2019 NFL Draft: Standouts from NFL preseason week two action

The 2019 NFL Draft provided the league with plenty of instant impact. Here are the rookies who played well in week two of NFL preseason action.

Week two of the NFL preseason held a handful positive displays from many 2019 NFL Draft picks looking to solidify their spot on an NFL roster.

Last weekend featured both repeat and new stellar showings from familiar and not-so-familiar rookie faces.

Here are the NFL newbies who achieved the most in last week’s preseason games:

Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots

After hauling in six catches for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his NFL debut, Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers again showed us his potential. The undrafted free agent from NC State hauled in all six of his targets for 82 yards and a two-point conversion in the back of the end zone from Brian Hoyer.

The receiver uses his quickness to create and maneuver in space against zone coverage and typically wins the one-on-one battle at the line.

Meyers was again the best receiver in football this week and now leads all NFL WRs in receptions and touchdowns for the 2019 preseason. He seems to be a guaranteed lock for a position on New England’s depth chart.

Tanner Hudson, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Like Meyers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Tanner Hudson has also been the best at his respective position through two weeks of preseason football; leading all TEs in targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

Against Miami last week, he had 93 receiving yards and scored the team’s only TD. Hudson also brought in a vital pass on a finely ran post-corner route in tight coverage during the dying seconds of the game to set up his team for a game-winning field goal.

Expect to see Hudson on the roster come the regular season.

Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Like everyone on the list so far, Cowboys RB Tony Pollard also played well in his NFL debut. His numbers were promising with his limited touches.

On just five carries, Pollard gained 42 yards and a powerful earned trip to the end zone. Owner Jerry Jones fourth-round pick doesn’t possess the same running style or even caliber of talent Ezekiel Elliot does, but his combination of balance and quickness look more than enough to get what Dallas fans hope is the ‘temporary’ job done.

Cowboys fans should be optimistic about Pollard if Elliott doesn’t return to play.

Shareef Miller, DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles fourth-round selection Shareef Miller out of Penn State was pretty quiet two weeks ago, but he made sure to make some more noise this time around.

Last Thursday, the edge-rusher reached the QB for a second week in a row using his strength and long arms to rip though the tackle to navigate the QB for a quick sack.

Miller also racked up four tackles– two for loss- and hopes to continue establishing himself into an important role on one of the best defensive lines in the league.

Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants

The laughing stock of the 2019 NFL Draft continues to silence haters and critics with his preseason play, trying to prove that he was drafted right where he belonged at No. 6.

After displaying a perfect passer rating on his lone drive a week prior, the New York Giants QB provided his haters and fans alike with another solid performance.

With aid from his calm composure that one can see, Jones overcame his lost fumbles and tossed his way to 11 for 14 for 161 yards. His highlight of the night stemmed from a nicely arched sideline TD throw to T.J Jones from inside the red zone.

Though it is preseason against second and third-team players, the development and leadership of New York’s future QB seem to be on the right track.

Sam Eguavoen, LB, Miami Dolphins

Before going to the CFL, Miami Dolphins LB Sam Eguavoen went undrafted out of Texas Tech and worked a 9-5 back home in Dallas.

Now he is providing a solid case and impact to make that 53-man NFL roster.

Eguavoen racked up eight tackles- one on special teams and two for loss- and forced a fumble that Miami’s Eric Rowe recovered against Tampa Bay on Fri.

Eguavoen has just two more chances to show new HC Brian Flores what he has against the Jaguars and Saints in the coming weeks.

Derrick Baity Jr., CB, Houston Texans

The best defensive back performance from the weekend had to come from undrafted rookie Houston Texans CB Derrick Baity Jr., who had an interception, two pass deflections and six tackles on the night.

The former Kentucky Wildcat obtains good length at 6-foot-3 and showed above-average skill and patience at press coverage on his interception.

The Texans hope Baity can help end their secondary issues, who ranked 28th last year and 24th in the league the year prior.