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.
It’s evident that the Commanders have carefully read the preceding comment. They are willing to accept Newton, who’s notably a fierce disruptor in a 3-technique, and arguably should’ve been drafted earlier. While they seem to have overlooked the offensive tackle position for the moment due to a lack of worthy talent, they surprisingly have a wealth 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 made a move up to secure McKinstry. A solid, intelligent corner with good field awareness and reasonable ball skills, he’s a reliable choice. This pick seems like a strong line drive into the gap for a team in need of more dependable defense.
If you’re seeking a receiver, defensive lineman, or corner, you may soon find yourself out of options. The Texans used their first draft pick to address this, arguably their most urgent need after a successful offseason. Lassiter might not be a standout playmaker and possesses only average physical attributes. However, his toughness, instincts, and patience could make him an excellent nickel corner.
At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, “Mad Max” truly impressed me. He’s a quintessential Rutgers DB – intelligent, resilient, and instinctive. However, Melton’s speed and press-man coverage skills elevate him even further. His addition enhances what appears to be an outstanding Cardinals draft so 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 sustained an ACL tear in November, he could have been a first-round pick. He’s a quick, agile back with the ability to rapidly penetrate defenses, and it won’t be long before he becomes the starting player for Carolina. I initially thought they might opt for a center, but choosing Brooks seems logical for a team that was lacking in offensive strength.
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.
Jenkins may not have been a high-snap player during his time at Michigan, but his productivity per snap was commendable. There’s a good chance he could excel in his professional career more than his college career. With NFL roots (the same name as the former Panthers DT), he is anticipated to be a valuable asset to the Cincinnati rotation. Last season, Jenkins performed exceptionally well towards the end, significantly contributing to Michigan’s national title win.
One day, Sainristil will be the top pick for your favorite nickelback’s favorite nickelback. Despite his lean physique and the fact he only transitioned from receiver a few years ago, scouts are enamored with him. His football instincts are remarkably sharp and his intangibles are beyond exceptional. This makes him an excellent choice for a franchise 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, being one of the younger prospects in the draft, aligns with the Browns’ preference in their evaluations, and he provides an intriguing prospect as an interior player with potential to pass-rush. Despite starting only 12 college games and achieving six sacks, his potential as a dynamic rusher is evident when watching his performance in Buckeye’s games, provided he can maintain his momentum.
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.
In a few days, Demarcus Lawrence will be 32 years old, hence it’s quite logical to consider a pass rusher that many experts thought would be among the top 50 picks. Kneeland grabbed my attention in Mobile during the Senior Bowl due to his hard work, inherent strength, and size as a strong-side rush prospect. Although he’s not yet ready for the big leagues, Kneeland is a fascinating player and a shrewd value pick at this point.
It’s rare for a player with only two college starts to make it into the top 60 picks, yet last season, Braswell proved to be a versatile asset for the Crimson Tide. At the bare minimum, he could excel as a special teams player. However, the Bucs likely aim to enhance Braswell’s pass-rush skills and fully exploit his impressive athletic abilities.
The Eagles could potentially be the NFL leaders in drafting defenders from Georgia, but in recent years, the Packers have been closely competing with them. Bullard meets the team’s safety needs and possesses the kind of valuable qualities that the scouting department highly values. While he can sometimes play excessively and isn’t an exceptional athlete, Bullard’s competitive intensity allows him to play in various positions in the secondary and be 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 that Coleman did not primarily play last year. Tackle is undeniably Washington’s biggest concern. However, Coleman did spend some time playing as a guard and possesses the athleticism needed to function in a Kliff Kingsbury offense, which heavily relies on offensive line movement.
Wallace, a bulky right tackle, blossomed into an NFL prospect towards the end of his six-year college career. Despite his 40 college starts showing experience, it is primarily in that position. Earlier in his career, Coleman was viewed as somewhat of an underachiever. In my opinion, he’s a stretch.
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 a few challenging games last season, however, he possesses potential to become a valuable asset in the Giants’ secondary, either as a nickel or an outside safety. His size and ball production may be below average, but his resilience and tackling ability provide him with a dependable base.
Last year, out of necessity, Adams was inappropriately cast as a tackle, however, his true potential seems to be best utilized inside in professional play. He’s a stubborn run blocker and powerfully completes plays in confined spaces, though he may struggle against quick rushers. He’s 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 stay this long. In my opinion, he’s among the least likely to fail players in this draft class, even though he plays a less prioritized position. Nevertheless, Beebe is an ideal match for Dallas, where he has the potential to vie for a starting position eventually and offer solid depth internally. They could even test him at the center position, if necessary.
Over the past two years, Trice has been a steady source of pressure for the Huskies, although he had a challenging pre-draft process. He lost a significant amount of weight for the NFL Scouting Combine, but it didn’t improve his speed as expected. However, bulking up again for his pro day was a wise move for Trice, as his game relies on a blend of effort and an unexpected power in his hands.
Had Amegadjie not been confined to four games last season and limited in his pre-draft workouts, he could have been a top-50 pick. Despite these setbacks, his size and length immediately make him stand out, and his performance against Ivy League competition has often been dominant. Nonetheless, he is clearly a player who still needs development.
