NFL Draft Buzz, Week 3: Is the Packers' defense elite, can the Bears' offense click?

It may still be early in the season, but several storylines are already starting to take shape across the NFL.

The Green Bay Packers look like they landed one of the biggest steals in recent memory with the Micah Parsons trade, while the Chicago Bears’ offense has failed to meet expectations despite heavy investment in young talent. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans’ offensive line continues to raise long-term questions, and a pair of rookies in Philadelphia are already making major noise.

This week’s NFL Draft Buzz breaks it all down, spotlighting rookies making an impact now and how early-season struggles could shape the 2026 NFL Draft.

Is the Packers' defense truly elite?

The blockbuster move of the preseason came when the Green Bay Packers traded two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark for Micah Parsons. Early returns suggest it may already be one of the biggest steals in recent NFL history.

Through two games, Green Bay’s defense has looked dominant. They are allowing just 238 yards per game and rank second in the league with eight sacks. These numbers did not come against weak opponents either. The Packers shut down the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, two of the top offenses in the NFL last season. Detroit managed only 13 points against Green Bay before exploding for 52 the following week against Chicago.

The cost of acquiring Parsons is also looking more favorable by the week. The first-round picks Green Bay gave up are likely to fall late in the round, with the team currently ranked No. 1 in The Athletic’s power poll. If the Packers continue to handle NFC contenders the way they did against Detroit and Washington, they may very well be representing the conference in the Super Bowl, which would leave Dallas with either the 31st or 32nd pick.

Can Bears' passing game break out vs. struggling Dallas secondary?

Heading into the season, expectations were high for the Bears’ passing attack. With 2024 first overall pick Caleb Williams expected to take a major step forward under new head coach Ben Johnson, plus upgrades to the offensive line and two early 2025 draft investments at pass catcher in tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10 overall and wide receiver Luther Burden in the second round, Chicago’s air game was supposed to be a strength.

So far, it has not been. The Bears are averaging just 201 passing yards per game, and Williams looks like at best the third-best quarterback in his draft class behind Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. Loveland has been a non-factor with only two catches for 12 yards in two games, while Burden has managed just two receptions for two yards.

This week offers a chance for redemption. The Bears face a Dallas defense that ranks 30th in the league against the pass, giving up 283 yards per game. The Cowboys also surrendered 37 points last week to the Giants. If Chicago cannot get its passing game going against one of the NFL’s worst secondaries, Johnson may have to face uncomfortable questions about Williams’ development and whether backup Tyson Bagent deserves a look.

Arizona’s secondary without Will Johnson

When on the field, former Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has already proven to be a great value pick for the Arizona Cardinals. He tied for second in the NFL with four pass deflections and was named NFL Mocks’ second-best performer of Week 1 after an elite showing against the New Orleans Saints.

But one of the reasons Johnson slipped to the second round was his injury history. He missed six games in 2024, and those durability concerns are already resurfacing in the NFL. Johnson is expected to miss Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers, and the timing could not be worse.

The Cardinals may also be without fellow cornerback Max Melton, leaving the secondary dangerously thin heading into a matchup that could go a long way toward determining the NFC West race.

Can Texans take some pressure off C.J. Stroud?

While the Chicago Bears are focused on fixing their passing attack, the Houston Texans face the opposite problem. They need to find a way to establish a consistent ground game. In their last outing, Texans running backs combined for just 57 yards on 15 carries, with 32 of those yards coming on only two attempts. That level of production will not cut it against Jacksonville in Week 3 or throughout the rest of the season.

The main issue is a struggling offensive line. Guard Laken Tomlinson has been a major liability, posting a 46 PFF run-blocking grade against Tampa Bay. Tomlinson is on a one-year deal, and if he does not improve, the Texans could move on from him after the season. One possible replacement is Missouri’s Cayden Green, a powerful lineman who could transition from tackle to guard and fits well in Houston’s zone-blocking scheme.

The Texans may also need to think beyond the line. Joe Mixon has dealt with injuries this season, will turn 30 next year, and is entering the final year of his contract in 2026. Houston could look to the draft for a long-term solution at running back. Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton, a 6-foot, 224-pound back with 4.35 speed, is one option who could be worth one of their two second-round picks. If they wait until Day 3, Washington’s Jonah Coleman could also be a strong value fit.

For now, though, the Texans need to find answers quickly. A stronger running game would not only help balance the offense but also take some pressure off C.J. Stroud, who has been asked to do too much on his own.

Eagles’ two stellar rookies

One of the biggest matchups of Week 3 features the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles, with both teams entering at 2-0 and looking like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. It is also a clash of styles: the Rams bring the oldest offense in the NFL, while the Eagles counter with the league’s youngest defense.

That defense has been boosted by two standout rookies, linebacker Jihaad Campbell and safety Andrew Mukuba. Campbell, taken with the 31st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been outstanding in coverage, earning an 88.3 PFF grade and allowing just one reception all season. His athleticism and awareness in coverage were strengths at Alabama, and they have quickly translated to the NFL.

Mukuba, a rookie out of Clemson, has been just as impactful. His biggest moment came against the Kansas City Chiefs when he intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown in a 20-17 win. That performance earned him Eagles Player of the Week honors. Known in college for his versatility and coverage ability at both corner and safety, Mukuba is already proving to be a difference-maker in Philadelphia’s secondary.

As the Eagles prepare for their showdown with the Rams, these two young defenders could play a key role in determining whether the league’s youngest defense can hold its own against one of its most experienced offenses.

Sunday night rookie showcase: Simmons vs. Carter

One of the marquee rookie matchups of Week 3 takes place Sunday night in New York as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Giants. The game features my highest-rated offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft, Josh Simmons, squaring off against my top defensive end in the same class, Abdul Carter.

I was in the minority ranking Ohio State’s Josh Simmons as the top tackle in the 2025 draft over players like Armand Membou and Kelvin Banks, both of whom went in the top 10. (I graded Will Campbell as a guard.) So far, Simmons has validated that evaluation. In his first two starts, he held his own against the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers—two of the league’s best defenses—without giving up a sack.

Across from him will be Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall pick out of Penn State. Carter flashed elite burst and pass-rushing ability in college, and those skills have already translated to the NFL. He has recorded eight pressures through his first two games, making him a key piece of New York’s defense.

How Simmons handles Carter’s speed and power could go a long way in deciding whether the Chiefs’ offense clicks or the Giants’ defense takes control.