The dust has settled on one of the wildest days in NFL history. After a flurry of trades and questionable picks, we enter Day 2 of the draft with tremendous talent strewn across the big board. Day 2 will feature more chaos, but here’s an attempt at picking the 32 second-round picks. Some teams will be getting their feet wet for the first time in this draft including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are currently on the clock.
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No.33: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Travis Jones, IDL, Connecticut
After trading out of the first round, the Buccaneers find themselves in a position to field more offers here, but Jones is sitting in their lap. With an additional pick at the end of the second round, the Buccaneers could opt to fill in holes on both sides of the ball. Jones is a run stuffer, yes, but he has pass-rush upside as well. He had the best game of his season against Clemson in which he flashed his pass-rushing talent.
No.34: Minnesota Vikings Select Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
The Vikings slid down 20 slots before nabbing Lewis Cine with the final pick in the first round. Here, they continue to strengthen the secondary with a first-round caliber player in Booth. Booth is a smooth operator with clean hips. He might not have the best long speed, but he has good length, and he can play in any coverage. Booth will be a rock-solid corner for a decade.
No.35: Tennessee Titans Select Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
The Titans had an active first round, trading away A.J. Brown for the No. 18 pick while trading down from their original pick at No. 26. After getting some extra resources, the Titans can still select a high-floor player in Ebiketie. He is one of the most productive players in the class, and he could be a sneaky Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate in a below-average defense.
No.36: New York Giants Select Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
After having a first-round for the ages, the Giants’ masterclass continues with Dean. What Dean lacks in prototypical linebacker size, he more than makes up for with his burst and processing speed. Dean is both a first-round caliber player and a need for the Giants. If the Giants land Dean, you’ll be able to scribble in another “A” for Joe Schoen and the Giants.
No.37: Houston Texans Select Jalen Pitre, DB, Baylor
After making two first-round picks, the Texans circle back to a local prospect in Pitre. He primarily played slot at Baylor, but he could transition into a more versatile role in Lovie Smith’s defense. He defends the run particularly well, and he could be a coverage weapon as a nickel defensive back. Pitre functions well both in tight spaces and open swaths of green grass.
No.38: New York Jets Select Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
The Joe Douglas ownership of the 2022 NFL Draft stays on course as the Jets grab Chenal. Chenal is a physical specimen of a linebacker who should remind Jets fans of Demario Davis. He is not the most adept coverage linebacker, but he is a menace when moving forward. Chenal is a classic thumper, but he could develop into a three-down linebacker. He will erase running backs.
No.39: Chicago Bears Select George Pickens, WR, Georgia
The Bears get a true “X” receiver for Justin Fields. Pickens is coming off a torn ACL, but he has a five-star pedigree, and he could have been the No. 1 receiver in the class without the injury. He is physical at the catch point, and he has more wiggle in his routes than most players his size. He won’t be taking the top of the defense, but that is Darnell Mooney’s role.
No.40: Seattle Seahawks Select Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
The Seahawks do have Drew Lock and Geno Smith, but they take a shot here with the Ole Miss product. Corral might not see the field much in 2022 as he needs to adjust to a less RPO-heavy NFL offense. He is a smart quarterback with above-average mobility. When Corral eventually takes the field, he would have the services of one of the best receiver duos in the NFL with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
No.41: Seattle Seahawks Select David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
With their second second-round pick, the Seahawks nab a potential star with Ojabo. He tore his Achilles in the pre-draft process, but the value here is too great to pass up. The Seahawks have a glaring need at edge as well. The combination of Corral and Ojabo likely will not change much in 2022, but they should help out the offense and defense respectively in 2023 and beyond.
No.42: Indianapolis Colts Select Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Moore is a versatile playmaker with gargantuan hands. He adds a horizontal element to the receiver corps, and he is reminiscent of Laviska Shenault with his ability to break tackles as a receiver. Moore has a good release package at the line of scrimmage. He brings a combination of agility and strength in his well-built frame. Matt Ryan will have a shiny new toy to use.
