickett with one arm for a sack. He continued converting speed to power throughout the contest. Late in the first quarter, Harsh turned the corner on the right tackle to break up a Pickett pass. He held up against double teams to stop multiple runs and freed himself from the left tackle to make a tackle in the second half. Harsh lined up inside late in the game, looking strong against the left guard on run plays and pressuring the quarterback on a third down.
FALCONS 17, DOLPHINS 12
Terrell lined up at nickelback, where he could eventually start for Atlanta. Though Dolphins QB Cam Miller didn't throw at Terrell, the second-round pick exhibited excellent footwork, sticking with speedy rookie slot receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. Terrell timed up a blitz nicely on a second-and-10 play, too, pushing back right tackle Caedan Wallace with surprising strength. That combination of quickness and physicality is exactly what the Falcons need in a nickel defender.
JAGUARS 19, BUCCANEERS 0
Capehart bullied centers and guards, making Jaguars quarterbacks very uncomfortable. He showed lateral quickness, jumping gaps at the snap on a second quarter run and exhibiting the athleticism to hustle down the line while engaged on a zone run that went for a loss. He split a double team on third-and-1 in the third quarter and overwhelmed the center to get his hands into the passing lane on fourth down. Capehart could take the next step as a rookie if he does a better job of disengaging from blockers to corral ball-carriers.
GIANTS 23, JETS 6
Mauigoa flaunted excellent athleticism at right guard during the first quarter of the Giants’ win over the Jets. A three-year starter at right tackle during his college career at Miami, Mauigoa was predictably strong as a pass protector, though he set too deep on a three-step drop midway through the first quarter. He’s still learning to play inside, losing the upper-body battle to powerful rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. on one play and allowing his man to cross his face on another run because he failed to maintain his back-side block angle. He was explosive from his stance, though, impressively locking onto a reach block late in the first quarter and staying engaged across the line of scrimmage to open a hole on Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s 16-yard run. Two plays later, he blocked his brother, Jets LB Kiko Mauigoa, at the second level on a Tracy touchdown run.
Loading...Watch the highlights from the New York Giants and New York Jets matchup during Preseason Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season.
SAINTS 27, COWBOYS 24
Miller wasn't much of a factor in the first quarter of the Saints' win over the Cowboys, as veteran Dallas center Nick Leverett maintained blocking angles to create running lanes. The second-round pick had more success as a run-stopper in the second and fourth quarters, two-gapping and shedding blockers on a handful of plays. Miller didn't win as a pass rusher against single blocks or double-teams, but he did push the pocket a bit and hindered QB Sam Howell's throwing motion coming off a twist.
CHIEFS 9, SEAHAWKS 9
While Henderson made big plays in Seattle’s final preseason game, it wasn’t enough for him to earn a spot on the team’s initial 53-man roster, as he was among the team’s cuts on Sunday. The sixth-round pick won inside position off the line on his first reception against the Chiefs, shaking off a defender, grabbing the pass above his head and spinning off contact for a 26-yard gain. Henderson made his biggest play of the night by turning a defender inside-out on a post-corner route to cover 30 yards. It wasn't always clear if Henderson had run the correct route, though, like when he and QB Jalen Milroe miscommunicated on a third-and-long attempt. Henderson isn't a consistent blocker but he did take CB Kaiir Elam out of the play on an outside run midway through the third quarter.
BENGALS 30, EAGLES 13
The rookie was tested during the first series, impressively sticking with a double-move to the sideline and finding the ball above his head to knock the pass away. Davis looked aware in zone coverage, too, coming off one receiver to bring down a running back in the flat for a 2-yard loss early in the second quarter. He snared a tipped pass for an interception late on the same drive, returning it for 15 yards. Davis showed the closing speed to stay with crossers and recover if losing a step outside. He was called for holding at the end of the first half, though he appeared equally physical at the top of the route on other plays without drawing a penalty flag.
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PACKERS 42, CARDINALS 38
Virgil moved off the line quickly against press and created separation on comeback and crossing routes. The former Texas Tech receiver converted a third-and-short and fourth-and-short where he fought for extra yards after the catch. His other reception was a 13-yard out route against soft coverage. Virgil beat his man to the outside late in the second quarter, jumping for a sideline fade but losing the ball when he hit the ground (the Packers declined a holding penalty against Arizona on the play). He won on a red zone stutter-and-go in the third quarter, but the throw was late. Virgil lacked physicality shielding against defensive backs in the run game, though he held his block just long enough to aid a 14-yard run that set up a third quarter touchdown.
BRONCOS 34, VIKINGS 6
Joly showed his versatility against the Vikings, and while it wasn’t enough for him to make the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster, he was claimed by the Dolphins after being waived on Sunday. He lined up at H-back, fullback, in-line, in motion and even outside the numbers on a fake screen in the third quarter versus Minnesota. Joly smoothly ran down the seam and across the middle when unchecked at the line. The fifth-round pick concentrated on Jarrett Stidham's hot and inside throw to bring it in for his first catch. He found himself wide open in the middle of the field on his other reception, scoring an 88-yard touchdown on a botched Minnesota coverage. While not known for his blocking in college, Joly generally stood up to linebackers on the edge and was effective with a wham block, though he whiffed on a blitzing linebacker from the fullback spot in the fourth quarter.
LIONS 25, COLTS 16
Left tackle Devin Cochran kept Gumbs away from the quarterback by negating his power and speed moves. The Colts' fifth-round pick had his only highlight, a strip-sack and fumble recovery, when guard Miles Frazier replaced Cochran outside. The former Florida Gator held his ground against the run on the edge but he made just two other tackles. One came after a poor block by a tight end in the fourth quarter and Gumbs was untouched from the back side on a second-quarter stop. He lost containment at times, too, allowing cutback rushes for 17 and 22 yards. He was flagged for illegal use of hands on the 22-yard run.
BEARS 24, TITANS 15