This was easily my second favorite game to watch and scout from the Week 1 preseason slate. Why? Because there were so many rookies to get a first glimpse at—most of them on the Ravens, and almost all of them non-first-round Dynasty Rookie Draft (DRD) projections or late-round/undrafted prospects. We are getting deep into the weeds here, and I love it! This is what I live for: scouting UDFA rookie running backs and all kinds of players that I’ve never heard of. I track almost every rookie entering the league, but a few always slip through the cracks or get initially overlooked. When one of those guys starts showing something in an NFL preseason game, it’s time to get to work.
There were so many rookie takeaways from this game that I originally planned a video shoot with my co-host, Ross, to react to my notes. The concept was simple: Ross hadn't watched the tape yet, so he would give his raw, real-time reactions and ask follow-up questions based on my first-hand scouting report. Unfortunately, Ross couldn't make it, but I had all my notes ready and didn't want to waste the momentum. I decided to shoot a two-part solo breakdown instead (one video covering the Eagles rookies, followed by a second video covering the Ravens group). Those videos are currently in editing and will be available to watch on Friday and Saturday.
In addition to shooting the commentary videos, I ran my run-on, rambling audio I was speaking in the video through a speech-to-text platform so AI could help synthesize my raw thoughts into a concise written summary report. You can read the full player breakdown generated from that transcript below!
As for the game itself, it was backups versus backups with a heavy rotation of rookies. From a macro team perspective, the biggest takeaway was just how much deeper and better executed this Baltimore roster is compared to Philadelphia. The Ravens were clearly the better-coached, higher-energy, and more talented group across every wave of backups they put on the field.
From a non-rookie perspective, there wasn't much to write home about. Andy Dalton looked rough, Tanner McKee didn't generate much spark, Tank Bigsby logged a few meaningless touches, Darius Cooper had a quiet outing, and Hollywood Brown didn't offer any major splash plays. The real value of this game tape was our first live look at the incoming rookie class—and that's where we'll focus in the player scouting report below.
Player Notes...
Here’s the GEMINI summary of my video shoots...
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Cole Payton (QB)
Scouting Takeaway: Disappointing / Flat Debut
Evaluation: Payton got into the game late after Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. While he has a good frame, solid size, and average-to-above-average arm strength when he can step into his throws, his performance fell flat. In college at North Dakota State, his superior athleticism allowed him to take off like a fullback whenever his first read wasn't there. In his NFL debut, that habit resurfaced—he relied heavily on "first-read-then-run" mechanics rather than working through progressions or making tight-window throws. While he looks better as a pure passer than someone like Jalen Milroe, he currently resembles a lesser version of Tim Tebow or a Taysom Hill developmental project. He did not show the immediate spark you want to see from a late-round quarterback, though long-term improvement remains possible.
Eli Stowers (TE)
Scouting Takeaway: Major Red Flag / Strong "Sell" Candidate
Evaluation: Stowers showed deeply concerning signs on tape. Despite high-end athleticism and an elite Combine performance that suggested potential as a pass-catching weapon, he played tentative, cautious, and passive. Coming off the line, his route running looked uninspired and stiff compared to his college tape. Most glaringly, he appeared hesitant around contact—cowering, turning his shoulders, and bracing for impact rather than playing with power or aggressiveness. He caught three passes where he was open, but offered zero creation or yards after the catch and was easy to bring down. His tape mirrored the early preseason red flags of players like Caleb Johnson or Jaydn Blue from last season. Given the mounting negative reports out of training camp, the immediate recommendation is to trade or divest from Stowers in fantasy/Dynasty formats before his stock drops completely.
(I really spent a while talking on the video about this situation and what I’d exactly do for Dynasty to trade him away where I already drafted him, FYI. It reads weird in transcript, it’s better to listen to if you’re interested.)
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Joe Fagnano (QB)
Scouting Takeaway: Positive / Polished Emergency Depth
Evaluation: Fagan delivered a solid, composed performance that aligned with his positive college traits. He looked comfortable in the pocket, displayed sound mechanics, and processed the defense well against Philadelphia’s backups. While he lacks elite size or a canon arm, his field vision and poise stood out—looking significantly more refined in the pocket than Cole Payton. He projects as a competent, Kirk Cousins/Davis Mills style game-manager who provides solid depth without disrupting the locker room.
Matthew Hibner & Josh Cuevas (TE)
Scouting Takeaway: Functional Depth / Limited Ceiling
Evaluation: Hibner flashed early by running a clean wheel route against a linebacker and making a nice downfield catch on a ball thrown right on the money. However, his overall athletic profile is average (comparable to mid-round tight ends like Eli Raridon or Max Klare). Neither Hibner nor Cuevas possess high-end star power or dynamic athleticism, operating primarily as functional depth for 12-personnel, blocking, and special teams. Despite social media buzz, Hibner is not a threat to displace Mark Andrews and offers minimal immediate fantasy upside.
Adam Randall (RB)
Scouting Takeaway: Encouraging / Developmental Direction
Evaluation: Converting from wide receiver to running back at Clemson, Randall (6'2", 220+ lbs) historically relied on raw speed and size rather than traditional running back vision or intuition. In his NFL debut, he showed positive growth. While he still has a tendency to run like a smaller finesse back rather than fully utilizing his size to break tackles, his vision and comfort in the backfield looked improved. Given his athletic profile and developmental leash as an draft pick backed directly by ownership, his progression is moving in the right direction. He remains an intriguing long-term dynasty hold with potential upside as a power/passing-down hybrid.
Elijah Surratt (WR)
Scouting Takeaway: Higher Floor Possible / Professional Role Player Likely
Evaluation: Surratt put together a dependable, professional performance that mirrored his college profile. He operates as a reliable, high-floor target who runs clean routes and catches everything thrown his way. While he lacks the explosive athleticism to become a primary fantasy star, he projects as a valuable real-world NFL receiver in the mold of a Jauan Jennings or Devon Allen—someone a coaching staff can trust in the rotation as a #2 or #3 option.
Ja’Kobi Lane (WR)
Scouting Takeaway: Intriguing Long-Term Prospect / Smooth Hands
Evaluation: Despite pre-draft concerns regarding his long-speed and separation ability, Lane stood out on tape by consistently finding soft spots in coverage and displaying exceptionally smooth hands. At 6'4", 200 lbs, he plays with a polished, low-drop style reminiscent of Jakobi Meyers, Pat Bryant, or early Romeo Doubs. While his thin frame raises questions about how he will handle physical press coverage, his ability to get open and make difficult catches is evident. His fantasy ceiling may be capped in the short term due to system fit and the multi-year development timeline typical of receivers with his profile, but his functional football skill is higher than his raw testing metrics suggest.
GAME & TEAM OVERVIEW
- Eagles Overview: The performance was flat and lacked energy across the board, highlighted by developmental struggles at quarterback and concerning passivity from key offensive rookies.
- Ravens Overview: Under Jesse Miller’s new coaching staff, Baltimore played with exceptional crispness, high energy, and professional execution. Their depth players dominated the second half, showing a stark difference in play style and preparation compared to Philadelphia.
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