Stay tuned for the analysis on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. The second round starts at 7:00 pm ET, but the live updates will probably start around 8:30 pm.
As of the morning of Day 2, here are the total picks made or held by each team:
Ten teams did not make a pick in the first round, and Las Vegas, Miami, and the Rams won’t pick until the third. Both the Dolphins and Rams will make their first picks in the compensatory portion of the third. As of now, one team, Carolina, has the night off. Carolina’s next pick is scheduled to be taken at the back end of the fourth round, 137th overall.
7:08 PM: And now, the start of Round 2, with Tampa Bay officially on the clock! So with the announcements in these and later rounds, we’re going to have a lot of queueing between when the pick is in and when it is announced.
7:15 PM: TAMPA BAY SELECTS LOGAN HALL, DE, HOUSTON! Hall played 3-technique in college at Houston but is expected to be more of a 3-4 DE at the next level. He has very violent hands and can potentially be an interior pass rusher. He should be a rotational player early.
7:20 PM: Minnesota has traded down, sending the 34th pick to the hated Green Bay Packers for the 53rd and 59th overall picks – so an early second for two late seconds.
GREEN BAY SELECTS CHRISTIAN WATSON, WR, NDSU!
It might not have been a first rounder, but Christian Watson is the type of talent that Aaron Rodgers will be looking for. At 6’4″ 208, Watson is an imposing presence and he can fly, running a 4.36 40 at the NFL Combine. He is a bit raw, and coming from an FCS program will be taking a big step up in competition, but the ceiling is very high.
7:28 PM: TENNESSEE SELECTS ROGER MCCREARY, CB, AUBURN!
McCreary is a press-man cover specialist that has the strength to disrupt routes from NFL-calibre wide receivers. He’s a bit undersized but still has the ability to impact throws on vertical routes.
NEW YORK JETS SELECT BREECE HALL, RB, IOWA STATE! The Jets made a deal with the Giants for the 36th pick and takes the best running back in the draft – Breece Hall from Iowa State! Hall has been a bell cow back in Iowa State with good hands to help out as a receiver. With apologies to Michael Carter, Hall becomes the RB1 with the Jets.
Jets-Giants trade: the Giants give the Jets the 36th overall pick in exchange for the 38th pick and the 146th pick (fourth round).
Giants-Falcons trade: the Giants then turn around and deal the 38th pick to the Falcons from the 43rd and 114th picks
7:33 pm: HOUSTON SELECTS JALEN PITRE, S, BAYLOR!
After taking Derek Stingley Jr with the third pick, the Texans go back to the secondary and take Jalen Pitre, a versatile safety from Baylor. Pitre played the Star position at Baylor, which is a sort of hybrid between strong safety and linebacker. He has the Football IQ to play the position in the pros, but a little small at the moment. Best suited as an short/intermediate defender in a zone. He’s unlikely to play as a deep/split safety in the Cover 2.
7:38 PM: ATLANTA SELECTS ARNOLD EBIKETIE, EDGE, PENN STATE!
Atlanta trades up to 38 to take the dynamic edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie. Ebiketie is a dedicated edge rusher who will need to develop his ability to play the run in the pros. He’ll be mostly utilized as a stand-up rusher but could be a situational pass rusher early in his career. The Falcons desperately need pass rushers (even with Lorenzo Carter), so this fills a real need.
7:42 PM: CHICAGO SELECTS KYLER GORDON, CB, WASHINGTON!
With their first pick in the draft, the Bears go for secondary help, taking Kyler Gordon from Washington. Gordon is a strong, athletic, and explosive corner from Washington. He has the ability to play in any scheme, but he does need some work in route recognition at the moment. He has a good shot at playing opposite Jaylon Johnson in Week 1, but might be work in progress. The ceiling is near-infinite.
7:49 PM: SEATTLE SELECTS BOYE MAFE, EDGE, MINNESOTA AND KENNETH WALKER III, RB, MICHIGAN STATE!
Seattle double-dips in the Big 10 by taking Boye Mafe to bolster their pass rush and Kenneth Walker for the backfield.
