NFL Hokies: Preseason Week 1 recap

BLACKSBURG – Football is officially back, and along with it the weekly NFL Hokies updates. Week 1 of the preseason has wrapped up, with two more to go before the official kickoff. Presented by Coca-Cola, this week’s edition of NFL Hokies highlights former Virginia Tech players in the pros as they attempt to secure a spot on the official 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 season. 

Notable Preseason Week 1 Performances 

DB Terrell Edmunds 
In his new role as a Jaguar, Edmunds is quickly making an impact, earning Pro Football Focus (PFF) Defensive Player of the Week honors and a spot on the PFF NFL Team of the Week, against the Super Bowl LVIII champion Chiefs. Edmunds delivered several big hits, including one that forced a fumble, and allowed just six yards in coverage while recording two stops (tackles resulting in offensive failure). The former Steelers safety earned a 92.8 PFF grade on 25 snaps, highlighted by two forced fumbles in coverage. Notably, his second forced fumble came on a third-and-12 play with 12:20 left in the game, where he closed a 14-yard gap to knock the ball loose at the point of catch. 

RB Khalil Herbert  
One of Chicago's top running backs, Khalil Herbert, was featured in the Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibition game where the Bears faced the Texans. Herbert led the team with 35 rushing yards on four carries, contributing to the Bears' 21-17 victory over the 2023 AFC South champions. The two-time 2023 FedEx Ground Player of the Week notched a 19-yard pickup for his longest rush of the game. In the official preseason Week 1 matchup against the Bills, the former Hokie had a decent performance with nine carries for 31 yards in a dominant 33-9 win. 

T Christian Darrisaw 
Christian Darrisaw secured his future with the Vikings, signing a four-year extension worth up to $113 million in July. In the team’s 24-23 win over the Raiders, Darrisaw posted an impressive 82.7 pass-blocking grade and a 65.5 overall offensive grade. This continues the former Hokie’s strong form from 2023, when PFF ranked him third in pass-blocking among offensive linemen who played at least 50% of their team's offensive snaps. 

G Wyatt Teller  
Two-time Pro Bowler Wyatt Teller returned to action for Cleveland in their matchup against Green Bay, earning an impressive 80.2 pass-blocking grade to open the season, per PFF. A crucial part of the Browns' offensive line, Teller wrapped up the game with a solid 60.2 overall offensive grade, showcasing his continued reliability upfront. 

TE James Mitchell 
James Mitchell, entering his third season with Detroit, contributed to the team's recent matchup against the New York Giants, securing his lone target for an 11-yard reception. Beyond receiving, Mitchell demonstrated higher value in blocking, earning a 72.1 pass-blocking grade and a 63.2 run-blocking grade, according to PFF. His effectiveness in pass protection demonstrates how he can contribute to Detroit’s offensive stability, by giving the quarterback more time in the pocket and creating better rushing lanes looking ahead to the 2024 season.  

Featured Preseason Matchups 

Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs: Saturday, Aug. 17 at 4:00 p.m. ET   
As James Mitchell sees preseason action, an intriguing former Hokie matchup to watch is the Lions vs. Chiefs. Mitchell will go head-to-head with Chamarri Conner, who enters his second season as a safety for Kansas City with a Super Bowl title to his name. This clash between two ex-Hokies adds an extra layer of excitement, with Mitchell testing his skills against Conner in a key preseason showdown. 

Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns: Saturday, Aug. 17 at 4:25 p.m. ET   
The Vikings and Browns are set to face off for the first time since 2021, bringing a head-to-head showdown between two standout offensive linemen and former Hokies, Darrisaw and Teller. Both players earned pass-blocking grades above 80 from PFF in the first week of the preseason, making this matchup a must-watch as fans can see how their elite skills, honed at Virginia Tech, stack up on the field. 

Washington Commanders at Miami Dolphins: Saturday, Aug. 17 at 7:00 p.m. ET   
Washington enters their second preseason game under new leadership, with rookie signee Norell Pollard looking to make an impact. Pollard will face a former Commander, Kendall Fuller, now with Miami. Washington will be eager to rebound from a tough 45-15 regular season loss in 2023 as they seek a victory this time around.