Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season featured a breakout performance by one of the top receivers taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Did Malik Nabers do enough to claim the No. 1 spot in this week’s NFL power rankings of 2024 NFL Draft picks?
It was also a week that saw two quarterbacks from that draft class impress as both Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler showed what made them highly touted quarterbacks coming out of college. In a quarterback dominated draft class, just about all the top QBs selected are starting to make an impact in Year 2.
Here’s a look at this week’s top 10.
Top 10 players from the 2024 NFL Draft: Week 3 Rankings
No. 1: Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants (Round 1, No. 6 – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 2 2025 NFL stats: Rec: 5 | Yards: 71 | TD: 0
2025 NFL Season: Rec: 14 | Yards: 238 | TD: 2
Malik Nabers takes the No. 1 spot this week after a stellar performance against the Dallas Cowboys. With Russell Wilson looking like vintage Russell Wilson, Nabers hauled in 9 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns in the overtime loss to the NFC East rivals. Those stats included a 59-yard touchdown reception with his face covered by defenders.
Malik Nabers put up video game numbers in Week 2 🕹️
— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2025
9 catches
167 yards
2 touchdowns@whyguard13 | @giants pic.twitter.com/1jeYob1eyx
The impressive part about Nabers’ Week 2 performance is that he not only came up clutch with that 59-yard touchdown that put the team up in the late stages of the fourth quarter, but he also showed maturity after the game by taking the blame for a Wilson interception in overtime. He blamed it on miscommunication between himself and the veteran quarterback which shows some leadership from the second-year rookie.
No. 2: Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders (Round 1, No. 13 overall)
Week 2 2025 NFL stats: Rec: 5 | Yards: 38 | TD: 0
2025 NFL season: Rec: 10 | Yards: 141 | TD: 0
Brock Bowers moves back to No. 2 in this week’s rankings. After a 100-yard receiving performance in Week 1, Bowers was relatively quiet in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The talented tight end caught 5 receptions for 38 yards in the Monday night loss. With an injury to his knee a concern leading up to the game, Bowers remains on the injury list due to that knee. Although he didn’t experience any setbacks in the 20-9 loss, he has been listed as limed this week leading up to the team’s matchup against the Commanders. The Raiders need a healthy Bowers to really get the offense going, so his availability is something to watch as the game gets closer.
No. 3: 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
Following a Thursday night loss to the Green Bay Packers, Jayden Daniels surrendered his No. 1 ranking amongst 2024 NFL Draft picks. This week, he slips back to No. 3 mostly due to injury concerns. With the Commanders looking to bounce back in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the bigger concern is whether Daniels will be available.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters this week that his star QB is “day-to-day” and that his status for Sunday will depend on how he looks on Friday.
"Jayden had a good rehab session day," Quinn said, via CBS Sports. "He also threw out on the field. He won't practice today, and then as we get into Friday, I'll give you an assessment of where we're at after we go through practice on Friday."
The Commanders will ride with former first round pick Marcus Mariota if Daniels isn’t ready to go.
No. 4: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (Round 2, No. 34 – 2024 NFL Draft)
2025 NFL season: Rec: 4 | Yards: 48 | TD: 0
NFL season stats: Rec: 11 | Yards: 122 | TD: 0
Ladd McConkey remains at No. 4 this week. Though he didn’t have a huge game in the team’s 20-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, he caught all 5 of his targets for 48 yards. With the Chargers getting good play out of fellow wide receivers Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston, McConkey doesn’t need to be a do everything receiver which will make him a more dangerous wide receiver as the season moves forward.
Something to watch with the second-year receiver is that he is nursing a biceps injury. But, as of Thursday, it looks like he is back practicing with the team. If healthy and ready to go, it could be a big week for McConkey in Week 3.
No. 5: Jared Verse, OLB, Los Angeles Rams (Round 1, No. 19 – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 2 2025 NFL Stats: Tackles: 2 | Sacks: 0 | FF: 0 | INT: 0
2025 NFL season: Tackles: 5 | Sacks: 0 | FF: 0 | INT: 0
We will keep Jared Verse at No. 5 this week due to his impact on the field. Verse hasn’t recorded a sack yet through Week 2 but remains a top 10 edge rusher with a ProFootball Focus (PFF) grade of 84.3. That includes a pass rush grade of 80.2. Although a quiet start for Verse, his defense has only given up 28 points through the first two games of the season. It will be a scarier defense once Verse gets going and starts putting opposing quarterbacks on their back.