EDITOR’S NOTE: On a break back in 30 minutes
8:34 PM: AND WE’RE BACK
Picks while I was gone:
Vikings traded up from 42 to 53 (Vikings also get 122, while the Colts get 77, and 192 to go along with the 53rd pick)
MINNESOTA SELECTS ANDREW BOOTH JR, CB, CLEMSON!
NEW YORK GIANTS SELECT WAN’DALE ROBINSON, WR, KENTUCKY!
Houston trades up to 44, sending the 68th, 108th, and 124th overall picks to the Cleveland Browns!
HOUSTON SELECTS JOHN METCHIE III, WR, ALABAMA! This was a shocker
BALTIMORE SELECTS DAVID OJABO, EDGE, MICHIGAN!
8:35 PM: NEW ENGLAND SELECTS TYQUAN THORNTON, WR, BAYLOR!
8:42 PM: PHILADELPHIA SELECTS CAM JURGENS, C, NEBRASKA!
8:43 PM: PITTSBURGH SELECTS GEORGE PICKENS, WR, GEORGIA!
The Steelers get one of the best wide receivers in the draft at 52, as they take George Pickens from Georgia.
8:44 PM: INDIANAPOLIS SELECTS ALEC PIERCE, WR, CINCINNATI!
A run on wide receivers as Alec Pierce, a big possession receiver goes to the Colts. He and Michael Pittman have a lot of similarities, so it will be interesting to see how they mesh.
8:50 PM: KANSAS CITY SELECTS WR SKYY MOORE, WR, WESTERN MICHIGAN!
8:52 PM: ARIZONA SELECTS TREY MCBRIDE, TE, COLORADO STATE!
8:58 PM: DALLAS SELECTS SAM WILLIAMS, EDGE, OLE MISS!
Williams is a situational pass rusher at this point as his play against the run needs help. He has good hands and bend/flexibility which will help him as a hand-in-the-ground pass rusher.
TAMPA BAY SELECTS LUKE GOEDEKE, T, CENTRAL MICHIGAN!
ATLANTA SELECTS TREY ANDERSEN, LB, MONTANA STATE!
MINNESOTA SELECTS ED INGRAM, G, LSU!
This is a real need-based pick as the Vikings have a gaping hole at RG.
CINCINNATI SELECTS CAM TAYLOR-BRITT, CB, NEBRASKA!
9:19 PM: SAN FRANCISCO SELECTS DRAKE JACKSON, EDGE, USC!
9:20 PM: KANSAS CITY SELECTS BRYAN COOK, S, CINCINNATI!
9:25 PM: BUFFALO SELECTS JAMES COOK, RB, GEORGIA!
Cook split carries with Zamir White in Georgia. While he has a similar speed trait as his brother Dalvin, James is a little smaller and does not have the same upside. However, with the Bills, he will have an opportunity to make an impact immediately.
9:27 PM: DENVER SELECTS NIK BONITTO, EDGE, OKLAHOMA!
The Broncos use the final pick of the second round to take Nik Bonitto from Oklahoma. Bonitto is a 3-4 stand-up edge rusher who is athletic, flexible, and has strong acceleration – he’s a situational rusher now and would need to bulk up to be a bigger part of the defense outside situational pass rushing.
THIRD ROUND
9:32 PM: JACKSONVILLE SELECTS LUKE FORTNER, C, KENTUCKY
The Jaguars add to the interior of their offensive line by taking Fortner.
9:34 PM: MINNESOTA SELECTS BRIAN ASAMOAH, LB, OKLAHOMA
Asamoah is a weakside linebacker with explosive speed, is aggressive, athletic in coverage, but lacks technique. With the right tutelage, he can be a top sideline-to-sideline defender.
9:35 PM NEW YORK GIANTS SELECT JOSHUA EZEUDU, G, UNC
9:40 PM: CLEVELAND SELECTS MJ EMERSON, CB, MISSISSIPPI STATE!
Emerson is a press-man corner who can play physically
9:42 PM: TENNESSEE SELECTS NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE, RT, OHIO STATE!
9:45 PM: JACKSONVILLE SELECTS CHAD MUMA, LB, WYOMING!
