Day two of the NFL Draft is always a fun one for me. This is where you see what teams really think about their team. You get to see what their priorities are and who they like. Case in point, the biggest story of day two, Shadeur Sanders didn’t get drafted. We have now had three rounds consisting of 102 picks and Sanders wasn’t one of them. The pre-draft narrative of Sanders having less than stellar interviews is proving to be true because while he’s not a great prospect, he was worth a third-round pick in this QB class. Cam Ward was clearly the top QB and it wasn’t all that surprising Jaxson Dart went ahead of Sanders but it didn’t stop there. Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe were also picked already. Both those guys have superior physical skills over Sanders so the case is easy to make to take them too. The one that really has to hurt is the Browns taking Dillon Gabriel instead of Shadeur late in round three. Gabriel is shorter, doesn’t have an elite arm, and is older than Sanders. The one thing that stands out that Gabriel gets a better grade on than Shadeur, teams like his makeup. He’s a guy they want to work with and the type of player they want in the building. As Dane Brugler pointed out on the Athletic Football Show’s draft show, Sanders’s talent kept him out of round one, it was his interviews and attitude that kept him from getting drafted on day two.
I’m just going to point out some teams that did some good things, or at least some interesting things. Day two is about getting players who can help your team but maybe guys that won’t be superstars. Let’s take a look.
New England Patriots – After taking Will Campbell in round one, day two gave them a couple of playmakers on offense for Drake Maye and another guy to protect him long-term. After spending most of their free agent money on defense, this draft has been about offense. RB TreVeyon Henderson is a big play waiting to happen and he’s the type of guy they need in the running game. Then they drafted WR Kyle Williams from Washington St., he’s not the biggest WR but he’s dynamic. He’s essentially the younger, faster version of Stefon Diggs. Finally, they grabbed C Jared Wilson from Georgia. He was only a one-year starter but he’s going to compete with Garrett Bradbury at center from day one and he’s the guy who will be Drake Maye’s center for the next decade. As far as I’m concerned, the Patriots are 4-for-4 in this draft.
Chicago Bears – The Bears followed up the Colston Loveland pick with some interesting picks themselves. They got WR Luther Burden III, he was a high-level prospect coming into the year who then struggled a bit. He’s still an extremely talented player with great after-the-catch ability. There is a little redundancy to his game compared to DJ Moore but Ben Johnson is a smart offensive mind, he should find ways to use both. The pick of OT Ozzy Trapilo was really nice. Trapilo is a very large OT at 6’8 and needs some technique work but he can play. He may be the LT of the future or he’s insurance for Darnell Wright at RT in case he struggles. Finally, Shemar Turner is a slightly undersized DT with great versatility who will be very good in a Dennis Allen led defense.
Houston Texans – Houston traded out of the first round so their first pick was WR Jayden Higgins at 34 overall, nice pickup. He’s a big-bodied WR who gives them some options. They followed that up by drafting Minnesota LT Aireontae Ersery. I’ll be shocked if Ersery doesn’t beat out Cam Robinson for the starting LT job in Houston. The Texans then doubled up on Iowa St. WRs by taking Jaylin Noel in round three. They probably didn’t need to take him but he was way too good to pass up. All three of those picks will pay dividends immediately.
Cleveland Browns – They had the first pick of day two and they took LB Carson Schwesinger from UCLA. He gives them a fast, run and chase LB they may need if Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah isn’t healthy. Taking him after trading back in round one and taking Mason Graham gives them two good defenders to start off with. Then they went offense. RB Quinshon Judkins was next and he’s a true work horse for this team and he’ll be great. Next, they grabbed TE Harold Fannin Jr., he’s a unique player. A high-volume pass catcher at Bowling Green who looks a bit stiff and awkward but just makes plays. Finally, they took QB Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel doesn’t profile as an NFL starter given his size and lack of arm strength but this team has Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett at QB, nothing is off the table.
Seattle Seahawks – The Grey Zabel pick in round one addresses a huge need at OG, but they didn’t stop there. S Nick Emmanwori is a freak athlete who should be a nice fit in Mike McDonald’s defense and they needed help at safety. TE Elijah Arroyo gives them a nice weapon to go with Noah Fant and AJ Barner at the position. Arroyo could be Fant’s eventual replacement in a year. They topped it off by taking a shot on QB Jalen Milroe. Milroe is an excellent athlete with elite speed and a rocket for an arm. He lacks nuance as a QB but the team has Sam Darnold so for now, Milroe is just a developmental project.
Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys draft way better than they get credit for. First round OG Tyler Booker isn’t sexy but he’s an important piece to the offense. They followed him up with two great value picks on defense. Edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku somehow fell to the middle of round two and they snagged him. They have some other bodies after Micah Parsons but Ezeiruaku is going to be one of the better pass rushers they have. Then in round three CB Shavon Revel Jr. was still there for the taking. He’s coming off a torn ACL but all reports are that he should be ready for the season. If he hadn’t been injured he was heading towards being a first-round pick. He’s excellent value and well worth taking the risk on a pretty common injury in round three.
Carolina Panthers – They gave Bryce Young his WR with Tetairoa McMillan in round one, then they went to fix the defense. The Panthers don’t have any elite pass rushers on their team and they probably didn’t get one with their two day two picks. However, Nic Scourton from Texas A&M and Princely Umanmielen both have potential. Scourton should lose a little weight and get back to being the guy he was at Purdue; he’d be a better pass rusher. Umanmielen is a pure pass rusher who is probably only that. The Panthers won’t have an elite pass rusher but they will have waves of them after adding these two.
New York Jets – After taking RT Armand Membou in round one, they went with TE Mason Taylor in round two and CB Azareye’h Thomas in round three. Taylor doesn’t have one particular elite skill but he’s a very talented TE. He should start quickly in New York. Thomas is a good CB prospect who ran a slow 40 time and that’s why he lasted until round three. In New York, he should compete with Brandon Stephens to start opposite Sauce Gardner.
A few Quick Hitters on Day 2
The Saints made Tyler Shough the third QB off the board after Ward and Dart. He went 40th overall. He’s big, tall, and more athletic than you would think. He’s going to start games in New Orleans this year, I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts the majority of the games.
The Cardinals ended CB Will Johnson’s slide with the 47th pick in the draft. Clearly, teams were concerned with his knee issue because I don’t care how slow you think he might be, he’s definitely talented enough to go higher than this. If the knee isn’t a problem, Johnson will be one for his opponents.
The Bengals may have come up with the first real reach in the draft when they took LB Demetrius Knight in round two. Knight is a fine player but he was the third LB off the board and that seems high. I had Knight in some previous mock drafts but there were other LBs rated ahead of him. I know I said the Bengals should just keep taking defensive players but there were better defensive players on the board.
The Packers took LT Anthony Belton in round two. After taking Jordan Morgan in round one last year and signing LG Aaron Banks in free agency, expect to see some shuffling on that offensive line this year.
The Ravens again got a steal when edge rusher Mike Green slid all the way to them in round two. If his off the field issues are behind him, he could win Defensive Rookie of the Year. Oh, and they took LSU OL Emery Jones Jr. in round three, he’s going to be a future Pro Bowl guard for that team. Those damn Ravens, every time.
The Lions drafted Georgia OG Tate Ratledge, there was no bigger Dan Campbell player in this draft than Ratledge. I will push back on them trading up for WR Isaac TeSlaa. I know he’s big but they paid extra to get him in round three and there were better WRs on the board.
Other picks I liked; Raiders took WR Jack Bech, Washington took CB Trey Amos, and Giants took Darius Alexander to start round three. All three of those guys can start next season.
The other WR pick I didn’t like; Denver taking Pat Bryant. There were better WRs on the board.
Speaking of Players Still on the Board
Obviously Shadeur Sanders. I’ve certainly not been a Shadeur fan but there are definitely worse QBs on rosters in the NFL right now.
Most surprising guy still left on the board for me is Ohio St. DE Jack Sawyer. I get he’s not the flashiest guy but his motor never stops and he’ll be a contributor to an edge rush rotation next season.
Two offensive linemen I like on the board. Texas OT Cam Williams, he’s a bit lumbering with heavy feet but he’s hard to move. And Purdue OL Marcus Mbow. Good player with versatility to play OG or OT.
There are some good WRs left too. Utah St. WR Jalen Royals, Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor, and a personal favorite, Colorado St. WR Tory Holton. Royals and Horton have injury concerns and Ayomanor had some drops but all three can help a team next year.
Finally, the RBs still on the board. Damien Martinez, Cam Skattebo, Dylan Sampson, Jordan James, and Devin Neal, of those guys, one of them is starting for his team next season. Then there are guys who will contribute for sure to their teams’ backfields; Jaydon Blue, Bhayshul Tuten, Jarquez Hunter, DJ Giddens, Ollie Gordan, Kyle Monangai and Trevor Etienne.
It’s going to be an interesting Day Three. Here we come!
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