I know at first it seems like the answer is absolutely not, but consider the Sasuke retrieval arc. The Sound 4 in Stage 2 Curse mode beat 2 Jonin, mid tier probably, making 1 of them in stage 2 roughly = to low jonin. Choji beat his opponent in stage 2 and he arguably could be called the strongest of the 4, he was definitely the powerhouse. Kiba, Neji and Shikamaru were able to fight well against their stage 2 opponents as well despite needing saving. I would say these ones at least were high chunin level even back in part 1. And Lee, when drunk was too much for Guy to control according to Guy himself so that would place drunk Lee at high jonin level in part 1.