The Jags take Devin Lloyd late in the first and now take Chad Muma with the 70th overall pick. Muma and Lloyd have some similar attributes, in that they are aggressive and strong tacklers. Muma needs a bit of work and the level of competition will increase significantly for them but he can turn into a solid Mike or Sam to go alongside Lloyd (who can also do both)
9:48 PM: CHICAGO SELECTS VELUS JONES, WR/KR, TENNESSEE
9:53 PM: SEATTLE SELECTS ABRAHAM LUCAS, RT, WASHINGTON!
9:55 PM: INDIANAPOLIS SELECTS JELANI WOODS, TE, VIRGINIA!
9:57 PM: ATLANTA SELECTS DESMOND RIDDER, QB, CINCINNATI!
The Falcons take the second quarterback off the board, taking Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati. Ridder was a four-year starter and put up big numbers for the Bearcats, taking AAC school Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff. He’s in a pretty good situation here – Mariota will start in 2022 and Ridder will have the chance to start in 2023. Being taken in the third also takes the pressure off being an immediate starter.
10:01 PM: HOUSTON SELECTS CHRISTIAN HARRIS, LB, ALABAMA!
10:07 PM: BALTIMORE SELECTS TRAVIS JONES, DT, UCONN!
Travis Jones had a lot of people mocking him into the second round, but falls to the Ravens, who have taken Hamilton, Ojabo, and now Jones as great value (not Great Value) picks.
10:08 PM: INDIANAPOLIS SELECTS BERNHARD RAIMANN, T, CENTRAL MICHIGAN!
10:12 PM: CLEVELAND SELECTS ALEX WRIGHT, DE, UAB!
10:17 PM: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS SELECT J.T. WOODS, S, BAYLOR!
Woods can fly, he’s a traditional free safety who should not be expected to contribute to the run defense. He is best as a centre fielder or a split safety in a Cover 2 or 3.
10:18 PM: DENVER SELECTS TE GREG DULCICH, TE, UCLA
NEW YORK GIANTS SELECT CORDALE FLOTT, CB, LSU
ATLANTA SELECTS DEANGELO MALONE, DE, WESTERN KENTUCKY!
10:24 PM: PHILADELPHIA SELECTS NAKOBE DEAN, LB, GEORGIA!
The wait is finally over – Nakobe Dean gets selected 83rd overall to the Eagles. A player with first round talent who got flagged for a pec issue drops all the way to the middle of the third.
PITTSBURGH SELECTS DEMARVIN LEAL, DE/3T, TEXAS A&M!
NEW ENGLAND SELECTS MARCUS JONES, CB/KR, HOUSTON!
10:35 PM: TENNESSEE SELECTS MALIK WILLIS, QB, LIBERTY!
Tennessee trades up with the Raiders to take Malik Willis, who was getting top 10 hype. The Titans obviously have a settled QB situation for 2022 with Ryan Tannehill, but 2023 is a possibility.
10:40 PM: ARIZONA SELECTS CAMERON THOMAS, DE, SAN DIEGO STATE!
The Cardinals take Thomas, a run-stuffing defensive lineman from SDSU. He has a high motor and could be a 5 technique in the pros.
10:44 PM: DALLAS SELECTS JALEN TOLBERT, WR, SOUTH ALABAMA!
This is a really good value pick at 88 for Dallas. Tolbert has enough size, speed, and strength to play outside.
10:46 PM: BUFFALO SELECTS TERREL BERNARD, LB/S, BAYLOR
10:48 PM: LAS VEGAS SELECTS DYLAN PARHAM, G, MEMPHIS!
And the Raiders are finally on the board with the 90th pick they add to their offensive line by taking Dylan Parham from Memphis
10:53 PM: TAMPA BAY SELECTS RACHAAD WHITE, RB, ARIZONA STATE!
This might’ve been a bit of a reach.
10:54 PM: GREEN BAY SELECTS SEAN RHYAN, G, UCLA!
Rhyan was a left tackle at UCLA but he’ll be a guard in the league due to his shorter arms and issues in pass protection against pro level pass rushers.
