2023 Bama in the NFL Tracker: 5 Takeaways from NFL Preseason Week 1

It's the first full slate of NFL preseason games. What former Alabama players got their first reps with their new teams? Who else saw playing time?

5 Takeaways from NFL Preseason Week 1:

• The Panthers offensive line is going to need to improve drastically. Bryce Young only played three series for Carolina and completed four of his six passes for just 21 yards. Young was under duress it seemed every time he dropped back to pass, even taking some pretty rough-looking hits on three of his seven dropbacks, including a blind-side hit from a 290-pound defensive lineman on his first pass of the day. After the game, Panthers left tackle Ickey Ekwonu said, "He shouldn't be getting hit at all. At the end of the day, that is on us (as an offensive line). We weren't good enough today.”
• Alabama bolstered its claim to "DBU" with several Crimson Tide defensive backs making big plays. DeMarcco Hellams secured a pick on a batted ball for the Falcons. Eli Ricks also secured his first interception for the Eagles and returned it for a pick-six against the Baltimore Ravens. Brian Branch laid a big hit on Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley, stopping him behind the line of scrimmage. Alabama already had a pretty good claim to the title, and it appears that the latest round of defensive backs are going to be pretty good as well. 
• Speaking of Detroit, Jahmyr Gibbs is going to be a huge weapon for Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions this season. The running back only played a couple of series for Detroit but totaled six rushes for 19 yards and one reception for 18 yards. His value is best when he is used as a primary receiving back, but he can also hold his own on outside runs. Gibbs should make his money in the NFL when used in a similar role to the Saints' Alvin Kamara, who many people compared Gibbs to during the pre-draft process.
• The Patriots quarterback controversy has seemingly been put to bed. Head coach Bill Belichick stated that every offseason players had to prove themselves and re-establish themselves as starters, very similar to how Alabama head coach Nick Saban runs his teams during spring and fall camp. With those comments during the 2023 NFL Draft, some Patriots veterans had seemed reluctant to endorse Mac Jones and the starter, with safety Adrian Phillips claiming: "We'll ride with whoever is out there." Prior to the first preseason game, Belichick claimed that the Patriots "starters" would not be playing in the game, giving some idea what their depth chart looks like. Jones did not play.
• Terrell Lewis may just be working his way onto the 53-man roster with the Chicago Bears. Lewis played a lot of snaps totaled two sacks, two tackles, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. Lewis has had an injury-plagued career so he still has to show he can stay healthy. He already has a Super Bowl ring with the Rams from Super Bowl LVI, and looks like he could be a real threat off the edge for the Bears. 

Click on the following link for updated NFL preseason Week 1 statistics of former Crimson Tide players:

The first full weekend of NFL preseason games , with DeMeco Ryans taking the Houston Texans to New England for his first game as a head coach on Thursday evening. On Saturday, Bryce Young, the first-overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, figures to make his debut. All he'll have to do is avoid Quinnen Williams and C.J. Mosley with the New York Jets. 

NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview

• Many starters for the New England Patriots, including former Alabama players Mac Jones and Christian Barmore, are not expected to play in the Patriots preseason opener against the Houston Texans. While Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks about open competition across all positions on his team, especially given the quarterback drama in New England last season, this move confirms that he is at least willing to ride with Jones early in the season, showing some confidence in his third-year starter. However, we might get a good look at two former Alabama linebackers on the defensive side: edge rusher Anfernee Jennings and inside linebacker Mack Wilson.

• The Texans will operate a little differently from the Patriots. Many of their key players are incredibly young, with three projected starters being rookies, including starting quarterback CJ Stroud. Former Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. should make his debut, but how long will he play? If he performs anything close to what he did during scrimmages and spring games at Alabama, Houston will more than likely pull Anderson pretty early to minimize the injury risk.

• The Miami Dolphins will open their preseason at home against the Atlanta Falcons, but head coach Mike McDaniel is unsure on whether to play the starters or not. Could we potentially see Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle? Even if they do play, it would like be for just a couple of series because of how early it is in the preseason. More than likely, the Dolphins will be able to get a long look at two other Alabama players: offensive lineman Lester Cotton Sr. and defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, who signed earlier in the week. Both are fighting for a roster spot, so preseason reps could be key to swaying the competition in their favor. If starters do not play for Miami, it is unlikely that defensive tackle Raekwon Davis will do much either.

• For the Falcons, they have two former Alabama players trying to make their roster: Slade Bolden and DeMarcco Hellams. Hellams should see more playing time than several of his counterparts as he’s a rookie and needs to get acclimated to NFL speeds. Bolden on the other hand will have his work cut out for him to make the roster. If he can perform well during the preseason games it’ll help build his case to land a spot in the crowded Falcons wide receiver room.

• After numerous practice videos, interviews, pictures, and hype, the debut weekend is finally here for Young and the Carolina Panthers. The quarterback will start the preseason game against the Jets, giving him his first taste of NFL action. Will he play a lot? It's doubtful, but he should get a few series as the Panthers begin to ramp up for the start of the regular season. For the Jets, the only starter that is guaranteed to not play this weekend is quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Young could play some against Mosley and Williams, who could potentially provide the rookie's "Welcome to the NFL" moment. 

How to Watch NFL Preseason Week 1

Thursday's Games

Houston Texans at New England Patriots, 6 p.m. CT, NFL Network
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks, 9 p.m., NFL Network

Friday's Games

New York Giants at Detroit Lions, 6 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6 p.m.
Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals, 6 p.m., NFL Network
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins, 6 p.m.
Washington Commanders at Cleveland Browns, 6:30 p.m.
Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals, 9:00, NFL Network

Saturday's Games
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears, noon, NFL Network
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills, noon
New York Jets at Carolina Panthers, 3 p.m, NFL Network
Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys, 4 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens, 6 p.m., NFL Network
Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams, 8 p.m. NFL Network

Sunday's Games
Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints, noon, NFL Network
San Fransisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders, 3 p.m., NFL Network

See Also:

Bama in the NFL Database

Active Alabama Crimson Players in the NFL

All-Time Alabama Crimson Tide Players in the NFL