Rookies Who Stood Out in Thursday's NFL Preseason Week 1 Action

The 2026 NFL preseason kicked off Thursday night with six games across the league, but the spotlight is on rookies and young players who can prove themselves in live action. The roundup highlights one standout from each matchup, with several notable names excluded from the list due to the “one per team” rule. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar, a third-round pick, entered after Mason Rudolph and Will Howard and went 10 of 13 for 153 yards, three total touchdowns, and a 154.8 passer rating without a sack or interception. The Arizona Cardinals’ Jeremiyah Love impressed with elusiveness, while the story also begins coverage of De’Zhaun Stribling of the San Francisco 49ers.