Pre-season Wk 1 Winners and Losers

Winners:

Davis Money Mills- I feel like any time Mills takes the field he just proves that he's a quality backup QB and could honestly probably start for a handful of teams and be a moderate upgrade for them. He's got a good feel for this system and I think the EHP/Rams hybrid system will really suit his skills well.

Braxton Berrios- I think he showed his usefulness both on ST and as a backup WR. Good feel in space on offense, clean catches, fought for extra yards. Good showing.

Ed Ingram- Honestly, of everyone, he really surprised me the most. Watching him in Minnesota last year when we acquired him, I saw a mauler in the run game and a guy who was inconsistent and sloppy with his technique in the pass game. Today, he looked like the second round pick he was. Moved his feet well, got good push in the run game and no penalties. For his sake, I hope he can keep it up.

Juice Scruggs- I maintain I think Juice is a good player who was asked to do things he wasn't good at, and today showed that again. Of the first team unit I think he was the best performer. I'm not a Laken Tomlinson fan by any means but if something were to happen to Tomlinson, I'd feel great about Juice as a backup G.

Woody Marks + Jawhar Jordan- I think both ran hard and saw the holes well. But mainly, both picked up their assignments and both pass protected at a level I was very happy with. Hopefully one or both make the roster and Dare is gone, since that's really what value Dare has on offense. Both guys can catch just as well, if not better out of the backfield, and both have more wiggle than Dare. I don't really care that he's good on special teams or that he's the backup kicker. There's plenty of defenders and receivers we can keep for ST and if Ka'imi goes down we're doomed anyway.

John Metchie III- Really made the most of his opportunities. He probably could've caught that back shoulder/underthrown ball to the vikings sideline but that was a tough play regardless. He was dependable and sat down with awareness of the sticks.

Jaylin Noel- I think he showed what he was advertised as. Reliable hands, good YAC ability.

EJ Speed- He was all over the place and tbh quite imposing on defense. There's a GREAT coverage LB hiding deep down in there somewhere but I don't think he has the fluidity to really maximize it.

Jamal Hill- Honestly, he surprised me a lot. Played downhill, didn't get lost in space and showed great effort. His role, if he does make the team, will be primarily on special teams- but I think in a pinch, he could finish a game at LB.

Solomon Byrd- Multiple pressures. Didn't get washed in the run game. Positive start for someone I expect to crack the backup DE rotation and possibly beat out Dylan Horton for that position.

Losers:

Zach Thomas- This guy has slower feet than Chris Clark did my goodness. He got worked on the edge almost every snap. If he makes the roster as a reserve tackle or, god forbid, the swing tackle- we are well and truly cooked.

Blake Fisher- Idk what Pop is doing with Blake but there was at least two plays where he's playing with so much lean in pass pro, you'd think he's doing a sled drill. There's still so much promise there but this was NOT a good showing from him. Plus another false start.

D'Angelo Ross- Got cooked all game. You can't be small AND slow and he was a step behind the vikings WRs almost every rep. Especially their first TD drive. Just on measurables alone, I think he's got some ground to make up on Myles Bryant for one of the backup outside spots.

Jake Hansen- I think his physical limitations showed a lot today. He was late and slow to a few plays he could've made and his one designed pressure (it was mostly Togai's fault for losing contain but Hansen still could've made the play). He still did make his share of plays but he left a lot out there.

Casey Toohill- I've never seen a pass rusher with worse tools. He has no power, no speed and no bend. I feel like he got the most snaps of anyone on defense aside from the safeties and he was so ineffective.