The 2024 NFL Draft has begun and last night was a lot of fun. A record 23 offensive players were selected, the most notable being Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., who was selected with the eighth overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.
Most of the top defenders are sure to hit the ground running on the second day. Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, Illinois DT Johnny Newton and Alabama corner Kool-Aid McKinstry are still available but could be out early tonight. Another thing to note is how quickly receivers come off the boards. Texas AD Mitchell, Georgia’s Ladd McConkie, and Florida State’s Keon Coleman all rank high in my top 100 and will be instant starters wherever they are selected.
Once again, SB Nation will be scoring live based on the big board of the top 100 prospects in this year’s draft.
33. Buffalo Bills (via Carolina Panthers) – Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Class A
The Bills were able to trade back and still land a receiver. I think it’s good for everyone, right? Coleman is a strong, sure-fire receiver whose game speed is much faster than his 40 and wins contested catches and downfield after the catch. Buffalo’s offense has undergone a bit of a schematic change, aiming for more YAC and winning in short to intermediate areas than the downfield offense we know, and Coleman has given them more of a glove. It fits like a glove.
34. Los Angeles Chargers (via New England Patriots) – Ladd McConkie, WR, Georgia
Grade: A+
Now, will everyone stop complaining about not selecting receivers at 5? McConkey is a very different type of receiver than Josh Palmer or Quentin Johnston and would be a great fit for the Chargers’ offense. McConkey can easily be separated at every level of the field, despite probably being a slot-only player. Johnston and Palmer can play outside, and McConkey’s efficiency and quickness as a route runner will be a huge benefit to Justin Herbert.
35. Atlanta Falcons (via Arizona Cardinals) – Luke Oluholo, DT, Clemson
Grade: C-
Now, I’m confused as to why Illinois DT Johnny Newton went down. Oluholo is a good player who is strong against the run, but the Falcons don’t have a pass rush and are they currently drafting a defensive tackle who is a limited pass rusher? Very confusing. However, Oluhorohoro is a strong run defender and is currently a rough pass rusher but is still developing. But they hope he gives them some pass rush pop soon.
36. Commander Washington – Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Grade: A+
This was a steal for the commanders, who immediately got a three-down defensive tackle on the upswing with the pass rush. I understand the concerns about the foot injury, but he’s such a dominant pass rusher that it makes a lot of sense for the managers to make this pick. However, this could mean Jonathan Allen is out of here.
37. New England Patriots (via Los Angeles Chargers) – Jaylin Polk, WR, Washington
Grade: B+
Polk is just an excellent all-around player. He is also an incredible blocker, good catch radius, and polished route running. He’s not flashy, but he’s a great fit for New England, which has a plethora of slot receivers. Having him play outside frees up Kendrick Bourne and Pop Douglas. A really smart, but unassuming pick.
38. Tennessee Titans – Tevondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Grade: D+
No, I don’t know. Sweat is a great, heaping run defender who can immediately improve run defense. But this makes no sense at all. Sweat is a very limited pass rusher and at 340 pounds doesn’t take many snaps. The Titans’ run defense is good, but Sweat appears to have a big question mark.
39. Los Angeles Rams (via Carolina Panthers) – Braden Fisk, DT, Florida State
Grade: C-
I like Fisk, but he’s amazing. They traded a bunch of picks to draft another undersized defensive tackle, hoping he was Aaron Donald. Fisk is a quick player with high athleticism, but I don’t like the fit of this defense at all. He’s a staple in the run game and a historical outlier as a player. I just don’t understand this pick at all, especially with Michigan DT Kris Jenkins Jr. out there.
40. Philadelphia Eagles (via Washington Commanders) – Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa State
Grade: A+
I’m not a big Howie Roseman supporter, but it was a really, really good first two days for Philadelphia. Dejan is a corner in my eyes, but his route recognition and quick trigger to the ball make him a good fit as a corner or safety. Philadelphia needs help literally everywhere in the secondary, with DeJean serving more as corner insurance if Bradberry’s playing tendencies break down or he plays safety next to Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. be able to. He loves picks.
41. New Orleans Saints (via Washington Commanders) – Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Grade: B
McKinstry’s ability in press coverage and patience when defending deep routes makes him a great fit in Dennis Allen’s defense. Injuries have pushed him down the rankings, but he could be a very good corner on defense. What does this mean for Marshon Lattimore’s future?
