NFL Week 3 Rookie Rankings: Surveying Rookie Class Post-Week 2

There aren’t any clear-cut Rookie of the Year candidates yet this NFL season, but plenty of rookies, such as Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West and left guard Joel Bitonio, have already made significant contributions for their teams in the first two weeks of the regular season.

Throughout the season here at Bleacher Report, I am tracking which rookies are standing out among their peers. The top five first-year players at each position, and top 50 overall, are ranked each week.

The rankings remain very fluid at this stage of the year, as there have only been two games played and many rookies were significantly more or significantly less productive in Week 2 than they were in Week 1.

Over the course of the year, the rankings will be determined based upon each rookie’s cumulative performance for the regular season.

In the following slides, you’ll be able to see how the rookies stack up after two weeks and in comparison to last week’s rankings. The rankings will stabilize increasingly with each passing week, but this week brings many major changes, as some NFL newcomers had breakout performances, while others failed to back up their Week 1 impressions.

Top 50 Overall

USA TODAY Sports

Seeing as no rookie has turned in back-to-back spectacular performances to start the season, the consistently solid play of Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr thus far has earned him the top spot in this week’s top 50.

Expected to be a project out of UCLA, the No. 9 overall pick has instead looked as comfortable as any first-year player on the field. Playing on both sides of the formation as an outside linebacker while also seeing time as a defensive end in pass-rushing sub-packages, Barr has displayed impressive range as a run defender, made an impact bringing pressure off the edge and held his own in coverage.

Disappointing Sundays for the wide receivers ranked in the top three last week enabled Barr, who came in fourth after Week 1, to assume the top spot.

Kelvin Benjamin of the Carolina Panthers made a ridiculous one-handed grab this week against the Detroit Lions, but he also had three drops. Brandin Cooks of the New Orleans Saints had one 28-yard run but only 17 receiving yards. Allen Hurns of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who left his Week 2 game early with an ankle injury, had two receptions for 13 yards but dropped what could have been a 76-yard touchdown catch-and-run.

The big movers up the rankings this week were Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins and Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller.

Watkins and Fuller helped mitigate each other’s abilities to stand out in Week 1, when they spent some time matched up against each other, but both had outstanding performances this Sunday. Watkins caught eight passes for 117 yards and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, while Fuller made two outstanding interceptions in the Bears’ Sunday Night Football comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Top 50 Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW	Moving
1	Anthony Barr	OLB	Vikings	1.9	4	Up
2	Joel Bitonio	LG	Browns	2.3	7	Up
3	Aaron Donald	DT	Rams	1.13	6	Up
4	Terrance West	RB	Browns	3.30	9	Up
5	Ryan Shazier	ILB	Steelers	1.15	14	Up
6	Khalil Mack	OLB	Raiders	1.5	22	Up
7	Sammy Watkins	WR	Bills	1.4	33	Up
8	Corey Linsley	C	Packers	5.21	8	Same
9	Kelvin Benjamin	WR	Panthers	1.28	1	Down
10	Brandin Cooks	WR	Saints	1.20	2	Down
11	Kyle Fuller	CB	Bears	1.14	47	Up
12	Jason Verrett	CB	Chargers	1.25	10	Down
13	Calvin Pryor	S	Jets	1.18	5	Down
14	Jack Mewhort	LG	Colts	2.27	24	Up
15	Bene Benwikere	CB	Panthers	5.8	20	Up
16	C.J. Mosley	ILB	Ravens	1.17	23	Up
17	Derek Carr	QB	Raiders	2.4	13	Down
18	Allen Hurns	WR	Jaguars	N/A	3	Down
19	Bradley Roby	CB	Broncos	1.31	16	Down
20	E.J. Gaines	CB	Rams	6.12	17	Down
21	Zack Martin	RG	Cowboys	1.16	12	Down
22	Jerry Attaochu	OLB	Chargers	2.18	11	Down
23	Chandler Catanzaro	K	Cardinals	N/A	38	Up
24	Jeremy Hill	RB	Bengals	2.23	45	Up
25	Ja'Wuan James	RT	Dolphins	1.19	26	Up
26	Mike Evans	WR	Buccaneers	1.7	30	Up
27	John Brown	WR	Cardinals	3.27	29	Up
28	Cody Parkey	K	Eagles	N/A	34	Up
29	Aaron Lynch	OLB	49ers	5.10	39	Up
30	Gabe Jackson	LG	Raiders	3.17	40	Up
31	Seantrel Henderson	RT	Bills	7.22	NR	Up
32	Isaiah Crowell	RB	Browns	N/A	41	Up
33	Deone Bucannon	SS	Cardinals	1.27	42	Up
34	Justin Britt	RT	Seahawks	2.32	35	Up
35	Preston Brown	LB	Bills	3.9	NR	Up
36	Marqise Lee	WR	Jaguars	2.7	21	Down
37	Allen Robinson	WR	Jaguars	2.29	NR	Up
38	Weston Richburg	LG	Giants	2.11	27	Down
39	Ha Ha Clinton-Dix	S	Packers	1.21	37	Down
40	Carlos Hyde	RB	49ers	2.25	18	Down
41	Trai Turner	RG	Panthers	3.28	NR	Up
42	Russell Bodine	C	Bengals	4.11	25	Down
43	Dominique Easley	DE	Patriots	1.29	NR	Up
44	Justin Ellis	DE	Raiders	4.7	NR	Up
45	Zach Kerr	DE	Colts	N/A	31	Down
46	Justin Gilbert	CB	Browns	1.8	NR	Up
47	Dontae Johnson	CB	49ers	4.29	19	Down
48	Prince Shembo	ILB	Falcons	4.39	NR	Up
49	Chris McCain	OLB	Dolphins	N/A	15	Down
50	Malcolm Butler	CB	Patriots	N/A	NR	Up

