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NFL Draft 2024: Instant grades for every pick in Rounds 2 and 3

charles mcdonald
NFL writer
·19 min read
118

If you told people Keon Coleman would still be available here back in September, it would have sounded crazy. He’s got big-time talent, but suffered through some inconsistencies over the back half of his final season. Running the 40 in the 4.6 didn’t help his cause, but he's the type of receiver that should have success in the NFL. Grade: B

The Chargers desperately needed a wide receiver and traded up to get the speedy playmaker from Georgia. He was a force for the Dawgs from Day 1 and a fantastic route runner for an offense that featured several NFL players. It’s an unproven wide receiver room for the Chargers, but McConkey and Quentin Johnston have some promise at least. Grade: B

Orhorhoro has some traits where he’ll have the chance to grow and develop into a nice, disruptive player, but it’s a little interesting that the Falcons felt like they needed to trade up for him. Perhaps their bet on his upside works, but it just didn’t seem like they needed to give up draft capital to pick him right outside the first round. Grade: C-

Love this pick for the Commanders. Newton has had some struggles with a foot injury over the past few months, but he’s as talented as they come for interior pressure players. He’s got a wide repertoire of pass-rush moves and if his foot is good to go, he and Jonathan Allen will wreck heads for Dan Quinn’s defense. Grade: A

The Patriots are giving Drake Maye a rookie wide receiver to run with next year. The Patriots needed to add receiver talent to their roster in the draft and found a tough player to help in the slot for their offense. Polk might not be a burner, but he should be a strong option over the middle of the field. Grade: B+

The Titans got bigger on defense, but it’s fair to wonder where his skill set fits in the modern NFL. He’s not going to be a pass rush threat at around 370 pounds, but at least should have some impact against the run. This feels a bit early for a pure run stuffer. Grade: D+

The Rams definitely had a need for a disruptive defensive presence, but Fiske has a bit of an odd profile. He’s a freakish athlete, but also an older prospect — which, admittedly, the Rams had success with a year ago. Fiske needs to add some strength to be an every-down player in the NFL, but there is some upside here considering his athleticism. A 2025 second-round pick is a high price to pay here. Grade: C

DeJean’s slide stops here. He has the talent to play any spot in the secondary, including the outside. The Eagles needed to continue to revamp their secondary with young talent and they’ve done a hell of a job by adding DeJean to a draft class that includes Quinyon Mitchell. Grade: A+

The Saints traded up to stop the slide of McKinstry, getting a cornerback to continue to round out what’s a very competitive group for the Saints. McKinstry was once viewed as a first-round pick, so this might be a good value pickup — despite the Saints' need to continue to spend future assets. Grade: A

Just like McKinstry in the last pick, Lassiter isn’t a burner. However, he’s a physical, talented cornerback that has the ability to tackle in the open field and come in as a Day 1 starter at nickel for the Texans. This is a great pick. Grade: A

The Cardinals traded back and got a cornerback with massive upside. The Cards are still building out their roster for the long term, so it makes sense that they would take someone who can pay off in a big way in the future. Brick by brick. Grade: B+

This is probably a good spot for Powers-Johnson, who was announced as a guard instead of a center. Regardless, the Raiders needed bodies on the interior and Powers-Johnson is a credible player to add at guard. Very steady starter. Grade: B

The Packers felt like they needed a linebacker and they got one in Cooper. He’s very fast and has some coverage ability, but his play in the box leaves some room for growth. Cooper might be a lower floor player as far as NFL responsibilities are concerned, but he has the speed to be a playmaker early on. Grade: C

The process here for the Panthers is a bit strange. Brooks is a quality running back prospect, but trading up for a player who will still be getting up to full strength as a rookie is odd. Of course, if Brooks is back to pre-injury form, then this is moot. It just seems awfully risky from a pick allocation sense. Grade: D+

This is probably about the right range for Nubin. He's the first safety drafted and he's a quality replacement for Xavier McKinney right away. This is the exact type of player that the Giants needed to add to their back seven. Grade: B

Smith is a talented player with the upside to be something special, but it’s not quite there yet for him. He is in a nice situation with Josh Allen and Travon Walker on the outside, but will need some coaching up to get where he wants to be in the NFL. Grade: B-

Jenkins is a solid defensive lineman who can play all over the line, but might not be a true standout at any position. Still, Jenkins has the talent and opportunity to develop into a steady presence for the Bengals. Grade: C+

Shout out to the 2024 All-Juice Team! The Commanders grabbed a stud prospect to play in the slot for them. Sainristil is a competitive force who's not afraid to come downhill and hit people in the mouth. He’s got pretty solid chops in man coverage too. Nice pickup. Grade: A

