Draft Day Live Reaction Blog: Day 2
Lemarkus
Bailey
Austin
Bronstad
Darren
Braxton
Kris
Thomas
Richie
Dordas
Micah
Jimoh
Sam
Kirk
ROUND 2
33. Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
Austin Bronstad: Tee Higgins is the perfect pick here. It gives Burrow his guy to develop with from the start, and Higgins’ play style, with lots of speed and good route running, fits Burrow’s perfectly.
34. Indianapolis Colts (from Washington)
Michael Pittman Jr, WR, USC
Micah Jimoh: With their first pick of the draft, the Colts added another weapon for their new QB Philip Rivers. Pittman, a 6’4, 220-lb receiver from USC, will be the perfect complement to speedster T.Y. Hilton. In his senior season, he recorded 101 receptions, good for fifth in school history. After swinging and missing on Devin Funchess, the Colts are trying to rebuild their receiving core, and it looks like they’ve decided to start with Pittman.
35. Detroit Lions
D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
Richie Dordas: With their second pick of the draft, the Detroit Lions selected RB D’Andre Swift. Swift, who played at Georgia last year, is considered in many people’s eyes the best running back in this draft, though he fell out of the first round yesterday. In 2019, Swift had 1,218 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, and he will look to provide an explosive rushing attack in Detroit.
36. N.Y. Giants
Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
Sam Kirk: Many thought McKinney would not be here on Day 2. He has tremendous ability to diagnose plays, and can lay the wood when he needs to. The giants get the best safety in the draft at 36, and fill a hole on a secondary which has been suspect for multiple years. The Giants may have made a call to Nick Saban, considering the connection Coach Judge has there. The Alabama safety should be a playmaker right away for the Giants.
37. New England Patriots
Kyle Dugger, Safety, Lenoir Rhyne
Austin Bronstad: Bill Belichick takes the defensive player of the year from Division 2. Dugger is extremely versatile, can play well in coverage, is big enough to come downhill and hit and he plays special teams. Truly a Bill Belichick pick.
38. Carolina Panthers
Yetur Gross-Matos DE Penn State
Alex Spieldenner: The Panthers lost their top two pass rushers last year, and are hoping to reload with Gross-Matos. The former Nittany Lion had 9 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 11 games, and will make plays with his good hands and quick athleticism. You can never use too many pass rushers, particularly when they play like the defensive end out of Penn State.
39. Miami Dolphins
Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana-Lafayette
Austin Bronstad: Another pick to help protect Tua. Hunt will more than likely move inside to play guard, but he’s versatile enough to play anywhere on the line. Robert is an extremely violent blocker, and will open run lanes incredibly well.
40. Houston Texans (from Arizona)
Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
Sam Kirk: Blacklock is a longer defensive tackle than most. His agility and side-to-side quickness, combined with his size and tackling ability will give the Texans flexibility to move him along the line. He will supply some pass rush to combine with JJ Watt’s elite contribution over the years. The Texans get something right in round 2, and bulk up their defense.
41. Indianapolis Colts (from Cleveland)
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Micah Jimoh: The Colts double-down on offensive stars with the selection of Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor. Taylor rushed for over 2,000 yards in both of the last two seasons, and nearly hit the gaudy mark in his freshman season with 1,977. His receiving stats aren’t impressive, but he did quadruple his yardage output, from 60 in 2018 to 252 in 2019. Taylor and 1,000-yard rusher Marlon Mack could become one of the best duos in the game. [DONE]
42. Jacksonville Jaguars
Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado
Alex Spieldenner: The Jaguars now have a receiver to line up across from DJ Chark. The Colorado receiver’s yardage actually decreased from his sophomore year to his junior year, from 1,011 to 764, but his yards per catch increased by nearly two yards, and the Jaguars seem to be banking that they can get his overall production back to the 1,000 yard-type season that he had two years ago. They’d better hope they’re right.
43. Chicago Bears (from Las Vegas)
Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
Darren Braxton: The first tight end off the board, and deservedly so. Kmet is big, strong, fast and highly capable in his receiving ability. He can play on the line or split out wide, and he can finally be the tight end the Bears have been looking for. The Bears can now run plenty of 12 personnel with two receiving threats going down the seams in Jimmy Graham and Kmet.
44. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
Richie Dordas: The Cleveland Browns picked an LSU defensive player in the second round for the second straight season, and this time it’s Grant Delpit. Delpit, who was one of the top safeties in college football, had his best season for the Tigers in 2018 before injuries slowed down his performance in 2019. Delpit will slide into a starting role in the secondary with the departure of safety Damarious Randall, and is a very solid pick by the Browns.
45. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Antoine Winfield Jr. S, Minnesota
LeMarkus Bailey: The Big Ten DPOY, Antoine Winfield Jr has a football pedigree that gives him the football intelligence and presence that will benefit Tampa Bay from day one. As a redshirt sophomore, he is a young, instinctual safety with a high ceiling. The Buccaneers need strong leaders on defense to pair with the firepower on the offensive side of the ball with headliner Tom Brady, and they get that in Winfield Jr.
46. Denver Broncos
KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State
LeMarkus Bailey: Hamler is adding to a dynamic draft class already, with the Broncos selecting WR Jerry Jeudy with their first pick. He will have the opportunity to make splash plays early on as a slot guy and return man, especially with young Quarterback Drew Lock at the helm. With this pick, John Elway is looking to shore up the offense for years down the road.
47. Atlanta Falcons
Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn
LeMarkus Bailey: This is a solid pick for the struggling Falcons defensive line. With Vic Beasley out as the Falcon starter at end, the line will have a major reshuffle this offseason. Davidson is big and great with his hands, which should equal interior dominance. As the anchor for a strong SEC defense, he will have the ability to lead the entire defensive line and learn from the likes of teammate Grady Jarrett, Tak Mckinley, and Dante Fowler
48. Seattle (from N.Y. Jets)
Darrell Taylor, DE, Tennessee
Darren Braxton: Taylor is a guy that, in the words of his coaches, “has juice.” He plays with a great motor, and has a good blend of size and speed for the position. He played OLB in college, but will be playing with his hand in the dirt in Seattle. Though he was hurt last season and didn’t look as explosive, in 2018 he was a monster on the edge, and was one of the few Vols in team history to have a 3-sack game in a season. Taylor will help the rebuild of that Seattle defensive line.
49. Pittsburgh Steelers
Chase Claypool, WR, Norte Dame
Kris Thomas: The Steelers were plagued by the injury bug on offense last year. With Big Ben entering the twilight of his career, he needs a big-body WR to throw the 50/50 balls too. Claypool is raw talent and will have issues getting separation from defenders, but after his exceptional performance at the combine, he’s worth the investment.
50. Chicago Bears
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
Darren Braxton: Length and speed are coming to the Bears secondary. Johnson is exceptional on the boundary, and can do a bit of everything well. He plays off-man, man coverage and zone, and even tackles well. He has a bit of an injury history recently, but showed toughness throughout and can develop into a a potential starting cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller. Great pick to follow up after getting the best tight end in Kmet.
51. Dallas Cowboys
Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
Richie Dordas: The Cowboys addressed their defense as advertised with their second round pick, and it was a very good one in Trevon Diggs. Diggs, brother of Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, played his college ball at Alabama, and will look to fill the shoes of Byron Jones, who signed with the Miami Dolphins this offseason. He will join Jourdan Lewis, Anthony Brown, and Chidobe Awuzie to fill out the cornerback position in Dallas.
2. L.A. Rams
Cam Akers, RB, Florida State,
Austin Bronstad: Great pick for the Rams. Akers showed his ability early, breaking Dalvin Cook's freshman record. He can come in immediately, and be an extremely shifty and productive running back to help replace Todd Gurley.
53. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Micah Jimoh: An head-scratching pick here by the Philadelphia Eagles. With other positions demanding more attention, the Eagles selected a quarterback, one of the positions they are already very well-off at. Hurts is an extremely talented player, but not a polished quarterback, or someone who fits the Eagles win-now plans. Hopefully, with 43 career rushing touchdowns to Hurts’ name, Doug Pederson should be able to find a way to utilize the former Oklahoma signal caller.