No.43: Atlanta Falcons Select Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Falcons likely will start Marcus Mariota in Week 1, but Howell is a solid upside pick in 2023 and beyond. He had excellent seasons in both 2019 and 2020, but his 2021 tape was alarming. In fairness to Howell, several starters from 2019 and 2020 were drafted last year, so Howell had a group of unknowns rather than NFL-caliber offensive weapons. He even provides a solid floor as a rusher.
No.44: Cleveland Browns Select Joshua Paschal, EDGE, Kentucky
The Browns have a desperate need for interior defensive players which Paschal doesn’t exactly fill, but he can move to the inside on passing downs. He is a powerful player who should help the Browns compete in 2022. The Browns have one of the best defenses in the NFL regardless, but Paschal would be a helpful addition to both early-down run defense and third-down pass rush.
No.45: Baltimore Ravens Select Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Often overshadowed by Trent McDuffie, Gordon shined for the Huskies. He is a bunny when the ball is in the air, so expect to see some highlight-reel interceptions in the NFL. Gordon even spent over 130 snaps in the slot last season, and he could fill the Ravens’ need in the slot. He could also alternate with Marlon Humphrey between the boundary and the slot.
No.46: Detroit Lions Select Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Lions traded up to No. 12, prompting the quarterback conversation, but they instead went with Jameson Williams. Now in the middle of the second round, the Lions can safely take a quarterback. They stop Willis’ slide here, and they can afford to sit Willis for multiple seasons if necessary. The Lions have done an incredible job to build the core around the missing quarterback piece. They found the quarterback here.
No.47: Washington Commanders Select Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
With the recent run of quarterbacks, the Commanders pull the trigger on Ridder. While the last time Carson Wentz’s team drafted a quarterback in the second round did not work, the Commanders will try their hand at not ruining Wentz. While Ridder could be a Day 1 starter for other teams, he is a long-term option or fail-safe behind Wentz.
No.48: Chicago Bears Select Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
The Bears are off to a dream start in this mock by grabbing a weapon for Fields and a tackle to protect him. Raimann has only played tackle for two seasons, so there could be a decent development curve. However, he is a quick learner; he improved quarter to quarter in most games. Raimann joins Teven Jenkins, the Bears’ second-round pick from last year.
No.49: New Orleans Saints Select Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma
As the Saints continue to manipulate the cap, they get a long-term replacement for Demario Davis. Davis is more of a thumper than Asamoah, but Asamoah has excellent movement skills. Asamoah is a tad undersized, but his ability to play in space will haunt the quarterbacks and running backs in the NFC South for the next few seasons. He might not start from Day 1, but he should have a role this year.
No.50: Kansas City Chiefs Select Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
The NFL collectively rolls their eyes as the Chiefs get a potential game-wrecking weapon in the middle of the second round. Watson, if he hits his potential, could be the best receiver in the NFL. He is effortlessly fast, and his size is among the best at the position. If wide receivers were cultured in a lab, Watson would be the result.
No.51: Philadelphia Eagles Select Jaquan Brisker, SAF, Penn State
The Eagles stay in state with Brisker. After not drafting a defensive back on Day 1, the Eagles nab the versatile Nittany Lion. He played more than 150 snaps at both safety spots and slot corner. He gives the Eagles a plethora of potential options for deployment. Brisker is a tremendous coverage player, and he can hold his own in run defense.
No.52: Pittsburgh Steelers Select Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
After grabbing their quarterback of the future at No. 20, the Steelers get their offensive tackle of the future in the second round. Lucas is a well-developed pass protector after playing for the nuclear waste known as the Washington State passing offense. He needs to develop as a run blocker, but that should come with the Steelers’ (expected) run-heavy offense featuring Najee Harris.
No.53: Green Bay Packers Select Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
While the Packers could take another Georgia defensive player, they finally take a wide receiver in Tolbert. Tolbert should be a great deep threat with Aaron Rodgers. He has stellar acceleration and long speed mixed with the ability to high-point the football. Tolbert is not the smoothest operator, but if he is not pressed at the line of scrimmage, he will turn a small crease into a long touchdown.
