NFL Power Rankings, Preseason Week 1: Rookie QBs steal the show

Most teams rested their starters but we still saw plenty of action that could alter our 2021 NFL Power Rankings following Week 1 of the preseason

NFL Preseason football is often equal parts exciting and excruciating.

After a long offseason, we’re all thrilled to see our favorite teams and players back on the field. But the problem is, we don’t usually see the best players since teams (understandably) like to rest their starters.

That doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty to talk about, especially when so many high-profile rookies made their debut.

Here, we look over each of those games and discuss where each of the 32 teams stands in our latest 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

New NFL Power Rankings after Week 1 of the preseason

Tyrod Taylor continues to be an elite preseason player. Back in 2018 when he was the starter for the Browns, he was on fire and had fans salivating about what they could do that season while he served as a mentor for Baker Mayfield. By Week 4, Taylor had lost his job for good and spent the past couple of seasons in Los Angeles with the Chargers.

Now with the Houston Texans, he could very well be the No. 1 guy as long as Deshaun Watson remains out of the lineup. His first outing was solid as he was 4-of-4 for 40 yards but led the Texans to just three points.

He then gave way to Davis Mills, the third-round rookie who could be the answer down the road. Mills had 112 yards and a pick while completing just 50 percent of his throws. Last was Jeff Driskel who was 1-of-6, which says enough in itself.

Houston is in a bad spot right now since their entire roster is lacking and they don’t have a quarterback they can trust. Last season with Watson, who was one of the best in the game, they couldn’t find ways to win consistently. Should he be sidelined, or traded, this will be a very long season for the Texans.