10:55 PM: SAN FRANCISCO SELECTS TYRION DAVIS-PRICE, RB, LSU
11:00 PM: CAROLINA SELECTS MATT CORRAL, QB, OLE MISS!
The Carolina Panthers trade into the third round and take Matt Corral from Ole Miss! Corral automatically puts himself in the conversation as a starter in Carolina. Whether that’s in his long-term best interests is left to be determined.
11:04 PM: CINCINNATI SELECTS ZACH CARTER, DE, FLORIDA!
11:05 PM: INDIANAPOLIS SELECTS NICK CROSS, S, MARYLAND!
Strong tackler, could work in zone but prefers to be in a defense that allows him to go downhill. He has track speed so that combination with the desire to tackle gives the Colts an interesting dimension on blitz packages.
11:09 PM: DETROIT SELECTS KERBY JOSEPH, S, ILLINOIS
11:12 PM: WASHINGTON SELECTS BRIAN ROBINSON, RB, ALABAMA
11:14 PM: CLEVELAND SELECTS DAVID BELL, WR, PURDUE
11:16 PM: ARIZONA SELECTS MYJAI SANDERS, EDGE, CINCINNATI
Sanders was listed as a DE in the draft but at 228 lbs, he’s a stand-up pass rusher. He’s a slender but quick and elusive pass rusher who is willing to play the run. If he can get back up to 245-250 he has the potential to be a top player off the edge.
11:19 PM: NEW YORK JETS SELECT JEREMY RUCKERT, TE, OHIO STATE
Ruckert is an able receiver but is likely the best blocking tight end in the draft. The Jets signed C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in the offseason, so the position is pretty crowded now.
11:22 PM: MIAMI SELECTS CHANNING TINDALL, LB, GEORGIA
Good value pick here.
11:26 PM: KANSAS CITY SELECTS LEO CHENAL, LB, WISCONSIN
Chenal is a tackling machine – strong, tough and powerful. Not the most athletic player and you likely don’t want him in man coverage, but he’s a weapon in the run defense.
11:28 PM: LOS ANGELES RAMS SELECT LOGAN BRUSS, G, WISCONSIN
11:30 PM: SAN FRANCISCO SELECTS DANNY GRAY, WR, SMU
DAY 2 DRAFT ORDER
SECOND ROUND
33. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (FROM JACKSONVILLE) – LOGAN HALL, DE, HOUSTON
34. GREEN BAY PACKERS (FROM DETROIT VIA MINNESOTA) – CHRISTIAN WATSON, WR, NORTH DAKOTA STATE
35. TENNESSEE TITANS (FROM NY JETS) – ROGER MCCREARY, CB, AUBURN
36. NEW YORK JETS (FROM NEW YORK GIANTS) – BREECE HALL, RB, IOWA STATE
37. HOUSTON TEXANS – JALEN PITRE, S, BAYLOR
38. ATLANTA FALCONS (FROM CAROLINA VIA NY JETS AND NY GIANTS) – ARNOLD EBIKETIE, EDGE, PENN STATE
39. CHICAGO BEARS – KYLER GORDON, CB, WASHINGTON
40. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (FROM DENVER) – BOYE MAFE, EDGE, MINNESOTA
41. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – KENNETH WALKER III, RB, MICHIGAN STATE
42. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (FROM WASHINGTON VIA INDIANAPOLIS) – ANDREW BOOTH JR, CB, CLEMSON
43. NEW YORK GIANTS (FROM ATLANTA FALCONS) -WAN’DALE ROBINSON, WR, KENTUCKY
44. HOUSTON TEXANS (FROM CLEVELAND BROWNS) – JOHN METCHIE III, WR, ALABAMA
45. BALTIMORE RAVENS – DAVID OJABO, EDGE, MICHIGAN
46. DETROIT LIONS (FROM MINNESOTA) – JOSH PASCHAL, DE, KENTUCKY
47. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (FROM INDIANAPOLIS) – PHIDARIAN MATHIS, DT, ALABAMA
48. CHICAGO BEARS (FROM LA CHARGERS) – JAQUAN BRISKER, S, PENN STATE
49. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – ALONTAE TAYLOR, CB, TENNESSEE
50. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (FROM MIAMI VIA KANSAS CITY) – TYQUAN THORNTON, WR, BAYLOR
51. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – CAM JURGENS, C, NEBRASKA
52. PITTSBURGH STEELERS – GEORGE PICKENS, WR, GEORGIA
53. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (FROM LAS VEGAS VIA GREEN BAY AND MINNESOTA) – ALEC PIERCE, WR, CINCINNATI
54. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (FROM NEW ENGLAND) – SKYY MOORE, WR, WESTERN MICHIGAN
55. ARIZONA CARDINALS – TREY MCBRIDE, TE, COLORADO STATE
56. DALLAS COWBOYS – SAM WILLIAMS, DE, OLE MISS
57. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (FROM BUFFALO) – LUKE GOEDEKE, T/G, CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Goedeke was selected as a tackle but he almost certainly slots in as the replacement for now-retired G Ali Marpet.