No.54: New England Patriots Select Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
After a (Cole) Strange pick in the first round, the Patriots pull a classic Patriots move. Andersen only spent one year at linebacker while at Montana State, but that lack of experience is also a massive potential gain. If developed properly, Andersen could be a superstar linebacker. He might even play some offense for the Patriots. At Montana State, he played both quarterback and running back.
No.55: Arizona Cardinals Select Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
McCreary is one of the steadiest presences in the entire class. His only issue is that he is not an otherworldly athlete. However, McCreary is battle-tested in the SEC, and he is instinctual at the position. McCreary should be a solid cornerback, perhaps even becoming the No. 1 cornerback in the desert in the coming years. He should make Byron Murphy’s job easier.
No.56: Dallas Cowboys Select Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Cowboys usually pride themselves on picking the best value (unless it is in the first round of this particular draft). Bonitto fits the bill as a second-round caliber player falling to 56. He is a tremendous athlete with the tools to become an even better pass rusher than he showed at Oklahoma. He is another player in the mold of players that can swap between true edge and off-ball linebacker.
No.57: Buffalo Bills Select Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
After 56 picks, the Bills grab the first running back of the draft. Hall is a freaky athlete, and he should be the first back taken in real life. The Bills have swung and missed at several running backs in recent seasons, but Hall could be a home run. He could even be effective in the passing game out of the backfield.
No.58: Atlanta Falcons Select Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
The Falcons tack on their second second-round pick, grabbing Enagbare. Enagbare was super productive at South Carolina, but in a similar vein to McCreary at cornerback, he is not exactly a first-round caliber athlete. Enagbare should be a solid edge. He might not be a Pro Bowler in the coming seasons, but he should contribute year in and year out. Enagbare has great length.
No.59: Green Bay Packers Select Zach Tom, OL, Wake Forest
The Packers do not double-dip at wide receiver. Instead, they grab an uber-athletic, versatile offensive lineman. Tom played both center and left tackle at Wake Forest, but he profiles as more of an interior player in the NFL. If counted as a center, Tom would have had a perfect RAS score of 10.0. Tom is an excellent pass-blocker to start with, and he should be a solid piece in the long-term future of the running game.
No.60: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Marcus Jones, CB, Houston
Jones is one of the most versatile players in the draft. He will likely feature in the slot, but he could become a top-tier return man in short order. The Buccaneers could even play him on offense as a gadget player (in the mold of Jamal Agnew). The Bucs paid Carlton Davis this offseason, and they have other cornerbacks approaching free agency in the coming seasons.
No.61: San Francisco 49ers Select Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
In a class with many excellent athletes, McCollum is a step above. He is one of four players to earn a 10.0 RAS, and he grades out as the most athletic cornerback since 1987. McCollum is reasonable in coverage now, but he is bordering on a Madden-created player with his potential tools. He also defends the run at a high level. His production at the FCS level is not exactly ideal, but the tools project well.
No.62: Kansas City Chiefs Select Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Mafe is a high upside edge defender who is coming off an excellent Senior Bowl. He is a mediocre run defender, but he has elite flashes as a pass rusher. He is a ball of energy in the pass-rush game, but teams could be concerned that he only broke out in 2021 rather than earlier. Mafe also brings good hands to the table.
No.63: Cincinnati Bengals Select Jamaree Salyer, OL, Georgia
Salyer has played all five positions along the offensive line since 2019, but he was primarily a left tackle in each of the last two seasons. He projects more as a guard in the NFL, aligning with the Bengals’ needs. He is a much better run blocker than pass protector, and he should be a highlight machine as soon as he sees the field.
No.64: Denver Broncos Select Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
To round out the second round, the Broncos add to their edge room. Jackson is a high ceiling pick who slides off blockers, particularly when he is rushing the passer. He is more of an average run defender. Jackson has many picture-perfect reps as he bends around the edge. He has solid explosiveness, and he has good length. He won’t be Von Miller in 2022, but he could become 75% of the future Hall of Famer in the coming seasons.
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