Preseason Week 2 preview: Hawkeyes in the NFL

The NFL preseason is underway, with the first week of games being played last week. That means that a number of former Hawkeyes took the field for their first snaps of the year. Jack Campbell, Ben Niemann and Dane Belton had the best graded performances, while several Hawkeyes are fighting to stay on NFL rosters. HawkeyeReport takes a look at who is playing in each week two preseason game and how each player did during the opening week of games last week.

FRIDAY

Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons

TE Parker Hesse (Atlanta)

The former Hawkeye defensive lineman is listed as a second string option behind Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith in the Falcons two TE lineup. Hesse played 40 snaps last week against the Dolphins and was targeted once on 11 routes run.

Carolina Panthers vs New York Giants

CB Greg Mabin (Carolina), S Dane Belton (NYG), LS Casey Kreiter (NYG)

Greb Mabin is down the Panthers depth chart a bit, but got 18 snaps last week and was the fifth-highest rated (76.0) player on the defense by PFF. He made one tackle in the loss to the Jets.

Dane Belton got 34 snaps at FS against the Lions and was the highest graded player with at least ten coverage snaps (79.7) on the team. Belton made two tackles with a pass defended. Good start for a guy looking to break into a starting role.

SATURDAY

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Detroit Lions

QB CJ Beathard (Jags), OG Brandon Scherff (Jags), OT Coy Cronk (Jags), LB Jack Campbell (Detroit), TE Sam LaPorta (Detroit), OT Matt Nelson (Detroit)

CJ Beathard was 6/13 for 80 yds and had a rushing touchdown last week against the Cowboys. He is battling Nathan Rourke for the QB2 role.

Brandon Scherff played just 13 snaps in the preseason opener, as he is the projected starter at RG. Coy Cronk got 29 snaps at LT, but did not grade well (56.6). Good news? Neither did Cam Robinson (53.1) or Walker Little (47.7).

Jack Campbell (unsurprisingly) had a fantastic preseason opener for the Lions. He played 25 snaps, had four tackles and was the highest-graded first round rookie (90.6). He was also easily the highest rated LB on the Lions.

Sam LaPorta saw just 16 snaps and was targeted once on nine routes run, but Matt Nelson saw 51 snaps, including 29 passing snaps and had the third-highest pass block grade (68.0) amongst the offensive tackles. He’s trying to keep his spot on the roster.

Miami Dolphins vs Houston Texans

CB Desmond King ll (Houston), LB Christian Kirksey (Houston)

Desmond King ll played just nine snaps, while Kirksey missed the preseason opener due to a hamstring injury. King was listed as the starting nickelback, while Kirksey was SLB2 on the initial depth chart.

Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers

FS Micah Hyde (Buffalo), DE AJ Epenesa (Buffalo), OG Ike Boettger (Buffalo), RG James Daniels (Pittsburgh)

Micah Hyde (10 snaps) and AJ Epenesa (16 snaps) saw limited time in the preaseason opener, which is not surprising their SS1 and DE2 status on the depth chart. James Daniels is going to be the starter at RG for the Steelers and he only played ten snaps.

Ike Boettger saw 21 snaps at LG, but graded poorly. He is likely going to have to have to look good the next two weeks to make roster over guys like Nick Broeker or David Edwards.

Chicago Bears vs Indianapolis Colts

CB Michael Ojemudia (Chicago)

Last week, it appeared Ojemudia had plenty of work to do to make the Bears roster, but he made the most of his 37 snaps against the Titans. He was the second-highest graded CB in coverage for the Bears and had two tackles. If that continues, he may have a shot.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New York Jets

OT Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay), OLB Anthony Nelson (Tampa Bay), S Kaevon Merriweather (Tampa Bay)

Both Nelson and Merriweather were in the starting lineup for the Bucs last week against the Steelers. Nelson had two tackles, including a tackle for loss over just 13 snaps. He was OLB2 on the first depth chart. Merriweather finished with four tackles, graded as the top FS on the team (67.1) and the top tackler (82.6) for the game. A good start for the rookie.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Arizona Cardinals

WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette (KC), WR Brandon Smith (Arizona)

Smith-Marsette caught one pass for two yards against the Saints, while Brandon Smith was targeted twice with zero catches in their preseason openers. Both guys are battling for a roster spot.