Jonah Elliss, son of the former substantial Detroit Lions defensive lineman Luther Elliss, is surprisingly an undersized rusher. He had a breakout season last year due to his speed off the ball, reasonable reach, and consistently strong performance. I initially pegged him as a Day 3 player rather than Day 2, but he could exceed my expectations.
Glaze, a left or right tackle known for his impressive length but average athleticism, was seen as a potential risk due to previous injuries, including an ACL. Despite this, the Raiders clearly have confidence in him. Initially, he’s expected to be a swing tackle, but he may eventually vie for a starting position.
Bullock ticks many boxes such as height, ball production, and age (he’s not 21 until next week) which may make him a dark horse in this class. His slim build probably positions him as a center fielder, although several teams have discussed the possibility of testing him at corner ahead of the draft.
Goncalves has been versatile on the field, having played in both offensive tackle positions and also center. He could potentially be tested at the guard position in Indy. Despite his athletic limitations, Goncalves’ large frame, combined with his aggressive and disciplined approach, could make him a crucial super-substitute 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 faced challenges in the past few years, but Haynes added an element of entertainment to their games. With his straightforward approach and strong work ethic, he shined at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, likely securing his position as a Day 2 pick. Although Haynes may not appear as athletic as his test results indicate due to his slightly stocky build, he is an engaging competitor.
Reiman, a standout performer at the NFL Scouting Combine, arrived in Indy as a relatively unknown figure within fan and media circles. However, he left with many scrambling to review his game footage. Reiman, known for his thick build, didn’t make many catches in college, as he was primarily recognized for his blocking skills, which continue to be his strong point. However, his athletic abilities hint towards a possible undiscovered potential in receiving.
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.
All of this might be too much for Rich Eisen to handle. Initially, the Michigan players presented the trophy, followed by three consecutive Wolverines being selected. Zinter is an intelligent, tough, and athletic blocker who plays in the interior line. His medical evaluation complicated his draft prospects, but his mentality is that of a winner and he is a natural leader.
Puni, a college tackle, is a player to admire due to his impressive utilization of his talent and the raw power he delivers in his punch. His versatility offers potential for backup in five positions and he could potentially evolve into a starting interior player.
Liufau narrowly missed out on making my final top 100 list, being one of the last players to be cut. His exceptional arm length and unique burst of speed enable him to disrupt a significant number of plays. However, until he further develops his skills as a linebacker, his best role may be as a special teams powerhouse.
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 that of Mike Edwards, making it clear why the Bucs selected Smith around the same time they drafted Edwards in 2019. Despite Smith’s smaller size and lack of elite athleticism, his ball awareness and valuable contribution to special teams make him a likely contributor in his first year.
At the combine, Jones showcased his athletic prowess, significantly boosting his draft stock after spending six years in college. His skills in man coverage can be beneficial, and having extensively played in special teams at BC, he will be a valuable addition to that sector.
Hopper didn’t perform as well last season for Mizzou as he did in 2022, appearing sluggish on several occasions. This was largely due to injuries. His performance on the pro day workout probably made the difference between him being chosen in Round 3 instead of on Day 3. He shows potential in pass-rushing and has the ability to drop in zone coverage.
McMillan, a fluid slot or outside receiver, made a comeback from injury to aid the Huskies in reaching the national championship game. He possesses large mitts, excellent hands, and more energy than he often receives acknowledgment for. He’s a great addition to the Bucs’ wide receiver unit.
Isaac is a top-60 player on my board, displaying great athleticism, speed, and football intelligence. Even though his performance has been somewhat inconsistent, I have faith in his comprehensive skill set and adaptability to any front. He’s a prospect that would fit well with the Ravens, possessing considerable potential.
Hunt, the uncommon prospect who transitioned from a safety role in the Ivy League to a pass rusher in the Southland Conference, is an interesting and athletically gifted individual. He has the potential to be a behind-the-scenes project in pass-rush, while actively participating in special teams. His development process may require time, but the payoff could be significantly rewarding.
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’ stature of nearly 6-feet, combined with his 4.38-second 40-yard dash, significantly contributed to his appeal. He has experience both inside and outside, but it’s probable that he will play as a nickel corner in the NFL. Despite his short arms and extensive injury history, which made me consider him as a Day 3 prospect, Jones has proven his abilities by facing off against skilled receivers and emerging victorious in some encounters.
Jackson, who is likely to be a two-down player in the NFL, possesses the ideal build for a nose tackle. He has enough reach to obstruct quarterbacks’ passing lanes, however, he doesn’t offer much in terms of pass rushing.
The primary reason Wilson dropped this far was due to his health concerns. Despite being a top-40 football talent, even with short arms, Wilson has the ability to play three downs and could potentially be a fantastic bargain at this position. However, there’s also a chance he may grapple with maintaining his health. His career might not be lengthy, but Wilson stands out as one of the most well-rounded linebackers in his 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 repurposed quarterback, has smoothly transitioned to a receiver position, leveraging his football knowledge and physical prowess into tangible results. Known for his reliable hands, he is anticipated to excel in the slot position and is perceived as a future coach. This selection reinforces Washington’s cultural ethos.