Players who dropped out of the top 50 from last week were Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (No. 28), Oakland Raiders cornerback T.J. Carrie (No. 32 last week), San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (No. 36), St. Louis Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (No. 43), Cleveland Browns linebacker Chris Kirksey (No. 44), Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (No. 46), Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (No. 48), Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (No. 49) and Texans running back Alfred Blue (No. 50).

Quarterbacks

USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Derek Carr	QB	Raiders	2.4	1
2	Johnny Manziel	QB	Browns	1.22	5
3	Blake Bortles	QB	Jaguars	1.3	2
4	Teddy Bridgewater	QB	Vikings	1.32	3
5	Jimmy Garoppolo	QB	Patriots	2.30	4

 

In his second week as the Oakland Raiders’ starting quarterback, Derek Carr completed 27 of 42 passing attempts for 263 yards and one touchdown, with two interceptions. He also had 58 rushing yards, including one scamper that went 41 yards.

Carr’s quarterback rating of 80.6 ranks just 27th in the NFL, and he has yet to lead the Raiders to a victory, but he’s performed well for a rookie signal-caller who was not even a first-round pick. In a tough spot on a team that has many bigger issues than quarterback play, Carr is showing promising signs for the future.

The only other rookie quarterback to get on the field in Week 2 was Johnny Manziel. He was in for just three plays and did not complete a pass, but his entries into the game at least indicated that the Cleveland Browns want to get him involved in some capacity, although starter Brian Hoyer has been solid through two games.

Running Backs

USA TODAY Sports

Running Back Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Terrance West	RB	Browns	3.30	1
2	Jeremy Hill	RB	Bengals	2.23	5
3	Isaiah Crowell	RB	Browns	N/A	4
4	Carlos Hyde	RB	49ers	2.25	2
5	Devonta Freeman	RB	Falcons	4.03	3

 

Starting in place of injured veteran Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West followed up a 100-yard debut by rushing for 68 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries while also catching two passes for 22 yards in Sunday’s win against the New Orleans Saints.

The FCS record-setting back from Towson has gotten his pro career off to a strong start. Through two weeks, he is tied for fourth in rushing yards among all NFL running backs. If he continues his strong performance into Week 3, he might permanently seize the starting job away from Tate, who is recovering from a knee injury.

