NFL Week 1 Takeaways: Top Non-Quarterback Newcomer Debuts for All 32 Teams

The opening week of the 2026 NFL season concluded with the Kansas City Chiefs’ 31-10 victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. Week 1 delivered historic scoring, averaging 49.4 points per game to tie the 2012 record for the most in an opening week since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger, according to ESPN Research. Despite the offensive explosion, several games featured dramatic finishes, including the Detroit Lions’ overtime win over the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills’ five-point survival against the Houston Texans.

ESPN’s NFL Nation panel of over a dozen analysts has evaluated all 32 teams to establish updated power rankings heading into Week 2. In addition to the 1-32 ranking, each team’s beat reporter identified a standout non-quarterback newcomer—defined as a rookie, offseason acquisition, or coaching hire—who impressed in their regular-season debut. Below is a team-by-team breakdown of Week 1 results, preseason rankings, and the top newcomer performances.

Arizona Cardinals

Week 1 Result: Beat the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14
Preseason Ranking: 30
Top Newcomer: WR Kendrick Bourne

The Cardinals’ third wide receiver option and fourth overall receiving threat produced the second-best performance on the team behind tight end Trey McBride. Bourne, who signed a two-year deal in March to reunite with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur from their San Francisco days, caught all eight of his targets for 75 yards. I’m pretty sure none of y’all had him on y’all fantasy [teams] to play how he played, but just was in the right spot at the right time, a lot of plays, quarterback Jacoby Brissett said. And we put him there because we trust him there.

Atlanta Falcons

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-13
Preseason Ranking: 26
Top Newcomer: Edge Za’Darius Smith

The Falcons signed Smith less than a month before the season after losing Jalon Walker (torn ACL) for the year and James Pearce Jr. (suspension) for eight games. The 34-year-old 2020 All-Pro second-team selection, who retired mid-last season due to his mother’s illness, recorded two sacks of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and helped bottle up the Steelers’ offense.

Baltimore Ravens

Week 1 Result: Beat the Indianapolis Colts 41-23
Preseason Ranking: 8
Top Newcomer: Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle

In his play-calling debut, Doyle kept the Colts off balance by utilizing quarterback Lamar Jackson under center and heavy play-action. The Ravens achieved a franchise first: a 300-yard passer (Jackson), 150-yard receiver (Zay Flowers), and 100-yard rusher (Derrick Henry) in the same game. Man, first NFL game, [he] came out of the gates on fire, head coach Jesse Minter said of Doyle. Baltimore’s schedule favors the offense: five of their next seven opponents allowed 27-plus points in Week 1.

Buffalo Bills

Week 1 Result: Beat the Houston Texans 36-31
Preseason Ranking: 3
Top Newcomer: WR DJ Moore

Acquired via trade in March, Moore delivered five catches for 100 yards. His 43-yard touchdown benefited from a missed interception attempt by safety Reed Blankenship, but Moore’s impact extended beyond the box score: he drew a 46-yard pass interference penalty, an illegal contact flag, and broke up a likely interception by safety Calen Bullock.

Carolina Panthers

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Chicago Bears 59-37
Preseason Ranking: 23
Top Newcomer: OT Monroe Freeling

The No. 19 overall pick surrendered a first-quarter sack to Montez Sweat but settled in at right tackle. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Freeling allowed three total pressures on 41 pass-block snaps (7.3% rate) despite blocking individually on 70.7% of pass plays. The former Georgia left tackle adapted well to the right side in a high-scoring shootout.

Chicago Bears

Week 1 Result: Beat the Carolina Panthers 59-37
Preseason Ranking: 12
Top Newcomer: WR Kalif Raymond

The veteran signed a one-year deal in March and led the Bears with eight catches on nine targets for 84 yards. Five receptions came on third down, showcasing quick trust with quarterback Caleb Williams. Raymond also delivered a key block on Kyle Monangai’s 61-yard touchdown run, embodying coach Ben Johnson’s offensive philosophy.

Cincinnati Bengals

Week 1 Result: Beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27
Preseason Ranking: 16
Top Newcomer: Edge Boye Mafe

Cincinnati’s top free-agent signing produced a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery. Mafe tied rookie Cashius Howell with a team-high four pressures (per Next Gen Stats), maximized one-on-one matchups, and led Bengals defensive linemen with 37 snaps. He appears set to anchor a heavily rotated edge-rushing unit.

Cleveland Browns

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-10
Preseason Ranking: 31
Top Newcomer: WR Denzel Boston

The second-round pick’s production—two catches for 59 yards and a touchdown—came largely in garbage time, but his 46-yard deep-post score reflected his training camp form. Boston led Browns receivers with 47 snaps and 26 routes run, signaling a significant role moving forward.

Dallas Cowboys

Week 1 Result: Lost to the New York Giants 28-20
Preseason Ranking: 15
Top Newcomer: S Caleb Downs

The No. 11 overall pick posted seven tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble while playing 61 of 69 snaps split between safety and slot. With Malik Hooker sidelined by a fractured forearm, Dallas may need to adjust Downs’ alignment despite his value in the slot.

