NFL Mock Draft Rounds 2-3: Day 2 Landing Spots for the Best Available Prospects

The first round of the NFL Draft always delivers chaos, surprises, and a few heartbroken general managers. But for true draft nerds and fantasy football junkies, Day 2 (Rounds 2 and 3) is where championships are built. While the first round is about finding stars, the second and third rounds are about finding starters, depth, and positional value.

We have already seen a handful of elite talents slide out of the top 32 due to medical concerns, scheme fits, or simply a deep class at their position. Now, the clock is ticking for teams like the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Rams to scoop up the falling gems. Below is our expert analysis of the next 68 picks, projecting where the best available prospects will land.

Round 2: The Quarterback Shuffle & Edge Rusher Goldmine

Day 2 traditionally opens with a flurry of trades. Teams that missed on a QB in Round 1 will be desperate to move up for a signal-caller. Meanwhile, the defensive line depth in this class is staggering. Expect a run on pass rushers early in the second frame.

Pick 33: Carolina Panthers – Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Carolina traded up for Bryce Young last year, but they need a long-term insurance policy. Penix Jr. has the arm talent to push Andy Dalton immediately. His injury history drops him out of Round 1, but his deep-ball accuracy is a perfect fit for a team needing a spark.

Pick 37: New England Patriots – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

The Patriots finally took a QB in Round 1 (hypothetically), but they need weapons. Mitchell is a 6’4″ vertical threat who ran a 4.34 40-yard dash. He is raw but has the highest ceiling of any wideout left on the board. New England’s new offensive coordinator will love his ability to stretch the field.

Pick 44: Las Vegas Raiders – Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

DeJean is a first-round talent who slid due to a broken leg. The Raiders love versatile defensive backs. DeJean can play outside, in the slot, or even return punts. He is a ball-hawking playmaker with elite instincts. This is a steal for Vegas.

Pick 50: Philadelphia Eagles – Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan

The Eagles love collecting defensive linemen. Kneeland is a powerful, high-motor edge rusher who dominated at the Senior Bowl. He is not flashy, but he sets a strong edge and can kick inside on passing downs. A perfect fit for Vic Fangio’s scheme.

Other Key Round 2 Predictions:

• Pick 39: Los Angeles Rams – Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU. The Rams need a long-term left tackle after losing Andrew Whitworth. Suamataia has elite feet and power.
• Pick 46: Indianapolis Colts – Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon. A long, press-man corner who fits Gus Bradley’s Cover-3 defense. He is a ball disruptor.
• Pick 55: Miami Dolphins – Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon. Miami needs a change-of-pace back who can catch. Irving is a shifty weapon out of the backfield.
• Pick 58: Green Bay Packers – Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State. A versatile safety who can play in the box or deep. The Packers need help in the secondary.

Round 3: Wide Receiver Depth & Offensive Line Steals

Round 3 is often where teams find their starting guards, nickel corners, and rotational pass rushers. This year, the wide receiver class is so deep that several Day 2 starters will be available here. Look for teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers to add explosive weapons.

Pick 65: San Francisco 49ers – Javon Baker, WR, UCF

The 49ers love players who can create after the catch. Baker is a physical, YAC monster who runs through tackles. He is not a burner, but he is a perfect complement to Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Kyle Shanahan will scheme him open.

Pick 73: Dallas Cowboys – Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

The Cowboys let Tony Pollard walk and need a bell-cow back. Benson is a home-run hitter with elite vision and breakaway speed. He also excels in pass protection, which is critical for Dallas’s offense. This is a value pick that fills a glaring hole.

Pick 78: Houston Texans – Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

Houston needs to protect C.J. Stroud at all costs. Fisher is a massive, powerful right tackle who can start immediately. He has experience against top competition and is a mauler in the run game. A safe, high-floor pick.

Pick 85: Kansas City Chiefs – Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

Travis Kelce is 34 years old. The Chiefs need a developmental tight end who can learn from the best. Sanders is a dynamic pass-catcher who creates mismatches against linebackers. He is raw as a blocker, but Andy Reid will use him as a big slot receiver immediately.

Other Key Round 3 Predictions:

• Pick 70: New York Giants – Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon. A versatile interior disruptor who can play 3-tech or 5-tech. The Giants need pass rush help alongside Dexter Lawrence.
• Pick 76: Denver Broncos – Cole Bishop, S, Utah. A tone-setting safety who is great in the box. Sean Payton loves tough, smart defensive players.
• Pick 82: Arizona Cardinals – Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State. A quick-twitch interior pass rusher who fell due to character concerns. The Cardinals can afford to take a risk on talent.
• Pick 91: Green Bay Packers – Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama. A deep threat with incredible route running. He would be a perfect complement to Christian Watson.

Expert Analysis: Why Day 2 Wins Championships

I have covered the NFL Draft for over a decade, and I can tell you this: Round 1 sells tickets, but Rounds 2 and 3 build rosters. Look at the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent drafts. They found L’Jarius Sneed (Round 4), Nick Bolton (Round 2), and Isiah Pacheco (Round 7) on Day 2 and beyond. Those players were the backbone of their Super Bowl runs.

The 2024 class is particularly deep at offensive line, cornerback, and wide receiver. Teams that are patient and do not trade up recklessly will be rewarded. For example, the Cincinnati Bengals are picking at No. 49 and No. 80. They can easily land a starting guard and a nickel corner without moving a single pick.

One name to watch is Cornerback Cam Hart from Notre Dame. He is a 6’3″ press-man specialist who could fall to the third round due to a shoulder issue. If a team like the Baltimore Ravens snags him, he could start opposite Marlon Humphrey by mid-season.

Another sleeper is Running Back Will Shipley from Clemson. He is a do-it-all back who is excellent in pass protection and as a receiver. In a league that values versatile backs, Shipley could be the steal of Day 2 for a team like the Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Chargers.

Final Predictions & Bold Calls

Here are three bold predictions for the rest of Day 2:

1. The Atlanta Falcons will trade up into Round 2 to grab a pass rusher. They need an edge rusher desperately, and they have the ammunition to move up from No. 43. Expect them to target Darius Robinson from Missouri, a versatile lineman who can play inside or outside.
2. A running back run will happen in Round 3. After the top three backs (Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Zach Charbonnet) are gone, teams will scramble for value. Blake Corum (Michigan) and Rayshon Luke (USC) will both be off the board by Pick 85.
3. The New Orleans Saints will take a punter in Round 3. Yes, a punter. Tory Taylor (Iowa) is a generational talent who can flip the field. The Saints love special teams value, and in a weak draft for their needs, they might pull the trigger early.

Conclusion: The Real Draft Starts Now

Do not let the glitz of Round 1 fool you. The NFL Draft is won in the trenches and in the middle rounds. Teams like the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Arizona Cardinals have multiple picks on Day 2 and can drastically reshape their rosters.

If you are a fan of a team like the Seattle Seahawks or Detroit Lions, get ready. These are the picks that define a general manager’s legacy. The prospects we highlighted—Adonai Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Ja’Tavion Sanders—have the talent to become Pro Bowlers. They just need the right landing spot.

Stay glued to your screens for Day 2. This is where the true depth of the 2024 NFL Draft shines. The next stars of the league are waiting to hear their names called.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.