54. Buffalo Bills
A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa
Richie Dordas: With their first pick of the draft, the Buffalo Bills added to an already-stout defense by adding defensive end A.J. Epenesa out of Iowa. In 2019, Epenesa had 11.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss as a Hawkeye. Epenesa will join a defense that consists of Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde, Ed Oliver, and Jerry Hughes in hopes to capture the AFC East title and make a deep playoff run.
55. Baltimore Ravens (from New England through Atlanta)
JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Darren Braxton: This is a pick I would prefer to be a WR, but to get Mark Ingram 2.0 is great value here at pick 55. Dobbin has rushed for over 1,000 yards three straight years against top competition. He might not be that much of a pass catching back, but he can handle pass protection, and runs the ball well inside and outside the tackles. He is best when going north and south, and will be a perfect complement to the stable of backs in Baltimore.
56. Miami Dolphins (from New Orleans)
Raekwon Davis, DE, Alabama
Austin Bronstad: A bit of a reach here. Davis is a good run stopper, but really does not have much ability at getting to the quarterback, and he actually regressed his senior year. The Dolphins must have seen something they liked from Davis.
57. L.A. Rams (from Houston)
Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
Austin Bronstad: It is extremely early to take Jefferson, who most expected to be available until around the 4th round. He has great route running, but he has a lot of question marks, particularly regarding injuries and a lack of production. He is a big receiver with the potential to play well, especially working with Sean McVay. But he likely would have been available later in the draft.
58. Minnesota Vikings
Erza Cleveland, OT, Boise State
Kris Thomas: The Vikings have taken a lot of pride over the last two years in building their offensive line in the draft. Cleveland is a safe pick, good in nearly every aspect but not exceptional in any one category. He’s a project, because he lacks the strength to be a day-one starter, but his footwork is worth the investment.
59. N.Y. Jets (from Seattle)
Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
Sam Kirk: Sam Darnold has acquired a tackle and a huge receiver in the first two rounds of the draft. Mims is a solid second-round pick with huge upside. His combine was great, and he showed he had the hands and playmaking ability to be a top target in the NFL.
60. New England Patriots (from Baltimore)
Josh Uche, Edge, Michigan
Austin Bronstad: Uche can come in and start on day one for the Patriots. He is a strong-side linebacker that can come in immediately and replace Kyle Van Noy. The former Wolverine can get to the quarterback, and this pick is perfect for the Patriots.
61. Tennessee Titans
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Micah Jimoh: After falling much farther than expected, LSU’s Kristian Fulton finally found a home with the AFC runner-up Tennessee Titans. According to Pro Football Focus, he has forced an incompletion on nearly 30% of passes where he was targeted since 2018. No other corner matches that number. Off-the-field issues threatened to derail his career early, but Fulton now gets a chance to prove himself next to Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson.
62. Green Bay Packers
AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College
Kris Thomas- The Packers have been making a slow transition to stop relying on Aaron Rodgers completely, and made Aaron Jones a focal point of the offense last season. With Jones being more of a change-of-pace style back, AJ Dillon can be the Thunder to Jones’ lightning. He’s a downhill runner and a short-yardage vulture, and is the Packers’ latest move towards becoming a run-first team.
Willie Gay, LB, Miss. State
Darren Braxton: Gay is a big, physical specimen who can run, and he shows all the traits needed to be a starting linebacker. He might not have the production to match his physical traits, but when he plays he jumps off the screen. He also has some off-the-field issues, in the form of an eight-game suspension and some fights in practice. But if he can clean up his off-the-field issues and stay focused on the field, the Chiefs might have gotten a steal in this pick.
64. Carolina Panthers (from Seattle through Kansas City)
Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinos
Kris Thomas: Chinn is a tank. He’s 6’3, 225 lb. safety who runs a mid 4.4 40. He’ll be able to make plays week 1 due to his athleticism, but he shouldn’t be asked to step into man coverage consistently. For a Carolina defense that needs all the help they can get, his versatility in the back end is a good thing to have.