As Bleacher Report’s Cian Fahey detailed this week, West hasn’t been the Browns’ only productive rookie running back. Undrafted player Isaiah Crowell has also carved out a role in Tate’s absence; he rushed for 54 yards on 11 carries in Week 2.

All three productive rookie running backs from Week 2 play for teams who hold their home games in Ohio. Jeremy Hill saw a significantly increased role against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday; he rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. He also had two receptions for 22 yards.

Like West and Hill, Falcons back Devonta Freeman also had catches for 22 yards in Week 2, but he had zero rushing attempts. Carlos Hyde was good in pass protection for the San Francisco 49ers against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, but he had a net gain of zero yards on four carries. 

Wide Receivers

USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Sammy Watkins	WR	Bills	1.4	7
2	Kelvin Benjamin	WR	Panthers	1.28	1
3	Brandin Cooks	WR	Saints	1.20	2
4	Allen Hurns	WR	Jaguars	N/A	3
5	Mike Evans	WR	Buccaneers	1.7	6

 

Kelvin Benjamin, Brandin Cooks and Allen Hurns were all terrific in Week 1, but Sammy Watkins was even better in Week 2.

In Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, it started to look as though the Buffalo Bills had indeed selected the best wide receiver in the 2014 draft. Getting the ball in Watkins' hands was a clear emphasis of the Bills’ offensive game plan, as EJ Manuel targeted him on 11 throws, and the wide receiver took advantage with a 117-yard game.

The rookie has consistently been catching the ball cleanly while running sharp routes and displaying great speed. This year’s rookie class of wideouts is full of players contributing quickly, but Watkins leads all first-year receivers through two weeks with 11 receptions and 148 yards.

Watkins and Benjamin have both emerged as their respective teams’ No. 1 wideouts; Benjamin has been highly impressive but needs to overcome his issues with drops, which plagued him in Week 2 and during his collegiate career at Florida State.

Hurns is considered to be day-to-day with his ankle injury. His Jacksonville Jaguars teammate, Marqise Lee, fell out of the top five receivers this week after catching just two passes for 11 yards against the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

So far, it’s been a good start to the year for every wide receiver selected in the first round of this year’s draft, except for Odell Beckham Jr., who has been sidelined since injuring his hamstring on the first day of New York Giants training camp. 

Tight Ends

USA TODAY Sports

Tight End Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Eric Ebron	TE	Lions	1.10	5
2	Austin Seferian-Jenkins	TE	Buccaneers	2.6	1
3	Jace Amaro	TE	Jets	2.17	3
4	Troy Niklas	TE	Cardinals	2.20	4
5	C.J. Fiedorowicz	TE	Texans	3.1	2

 

Eric Ebron’s play has been underwhelming for a No. 10 overall pick thus far, as the expected offensive playmaker has caught just three passes for 38 yards, but that’s enough for him to lead all rookie tight ends in receiving thus far.

Ebron hasn’t done much as a run-blocker for the Detroit Lions, but he’s still made the most impact of any rookie tight end yet this season.

Jace Amaro has caught three passes for the New York Jets but only has 13 total receiving yards.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins and C.J. Fiedorowicz, who ranked as the best tight ends after one week, both missed their Week 2 games with ankle injuries.

All six tight ends selected in the first three rounds have played for their teams when healthy, but none has made a significant impact yet. The least impressive among them has been Green Bay Packers starter Richard Rodgers, who has yet to catch a pass and has been a non-factor in run blocking. 

Offensive Tackles

Cliff McBride/Getty Images

Offensive Tackle Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Ja'Wuan James	RT	Dolphins	1.19	1
2	Seantrel Henderson	RT	Bills	7.22	4
3	Justin Britt	RT	Seahawks	2.32	2
4	Jake Matthews	LT	Falcons	1.6	3
5	Cameron Fleming	RT	Patriots	4.40	NR

 

Ja’Wuan James and Seantrel Henderson each had tough matchups, as their teams played each other in Week 2, but both rookie right tackles held their own.

James looked to have his hands full at times with Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams, and he was flagged once for a false start and had another false start go uncalled by the officials. Even so, James graded out of the game well enough that he currently has the sixth-best ranking among all offensive tackles on Pro Football Focus (subscription required) this season.

