Where Does Jaxson Dart Rank Among Top NFL Preseason Week 2 Rookie Performers?

NFL head coaches are itching to make roster decisions, particularly if competitions remain ongoing. Then, there's the opposite case, where preseason performances may be opening doors for certain players getting more playing time, even though another plan might be in place.

The New York Giants are the obvious starting point coming out of the league's second week of preseason action. A week ago, both of their first-round picks—Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart—impressed and found themselves on Bleacher Report's initial rookie rankings. The latter provided two consecutive standout appearances, which is both exciting and problematic.

Along the same lines, a different Cleveland Browns quarterback turned heads during his first appearance. The organization has now experienced a first-year signal-caller showing out in consecutive weeks, even though the Browns appear entrenched with a 40-year-old starter.

Quarterbacks always drive conversation. The Giants and Browns find themselves in a fascinating situation, though other organizations have to be quite happy with what they're seeing from some rookies.

Here, we rank the top rookie performers from the latest on-field action in Week 2 of the NFL preseason.

10. QB Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

A week ago, Shedeur Sanders' performance dominated national conversation after the fifth-round pick showed he needs to be a part of the Browns' quarterback competition.

Conversely, fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who was chosen before Sanders, didn't play because of a lingering hamstring injury.

The football gods flipped the setup for Week 2 of the preseason, with Gabriel in the lineup and Sanders not playing due to an oblique issue.

This year's 94th overall pick looked good working in the pocket, delivered the ball with good accuracy and kept the offense moving, starting with a 13-play opening drive that ended in a touchdown. He completed 72.2 percent of his passes and threw for 143 yards.

The difference between Gabriel landing in the 10th hole, compared to Sanders claiming last week's No. 1 slot, comes down to the former making a couple mistakes the latter didn't.

Gabriel threw a pick-six. Yes, his targets had awful spacing and neither gave enough effort in an attempt to make the catch. However, the rookie understands he exacerbated a poor setup by still throwing the ball. The quarterback later had an issue with a hand-off that turned into a fumble recovered by the Philadelphia Eagles.

"On the interception, I look back, I definitely want to just throw it away," Gabriel told reporters. "Don't force anything. And (on the fumble) I felt like there's just miscommunication on my part and something that we've got to clean up, but I will and we’ll make sure of that."

Despite the two mistakes, Gabriel mostly impressed and again provided Browns fans with enough hope that the team might have two talented, young quarterbacks to develop and potentially start in the future.

9. TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

The Indianapolis Colts desperately wanted a playmaking tight end in this year's first round and got one in Tyler Warren. They prioritized the position because of the uncertainty at the quarterback position.

A security blanket at tight end can make a world of difference.

Warren only caught one pass Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. However, it was a pretty 25-yard route, where the cornerback pinballed off the tight end upon contact.

"I think his physicalness that he brings, obviously watching him in live action last week was phenomenal," head coach Shane Steichen said after the first week of preseason action. "Just the way he lowers his shoulder in the open field to get those extra tough yards. The physicality he brings to our football team is going to be phenomenal."

Through two preseason contests, Warren hasn't come off the field until the Colts' first-team offense did. The TE provided a big play in the passing game during both. He's going to be a big part of the Indianapolis offense and hopefully help whoever starts at quarterback this season.

One can even go as far as saying the rookie tight end may be the focal point of the Colts' passing attack this fall. He has certainly looked the part in preseason.

8. LB Jay Higgins, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Good football players perform well when they're playing the game of football. So, it shouldn't stun anyone that Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jay Higgins is doing well now he's back on the field.

Higgins is the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and a consensus All-American. He accumulated 295 total tackles over the last two seasons. Yet he went undrafted because he tested poorly as an athlete.

As a result, the 23-year-old understood what he faced upon joining the Ravens roster.

"When you report to minicamp, you start from ground zero," the linebacker said in May. "For the guys who got drafted, who had good college careers, the moment they stepped out on the field, it's fair game. Being an undrafted free agent, I understand that. I know I got to go in, prove things. Nothing's going to be given to me."

In the first weekend of preseason play, Higgins defended a pair of passes. On Saturday, he led the Ravens with six total tackles, while adding a sack and tackle for loss.