Round 3
65. Cincinnati
Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
Austin Bronstad: Wilson is a spectacular pick for the Bengals. An extremely athletic and strong player that will immediately impact the Cincinnati defense, he played in 50 games in his 4 years at college. The linebacker was a 3-year captain at Wyoming who can come in and play all 3 downs right away.
66. Washington
Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Memphis
Micah Jimoh: For a team with a young quarterback, adding weapons is the most important thing. Washington did just that by drafting hybrid RB/WR Antonio Gibson. The versatile Gibson totaled 1104 on 71 touches last season, and proved to be one of the best tackle-shedders in the nation. After getting Chase Young in the first round, the Redskins are putting together quite the draft. [DONE]
67. Detroit
Julian Okwara, OLB, Notre Dame
Richie Dordas: With their third-round pick, the Detroit Lions selected Julian Okwara out of Notre Dame. Okwara has a very good skill set with explosiveness, speed and length that allow him to rush the passer from the outside or drop back in coverage. Okwara will join his brother DE Romeo Okwara on the Detroit Lions and to upgrade for the Lions pass rush.
68. N.Y. Jets (from N.Y. Giants)
Ashytn Davis, S, CAL
Sam Kirk: Davis, the former track star, is going to pair up with Jamal Adams. Davis proved at California that he could handle and cover a lot of ground while playing centerfield. For the Jets, getting their third safety allows them to be more flexible with defensive sets. The Jets are making things happen with their first three picks. There is room for excitement in New York.
69. Seattle (from Carolina)
Damien Lewis, OG, LSU
Darren Braxton: Lewis is a solid pick up for the Hawks. He is big and physical in the running game, able to just move people when called upon. In the passing game, he has good technique, and can hold up well against a lot of power move guys. He needs to make his mobility a bit more fluid in both categories, but can adapt to that at the next level. He will surely step in immediately and help with the power running scheme that the Seahawks want to run.
70. Miami
Brandon Jones, S, Texas
Austin Bronstad: A 4-year starter at Texas, Jones is truly is a do it all player. He is very good in coverage, isn’t afraid to hit people and is an amazing player on special teams. He is going to be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
71. Baltimore
Justin Madubuike, DL, Texas A&M
Darren Braxton: The Ravens will not be run on this upcoming season, as Madubuike will be disruptive on the defensive front. In the running game, he is big and physical at the point of attack. And in the passing game, he can collapse the pocket or knife through the offense to attack the quarterback. He had 5.5 sacks last season, and will continue that effort when paired with Calasis Campbell, Derek Wolfe and Brandon Williams up front. The front seven looked to be the weakness on this defense, but not anymore. This pickup makes the entire defense just scary from top to bottom.
72. Arizona
Josh Jones, OT, Houston
Darren Braxton: The biggest needs for the Cardinals are on the offensive line, and Josh Jones can definitely help fill the need for a right tackle to complete the line. Jones is an experienced guy as a three year starter at LT. Though he only played nine games due to injury, he was still voted 2nd-team all-conference at Houston. The injury isn’t a concern for the Cardinals, though, as he doesn’t need to start immediately. But his ability to hold up in the passing game, and the power he displays in the running game, will push him to start from day one. I can’t wait to see how he transitions from LT to RT in the NFL.
73. Jacksonville
Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
Kris Thomas: The rebuilding of “Sacksonville” is on. Hamilton has a good motor and a quick first step, and that makes hima proficient run stopper. He shows consistent ability to get penetration at the line of scrimmage and get to the QB. And just like at Ohio State, he’ll get one-on-one opportunities while playing alongside a brilliant pass rusher, this time Josh Allen. He didn’t play much his last season at Ohio State, but the tape is good enough to show he’ll be a quality starter in this league.
74. New Orleans (from Cleveland)
Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin
Richie Dordas: The Saints traded up with the Cleveland Browns to select Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun. One of the better picks value-wise, New Orleans got a very good football player with their third-round pick. Baun may see some snaps in 2020, but he will have to perform excellently to get steady snaps in New Orleans. In the future though, Zack Baun will be an exciting player in the NFL.
