As night two of the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, many talented college stars remain undrafted, and many NFL teams remain full of roster holes. After a tumultuous and historic round one, I've provided a look ahead to every draft pick in round two. Each pick below will list one of the selecting team's biggest needs and provide some potential draft matchups.
33, 60. Buffalo Bills: Wide Receiver or Defensive Back
The Bills traded out of round one and now have the first pick of round two, as well as pick no. 60. They still need a WR1 (and WR2), but there are still plenty of wideouts available. I expected Adonai Mitchell and Ladd McConkey to be drafted on Thursday. Both guys would be instant playmakers in Buffalo. Other quality options remaining include Troy Franklin, Keon Coleman and Roman Wilson, so I think the Bills will actually go for a defensive back with pick 33. Cooper DeJean fell out of the first round and can play both corner and safety. The Bills lost star safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde this offseason and have very little depth in their secondary. DeJean could plug the largest available hole, wherever management decides that is.
34. New England Patriots: Wide Receiver
With their franchise quarterback secured, New England needs to give Maye options. I’ve heard rumors that both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk have engaged in trade talks, but nothing has come to fruition yet. New England can comfortably draft a great wide receiver at pick no. 34.
35. Arizona Cardinals: Cornerback
Arizona had a good round one. Marvin Harrison Jr. might be the draft’s best player, and Darius Robinson will provide good positional flexibility on the defensive front. Arizona’s most pressing need now is cornerback. I predicted both Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry to go in the first round, but one or both may still be available at pick 35. Other names like Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Michigan’s Mike Sainristil are still on the board and present trade-back options.
36, 40. Washington Commanders: Offensive Line
The Commanders got Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick and now must focus on protecting him. Sam Howell was sacked into oblivion last year and they can’t afford that with Daniels. They have picks nos. 36 and 40 and could conceivably use both on offensive linemen. On the outside, names like BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia and UW’s Roger Rosengarten remain as quality options. On the inside, Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson and WVU’s Zach Frasier are also big names that could come off the board.
37. Los Angeles Chargers: Wide Receiver
The Chargers have maybe the league’s worst receiving corps at the moment, which is unacceptable given Justin Herbert’s obvious talent. They drafted a cornerstone offensive tackle in Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick, passing up receiving options like Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. Thankfully for the Chargers, there are plenty of receiving options (Mitchell, McConkey, Franklin, Coleman, Wilson, etc) available at the moment, most of whom should be available at pick no. 37.
38. Tennessee Titans: Defensive Line
The Titans only have one pick in rounds two and three. They have holes across their defensive front and limited picks with which to do so. Thankfully for them, Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton can play in both the three and five-techniques, giving him appealing positional flexibility. I expected him to go in round one, but there’s a good chance he’s still available at pick no. 38.
39. Carolina Panthers: Center
Last year’s right guard, Austin Corbett, has moved to center following the free agency additions of guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. However, Corbett was part of a team that let last year’s no. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young, get bullied by opposing blitzers. Given the availability of both Jackson Powers-Johnson and Zach Frazier, I think it’s wise for the Panthers to give Young all the protection they can as Young hopes to rebound in his sophomore season.
40. Washington Commanders: See pick no. 36
41, 58. Green Bay Packers: Defensive Backs
Because they play in the NFC North, the Packers will play six games this year against three potentially high-powered offenses. They have potential holes at both cornerback and safety across from stars Jaire Alexander and Xavier McKinney. Cooper DeJean could fill either hole, but there are plenty of prospects available at corner and a couple at safety who could reasonably be taken in round two.
42, 59. Houston Texans: Defensive Tackle or Interior Offensive Line
The Texans, who didn’t pick in round one, could use some interior help on the defensive front. Jer’Zhan Newton would be great value at pick no. 42, but other options exist in the form of LSU’s Maason Smith, Florida State’s Braden Fiske and Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat. They could also use cornerback depth and offensive line improvement, and I think protecting budding star and OROY CJ Stroud should be a priority given the Texans’ two second-round picks. Powers-Johnson and Frasier would be quality additions.
43. Atlanta Falcons: Defensive Line
After providing the shock of the draft by controversially selecting Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick. They would regain some respect in round two by selecting an edge rusher, which I and many others thought should have been done in round one. Options have thinned, but Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland, UW’s Bralen Trice and Penn State’s Adisa Isaac are available, among others. If they decide to pursue an interior defender, the options listed for Houston’s pick no. 42 would appeal.
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Offensive Line
Offensive line and cornerback are surely the Raiders’ two biggest needs, but Vegas’ offensive line could use help across the board. Given Thursday’s selection of standout tight end Brock Bowers, it makes sense to me that the Raiders draft a blocker in round two, thus giving Bowers a little more time to get open. Tackle options like Suamataia and Rosengarten are available, and Houston’s Patrick Paul provides some appeal. If Powers-Johnson or Frasier are still around at pick no. 44, both would also be considered sensible picks.
45. New Orleans Saints: Wide Receiver
The Saints need to give themselves a pass-catcher to partner with Chris Olave. Thankfully, there should still be plenty of good options at 45. While Mitchell and McConkey will likely be gone, receivers like Troy Franklin, Keon Coleman and Roman Wilson will probably still be around. UW’s Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan will almost certainly still be available and could even be seen as trade-down options.
