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 reviewed the previous comment. They are pleased to select Newton, a formidable 3-technique scheme disruptor who arguably should have been picked earlier. They appear to have overlooked the offensive tackle position for the time being, as there’s no notable talent to draft at this point. Interestingly, they seem to have a well-stacked defensive tackle roster.
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 seemed likely to target the secondary and they made a trade to acquire McKinstry. He is a consistent, intelligent, and solid cornerback with good awareness on the field and acceptable ball skills, though not outstanding. This pick seems like a solid hit into the gap for a team in need of more dependable defenders.
Should you be in need of a receiver, defensive lineman, or corner, you may find your options limited rapidly. The Texans made their move with their initial pick in the draft, which arguably addressed their most significant remaining need following a successful offseason. While Lassiter may not be a top performer and only possesses average physical characteristics, his combination of toughness, instincts, and patience could make him an excellent nickel corner.
“Mad Max” truly impressed me in Mobile during the Senior Bowl. He embodies the classic Rutgers DB with his intelligence, toughness, and instinctiveness. However, Melton’s speed and proficiency in press-man coverage elevate his game. His addition contributes significantly to what appears to be an excellent Cardinals draft thus far.
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 potentially been a first-round pick. He’s a quick and agile back capable of swiftly finding and exploiting gaps, and it won’t be long before he becomes Carolina’s leading player. I initially thought they might opt for a center, but choosing Brooks is a sensible decision for a team in need of an offensive boost.
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 didn’t play a high number of snaps at Michigan, he was fairly productive each time he was on the field, hinting at a potentially stronger professional career than his college one. With NFL lineage (sharing the name with a former Panthers DT), Jenkins is anticipated to be a solid addition to Cincinnati’s rotation. He demonstrated his best football skills towards the end of the last season, playing a key role in Michigan’s national championship victory.
One day, Sainristil will be the favorite Nickel Back of your most admired Nickel Back. Despite his slighter, more slender build and despite only transitioning from receiver a few years ago, scouts are enamored with him. His football intuition is remarkably solid, and his intangible qualities are exceptionally impressive. This is an outstanding selection for an organization determined to completely transform the football ethos 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 conversation with a local and appropriate selection. Hall, one of the draft’s younger prospects, fits well with the Browns’ preference for youth in their evaluations. He’s an exciting interior prospect with potential for pass-rush. Despite only starting 12 college games and achieving six sacks, his potential to be a dynamic rusher is evident when you watch his performance in the Buckeye’s late-season games, provided he maintains his intensity.
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.
Demarcus Lawrence is nearing 32 years of age, hence, choosing a pass rusher who many analysts predicted would be a top-50 selection is a logical move. Kneeland stood out to me in Mobile at the Senior Bowl due to his dedication, inherent strength and size as a robust side-rush contender. He may not be primetime-ready as yet, but Kneeland presents an intriguing player and a shrewd value pick at this stage.
A player with only two college starts rarely makes it into the top 60 picks, yet Braswell was an exception last season, proving his versatility with the Crimson Tide. At the least, he could excel as a special-teamer, however, the Bucs are likely hoping to further cultivate Braswell’s pass-rush abilities and maximize his outstanding athletic potential.
While the Eagles could be the top NFL team in terms of drafting defenders from Georgia, the Packers have been closely competing with them in the recent past. Bullard, who is a potential choice for the safety position, possesses the kind of invaluable traits highly favored by this scouting department. Although he can sometimes play recklessly and isn’t an exceptionally gifted athlete, Bullard is a fiercely competitive player capable of playing various positions in the secondary and being a four-down player.
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 Coleman did not primarily play last year. The biggest concern in Washington is certainly the tackle. However, Coleman did spend some time as a guard and possesses the athleticism needed for a Kliff Kingsbury offense that relies heavily on offensive line movement.
Wallace, a robust right tackle, evolved into an NFL prospect towards the end of his six-year college stint. Although he has 40 college starts under his belt, almost all of his experience is in that position. Earlier in his career, Coleman was deemed somewhat of an underperformer. I consider it a stretch for me.
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 some challenging games last season, however, he has the potential to become a valuable asset in the Giants’ secondary, possibly as a nickel or an outside safety. His physical size and ball production might be below average, but his resilience and tackling ability provide him with a reliable base.
Last year, out of necessity, Adams was inappropriately cast as a tackle, but it seems his most suitable position in the professional leagues would be inside. He’s a grumpy run blocker and a strong finisher in close quarters, but speed rushers can put him under pressure. He’s a reliable player with experience in multiple 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 hold on for this long. In my opinion, he’s among the least likely to fail in this draft class, even though he’s in a less prioritized position. However, Beebe is an ideal match for Dallas, where he has the potential to vie for a starting position and contribute significantly to the team’s depth. If necessary, he could even be tested in the center position.
Over the past two years, Trice has been a steady source of pressure for the Huskies, however, his pre-draft process was not smooth. He lost a substantial amount of weight for the NFL Scouting Combine but was unable to improve his speed as a result. Wisely, Trice bulked up again for his pro day, as his game relies on a fusion of effort and an unexpected power in his hands.
