The 2024 NFL Draft rolls on, and hoo boy did we now have lots of enjoyable final night time. A document 23 offensive gamers have been chosen, probably the most notable of them being Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. chosen by the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth total choose.
Day 2 is bound to see many of the prime defenders begin to fly off the board. Iowa defensive again Cooper DeJean, Illinois DT Johnny Newton and Alabama nook Kool-Assist McKinstry stay obtainable, though they might come off very early tonight. One other factor to look at is how shortly the receivers fly off the board. Texas’ AD Mitchell, Georgia’s Ladd McConkey and Florida State’s Keon Coleman all are moderately excessive in my prime 100 large board, and might be prompt starters wherever they’re picked.
As soon as once more, SB Nation might be doing dwell grades based mostly on our prime 100 large board of one of the best prospects within the draft this yr.
33. Buffalo Payments (through Carolina Panthers) – Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Grade: A
The Payments have been in a position to commerce again and nonetheless land a receiver. Sounds good to everybody, proper? Coleman is a robust, sure-handed receiver whose sport velocity is way, a lot sooner than his 40 time and wins downfield on contested catches and after the catch. Buffalo’s offense is present process a little bit of a schematic shift, going for extra YAC and profitable within the brief to intermediate areas than the downfield offense we all know them for, and Coleman suits them like a glove.
34. Los Angeles Chargers (through New England Patriots) – Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Grade: A+
Now will everybody cease complaining about not choosing a receiver at 5? McConkey is such a special kind of receiver than Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston, and is a good match within the Chargers’ offense. McConkey is a straightforward separator at each stage of the sector, regardless of possibly being extra of a slot-only participant. Johnston and Palmer can play exterior, and McConkey’s effectivity and quickness as a route runner might be a serious profit to Justin Herbert.
35. Atlanta Falcons (through Arizona Cardinals) – Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
Grade: C-
Okay, now I’m confused why Illinois DT Johnny Newton is falling. Orhorhoro is an efficient athlete who could be very sturdy towards the run, however the Falcons don’t have any go rush and are drafting a defensive sort out who’s a restricted go rusher proper now? Very complicated. But, Orhorhoro is a robust run defender, who whereas is a tough go rusher proper now, continues to be rising. They higher hope he’s giving them go rush pop instantly although.
36. Washington Commanders – Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Grade: A+
It is a steal for the Commanders, getting a three-down defensive sort out with instant go rush upside. I perceive the foot harm issues however he’s such a dominant go rusher that it makes a lot sense for the Commanders to make this choose. This may imply Jonathan Allen is out of right here, although.
37. New England Patriots (through Los Angeles Chargers) – Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
Grade: B+
Polk is simply an throughout good participant, man. Unimaginable blocker, nice catch radius and has some refined route operating as effectively. Whereas he’s not spectacular, he’s a very nice slot in New England with a bunch of slot receivers. Enjoying him exterior frees up Kendrick Bourne and Pop Douglas. Actually sensible, however unspectacular choose.
38. Tennessee Titans – T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Grade: D+
Man, I don’t know. Sweat is a unbelievable, mountain of a run defender who can enhance the run protection instantly. Nevertheless, this doesn’t make sense in any respect. Sweat is a really restricted go rusher and in addition doesn’t play lots of snaps at 340 kilos. The Titans’ run protection is sweet, however Sweat looks as if a serious query mark.
39. Los Angeles Rams (through Carolina Panthers) – Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Grade: C-
I like Fiske, however wow. They traded lots of picks to draft one other undersized defensive sort out within the hopes that he’s Aaron Donald. Whereas Fiske is a fast participant with a excessive motor, I don’t just like the match on this protection in any respect. He’s a legal responsibility within the run sport and is a historic outlier as a participant. I simply don’t get this choose in any respect, particularly with Michigan DT Kris Jenkins Jr on the board.
40. Philadelphia Eagles (through Washington Commanders) – Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Grade: A+
I’m not a giant Howie Roseman advocate, however it is a actually, actually good first two days for Philadelphia. DeJean is a nook in my eyes, however his route recognition and fast set off on the ball make him a superb match at nook or security. Philadelphia wants assist actually in every single place within the secondary, and DeJean could be extra nook insurance coverage if Bradberry’s pattern of play comes down or performs security subsequent to Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Love the choose.
41. New Orleans Saints (through Washington Commanders) – Kool-Assist McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Grade: B
McKinstry is a very good slot in Dennis Allen’s protection together with his skill in press protection and persistence when defending routes deep. The harm knocked him down the board, however he can bee a very good nook in that protection. What does this imply for the way forward for Marshon Lattimore?
42. Houston Texans (through Minnesota Vikings) – Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Grade: A
It is a nice match for the Texans and Lassiter. The previous Georgia Bulldog is bodily (one of the best tackling nook within the draft), and performs very well on beneath routes. Houston already has Derek Stingley Jr., now they get him a superb operating mate in Lassiter.
43. Arizona Cardinals (through Atlanta Falcons) – Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Grade: B-
It is a stable, if unspectacular choose by the Cardinals. Melton is a tricky nook who actually lit up the Mix. With the run on corners seemingly taking place now, Arizona was sensible to return up and get one now.
