The list of the top NFL debuts through two weeks barely includes a rookie coming off a 311-yard passing performance. And it doesn't include one future Hall of Famer at the position.
The draft, free agency and an exceedingly active trade market brought plenty of star power to new uniforms. ESPN combed through performances throughout the league and talked to league evaluators about the top 20 debuts entering Week 3, led by a larger-than-life quarterback who nearly knocked off Seattle in prime time.
The honorable mentions list is almost as good as the real one.
1. Cam Newton, QB, New England Patriots
Status: Free-agent signing
Why he's ranked here: Newton has ditched his signature Superman touchdown celebration but has played just as confidently while leading the Patriots' offense to 821 total yards and 51 points. New England has a highly motivated star on a one-year deal and that urgency shows on Sundays. Newton's 15 completions of 10-plus yards downfield leads all NFL quarterbacks through two weeks, according to Pro Football Focus.
One NFC exec believes Newton's arm strength hasn't waned from his peak Carolina days. "He looks like he's up to his old tricks," the exec said. "His foot issue used to cause his accuracy to waver and the ball was sailing, but that looks fine now for the most part. He's never been one with touch and pinpoint accuracy but he can certainly drive the ball and that's no different."
Given that Newton has 26 rushing attempts through two games, the Patriots appear prepared to use him on short-yardage plays throughout the year, but some of the rushing workload will be determined by Newton himself on zone-read plays, which he decides whether to tuck or throw.
2. Chase Young, DE, Washington Football Team
Status: Rookie (No. 2 pick)
Why he's ranked here: Instant havoc. Young doesn't need to warm up to his status as a defensive cornerstone in Washington, pumping out 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble through two games. One NFC exec considers Young and Nick Bosa the two best rushers of recent memory, and gives a slight long-term edge to Young based on total package; Bosa (whose torn ACL in Week 2 wasn't accounted for in this comparison) has a better motor and suddenness but Young has balance, speed, power and length. Washington has issues to figure out on offense and in the secondary, but the front seven should be good for a long time.
3. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
Status: Acquired via trade
Why he's ranked here: Because he's in Buffalo to bring Josh Allen's arm to life. OK, so playing the Jets and Dolphins has helped Allen's early MVP case, which probably won't last. But Buffalo spent serious draft capital to haul Diggs from the Vikings because the Bills knew a legitimate No. 1 receiver was the missing piece. Diggs has rewarded that faith with 16 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown, spinning Dolphins corners like turnstiles. And Allen became the first Bills quarterback since Drew Bledsoe (2002) to record back-to-back 300-yard passing games.
"They are using him all over the field because of his versatility," said an AFC offensive coach about Diggs. "He's getting the ball in a lot of creative ways, from inside and outside." That coach also noted that this is exactly what Diggs wanted: the chance to be "the man." He's ready for his moment.
4. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Status: Acquired via trade
Why he's ranked here: His Arizona debut couldn't have gone much better, with a league-leading 22 catches -- an NFL record for a player's first two games with a franchise, according to the Houston Chronicle -- for 219 yards and one touchdown. A top-three receiver moving to a new team is destined for this list. Hopkins would produce in any offense, but personnel evaluators predicted Hopkins' ability to play outside or in the slot would elevate Kyler Murray's game. That's happening.
5. Jamal Adams, S, Seattle Seahawks
Status: Acquired via trade
Why he's ranked here: The game's most versatile safety in a new uniform is an easy call to rank high on this list. With an uneven pass rush, Seattle is utilizing Adams as an effective blitzer, and he has capitalized with a sack in back-to-back games along with four total quarterback hits. He gave Cam Newton problems in the backfield, and let him hear about it after plays.
"[Seattle] won't be afraid to play him from depth, too, but for now [working closer to the line] is what they need," said an NFC exec.
