As the preseason continues to unfold, offensive and defensive gems who shined will be a new series on Fans First Sports Network.

The goal is to analyze five offensive and defensive gems from a selection of the 32 NFL franchises each week of preseason action and then do the same thing when the regular season arrives.

In this first segment, two safeties, two linebackers, and a defensive end take the list.

RAVENS’ LB TRENTON SIMPSON:

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson needs all of the hype and excitement he can get. The former third-round draft selection from 2023 is looking to make a splash on defense in his second year with the team.

Simpson registered 11 total tackles, five solo and six assisted in the team’s 16-13 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Simpson must continue to make plays in the coming weeks and this first preseason game was a good step in the right direction.

CHARGERS’ LB NICK NIEMANN:

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Nick Niemann is entering his fourth season after being selected in the sixth round in 2021. Niemann has a career 66 total tackles (38 solo, 28 assisted) and one interception.

In the Chargers’ 16-3 preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Niemann was all over the field. He finished with 12 total tackles, nine solo and three assisted, and one sack.

BROWNS’ SAFETY BRADY BREEZE:

The Cleveland Browns signed safety Brady Breeze this offseason. Breeze is looking to solidify an NFL roster after being on a multitude of NFL teams since entering the league in 2021.

Breeze finished the first preseason game with his new team by registering 11 total tackles, seven solo and four assisted in a 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Breeze also captured a sack and was flying all over the place, displaying confidence and leadership in the secondary.

BEARS’ DE AUSTIN BOOKER:

Chicago Bears rookie defensive end Austin Booker shined in limited playing time against the Buffalo Bills. Booker captured five total tackles, four solo and one assisted along with 2.5 sacks.

Booker was selected in the fifth round of this year’s draft and if he continues to play as well as he did on Saturday, expect more playing time as the preseason and even regular season progresses.

DOLPHINS’ SAFETY PATRICK McMORIS: 

Miami Dolphins safety Patrick McMorris made some splash plays in his first ever NFL game. McMorris registered eight total tackles, seven solo and one assisted along with a pass deflection. The youthful 22-year-old safety from California made his mark after being selected in this year’s draft in the sixth round.

McMorris will need to continue to shine as the preseason goes on if he wants to solidify a spot on the 53-man NFL regular season roster. If not, he will be placed on the practice squad and must work hard to get back into the thick of things.

WRAP-UP: 

These are five defensive gems who shined during week one of the NFL preseason. Look for more gems articles next week as we tackle preseason week two.