NFL rookie debut grades: Ty Simpson shines; Jeremiyah Love spins; 49ers, Browns WRs steal spotlight
Here's grading the much-anticipated first preseason action of 13 rookies taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and beyond, starting near the top of the class.
Ty Simpson, quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, had a stellar preseason debut, earning a grade of A. Simpson, drafted by the Rams in the first round as the 13th overall pick, played primarily as the third-string quarterback behind Matthew Stafford. However, he stepped in for the majority of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs and performed exceptionally well.
Over 25 passing attempts, Simpson completed 21 passes for an impressive average of 7.6 yards per attempt and posted a remarkable passer rating of 125.0. His performance demonstrated the potential for him to potentially surpass Stetson Bennett as the primary backup to Stafford in 2026.
The Cleveland Browns selected Jeremiyah Love, running back from Notre Dame, as their first-round pick with a high grade of A-. Love showcased his unique blend of power, elusiveness, and explosiveness, racking up 11 carries for 58 yards during his debut. Although he suffered an ankle injury during the game, Love's impressive performance suggests he will be a valuable player for Coach Todd Monken's offensive-minded team.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