6. Trent Williams, OT, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Acquired via trade
Why he's ranked here: Because he's Trent Williams. Let's not overthink it: The 49ers got a perennial top-three left tackle for middle-round picks. Sure, age (32) and a year away from football were at least mild concerns. But he set a tone with a Week 1 pancake of Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks that went viral, and that's just the start. "He's been an absolute beast," said an NFC exec.
7. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Status: Rookie (undrafted free agent)
Why he's ranked here: The Jaguars replaced Leonard Fournette with a little-known back out of Illinois State the team identified during the collegiate all-star circuit. Robinson leads all rookie tailbacks with 228 total yards (164 rushing), while eight of his 32 rushing attempts have gone for a first down. Fournette had 103 rushing yards of his own for Tampa Bay on Sunday, but was a non-factor in Week 1.
"Kind of reminds you of the state of running backs -- you can find good ones all over," said one veteran NFL personnel evaluator.
8. Mekhi Becton, OT, New York Jets
Status: Rookie (No. 11 pick)
Why he's ranked here: Because he's a rare bright spot on an anemic Jets offense. Becton's explosion and mobility at 6-foot-7 and 363 pounds look undeniable on Sundays. "I know he had some character concerns coming out, but he's an unbelievable athlete," said an NFC exec. "Not sure they can mess that up as long as he's on the field."
9. Darius Slay, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Status: Acquired via trade
Why he's ranked here: Despite an uneven ending in Detroit, Slay is still widely regarded as a top-shelf corner. He showed it in Week 1 by holding Washington's Terry McLaurin to two catches, and he helped keep Los Angeles Rams receiver Robert Woods to two catches for 14 yards in Week 2. "He's put in work to get his spot back as an elite guy," said an NFL coordinator. "He brings an attitude to the back end."
10. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Status: Rookie (No. 17 pick)
Why he's ranked here: Lamb's impact goes beyond his 165 receiving yards, which leads all rookies through two games. He's commanding the ball despite playing in a loaded offense. His 15 targets ties for second on the Cowboys with tight end Dalton Schultz, and on the game-winning drive Sunday, Dak Prescott found Lamb for a key first down. Lamb looks as smooth as advertised entering Week 3, reinforcing the idea that the Cowboys stole a good one at No. 17 overall.
11. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Status: Rookie (No. 1 pick)
Why he's ranked here: The Bengals found something with Burrow directing traffic in empty-set formations, where he completed 14 of 21 passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns last week against Cleveland, according to Next Gen Stats. Burrow looks in full command of the Bengals' offense -- and their future.
"The only real worry with him is arm strength, but his ball placement and his toughness have been good so that's not as much of an issue," said an AFC exec.
12. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Status: Rookie (No. 32 pick)
Why he's ranked here: Edwards-Helaire showed his endless potential in the Chiefs' offense with a resounding 138-yard rushing debut against Houston. He can run with power, he can spin off linebackers and he can get positive yardage as Patrick Mahomes learns to check down when safeties play deep. Posting 208 total yards through two weeks in an offense with several premier pass-catchers isn't easy.
"Was my favorite back in the draft. He reminds me so much of Maurice Jones-Drew," said an NFL coordinator. "Just compact and powerful in the lower body. I didn't think he would go Round 1, but the Chiefs obviously saw some of this coming."
13. C.J. Henderson, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Status: Rookie (No. 9 pick)
Why he's ranked here: Privately, Jaguars brass insists there's no tank -- only three rookies start, the lines are well-stocked with veterans and there's legitimate top-shelf talent elsewhere despite the mass exodus of tradable assets. Henderson has stood out among all of them. His three pass breakups and an interception helped secure a Week 1 win over Indianapolis. The last Jaguar with an interception in his first career start was Derek Cox in 2009. Henderson didn't create the same splash in a Week 2 loss to Tennessee but still recorded six tackles and a pass deflection.
