Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season featured some top performances from players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. It also featured some players struggling to start their sophomore seasons, which will lead to big questions going into Week 2.
One of those questions center around Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and whether he will make that Year 2 leap as projected. It was only one game, but Maye looked a little off in the Week 1 loss to the Raiders. He'll need to bounce back big against the Dolphins to stop those questions on whether he is "the right guy" in New England and propel him into the conversation of the top players from the the draft class.
Elsewhere, a gallant comeback performance from J.J. McCarthy roared him into the top 10, but how high does he rank? Plus, a couple of second-year receivers make their debuts on the list.
In Week 2 of the NFL Power rankings of the 2024 NFL Draft, NFL Mocks rank Year 2 players based on impact in their rookie seasons combined with Week 1 performances. This is not a ranking exclusive to those performances in Week 1.
Top 10 players from the 2024 NFL Draft: Week 2 Rankings
No. 1: Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 1, No. 13 overall)
Week 1 2025 NFL stats: Rec: 5 | Yards: 103 | TD: 0
Brock Bowers leaps into the top spot after a 100-yard receiving performance in the Raiders’ 20-13 win over the New England Patriots in Week 1. The 2024 NFL Draft No. 13 overall pick continued to show why he is already one of the top tight ends in the league. He did suffer a knee injury that took him out of the game in the second half, but when on the field he was a prime target for Geno Smith with his five receptions.
As far as the injury, Raiders head coach Peter Carroll expects his tight end to be ready for the team’s AFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers. The former Georgia Bulldogs star did end his college career dealing with injuries so this could be concerning although Bowers was durable all through his rookie campaign.
No. 2: Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders (Round 1, No. 2 overall – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 1 2025 NFL stats: Yards: 233 | TD: 1 | INT: 0 | QBR: 54.9
*Week 2 2025 NFL stats: Yards: 200 | TD 2 | INT: 0 | QBR: 26.9
NFL season stats: Yards: 433 | TD: 3 | INT: 0 | QBR: 40.9
Coming off a Week 1 win, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders had to go into Lambeau Field on Thursday night to take on a tough Green Bay Packers’ defense in the Week 2 matchup. Daniels wasn’t great in the 27-18 loss but still managed to throw for 2 touchdowns in the game.
ERTZ TO THE END ZONE
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 12, 2025
📺 #WASvsGB @nflonprime pic.twitter.com/2p9ToJqzoi
Although his overall performance dropped him from the No. 1 spot, Daniels is still showing the composure that helped lead the way in him winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. With the other quarterbacks in the class emerging. The question is willing Daniels still be considered the top quarterback from the 2024 NFL Draft class once the season is over?
There is still a lot of football left and a lot of ways Daniels can continue to grow. He didn’t go through much adversity in his rookie season and that will come with the spotlight on the Commanders in Year 2. The longevity of success will be how he picks himself up after losses and lackluster performances.
No. 3: Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants (Round 1, No. 6 – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 1 2025 NFL stats: Rec: 5 | Yards: 71 | TD: 0
Malik Nabers remains in the top 3 simply because of his talent. Targeted just 12 times in the Giants’ Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders, Nabers had 5 receptions for 71 yards as the offense struggled to put up points. The second-year receiver was visibly upset about the lack of targets. It was a frustrating day and not how Nabers wanted to start his second season in the NFL, but the LSU product can’t let that frustration distract from what he could do on the field.
As far as the lack of targets, it’s up to Giants head coach Brian Daboll to figure out how to get the ball in his star players hands more often. Once they figure that out, Nabers will continue to prove he’s a top-level offensive threat in the NFL.
No. 4: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (Round 2, No. 34 – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 1 2025 NFL stats: Rec: 6 | Yards: 74 | TD: 0
Ladd McConkey didn’t miss a beat in the first game of his second season in the NFL. Coming off an outstanding rookie season in which he caught 82 receptions for 1,149 yards, McConkey picked up where he left off with 6 receptions for 74 yards in the team’s win against the Kansas City Chiefs.
With Keenan Allen back in the mix, McConkey should see more success as a secondary option for Justin Herbert and continue to climb up this top 10 rankings of 2024 NFL Draft picks.
No. 5: Jared Verse, OLB, Los Angeles Rams (Round 1, No. 19 – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 1 2025 NFL Stats: Tackles: 3 | Sacks: 0 | FF: 0 | INT: 0
The reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year didn’t record a sack in Week 1, but Jared Verse still found ways to impact the game in the team’s 14-9 victory over the Houston Texans. Verse recorded 3 total tackles in the game but earned a PFF grade of 90.6 as he played 57 snaps in the game.