Henderson, on the other side, played much better than he did in Week 1 while also going up against a premier pass-rusher in Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake. The seventh-round pick has solidified himself as a starter and is looking like a steal.

Justin Britt had some issues with San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram at times in his second game starting for the Seattle Seahawks, but he has performed decently thus far as the defending champion’s starting right tackle.

Jake Matthews, the only other starting offensive tackle among rookies, missed the Atlanta Falcons’ Week 2 game with an ankle injury.

Cameron Fleming is not among the New England Patriots’ starting five up front, but he saw some snaps in their Week 2 game as a sixth offensive lineman/jumbo tight end.

Offensive Guards

USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Guard Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Joel Bitonio	LG	Browns	2.3	1
2	Jack Mewhort	LG	Colts	2.27	3
3	Zack Martin	RG	Cowboys	1.16	2
4	Gabe Jackson	LG	Raiders	3.17	5
5	Weston Richburg	LG	Giants	2.11	4

 

Joel Bitonio is quietly off to a terrific start for the Cleveland Browns. The left guard is using his athleticism and strength to excel as a run-blocker and hold his own as a pass protector. Pro Football Focus has graded him as the seventh-best guard in the NFL through two weeks.

Also excelling as a starting left guard has been Jack Mewhort for the Indianapolis Colts. A converted collegiate left tackle like Bitonio, Mewhort has exerted power as a run-blocker while providing steady interior pass protection, and he did not pick up any penalties in Week 2.

The play of Zach Martin and Gabe Jackson has come with ups and downs for each thus far, but both have played well enough to be upgrades for their teams at guard nonetheless.

Weston Richburg got thrown in a tough spot at left guard, having to learn the position and take over the starting role after an injury forced projected starter Geoff Schwartz to injured reserve with a return designation. Richburg needs to perform better than he has the first two weeks, however, as he has been graded out as the NFL’s second-worst guard by PFF.

Likely to challenge for a spot among the top five rookie guards next week is Carolina Panthers right guard Trai Turner, who has not yet started a game but has performed well coming off the bench in his first two contests.

Centers

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

Center Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Corey Linsley	C	Packers	5.21	1
2	Russell Bodine	C	Bengals	4.11	2
3	Luke Bowanko	C	Jaguars	6.29	4
4	Bryan Stork	C	Patriots	4.5	NR
5	Jonotthan Harrison	C	Colts	N/A	3

 

Corey Linsley’s second NFL game got off to a rocky start when a botched snap between him and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, for which he took the blame, resulted in a fumble recovered by the New York Jets. However, he played well outside of that mishap against an interior defensive line that could be considered the NFL’s best.

The only other rookie starting center, Russell Bodine of the Cincinnati Bengals, has not played nearly as well as Linsley. He has been graded by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s second-worst center thus far this season.

After neither played in Week 1, both Luke Bowanko and Bryan Stork took some snaps off the bench this Sunday.

Jonotthan Harrison could get a shot to play at center for the Indianapolis Colts when he gets healthy, but he has missed the team’s first two games with a right thumb injury. 

Defensive Ends

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Defensive End Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Dominique Easley	DE	Patriots	1.29	NR
2	Justin Ellis	DE	Raiders	4.7	5
3	Zach Kerr	DE	Colts	N/A	1
4	Timmy Jernigan	DE	Ravens	2.16	2
5	Stephon Tuitt	DE	Steelers	2.14	4

 

There haven’t been any traditional pass-rushing defensive ends to make a significant impact yet for this year’s rookie class, but a number of interior defensive linemen who are primarily playing as defensive ends in 3-4 fronts have started their rookie years making some plays off the bench.

Dominique Easley put his athleticism on display for the New England Patriots in Week 2. He showed off his ability to generate some pressure up front while also making an outstanding diving interception on a pass that bounced off Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata.

