TC56 PRESENTS: THE ROOKIE REPORT – WEEK 2

TOP 5 ROOKIE PERFORMANCES WEEK 2

The NFL is in constant search of how the league can be more offensive friendly. The rule changes are usually geared towards that philosophy however, with any trend on either side of the football comes an adjustment from the opposing unit. Defenses have figured out with the influx of versatile wide receivers and mobile quarterbacks, they need an answer. Week 2 of the season displayed a couple of solutions for defenses in the NFL. Big strong pass rushers with speed and physical corners who have range. The athletic marvels are now flooding NFL defenses and if you don’t have them on your team you will probably be picking high enough in the 2022 draft to find them. 3 Defensive lineman picked 28^th, 30^th, and 31^st are going to make a lot of teams regret passing them over. I am typing this with a smile on my face thinking about defenses coming back. Offenses it’s your move.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

WR- Rondale Moore – 5’7” 180 – Perdue – 2^nd round pick (49^th Overall) vs. Minnesota Vikings (W, 34-33)

Game Day Stats: 7 receptions / 114 receiving yards / 1 touchdown

The Vikings, for the second week in a row, have been torched by a rookie wide receiver. Last week Ja’Marr Chase lit the Vikings secondary up for 101 yards and this week it was Rondale Moore’s turn. The Perdue product flew under the radar after getting hurt and playing a shorten season last year. After a solid week one, Moore showed how his strong lower body and cut on a dime quickness can be a dangerous weapon for the already explosive Cardinals. Moore took a broken play and sprinted 77 yards for his first career touchdown. Adding the elements in the return games and jet sweeps makes Moore the Swiss army knife of the Cardinals offense.

Performance Rating: 4.25

Next Game: at Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00pm Sunday

DENVER BRONCOS

2. CB – Patrick Surtain Jr. – 6’2” 202 – Alabama – 1^st round pick (9^th overall) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 23-13)

Game day Stats: 4 total tackles / 1 interception / 1 pass break up

The young corner out of Alabama showed this week why he was a top 10 pick in the NFL draft. Surtain used his physicality and size to blanket receivers in man coverage. Surtain is no slouch in zone coverage either with tremendous range and ball skills. He used his big frame to box out a Jaguar’s receiver and collected his first career interception. His unique combination of size and ability is going to make quarterbacks shy away from throwing his way for years to come. With the Jets next week we could see him on this list again however he does have a physical matchup coming with fellow rookie Elijah Moore.

Performance Rating: 4.25

Next Game: vs. New York Jets 4:05pm Sunday

BUFFALO BILLS

3. DL – Gregory Rousseau – 6’6” 266 – Miami – 1^st round pick (30^th overall) vs. Miami Dolphins (W, 35-0)

Game Day Stats: 5 total tackles / 3 tackles for a loss / 2 sacks / 2 qb hits

Rousseau felt right at home back where it all started in Florida. The 21 year old raw defensive end bounced back from a pedestrian week 1 to show why some were saying he was a top 5 pick 2 years ago. His snaps increased from a week ago and he certainly made the most of them. Rousseau appeared to be purchasing real estate in the Dolphins backfield even in this seller’s market. His pursuit of the football was scary. Rousseau has only scratched the surface of his ability. Think Julius Peppers and Javon Kearse.

Performance Rating: 4.00

Next Game: vs. Washington 1:00pm Sunday

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

4. DL – Payton Turner – Houston – 6’6” 270 – 1^st Round (28^th Overall) vs. Carolina Panthers (L, 26-7)

Game day Stats: 5 total tackles / 3 tackles for a loss / 1 sack / 1 qb hit

Turner missed week 1 due to injury. Week 2, despite in the losing effort, gave us a glimpse of his ability to be an impact player up front for the Saints. Turner showed his incredible strength getting off blocks consistently the entire game. With that strength comes a solid football IQ that was on display. Turner did an excellent diagnosing of plays and reading blocks. New Orleans is always looking for impactful defensive players, in Payton Turner they may have found a superstar.

Performance Rating: 4.00

Next Game: at New England Patriots 1:00pm Sunday

BALTIMORE RAVENS

5. DL – Odafe Oweh – Penn State – 6’5” 253 – 1^st round pick (31^st overall) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (W, 36-35)

Game Day Stats: 3 total tackles / 1 tackle for loss / 1 forced fumble / 1 fumble recovery

Oweh is the only repeat on this list from last week. The young defensive lineman continues to progress playing his first two games in prime time. The lights were not too bright for Oweh because he stepped up when they needed him the most. As Kansas City is driving down the field, trying to get the game winning score, Oweh stretched out his long arm and strips 2^nd year running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (1^st of his career). He recovered the ball to halt the Chiefs drive and essential secure the win for the Ravens. For a guy who was criticized for not making enough plays in college he is sure making up for lost time.

Performance Rating: 3.75

Next Game: at Detroit Lions 1:00pm Sunday

SLEEPER 6

BALTIMORE RAVENS

RB – Ty’Son Williams- 6’0” 220 – BYU – Undrafted rookie free agent vs. Kansas City Chiefs (W, 36-35)

Game day Stats: 13 carries / 77 rushing yards / 2 receptions / 16 receiving yards

The Ravens have some serious injury problems at running back this season. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are both on the IR. Enter rookie free agent Ty’Son Williams. Williams followed up his debut, where he scored his first touchdown, with a solid game running the ball tough between the tackles. This is just another example that you can find running backs anywhere as long as they are hungry runner, receiver, and pass protector who is durable. The BYU product has earned the starting tailback job in Baltimore.

Performance Rating: 3.50

Next Game: at Detroit Lions 1:00pm Sunday

Week 2 2021 Draft Class Match ups results:

New England Patriots QB – Mac Jones vs. New York Jets QB – Zach Wilson

This one is a pretty easy to declare a winner. Mac Jones managed the game and didn’t turn the ball over. Wilson on the other hand was pressured all day and threw 4 interceptions. The Jets better figure out a way to protect Wilson or he will be another Jets quarterback looking for a new home in 3 years like Sam Darnold (so far, so good for Sam in his new home). Winner: Mac Jones

Week 3 2021 Draft Class Match up:

Buffalo Bills DE – Gregory Rousseau vs. Washington OT Samuel Cosmi

Rousseau is coming off of a break out game of his rookie year. Cosmi is about as solid a tackle coming out of Texas as you can find. His ability to protect Taylor Heinicke will be a vital part of Washington’s offensive success. These two teams boast two of the best young defensive fronts in the entire league.

Week 2 Throwback Draft Class Match up results:

Detroit Lions – QB – Jarod Goff ‘16 vs. Green Bay Packer QB – Aaron Rodgers‘05

The demise of Aaron Rodgers has been greatly exaggerated. On Monday night Rodgers and the Packers got back on track with a great performance. Rodgers went 22 of 27, threw for 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Goff continues to be plagued by turnovers and the Lions are ….. Well you know….. The Lions. Winner: Aaron Rodgers

Week 3 Throwback Draft Class Match up:

2017 Draft Running Back dual

Seattle Seahawks RB Chris Carson vs. Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook

Cook was a second round pick of the Vikings and has been one of the best backs in the league for the last 4 seasons. When healthy Carson takes a back seat to nobody as far as all-purpose backs go. Both teams need a win especially Minnesota who can afford to 0-3.