75. Detroit (from Indianapolis)
Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State
Richie Dordas: After trading up in a deal with the Indianapolis Colts, the Lions upgraded in the trenches with Ohio State guard Jonah Jackson. Jackson, who some analysts felt could have snuck up to as far as the first-round, is a good pickup for Detroit in an effort to protect Matt Stafford and open up holes in the running game.
76. Tampa Bay
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
LeMarkus Bailey: A Big Ten transfer and SEC bell cow, Vaughn displayed a durability that could be valuable for the Buccaneers. His running value comes in the shape of consistent, chain-moving running that can extend drives for the Buccaneers. A powerful runner with supreme break-away speed, Vaughn will have the ability to take over the Tampa Bay backfield before Week 1.
77. Denver
Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa
LeMarkus Bailey: Ojemudia is a long and rangy cornerback that could play in any scheme. His range allows him to play in the deep third, or even matchup on an island. Denver will likely ask him to match up in many man situations, and his ability to locate the ball in coverage will be a great addition for the Broncos defense, which will likely force several hurried passes that lead to interceptions.
78. Atlanta
Matt Hennessey, OL, Temple
LeMarkus Bailey: Hennessy will help to replenish an aging offensive line for the Atlanta Falcons. As a 3-year starter at Temple, he has shown consistency and, although it will be difficult to learn a new offensive scheme, his longevity as a leader should translate well to a pass-heavy Falcons offense.
79. N.Y. Jets
Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida
Sam Kirk: Zuniga has pass rush potential, and is a very proven run defender. His range on the line is remarkable, and was an effort player at Florida, using his speed to cover ground all over the field. The Jets do a solid job replacing Leonard Williams with a mid-round pick.
80. Las Vegas
Lynn Bowden Jr, WR, Kentucky
Sam Kirk: Bowden Jr is the definition of a football player. A receiver at Kentucky who was asked to play quarterback in the second half of last season, he’s shown elite special-teams potential with his freakish versatility that allows him to fly around the field.
81. Las Vegas (from Chicago)
Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
Sam Kirk: Edwards has shown the ability to make highlight-reel catches, and is tough to bring down after the catch. However, he lacks the extra speed and consistent hands of an elite wide receiver prospect. Oakland grabs another tough physical weapon for Derek Carr, though Edwards is a project and likley won’t work Day 1. If he can be an effective player in 2-3 years, this pick will be worth it.
82. Dallas
Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
Richie Dordas: The Cowboys stuck with their plan to draft on the defensive side of the ball in the third round by drafting Neville Gallimore. Gallimore, a defensive tackle out of Oklahoma, has very good quickness for an interior lineman, and brings pressure up the middle very well. Behind two veterans in Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe, this pick may not affect Dallas this year, but will give Gallimore time to grow as a football player.
83. Denver (from Pittsburgh)
Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
LeMarkus Bailey: Cushenberry is the type of guy that will anchor an entire offensive line for years. Hailed as one of the best centers in LSU history, he helped propel teammate Joe Burrow to a Heisman trophy. A former team captain, honor roll guy, and graduate, his leadership potential will surely be a big help for young passer Drew Lock.
84. L.A. Rams
Terrell Lewis, LB, Alabama
Austin Bronstad: Lewis is such an incredible athlete that, if he plays, he could be as good as a first-round player. Unfortunately, he reportedly had 2 microfractures in the same knee that, more than likely, could keep him from ever touching the field for the Rams.
85. Indianapolis (from Detroit through Philadelphia)
Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
Micah Jimoh: The Colts used their third pick in the draft to finally attend to the defensive side of the ball. After a strong season in which he recorded four interceptions, Blackmon tore his ACL in the Pac-12 championship, hampering his draft stock. Indianapolis took a chance on the playmaking safety anyway, possibly hinting at the end of Malik Hooker’s time as a Colt. Blackmon follows in the footsteps of Marcus Williams and Marquis Blair as safeties from Utah to make it to the NFL.