Justin Ellis, a big yet agile lineman who can play both nose tackle and defensive end, has been a solid contributor to the Oakland Raiders’ efforts on run defense. He recorded three solo tackles against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Zach Kerr didn’t do very much for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, but he is providing solid rotational depth on their defensive front. Second-round picks Timmy Jernigan and Stephon Tuitt have also been little more than depth to this point, but each recorded one assisted tackle in Week 2. 

Defensive Tackles

USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Tackle Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Aaron Donald	DT	Rams	1.13	1
2	Shamar Stephen	DT	Vikings	7.5	5
3	Ego Ferguson	DT	Bears	2.19	NR
4	Will Sutton	DT	Bears	3.18	NR
5	Beau Allen	DT	Eagles	7.9	2

 

Aaron Donald is not yet a starter for the St. Louis Rams defensive line, but there may not be a rookie who has made a bigger impact on a per-snap basis than the explosive interior penetrator from Pittsburgh.

Much like last year’s No. 13 overall pick, AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award winner Sheldon Richardson of the New York Jets, Donald is a highly disruptive defensive tackle who has a great burst to shoot into the backfield and blow up plays. He’s already shown his ability to do that this season by recording multiple tackles for loss.

Despite being undersized for his position at just 6’1” and 285 pounds, Donald has been seeing some playing time as a nose tackle in three-man fronts. He has been highly impressive in that role, as he has been able to generate pressure as a bull-rusher while also holding up surprisingly well versus double-teams against the run.

Overall, Donald has the highest Pro Football Focus rating (5.9) of any rookie this season so far.

Among the defensive tackles drafted outside of Round 1, the best so far has been Shamar Stephen of the Minnesota Vikings. After playing well enough this preseason that the Vikings cut veteran Fred Evans to keep him, Stephen has recorded four total tackles in his first two games.

No other rookie DT has made much of an impression to this point.

Linebackers

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Linebacker Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Anthony Barr	OLB	Vikings	1.9	1
2	Ryan Shazier	ILB	Steelers	1.15	3
3	Khalil Mack	OLB	Raiders	1.5	5
4	C.J. Mosley	ILB	Ravens	1.17	6
5	Jerry Attaochu	OLB	Chargers	2.18	2

 

Anthony Barr, Ryan Shazier, Khalil Mack and C.J. Mosley have each been the impact players and every-down starters they were expected to be by the teams who selected them as top-17 picks in this year’s NFL draft.

Barr, as previously mentioned, has been as solid as any rookie in the NFL. He is contributing in a number of ways to the Minnesota Vikings defense.

Shazier has had some issues with coverage and being moved by bigger blockers, but he has also been a highly active linebacker, with 17 total tackles through two games. His range and athleticism are apparent. He makes his presence felt all over the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

Since a rough start to the preseason, Khalil Mack has seemingly been improving with each passing week as both a pass-rusher and run defender. He has recorded six tackles and two quarterback pressures in each of his first two games, according to Pro Football Focus.

Mosley made a big play on Thursday Night Football in Week 2 when he forced a fumble with a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller and then recovered the loose ball himself. He has been an active if sometimes inconsistent defender, as he has accumulated 16 total tackles and two pass deflections thus far this season.

A number of other linebackers have been difference-makers for their teams already this year as well. Jerry Attaochu remains in the top five after having a strip sack and punt block in Week 1, but he had a quiet game with only one tackle in Week 2.

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch and Buffalo Bills linebacker Preston Brown are among the players who could end up supplanting Attaochu in the rankings next week if he does not grow into a more consistent role.

Cornerbacks

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Cornerback Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Kyle Fuller	CB	Bears	1.14	9
2	Jason Verrett	CB	Chargers	1.25	1
3	Bene Benwikere	CB	Panthers	5.8	5
4	Bradley Roby	CB	Broncos	1.31	2
5	E.J. Gaines	CB	Rams	6.12	3

 

The Chicago Bears will miss Charles Tillman following his season-ending torn triceps, but they have every reason to feel good about Kyle Fuller replacing him as a starting cornerback after the rookie's outstanding Week 2 performance against the San Francisco 49ers.

Both of Fuller’s interceptions required skillful breaks on the football and demonstrated the No. 14 overall pick’s ball skills and playmaking ability. He also recorded seven tackles in Sunday night’s nationally televised game and has been reliable in each of his first two games in outside coverage.