Had Amegadjie not been restricted to just four games last season and limited in his pre-draft workouts, he could have been a top-50 selection. His size and reach are immediately noticeable, and he frequently outperformed his Ivy League competitors. However, he still has the hallmarks of a player who needs further development.
Jonah, son of the former Lions DL Luther Elliss, is ironically an undersized rusher. He displayed a notable performance last season with his speed off the ball, adequate length, and consistent effort. I perceived him more as a Day 3 player rather than Day 2, however, he may surprise me.
Despite having great length but mediocre athleticism, Glaze, a left or right tackle, was viewed with uncertainty due to his history of injuries, including an ACL injury. However, the Raiders seem confident in his abilities. Initially, he’s expected to serve as a swing tackle, but there’s potential for him to vie for a starting position in the future.
Bullock ticks a number of boxes including height, ball production, and youth (he won’t be 21 until next week), making him a potential dark horse in this class. His slender build likely suits him for a center fielder position, though some teams have discussed possibly testing him in the corner prior to the draft.
Goncalves has performed in both offensive tackle positions and has practiced as a center. He may also be tested as a guard in Indy. While his athletic abilities are somewhat limited due to his large physique, his intense and disciplined approach to the game could potentially make him a highly valuable reserve player for 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 in recent years, but Haynes has made observing them much more exciting. He introduced his straightforward approach and hardworking attitude to Mobile, impressively performing at the Senior Bowl and likely securing his position as a Day 2 pick. Though Haynes possesses a somewhat stocky build and doesn’t appear as athletic as his testing numbers indicate, he’s an engaging competitor.
Reiman, who was relatively unknown in fan and media circles, emerged as a noteworthy player at the NFL Scouting Combine. While he was primarily recognized for his blocking skills in college, his athletic abilities suggest that he may have untapped potential as a receiver. Despite not having many catches in college, his performance at the Combine had people scrambling to review his tape. A standout at the event, the robustly-built Reiman continues to be renowned for his blocking skills.
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. Initially, the Michigan players paraded the trophy, followed by three consecutive Wolverines being selected. Zinter, a clever, resilient, and athletic interior blocker, had a murky draft outlook due to his medical evaluation. However, he carries a victorious attitude and is a natural leader.
Puni, a college tackle who has fully utilized his ability, is an admirable player due to the unrivaled power he delivers in his punch. He has the potential to be a backup in five positions and could potentially become a starting player in the interior position.
Liufau narrowly missed out on my final top 100 list, being one of the last players to be cut. His unique combination of long arms and exceptional burst allows him to disrupt a good number of plays. However, it might be best for Liufau to hone his skills on special teams before further developing his linebacker abilities.
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 is similar to Mike Edwards, making it no surprise that the Bucs chose him around the same draft range they did Edwards in 2019. Despite Smith’s smaller size and not being a superior athlete, his ball-tracking abilities and significant value in special teams make him a potential contributor in his first year.
Jones showcased his athletic prowess at the combine, which revitalized his draft stock following six years in college. With his expertise in man coverage and extensive experience in special teams from BC, he can significantly contribute to these areas.
Last season, Hopper’s productivity for Mizzou was not on par with his 2022 performance, often appearing a step behind. The main reason for this was his injuries. His pro day workout probably made the difference between him being drafted in Round 3 rather than on Day 3. Hopper has the potential to be a great pass-rusher and is capable of dropping into zone coverage.
McMillan, a fluid slot or outside receiver, made a comeback from injury to assist the Huskies in reaching the national championship game. Boasting large mitts, reliable hands, and more energy than often recognized, he is a valuable addition to the Bucs’ wide receiver unit.
Isaac, a top-60 player on my board, is an exceptional athlete with swift agility and an impressive football IQ, despite having somewhat inconsistent production. I have faith in his comprehensive skill set and his adaptability to fit into any front. He’s a prospect with significant potential, very much in line with the Ravens’ style.
Hunt, an uncommon prospect who transitioned from an Ivy League safety to a Southland Conference pass rusher, is a unique but captivating individual with ample athletic gifts. His aptitude makes him a potential pass-rush project who can be tactically developed behind the scenes while he trains on special teams. His evolution might require time, but it could potentially yield substantial benefits.
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’ nearly 6-feet stature and a 4.38-second 40-yard dash certainly contributed to his appeal. He possesses experience in both inside and outside positions, but is likely to serve as a nickel corner in the NFL. Despite his short arms and extensive injury history, which had me considering him as a Day 3 prospect, Jones has proven his ability by winning some battles against talented receivers.
Jackson, likely to be a two-down player in the NFL, possesses the ideal build for a nose tackle and sufficient length to obstruct quarterbacks’ passing lanes. However, he doesn’t offer much in terms of pass rushing.
The primary reason for Wilson’s drop was his health issues. Despite his short arms, he is considered a top-40 football talent. With his three-down ability, Wilson could turn out to be an exceptional steal at this point, unless his health struggles persist. His career might not be lengthy, but he is one of the most 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.
GM Adam Peters hails from San Francisco where another individual shared his surname. This McCaffrey, a former quarterback, has smoothly transitioned to the receiver position. His football intelligence and athleticism have contributed to his stellar performance on the field. Known for his reliable hands, he’s likely to excel in the slot position and is viewed as a potential future coach. This seems to be another culture-oriented selection for Washington.