46. Indianapolis Colts: Cornerback
I expected the Colts to get a cornerback in round one. There should still be plenty of cornerbacks available when the Colts select. Big names like McKinstry and Rakestraw Jr would be great value, but other options exist like Sairinstil, Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter and Iowa State’s TJ Tampa.
47. New York Giants: Cornerback
The Giants have plenty of holes and could address defensive tackle or interior offensive line, but many think they’ll go for a cornerback. Their options are essentially the same as those listed above for the Colts.
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cornerback
Hey look, another team that needs a cornerback. I expected them to get a cornerback in round one, but as I’ve repeatedly said, options abound in round two. In addition to the names I keep listing, Kentucky’s Andru Phillips, Rutgers’ Max Melton and Notre Dame’s Cam Hart are other options.
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Defensive Line
Defensive tackle has been a known position of need in Cincinnati this offseason, and options like Smith, Fiske and Sweat may remain. However, Trey Hendrickson’s recent trade request could inspire the Bengals to draft an edge, where Kneeland, Trice and Isaac could be possible selections. Additional edge options include Alabama’s Chris Braswell and Utah’s Jonah Elliss.
50, 53. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE/Linebacker or Interior Offensive Line
The Eagles added Quinyon Mitchell on Thursday to improve pass defense, and will now need to do the same to improve run defense. They run a 3-4 but have good internal options in Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. An edge rusher or linebacker addition would fill the hole left by the departing Haason Reddick, who was a major part of last year’s pass rush. In addition to the edge options listed above in pick no. 49, there are linebacker options that provide pass-rush capability. Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M is considered by many to be this draft’s best linebacker, and NC State’s Payton Wilson also has blitzing upside. The Eagles may also look to fill the hole left by the retiring Jason Kelce on the interior of the offensive line. Powers-Johnson and Frasier would be great, and UConn’s Christian Haynes and KSU’s Cooper Beebe would also do well.
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Wide Receiver
The Steelers drafted Russell Wilson some pass-protection on Thursday in the form of Troy Fautanu. Now, they’d be wise to add a receiving option to pair with Goerge Pickens. See pick no. 45 (Saints) for a list of quality pass-catchers still available. Other options include UNC’s Tez Walker and WKU’s Malachi Corley.
52. Los Angeles Rams: Defensive Tackle
The Rams bolstered their pass rush by drafting Jared Verse in round one, but still need to fill the hole left by Aaron Donald’s retirement. While no one could ever truly fill that hole, there are options that would do a good job. One or two of Fiske, Smith and Sweat should still be around and would be a sensible selection.
53. Philadelphia Eagles: See pick no. 50
54. Cleveland Browns: A Lineman
The Browns have a great roster with no glaring weaknesses. They do have a number of linemen nearing the end of their rookie contracts, so Cleveland could select the best available player and save some money next offseason. Given the extensive options I’ve listed, I expect the Browns to be able to match up with a big man they like.
55. Miami Dolphins: Defensive Tackle
Miami lost a lot in free agency, the brightest star in the exodus being DT Christian Wilkins. Miami could pick up the scraps of the Rams’ decision to give themselves a quick replacement at the position. If those options are gone, Michigan’s Kris Jenkins and Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr provide tangible upside.
56. Dallas Cowboys: Wide Receiver
Dallas needs to give Ceedee Lamb some help, which I thought they’d do in round one. I’ve listed a ton of potential wideout options, many of which will still be around when the Cowboys select. Dallas has been thin on receivers for a while and has hopefully done its research on the remaining talent.
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cornerback
Tampa needs a starting corner to pair with Jamel Dean, and I’m not sure Zyon McCollum is that guy. Any of the options listed from nos. 46-48 would be an option for a team in Tampa’s position.
58. Green Bay Packers: See pick no. 41
59. Houston Texans: See pick no. 42
60. Buffalo Bills: See pick no. 33
61. Detroit Lions: Defensive Line
I expected the Lions to target the defensive line in round one, but I like Terrion Arnold as a pick. It makes sense to me that the Lions instead go DL in round two, as Aiden Hutchinson could use additional help to distract double-team blockers. There’s more DT depth than edge depth at this point, so watch for somebody like Jenkins or Hall Jr around here.
62. Baltimore Ravens: Offensive Line
Baltimore could improve at guard and tackle, which would be wise considering the amount of money going to defending MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. Powers-Johnson, Frasier, Haynes and Beebe are good interior options. If Patrick Paul’s still around, he could be an intriguing tackle prospect, as could Notre Dame’s Blake Fisher.
63. San Francisco 49ers: Offensive Line
San Francisco needs to fill the hole left by departing right tackle Mike McGlinchey and could also improve on the interior. Their prospective options are essentially the same as those of the Ravens. Given Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy’s offensive importance, protecting them should be priority no. 1 in San Francisco.
64. Kansas City Chiefs: Offensive Line
The Chiefs are thin at corner after losing star L’Jarius Sneed this offseason, but they’re also thin on the offensive line. Patrick Mahomes is unquestionably the most valuable player in this league (sorry Lamar) and as such deserves to pass from behind an elite offensive line. If they can snag one of Baltimore and San Francisco’s leftovers, they’ll likely feel better about Mahomes’ safety as they challenge for a third straight Super Bowl win.
コメント