With Week 2 in the books, it is time to look at the best performers at each position. This will only concern this week. It should be a mix of usual suspects and random one-game wonders. If a player is not on the list, it does not mean that that player did not have a great game. Not all positions are created equal. No one on this list is a repeat from Week 1, but that is not a rule. With that said, let’s look at the best 11 offensive players and best 11 defensive players from Week 2.
Quarterback: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After narrowly missing last week, Brady is one of the easiest inclusions in Week 2. He had another strong PFF grade, and he tossed five touchdowns over the outmatched Atlanta Falcons. He did not fall prey to a pair of bad-luck interceptions, finishing with a 129.2 rating. Tampa Bay did add a pair of defensive touchdowns, but this happened after Brady led the offense to 35 points. This was the ninth straight game that the Buccaneers scored 30 or more points. Brady is firing on all cylinders and would be a solid vote for MVP.
Running Back: Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
He’s back folks. After being bottled up for 3.4 yards per carry against Arizona, Henry obliterated the Seahawks. He was the driving force in a comeback effort, eventually forcing overtime. Henry carried the rock 35 times for 182 yards and a trio of touchdowns. He had a 60-yard touchdown scamper near the start of the first quarter. However, the scariest sight was Henry getting six targets in the game. He set his career-high in both targets and catches.
Wide Receiver: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp posted a ridiculous stat line of nine catches, 163 yards, and a pair of touchdowns. He had a sterling PFF grade of 91.4, helping the Rams to a key win over Indianapolis. He was often left to run through the Indianapolis secondary, breaking free for several huge plays. While Kupp narrowly missed out on the Week 1 team, he was one of the easier inclusions this week.
Wide Receiver: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Sutton went off for the Broncos against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sutton compiled nine catches, 159 yards, and a 90.6 overall PFF grade. He hauled in a pair of contested catches, and he was a nuisance to the Jacksonville secondary. Sutton missed most of the season last year, so this outbreak was great to see from the 2019 Pro Bowl wide receiver.
Wide Receiver: Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Similar to Kupp, Lockett narrowly missed the team of the week last week. In Week 2, he rebounded with a massive eight-catch, 178-yard, and touchdown effort against the Titans. While Lockett did not have quite the same PFF grade as his counterparts on the team of the week, he did enough with an 80.6 receiving grade.
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce dominated the Ravens once again. He caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. He forced four missed tackles on route to a 91.4 overall PFF grade. Much of his production came on one long touchdown play that he took a short pass from Patrick Mahomes and turned into a 40-yard, back-breaking touchdown.
Left Tackle: Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles
After getting paid by the Eagles, Mailata took it to the San Francisco 49ers. Even in defeat, Mailata held his own against a talented San Francisco front. He allowed zero pressures and posted an 83.7 pass-blocking grade. He was even better in run-blocking with a 91.6 grade.
Left Guard: Isaac Seumalo, Philadelphia Eagles
Seumalo makes it two for two with the Eagles on the offensive line. He allowed one pressure, a hurry. He posted an overall grade of 85.3, including a pass-blocking grade of 82.9. Seumalo was also solid as a run blocker, recording an 80.6 grade.
Center: Bradley Bozeman, Baltimore Ravens
After making the transition from left guard to center over the offseason, Bozeman’s second game as the pivot of the offensive line was terrific for Baltimore. He had a 76.4 overall grade. In pass protection, he earned a 77.9 grade after allowing zero pressures. As a run blocker, he earned a 73.9 grade. It was an all-around solid performance from Bozeman.
Right Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
After missing one game because of Covid-19, Martin came back and his usual elite self. He allowed one pressure, earning him a 73.8 PFF grade in pass protection. However, his run blocking was stellar per usual. He earned a 94.1 run-blocking grade, and he was the number one overall rated player by PFF. His 95.5 grade was pristine.
