2024 NFL Draft: Pick-by-pick analysis for Day 2
- Round 1
- Rounds 2-3
- Rounds 4-5
- Rounds 6-7
Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. Eric Edholm provides analysis for every player selected in Rounds 2 and 3 below.
NOTE: Only trades agreed to after Day 1 began are reflected below.
ROUND 2
After trading back twice on Thursday, the Bills stick at 33 and take a big, physical and athletically gifted target. Coleman isn’t fast and isn’t a deep threat, but he can win in a variety of ways. But who will Josh Allen‘s deep threat be? Stay tuned.
Our second pick, second receiver and first trade of the night. The Patriots slide back a few spots, and the Chargers get a receiver who should be thrust right into the mix. Although McConkey had injury issues at Georgia, if he’s able to stay healthy, he could be Justin Herbert‘s favorite target in due time. With great route-running skills and impressive separation ability, McConkey could be an 80-catch player one day.
Another trade, with the Falcons swooping up. And this is their second curious pick of this draft. Nothing against Orhorhoro, who has some intriguing skills and might be a better stat stuffer in the NFL than he was at Clemson. But with Johnny Newton on the board, this pick felt like a reach when you consider Atlanta’s biggest need — pass rush.
The Commanders have evidently seen the previous comment and are pleased to take Newton, who’s a formidable 3-technique, disruptive to schemes, and arguably should have been selected earlier. They seem to have sidestepped the offensive tackle position for the moment, given the lack of noteworthy talent, but intriguingly, they appear to have a good supply of defensive tackles.
I wonder if the Patriots weren’t hoping for Coleman to fall to them. Polk has some nice physical traits, possesses really nice body control to adjust to passes outside his frame and stepped up nicely when Jalen McMillan was hurt midseason last year. But I saw Polk’s upside as lower, viewing him more as a third-round talent. He’ll add size to New England’s smaller WR room, though.
Our first mini-shocker of the day. The massive Sweat was believed to be a possible top-50 pick at one point, but that was prior to his recent arrest. Credit to the Titans if they did the requisite work on Sweat’s character in the past few weeks. He’s a massive human being capable of closing down two gaps by himself, but some teams felt Sweat might be available entering Round 4 based on recent developments.
Fiske isn’t Aaron Donald — no one is — but he’s a highly active, highly disruptive, undersized interior rusher who will join his college teammate, Jared Verse, on a rebuilt Rams D-line. Fiske and Verse will provide boundless energy up front, even if neither is truly an elite pass rusher. The move up the board to snag Fiske cost the Rams a 2025 second-rounder. GM Les Snead doesn’t care, though; he loves full-tilt defenders such as these.
The Eagles somehow managed to trade up and land DeJean, who might be best in a nickel/safety hybrid role, to supplement their Day 1 pick of Quinyon Mitchell. Consider the secondary upgraded. DeJean could do for the Eagles what Brian Branch did last year for the Lions. This feels like a terrific selection for a defense that was way overtaxed by season’s end in 2023. Plus, DeJean is a quality returner.
The Saints were expected to target the secondary, and they moved up to acquire McKinstry. He is a reliable, intelligent, and consistent cornerback with good field awareness and satisfactory ball skills. This pick comes across as a solid, well-timed hit into the gap for a team in need of dependable defenders.
If you’re looking for a receiver, defensive lineman, or corner, you could find yourself out of luck quickly. The Texans used their first draft pick to address this, which was arguably their most pressing need after an outstanding offseason. While Lassiter may not be a standout playmaker, and his physical attributes are only average, his toughness, instincts, and patience could make him an excellent nickel corner.
“Mad Max” truly impressed me in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. Exhibiting the usual traits of a Rutgers DB, he’s intelligent, resilient, and instinctive. However, Melton’s speed and capability in press-man coverage elevate him. His addition to the Cardinals draft, which is shaping up to be excellent, is another significant asset.
Brock Bowers felt like a throwback Raiders pick to me, but JPJ really feels like an Al Davis classic. Powers-Johnson is a big, brawling interior lineman who played center last year but also can line up at guard — the position he was announced at — and bury the man opposite him, even if he’s a little stiff and an average athlete.
