NFL Power Rankings - Week 3: Every team's top newcomer

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors. This week, we identify the best new face on each team so far.

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1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)

Previous Rank: 1

It took only one game for Xavier Worthy to put the league on notice with his game-breaking speed. The loss of Hollywood Brown to injury has only made the draft selection of the rookie even more crucial.

2. Houston Texans (2-0)

Previous Rank: 6

Danielle Hunter showed exactly why the Texans gave him a two-year, $49-million deal in free agency. The four-time Pro Bowler amassed five tackles (two for loss), two QB hits, and 1.5 sacks in Week 2 to help Houston win on SNF.

3. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)

Previous Rank: 2

Dominick Puni won the starting right guard job in training camp and has been solid to start his career. The third-round rookie was great in the run game in Week 1 and hasn't allowed a sack through two games, per PFF.

4. Detroit Lions (1-1)

Previous Rank: 3

Kevin Zeitler is picking up where free-agency departure Jonah Jackson left off. He's only allowed three total pressures and hasn't been penalized on 146 snaps, per PFF.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)

Previous Rank: 4

Yes, Saquon Barkley had a game-changing drop against the Falcons on Monday Night Football. But the Eagles are undeniably better with him. His 248 scrimmage yards are proof of that.

6. Buffalo Bills (2-0)

Previous Rank: 10

Keon Coleman was shut out in Week 2, but he showed glimpses of why the Bills drafted him in the second round in his first game. Coleman recorded 51 yards against the Cardinals, including a contested 28-yard grab down the sideline.

7. New Orleans Saints (2-0)

Previous Rank: 22

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is an easy choice here. The Saints are averaging an incredible 45.5 points per game after two weeks as Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara look like the prime versions of themselves.

8. Green Bay Packers (1-1)

Previous Rank: 11

Josh Jacobs has been worth every penny thus far, especially with Jordan Love sidelined. Through two games, Jacobs has carried the rock a league-leading 48 times for 235 yards.

9. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)

Previous Rank: 7

Eric Kendricks, 32, has been the leader of the Cowboys' defense to start the season. He has two sacks with a team-leading 17 tackles while playing over 80% of the team's defensive snaps.

10. Baltimore Ravens (0-2)

Previous Rank: 5

After a quiet season opener, Derrick Henry went for 84 yards on the ground in Week 2. Henry has a success rate of 54.8%, his best since 2020, and 130 yards with 99 coming after contact, per PFF.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)

Previous Rank: 15

Jordan Whitehead isn't technically a newcomer after beginning his NFL career with the Bucs in 2018. But his play through two games in his second stint with the club is impressive, and he recorded 11 tackles in a gritty road win against the Detroit Lions, including a key fourth-down stop to seal the victory.

12. Minnesota Vikings (2-0)

Previous Rank: 24

Sam Darnold's hot start has softened the blow that came from learning top-10 pick J.J. McCarthy would miss the season. Darnold has guided the Vikings to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2016 while posting a 111.7 passer rating.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)

Previous Rank: 12

All the attention is going to the quarterback, and deservedly so. But the biggest addition so far might actually be defensive back DeShon Elliott, who has already recorded 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, two passes defended, and one interception.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)

Previous Rank: 13

Through two games, the Bengals' leading pass-catcher isn't Ja'Marr Chase. In fact, it's not even a wide receiver. It's tight end Mike Gesicki, who leads the team with 109 receiving yards.

15. Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

Previous Rank: 17

Kirk Cousins seems to have left his prime-time demons in Minnesota. Despite a sluggish Week 1 debut, Cousins executed a perfect comeback drive to get his first victory with the Falcons as they beat the Eagles in Week 2. That's the kind of poise Atlanta has been lacking under center.

16. New York Jets (1-1)

Previous Rank: 16

Aaron Rodgers might feel like the Jets' best newcomer after his first season with the franchise was limited to four snaps. But since he technically doesn't count, rookie running back Braelon Allen gets the nod. Allen has flashed as a dual-threat back, rushing for a touchdown and catching another.

17. Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)

Previous Rank: 21

Everywhere Jim Harbaugh goes, winning follows. The Chargers are undefeated, and their ground game looks lethal as J.K Dobbins leads the NFL in rushing with 266 yards.

18. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)

Previous Rank: 18

Tyrel Dodson, 26, has been fantastic for Seattle after signing with the team in free agency. He's second on the Seahawks in tackles (18) with one forced fumble and one pass defended.

19. Miami Dolphins (1-1)

Previous Rank: 8

Jordyn Brooks was one of the few bright spots for Miami in its Week 2 loss against the Bills. He has 10 tackles, one pass defended, and is providing stability next to David Long Jr.

20. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)

Previous Rank: 25

Marvin Harrison Jr. only had one catch for four yards in his debut, but the fourth overall pick exploded in his second game. The 22-year-old had four catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Cardinals roll the Rams in a crucial divisional game.

21. Chicago Bears (1-1)

Previous Rank: 14

Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze provide the Bears with hope for the future, but Darrell Taylor has been the more impactful player through two weeks. The trade acquisition already has two sacks, two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits.

22. Los Angeles Rams (0-2)

Previous Rank: 9

Jared Verse has 11 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack to start his career. The 19th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Verse is providing pass-rush juice to a team that desperately needs it after losing Aaron Donald.

23. Cleveland Browns (1-1)

Previous Rank: 23

The Browns' top wide receiver so far isn't Amari Cooper - it's Jerry Jeudy. Acquired in a trade this offseason, Jeudy has turned his eight catches into 98 yards and five first downs.

24. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)

Previous Rank: 30

There isn't a tight end in the NFL who has more receiving yards than rookie Brock Bowers. The Raiders' tight end has reeled in 15 of his 17 targets for 156 yards. Talk about making an immediate impact.

25. Indianapolis Colts (0-2)

Previous Rank: 20

Not many newcomers have stood out for the Colts, but Anthony Gould has shown promising signs as a kickoff returner. The fifth-round rookie receiver is averaging 27.3 yards per kick return, a top-15 mark in the NFL so far this season.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)

Previous Rank: 19

Most members of the Jaguars' offense are underachieving this year, but Brian Thomas Jr. isn't one of them. The first-round rookie scored a touchdown in his NFL debut and then caught two catches for 94 yards in Week 2, including a 66-yard reception.

27. Washington Commanders (1-1)

Previous Rank: 28

Jayden Daniels has completed over 75% of his passes with 410 yards to start his career, giving fans hope that the team has found its franchise quarterback.

28. Tennessee Titans (0-2)

Previous Rank: 26

Calvin Ridley's big-play potential is already on full display. Tennessee's top free-agent acquisition is averaging 18.1 yards per catch in 2024. Ridley - the only Titans player with more than 55 receiving yards this season - scored a rushing and a receiving touchdown on Sunday.

29. New England Patriots (1-1)

Previous Rank: 27

Jacoby Brissett kept the Patriots in both games and hasn't turned the ball over. His ability to scramble was crucial in the club's upset win over the Bengals.

30. Denver Broncos (0-2)

Previous Rank: 29

There's not much to say about the Broncos' offense under Bo Nix after two games, but free-agent signee Josh Reynolds looks like a wise investment after a team-high nine receptions and 138 yards.

31. New York Giants (0-2)

Previous Rank: 31

The sixth overall pick in this year's draft, Malik Nabers boasts 53% of the Giants' receiving yards through two games and is already the best player on their offense.

32. Carolina Panthers (0-2)

Previous Rank: 32

The Panthers are getting their money’s worth out of right guard Robert Hunt. The 28-year-old has been one of the few bright spots from this putrid offense.