1. Jacob Thomas, Vikings
15. Trebor Pena, Jaguars

Top 15 Highest Graded NFL Rookies This Preseason⬇️https://t.co/HW1FjvWPxL

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 26, 2026

With the second full slate of games in the NFL preseason in the books, it’s time to take a look at which rookies have impressed the most so far. This is a list that we will update on a weekly basis throughout preseason, and will modify the snap threshold accordingly each week. For this week, a player must have been on the field for at least 30 snaps so far this preseason.

Here are the highest-graded rookies in the NFL after preseason Week 2.

* 1. S Jacob Thomas, Minnesota Vikings: 92.2

The highest-graded rookie in the NFL through the first two weeks of preseason, Thomas has earned a 90.9 PFF coverage grade and a 72.4 PFF run-defense grade. He has made three tackles resulting in a defensive stop and recorded an interception and a pass breakup.

2. QB Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals: 91.7

Beck hasn’t played since the Hall of Fame Game that saw him generate a 91.7 PFF grade and produce three big-time throws with no turnover-worthy plays. However, he saw enough snaps in that game to qualify for this list for at least another week.

3. T Diego Pounds, Baltimore Ravens: 90.9

Pounds is the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL so far this preseason. He has been on the field for 15 pass-blocking snaps and has yet to allow a sack hit or hurry. He’s also produced a 91.1 PFF run-blocking grade on 19 run-blocking snaps.

4. QB Athan Kaliakmanis, Washington Commanders: 90.8

Kaliakmanis followed up a solid debut against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 with an even better showing in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. So far this preseason, he is averaging 10.4 yards per attempt and has an 8.0% big-time throw rate.

5. WR De’Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers: 90.0

Stribling is tied for fourth among all NFL players with 13 targets so far this preseason. He has been targeted early in games, and has caught 11 passes for 109 yards while averaging 4.95 yards per route run.

6. WR Camden Brown, Dallas Cowboys, 89.7

Browns ranks fourth among all wide receivers to see five targets with a 5.15 yards-per-route-run average this preseason. He has caught five passes for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

7. RB Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders: 88.5

Washington leads all NFL running backs with at least five preseason carries with a 90.3 PFF rushing grade. He is averaging 7.9 yards per carry, with 7.1 of those yards coming after contact. He has also forced six missed tackles, tied for fifth among running backs.

8. CB Chandler Rivers, Baltimore Ravens: 88.4

Rivers, a fifth-round pick out of Duke, has impressed through two preseason games. On the field for 40 coverage snaps, he has been targeted six times but allowed only two receptions for six yards while recording a pair of pass breakups. He has allowed an NFL passer rating of just 42.4.

* 9. LB Bangally Kamara, Minnesota Vikings: 87.0

Kamara has been all over the field through two preseason games, particularly as a run defender, where he has earned an 86.4 PFF grade. He has yet to miss a tackle and has recorded nine tackles resulting in a defensive stop, leading all players in preseason.

10. CB Ayden Garnes, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 86.9

Garnes has compiled a 90.4 PFF coverage grade so far this preseason, having been targeted seven times from 53 coverage snaps. He has surrendered four receptions for 54 yards, but has given up an NFL passer rating of just 42.3. He has yet to allow a touchdown while recording a pass breakup and interception.

11. T Albert Reese IV, Carolina Panthers: 86.5

Reese has played 140 snaps so far this preseason, all at right tackle, with the Mississippi State undrafted free agent registering a 92.6 PFF run-blocking grade that leads all offensive lineman. He has also been solid in pass protection, giving up just two hurries from 104 pass-blocking snaps.

12. G  Fernando Carmona, Tennessee Titans: 86.3

A fifth-round pick out of Arkansas, Carmona has seen 47 snaps so far this preseason, with all of them coming at right guard. He has merited PFF grades above 80.0 both as a run-blocker and in pass protection, and has allowed just one pressure from 31 pass-blocking snaps.

13. CB Mory Bamba, New York Jets: 86.0

Bamba didn’t play this week, but suited up on enough snaps the previous week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to keep his spot on this list. He was targeted 10 times from just 29 coverage snaps, allowing 54 yards on four receptions, but came away with a pair of pass breakups and two tackles resulting in a defensive stop.

14. EDGE Cameron Robertson, Arizona Cardinals: 84.9

An undrafted free agent out of SMU, Robertson has racked up seven total pressures from 50 pass-rushing snaps through three preseason games. He has tallied three tackles resulting in a defensive stop, with all three coming in the recent game against the Dallas Cowboys that saw him finish with a 90.1 PFF grade.