Tennessee Titans vs Minnesota Vikings

S Amani Hooker (Titans), K Caleb Shudak (Titans), DT Jaleel Johnson (Titans), ILB Ben Niemann (Titans), TE TJ Hockenson (Minnesota)

Ben Niemann (26 snaps) and Jaleel Johnson (42 snaps) each saw decent snaps against the Bears. They both racked up four tackles, while Niemann was right up by Jack Campbell with a 90.3 game grade. Still, he is listed at ILB3 on the new Titans depth chart.

Caleb Shudak is expected to be the starter kicker for the Titans this season. He knocked through a 41 yard field goal and a PAT last week.

New England Patriots vs Green Bay Packers

RT Riley Reiff (NE), C James Ferentz (NE), NT Carl Davis Jr (NE), OLB Lukas Van Ness (Green Bay), RB Tyler Goodson (Green Bay)

James Ferentz started at center last week against the Texans and was the highest-graded Pats offensive lineman (70.6). He played 42 snaps and is battling Jake Andrews (38 snaps-68.7) for the backup spot. Carl Davis Jr is NT3 on the depth chart and made two tackles over 19 snaps.

Lukas Van Ness got 20 snaps in his first ever NFL game, but was not a huge factor, as he did not record a stat. It’s early and camp comments were very positive. The bad news came for Tyler Goodson. He was injured after just three carries against the Bengals and was in a sling on the sideline. Not a good sign, as he battles Patrick Taylor and Lew Nichols for RB3.

Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers

ILB Josey Jewell (Denver), RCB Riley Moss (Denver), ILB Seth Benson (Denver), TE George Kittle (49ers)

Josey Jewell and Seth Benson each had three tackles against the Cardinals, while Riley Moss missed the game due to a core muscle injury. Jewell is expected to be a starter, while Benson was a UDFA. The Broncos tried him in pass coverage and did not grade well over 13 snaps in coverage.

Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Rams

OT Alaric Jackson (LAR), OLB Zach VanValkenburg (LAR)

The LT spot for the Rams is really interesting. Alaric Jackson is battling Joe Noteboom for the starting spot, but Jackson played just 11 snaps against the Chargers and Noteboom has been absent from practice.

VanValkenburg is battling for a roster spot and he picked up three tackles in 19 snaps last week. If he doesn’t make the roster, he will likely be a practice squad player.

Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks

DT Chauncey Golston (Dallas), TE Noah Fant (Seattle)

Chauncey Golston was listed at DT on the Cowboys depth chart, but 29 of his 37 snaps came on at left defensive end. He made one tackle and had three QB hurries.

Seattle listed Noah Fant and Tyler Mabry at TE2 on the initial depth chart, but Fant and projected starter Will Dissly were the only two tight ends to not play against the Vikings. A healthy player not playing in a preseason game generally means good standing on the depth chart.

SUNDAY

New Orleans Saints vs Los Angeles Chargers

DT Jack Heflin (Saints), LB Nick Niemann (LAC)

Jack Heflin has been a practice squad player so far in the NFL and his work is cut out for him to make the Saints roster, but he did record three QB pressures in 19 snaps against the Chiefs.

Nick Niemann was listed as a backup to Eric Kendricks at LB on the initial depth chart, but should be in line for a solid role on the Chargers defense. He played just 11 snaps against the Rams last week.

Baltimore Ravens vs Washington Commanders

C Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens), S Geno Stone (Ravens), MLB Kristian Welch (Ravens)

Linderbaum and Stone did not take the field last week against the Eagles, but Kristian Welch played 17 snaps at MLB. He finished with three tackles and had the second best coverage grade on the team. He is fighting to stay on the roster, but he outplayed Josh Ross in the preseason opener.