In the first week of the 2024 NFL preseason, several rookies showcased their skills and potential, earning high grades in their respective positions. Among them, Indianapolis Colts' sixth-round pick Micah Abraham, New Orleans Saints' Rico Payton, Cincinnati Bengals' undrafted free agent Maema Njongmeta, and Cincinnati Bengals' fifth-round pick Josh Newton stood out with exceptional performances.

Abraham, a cornerback from Marshall, made a significant impact in his debut, allowing just one reception for 10 yards from 16 coverage snaps. However, it was his impressive play against the run that truly caught attention. In the third quarter, Abraham forcefully ripped the ball loose, recovered the fumble, and returned it for a touchdown, earning him an elite grade of 92.2.

Saints' Rico Payton, a cornerback selected in the third round, showcased his coverage skills by being targeted heavily during his snaps. Payton faced six passes, allowing only one catch while breaking up three others, resulting in a high PFF grade of 91.7.

Undrafted out of Wisconsin, Maema Njongmeta made a strong impression for the Bengals, excelling in coverage, run defense, and as a blitzer. He recorded a pass breakup, a batted pass, a quarterback hurry, and three tackles resulting in a defensive stop, earning him a PFF grade of 91.4.

Josh Newton, a fifth-round pick from TCU, also made a notable debut for the Bengals. Newton's coverage skills earned him a high PFF grade of 90.5, as he allowed only two receptions for 25 yards and intercepted a pass in his 25 snaps on the field.

Detroit Lions' undrafted free agent Duke Clemens showcased his versatility, earning a PFF grade of 90.0 in his debut. Playing all his snaps at left guard, Clemens allowed just one pressure from 22 pass-blocking snaps and excelled as a run-blocker, earning an impressive grade of 89.8 in that aspect.

Seattle Seahawks' Tyrice Knight, an undrafted free agent, also made a strong impression in his preseason debut. Knight started the game and excelled both in run defense and coverage, resulting in a PFF grade of 89.9. He allowed only one reception for four yards in coverage and made all his tackles count, resulting in defensive stops.

Baltimore Ravens' first-round draft pick, Nate Wiggins, dominated in his first action for the team, earning a high PFF coverage grade of 89.2. Targeted six times in coverage, Wiggins allowed just two receptions for eight yards and recorded three pass breakups, showcasing his coverage skills.

Washington Commanders' second-round draft pick, Ben Sinnott, impressed with his receiving skills, averaging 4.75 yards per route run in his debut. Sinnott caught all three of his targets for a total of 57 yards, averaging an impressive 13.7 yards per reception despite having an average depth of target of just 5.3 yards.

Los Angeles Rams' undrafted free agent Omar Speights made an impact in his first game, earning a PFF grade of 85.5. Speights showcased his versatility, excelling in coverage, run defense, and as a blitzer. He recorded a pair of hurries and made three tackles resulting in defensive stops, while allowing only three yards in coverage from his three receptions.

Lastly, Minnesota Vikings' tenth overall pick, J.J. McCarthy, had a successful debut, completing 11 out of 17 passes for a total of 188 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. McCarthy demonstrated his passing skills, recording a big-time throw, a turnover-worthy play, and an impressive average depth of target of 10.0 yards.

These impressive performances by rookies in the first week of the NFL preseason highlight their potential and eagerness to make an impact in their respective teams. As the preseason progresses, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how these young players continue to develop and contribute to their teams' success.