NFL Preseason Week 2 Rookie Watch

By Mike Patch | August 21, 2023

Rookie Report Card – Running Backs

We’ve now finished two games for these rookies and for many fans out there, they haven’t had a chance to see them play on TV. The beauty of fantasy football Twitter is people compile videos of each player’s reps. Giving us the opportunity to see these rookies’ first moments on an NFL field. Most of who you will see in this article are players who have a shot at being a fantasy asset this season as well as the no-brainers like Bijan Robinson or C.J. Stroud.

I’ll start with the running backs, transition to wide receivers and then wrap it up with tight ends/quarterbacks. Let’s dive in…

Bijan Robinson

Bijan has only played one week so far. Which tells you what you need to know if we’re being honest with ourselves. He saw some action against the Bengals on Friday night. 4 carries for 20 yards, with one flashy play in the mix. Maybe two. But the second one was just an impressive catch.

The play itself is simple, but seeing how he bursts through multiple levels of the defense in a split second is a flash in the pan of how electric Bijan can be. I can’t wait to see him in the regular season! The other play Bijan had that raised some eyebrows was his one-handed catch in open field.

You almost expect him to make these kinds of plays but at the same time, when it happens, you’re still impressed. 

If we’re giving out grades here (which is what we are doing here), then I’m giving Bijan a solid B+ in his first outing. 

Jahmyr Gibbs

Jahmyr Gibbs has also only played in one game so far, so again, that should tell you something. There were plenty of fans unhappy with the early pick of Jahmyr Gibbs. I think as the season progresses, fans will see why the Lions did it. He’s got game-changing potential as a running back in this league. It’s a matter of whether he will take it to the next level come the regular season. Here is a tweet of all his reps on the field.

He’s making plays, which is what we want to see. We don’t want to see screw-ups or missed assignments. I envision this backfield is going to look a lot like Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara back in the day.

For now, Gibbs gets a B- in my book. Lots of potential!

De’Von Achane

I will do my best to keep my fandom aside from this report card, but it is going to be hard because I see why Mike McDaniel really liked Achane. Through 2 games, Achane has 16 carries for 52 yards on the ground. He added 4 catches for 41 yards in the first week. I have seen the aspects of Achane’s game that can make him an NFL running back. I also see the things he needs to work on which would be finding a hole quicker and not getting caught up behind the LOS. You’ll see in the first play of this clip, Achane shows us what his capabilities are. I know it is just preseason but you can tell when a person is faster than everyone around him.

Faster doesn’t always mean good, so Achane needs to iron out some things before the season gets going. He did injure his shoulder, but it turned out it is not too bad. He will miss the rest of the preseason and should be back to start the regular season.

My grade for Achane thus far is a C+. I like what I’m seeing, but am not completely sold yet.

Tank Bigsby

Tank has been solid to watch in the preseason. In week one, he had 9 carries for 52 yards and made an impressive play deep in their own territory.

Love to see the vision and quick-chan ge direction to get into the open field. In week two, he also had a solid day. 13 carries for 70 yards and yet again had an impressive play at the 1:18 mark.

That play went from losing 2 or 3 yards to gaining a first down. Scrubs don’t do that, that’s all I’m saying. 

So far, I think football fans are liking what they’re seeing from Tank. I’m giving him a B- right now. There’s a solid chance you’ll be hearing his name on Sundays.

Zach Charbonnet

Very small sample size to work with, however, he did make a couple of impact plays. In week one, he showed his ability to lower his shoulder and use his frame to get the extra yard or two while going down. See the video in this tweet!

And then in his second game, he found a hole and shot through it for a huge gain.

I know the offensive line had a lot to do with it but his burst through the first and second level of the defense was noteworthy in my opinion. I am excited to see more out of Charbonnet. For now, I have him as a C+. 

Tyjae Spears

Tyjae has definitely turned some heads. The issue here is Derrick Henry is in front of him. The king of volume. There’s only one scenario where Spears is a weekly fantasy asset and we won’t be mentioning it. I like what Spears is doing on the field and you should too! Check out this highlight from Saturday night.

I’ll give Spears a B- right now. He should be a solid backup to Henry.

Roschon Johnson

I gotta give it to Roschon, given his limited opportunities thus far, I’d say he’s made a decent impression. Here was his Saturday night.

I call him a speed bruiser. He hits the hole hard and lowers the shoulder no matter who is about to hit him. I don’t see him taking over as the starter, but maybe a situational flex player throughout the season. 

I’d go with a C from Roschon thus far.

Kendre Miller

This has been a nice surprise. Faded by many due to injuries in such sustained in college, he found himself a nice home in New Orleans. Got banged up in the first preseason game and many thought we would not see him do much more this preseason but boy were we wrong! He had a solid night against the Chargers in week 2 with this awesome grab. 

I like what I am seeing out of Miller, and his presence is needed for the first three weeks while Kamara is suspended. I’m giving Kendre a C for now, the big catch helped his grade, I won’t lie!

Other Names To Know

Deuce Vaughn has looked explosive in his first few games. Making plays and finding the endzone. He has certainly earned a spot on the 53-man roster if you ask me.

Israel Ibanikanda has also had moments this preseason, but he was held out of their third preseason game from a minor injury.

Chase Brown has made a few plays, but he is fighting to earn the RB2 spot in Cincinnati.

Mike Patch
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