Lower bounds in $H^2$-rational approximation to Blaschke products

We derive lower bounds in best rational approximation of given degree to finite Blaschke products, in the Hardy space $H^2$ of the unit disk. We first consider approximation to $z^N$, and then move on to more general Blaschke products whose zeros are bounded away from the circle. The latter case depends on Fourier coefficients estimates for Blaschke products which are of independent interest.