Follow all of your favorite NFL rookies in the Rookie Roundup – Week 2.
Week 2 of the NFL season is in the books, and Rookie Roundup Week 2 is here. The hills and valleys are settling into place for another polarizing year. To kick things off, I wanted to give a shoutout to Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb and wish him a speedy recovery.
Plenty of other players were injured in Week 2, so check out Dustin’s Impact Injury Report to keep up with the news.
Preview of Rookie Roundup Week 2: Jordan Addison strikes again during Thursday Night Football, and we wonder if Bryce Young can be relied upon throughout his rookie campaign.
What is the Rookie Roundup?
For those who haven’t checked out the series yet, Rookie Roundup will display all the information you need to keep up with this year’s rookie picks. From the simplistic nature of stats, to the breathtaking world of advanced analytics, this will be your one-stop shop for getting any rookie-related information. We’ll break it down game-by-game and cover everything you need to know from Week 2.
Thursday Night Football
Vikings @ Eagles
The only rookie of note from this game was Jordan Addison. He played 13% more snaps than he did in Week 1, from 56% to 69% respectively. On the contrary, his targets per route run (TPRR) dropped from 19.4% to 13.9%. He still managed to find the end zone however, totaling the stat line listed below.
- Jordan Addison: 3 REC, 72 YDS, 1 TD
Jordan Addison has played two games in the NFL
Jordan Addison has two 35+ yard touchdowns 😳 pic.twitter.com/8GztmZh3bz
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) September 15, 2023
Sunday Slate
Giants @ Cardinals
Two rookie wide receivers led the way for Rookie Roundup in this game. Jalin Hyatt made his mark, sparking the New York Giants comeback at the beginning of the second half. Next Gen Stat’s clocked him at 20.48 MPH on his 58 yard catch. Meanwhile, Michael Wilson topped his receiving yard total this past week for the Arizona Cardinals. He is still behind on targets, but he is making his limited work count.
- Jalin Hyatt: 2 REC, 89 YDS
- Michael Wilson: 3 REC, 56 YDS
Following Jalin Hyatt step for step on his 58 yard catch. Hit a top speed of 20.48mph per Next Gen Stats pic.twitter.com/55ULRVtjzu
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) September 19, 2023
Packers @ Falcons
Jayden Reed led the Green Bay Packers in targets with eight on the day. Two of those turned into touchdowns, padding the stats for what otherwise would’ve been another day at the office. Keep an eye on the rookie wide receiver to see how he performs when Christian Watson returns to the Packers lineup. Bijan Robinson continues to make defenses look silly. The Atlanta Falcons running back is averaging 6.2 yards per carry (YPC). There is not much to say about Mr. Robinson besides lock him in, folks.
- Jayden Reed: 4 REC, 37 YDS, 2 TDS
- Bijan Robinson: 19 CAR, 124 YDS | 4 REC, 48 YDS
It’s unfair Bijan Robinson is this good in just his second career game 🤯
pic.twitter.com/eXtGxTxaWZ— PFF (@PFF) September 18, 2023
Raiders @ Bills
Dalton Kincaid turned in a solid performance, seeing the second most targets on the Buffalo Bills. His yards per reception (YPR) is still below 10, sitting at 8.6 YPR for Week 2, as he fills the slot role for Quarterback Josh Allen.
- Dalton Kincaid: 5 REC, 43 YDS
Ravens @ Bengals
The Baltimore Ravens faced a struggling Cincinnati Bengals team, leading to a 2-0 start. Zay Flowers was not as productive this week as Mark Andrews returned from injury. Flowers had a huge dip in TPRR, dropping 21% from Week 1. It’s not ideal, but if the Ravens continue to throw the ball 30-plus times each game, Flowers will see his fair share of work.
- Zay Flowers: 4 REC , 62 YDS | 1 CAR 6 YDS
Seahawks @ Lions
This game was a shootout, leading to a handful of rookies getting their time in the spotlight. Jaxon Smith-Njigba fell short of a big day, but still caught five of six targets. On the opposite end of the field, Jahmyr Gibbs didn’t make waves on the ground, but had the most targets on his team with nine. Sam LaPorta was a good option if you streamed him this week, finding himself as a top eight option at the tight end position.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 5 REC, 34 YDS
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 7 CAR, 17 YDS | 7 REC, 39 YDS
- Sam LaPorta: 5 REC, 63 YDS
Chargers @ Titans
Not much work here from rookies. Quentin Johnston is still waiting to erupt behind his veteran teammates. The same sentiment belongs to Titans running back Tyjae Spears. A note on Spears: Although his snaps played dropped from 54% to 37%, his total opportunities went up by 250%. This means when he’s on the field, it matters. Pay attention to him going forward.
