Day 2 turned out to have all the twists and turns day 1 had! The media board most certainly did not align with any of the boards most NFL teams had. This resulted in many players going earlier than expected, as well as some fans being confused as to why their team did not draft a certain player. Rounds 2 and 3 had 11 trades that took place during the draft, with 7 of them going in round 2. This was a night many fans will not forget!
NOTABLE TRADES:
Atlanta Falcons receive: No. 35 (DT Ruke Orhorhoro) and No. 186 (RB Jase McClellan).
Grade: F
Arizona Cardinals receive: No. 43 (CB Max Melton) and No 79. (traded to the Indianapolis Colts).
Grade: A
Los Angeles Rams receive: No. 39 (DT Braden Fiske). Grade: B Carolina Panthers receive: No. 52 (traded to Indianapolis Colts), No. 155 (traded to Indianapolis Colts), and 2025 2nd rounder. Grade: A
Carolina Panthers receive: No. 46 (RB Jonathon Brooks). Grade: D
Indianapolis Colts receive: No. 52 (WR Adonai Mitchell), No. 142 (WR Anthony Gould) and No. 155 (traded to Philadelphia Eagles).
Grade: A+
New York Jets receive: No. 65 (WR Malachi Corley). Grade: B Carolina Panthers receive: No. 72 (LB Trevin Wallace) and No. 157 (CB Chau Smith-Wade).
Grade: A
Houston Texans receive: No. 78 (S Calen Bullock) Grade: B Philadelphia Eagles receive: No. 86 (traded to San Francisco 49ers) and No. 123 (traded back to Houston Texans).
Grade: C+
WINNER: Keon Coleman/Cole Bishop/DeWayne Carter – Buffalo Bills
Buffalo trading down to land Keon Coleman worked out perfectly, and Josh Allen gets his future X receiver. Cole Bishop is a perfect fit for the Bills defense where his versatility as safety, nickel, and linebacker will be utilized. The Bills originally tried to trade up for him, but lucked out with him falling to pick 60. The 3-time Duke captain DeWayne Carter adds size, strength, and IQ to the Bills defensive line.
LOSER: Ruke Orhorhoro/Bralen Trice- Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons landed on this list for the 2nd time in a row. Orhorhoro had a great combine, but I’m not sure if it warranted being the 2nd DT off of the board ahead of Jer’Zhan Newton. He is a little raw and his versatility will have to be used at full capacity. Bralen Trice is low on my board, and with Jalyx Hunt still available, the pick is confusing. His 275 lbs playing weight made sense on film at Washington, but his poor performance while being 245 lbs at the combine left more questions than answers about his future in the NFL.
WINNER: Tyler Nubin/Andru Phillips – New York Giants
Tyler Nubin is the best safety in this class, and with the Giants losing Xavier McKinney, they’re filling a huge need. The playmaking safety fits Shane Bowens defense well, and his top-end speed will not be an issue in the cover 2 heavy scheme. Andru Phillips has experience as a boundary and slot corner, where his quick feet will help in Bowens zone dominant defense. If he fixes his physicality issues, he will be a steal for the Giants.
LOSER: T’Vondre Sweat – Tennessee Titans
T’Vondre Sweat is a great football player on the field, but off the field is where his concerns lie. Him getting a DUI just before the draft is not a great sign for the future and it was a widely accepted opinion that stock would drop because of it. He also will not be able to play every snap on defense, with his weight management being an issue for some people as well. With this being the only day 2 pick the Falcons had, trading back made more sense given who else was still on the board. Still, if he’s their guy, then you don’t pass on him!
WINNERS: Adonai Mitchell/Matt Goncalves – Indianapolis Colts
The Colts trading down and securing picks no. 142 and no. 155 while also getting AD Mitchell is phenomenal value. His 9.99 RAS score is right up the Colts alley, and he instantly gives the Colts a 3-level threat who is dominant in every facet of the game. As long as his off the field concerns don’t come into play, he will be a top 5 WR in this class. Goncalves was taken after the Colts traded up 3 spots to no. 79, becoming the 5th tackle on the roster, adding much needed depth to the position. He can play both tackle spots, and could even be kicked inside to guard if needed.
Loser: Jonathan Brooks/Trevin Wallace Carolina Panthers
Making a pretty expensive trade up to take a RB when they have other needs that need to be addressed is questionable at best. I also have concerns about addressing RB/LB this early in general, when there are alot of quality players at both of these positions that were projected to go round 4/5/6. Trevin Wallace has the athletic ability to be a great LB, but if he does not work on his play recognition he will be a special teamer. The Panthers did not find their next Luke Kuechly here.
Winner: Kris Jenkins/Jermaine Burton/McKinnley Jackson – Cincinnati Bengals
Getting both Kris Jenkins and Mckinnley Jackson adds a lot of strength to a defensive line that was ranked 26th in run defense last season. Replacing D.J. Reader will not be easy, but the Bengals sure did try day 2. Jermaine Burton is one of the best vertical threats in this class and is a great value pick at pick No. 80. He dropped due to maturity issues, but his talent is through the roof. If Tee Higgins does get traded, Burton is definitely a good option to have as a Z receiver.
LOSER: No Day 2 Picks – Minnesota Vikings
Having no day 2 picks in a draft where there is a lot of talent in the top 100 is a huge loss. They missed out on players at positions of need, such as CB and OL. For a team that is rebuilding, this is a bad problem to have no matter who they get in the 1st round. On top of this, they don’t have a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round pick in the 2025 draft either. It will be interesting to see how they plan to build their team in the future, with their limited depth and a minimal amount of day 2 picks.
As day 2 finishes, we look to day 3 which is where NFL scouts, GM’s, and executives look to make their money. Every year, a fantastic NFL player falls to day 3, leaving everyone wondering how he ever dropped in the first place. This year, we see names like Spencer Rattler, Javon Baker, Jaylen Wright, Theo Johnson, Mason McCormick, Khristian Boyd, D.J. James, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Jaden Hicks, and many more still on the board! Expect to see a name taken day 3 that shocks the league next season!
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Photo Credits: The Philadelphia Inquirer
