BBNFL: Keidron Smith's interception highlights Preseason Week 1
On a flight back home on Sunday, I put on the NFL Network which showcased the Rams taking on the Cowboys in a preseason game. My wife glared over at my screen and looked perplexed. “What are you watching? Has football started already?”
Yes, babe. Football…is…back.
In total, 31 former Kentucky players began the preseason on an NFL roster. Of course, this number will most certainly be whittled down before the final 53-man rosters are finalized for the regular season, but it is incredible to see so much Big Blue Nation representation in the League.
Keidron Smith’s interception was the BBNFL highlight of Week 1
Several former ‘Cats had solid preseason debuts, but Keidron Smith made the biggest play. In a tie game late in the second quarter, Smith picked off the Colts’ Sam Ehlinger deep in the red zone to thwart a would-be touchdown drive.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave Smith the highest grade of any former Wildcat who played in Week 1 with a 79.5. For those new to PFF grades, this is a score out of 100 with 60 being the average, and is assigned based on an insanely high amount of statistical scrutiny.
Smith spent time last season on both the Commanders and Broncos’ practice squads, but he looks to make the jump to Denver’s active roster in 2024.
Other defensive standouts included Quinton Bohanna, now with the Tennessee Titans, and Brandin Echols with the New York Jets, each of whom graded above 70 according to PFF.
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Rookie Trevin Wallace made two tackles in his first-ever NFL game for the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Andru Phillips played seven snaps and recorded a tackle of his own.
Offensive Standouts
Darian Kinnard graded out best among all offensive BBNFL players during Preseason Week 1 with a 77.3. He played the entire game, 83 snaps, and allowed just one QB pressure. Kinnard won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs two years ago, spending much of the last couple of years on Kansas City’s practice squad. He now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles and appears to making a good impression on his new team.
Rookie running backs Ray Davis and Ramon Jefferson also made their NFL debuts this week. Davis, with the Buffalo Bills, had seven rushes for just two yards but did catch three out of the backfield for 19 yards. Ramon Jefferson, playing under a familiar playbook considering Liam Coen is Tampa Bay’s Offensive Coordinator, had four touches in his debut, totaling 31 yards.
The only BBNFL touchdown of the week came at the hands of Will Levis. Err, should I say, feet. Levis rushed one yard for a touchdown for the Tennessee Titans in what will be his first year as the undisputed starter at quarterback. He also completed four out of his five passes for 31 yards. It was a solid start for everyone’s favorite mayonnaise spokesperson.
BBNFL Stats | Preseason Week 1
| Player | POS | Stats | PFF Grade |
| Keidron Smith (DEN) | DB | 21 snaps, 2 tackles, 2 assists, 1 INT | 79.5 |
| Darian Kinnard (PHI) | OL | 83 snaps, 1 pressure allowed | 77.3 |
| Ramon Jefferson (TB) | RB | 13 snaps, 2 rushes, 6 yards, 2 rec, 25 yards | 76.5 |
| Quinton Bohanna (TEN) | DL | 12 snaps, 1 tackle, 1 QB pressure | 73.8 |
| Brandin Echols (NYJ) | DB | 32 snaps, 2 tackles, 2 assists | 71.7 |
| Luke Fortner (JAX) | C | 34 snaps, 1 pressure allowed | 70.3 |
| Brenden Bates (CHI) | TE | 19 snaps, 1 target, 1 rec, 16 yards | 69 |
| Bud Dupree (LAC) | LB | 6 snaps, 1 QB pressure | 69 |
| Trevin Wallace (CAR) | LB | 28 snaps, 2 tackles | 66.2 |
| Tashawn Manning (BAL) | OL | 18 snaps | 62.3 |
| Ray Davis (BUF) | RB | 26 snaps, 7 rushes, 2 yards, 3 rec, 19 yards | 60.9 |
| Jeremy Flax (MIN) | OL | 3 special teams snaps | 60.7 |
| Bryce Oliver (TEN) | WR | 3 special teams snaps | 60.4 |
| Jamin Davis (WAS) | LB | 19 snaps, 3 tackles, 1 assist | 59.8 |
| Devin Leary (BAL) | QB | 24 snaps, 6/10 passing, 37 yards | 59.8 |
| Marquan McCall (LV) | DL | 15 snaps, 1 assist | 57.5 |
| Chris Rodriguez (WAS) | RB | 17 snaps, 6 rushes, 0 yards | 55 |
| Andru Phillips (NYG) | DB | 7 snaps, 1 tackle | 55 |
| Will Levis (TEN) | QB | 14 snaps, 4/5 passing, 35 yards, 1 rush, 1 yard, 1 TD | 54.3 |
| MJ Devonshire (LV) | DB | 36 snaps, 1 tackle | 48 |
| Josh Hines-Allen (JAX) | LB | 6 snaps, 1 QB pressure | 40.4 |
| Landon Young (NO) | OL | 29 snaps, 1 penalty | 35.9 |
| Phil Hoskins (ARI) | DL | 21 snaps, 1 QB pressure | 28.6 |
| Josh Ali (ATL) | WR | 4 snaps | 27.1 |
| Mike Edwards (BUF) | DB | DNP | – |
| Za’Darius Smith (CLE) | LB | DNP | – |
| Kelvin Joseph (KC) | DB | DNP | – |
| Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) | WR | DNP | – |
| Josh Pascal (DET) | DL | DNP | – |
| Carrington Valentine (GB) | DB | DNP | – |
| Lonnie Johnson Jr. (HOU) | DB | DNP | – |
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