Round 2 has come and gone and there is a lot to discuss! From Shedeur Sanders’ historic slide, to some teams getting incredible values, there is a lot of storylines from an exciting round 2. With some great prospects still on the board, lets talk about some of the best values and fits from Round 2.
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Pick 35: Seattle Seahawks – Nick Emmanwori, Safety, South Carolina
Emmanwori is a truly RARE athlete! A big safety who is a lights out tackler and fly’s around the field making plays from many alignments. A big jack of all trades safety in a Mike Macdonald defense, stop me if you’ve hear that one before. He is not the level of prospect Kyle Hamilton was, but from the standpoint of purely size and versatility they’re are some similarities. Some of the best years in Seahawks history have featured a big athletic safety flying around and putting fear in opponents hearts. The Seahawks may have found their next iteration of that in Emmanwori.
37. Miami Dolphins (via LVR): Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL, Arizona
The Dolphins made an aggressive trade-up to come get their guy and it was a great decision. Savaiinaea is an incredibly athlete and a great fit for this system that likes to utilize agile linemen. He displays incredible versatility producing good tape at 3 different positions across the offensive line. Although he is very versatile, he profiles best as a guard and should compete for a starting spot as soon as he arrives in Miami.
38. New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Following the great pick by the Dolphins, The Patriots make a splash of their own bringing in electric running back prospect – TreVeyon Henderson. How do you help a young quarterback? Get him protection – they started to check that box in round 1 – and get him weapons. There was few weapons better then Henderson in this class. He displays true game-breaking ability, consistently churning out big plays in both the run and the pass game. And speaking of protecting the quarterback, no running back in this class is better in pass protection then Henderson.
39. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Completeing a great 3 pick run, the Bears filled their need at slot wide recevier with one of the most dynamic playmakers in the draft. Many of Burdens concerns – on the field- had to do with his slot only ability. He goes to a spot here where he can take time to deveolpe as an outside wide recevier and be an immedaite difference in the slot. Burden thrived on schemed touches like screens and quick passes. One of the ebst offensuve minds in the NFL at schemeing guys touches is Ben Johnson. A pretty perfeft landing spoot for both player and team as Burden rounds out an absoutley electirc receving core for Caleb Williams.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
The Cowboys hit the biggest home run of the day to me grabbing my EDGE3 and top 15 prospect Donovan Ezeiruaku. He is an explosive pass rusher who racks up pressures and sacks at an elite rate. Parsons and Ezeiruaku should join forces to form one of the scariest EDGE rushing tandems in the NFL.
47. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Another huge steal here for the Cardinals in terms of strictly tape evaluation. There is a lot more to the draft process then strictly the tape and that is why Johnson fell so far. Johnson has serious questions centering around injuries as well as long speed concerns. But if he stays healthy and can return to 2023 form, there are few players in this entire class who have a higher ceiling.
51. Carolina Panthers (from DEN): Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Panthers came up and made an aggressive move to add to their room of EDGE rushers. Scourton is one of the most interesting and divisive prospects in this class. One thing that is for sure is that he has the tools to develop into a true star at the next level, but will that talent ever fully be unlocked? That’s a question the Panthers and Panthers faithful hope Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero has the answers too.
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Another big time value due to injury concerns. Funnily enough it is another corner and that may continue to be a common theme as these rounds go by. If you turn on the 2023 tape, you see an NFL teams future number 1 corner. He is a true round 1 talent without injury but a hip injury scared many teams off. The Buccaneers take the chance on Morrison here and if he stays healthy, they will reap major rewards.
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
The Chargers are not messing around when it comes to surrounding Justin Herbert with talent this offseason. For all the fans of analytics you may be surprised how this guy was not a top 10 pick. His analytical profile was that good, we’re talking record breaking level good. But analytics aside you turn on the tape and this guy pops off the film immediately. He should fit in incredibly for the Chargers. Don’t be surprised if he even surpasses last years star rookie – Ladd McConkey – as Herbert’s top target.
57. Detroit Lions (via DEN): Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia
The Lions make a move to acquire incredible athlete and prospect Tate Ratledge at a position of need. Ratledge is just a really solid prospect and reliable player who should slot in as a starter right away. The Lions continue identifying and acquiring talent, funny how fast things can change.
58. Las Vegas Raiders (via HOU): Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Back to back really goof picks here. Bech is an incredible story -not going to hit on it here -on a personal level but beyond that he is a heck of a football player. Pairing inside outside versatility and a fiery competitive edge shown in his work after the catch and blocking ability. The Raiders continue adding playmakers for new QB Geno Smith.
59. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
There are multiple reasons Green fell to this spot and none of them have anything to do with his on field abilities. We talk about football here, so focusing on purely the football field, this is an incredible steal. Mike Green is one of the best edge rushers in the class and the Ravens are able to scoop him up in the end of the 2nd round. Incredible value from a strictly on field ability perspective.
61. Washington Commanders: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Rounding out an impressive round 2 of values, the Commanders scoop up Trey Amos here. Not only was Amos the best player on the board but he also fills a major need on the boundary. This selection will push last years selection – Mikey Sainristil- back inside where he truly thrives. This Commanders secondary got a lot better when they handed in Amos’ card.
Outro
Round 2 and Day 2 as a whole, was pronounced as the strongest and deepest area of the class and that was on full display through round 2. Still plenty of great prospects and true difference makers on the board so check back soon to see who won Round 3.
Be sure to follow my coverage of all things NFL and NFL Draft on X @JagsRealist.