Green Bay slid back and drafted a top-40 talent on my board in Cooper. He’s the classic mold of what this Packers scouting staff seeks in a linebacker, possessing excellent speed, length and pursuit ability. There’s a starting spot opposite Quay Walker, and I think Cooper will grab it, but both those players can play a little too freely and loosely at times.
If Brooks hadn’t torn his ACL in November, he could have been a first-round pick. With his quick, agile ability to find and exploit openings, he is likely to become Carolina’s starting player soon. While I initially thought they might opt for a center, choosing Brooks is a logical decision for a team needing a boost in offensive power.
Nubin might lack a superpower as a prospect with no special trait, but he does a lot of things very well. He can be the Giants’ post safety as an assignment-sound defender who will bring excellent intensity and commitment to the locker room.
When I spoke to Smith last week, he made sure to highlight his workout with the Jaguars — his final team visit — as clearly his best. The Jags agreed. Smith has first-round tools but has been beset by injuries and a rotating cast of defensive coaches at LSU. His production is lacking, but his potential is downright exciting. If they’re patient, the Jaguars might have something here.
Though Jenkins wasn’t a frequently used player at Michigan, his per-snap productivity was relatively high. There’s potential for him to be a more successful professional player than he was in college. With NFL bloodlines, being related to a former Panthers DT with the same name, he could be a valuable addition to the Cincinnati rotation. Jenkins played his best football during the last season, contributing significantly to Michigan’s national title victory.
One day, Sainristil will be the favorite nickel back of your favorite nickel back. Despite his smaller, leaner physique and the fact that he only transitioned from being a receiver a few years ago, scouts are enamored with him. He possesses exceptional football instincts and his intangibles are unparalleled. This is an excellent selection for a franchise that is determined to entirely transform the football culture in Washington.
Following the first-round selection of Troy Fautanu, Frazier makes for another commendable OL addition. He’s not a top-tier athlete, but with 46 college starts, strong football intelligence and a gnarly demeanor, Frazier is a typecast Steelers center.
After a mini-slide, Mitchell lands in a Colts offense in need of more firepower. He has the length and speed to be a vertical, jump-ball target for Anthony Richardson and showed a knack for clutch performances in college. Mitchell’s lean build and his need for more refinement might cap his early-career production a bit, but he’s well worth the risk here.
The newfangled Commanders seem to get this draft thing. Their three Day 2 picks so far have all been personal favorites, including Sinnott, whom I appeared to be higher on than some other media draft folks. He’s got some Mark Andrews to his game, as Sinnott can find open spaces readily, has reliable hands and will break tackles in the passing game. He also gives good effort as a blocker.
The Browns join the draft discussion with a local and fitting pick. Hall, one of the draft’s younger prospects, aligns with the Browns’ preference for youth in their evaluations. He’s an intriguing interior prospect with the potential for pass-rushing. Despite only starting 12 college games and achieving six sacks, Hall’s potential as a dynamic rusher is evident in the Buckeye’s game footage, provided he can maintain his high level of performance.
With the offensive tackle ranks significantly thinned, the Dolphins jumped in on Paul after going defense in Round 1. He wasn’t my favorite OT prospect this year, with Paul giving me some Josh Jones vibes. His mass and reach are impressive, and he has 44 college starts at left tackle. But if Paul is Terron Armstead‘s eventual replacement, getting a year to develop his craft, this pick might work out.
As Demarcus Lawrence is about to turn 32, it’s logical to consider a pass rusher who was projected by many experts to be among the top 50 picks. Kneeland grabbed my attention at the Senior Bowl in Mobile due to his effort, inherent strength, and size as a strong-side rush prospect. He may not be ready for primetime just yet, but Kneeland certainly is a fascinating player and a wise value selection at this point.