Denver Broncos

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-10
Preseason Ranking: 4
Top Newcomer: RB Jonah Coleman

In a dismal team performance, Coleman’s 27-yard kickoff return made him the standout newcomer by default. The Broncos returned more players from 2025 than any other team; Jaylen Waddle managed one catch for two yards, safety Tycen Anderson had one tackle, and Coleman was the only rookie in uniform.

Detroit Lions

Week 1 Result: Beat the New Orleans Saints 31-30 (OT)
Preseason Ranking: 11
Top Newcomer: OC Drew Petzing

Despite an uneven game, Petzing’s offense executed a 10-play, 70-yard overtime touchdown drive capped by Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 4-yard grab. Petzing, hired from Arizona, helped Jahmyr Gibbs set a career high with 34 touches. Quarterback Jared Goff said Petzing adjusted good and settled us down when we needed it and got us into the right plays.

Green Bay Packers

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Minnesota Vikings 39-22
Preseason Ranking: 7
Top Newcomer: K Trey Smack

The rookie nailed a 59-yard field goal for his first NFL attempt and made all his tries (also from 43 and 26 yards). A 40-yarder was wiped out by a Vikings penalty. Smack’s only errors were a missed extra point and one kickoff into the end zone.

Houston Texans

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Buffalo Bills 36-31
Preseason Ranking: 10
Top Newcomer: RB David Montgomery

Acquired via trade from Detroit in March, Montgomery scored three touchdowns—the most in a Texans debut in franchise history—and totaled 79 yards (60 rushing, 19 receiving). Houston posted its most points in a season opener under DeMeco Ryans, with 124 rushing yards on 32 carries opening lanes for C.J. Stroud’s 287 passing yards. That’s going to be our identity, Montgomery said.

Indianapolis Colts

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Baltimore Ravens 41-23
Preseason Ranking: 19
Top Newcomer: RB Seth McGowan

The sixth-round pick didn’t carry the ball but returned five kickoffs for 164 yards, including a 66-yarder to the Ravens’ 30-yard line. McGowan, a training camp standout as a returner, is expected to see offensive snaps behind Jonathan Taylor as the season progresses, per coach Shane Steichen.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 1 Result: Beat the Cleveland Browns 34-10
Preseason Ranking: 17
Top Newcomer: LG Emmanuel Pregnon

The third-round rookie from Oregon allowed just one pressure on 25 pass-block snaps (4% rate), tied with left tackle Anton Harrison for the team best. Jacksonville moved veteran Ezra Cleveland to right guard to get Pregnon on the field after he won the job in the second half of training camp.

Kansas City Chiefs

Week 1 Result: Beat the Denver Broncos 31-10
Preseason Ranking: 13
Top Newcomer: RB Kenneth Walker III

Walker posted a career-high 173 rushing yards, highlighted by a 60-yard touchdown on fourth-and-inches early in the third quarter. He forced 14 missed tackles—the most by a Chiefs player in a game since 2018—and added a receiving touchdown.

Las Vegas Raiders

Week 1 Result: Beat the Miami Dolphins 27-13
Preseason Ranking: 27
Top Newcomer: Edge Kwity Paye

Signed to a three-year free-agent deal to complement Maxx Crosby, Paye delivered two sacks, five pressures, and five quarterback hits. Under first-time defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, Las Vegas aims for aggression; Paye’s Week 1 performance suggests the Raiders’ outlook could shift significantly if he sustains this level.

Los Angeles Chargers

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Arizona Cardinals 26-14
Preseason Ranking: 14
Top Newcomer: C Jake Slaughter

The second-round pick from Florida was thrust into the starting center role after Tyler Biadasz’s preseason ACL injury, despite training camp reps at left guard. Slaughter allowed just one quarterback pressure (per Next Gen Stats) and avoided major mistakes in a difficult transition.

Los Angeles Rams

Week 1 Result: Lost to the San Francisco 49ers 27-7
Preseason Ranking: 1
Top Newcomer: CB Trent McDuffie

Acquired for four draft picks in March to overhaul the cornerback room, McDuffie allowed two receptions for 22 yards on four targets with two passes defensed (per Next Gen Stats). He broke up a first-quarter target to George Kittle and intercepted the ball but was ruled out of bounds.

Miami Dolphins

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Las Vegas Raiders 27-13
Preseason Ranking: 32
Top Newcomer: WR Caleb Douglas

While linebacker Jacob Rodriguez posted 14 tackles, the passing offense relied entirely on Douglas. The third-round pick established himself as WR1 with five catches on seven targets for 94 yards (81 in the first half), showing promise despite rookie growing pains in a disappointing team debut.

Minnesota Vikings

Week 1 Result: Beat the Green Bay Packers 39-22
Preseason Ranking: 22
Top Newcomer: NT Domonique Orange

The third-round pick from Iowa State (nicknamed “Big Citrus”) made the game-clinching play. With 13:17 remaining, Green Bay took a field goal off the board after a Vikings penalty and went for it on fourth-and-1. Orange fought off center Sean Rhyan and stuffed Jordan Love’s sneak for no gain. If I was a quarterback, Orange told reporters afterward, I’d try that, too. But they don’t know about Big Citrus yet.