58. ATLANTA FALCONS (FROM TENNESSEE) – TREY ANDERSEN, LB, MONTANA STATE
59. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (FROM GREEN BAY PACKERS) – ED INGRAM, G, LSU
60. CINCINNATI BENGALS (FROM TAMPA BAY VIA BUFFALO) – CAM TAYLOR-BRITT, CB, NEBRASKA
61. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – DRAKE JACKSON, EDGE, USC
62. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – BRYAN COOK, S, CINCINNATI
63. BUFFALO BILLS (FROM CINCINNATI) – JAMES COOK, RB, GEORGIA
64. DENVER BRONCOS (FROM LA RAMS) – NIK BONITTO, EDGE, OKLAHOMA
THIRD ROUND
65. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – LUKE FORTNER, C, KENTUCKY
66. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (FROM DETROIT) – BRIAN ASAMOAH, LB, OKLAHOMA
67. NEW YORK GIANTS – JOSHUA EZEUDU, G, UNC
68. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM HOUSTON TEXANS) – MARTIN EMERSON, CB, MISSISSIPPI STATE
69. TENNESSEE TITANS (FROM NY JETS) – NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE, RT, OHIO STATE
70. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (FROM CAROLINA) – CHAD MUMA, LB, WYOMING
71. CHICAGO BEARS – VELUS JONES, WR/KR, TENNESSEE
72. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – ABRAHAM LUCAS, RT, WASHINGTON STATE
73. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (FROM WASHINGTON) – JELANI WOODS, TE, VIRGINIA
74. ATLANTA FALCONS – DESMOND RIDDER, QB, CINCINNATI
75. HOUSTON TEXANS (FROM DENVER) – CHRISTIAN HARRIS, LB, ALABAMA
76. BALTIMORE RAVENS – TRAVIS JONES, DT, UCONN
77. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (FROM MINNESOTA VIKINGS) – BERNHARD RAIMANN, T, CENTRAL MICHIGAN
78. CLEVELAND BROWNS – ALEX WRIGHT, DE, UAB
79. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – JT WOODS, S, BAYLOR
80. DENVER BRONCOS (FROM HOUSTON) – GREG DULCICH, TE, UCLA
81. NEW YORK GIANTS – CORDALE FLOTT, CB, LSU
82. ATLANTA FALCONS (FROM INDIANAPOLIS) – DEANGELO MALONE, EDGE, WESTERN KENTUCKY
83. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – NAKOBE DEAN, LB, GEORGIA
84. PITTSBURGH STEELERS – DEMARVIN LEAL, DE, TEXAS A&M
85. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – MARCUS JONES, CB, HOUSTON
86. TENNESSEE TITANS (FROM LAS VEGAS) – MALIK WILLIS, QB, LIBERTY
87. ARIZONA CARDINALS -CAMERON THOMAS, DE, SAN DIEGO STATE
88. DALLAS COWBOYS – JALEN TOLBERT, WR, SOUTH ALABAMA
89. BUFFALO BILLS – TERREL BERNARD, LB, BAYLOR
90. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (FROM TENNESSEE) – DYLAN PARHAM, G, MEMPHIS
91. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – RACHAAD WHITE, RB, ARIZONA STATE
92. GREEN BAY PACKERS – SEAN RHYAN, G, UCLA
93. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – TYRION DAVIS-PRICE, RB, LSU
94. CAROLINA PANTHERS (FROM KANSAS CITY VIA NEW ENGLAND) – MATT CORRAL, QB, OLE MISS
95. CINCINNATI BENGALS – ZACH CARTER, DE, FLORIDA
96. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (FROM LA RAMS VIA DENVER) – NICK CROSS, S, MARYLAND
97. DETROIT LIONS (COMPENSATORY) – KERBY JOSEPH, S, ILLINOIS
98. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (FROM NEW ORLEANS, COMPENSATORY) – BRIAN ROBINSON JR, RB, ALABAMA
99. CLEVELAND BROWNS (COMPENSATORY) – DAVID BELL, WR, PURDUE
100. ARIZONA CARDINALS (FROM BALTIMORE, COMPENSATORY) – MYJAI SANDERS, EDGE, CINCINNATI
101. NEW YORK JETS (FROM NEW ORLEANS VIA PHI, TEN; COMPENSATORY) – JEREMY RUCKERT, TE, OHIO STATE
