2025 NFL preseason, Week 2: What We Learned from Friday's doubleheader

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• READ: Cam Ward, Titans offense sputter over first three series

Grant Gordon's takeaways:

1. Falcons rookies show promise on D. The Falcons’ top 2025 draft pick, Jalon Walker, didn’t play on Friday, but fellow first-rounder James Pearce Jr. and third-round safety Xavier Watts got plenty of run. Both got 20-plus snaps in the first half and played into the second. Competing for a starting safety spot next to Jessie Bates, Watts had a pair of tackles and looked solid roaming the field. Pearce, meanwhile, had three QB pressures and four tackles, with his biggest play coming when he nearly got around the edge to Brandon Allen and hurried the QB into a throw intercepted by Natrone Brooks. Aiming to improve a defense that was ranked 23rd overall last season, Atlanta looks as though it could be heavily impacted by some young guns. 
2. Cam needs some help at WR. In the Titans’ preseason opener, Cam Ward’s instant chemistry with Calvin Ridley was evident and Tyler Lockett had a few plays in which he showed he’s still got some left in the tank. However, with both on the sidelines Friday, it was clear the Titans have a dearth of talent in the receiving corps. Rookie Elic Ayomanor had a nice 35-yard pickup for Ward and had another grab for 12 yards. Veteran Van Jefferson, who projects as a potential No. 3, had a big drop, though, and the cupboard’s quite bare beyond that. Rookie tight end Gunnar Helm hauled in a touchdown from Brandon Allen and the fourth-rounder, pegged to back up Chig Okonkwo, could be one to watch. Quite simply, though, Ward, who hasn’t thrown a touchdown in five preseason series, cannot rely on Ridley alone. 

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Christian Gonzales' takeaways:

1. Darnold, Seahawk starters in midseason form. The Sam Darnold era in Seattle got underway Friday night against the Chiefs. In the QB’s first action with his new team, Darnold executed Klint Kubiak's offensive to perfection. He found his receivers quickly out of the pocket against a few Chief starters and connected with four different receivers on the drive. With Darnold leading the Seahawks offense down the field, Zach Charbonnet put the finishing touches on the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run up the middle. Darnold and the Seahawks starters completed a 10-play, 81-drive, and their night was over. It was a positive outing for Darnold (4-of-4 passing for 34 yards) and a good sight for the 12’s to know their new starting QB appears to be ready for Week 1 action.
2. Tonyan makes most of opportunity. Tight end Robert Tonyan had a nice showing as the veteran addition is looking to solidify a spot in the Chiefs' TE room. He surely made his case. On a third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Gardner Minshew was forced to scramble to his right and managed to sneak the ball to Tonyan, who quickly faked a Seahawks defender for a score. He finished the night with five receptions for 41 yards. Listed as the fourth-string TE on Kansas City’s depth chart, Tonyan is certainly fighting for a spot behind Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and rookie Jake Briningstool. After playing for three different squads in the NFC North over the course of the last three seasons, Tonyan made his case that he could contribute when called upon.