New England Patriots

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Seattle Seahawks 13-10
Preseason Ranking: 6
Top Newcomer: Edge Dre’Mont Jones

The eight-year veteran, signed to a three-year, $36.5 million deal over retaining K’Lavon Chaisson (7.5 sacks in 2025), totaled four QB hits, one sack, and two tackles while setting the edge effectively. Runner-up: sixth-round linebacker Namdi Obiazor, who led the team with three special-teams tackles including one on the opening kickoff.

New Orleans Saints

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Detroit Lions 31-30 (OT)
Preseason Ranking: 25
Top Newcomer: TE Noah Fant

Signed to a two-year spring deal, Fant caught a potential go-ahead 8-yard touchdown in overtime with 1:38 left, but New Orleans failed the two-point conversion. He finished with four catches for 33 yards on eight targets, mostly in the second half as the offense found rhythm, indicating a key role ahead.

New York Giants

Week 1 Result: Beat the Dallas Cowboys 28-20
Preseason Ranking: 24
Top Newcomer: TE Isaiah Likely

Likely became quarterback Jaxson Dart’s primary target, catching all eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns, including two third-down conversions on the game-ending drive. The chemistry from training camp translated immediately. I mean, we paid him a lot, coach John Harbaugh said with a laugh. That’s what we paid him for, and he did it.

New York Jets

Week 1 Result: Beat the Tennessee Titans 23-10
Preseason Ranking: 29
Top Newcomer: TE Kenyon Sadiq

The No. 16 pick, limited to 26 snaps after a hernia cost him most of camp, scored on a 3-yard end-around among his four touches (three receptions, one rush). His versatility allowed OC Frank Reich creative packages. Sadiq joined Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome as the only tight ends with a rushing touchdown in their NFL debut.

Philadelphia Eagles

Week 1 Result: Beat the Washington Commanders 24-22
Preseason Ranking: 5
Top Newcomer: WR Dontayvion Wicks

Acquired via trade from Green Bay in April, Wicks caught two passes for 73 yards and a touchdown, including a career-long 64-yard catch-and-run that sparked the new-look offense. As WR2 behind DeVonta Smith, his spring and summer rapport with Jalen Hurts paid immediate dividends.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 1 Result: Beat the Atlanta Falcons 20-13
Preseason Ranking: 21
Top Newcomer: DC Patrick Graham

Despite Bijan Robinson’s 173 scrimmage yards, Graham’s pass rush dominated third-stringer Cooper Rush. Veteran buy-in was evident: T.J. Watt, who admitted reluctance about moving in the old scheme, recorded a pick-six and sacks from both sides of the line. Graham passed his first test decisively.

San Francisco 49ers

Week 1 Result: Beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7
Preseason Ranking: 9
Top Newcomer: WR Mike Evans

The free-agent signing on a three-year deal caught six passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. Every reception produced either a first down or a score—six receiving first downs, the most in a team debut since Puka Nacua’s six for the Rams in 2023. Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa also impressed in his Niners debut.

Seattle Seahawks

Week 1 Result: Beat the New England Patriots 13-10
Preseason Ranking: 2
Top Newcomer: S Rodney Thomas II

Starting for injured Ty Okada, the former Colts starter on a one-year, $1.4 million deal (beginning on the practice squad) had a pass breakup leading to an interception and an open-field tackle on consecutive drives. Those plays set up a field goal and the tying touchdown in Seattle’s 10-point defensive effort.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 33-27
Preseason Ranking: 18
Top Newcomer: LB Josiah Trotter

The son of Eagles legend Jeremiah Trotter became the first rookie since 1982 (when sacks became official) with a pick-six and a sack in his debut, per Elias Sports Bureau. His pick-six helped turn a four-turnover game into a one-score loss. He added 10 tackles with two for loss.

Tennessee Titans

Week 1 Result: Lost to the New York Jets 23-10
Preseason Ranking: 28
Top Newcomer: LB Anthony Hill Jr.

The second-round pick logged 16 tackles and two passes defended, one of which punched the ball loose from tight end Mason Taylor (ruled incomplete). I thought Anthony flew around, coach Robert Saleh said. I thought he did a good job controlling the huddle. He was all over the field, made a lot of tackles, showed really good range.

Washington Commanders

Week 1 Result: Lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 24-22
Preseason Ranking: 20
Top Newcomer: LB Sonny Styles

The No. 7 overall pick recorded a sack (trucking Saquon Barkley to reach Jalen Hurts), two tackles for loss, and a QB hit. He was caught out of position on a 43-yard touchdown to Dallas Goedert after he and two teammates pointed at Goedert pre-snap anticipating a false start. Styles also assumed play-calling duties when Frankie Luvu exited with a groin injury—a strong, if imperfect, debut.