42. Houston Texans (via Minnesota Vikings) – Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Class A
This is perfect for the Texans and Lassiter. The former Georgia Bulldog is physical (best tackling corner in the draft) and plays very well under routes. Houston already has Derek Stingley Jr., and now they have him as a good running mate for Lassiter.
43. Arizona Cardinals (via Atlanta Falcons) – Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Grade: B-
This is a modest but solid pick for the Cardinals. Melton is a tough corner who really shined at the combine. It looked like a run on the corner was going to happen, so Arizona wisely stood up and scored one.
44. Las Vegas Raiders – Jackson Powers – Oregon State C. Johnson
Grade: C-
I like Powers-Johnson, but I really don’t understand why the Raiders would target a center here. Andre James has re-signed, Cody Whitehair has joined, and Dylan Parham is still on the roster. This clogs the interior at a time when the Raiders still need defensive help and a true QB. I don’t know, dude.
45. Green Bay Packers – Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Grade: B
Cooper is an excellent linebacker who performs best in run and chase situations. The intention was to use Michigan LB Junior Colson instead, but with the holes in the spine of that defense, it makes sense for the Packers to use a linebacker. Cooper has the potential to be a three-down impact player.
46. Carolina Panthers (via Indianapolis Colts) – Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Grade: C+
I have my doubts about trading Brooks, who is recovering from a torn ACL, but I can see why Brooks would be selected here. The Panthers are committed to running the ball under Dave Canales, and Brooks is one of the best backs in the class when healthy. He has NFL size and good vision, is agile and has plenty of breakaway speed. If he gets healthy, he could be the main player again.
47. New York Giants – Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Grade: B+
He wasn’t the top safety in the class, but he was a real fit for Giants defense and coordinator Shane Bowen. Nubin is instinctive and smart at the back end of the defense and tends to be a bit wild as a tackler, but he fits perfectly where Xavier McKinney left.
48. Jacksonville Jaguars – Marson Smith, DT, LSU
Grade: C-
This is the most obvious pick in Trent Baalke’s history. Smith is a great athlete with NFL-caliber size for a defensive tackle, but he’s still recovering from a lower-body injury. I can see why you would swing with an athletic upside, but not with the 48.
49. Cincinnati Bengals – Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan State
Grade: B+
This is a value pick for the Bengals, who are looking to improve their athleticism and NFL size on the interior. Jenkins is smart internally and knows how to decompose blocks. He’s a strong player and will win inside for the Bengals. Pass rush production is really limited.
50. Washington Commanders – Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan State
Class A
The managers must have been reading about the All-JP team because Newton and Sainristil were on the same day. Despite his size, Sainristil had a high level of instincts and was always around the ball. Consider Mike Hilton on the inside of Sainlistil. Dan Quinn is going to cut him loose.
51. Pittsburgh Steelers – Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Grade: A+
The Steelers have completely revamped their offensive line, starting with the acquisition of Troy Fautanu and now Frazier. A four-time champion in wrestling, Frazier’s grip and power jump off the tape and will fit like a glove in Pittsburgh. I love this pick.
52. Indianapolis Colts (via Carolina Panthers) – AD Mitchell, WR, Texas
Class A
The biggest questions about Mitchell are character concerns and consistency of play. He could be a huge asset if he goes to Indianapolis and reaches his full potential. Mitchell is big and fast and has shown the ability to create separation downfield. If he’s locked in, the Colts’ receiving room is a lot of fun.
53. Washington Commander – Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Grade: B-
Synnott is a very fun player. He is a great blocker both off the ball and in-line (although his arm length is a disadvantage). He is also versatile enough to win after the catch or downfield. But he fits the bill interestingly in Washington. Commanders head coach Kliff Kingsbury drafted Trey McBride and signed Sinnott to Washington.
54. Cleveland Browns – Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State University
Class A-
Arguably the best defensive tackle left on the board, Hall is small but brings legitimate quickness and explosiveness inside. The run defense is more about gap penetration than gap control, but he fits exactly what Jim Schwartz is looking for in a defense.
55. Miami Dolphins – Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Grade: B-
I understand the feelings of the players and choose this option. Terron Armstead may not have much left in the tank, and the Dolphins offensive line depth is poor. Paul is still a work in progress, but he has NFL length and power. He has the potential to develop into a great tackle in the future.