102. MIAMI DOLPHINS (FROM SAN FRANCISCO, COMPENSATORY) – CHANNING TINDALL, LB, GEORGIA
103. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (COMPENSATORY) – LEO CHENAL, LB, WISCONSIN
104. LOS ANGELES RAMS (COMPENSATORY) – LOGAN PRUSS, G, WISCONSIN
105. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (COMPENSATORY) – DANNY GRAY, WR, SMU
CLOSING THOUGHTS ON THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE DRAFT
1. The league saw what everyone else saw, a lack of top end QB talent
Some felt that QB-needy teams in the top 10 would draft a quarterback and that one team, Pittsburgh, would trade up to get a signal-caller. Well, those pundits were partially right. Teams in the top 10 did, in fact, take quarterbacks… in the third round. Desmond Ridder went 74th overall to Atlanta, while Carolina traded back into the third round to take Matt Corral with the 94th pick in the draft. Ridder and Corral certainly have the tools to become starting quarterbacks in the NFL, but both have fine tuning to do before they can do so. It might not matter for Corral, whose head coach is presumably on the hot seat this year and may turn to Corral and his ability to make something out of nothing. Malik Willis, thought by some to be a first round lock went slightly later than that, going to the Tennessee Titans with the 86th pick. This could be a decent landing spot for him, as Tannehill has no guaranteed salary after this season (but does carry $18.8M in dead cap space if cut next offseason). I have doubts that this would be an Alex Smith-Patrick Mahomes situation, as Tannehill will likely believe that he has some good years left in him at 34 years old.
2. If you need wide receivers or secondary help, this is the draft for you.
After six wide receivers went in the first 18 picks of the first round, another seven wideouts went in the first 22 picks in the second round… and another four went in the third. Yes for you math majors, that’s 17 wide receivers in the first three rounds, a new record. Meanwhile, four corners, three safeties went in Round 1, another seven corners and six safeties went on Day 2. In both cases, there’s still a lot more talent to be drafted on Day 3.
3. Is what happened to Nakobe Dean due to the injury concern, or a shifting view on middle linebackers?
Nakobe Dean’s drop from a mid-first round pick to his selection by the Eagles with the 83rd overall pick, right in the middle of round 3, was potentially down to a number of factors: at 225 lbs, he might be slightly small to be an inside linebacker, he had a medical flag related to a pectoral issue, his tape was great but the production didn’t quite match up. However, he is a sideline-to-sideline menace who can do more or less anything you could ask of from a linebacker – he is a willing and able tackler, he can defend in space, he has explosive athleticism, he’s tough, and uses strong technique. The biggest problem might be that inside linebackers are fading from the game, as teams move to five (or more) man secondaries as a base defense. A player like Dean may be an anachronism in the newer, more pass-happy NFL. Devin Lloyd and Quay Walker were both taken in the first round but Dean’s teammate Channing Tindall and Alabama’s Christian Harris also fell into the third round.
WHO ARE THE PLAYERS TO WATCH IN DAY 3?