The undrafted defender has good instincts, makes solid run fills and shows excellent awareness in zone coverage. Higgins may have a tough time making the Ravens' active roster, but he clearly knows how to play the game, which should keep him around for awhile.

7. TE Gunnar Helm, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

The Tennessee Titans have a promising young weapon at tight end. They already had one in Chigoziem Okonkwo, but fourth-round rookie Gunnar Helm may surpass the veteran considering how much this year's No. 1 overall pick wants to use him in the offense.

"Gunnar is a dawg," quarterback Cam Ward told reporters. "Every chance I get to target him in practice, whether I throw a back-shoulder ball, he always comes down with it. He's a big target. I think the greatest thing about Gunnar is that he never complains. He's somebody who shows up to work every day and puts the work in."

Helm led the Titans Friday with four receptions for 48 yards and an impressive 25-yard touchdown, where he needed to highpoint a pass between two defenders.

"I was brought here to do a job, I was brought here for a reason—and it's to make plays like that," Helm said. "So, you know, that's kinda my wheelhouse, and it's just a play (that) I have to make in my mind."

The next step is having Ward get on the same page with the offense after two middling-to-underwhelming performances. Helm can help the situation by establishing a good rapport with the quarterback as his potential security blanket in the passing game.

6. WR Efton Chism III, New England Patriots

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Once again, the New England Patriots' rookie class pieced together a strong preseason performance, with offensive tackle Will Campbell and running back TreVeyon Henderson leading the way.

Either of those names could have made this week's list, but undrafted wide receiver Efton Chism III keeps stealing the show. He caught six passes for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

It may sound like stereotyping by saying he's similar to previous Patriots slot receivers, but it's a compliment because he's showing up every day. He gets open, provides a reliable target and impresses.

“From Day 1, it's just been consistency. He's really been a hard worker," executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf told WBZ at halftime (h/t Mark Daniels of the Spokesman-Review. "He's put in the time. He's in there every day with wide receiver [coach] Todd Downing at like 5 O'clock in the morning. The fruits of his labor are paying off here."

Wolf added: "I think he's got tremendous football instincts. I think he's tremendous at the top of the route. His play strength for a shorter guy is very good. We're excited about what he can bring to our football team."

The Washington State product currently holds the highest preseason receiving grade among all wide receivers, per Pro Football Focus. Chism shouldn't just be viewed as an underdog about to make the Patriots roster. He can be a big part of what New England does offensively.

5. S Andrew Mukuba, Philadelphia Eagles

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The Philadelphia Eagles' competition among their safeties remains wide open after rookie Andrew Mukuba provided a highlight-filled performance against the Cleveland Browns.

Mukuba entered training camp with a shot at a starting spot alongside Reed Blankenship.

However, the the first-year defensive back seemed to lose ground throughout practice sessions due to a shoulder injury that also prevented the second-round pick from playing in Week 1 of the preseason. But a two-turnover effort Saturday has helped his cause.

The Eagles wanted a cover safety when they chose the Texas product with this year's 64th overall pick. He has excellent range and a nose for the football, as seen this past weekend.

"He has the ability to take the ball away as a playmaker," Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters.

More importantly for any young defensive back, Mukuba showed some resiliency. He was beaten on a pass three plays before snagging a pick-six.

"We want that for all of our guys: to be able to play the next play," Sirianni said. "To be able to go out there after an interception and play again—or after a big play, right? That's part of mental toughness of being able to be in the moment and fix the mistakes later."

A fumble recovery after a botched handoff simply served as the icing on the cake for a memorable preseason effort.

Mukuba has the skill set to be a starting safety in the NFL. If his first preseason performance is any indication, the Eagles will have a playmaker along the back end for a long time.

4. IOL Grey Zabel, Seattle Seahawks

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The Shanahan system is primarily built on a strong zone-running game.

New Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak spent one season working under Kyle Shanahan, but his tutelage started with father, Gary, via Mike Shanahan. The foundation of the scheme remains the same, and it's clearly seen in the Seahawks' new offensive approach.

"We had (174 rushing) yards at half, and any time you can do that, it's an amazing feeling," tight end Eric Saubert said after Friday's contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. "It's cool because guys are trusting the system, really committing to it, and it's looking great. Hopefully we can continue to build and get even better at what we’re already doing."

