The first preseason game of 2024 is officially in the books for New Orleans Saints and ended on a high note with a narrow, 16-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals that came down to the final seconds.

There were both reasons for concern and reasons for optimism, though it should be questioned just how much stock can be put into a contest like this in which rookies are seeing their first NFL action and everyone is knocking the rust off for the first time since last fall.

Multiple position battles remain undecided, but we were able to get a first glance at who took advantage of the opportunity most on Saturday.

Here's a look at five Saints players who made a good first impression with a perfectly clean slate:

1. WR AT Perry

A.T. Perry headed into this game needing to show a little something more, and did just that on the Saints' first truly explosive offensive play of the game... even if that did come over 29 minutes in. There were complaints abound from the fan base on social media up to that point, noting a similar type of stagnancy from the offensive side of the ball that rang true last season.

This 58-yard bomb from quarterback Jake Haener to Perry silenced that.

Perry was the game's leading receiver for either team, reeling in 4 receptions for 85 yards. He averaged 21.2 yards per catch.

2. QB Spencer Rattler

There's been much debate surrounding whether Rattler or Haener is the best option for the Saints at backup quarterback, but it's hard to deny the impression he made on his very first NFL drive. It went about as well as anyone could have hoped for, as the South Carolina product capped it off with a roll to the right for a 4-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Those were the first points the Saints scored in the game.

Rattler finished out the game 9-of-17 passing for 70 yards with the single rushing touchdown, putting a bow on his performance in the final drive as he led the Saints downfield for rookie Charlie Smyth's clutch 37-yard field goal.

3. LB Willie Gay Jr.

Gay was a large part of a highly effective defensive effort, all over the field from the start of the action. As was noted by NewOrleans.Football's Mike Triplett, Gay had already recorded 4 tackles, a tackle for loss, a fourth-down stop and a force of a turnover on downs just 17 snaps into the contest.

He finished out the game with 5 combined tackles, 3 of which were solo.

4. LB Monty Rice

Gay wasn't the only member of the linebacking corps that had a good Saturday for New Orleans. Rice was also a force, making a number of key plays as he looked like a player who has legitimate case to make the 53-man roster.

He topped the stat sheet by the end of the game for the defense, recording 7 total tackles, all of which were solo.

5. QB Jake Haener

Sure, Rattler got a lot of attention for the way he scored the first touchdown of the game for the Saints. And while he may be the prospect who projects as having the higher ceiling, Haener put together far from a bad showing.

It took a while for the offense to really find its footing, as has been the case for the Saints for some time now, but Haener took care of the football and did ignite the spark with A.T. Perry. The former Fresno State signal-caller finished his day 9-of-13 passing for 107 yards.

How this position battle at QB2 shakes out will be something to watch as the preseason rolls on.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 5 Saints who made a strong impression in preseason opener vs. Cardinals