NFL Draft Day 2 Recap: Jonathon Brooks, Edgerrin Cooper, Jer'Zhan Newton and More
A look at each team's selections on the second day of the draft.
The internet is the perfect place for TL;DR. We just want to know what happened, not read a full synopsis of everything. Well, this is Day 2 of the NFL Draft: The Short Version. Below you will find each team’s picks along with thoughts and analysis where applicable.
I went through every pick in more detail after the first round, but this is more about the highlights. Teams are listed in alphabetical order; if you want to see how things played out in draft order, the full results can be found here. Details on trades can be found here.
Arizona Cardinals
- #43 CB Max Melton, Rutgers
- #66 RB Trey Benson, Florida State
- #71 G Isaiah Adams, Illinois
- #82 TE Tip Reiman, Illinois
- #90 CB Elijah Jones, Boston College
Arizona and Washington tied for the most selections on Day 2, choosing five players apiece. Benson has a chance to take over the bulk of the backfield work early in the season, and Melton could start on the outside in Week 1. The Cardinals are bereft of talent and needed an infusion, and this is a great way to raise the floor of the team while maybe finding a star or two.
Atlanta Falcons
- #35 DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
- #74 OLB Bralen Trice, Washington
After making the most shocking move of Round 1, Atlanta focused more on needs in the second and third rounds. Orhorhoro is more of a run defender right now, but he is seen as having the tools to develop as a pass rusher. Trice also struggles to rush the passer and doesn’t have Orhorhoro’s upside, meaning he will probably play on the second level most often.
Baltimore Ravens
- #62 OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
- #93 Edge Rusher Adisa Isaac, Penn State
Rosengarten was mentioned often as a possibility for the Ravens or 49ers in the first round, so getting him at the end of the second must feel good, especially at a position of need. Everyone needs more edge rushers, and Isaac has a chance to contribute in the rotation right away.
Buffalo Bills
- #33 WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
- #60 S Cole Bishop, Utah
- #95 DT DeWayne Carter, Duke
After trading out of the first round (beginning at #28), Buffalo made the first pick on Day 2, adding a player to a receiving core that still needs an injection of talent if the team wants to compete this year. The depth players here are fine, but the Bills’ upside in 2024 might hinge on finding a true WR1 until Coleman can develop.
Carolina Panthers
- #46 RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
- #72 LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
Carolina continues adding to their league-worst offensive roster in 2023, grabbing the first running back off the board. Brooks tore his ACL in November, so he might be eased into things in training camp and at the beginning of the year, but he will likely be the bell-cow for the Panthers by the end of the season.
Chicago Bears
- #75 OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale
Chicago did their damage on Day 1, adding a quarterback and wide receiver in the top 10. Offensive tackle was a position of need, so the Bears did well add Amegadjie, who will likely work as a backup in his rookie season. Chicago only has a fourth-round pick remaining.
Cleveland Browns
- #54 DT Michael Hall Jr, Ohio State
- #85 G Zak Zinter, Michigan
Many saw Cleveland needing to add depth on both sides of the line, and they hit each with their two Day 2 picks after not having a first-round selection. This seems like a good day for a franchise with a stacked roster and not many real needs.
Dallas Cowboys
- #56 Edge Rusher Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
- #73 G Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
- #87 LB Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
There has been a ton of talk about Dallas not doing anything in free agency and needing to nail the draft. We know the teams that “win” free agency often underwhelm, so I’m not worried about that, but they do have a few big contract extensions coming up and need to find cheap starters. Kneeland will play in the rotation as a rookie, and Beebe is likely to start in Week 1.
Denver Broncos
- #76 Edge Rusher Jonah Elliss, Utah
I don’t have much positive to say about Denver. We knew it would be a rough offseason, but they doubled down on having an unprepared roster by drafting Bo Nix 12th overall, their only pick in the top 75. Elliss might be good, but his addition is secondary to the overarching theme of Denver’s offseason.
Detroit Lions
- #61 CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
Rakestraw showed first-round potential, but he ran a slow 40-yard dash at the combine and created uncertainty about his upside. Detroit traded up for corner Terrion Arnold in Round 1, and they added another young player at a position of need here.
Green Bay Packers
- #45 LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
- #58 S Javon Bullard, Georgia
- #88 RB MarShawn Lloyd, USC
- #91 LB Ty'Ron Hopper, Missouri
Cooper to the Packers was a common mock draft connection because the team needed to fill a spot in the middle. Cooper is probably a Week 1 starter, and Hopper can jump in as a backup. Lloyd joins a crowded backfield that lost Aaron Jones but added Josh Jacobs and brought back AJ Dillon.
Houston Texans
- #42 CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
- #59 OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
- #78 S Calen Bullock, USC
Houston didn’t make a first-round pick after trading #23 to the Vikings weeks ago. They resisted the urge to get back into Day 1 and walked away with three good players in the process. An interesting note from the ESPN broadcast: Lassiter won more national championships in his college career (two) than touchdowns he allowed (zero).
Fisher was thought of as a potential first-round pick next year but decided to enter the draft and could develop into a starter if given time. Houston has had two great offseasons in a row, and nothing here affects that.
Indianapolis Colts
- #52 WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
- #79 OT Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh
Mitchell was thought of as a first-round talent but fell slightly. The Colts now have a stacked receiver room if everyone can stay healthy. No one ever has enough offensive line help, and some see Goncalves as a guy who can develop early.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- #48 DT Maason Smith, LSU
- #96 CB Jarrian Jones, Florida State
The Jags keep checking off needs, adding a few defensive players after filling the hole at wide receiver in Round 1. Smith was mentioned by more than a few experts as a guy to watch sneaking up draft boards.
