• Cam Skattebo maximizes extra playing time: Skattebo recorded an 82.8 PFF rushing grade across 35 snaps.

• Carson Schwesinger continues to impress: The Browns rookie has occupied the linebacker spot across both Teams of the Week so far.

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Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Now that NFL rookies have a little more experience, we saw some impressive improvements in Week 2. Here are the top performers at each position this past week. A rookie must have played at least 10 snaps to qualify.

Ward showed significant improvement between Weeks 1 and 2. While it didn’t result in a Titans win, Ward’s 68.0 PFF passing grade is a stark step up from the 54.2 number he put up in his debut.

Ward completed 19 of 33 passes for 175 yards, including his first NFL touchdown pass on a play where he used his legs to extend and kept his eyes downfield to deliver a beautiful touch pass to fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor. Ward also registered two big-time throws and a turnover-worthy play. He did take another five sacks, though, after committing six last week.

After a limited role in his debut where he only saw just eight offensive snaps, Skattebo’s contributions expanded significantly in the Giants’ overtime loss to the Cowboys, playing 35 snaps. The fourth-rounder out of Arizona State carried the ball 12 times for 55 yards and a rushing touchdown while forcing three missed tackles and recording three first downs, good for an 82.8 PFF rushing grade.

While Bryant was only targeted twice, he caught both of his targets for 18 yards, both of which resulted in first downs. Across 15 snaps, Bryant secured a 77.0 PFF receiving grade.

While TeSlaa was only targeted one time, it was about as impressive a target as you’re going to find. TeSlaa made a one-handed catch almost 30 yards downfield with Tyrique Stevenson draped all over him to set the Lions up with a 1st-and-goal right before the half. TeSlaa has two career NFL catches through his first two games, yet he’s needed a grand total of two hands to haul in those passes combined.

Wide Receiver: Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans – 73.6

Despite having to wait to be taken until the 136th overall selection in the draft, Ayomanor has seen a big role early in his NFL career. After a quiet debut, Ayomanor saw a lot of improvement in Week 2, catching four of his six targets for 56 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Two of his receptions came on contested targets, and he ended up with a 76.1 PFF receiving grade.

Jackson Hawes’ MO when he entered the 2025 NFL Draft was his blocking ability, and it was on full display in the Bills’ win over the Jets. Hawes only caught one pass for five yards, yet he dominated as a blocker. In the run game, he recorded five positively-graded plays and zero negatives while not allowing a single pressure in pass protection.

Simmons fell to the 31st pick in the draft over injury concerns, but based on his performance against a dominant Eagles defensive line, the Chiefs may have found a gem. While he struggled with a 49.4 PFF run-blocking grade, Simmons kept Patrick Mahomes clean all game with an PFF 87.8 pass-blocking grade, only getting beaten once on 39 such snaps.

Like Simmons, Campbell had his struggles in the run game with a 50.7 PFF grade against the Dolphins. However, he was a difference-maker as a pass protector, recording an 81.3 PFF pass-blocking grade. As Simmons, Campbell was only bested once in pass protection, and that mistake didn’t result in a pressure on 33 pass-blocking snaps.

Interior Offensive Line: Dylan Fairchild, CincinnatiBengals – 66.5

Having been a third-rounder in the 2025 NFL Draft, Fairchild has quickly taken over as the Bengals’ starting left guard, showing some prowess as a pass protector with an 84.9 PFF pass-blocking grade. On 51 pass-blocking snaps, Fairchild was defeated just once. The rookie will be a critical factor on the Bengals’ offensive line as the team awaits Joe Burrow’s return.

Colby was one of the last players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, yet saw significant playing time as the 49ers’ left guard in just his second game. On 61 offensive snaps, Colby was the second-highest-graded rookie guard overall while putting up an impressive 73.1 PFF pass-blocking grade.

Interior Offensive Line: Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions – 56.2

Fairchild’s teammate at Georgia, Ratledge appears on this list for the second consecutive week. Last time out, he struggled mightily in pass protection, surrendering three pressures and a sack for a 39.2 PFF pass-blocking grade. He showed marked improvement against the Bears, allowing just one pressure on 30 pass-blocking snaps while posting a 66.8 PFF pass-blocking grade.

After many considered him to be a mid-first-round talent, Ezeiruaku fell into the Cowboys’ laps in the second round. With their preseason trade of Micah Parsons, the onus fell on Ezeiruaku to pick up the slack, and he certainly did so against the Giants. Ezieuraku was particularly strong getting after the quarterback. While he didn’t register a sack, he did record two quarterback hits en route to a 74.4 PFF pass-rush grade.

While Ezeiruaku was dominant as a pass rusher, Stewart earned his high grade as a stout run defender. His 77.8 PFF run-defense grade against the Titans comfortably led all rookie edge defenders — the next-closest was Jordan Burch at 68.3 — while also recording a sack.

Defensive Interior: Adin Huntington, Cleveland Browns – 85.5

The undrafted Huntington made waves during the preseason as a two-way player who fought his way onto the opening day roster, and he assembled his best performance to date in Week 2 against the Ravens. While he only played 13 snaps on defense, Huntington made them count, as he registered a 28.6% pass-rush win rate and recorded a stop against the run.

Peebles made this list last week almost strictly based on his pass rushing. But, his outing in Week 2 was more balanced, as he recorded 65.0-plus PFF grades as both a pass rusher and run defender. He secured a 14.3% pass-rush win rate, including a pressure, while adding a run stop.

While not quite as dominant as his debut, Campbell still put up a very strong showing in the Eagles’ Week 2 win over the Chiefs in Kansas City. Coverage was where Campbell shined brightest once again, permitting just one reception for four yards on a 78.0 PFF coverage grade.

Linebacker: Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns – 65.2

There have been two PFF Rookie Teams of the Week, and each time, the top linebackers have been Campbell and Schwesinger — though this time they trade places. Schwesinger compiled another strong performance as a second-rounder out of UCLA, playing the vast majority of Cleveland’s defensive snaps. While it wasn’t the elite showing he registered last week, Schwesinger still received grades of over 60.0 as both a run defender and in coverage.

Stout was all over the field for the 49ers in Week 2 against the Saints, recording two stops in the run game, converting one of his three pressures into a sack and breaking up a pass in coverage. What brings his overall grade down, though, are his two missed tackles.

While Strong wasn’t even the first corner Buffalo selected in the 2025 Draft, somebody needed to step up in Maxwell Hairston’s absence. The rookie sixth-rounder out of Virginia Tech was up to the task this week against the Jets. On 18 coverage snaps, Strong allowed just one reception, though it did result in a first down. On top of that, his only pass-rushing snap resulted in a pressure, and he added a stop on a scramble attempt.

Not counting Travis Hunter, Barron was the first cornerback taken to help what was already a defense on the rise. Playing the majority of his snaps in the slot, Barron was at his best against the run in Week 2, scoring a 68.0 grade in that field while not registering a single negatively-graded play.

After only playing one defensive snap in Week 1, Sanker saw a significant increase in playing time in Week 2 — and the results were impressive. Sanker compiled six tackles, one of which for a stop, while only yielding one reception for five yards on 45 coverage snaps.

All but one of Ransom’s snaps came in coverage — but that was where the rookie fourth rounder out of Ohio State shined most, as his 65.5 PFF coverage grade led all rookie safeties. Ransom allowed just one reception for nine yards while also recording two stops in coverage.