While he didn’t record a sack, Verse did have a QB hit in the game and helped anchor a solid overall team effort. Next up for Verse and his Rams’ defense is a matchup against 2025 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans.
No. 6: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons (Round 1, No. 8 overall -2024 NFL Draft)
Week 1 2025 NFL Stats: Yards: 298 | TD: 1 | INT: 0 | QBR: 83.7
Michael Penix Jr was a bright spot in the Falcons’ 23-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. The second-year quarterback threw for 298 yards and a touchdown. With a QBR of 83.7, Penix was seventh amongst all quarterbacks in Week 1in that statistics and did all he could to help his team win. Following the game Falcons head coach Raheem Morris could only praise his young quarterback.
"I can't say enough positive things about him," Morris said. "Him going out there and not turning the football over, getting us to the right read, the right protections, throwing the ball in the right areas, making the right plays at the right times. I mean, he was lights out and we got to help that kid and win games."
Penix Jr goes up against J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2 in a matchup that will feature two of the 2024 NFL Draft quarterbacks.
No. 7: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings (Round 1, No.10 overall – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 1 2025 NFL Stats: Yards: 143 | TD: 2 | INT: 1 | QBR: 52.6
The Vikings finally got to see what they had in 2024 NFL Draft first round pick J.J. McCarthy on Monday night and the end results were promising. The Michigan product didn’t have the type of numbers that stand out, especially his 52.6 QBR, but it was one attribute that shined in leading a comeback against the Chicago Bears. He bounced back from struggling earlier in the game and showed off his resilience.
"There's no way to deny, we don't win this game unless J.J. plays the way he did in the second half," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said following the 27-24 win. "Most importantly, he kept the belief of his football team behind him. Now, we know it's possible."
That fearlessness and clutch gene is what has leaped him over other second year quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Drake May into the top 10. McCarthy is now set for a matchup against another 2024 NFL Draft QB when the Vikings host Michael Penix Jr and the Atlanta Falcons.
No. 8: Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills (Round 2, No. 33 overall – 2024 NFL Draft)
2025 NFL Week 1 stats: Rec: 8 | Yards: 112 | TD: 1
Keon Coleman was a cheat code in the team’s comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. With 8 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown, the Florida State product proved to be a key target for Josh Allen and may have begun to establish himself as the team’s WR1. He at least has Allen’s confidence.
“He stepped up for us. He made some good plays,” Allen said. “Proud of him.”
Keon Coleman TD off the deflection! This game!
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2025
BALvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/evTVV18xYm
Coleman and the Bills next head to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Jets in an AFC East showdown. Coleman’s big challenge will be going up against one of the top if not the best corners in the NFL in Sauce Gardner.
No. 9: Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers (Round 1, No. 31 overall – 2024 NFL Draft)
2025 NFL Week 1 stats: Rec: 4 | Yards: 108 | TD: 0
With top tight end George Kittle on the sideline, the 49ers needed someone to step up as a playmaker. That player was second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who showcased his first-round talent with 4 receptions for 108 yards in the team’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks. That included a 45-yard reception from Brock Purdy on a double move.
With that kind of play, Pearsall is looking like a player on the verge of a breakout in his sophomore season, especially if the targets keep coming.
"I am high on Ricky and he should see plenty of targets -- he has to prove he can stay healthy, though," an NFC executive told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Pearsall could have another big game in Week 2 when the 49ers take on the New Orleans Saints, a team that struggled covering wide receivers in Week 1.
No.10: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears (Round 1, No. 1 overall – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 1 2025 NFL Stats: Yards: 210 | TD: 1 | INT: 0 | QBR: 63.8
Caleb Williams started the Ben Johnson era on fire by completing his first 10 throws in the game. In a statement opening drive, Williams led the Bears’ offense down the field by spreading the ball around. He capped it off with a rushing touchdown. Along with these 210 passing yards, he also rushed for 58 yards. Offensively, it was enough to win, but the Bears’ defense gave up 21 unanswered points to McCarthy and the Vikings.
Although there was some encouragement in the performance, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft still found some frustration in the end results, obviously. Most of that frustration was a few easy passes Williams missed that could’ve put the team up more.
"Yeah, it's frustrating," Williams said. "Like I said after the game, you did everything up to that point right, then, you miss a pass, and it's frustrating."
Williams will look to correct those mistakes in a Week 2 matchup against the Detroit Lions.