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NFL rookie power rankings for Week 2

By Scott Rogust

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 13: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Looking at the five best rookie performances in Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season.

When every NFL fan looks back at Week 2 of the 2020 season, they’ll instantly think of the countless injuries suffered by some of the game’s biggest stars. Saquon Barkley, Nick Bosa, Jimmy Garoppolo and the list rolls on, unfortunately. Due to this influx of bad news, the games by some of the members of the 2020 rookie draft class were overshadowed. But have no fear, we’ve got you covered.

There were plenty of candidates this week. Some were expected, given their draft slot and positions on their respective team’s depth chart. Yet others came out of the blue and surprised the NFL fans and pundits around the world. Here are the five best rookie performances of Week 2.

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 20: Chase Claypool #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field on September 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 20: Chase Claypool #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Heinz Field on September 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

55. Scouting Report. player. Chase Claypool. 5.. Pick Analysis. WR. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t own a first-round draft pick this year following the trade for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, but they may have gotten a first-round talent in the form of receiver Chase Claypool at the start of Day 2. We got a glimpse of what Claypool can bring to the NFL with his impressive sideline catch against the New York Giants in Week 1, but he really showed out in Pittsburgh’s game against the Denver Broncos.

If Claypool proved anything in his second career game, it’s that he’ll be quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite deep threat target. In the third quarter, the veteran quarterback connected with Claypool, who broke away from cornerback Michael Ojemudia, along the sidelines for an 84-yard career touchdown. Oh, and that was the very first score of his NFL career.

The Steelers struggled in the receiver department last season, as JuJu Smith-Schuster earned extra defensive attention and had bouts with the injury bug. Now, Pittsburgh has a matchup nightmare in Claypool to open things up for the offense this season, and makes them one of the better all-around teams in the league. We don’t know who’s happier about Claypool being a Steeler, the rookie out of Notre Dame or “Big Ben?” We’ll call it a tie.

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