NFL preseason games do not count toward the regular season, nor are they the end-all, be-all for judging how well a player might perform when the season begins. Still, when you’re a rookie in the NFL, the preseason is all there is to go off of until the regular season starts.
For these three rookies, Week 2 of the preseason is a big time for them to step up and show what they can do at the professional level. Let’s dive in.
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Fernando Mendoza, Raiders
The No. 1 overall pick actually had a solid debut: 10-of-16 passing for 97 yards and a touchdown. But Kirk Cousins went 5-for-6 and immediately led Las Vegas to a touchdown on his only series. More importantly, Mendoza completed just 2 of 6 passes when pressured.
Now Klint Kubiak plans to increase Mendoza’s first-team work before Thursday’s game against Houston.
This is his chance to make the quarterback conversation uncomfortable. Mendoza does not need four touchdowns. I want to see cleaner timing, faster answers against pressure and fewer rookie moments when the first read disappears.
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Carnell Tate, Titans
The fourth overall pick finished his NFL debut with **zero catches on three targets**.
That looks even worse because San Francisco rookie De’Zhaun Stribling – drafted 29 spots later – caught seven passes for 63 yards in the same game.
Nobody should panic after three targets. But Tennessee drafted Tate to become Cam Ward’s explosive outside weapon. Week 2 needs to provide at least a glimpse of that chemistry.
Sonny Styles, Commanders
Styles played only Washington’s opening defensive series against Miami, and that 14-play drive went 93 yards for a touchdown. Some early criticism landed on the seventh overall pick, particularly around run fits and misdirection.
The film was more forgiving – several plays initially blamed on Styles actually showed him handling his assignment.
That makes Week 2 interesting. Styles does not need a highlight-reel interception. He needs decisive football.
For first-round rookies, preseason is not about proving they belong. It is about showing how quickly they are figuring out *why* they belong.
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