- Martin Emerson Jr. looked lockdown for the Saints: The former Browns starter notched three pass breakups in limited work.
- Malachi Fields impressed for the Giants: The third-round pick caught two contested catches in his preseason debut and might be New York's WR2.
- Keshawn Banks could be a real pass-rusher for the Falcons: Atlanta's need for edge rushers might be satiated by Banks given his 90.2 overall PFF grade in Week 1.
The onset of the NFL preseason means the return of live action and new results, including fresh PFF grades. After a six-month hiatus, it sure feels good to be back.
It can be easy to overreact to preseason showings one way or the other given that most games feature players who are hoping to simply make a roster, not to mention more basic schemes. However, one unwavering part of the August schedule is names making strong impressions with their performances — a level of play which, if sustained, can genuinely translate into regular-season snaps.
The 10 players below all made a very strong first impression during the opening window of the preseason, potentially opening the door for larger roles as September arrives.
CB Martin Emerson Jr., New Orleans Saints
The Saints enter 2026 with big aspirations, but real questions confront the defensive side of the ball, especially their secondary. If his first outing was any indication, Emerson could be an answer.
The former Brown was excellent in Week 1, compiling a 91.3 PFF coverage grade across 24 total snaps. Emerson broke up three passes on only 13 coverage snaps and was charted with allowing just one catch, putting his ball skills and instincts on full display.
The Saints figure to start Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley at boundary corner to begin the season. But if Emerson — who played well in 2022 before struggling and tearing his Achilles prior to last season — keeps it up, it’ll be very tough to keep him off the field in Brandon Staley’s defense.
G Kayode Awosika, Los Angeles Chargers
While optimism abounds for a revamped Chargers offense and offensive line, worries linger about the starting guards. Awosika staked his claim to get a bigger opportunity in his first game appearance of 2026.
Against the Texans, Awosika flashed with a 90.1 overall PFF grade. His 85.5 PFF run-blocking grade is the ninth-best of any guard to play in the preseason thus far, and he also yielded zero pressures on nine pass-blocking snaps.
The former undrafted free agent will have to fend off names like Trevor Penning and rookie Jake Slaughter to win the left guard job, but reports suggest he’s earned more playing time with Los Angeles’ first-team offense. If the 27-year-old keeps repeating this type of showing, he’ll leave Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel with a fairly easy choice.
WR Malachi Fields, New York Giants
As a third-round selection, Fields already came into the NFL with legitimate upside. However, his first taste of the pros might suggest he’ll garner a bigger workload than expected right away.
Fields was masterful against the Vikings, securing an 88.5 PFF receiving grade by hauling in all three of his targets for 34 yards and a touchdown. Impressively, two of those were charted as contested receptions, and he generated a nearly-perfect 153.5 passer rating when targeted.
The Giants’ receiver room is crowded with the returning Malik Nabers as well as veterans like Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, JuJu Smith-Schuster and even Odell Beckham Jr. Yet the 22-year-old Fields may establish himself as a core part of John Harbaugh’s offense in short order if he turns in encores.
Dl Gracen Halton, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ defensive line should receive several boosts this season in getting back key contributors. That resurgence could include the rookie Halton.
The team’s fourth-round pick enjoyed a fruitful first game in San Francisco, notching a 73.6 overall PFF grade across 30 snaps. Halton was at his best in the run game, earning a 75.0 PFF run-defense grade while tallying four run stops and missing zero tackles.
Last season, 49ers interior defensive linemen produced a league-worst 27.0 PFF run-defense grade, with rookies Alfred Collins and CJ West especially underwhelming. If Halton can sustain his run-stuffing work, he could see the field next to newcomer Osa Odighizuwa earlier than anticipated.
CB Keyon Martin, Baltimore Ravens
All eyes are on the Ravens’ defense as Jesse Minter takes over as head coach. While Baltimore ushers in plenty of star power on that side of the ball, an unsung contributor has also generated attention in Martin.
Martin looked terrific against the Eagles in Baltimore’s first preseason showdown, accruing a 90.0 overall PFF grade with 76.0-plus marks in all of coverage, run defense, tackling and even pass-rushing. The former undrafted free agent notched a sack on his only pass-rushing attempt and showcased his blend of closing speed and physicality in multiple dimensions.
