Grades for Every Second- and Third-Round Pick

The first round of the 2024 NFL draft is over. Now the great teams and their front offices separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Every year, a few teams get substantially better on the second and third days of the draft. Last season’s Super Bowl participants, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, have shown their ability to build out their rosters in later rounds repeatedly.

Looking at their 2023 rosters alone, the Niners and Chiefs rostered Fred Warner, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, L’Jarius Sneed, Charles Omenihu, Drue Tranquill, Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and many, many others who were taken after the first round.

So who gets the big values this April? We’re going to give instant grades for each pick on Friday night, ranging from Nos. 33–100.

Let’s get to it.

Second Round

33. Buffalo Bills (from Carolina) | Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

Coleman spent two years at Michigan State before transferring to Florida State. With the Seminoles in 2023, the 6’3″, 213-pounder caught 50 passes for 658 yards and 13 touchdowns. 

34. Los Angeles Chargers (from New England) | Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

McConkey is the prototypical slot receiver who can work a variety of routes to move the chains. While he’s never going to be a deep-ball threat, the former Bulldogs star has 4.39 speed and the footwork to match.

At Georgia, the 6’0″, 186-pounder was a three-year starter, catching 119 passes for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns, consistently getting open alongside tight end Brock Bowers. Look for him to rack up significant targets and catches immediately at the pro level.

35. Atlanta Falcons (from Arizona) | Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson

Orhorhoro is an intriguing prospect who spent five years at Clemson. At 294 pounds, Orhorhoro will help anchor the interior defensive line for the Falcons after notching 12 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss with the Tigers. 

36. Washington Commanders | Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

If anybody challenges Murphy II as the best defensive tackle in this class, it’s Newton. The former Illini star was a three-year starter and four-season contributor, finishing his college career as the Big Ten’s Player of the Year.

As a starter, Newton totaled 16.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss. He has displayed explosiveness in the trenches, and at 304 pounds, that must continue for him to succeed inside at the NFL level. Ultimately, the tape and traits were too good for the Commanders to pass up.

37. New England Patriots (from L.A Chargers) | Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

Polk was thought by some to be a first-round pick but landed early on Day 2. The Washington product was unsung his first three collegiate years but broke out in 2023 with 69 receptions, 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns.

38. Tennessee Titans | T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

The Texas product was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. On the field, Sweat registered five sacks in five years with the Longhorns. He’s talented, but there are unanswered questions.

39. Los Angeles Rams (from Carolina through N.Y Giants) | Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

Fiske continues the Seminoles’ trend for Los Angeles. The Rams are beefing up the defensive line after Aaron Donald’s retirement by adding Fiske, who had six sacks each of the past two years. 

40. Philadelphia Eagles (from Washington through Chicago) | Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

DeJean might be one of the more unheralded stars of this class, but he shouldn’t be. A two-year starter with the Hawkeyes, DeJean was a playmaker at safety and corner at 203 pounds.

Between 2022 to ’23, DeJean had seven interceptions, three of which were returned for scores. He offers a ton of versatility to the Eagles both defensively and as a special teams weapon, giving him added value in the early going. He’s a unique talent with major upside.

41. New Orleans Saints (from Green Bay through N.Y Jets) | Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

First off, an amazing name. On that alone, McKinstry should have been the first player off the board. Alas, he ended up going in the second round as one of this crop’s elite corners alongside Nate Wiggins, Cooper DeJean and former teammate Terrion Arnold.

With the Crimson Tide, McKinstry started two years and was one of the nation’s top shutdown corners, helping Alabama maintain national prominence. At 5’11”, 199 pounds, he offers good size to accompany excellent agility.

42. Houston Texans (from Minnesota) | Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

Lassiter fits a need for the Texans opposite Derek Stingley Jr. The former Georgia star is only 186 pounds but can help around the line as well, posting 8.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.

43. Arizona Cardinals (from Atlanta) | Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

Melton is a fascinating prospect. He can play both in the slot and on the boundary, giving coach Jonathan Gannon versatility. He’ll be a nice fit in Arizona’s defensive youth movement.

44. Las Vegas Raiders | Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

During his three years with the Ducks, Powers-Johnson played all over the place. On the offensive line, he started games at each of the three interior positions with the majority of his work at center.

Powers-Johnson also started a game at defensive tackle in 2021, only two years before winning the Rimington Award for the nation’s top center. At 328 pounds, he’s a mauler on the inside who should have an immediate impact for the Raiders.

45. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans through Denver) | Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

A three-year starter for the Aggies, Cooper totaled 203 tackles over that span while posting eight sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 2023. At 230 pounds, Cooper ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the combine.