It's important to understand what Seattle is trying to accomplish and how rookie guard Grey Zabel fits in the mix.

The 23-year-old primarily started at left tackle for North Dakota State. He made four starts at left guard during his collegiate career. Even so, the transition to the position on a full-time basis has gone smoothly, mainly because of his movement skills.

The heavier reliance on zone-blocking plays to Zabel's strength. This year's 18th overall pick is reaching defenders and getting to the second level at a consistent basis, which makes the system so effective.

As a pass-blocker, he has yet to allow a pressure during the preseason, per Pro Football Focus.

3. Edge James Pearce Jr., Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Less than a year ago, James Pearce Jr. was viewed as a contender for the No. 1 overall pick. But he didn't have the final season at Tennessee that many expected and questions arose about his attitude.

Still, the Atlanta Falcons chose the 21-year-old with this year's 26th overall pick. In fact, the organization traded back into the first round, giving up next year's opening-round pick, to select him.

The Falcons have been desperately searching for a consistent edge-rusher and appear to have found one. As Pro Football Focus noted, he has seven pressures and a 21.1 percent pass-rush win-rate through two preseason contests.

While those numbers are a major positive start to the defender's career, his commitment to constantly being on the field is a huge checkmark in the team's favor.

"He loves playing football," head coach Raheem Morris said. "He's one of those guys that can do it. He's shown us he's in elite shape. He's shown us he's getting in better shape as we go. He's really dedicated himself to our performance team and the things we ask him to do. I couldn't be more pleased with the effort that he's given us."

The Falcons' investment in the rookie pass-rusher speaks volumes. It's clear how much the team plans to rely on him this season.

"He's going to be a big factor for us this year," veteran edge-defender Arnold Ebiketie said. "The faster he can come along, the better it is for the team."

2. RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

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Jokes aplenty emerged after Ashton Jeanty managed minus-one yard on three carries during his preseason debut, but the ball-carrier made sure to silence all critics with his second performance.

This year's sixth overall draft pick carried the ball seven times for 33 yards and a touchdown Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers.

More importantly, he made a statement with his physical running style, including a highlight-worthy stiff arm of Niners cornerback Deommodore Lenoir that was tailor-made for "Angry Runs."

"I've arrived, and it's time to keep going and make plays for this team," Jeanty said after the game.

Head coach Pete Carroll originally built his success with the Seattle Seahawks on the legs and shoulders of running back Marshawn Lynch. Russell Wilson and the Legion of Boom defense didn't really arrive until a year and a half after Lynch joined the Seahawks.

Jeanty can give the Raiders a similar type of workhorse.

"It fires me up just seeing the way he runs," veteran quarterback Geno Smith said. "He's running through people, and he's not shying away from contact. He's going to be a special player."

The Raiders don't need to see Jeanty in the third game of the preseason. An injury scare should be enough to put the kibosh on that happening. But the toughness the running back brings to the roster is obvious and harkens back to a different time.

1. QB Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

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The New York Giants are sticking with their plan to start veteran quarterback Russell Wilson this season.

"Russ is our starter, and we're going to keep developing Jaxson [Dart]," head coach Brian Daboll told reporters after Saturday's 31-12 victory over the New York Jets. "We have a plan. ... We just have to keep working with him and understand there's going to be a lot of downs. I know there's some ups right now, but there's going to be a lot of downs and we just got to keep growing and communicating, just keep getting better."

Dart is clearly the future in New York. He may well be the present. This year's 25th overall draft pick completed 14 of 16 passes—including 13 straight completions—for 137 yards and a touchdown against the Jets. The first-year quarterback ran for another score.

The Giants coaching staff wasn't asking Dart to make big-time throw after big-time throw. But a near-perfect preseason performance, while orchestrating the offense at a high level, is a positive step for any young performer. In Dart's case, he may be forcing the team's hand to make a decision sooner rather than later.

Interestingly, the Ole Miss product rotated with Wilson on one play while the veteran still led the offense.

"You don't know what's going to happen," Daboll said he told Dart. "Just be ready to go when your number's called."

One preseason play doesn't mean much. At the same time, the Giants should be ecstatic with Dart's performance so far. A discussion of playing him sooner rather than later needs to be had among the team's brain trust.