Right Tackle: Samuel Cosmi, Washington Football Team
After a rough debut as a pass protector in Week 1, Cosmi answered the bell in a big way on Thursday Night Football. He allowed zero pressures, earning a 77.9 pass-blocking grade. The overall 77.1 grade came in large part because of his excellent run-blocking. His 82.5 run-blocking grade was one of the best by any tackle let alone right tackles.
Interior Defensive Line: Jonathan Allen, Washington Football Team
Sticking with the theme of Washington players, Allen joins teammate Cosmi. Allen recorded six pressures of Daniel Jones, including three quarterback hits. He had a pair of sacks and six total tackles. He earned an 89.0 pass-rush grade from PFF. As a whole, Allen was the key cog in an electric defensive line performance.
Interior Defensive Line: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
The best player in the NFL was back wreaking havoc this week. Lining up against All-Pro Quenton Nelson for part of the fray, Donald recorded eight pressures, seven total tackles, and a trio of quarterback hits. He earned a 92.1 overall PFF grade, bolstered by a 91.3 pass-rush grade. He also graded well and run defense and as a tackler.
Edge Defender: Odafe Oweh, Baltimore Ravens
Oweh made the biggest play of the week, forcing a fumble on Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the dying moments of Sunday Night Football. He was responsible for two takeaways on Sunday night, forcing Mahomes to throw an interception with one of his three pressures. Oweh graded out well with an 86.3 overall grade and 85.3 run defender.
Edge Defender: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
Yes, Parsons was drafted as a linebacker. The Dallas Cowboys do not care. They deployed Parsons as a defensive end against the Chargers, and Parsons feasted. He had eight pressures, one sack, and four quarterback hits. He earned an 89.9 PFF grade, including a 90.8 pass-rush grade.
Linebacker: Nick Vigil, Minnesota Vikings
Vigil is not here because of an all-around performance like some players. Instead, he is here because he made one of the plays of the week, an interception return for a touchdown against Kyler Murray in the Cardinals. Vigil, to his credit, earned an 86.2 coverage grade, but his 67 overall grade is lacking.
Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Chicago Bears
Smith had a better all-around game than Vigil, and he added a pick-six of his own. He even had a sack and a tackle for loss against the Bengals. He earned a 90.2 overall PFF grade including a grade above 80 as a tackler and above 90 in coverage. Smith is well on his way to his first Pro Bowl and potentially an All-Pro spot.
Cornerback: Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Staying in Chicago, Johnson is currently the highest-rated cover player in the NFL. He used a strong Week 2, bolstered by an interception, to get to this placement. In Week 2, he earned a 92.2 overall grade including a 92.3 coverage grade. As a whole, he defended four passes against the Bengals.
Cornerback: Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
The best quarterback in the NFL makes his first appearance on the 2021 team of the week series. Against the Colts, he had a game-sealing interception and three total tackles. He earned a 90.0 PFF coverage grade, helping his overall grade to 87.7. As of writing, Ramsey would deserve to get another All-Pro spot.
Safety: Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs
Like Vigil, Mathieu is not here because of a well-rounded game. He had a pick-six in the opening minutes against the Ravens, and he added a second interception later in the game. Despite two interceptions, Mathieu struggled to a 59.4 overall grade in his season debut. He is included because he made a pair of awesome interceptions rather than having a well-rounded game like his safety counterpart.
Safety: Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
After missing most of the last two seasons with injury, James has been an elite player so far for the Chargers. After a special Week 1, James followed it up with another strong game. He had a 77.7 overall PFF grade, grading above average in run defense, tackling, pass-rushing, and coverage. He added 0.5 sacks and five solo tackles.
Defensive Back: Mike Edwards, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defensive player of Week 2 is saved for last as Edwards returned not one, but two interceptions for touchdowns against the Falcons. He had a 91.4 PFF grade, including a 92.1 coverage grade. Not to be outdone by other well-rounded safeties, he even earned an 80.7 tackling grade. He defended an additional pass to add on to the interceptions, and his three passes defended was among the league leaders of the week.
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