Fuller’s debut performance was underwhelming compared to the other top rookie cornerbacks, such as Jason Verrett of the San Diego Chargers and Bradley Roby of the Denver Broncos, but his Week 2 game was good enough for him to vault to the top of the position group.

Playing both in the slot and outside, Verrett has provided solid coverage for the Chargers secondary—against tough competition of the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks—in his first two games.

Roby has been targeted fairly frequently in his first two games, but the rookie has shown his ability to make impact plays. He recorded six tackles and a quarterback pressure on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bene Benwikere looks to be the Nickell Robey of this year’s rookie class. The Panthers draft pick is significantly taller than Robey, but like the Buffalo Bills’ 2013 rookie sensation, Benwikere is playing almost exclusively in the slot and providing lockdown coverage in that capacity thus far. He has allowed the second-fewest yards and receptions per coverage snap among slot cornerbacks this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

E.J. Gaines has been a starting cornerback for the St. Louis Rams in each of their first two games while Trumaine Johnson recovers from a knee injury, and Gaines has more than held his own. The sixth-round pick has been steady in outside coverage and should continue to see regular playing time even when Johnson returns.

Safeties

USA TODAY Sports

Safety Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Calvin Pryor	FS	Jets	1.18	1
2	Deone Bucannon	SS	Cardinals	1.27	3
3	Ha Ha Clinton-Dix	FS	Packers	1.21	2
4	Jerome Couplin	SS	Lions	N/A	4
5	Vinnie Sunseri	FS	Saints	5.27	NR

 

Calvin Pryor’s performance in Week 2 will be remembered for its lowlight. The New York Jets rookie safety badly whiffed on an open-field tackle attempt that allowed Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson to score on an 80-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Outside of that memorable gaffe, however, Pryor had another solid game Sunday, as he recorded five tackles and, according to Pro Football Focus, allowed zero catches. Both active in run defense and steady in pass coverage, Pryor looks set to be a staple of New York’s secondary for years to come.

Deone Bucannon has been an active in-the-box strong safety for the Arizona Cardinals but has not been great in coverage. Nonetheless, he moved up one spot in the rookie safety rankings after a six-tackle game against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix recorded just two tackles and made little impact for the Green Bay Packers against the New York Jets in Week 2.

Outside of the first-round picks, no other rookie safety has seen any significant share of defensive playing time yet this season. Daniel Sorensen received some snaps on the Kansas City Chiefs defense in Week 1 but was cut prior to the team’s second game.

Specialists

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Specialist Rankings

Rank	Player	Pos.	Team	Pick	LW
1	Chandler Catanzaro	K	Cardinals	N/A	2
2	Cody Parkey	K	Eagles	N/A	1
3	Pat O'Donnell	P	Bears	6.15	3
4	Cairo Santos	K	Chiefs	N/A	4
5	Nate Freese	K	Lions	7.14	5

 

Among the four rookie placekickers, only Chandler Catanzaro remains perfect kicking the ball through the uprights through two games. He has made all six of his field-goal attempts this season, including a make from 49 yards out Sunday against the New York Giants.

Cody Parkey missed a 38-yard field goal in the first quarter of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Monday Night Football showdown with the Indianapolis Colts, but he made up for it by making his three other field-goal attempts in the game, including a game-winner from 36 yards out as time expired. Parkey has made five of six field-goal attempts this year.

The season hasn’t started as well for the other two rookie kickers, Cairo Santos and Nate Freese. Santos has missed one field goal in each of his first two games, including a 37-yard attempt at the end of a 10-minute Kansas City Chiefs drive against the Denver Broncos in Week 2. Freese had two opportunities to make 49-yard field-goal attempts against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but the Detroit Lions kicker missed both of them wide right.

Pat O’Donnell, the league’s only rookie punter, had a solid second game. His first punt Sunday night was blocked by fellow rookie Aaron Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers, but only one of his other punts traveled less than 47 yards.

 

Dan Hope is an NFL/NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow @Dan_Hope