Not many players with only two college starts get chosen in the top 60 picks, but Braswell managed to do so last season with his versatile performance for the Crimson Tide. At the very least, he has the potential to be an excellent special-teamer. However, the Bucs are likely hoping to further develop Braswell’s pass-rushing skills to fully utilize his exceptional athletic abilities.
While the Eagles have been prominent in selecting Georgia defenders for the NFL, the Packers have recently been rivaling them in this aspect. Bullard, who can fulfill their need for a safety, possesses the type of intangible qualities that this scouting department highly values. Although he can be overly aggressive at times and may not be an exceptional athlete, Bullard’s intense competitive spirit allows him to be versatile in the secondary and play consistently in all four downs.
Joe Alt was the Irish’s best blocker last year, but Fisher once was a higher-rated high school recruit — and his stock has been on the rise since the combine. Fisher has toned up his body and shed a lot of bad weight, and he also showed a little more killer instinct in his style last season after earning a reputation of being something of a finesse blocker, in spite of his mass and length. He’s young and moldable but probably best as a right tackle or guard.
Safety was a big need for the Bills, and they go back to the Utes for help after taking Dalton Kincaid in Round 1 a year ago. Bishop is a very good athlete and field general who can play the post safety spot and cover a lot of ground. He played like the QB of the Utes’ defense the past two years and could be a rookie starter for Buffalo.
I mocked Rakestraw to the Lions in Round 1 back in late January, and here he lands in Detroit a round later. Rakestraw’s injury and pre-draft process complicated his scouting report and pushed him behind a few other corners, but he has the mentality to fit in very well in Detroit. He’s a willing tackler and a talented man-cover guy — even if Rakestraw lacks elite length or athleticism.
The Ravens really needed some OL help, and here it is. Rosengarten was a standout in Ryan Grubb’s quick-strike offensive system and is an above-average athlete for the position, possessing the footwork to match talented rushers. Rosengarten played the right side, which was Michael Penix Jr.’s blind side, but previously played left tackle and could do the same in the NFL.
Another player whom I once mocked to the correct team (but a round too high), Suamataia is a former five-star high school recruit who boasts elite size and length and all the tools to be good. But Suamataia is not likely ready for the big leagues just yet and will have to have his motor revved up to earn a starting role as a rookie.
Green made a name for himself with his coverage vs. Malik Nabers in the 2023 season opener and had a strong final college season after switching back from safety to outside corner. Green does lack great size and athletic traits, but his natural coverage skills and improved playmaking skills give him a decent chance.
ROUND 3
Some have likened Corley to “Deebo Samuel Lite” for his running back-like build and tackle-breaking ability, although he’s not as dynamic a player yet as Samuel is. The Jets can use him in the Randall Cobb role and upgrade that spot, however.
Benson was a consistent producer at FSU, able to rip off big plays readily with his home run speed (including on kickoff returns). He has an excellent chance to win the Cardinals’ starting job down the line; for now, he profiles as a very good complement to James Conner. The Cardinals are making the most of their picks, folks.
Interestingly, he was announced as a guard, a position where Coleman did not primarily play last year. The most significant concern in Washington is certainly the tackle. However, Coleman did also spend some time playing as a guard and possesses the athletic ability to function in a Kliff Kingsbury offense, which relies heavily on OL movement.
Wallace, a solidly built right tackle, evolved into a potential NFL player later in his six-year collegiate career. He has accumulated experience with 40 college starts, primarily in that position. Earlier in his career, however, Coleman was viewed as somewhat of an underperformer. In my opinion, he’s a bit of a reach.
If there was one player I would have bet would follow Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers, it would have been Mike Sainristil or Colson. The latter was the emotional heartbeat of a championship Michigan defense, as Colson is a full-tilt competitor who brings his all to every game and every practice. He’s a tackling machine whose coverage limitations were likely what caused him to fall out of the top 50 picks.
Phillips experienced several challenging games last season, however, he holds the potential to become a valuable asset in the Giants secondary, possibly as a nickel or an outside safety. Even though his size and ball production are below average, his resilience and tackling ability provide him with a strong base.