"He's got the size-speed-strength combination, but he's also a student of the game," said an AFC exec. "He looked prepared." Another exec said Henderson looked bored in his last year at Florida, looking as though he was playing to not get hurt. He's not playing that way now.
14. Melvin Gordon, RB, Denver Broncos
Status: Free-agent signee
Why he's ranked here: With Phillip Lindsay missing time due to injury, Gordon has proved a workhorse for Denver's offense, rushing for 148 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries. Todd Gurley has looked at home in Atlanta's wide-zone scheme but has inferior production to Gordon thus far (117 yards on 35 carries). Fumbles are still an issue (he lost one in Week 1), but otherwise he's still a high-quality back somewhere just outside of the top tier.
15. Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Status: Rookie (No. 49 pick)
Why he's ranked here: The Steelers have missed a lanky, speedy deep threat since Martavis Bryant fizzled out. Claypool is happy to up Pittsburgh's splash-play quotient with big gains in back-to-back games, including a brilliant 84-yard score down the sideline. "Steelers are still one of the best at drafting receivers," an AFC scout said. "They just keep plugging them in."
The quartet of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Claypool and James Washington -- all Day 2 picks since 2017 -- helped Ben Roethlisberger post a combined 107.1 passer rating in his first two games back from elbow surgery.
16. Jordan Reed, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Status: Free-agent signee
Atlanta's Hayden Hurst is a solid tight end candidate for the list, but Reed's seven-catch, two-touchdown performance should be applauded after concussions stalled out his career a year ago. He fought back after missing all of 2019, and his trainer, Manning Sumner, told me Reed basically rebuilt himself into more of a hybrid receiver with added agility and quickness this offseason. Reed's volume share will inevitably decrease with the return of George Kittle, but considering the 49ers' injury woes, Reed will probably get chances.
17. Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Status: Free-agent signee
Why he's ranked here: Not a stellar two-game debut, but he righted the Bucs' ship in Week 2. He has completed 46 of 71 passes despite several drops, and a miscommunication with Mike Evans led to his first interception as a Buc. But one NFC exec said Brady appears to be throwing the ball slightly better than expected. Pro Football Focus has given Brady an outstanding 87.8 rating.
And the next three defenses on the slate -- Denver, Chicago, Las Vegas -- offer Brady plenty of chances to up his passing numbers.
18. L'Jarius Sneed, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Status: Rookie (pick No. 138)
Why he's ranked here: The Chiefs are decimated by injuries and suspensions at corner, but Sneed rose to the challenge through two weeks with a league-leading two interceptions. He's getting his hands on the ball because he battles. "Versatile with good height, weight and speed -- much more physical than your average corners," an NFC exec said.
19. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Status: Rookie (Pick No. 45)
Why he's ranked here: Because he has stood out as a playmaker in a crowded Bucs defense. Winfield has 17 tackles, a forced fumble, a sack and a pass deflection through two weeks, validating the many supporters who were unfazed by his 5-foot-9 frame. "He's small but doesn't play small," an NFC exec said. "Explosive, physical and a disciplined competitor."
20. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Status: Rookie (pick No. 6)
Why he's ranked here: The one-game sample size hurts him but, man, that one game was pretty impressive. Herbert's miscues vs. Kansas City (including an ill-advised deep ball that was intercepted, and taking a sack deep in the backfield) were overshadowed by a series of big-time throws that had CBS announcer Tony Romo near-giddy the entire broadcast. Evaluators who loved Herbert out of Oregon pointed to his lack of receiver help there. He's got plenty of that now with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Hunter Henry, who helped Herbert throw for 311 yards on 22-of-33 passing.
Honorable mentions: Hayden Hurst, TE, Atlanta Falcons; Calais Campbell, DE, Baltimore Ravens; Graham Glasgow, OG, Denver Broncos; Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts; Javon Kinlaw, DT, San Francisco 49ers; Mike Danna, DE, Kansas City Chiefs; Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts; J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens; Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; James Bradberry, CB, New York Giants