BOSTON (CBS) — Rookie defensive end Chandler Jones got Patriots fans excited with his performance last week against the Saints in his NFL preseason debut. He also caught the attention of some national media, too.

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King picked Jones as his defensive player of the week for Week 1 of the preseason in his Monday Morning Quarterback column.

“I am reminded of what Mike Mayock said on draft day about Jones, the 21st pick in round one last April: He said Jones’ best football was ahead of him, and he’d turn out to be the best defensive player to come out of this draft,” King wrote.

Jones made his impact felt immediately in Thursday night’s preseason game. On the second play of the night, he blew past Pro Bowl left tackled Jermon Bushrod and chased quarterback Drew Brees out of the pocket. Later, Jones forced holding penalties on Bushrod on consecutive plays. Though he didn’t shine in any statistical category, he was most certainly a force that looks capable of having a monster rookie season. King listed Jones as having pressured the quarterback three times on 13 snaps.

In three seasons at Syracuse, Jones racked up 147 total tackles, 10 sacks, 27 tackles for a loss and even one interception. Bill Belichick traded picks to move higher in the first round to draft Jones 21st overall in April’s NFL Draft.