2024 NFL Draft Buzz: Latest league news, rumors ahead of Friday's Round 2, 3

Might the San Francisco 49ers be in the mix for a blockbuster Day 2 trade? NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said Friday on Good Morning Football that he believes there is certainly still a possibility.

With Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft closing with a run of pass catchers, the 49ers added to their WR room by selecting Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall 31st overall on Thursday night. The selection raised eyebrows as it comes with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, a one-time teammate of Pearsall at Arizona State, looking for a contract extension and mentioned in trade rumors. Deebo Samuel‘s name has now also been bandied about in trade rumblings.

After Pearsall was chosen, John Lynch, the general manager of the 49ers, and head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged receiving trade offers. However, they are satisfied with their current WR room, though they are not completely closing off any options. On Friday, Pelissero emphasized that the Niners are always open to discussions and there is always a possibility that they might consider trading Aiyuk or Samuel.

Lynch stated on Thursday night, as per the team transcript, “We are maintaining constructive discussions with B.A. and striving earnestly to finalize a deal with him. We are enthusiastic about pursuing this further. Brandon is an integral part of our team, as is Deebo, who plays a significant role. As I mentioned, we are confident in this group and believe that we have enhanced it with another valuable member who fits in perfectly.”

However, Lynch and Shanahan did not hesitate to admit that they are open to listening to offers.

“Lynch said, “We should never reject a trade outright. We’re always open to listen and we have done so. However, we’re quite satisfied with our current group.”

Shanahan added, when questioned about the likelihood of the Niners trading Aiyuk now that the first round was over, “I thought it was unlikely before, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You have to consider all possibilities. Everything is about trying to enhance our team as much as possible for 2024, without risking 2025 too much. So, we analyze every opportunity that comes our way. If there’s a chance to improve our team, we take it. However, it’s often difficult to envision bettering our team without him.”

San Francisco enters Day 2 of the draft with only two picks (Nos. 63 and 94 overall).

Here’s what else we’re monitoring on Friday ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft’s second and third rounds in Detroit:

• More QBs to come? Following a record-tying six quarterbacks selected in the first round on Thursday, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero expects the signal-caller selections to slow on Day 2. Pelissero said Friday on Good Morning Football that although South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler was seen as a prospective pick in the third or fourth round, he could jump up to the second round. However, after Rattler and Tulane’s Michael Pratt, he doesn’t foresee there being any other Day 2 QBs. Beyond Rattler and Pratt, Tennessee’s Joe Milton IIIwould likely be next in line. As for prospective Day 2 QB suitors, the Las Vegas Raiders are still in the market, with the New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks also remaining candidates.
• Getting ready for more receivers to go off the board. While the run on quarterbacks might subside to start Day 2, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero believes teams such as the Buffalo Bills (No. 33), New England Patriots (No. 34) and Los Angeles Chargers (No. 37) are candidates to take wide receivers early in the second round. The next wideouts off the board could be Florida State’s Keon Coleman and Georgia’s Ladd McConkey, Pelissero added.

• Will the Bills trade down again? Though the Buffalo Bills are still in need of a wide receiver, they’re fielding trade calls for the opening pick of the second round (No. 33 overall), NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Buffalo has a few players who are under consideration for the taking, Rapoport added, but the calls are coming and the Bills answered in the first round more than once. The Bills traded down from No. 28 to No. 32 with the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night and then sent the 32nd pick to the Carolina Panthers. The Chiefs took wide receiver Xavier Worthy, and the Panthers pounced on wideout Xavier Legette. Will the Bills stay at the top of Round 2, or will they go?
• Is it RB time yet? Unsurprisingly, zero running backs were selected in the first round on Thursday, but Pelissero believes they could start going in the middle to end of the second round on Friday. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ squad needs a back and has left no mystery that his franchise is enamored with Texas running back Jonathon Brooks. Dallas is scheduled to be back on the clock with the 56th overall pick (No. 24 in the second round). However, Pelissero believes USC running back MarShawn Lloyd might well be the first running back off the board in the 2024 draft (and on Friday).