Kansas City Chiefs
- #63 OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
KC traded their third-round pick to move up in the first (while getting a fourth rounder in return), but their only Day 2 pick ended up hitting their biggest need. The Chiefs don’t have a solid left tackle on the roster, and while Suamataia might be hard-pressed to step in there as a rookie, the Super Bowl champs added another option and possible future cornerstone on the line.
Las Vegas Raiders
- #44 OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
- #77 OT Delmar Glaze, Maryland
Vegas lost both their starting right guard and right tackle from last year, and they took two swings here to help fill those holes. Powers-Johnson had a lot of first-round buzz, but many analysts saw Glaze as a Day 3 prospect and consider this an over-draft. Even so, putting resources toward the offensive line isn’t a bad idea.
Los Angeles Chargers
- #34 WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
- #69 LB Junior Colson, Michigan
Wide receiver was a massive need after the Chargers lost their top two guys this offseason, and after adding a new right tackle in Round 1, they took a receiver some saw as a first rounder. McConkey and last year’s first-round pick Quentin Johnston bring a lot of pedigree, if nothing else. Colson is the first player from Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan team that the Chargers have added.
Los Angeles Rams
- #39 DT Braden Fiske, Florida State
- #83 RB Blake Corum, Michigan
- #99 S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
Fiske is one of the most athletic defensive tackles in this class and was another player who shot up draft boards after the season ended. No one will replace Aaron Donald, but Fiske will be part of the solution along with first rounder Jared Verse. Corum is a big name but didn’t grade out as well as some other running back prospects.
Miami Dolphins
- #55 OT Patrick Paul, Houston
Miami did well with their only Day 2 pick, hitting a need with a guy some think has Pro Bowl potential. Paul is another huge tackle who needs a little time to develop but could reach heights most others can’t. He could be a starter in Week 1 somewhere on the line after the team lost a few guys in free agency.
Minnesota Vikings
- None
The Vikings have been actively making moves and took two players in Round 1 (QB J.J. McCarthy and edge rusher Dallas Turner). That has left them light on draft capital both this year and next.
New England Patriots
- #37 WR Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington
- #68 OT Caedan Wallace, Penn State
The Pats got their quarterback third overall, and they used Day 2 to try supporting Drake Maye. Polk was surrounded by NFL talent and knows what it takes to fight for targets. Wallace could develop into a starter, especially with veterans in front of him at the tackle spots.
New Orleans Saints
- #41 CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
There has been a lot of talk about the Saints trading Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore because of cap concerns, and the addition of McKinstry would help soften that blow. McKinstry was a potential first rounder who had a foot injury that helped push him down the board.
New York Giants
- #47 S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
- #70 CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky
New York took two shots at upgrading their defensive backfield. The roster needs help at multiple spots, and this won’t fix the defense, but it’s not a bad set of picks after getting a possible star receiver on Day 1.
New York Jets
- #65 WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Many thought the Jets would add a pass catcher in the first round, either at receiver or with tight end Brock Bowers. They solidified the offensive line instead and waited to add a guy with upside from a smaller college with the first pick of the third round (which they traded up to acquire).
Philadelphia Eagles
- #40 CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
- #94 Edge Rusher Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian University
Speaking of small colleges, Houston Christian is an FCS school. Hunt dominated in college and showed out well in pre-draft activities, propelling him into the third round. DeJean was seen as a first-round prospect by many, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper, who ranked him 14th. Along with Clemson’s Nate Wiggins at #22, Philly has hit a weak spot (cornerback) with two high-level prospects.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- #51 C Zach Frazier, West Virginia
- #84 WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
- #98 LB Payton Wilson, NC State
After grabbing O-lineman Troy Fautanu in the first round, Pittsburgh added a second likely rookie starter with Frazier. He broke his leg last year, which some thought would make him fall in the draft, and the Steelers took advantage. The team traded receiver Diontae Johnson to the Panthers this offseason, so they will hope Wilson is the next good Steelers wideout found on Day 2.
San Francisco 49ers
- #64 CB Renardo Green, Florida State
- #86 OL Dominick Puni, Kansas
Green was seen as a reach by Kiper, but at least he plays a premium position and is coming from one of the best defenses in college football. Puni could be a starter at either tackle (which he played in college) or guard early in his career, as San Fran could stand to upgrade on the right side.
Seattle Seahawks
- #81 G Christian Haynes, UConn
Guard was one of Seattle’s clear holes, one they were often projected to fill in the first round. Instead, they get a possible starter in the middle of the third round, as Haynes is a player many like and saw as a potential second-round pick.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- #57 Edge Rusher Chris Braswell, Alabama
- #89 S Tykee Smith, Georgia
- #92 WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
Braswell took over for last year’s third overall pick Will Anderson Jr. and played opposite Dallas Turner, who went to the Vikings at #17. Though less heralded, many think he can develop into a starter early. McMillan was the third Washington receiver taken in this draft.
Tennessee Titans
- #38 DT T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
Sweat had some off-field trouble and saw his weight fluctuate at times, but he could also be a star if things work out. Tennessee traded their third-round pick to Arizona when they moved up for Will Levis last year.
Washington Commanders
- #36 DT Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
- #50 CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
- #53 TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
- #67 G Brandon Coleman, TCU
- #100 WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
Washington had a huge Day 2, trading down to add picks and grabbing players a lot of scouts like. Newton was seen as a possible first-round pick and now joins Washington’s strongest unit. Some think Sinnott is the second-best tight end in the draft after Bowers. McCaffrey is the brother of 49ers’ running back Christian, and while he doesn’t have the same skillset, he has a chance to hang around in the league and contribute in multiple ways.
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