- Quentin Johnston: 1 REC, 7 YDS
- Tyjae Spears: 8 CAR, 49 YDS | 2 REC, 6 YDS
Bears @ Buccaneers
Roschon Johnson has become the clear RB2 in the Chicago Bears offense, as evidenced by D’Onta Foreman being a healthy scratch. Trey Palmer from the Bucs caught one pass for 20 yards.
- Roschon Johnson: 4 CAR, 32 YDS | 2 REC, 10 YDS
Chiefs @ Jaguars
This projected high-scoring matchup left fantasy football managers wanting more. Rashee Rice couldn’t capitalize on a promising Week 1, and there was no sign of Tank Bigsby for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Rashee Rice: 2 REC, 20 YDS
Colts @ Texans
Anthony Richardson was lights out, but unfortunately left the game early with a concussion. His rookie teammate Josh Downs continues to be a flexible PPR option for fantasy football managers. CJ Stroud has been on fire when throwing the ball, but I’m unsure of how long this façade of volume lasts in Houston. Tank Dell has been a great benefactor from this passing volume, seeing the most targets on the Houston Texans.
- Anthony Richardson: 6/10, 56 YDS | 3 CAR, 35 YDS, 2 TDS
- Josh Downs: 4 REC, 37 YDS
- CJ Stroud: 30/47, 384 YDS, 2 TDS
- Tank Dell: 7 REC, 72 YDS, 1 TD
#NFL Passing Yard Leaders #Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa – 715 #Vikings Kirk Cousins – 708#Rams Matthew Stafford – 641 #Texans CJ Stroud – 626 #Lions Jared Goff – 576 #Patriots Mac Jones – 547#Chargers Justin Herbert – 534#Saints Derek Carr – 533#Chiefs Patrick Mahomes – 531… pic.twitter.com/pB5vgOaRGu
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) September 19, 2023
49ers @ Rams
Puka Nacua continued to go nuclear, even against one of the best defenses in the San Francisco 49ers. He is a must start in fantasy football lineups going forward.
- Puka Nacua: 15 REC, 147 YDS
Jets @ Cowboys
The Cowboys have left their mark on the two teams that play in MetLife Stadium, but there are no rookies of note from this game besides Deuce Vaughn. He mustered up some production later in the game, but should not be seen as a target going forward.
- Deuce Vaughn: 3 CAR, 16 YDS | 3 REC 16 YDS
Commanders @ Broncos
The Broncos offense has not been fixed, but Sean Payton’s first draft pick as the Denver Broncos head coach, wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr, had two high-flying catches on the day. He is a solid stash in hopes for a bigger role.
- Marvin Mims Jr: 2 REC, 113 YDS, 1 TD
Sunday Night Football
Dolphins @ Patriots
No real rookies of note for this week. Keep an eye on De’Von Achane of the Miami Dolphins, in case of an increased role. Honorable mention to Demario Douglas, who I expect to have a solidified role towards the end of the season.
- De’Von Achane: 1 CAR, 5 YDS | 1 REC, 4 YDS
- Demario Douglas: 2 REC, 19 YDS
Monday Night Football
Saints @ Panthers
The New Orleans Saints have no rookies to highlight, but the Carolina Panthers have two we’ve been keeping an eye on. Bryce Young has seemingly struggled to move the ball down the field. He averaged 4.6 yards per pass attempt on Monday night, and is averaging 4.2 YPPA on the year; 56% of his yards have come after the catch, and he is averaging 3.1 air yards per completion. Young will get better over time, but this does not help wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, who saw eight targets on the night but produced little. Mingo isn’t seeing targets down the field just yet, so we need to let the duo develop more before we can rely on them.
- Bryce Young: 22/33, 153 YDS, 1 TD | 2 CAR, 34 YDS
- Jonathan Mingo: 3 REC, 26 YDS
Browns @ Steelers
There are no rookies of note from this Monday night matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.
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