86. Buffalo
Zack Moss, RB, Utah
Richie Dordas: The Buffalo Bills move to the ground game with this third round pick. Zack Moss, a running back out of Utah, is described as a tough, physical running back, and will complement nicely with pass-catching back Devin Singletary. Expect them to give touches to Singletary on passing downs and Moss in short-yard situations.
87. New England
Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama
Austin Bronstad: The Patriots drafted another guy that has drawn comparisons to Kyle Van Noy. Jennings has the ability to rush the pass, but then this last year played a lot of stand-up linebacker. He can play inside or outside, and as long as he can avoid some of the injuries he suffered in college he will be a versatile starter for the Patriots.
88. Cleveland (from New Orleans)
Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
Richie Dordas: With their first third-round pick, the Cleveland Browns stayed on the defensive side of the ball, drafting Jordan Elliott. At Missouri, Elliott was named 2nd Team All-American. He is a work in progress, but has sky-high potential to be a solid player on the Browns defensive line in a few years.
89. Minnesota
Cam Dantzler, DB, Mississippi State
Austin Bronstad: Dantzler only allowed one touchdown in his two seasons starting. He is an extremely physical and tough player who can start immediately, but he does not have the ability to run with many receivers. What he can do, though, is be extremely physical at the line and work well in zone coverage.
90. Houston
Jonathan Greenard, LB, Florida
Sam Kirk: Greenard was a team captain at Louisville who transferred to Florida. He knows how to set the edge, and has some of the fastest hands this draft has to offer at linebacker. This is a solid pick, and the Texans have themselves a linebacker who will compete for a starting job.
91. New England (from Las Vegas through Seattle)
Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA
Austin Bronstad: Asiasi will immediately come in to start for the Patriots. He is extremely athletic, and can line up on the line of scrimmage to block as well. He only had 641 yards in 2019, but was severely underused.
92. Baltimore
Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
Darren Braxton: Duvernay is a guy that can fly, and jumps off the screen when he’s playing. Last year alone, he caught 106 passes for over 1,300 yards. Then he ran a 4.39 at the 2020 NFL combine. He played primarily in the slot, but can go on the boundary and separate for the catch. Not only can he be a deep threat for the Ravens, but he is a guy that has amazing run-after-the-catch ability, and can take a slant the full length of the field. Duvernay will be one of many weapons for QB Lamar Jackson, the reigning league MVP, and should help with Jackson’s development going forward.
93. Tennessee
Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian St.
Micah Jimoh: The perfect complement to the bruising Derrick Henry, Appalachian State’s Darrynton Evans has found a home in Tennessee. Evans ranked ninth in the nation in rushing yards last year, falling just 20 yards short of the 1,500 yard mark. He also doubles as a returner, recording 1,439 kick return yards over the last three seasons. When Henry is out of the game, the Titans should have no issue keeping their offense moving with Evans.
94. Green Bay
Josiah Degura, TE, Cincinnati
Kris Thomas: The Packers want to continue to run a lot more 12-personnel, in which Rodgers had better than a 110 QB rating. With Jimmy Graham gone, they needed a replacement to go along with TE Jace Sternburger. Degura’s route running for a TE is solid, but he’s not the best athlete. Either way, the Packers got a gritty TE to develop around Aaron Rodgers and, eventually, Jordan Love.
95. Denver (from San Francisco)
McTelvin Agim, DL, Arkansas
LeMarkus Bailey: With a little over a year of solid production, Agim can be seen as somewhat of a developmental project. Although he has some raw natural ability and good speed for his position, it is unlikely he will vie for a starting job. That being said, he could definitely help shore up some injury slots.
96. Kansas City
Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Darren Braxton: This is a depth move for the reigning champs, as Niang will have a chance to develop behind the pair of good bookends in Tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. He has a good foundation in his size and strength, and also has decent mobility for the guy playing either tackle spot. He will be the sixth lineman going into the season for Kansas City, and it never hurts to get depth for positions of importance.
97. Cleveland (from Houston)*
Jacob Phillips, ILB, LSU
Richie Dordas: Yet another LSU player is off the table. With their second and final pick of Day 2, the Cleveland Browns selected linebacker Jacob Phillips out of LSU. Phillips is known for his skills in the run game, but struggles dropping back in coverage a little bit. With Joe Schobert gone, Phillips may see a lot of playing time in 2020, and will only get more experienced and grow as a coverage player.