With 105 picks to go, there is still a somewhat strong group of players yet to know their new homes in the NFL. Here is a list of who I feel are the best players left in the draft, by position:
QUARTERBACK
Sam Howell, UNC
Howell was projected to be a first overall picks in some really early mocks last summer, but has found himself slipping into the third day of the draft. Howell saw his passing numbers noticeably regress in his junior year where some of his weakness were exposed by a greatly diminished roster at UNC. He did, however, show his ability to run with the football, with 828 rushing yards and 11 TDs on the ground in 2021. His best case scenario for immediate playing time would be Seattle, who picks fourth in the fourth round.
Others: Carson Strong, pocket passer with rocket arm, Nevada; Bailey Zappe, pocket passer with production, Western Kentucky; Chris Oladokun, developmental passer with strong arm, South Dakota State
RUNNING BACK
There are still plenty of options available for teams looking at a new running back, some are scheme-dependent or situation-dependent, but can excel with the right fit.
Dameon Pierce, Florida
Pierce has the tools to be an excellent running back in the NFL – he’s got the burst, the twitchiness, the power, and balance to run the ball outside or in the trenches, and he has a nose for the end zone, amassing 13 rushing touchdowns in 2021 (and three more as a receiver). He’s an able and willing blocker in pass protection, and can hold his own as a receiver. His biggest problem? His production. His average numbers are fine – he had 5.5 yards per carry during his four years at Florida, but he had 329 carries in those four years. Breece Hall, the second round pick of the Jets had 279 carries in his sophomore year alone. He wasn’t injured either – Pierce missed only three games in his time in Gainesville, and played all 25 games over his junior and senior years. A player with these traits and low tread on his tires will be a welcome addition to many teams and he is likely to go early in the fourth round.
Pierre Strong, South Dakota State
Strong has exception vision and he can read and react to holes and has the agility to move around and through those holes while keeping up his speed. He’s a two-down back at this stage, but can work well in a committee early, with the potential to be a lead back with some work on his receiving ability.
Isiah Pacheco, Rutgers
Pacheco is a high-energy runner who processes quickly and has the ability to find running lanes. He can create something out of nothing, but can also make the wrong read at times and go for the home run too often when the option isn’t there. He has the attributes to be a three-down rusher but will need work on harnessing himself when needed and work on pass protection.
Others:
Tyler Allegeier, BYU: zone scheme specialist who has good vision and is an instinctive one-cut runner;
Zamir White, Georgia: a power runner who will excel between the tackles, but has injury flags
Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M: good agility and vision to locate and run through holes. Very elusive, but sometimes uses elusiveness when power or speed is preferred.
Kyren Williams, Notre Dame: a smaller back, but very good receiver who would work best as a “lightning” back or third-down receiving specialist.
Abram Smith, Baylor: zone-dependent, but runs with patient, yet decisive approach. More comfortable outside the tackles, has the toughness to contribute in pass protection.
Kevin Harris, South Carolina: power runner who is a battering ram between the tackles with a nose for the chains.
Tyler Badie, Missouri: undersized, change-of-pace back with good hands.
Kennedy Brooks: has good size and vision who is more sudden than fast or powerful. Late round or UDFA pick with upside.
WIDE RECEIVER
Khalil Shakir, Boise State: lacks the athletic traits of some of the top wide receivers, but is a great route runner with the ability to create space for himself with outstanding footwork, strength, and understanding of leverage. Will probably be best in the slot but could also be a possession receiver at the next level.
Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech: has the size, speed, ball skills to be a productive possession or slot receiver in the NFL, though he does need work on his route running, especially with the deeper routes in the route tree.
Calvin Austin, Memphis: really undersized (5’8, 170) but can fly and has the ability to be an option in the slot or in a system that can design plays that give him the ball on short/underneath passes in space.
Bo Melton, Rutgers: good route runner with adequate size, strong football IQ and getaway speed, however, not agile enough to leverage the speed in tight spaces.
Kevin Austin, Notre Dame: has the prototypical size, speed, and ball skills of an X receiver in the NFL, though his lack of game reps means he needs a fair amount of development to reach his potential.