Early NFL check: ex-Buckeye star struggles; Viking vet looks good

In a long-awaited return to NFL action, four teams met in a double-header of preseason games Thursday night. The first in-game reps in quite some time brought with them some surprising performances.

Best Performances

QB Nick Mullens (MIN)

With regular starter Kirk Cousins not suiting up for the Vikings, Mullens received the bulk of the workload as a signal-caller, and lived up to expectations, going 14/20 for 139 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception or taking a sack. He looked great stepping up in the pocket, and was efficient throwing the ball. Mullens is no threat to the job of Cousins, but he may have secured the backup QB job with his performance, beating out rookie Jaren Hall, who had a bumpier debut.

QB Davis Mills (HOU)

Mills was accurate all night long for the Texans, despite being under heavy pressure thanks to a banged-up, inexperienced offensive line. He was one of three Houston QBs to take snaps in the 20-9 victory, but looked to be the best of the three, consistently putting balls on the money. He went 9/12 for 99 yards and a TD.

WR Tank Dell (HOU)

The most prolific non-QB of the night was the rookie Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, who appeared to be a nightmare for opposing cornerbacks. He was running free in the secondary all night, and despite an inconsistent passing attack, caught five of his eight targets for 65 yards. He even notched a touchdown, thanks to an impressive bobbling catch made from the ground in the end zone.

Worst

QB CJ Stroud (HOU)

It isn’t at all fair to judge the second-overall pick based on his debut performance, but it still wasn’t pretty.

All eyes were on Stroud to open the game, and he answered by going 2/4 for 13 yards and an ugly interception over two drives. However, it was his first game action and he was passing from behind a patchwork offensive line, so his performance is by no means a telltale sign of what’s to come. Nevertheless, his play didn’t necessarily “wow” any viewers.

QB Trace McSorley (NE)

Attempting to make his third roster as a newly-acquired Patriot, McSorley earned two drives at the end of the third quarter to prove himself.

However, going 1/3 with just a 4-yard completion to show for his efforts. In the meantime, undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham was given a handful of reps, and looked more than viable as a dual-threat option. With Cunningham playing his way onto a roster already dominated by Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, McSorley may now be the odd man out.

Pre-season games continue tonight.