In Week 3, Verse and the Rams’ defense will go up against the Philadelphia Eagles. Can the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year make his impact on the game? For the Rams to get a win in Philly, Verse will need to put his stamp on the game.
No.6: Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots (Round 1, No. 4 overall – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 2 2025 NFL Stats: Yards: 287 | TD: 2 | INT: 0 | QBR: 76.1
NFL season stats: Yards: 517 | TD: 3 | INT: 1 | QBR: 57.1
Drake Maye debuts at No. 6 this week after a solid performance in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft looked like a player starting to feel comfortable under the guidance of Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. In the Patriots’ Week 2 victory, Maye passes for 287 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also scored a third touchdown rushing the ball. The most impressive play of the game was this pass to running back Rhamondre Stevenson:
The play from @DrakeMaye2 to @dreeday32 that set up the score ⏩
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 14, 2025
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/F20NTJVCSr
In this play, Maye is patient, moves up in the pocket and delivers a perfect ball to Stevenson for a big play in the game. It was a play that set up the team’s go-ahead touchdown at the time. Can Maye make it back-to-back good performances when the Patriots take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3? It’s something to watch, especially for Patriots Nation.
No. 7: Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers (Round 1, No. 31 overall – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 2 2025 NFL stats: Rec: 4 | Yards: 56 | TD: 0
2025 NFL season: Rec: 8 | Yards: 164 | TD: 0
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall continues his strong second season with another solid performance in the team’s Week 2 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Pearsall was a reliable target for Mac Jones hauling in 4 receptions on 6 targets for 56 yards. He averaged 14.0 yards per reception in the game and is quickly standing out as a prime target in the 49ers’ offense.
In winning most of his routes, expect Pearsall to continue his Year 2 jump and move higher up the rankings.
No. 8: Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 4, No. 125 overall – 2024 NFL Draft)
Week 2 2025 NFL Stats: Rush YDS: 71 | TD: 2 | Rec: 6 | YDS: 50
NFL season stats: Rush YDS: 108 | TD: 0 | Rec: 6 | YDS: 58
Bucky Irving leaps back into the top 10 this week after a solid all-around game in the Buccaneers’ 20-19 win over the Houston Texans Monday night. Irving showcased his dual-threat ability with 71 rushing yards and 50 reception yards as the Buccaneers are now 2-0 on the season.
After a relatively quiet Week 1, it is good to see the Oregon product bounce back with the type of performance and impact that made him a mid-round gem in 2024. With Baker Mayfield playing lights out, Irving getting it done on the ground and as a playmaking option out of the backfield will help make the Buccaneers a team to be reckoned with the rest of the 2025 NFL season.
No. 9: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons (Round 1, No. 8 overall -2024 NFL Draft)
Week 2 2025 NFL Stats: Yards: 135 | TD: 0 | INT: 0 | QBR: 27.6
NFL season stats: Yards: 433 | TD: 1 | INT: 0 | QBR: 66.0
Michael Penix Jr leaped into the top 10 in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and although he remains in the top 10, fell back a few spots after a win over the Minnesota Vikings. In the 22-6 win, Penix threw for just 135 yards but proved that he can win without throwing the ball all over the field. In completing 61.9 percent of his passes, the young quarterback was patient in his performance and took the plays that were there.
With his arm talent, the big plays will come but understanding that doing what it takes for his team to win is a sign of a young quarterback with a bright future in the league. If you are a Falcons fan, it looks like you have your QB of the future.
No. 10: Spencer Rattler, QB, New Orleans Saints (Round 5, No. 150 overall)
Week 2 2025 NFL Stats: Yards: 214 | TD: 0 | INT: 0 | QBR: 27.6
NFL season stats: Yards: 421 | TD: 3 | INT: 0 | QBR: 58.1
The Saints are 0-2, but it’s hard to ignore the play of second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler. He makes his debut in the top 10 this week after a solid performance in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Completing 73.5 percent of his passes and leaping into the top 10 amongst quarterbacks with a 79.7 ProFootball Focus (PFF) grade, Rattler is impressing and making Kellen Moore’s decision to go with him over 2025 NFL Draft second-round pick Tyler Shough a smart move.
NFL insider Mar Schlereth has jumped aboard the Rattler hype train by praising the Saints' fight with the second-year QB under center.
"I thought Spencer Rattler, and I liked him in college, I liked him coming out, there’s something to him, man," Schlereth told WWL Radio Sports. "I know he’s not the biggest dude and all that kinda stuff, but he’s got some moxie to him. I enjoyed watching him play, man, I thought they played .. really well and I don’t think they're nearly as bad as everybody predicted they were gonna be."