The Ravens seem to have their starting cornerbacks set in Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, but Martin’s emergence could force his way into the lineup — especially considering Humphrey’s woes last season. After all, Minter has a track record of developing lesser-known defensive backs, and the second-year Martin could be next in line.
EDGE Keshawn Banks, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons enter the regular season in rapidly uncertain territory, including with their quarterback situation. Atlanta’s pass rush looks especially worrisome given injury and suspension, but Banks might be an internal answer.
Playing 24 snaps against the Broncos, Banks secured a 90.2 overall PFF grade. The former undrafted free agent collected two pressures and four pass-rush wins on only 10 attempts. Banks also added a strong 79.0 PFF run-defense grade.
Down Jalon Walker to a torn ACL and James Pearce Jr. to an eight-game suspension, the Falcons are fairly desperate for edge-rushing solutions. The team feels likely to try to add outside help, but Banks — who played in the UFL this spring — could work his way into a thinner-than-expected rotation if he continues to thrive.
EDGE Ahmed Hassanein, Detroit Lions
The Lions have been in pursuit of secondary edge rushers next to Aidan Hutchinson for years. Detroit poured more resources into the unit this offseason to try to locate a real Robin, but Hassanein also impressed with his first preseason showing.
The team’s 2025 sixth-round pick generated five pressures and two sacks against the Bengals, good for a 90.6 PFF pass-rush grade. Also encouraging was Hassanein’s 18.2% pass-rush win rate on true pass sets.
It seems probable that Detroit will let free-agent signing D.J. Wonnum and second-round pick Derrick Moore get most early reps working next to the All-Pro Hutchinson. Yet if Hassanein keeps affecting the quarterback like this, he’ll have a real shot to not only make the roster, but also to factor into the Lions’ defensive line rotation.
S Jaden Hicks, Kansas City Chiefs
Following multiple offseason departures, the Chiefs will feature a different-looking secondary in 2026. A large part of that equation could be Hicks, at least if the preseason is any indication.
The former fourth-round pick was all over the field for Kansas City against the Rams, earning an 88.3 overall PFF grade across 33 snaps. Hicks’ 79.9 PFF coverage grade led the team, allowing only two yards into his coverage. On top of that, he didn’t miss a tackle and chipped in with a 72.8 PFF run-defense mark.
Hicks has played 914 defensive snaps over his two seasons in Kansas City thus far. With Bryan Cook now in Cincinnati, the 24-year-old Hicks could work his way into the starting safety rotation next to Alohi Gilman and Chamarri Conner.
T Charles Grant, Las Vegas Raiders
The hope is that the Raiders’ offense can show signs of life as it begins the Klint Kubiak era. The team’s first preseason game was a step in the right direction, particularly for Grant.
Grant played 31 snaps against the Cardinals and was highly effective, meriting an 82.4 overall PFF grade. The 2025 third-round pick held his own on the ground with a 90.8 PFF run-blocking grade, a figure that trails just Dion Dawkins and Garett Bolles among all tackles through the first week of the preseason. Grant also didn’t permit a sack across 20 pass-blocking snaps, although he surrendered two quarterback hits.
Las Vegas projects to start Kolton Miller and D.J. Glaze at tackle to begin the season. However, Grant could very well get a nod at right tackle if Glaze struggles and Grant plays up to par throughout the rest of the month.
TE Matthew Hibner, Baltimore Ravens
Tight ends dominated the flow of the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly in the middle rounds. While conversation has oriented around new names on other teams, Hibner is making sure he isn’t overlooked.
The Ravens’ fourth-round pick starred in his pro debut with a 92.6 overall PFF grade, the fifth-highest of any offensive player in the early going. Hibner caught all five of his targets for 61 yards, amassing a 93.6 PFF receiving grade while averaging an impressive 7.6 yards after the catch per reception and securing four first downs. He also recorded a 74.2 PFF pass-blocking grade, albeit on just two such snaps.
With Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar both departing this offseason, the Ravens are certainly in search of more reliable playmakers at tight end behind Mark Andrews. The SMU product Hibner has made a good case already to supplant Durham Smythe as the team’s No. 2 option.
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