
It's time for our weekly rookie check-in, and we're going to focus on a trio of defenders who stood out in NFL Week 2. Let's check out which first-year players impressed us in their second career games.
Masses was one of the best players on the field for the Raiders in their upset win against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. The fifth-round pick out of California and Florida International picked off Justin Herbert not once, but twice to spearhead a dominant defensive performance.
Masses' second interception, a brilliant display of skill in which he jumped a route and showcased his strong hands at the catch point, sealed the game for the Raiders in the fourth quarter. Las Vegas might not have pulled off the upset without Masses' game-changing turnovers.
Hezekiah Masses gets his SECOND interception of the day
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2026
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The Browns stunned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 23-19 victory in Week 2, and Boston was a big reason why. The rookie wideout went off for 95 yards and a touchdown on five catches, highlighted by a 55-yard score with multiple broken tackles on his way to the end zone.
Boston was the star of training camp in Cleveland, and he's carried that momentum over to the regular season. His contested-catch skills and ability to break tackles with the ball in his hands make him a valuable part of this Browns offense.
Some safeties jump out of the screen with their speed and aggressiveness, and Thieneman is already one of them. The Oregon product was flying around in Chicago's 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, recording a team-high seven tackles and a pass defensed.
Minnesota's best chance to score a touchdown came in the first quarter when Carson Wentz threw it up to Justin Jefferson in the back of the end zone. Jefferson makes that catch nine out of 10 times, but this time, Thieneman came from out of nowhere to hit the star wide receiver and knock the ball loose. The Bears will rely on their rookie safety to make those high-impact plays all season.
Hill has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL through two games this season. The second-round pick out of Texas led the Titans in tackles (10) for the second straight week, and he now leads the league in total tackles (26) through two games.
Thanks in large part to Hill, the Titans held the Philadelphia Eagles to just 2.78 yards per carry on Sunday. Tennessee ranks fifth in the league in yards per carry allowed (3.4), and that should continue as long as Hill stays healthy.
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