Throughout the 2018 NFL season, we’re monitoring the progress made by the league’s rookie class by power ranking them based on their play, their circumstances, or both.
Here’s how the rookie crop shakes out with two weeks in the books.
1. Denver Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay: Do the Broncos have another Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson or at least Olandis Gary on their hands? As an undrafted rookie, Lindsay ranks third in the NFL with 178 rushing yards and is averaging a stellar 6.1 yards per carry.
2. Indianapolis Colts LB Darius Leonard: The second-round selection out of South Carolina State has been all over the field for the Colts. He leads the NFL with 27 total tackles, and he was named to PFF’s Team of the Week for Week 2.
3. Los Angeles Chargers S Derwin James: The No. 17 overall pick out of Florida State is already making a huge impact in the L.A. secondary. He’s got a pair of sacks, 11 tackles and three passes defended.
4. New York Jets QB Sam Darnold: The No. 3 overall pick out of USC came back to earth a tad with a pair of interceptions in a loss to the Miami Dolphins, but he still completed over 66 percent of his passes. His performance Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns could indicate which direction his rookie season will go.
5. Seattle Seahawks TE Will Dissly: The fourth-round pick out of Washington has scored a touchdown in each of Seattle’s first two games. He’s also caught eight of the 10 passes thrown his way by Russell Wilson.
6. San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner: The third-rounder out of BYU has 22 tackles in two starts, making it easier for a defense awaiting the return of Reuben Foster.
7. New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley: Only seven NFL players have caught more passes than Barkley (16), and despite a rough outing against the Dallas Cowboys he still has a solid 4.6 yards-per-attempt average.
8. Broncos OLB Bradley Chubb: The preseason Defensive Player of the Year favorite has yet to record a solo sack, but he’s put together back-to-back strong pass-rushing performances to start his NFL career.
9. Cleveland Browns WR Antonio Callaway: The talented but red-flagged fourth-round pick burned the New Orleans secondary on a clutch 47-yard touchdown reception late against the Saints, and he should have plenty of opportunities now that Josh Gordon has been traded away.
10. Browns CB Denzel Ward: The No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State struggled mightily in his second game against the Saints, but he still makes the cut thanks to a two-pick performance in Cleveland’s opener.