15. WR Trebor Pena, Jacksonville Jaguars: 84.9

An undrafted free agent out of Penn State, Pena has caught seven of the eight passes thrown his way this preseason, totalling 130 yards and a touchdown. He has averaged 6.84 yards per route run, the best mark among all players in the NFL with at least five preseason targets.

I was watching this last week during joint practice, and there was a few times that the ball would barely leave the dirt when Brandel was doing shotgun snaps off to the side with coaches. https://t.co/GxRvqARmX3

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 26, 2026

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2092610996481216631?s=20

Ok. This is getting worrisome.

JustInTime wrote:

Ok. This is getting worrisome.

or clickbait. Haven't heard anyone else report this.

JustInTime wrote:

https://twitter.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2092660552258433111

I guess I'm not surprised...Gives him a chance to put some more recent tape out for other teams

Say what now

So, he’ll play if healthy.

Gotcha

JustInTime wrote:

https://twitter.com/vikingzfanpage/status/2092674773742411887Say what now

LIVE: Head Coach Kevin O'Connell talks to the media https://t.co/HmkiJTfinH

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2026

Kevin O'Connell provides updates on OL Caleb Tiernan, S Theo Jackson and QB J.J. McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/bTBaUIMaqG

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2026

Kevin O'Connell on the growth of @UnoErra pic.twitter.com/cOpkSE4Cw8

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2026

Kevin O'Connell discusses the versatility of the OLBs pic.twitter.com/Y7xzc0ZWOJ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2026

"I challenge these guys to go help be elevators of whatever group they're in with on offense." - Kevin O'Connell pic.twitter.com/DQIZPKWFE8

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2026

Best story in the NFL right now. https://t.co/DnKSAxUaIX

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 26, 2026

It’ll be a rest day for J.J. McCarthy today, Kevin O’Connell said. The #Vikings split the reps with McCarthy and Carson Wentz to take it easy on McCarthy’s ankle, O’Connell said. They’ve wanted him to start the final preseason game; they’ll work through the week and see if that’s…

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) August 26, 2026

Kevin O’Connell on J.J. McCarthy’s ankle, QB plan for Friday night’s game

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy won’t practice on Wednesday as he continues recovering from a minor ankle injury he picked up in last Saturday’s preseason game. If McCarthy progresses well over the next couple days, he could still start Friday night’s preseason finale in Denver, Kevin O’Connell said.

“We’re gonna give him a rest day today to see if we can put the ankle behind him,” O’Connell said. “He’s gotten some work. We split the reps yesterday just to not overload him. All along, really wanted him to be able to start this final preseason game. We’ll work off of that. If we feel good about getting him those really important reps, we will.”

McCarthy got banged up in an up-and-down first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium that saw him take several hits from Ravens defenders, including a couple hits down low. The status of his ankle was likely a factor in McCarthy splitting second-team reps with Carson Wentz on Tuesday, which generated some buzz when it was reported.

O’Connell said after Saturday’s game that he was hoping to get McCarthy another series in the second quarter, but felt the right decision for his health was to take him out. If possible, he’d like to get McCarthy more valuable reps on Friday against the Broncos.

“I think these reps are important for him,” O’Connell said. “To go out there and move the ball, move the team, put the ball in the end zone. That’s the goal. But also, if we can’t get him there, we can’t get him there.”

O’Connell described McCarthy’s injury as a “deltoid sprain.”

“It’s not a high ankle,” he said. “It’s just a deltoid sprain, I guess you’d call it. That’s as medical as I can get for you. He actually came in feeling pretty good after the game, and there’s just some things he’s had to work through this week.”

Health aside, there’s been plenty of speculation about whether McCarthy or Carson Wentz will enter the season as the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback. Wentz, who has been significantly more effective than McCarthy through the first two preseason games, is expected to play on Friday. QB4 Max Brosmer figures to again see plenty of second-half reps — and perhaps even more if McCarthy doesn’t play.

“We’re still working through the full plan, but as of right now, yes I do (expect to see Wentz),” O’Connell said.

As for who will be Kyler Murray’s backup on September 13 against the Packers, O’Connell said they’ll assess the situation and make the decision that’s best for the team.

The Vikings and Broncos play at 8 p.m. central time on Friday.

No surprise here. Caleb Banks is still learning how to use his frame, and it's not going to be fully figured out anytime soon.

With that said, the wins are ridiculous https://t.co/LTWmKFONa5

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) August 26, 2026

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell says he’s been in contact with S Harrison Smith. No update there. Still undecided. But given S depth, it’s relevant and important right now.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 26, 2026