The Steelers continue their major youth movement up front. First Broderick Jones last season, then Troy Fautanu in the first round of this year's draft, and now Frazier to man down their center spot. The Steelers clearly wanted to fix the offensive line this year and they’ve certainly moved in the right direction. Grade: A

Mitchell was viewed as a potential first-round prospect and he fell all the way to the back half of the second round. The Colts need to continue to add weapons around Anthony Richardson as he works his way back from injury, and now they have Mitchell to play with Michael Pittman and Josh Downs. Grade: A+

Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell was seen by many as a first-round prospect but he slid to the latter half of the second round, where the Indianapolis Colts selected him. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell was seen by many as a first-round prospect but he slid to the latter half of the second round, where the Indianapolis Colts selected him. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Sinnott is a quality tight end prospect that should round out a solid skill group for Jayden Daniels in his first year. It’s not the sexiest pick, but it’s a pick that will help the Commanders on offense. Grade: B-

This is a great spot to take a 300-pounder that runs a 4.7 40-yard dash. He didn’t have a ton of production in college, but he’s got the tools to be an impact defensive tackle in the NFL. This could be a major boom pick for the Browns. Grade: A

The Dolphins needed to continue bolstering their offensive line and they got a potential decade-long starter in Paul. Paul is a big-bodied freak athlete who has real potential to be a good player in the NFL. Love this. Grade: A

The Cowboys needed to add more juice to their pass rush and found someone who has the potential to be a solid No. 2 across from Micah Parsons for the long term. Kneeland had first-round rumors, but this is a probably a more appropriate spot for him. Grade: B-

Braswell is a solid if unspectacular edge rusher. He’s got some burst up the field, but projects more as a tertiary rushing option rather than a lead dog. Still, a nice player to have on your roster even if he’s not a star. Grade: C+

This is a great get for the Packers. Bullard might not be the most dynamic athlete in the draft, but the former Bulldog is a playmaker all over the field and has a chance to be a long-term starter in the NFL. Bullard and Xavier McKinney are a versatile pair of safeties to put on the field. Grade: A-

This pick might not come to fruition right away for the Texans, but it’s a great long-term play. Fisher is a bit raw, but he’s young and is still a realistic bet to hit his ceiling in a big way for the Texans. This pick could pay off in the long run. Grade: B+

Bishop was a productive safety for Utah and now goes to a team that needs a safety. This is a safe pick that should give the Bills a multiyear starter at a position of need. Grade: B

The Lions' run on cornerbacks continues with Rakestraw coming into the fold. Adding him with Terrion Arnold and Carlton Davis gives the Lions and lot of playmaking at cornerback. Rakestraw isn't the biggest or fastest guy, but he can play. Grade: B

Rosengarten is an elite mover at offensive line and has a lot of experience playing in college. This is probably an immediate starter at right tackle after Baltimore traded away Morgan Moses. Grade: B

One plus is not enough here — this is a potentially franchise-altering pick for the Chiefs at the bottom of the second round. Suamataia is a bit raw, but he has legitimate franchise left tackle athleticism and movement ability. Throw him out there and let him grow into an elite tackle. Grade: A+

Green is a skilled player for the 49ers to add to their defensive backfield. He made a lot of plays on the ball last year for the Seminoles and held first-round pick Malik Nabers in check during their matchups to open the season. Grade: B

Corley has a chance to be a monster after the catch in the NFL. He’s a great addition to a room that already has Mike Williams and budding superstar Garrett Wilson. Wilson and Corley are a good duo to build around for the future. Grade: B+

This is a great pick for the Cardinals. Benson might not be the shiftiest runner, but big backs with legitimate straight-line speed are always good money. Benson is a true home-run hitter. Grade: A

This is a bit early for Coleman, but hard to get too mad at taking an offensive lineman with good movement skills in the third round. The Commanders at least got some developable depth here. Grade: C

Solid pickup for the Patriots, who can have a long-term right tackle to protect Drake Maye. Wallace might not be ready to play right away, but he really does have the movement skills and talent to be a starting tackle down the road. Grade: B-

The Chargers really needed a linebacker and Jim Harbaugh went back to Michigan to find one. Colson is one of the better linebacker prospects in the draft and his athleticism should help him make plays early for the Chargers. Grade: A

The Chargers drafted a familiar face in the third round for new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who gets to reunite with Michigan linebacker Junior Colson. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
The Chargers drafted a familiar face in the third round for new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who gets to reunite with Michigan linebacker Junior Colson. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Good depth here for the Giants at cornerback. It’s never a bad idea to add cornerbacks and now the Giants have two defensive backs added at this point in the draft. Grade: C+

