NFL Draft 2024 Results: Winners and Losers of Day 2
The second night of the 2024 NFL draft is done and, once again, there were steals, questionable picks, a lot of trades and everything in between.
Here's a closer look at the winners and losers of Day 2:
2024 NFL Draft: Day 2 winners
Winner: Teams who doubled on cornerbacks
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions needed to bolster their cornerback group – and they did it twice. After picking the two best cornerbacks available on Day 1, they were able to get Cooper DeJean and Ennis Rakestraw in the second round, improving, even more, a position of need while adding great value relative to the picks.
Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders also got value out of their pick, with Jackson Powers-Johnson joining them in the second round. The Oregon center is a solid prospect who fell to the second night due to his lack of versatility – what matters is that he's really good even when he's playing just one position. His stock was close to the top 20, so to get him at No. 44 was a coup.
Winner: Green Bay Packers
Immediately after, the Packers moved up to grab linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, also filling a position of need with great value – and boy, do they need an off-ball linebacker after De'Vondre Campbell left the team. Cooper was mocked by some analysts to Green Bay at No. 25, and they should feel pleased he was selected 20 picks later.
Winner: Indianapolis Colts
Speaking of filling needs with great players, the Colts were also able to poach Adonai Mitchell at No. 52, getting themselves a good prospect without having to give up much for him. Mitchell fell due to character concerns, and his production in college wasn't the best, but he certainly has the tools to become an important target in short and intermediate areas of the field.
Winner: Patrick Mahomes
The Chiefs' offensive line in 2023 was a disaster for most of the time, and Donovan Smith isn't returning to the team. Improving the offense was a must in this class and they started with Xavier Worthy on Thursday, but there was more: the Chiefs traded up and grabbed Kingsley Suamataia, who had a late first-round stock, at No. 63. Amazing value and an amazing player.
2024 NFL Draft: Day 2 losers
Loser: Troy Franklin, WR
Franklin is considered overrated by some and his speed is a major concern at the pro level, as he reminds people of N'Keal Harry, but with better ball skills. However, not getting drafted out of the second night entirely doesn't make any sense when you think about his value. Franklin will start Day 3 as an instant steal.
Losers: New England Patriots
The Patriots locked a fantastic pick with Drake Maye on Thursday, but his new offensive group isn't inspiring much confidence after the quarterback. Both Ja'Lynn Polk and Caedan Wallace were reaches, while Wallace arguably should never be a top 100 pick in the draft. This class will hinge on Maye's development, but New England didn't help him much.
Losers: New York Giants
Two picks after Wallace, the Giants also reached badly once they went after Andru Phillips from Kentucky, who was set to be a fifth-round pick. Although they grabbed Tyler Nubin, the best safety of the class, it's difficult to say the Giants improved their defense here.
Losers: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers didn't do anything wrong with their draft picks, but the fact that they weren't able to entertain offers for Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel certainly doesn't help their case here. They need to clear a bit of salary cap and trading Deebo would be massive, but the offers they expected never came.
Losers: Payton Wilson, LB
He was drafted by the Steelers with the No. 98 pick, but he still loses a lot of money by falling this much. Pittsburgh isn't complaining that they were able to get such a good player this late in the draft, but Wilson was expected to go way before and he'll need to prove his value in the NFL even more now.