Contrary to popular belief, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston aren’t the only rookies from the 2015 draft class.
While Mariota and Winston have both had shining moments early on, a few other first-year players are turning heads through the first two weeks of the 2015 season.
Here are four rookies riding hot starts to start this season:
1. CB Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs
No cornerback has been targeted more than Kansas City’s first-round rookie. Quarterbacks aren’t afraid of him yet, but they will be soon. Peters has defended seven passes and intercepted two others, including a pick-six of Peyton Manning in Week 2. Despite testing him 27 times in two weeks, opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 78.8. Peters looks like a future shutdown cornerback.
2. RB/KR David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson has exactly nine touches through two games, but he’s made the absolute most of them. His five rushes and two receptions have produced 100 total yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yard receiving score. Add in Johnson’s two kick returns for 151 yards and one touchdown (108-yard return vs. Chicago), and his two-game totals sit at nine touches, 251 yards and three scores. The rookie is scoring every third time he touches the football, while averaging almost 28 yards per touch. Explosive.
3. RB Matt Jones, Washington Redskins
The only rookie running back to crack 100 rushing yards in a game this season is Jones, Washington’s third-round pick. He hit the century mark against the Rams in Week 2, when he bulldozed his way to 123 yards and a 39-yard score. Of his 25 career rushes, seven have resulted in first downs. With Jones and starter Alfred Morris, the Redskins now have a two-headed monster at running back.
4. WR Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders
Cooper hasn’t been perfect through two games, especially catching the football (three drops), but it’s hard to argue with the volume numbers. The No. 4 overall pick has 12 catches for 156 yards, including a 68-yard score against the Ravens in Week 2. His two-game stats put him on pace for 96 receptions, 1,248 yards and eight touchdowns. The Raiders look like they have the next superstar receiver on their hands.