The Cardinals got a player who can provide good depth up front. He might not have a lot of long-term starting potential, but he’s a body on the offensive line. Grade: C

The Panthers get the linebacker depth they need. Carolina just needed bodies on defense after losing a few guys this offseason. Brick by brick. Grade: C

Love this pick for Dallas. Beebe has the versatility and talent to be a fixture with the Cowboys for a long time as they continue to find the next great version of their offensive line. He played guard and tackle in the same games at times for Kansas State. Grade: A

Trice has real starter ability and the Falcons needed an edge rusher. Trice has a chance to become a solid rotational level player at the least, which is hard to find at edge at this point in the draft. Grade: A

Good developmental option for the Bears. They have a lot of depth right now between Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright and the newly drafted Amegadjie. Grade: B+

The Broncos needed a pass rusher and Elliss is a great value at this point in the draft. He’s a high-floor guy who should be able to start right away. Grade: A

This adds offensive tackle depth for a team that needed it. Perhaps Glaze is a diamond in the rough starter, but he’s most likely just depth. Grade: C

Nice pickup for the Texans, who needed a safety to pair with Jalen Pitre. Bullock was one of the few playmakers on defense for the Trojans, notching nine interceptions in three seasons. Grade: B

Offensive line depth is never a bad thing. Goncalves might be able to play a few positions up front for the Colts, but solid swing tackle is a nice outcome for him. Grade: C

Burton is extremely talented, but had some character red flags this offseason. He’s the perfect guy to pair with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase for the long term — and maybe Tee Higgins, too? Regardless, Burton can make big plays happen downfield. Grade: B

Haynes is a STUD. The Seahawks might have a rookie starting guard in the third round who excels just about everywhere. This is a fantastic pickup. Grade: A+

Good, big athlete for the Cardinals to pair with Trey McBride. This is the thunder to McBride’s lightning. Grade: C+

Corum is a good player, no doubt, but this feels like a weird fit with what Kyren Williams brought to the team last season. Still, a 1-2 punch with Williams and Corum behind a revamped offensive line might rake for the Rams. Grade: C+

The Steelers needed some wide receiver depth and they got it, but they might have been better served finding a bigger-play wide receiver. Still, Wilson will learn quickly with the big target vacuum he’s walking into. Grade: C

The Browns just picked an offensive lineman who has starter potential in the third round. Good move for Cleveland and another member off the All-Juice team is gone. Grade: B

More depth for a 49ers offensive line that’s continuing to find their best starting five after an inconsistent showing in 2023. Grade: C

The Cowboys needed a real linebacker body on their roster and they got one in Liufau. No more safeties at linebacker is a good thing for Dallas, even if Liufau isn’t necessarily a star. Grade: C

Lloyd is a stud. He’s had a bit of a fumbling problem, but he’s a bowling ball with balance and some real breakaway speed. If he’s able to hold onto the ball better he can be an impact running back in the NFL. Grade: A+

Safety depth here is a solid pull for the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has a good third safety or depth safety to pair with Antoine Winfield Jr. Grade: B

Jones adds versatile defensive back depth. He has the ability to grow into a starter at some point if things shake out for him, but he faces a log-jammed depth chart — which is a good thing for the Cardinals. Grade: C

It's hard to get too upset about at a pick at this point in the draft, but Hopper feels like a longshot to be a contributor on defense for the Packers. Grade: C-

The third Washington wide receiver is off the board, giving the Huskies six offensive players drafted from their national runner-up team. McMillan is a strong get for the Buccaneers and should compete for starting 11 personnel reps off the bat. Grade: A

Edge depth for the Ravens. They needed some insurance in case Odafe Oweh doesn’t take that next step. Grade: B

Edge depth is never a bad thing. Hunt is a bit undersized, but the Eagles have gravitated toward those body types on the edge recently with some good results. Grade: C

Carter is a quality backup prospect for the Bills’ defensive line rotation. Grade: C

Another All-Juice Team selection, Jones has a chance to develop into a solid starter for the Jaguars down the road. Grade: B

The Bengals needed defensive line depth and might have found that with the steady Jackson from Texas A&M. Grade: C

Wilson has played a whole lot of football for NC State. He has a chance to be a solid starter. Grade: B

Kinchens is a good playmaker and should be a productive member of the Rams’ secondary. His 4.65 40-yard dash and general poor performance at the NFL combine hurt him, but he’s still a good ball player. Grade: B

Random as hell. McCaffrey had a solid final season in college football, so maybe this works, but it's hard to see where he fits in with the Commanders. Weird pick. Grade: D