Last year, Adams was inappropriately cast as a tackle due to necessity, however, his optimal position seems to be on the inside in the professional league. He is a feisty run blocker and a robust finisher in close spaces, although he may struggle against fast rushers. He is a reliable player with experience in various positions.
A late addition to my top 100 prospects list, Wallace is a top-tier athlete who finally seemed to find his groove last season — on special teams but especially on defense. He’s capable of covering tight ends and running backs and should impact all four downs, but Wallace is young and could use a redshirt year before he’s ready to be featured on defense.
I’m surprised Beebe managed to last this far. In my opinion, he’s one of the most reliable players in this draft class, even though his position might not be a top priority. Beebe is an ideal match for Dallas, where he could potentially compete for a starting position and offer substantial depth internally. If necessary, he could even be tested at center.
Over the last two years, Trice consistently provided pressure for the Huskies, although he experienced some difficulties during his pre-draft process. He lost a significant amount of weight for the NFL Scouting Combine, but this didn’t result in increased speed as expected. However, bulking back up for his pro day proved to be a wise move for Trice, as his gameplay relies heavily on a mix of hard work and an unexpected power in his hands.
Had Amegadjie not been confined to just four games last season and subjected to workout restrictions before the draft, he could have been a top-50 pick. His size and reach make him an immediate standout, and he has frequently outperformed his Ivy League rivals. However, he is clearly marked as a player in need of further development.
Jonah, the son of Luther Elliss, a former massive Lions DL, is quite the opposite as he is an undersized rusher. Last season, he stood out with his speed off the ball, decent reach, and consistently strong performance. I had initially pegged him as a Day 3 player rather than Day 2, but he might just prove me wrong.
Glaze, a left or right tackle known for his great length but average athleticism, was viewed as a risky choice due to his history of injuries, including an ACL. However, the Raiders appear to be confident in his abilities. Initially, he is expected to serve as a swing tackle, but he may have the potential to contend for a starting position in the future.
Bullock ticks many boxes – he’s tall, has good ball production, and is young (he won’t turn 21 until next week). He could potentially be a dark horse in this class. Due to his slender build, he’s probably best suited as a center fielder, though some teams have considered testing him at corner before the draft.
Goncalves has demonstrated versatility by playing at both offensive tackle positions and taking repetitions at center. He may also be tested at guard in Indianapolis. Despite his athletic limitations, his large frame coupled with his intense and disciplined approach could make him a valuable backup on the offensive line.
Burton was a player who was in my initial top 100 list but fell out after some teams indicated that he might need time to learn how to be a pro. But the traits and skill are there to be a surprise performer for a Bengals team that might have to move on from Tee Higgins eventually. Burton’s natural hands and vertical speed give him a chance.
UConn has faced challenges recently, but Haynes made their games much more enjoyable with his straightforward style and hard work. He took these qualities to Mobile for the Senior Bowl, where he performed quite well, possibly securing a Day 2 draft pick. Haynes may have a somewhat short and solid build and may not appear as athletic as his test results indicate, but he is a competitor who adds fun to the game.
Reiman arrived at the NFL Scouting Combine somewhat unknown, particularly amongst fans and the media, but he left with many rushing to review his footage. This standout player, renowned for his blocking abilities, didn’t catch many passes in college. However, his athletic prowess indicates that there might be some untapped potential in receiving. Despite being lesser-known, Reiman’s impressive showing at the combine undeniably marked him as a clear winner.
Corum and Jim Harbaugh might end up neighbors for all we know, but they’ll be rivals. The Rams are getting another smaller, compact runner to pair with Kyren Williams; both he and Corum are instinctive, tough and possess good vision. NFC West foes won’t enjoy tackling these two.
With Diontae Johnson traded to Carolina, there was a vacancy for a quick slot receiver. Consider that filled now. Wilson can win with toughness and competitiveness and has the route-running savvy to separate without ideal measurables and strength. The Steelers scout wide receivers well.
This might be too much for Rich Eisen to handle. Firstly, Michigan players paraded the trophy, followed by three consecutive Wolverines being drafted. Zinter, an intelligent, tenacious, and athletic interior blocker, had his draft prospects clouded by a medical evaluation. However, he possesses a winning attitude and is a natural leader.