98. Baltimore (from New England)
Malik Harrison, ILB, Ohio State
Darren Braxton: The Ravens defense continues to get scarier as the picks go along. Now, with the 98th pick, they find the future running mate for Patrick Queen in Harrison. The former Buckeye is a bigger back, with good speed. Unlike Queen, his speciality is his ability to take on blocks, shed the lineman, then stop the run. He can still get out and cover well in space, but he is more of a downhill attacker than Queen. Harrison can also get after the quarterback very well: he had seven sacks in the last two seasons, which fits the heavy blitz scheme Wink Martindale loves to play. When you combine the two linebackers, you get a tandem that can roam the second level for years to come.
99. N.Y. Giants*
Matt Peart, T, UCONN
Sam Kirk: Matt Peart was a four year starter at UConn. A team captain, he’s a little raw, but has a great build and long arms to be a solid tackle. With Marc Colombo’s expertise, the Giants’ offensive line has the chance to be in the top half of the league this year. The development and protection of Jones and Barkley remains the primary goal in New York.
100. Las Vegas (from New England)*
Taylor Muse, S, Clemson
Sam Kirk: A captain at Clemson his senior year, Muse’s forty-yard dash seemed to wow teams, as he ran the second fastest forty of all safeties at the combine. Muse will be able to play in multiple roles for the Raiders, making him a good fit who so should become a fan favorite in Vegas.
101.New England (traded N.Y. Jets from Seattle)*
Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech
Austin Bronstad: The 250-pound TE will do a lot of moving other people around. He can spend time in the slot, or on the line blocking, and he also has the ability to go behind the line of scrimmage and act as a full back. The primary question is whether his game translates to New England.
102. Pittsburgh*
Alex Highsmith, DE, Charlotte
Kris Thomas: Alex Highsmith has all tools to be a high motor pass rusher. In his senior campaign, he ranked in the top 5 on the national level in tackles for loss and sacks. He has all the moves to be a premier pass rusher in this league, and down the line, could pose as a threat opposite of TJ Watt. Right now, he’s a raw pass rusher that isn’t effective on run downs and doesn’t have the strength to get off blockers. Pittsburgh normally don’t miss when drafting defensive players this high, so keep an eye out for his development.
103. Philadelphia*
Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado
Micah Jimoh: The Eagles finally addressed the linebacker position with former track star Davion Taylor. The speedy LB still needs a lot of development, but his traits are exceptional: Taylor ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, and his quickness is apparent on the field. He’s also a very good tackler, totaling 72 of them in his senior season.
104. L.A. Rams*
Terrell Burgess, DB/S, Utah
Austin Bronstad: Burgess is an extremely versatile and very physical player. He has 4.46 speed, and can play in the safety role or move into the slot and play corner.
105. New Orleans (from Minnesota)*
Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
Richie Dordas: With many people surprised to see him drop this low, Adam Trautman fell into the New Orleans Saints’ laps. Trautman is one of the bigger tight ends in this draft, and many consider this a steal for the Saints, especially with an offense that spreads the wealth across the middle of the field with Drew Brees at QB. Look for Trautman to get into some two-tight end sets, along with playing on special teams.
106. Baltimore*
Tyre Phillips, OT, Miss. State
Darren Braxton: Phillips is a great fit in the Ravens front. He started at LT the last 13 games and only allowed two sacks, though his best fit is to slide inside to guard. He is 6’5” and 320 plus pounds, and can maul you at the point of attack in the running game. In the passing game, he just stonewalls people, and with he makes sure you can’t get into his chest with his long arms. He is big, strong and physical, traits that just scream “Raven lineman.” Phillips could even be the heir to Marshal Yanda, if he develops correctly. Worst-case scenario, he will develop into a great swing tackle to back up Ronnie Staley and Orlando Brown Jr. This guy is a perfect pick to end Day 2 of the draft on.
Unless otherwise noted, stats from sportsreference.com(college) or profootballreference.com(NFL)