Packers Preseason Week 1: Packers defeat Texans 28-26 at Lambeau

Both the Packers and Texans rested nearly all of their starters in their preseason opener so there wasn't a lot of good football to watch. Almost everyone on the field is inexperienced and fighting for their NFL careers. Also, a starting QB match-up between Joe Webb (it's amazing he's still being given chances at NFL QB) and DeShone Kizer isn't must-see TV. If you're wondering how the Kizer Project is going, Tim Boyle still looks clearly better than him.

But almost all of their top 2019 draft choices played so it was a good opportunity to get a first look at them.

What stood out to you in this first #Packers preseason game? - @Bill_Michaels and @GaryEllerson pic.twitter.com/3lU5nwVYEq

— 105.7FM The FAN (@1057FMTheFan) August 9, 2019

1st round: LB Rashan Gary. He looked fine, but when Reggie Gilbert came in to sub for him, the two were almost indistinguishable. I like Gilbert, but he didn't show much last regular season when given an expanded role and I was expecting a lot more from a high first round pick (Gary) than a former undrafted free agent (Gilbert). Late in the game, undrafted rookie free agent Randy Ramsey got a huge sack from Gary's position over the right tackle, however, the Texans also left Ramsey completely unblocked.

1st round: S Darnell Savage. He played deep safety alongside Raven Greene (who's become a favorite bench player) during the 1st quarter so he was off the screen for most of his time on the field. Greene had a bigger impact because the Texans were throwing more to his side and he also forced a fumble on running back Taiwan Jones.  Nothing much to report, I hope the coaches liked the little they saw from him.

2nd round: OL Elgton Jenkins. I still don't believe in free agent OG Billy Turner (who didn't play along with most of the other veterans) and hope Jenkins wins the job at right guard. Instead he might win OG Lane Taylor's job at left guard, Taylor was one of the few veterans who did play against the Texans so his job might be in danger. On a side note, I thought Taylor was so bad during the 2016 preseason that he was going to be released then, instead they released Josh Sitton and gave Taylor the starting job, so I haven't been a Taylor fan for a while. Jenkins looked pretty good at getting a push on running plays and holding his ground in pass protection while playing at both center and guard. However, since Jenkins played into the 3rd quarter, and played at two positions, it looks like he's being groomed as the #1 backup interior lineman instead of as a starter.

3rd round: TE Jace Sternberger. He didn't play after taking a big hit during the a joint practice with the Texans earlier this week. In a bit of karma, during the preseason game, Tim Boyle threw a touchdown pass to WR Allen Lazard while Texans CB Lonnie Johnson (who hit Sternberger and then flexed over him) was in coverage on him.

I won't go into detail with the rest of the undrafted rookies and remaining 2019 draft choices. DT Kingsley Keke had a nice game, he showed he can be a rotational guy who can provide an inside rush against less offensive lineman (it's hard to judge him since the Texans' OL is so bad). Preseason results aren't a measure of whether a player will make the team. Though preseason dropped passes (WR J'Mon Moore) or fumbles (RB Darrin Hall) make it clear why someone was released.