Puni, a college tackle, has maximized his skills and is a player that is easy to admire due to the sheer strength he brings to his game. He has the potential to backup in five positions and could eventually become a key player in interior positions.
Liufau just missed making my final top 100 list, being one of the last players to be cut. His unique combination of long arms and exceptional burst enables him to disrupt a good number of plays. However, he may be most effective on special teams while he continues to hone his skills as a linebacker.
This could be Aaron Jones‘ replacement, even if the Packers added Josh Jacobs this offseason. Lloyd’s messy medical history likely was the biggest reason he fell behind some other backs, but his burst, three-down ability and make-you-miss agility make him sort of a poor man’s D’Andre Swift.
Smith’s projection resembles that of Mike Edwards, making it understandable why the Bucs selected him within the same draft range as they did Edwards in 2019. Despite Smith’s smaller size and lack of elite athleticism, his ball tracking skills and value to special teams make him a potential contributor in his first year.
Jones demonstrated impressive athleticism at the combine, revitalizing his draft stock following six years in college. His skills in man coverage can be beneficial and he is expected to contribute in special teams, a role he extensively played at BC.
Hopper’s productivity for Mizzou last season didn’t quite match his 2022 performance, often appearing a step slower. This was largely due to injuries. However, his pro day workout probably made the difference in him being picked in Round 3 instead of Day 3. Hopper exhibits pass-rush potential and the ability to drop in zone coverage.
McMillan, a fluid slot or external receiver, made a comeback from an injury to assist the Huskies in reaching the national title game. He possesses large mitts, competent hands, and has more potential than he is often acknowledged for. This is an excellent addition to the Bucs’ wide receiver unit.
Isaac, ranking in my top 60 players, is a highly skilled athlete with rapidity and a keen understanding of football. Despite his slightly inconsistent production, I have faith in his versatile skill set and his adaptability to any front. He’s a prospect with a lot of potential and fits the Ravens’ style perfectly.
Hunt, a rare Ivy League safety who turned into a Southland Conference pass rusher, is an intriguing and athletically gifted prospect. Despite being an unusual pick, he has the potential to be a pass-rush project, developing his skills behind the scenes while contributing to special teams. His progress may be gradual, but the payoff could be significant.
When I first watched Carter at the Senior Bowl, I wrote in my notes: “rolling ball of knives.” Carter’s game doesn’t have a lot of pretty to it, but he’s a scheme disruptor with his low center of gravity, ferocious style and nasty demeanor.
Jones’ height of nearly 6-feet and his impressive 4.38-second 40-yard dash certainly boosted his appeal. He’s experienced in both inside and outside roles, but he’s expected to primarily play as a nickel corner in the NFL. Despite my initial perception of Jones being a Day 3 prospect due to his shorter arm length and extensive injury history, he’s proven himself by successfully competing against skilled receivers.
Jackson, who is expected to be a two-down player in the NFL, boasts a typical nose tackle build and the length to obstruct passing lanes for quarterbacks. However, he’s unlikely to contribute significantly as a pass rusher.
Health issues were the primary reason why Wilson fell this far, despite being a top-40 football talent (even with his short arms). Wilson’s potential for three-down play could make him an incredible bargain at this point, although there’s also a chance he may grapple with staying healthy. His career might not be extensive, but he stands out as one of the more well-rounded linebackers in this class.
He’s not the biggest guy, or the fastest, but Kinchens has some similarities to former Rams third-rounder John Johnson III. There are very few big holes in Kinchens’ game but also very few high-level traits. But he can be a solid NFL safety.
Adam Peters, a General Manager who hails from San Francisco, shares his last name with another notable individual. This McCaffrey, a former quarterback, has seamlessly transitioned into the receiver position, using his athletic prowess and football intelligence to effectively contribute to the team. With reliable hands, he is expected to excel as a slot receiver and is seen as a potential future coach. This is another selection for Washington that is reflective of their team culture.
