Offensive rookie watch: Who impressed in Week Two?
Another week in the books and another look in on how our fresh-faced NFL talent are faring through Week 2.
Rookie tandems becoming the norm?
* and yes I know all of these teams lost
Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams – RB
Notable rookies on the ground and through the air, Kyren William’s two touchdowns were almost overshadowed by some questionable ball handling and a huge block made by the 49ers linebacker Hufanga on a Matt Stafford interception.
However, in a game where the Rams were definitely pegged as the underdogs we saw promising signs from Williams.
With Sean McVay seemingly dead set on moving on from RB1 Cam Akers, we can expect Williams to move up the depth chart, leading the ground game for Matt Stafford and his men on offense.
Puka Nacua – WR
The most receptions ever by a rookie through 2 games, and the most picked up player from fantasy waivers last week. It is safe to say that Puka is seeing a rise to fame that few would’ve projected at the start of the season.
Against a staunch 49ers defense, tipped to be the league best this year, Puka put up ridiculous stats. 15 receptions on 20 targets with 147 receiving yards, it is not often you find alpha receivers like this in the 5th round of the draft but LA seems to have found a new star.
Houston Texans
Tank Dell – WR, Texans
It is a screaming endorsement when a team starts double teaming you no matter what stage you are in your career. Tank was receiving this treatment for the majority of his day on Sunday against the Colts.
What did he do in return… put up 7 receptions on 10 targets for 72 yards and a TD.
Take a bow Tank.
With CJ Stroud at QB this year could be a little testing for Dell but it certainly seems this rookie duo could be one to look out for.
CJ Stroud – QB
Sunday’s loss overshadowed an otherwise good day for Stroud.
CJ totalled 384 yards through the air, second all-time for a rookie Texans QB, after Deshaun Watson in 2017.
This may be the height of Stroud’s year, having seen his offensive line play he is going to be in serious pain this year.
Six sacks do little to instil confidence in a young man finding his way in the NFL, against better defensive fronts Sunday could’ve been much much worse.
Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed & Dontayvion Wicks – WR
I didn’t expect to be writing about two rookie Packers receivers in this segment so early. Big days for Reed and Wicks in the shootout in Atlanta brought a cumulative 3 scores, with Doubs becoming an understudy to the young wideouts.
They provided the spark to a Love-led offense, which ultimately ended in heart ache in the fourth quarter due to rookie-eque decision making from the aforementioned quarterback.
Big play guys:
Redzone is made for these guys and these two are already showing that when they get on the field they can wreak havoc on deep plays.
Jordan Addison – WR, Minnesota Vikings
Addison could’ve been feeling a little hard done by to only see 56% of snaps in the opener against the Bucs, in TNF he saw that number rise to 69%. But ultimately he has proven that he only needs that one play to break out and score, showing that on a huge 62 yard score.
Going into week 3 there is no doubt that the Vikings will continue Addison’s ascent to their No. 2 spot behind Justin Jefferson. Osborn has proven he isn’t the guy they need, Addison has that ruthless streak that will make himself a contender for OROY down the stretch and hopefully stop Minnesota’s rot.
Zay Flowers – WR, Baltimore Ravens
Big Play Zay, again trusted with the home run hits.
Flowers made an insane grab in the red zone, and was unfortunate when he was stuffed on subsequent runs on the drive.
It is clear that Flowers is trusted by the Ravens when he has the hot hand, this will translate well as he improves his connection with Lamar Jackson. A win against an AFC North rival will only improve his confidence.
Legitimate contenders:
Bijan Robinson – RB, Atlanta Falcons
Another week, another highlight reel of a game for Bijan. Hitting the hole with speed, catching out of the backfield and making guys miss in the open field like he has been in the league for years.
19 carries for 124 yards on the ground, as well as 4 receptions for 48 yards give an idea of how effective he was all over the field on Sunday. This Atlanta team could go deep this year, and when games get tight teams turn to their best players, Bijan certainly showed he is their guy against the Packers.
Anthony Richardson – QB, Indianapolis Colts
Richardson played a huge first half.
2 rushing TDs, and assured play prior to the score that resulted in Richardson walking down the tunnel under concussion protocol gave us a taste of the potential. He is setting records and we can only expect that to continue as he develops in this offense, if he stays out of the blue medical tent his rushing ability could be become a huge factor.