46. Carolina Panthers (from Indianapolis) | Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

The grade isn’t a reflection on Brooks, but the Panthers’ decision-making. Carolina already employs Miles Sanders, won two games last year and decided to trade away capital for a running back who ran for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

47. New York Giants (from Seattle) | Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

Nubin is the first safety off the board, and he helps the Giants replace Xavier McKinney. The Minnesota product played five years with the Golden Gophers, amassing 13 interceptions.

48. Jacksonville Jaguars | Maason Smith, DT, LSU

Smith joins a defensive front in Jacksonville that’s suddenly teeming with talent. The Jaguars retained Josh Allen, signed Arik Armstead, and now have Smith, who had 2.5 sacks for LSU in 2023.

49. Cincinnati Bengals | Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

Jenkins will play inside for Cincinnati alongside free-agent signing Sheldon Rankins. At Michigan, the 299-pounder played in 37 games across three years, notching 4.5 sacks.

50. Washington Commanders (from Philadelphia through New Orleans) | Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

Sainristil will help Washington in the secondary, a group that was beleaguered in 2023. With the Wolverines, the 5’9″, 182-pounder is undersized and only ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, but his ball skills are elite. Last season, Sainristil had six interceptions. 

51. Pittsburgh Steelers | Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

Frazier is arguably the second-best center in this class, only behind Jackson Powers-Johnson. With the Mountaineers, Frazier started two years. At 313 pounds, he has ideal size for the pivot.

52. Indianapolis Colts (from Carolina through L.A. Rams) | Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

After playing his first two collegiate seasons at Georgia, Mitchell transferred to Texas and enjoyed his best season. He played in 14 games, catching 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Coming into the NFL, the knock on Mitchell is his focus and consistency from a down-to-down perspective. But at 6’2″ and 205 pounds, along with 4.34 speed, he’s a tantalizing prospect.

53. Washington Commanders (from Philadelphia) | Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State

Sinnott is the second tight end off the board behind Brock Bowers. The 6’4″, 250-pounder started two seasons, catching 80 passes for 1,123 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’ll be a security blanket for fellow rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

54. Cleveland Browns | Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State

Hall is an intriguing prospect. The Ohio State talent wasn’t overly productive for the Buckeyes, only totaling 45 tackles and six sacks. Can he find himself at the next level?

55. Miami Dolphins | Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

Paul is a mountain of a man. With Houston, Paul started 44 games and was a two-time captain, playing left tackle and showcasing excellent pass-blocking technique. He’s likely the long-term replacement for Terron Armstead.

56. Dallas Cowboys | Marshawn Kneeland, Edge, Western Michigan

Kneeland is a bigger edge rusher at 267 pounds, and will join a loaded defensive line alongside Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. A four-year contributor with the Broncos, Kneeland racked up 28 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama

Braswell is the second edge rusher from Alabama, following Dallas Turner at No. 17 overall. With the Crimson Tide, Braswell totaled 8.5 sacks in 2023, alongside 42 tackles. At 6’3″ and 251 pounds, he has ideal size off the corner.

58. Green Bay Packers | Javon Bullard, S, Georgia

The Packers desperately needed to fix the back end of their secondary this offseason, and started the process by signing Xavier McKinney. Now, with the addition of Bullard, the transformation at safety is complete.

59. Houston Texans | Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

Fisher is a bizarre fit at first glance for the Texans, who already have Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil. That said, Fisher should fill out his frame (he’s only 310 pounds) and become a starter soon enough. The question is how quickly he develops, and if he’s a quick study, does Howard move inside?

60. Buffalo Bills | Cole Bishop, S, Utah

A three-year starter, Bishop filled a variety of roles. He played near the line, amassing 21.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also has 4.45 speed, allowing him to roam as a center fielder.

61. Detroit Lions | Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

After taking Terrion Arnold in the first round, the Lions doubled down on the secondary with Rakestraw, a prospect some thought would go in the first round. Detroit is wisely remaking its perimeter coverage.

62. Baltimore Ravens | Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington

After trading right tackle Morgan Moses to the Jets this offseason, Baltimore had to backfill the position while getting younger. General manager Eric DeCosta did just that with Rosengarten, who comes to the NFL at 6’5″ and 308 pounds.

63. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco) | Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

Suamataia is a pick that fits both need and best-available for the Chiefs. After taking a first-round receiver, Kansas City needed to give Patrick Mahomes a blindside protector. Suamataia checks in at 326 pounds, and will compete to start right away.

64. San Francisco 49ers (from Kansas City) | Renardo Green, CB, Florida State

Green comes in and gives San Francisco someone who could start immediately, or potentially replace Charvarius Ward should he walk in free agency after the 2024 season. With Green, the Niners are getting a corner who had just one interception over five seasons.

Third Round

65. New York Jets (from Carolina) | Malachi Corley, WR, Western Michigan

Corley goes to the Jets as the first pick of the third round. New York is adding a 215-pound receiver who got ample work on quick throws around the line of scrimmage. With the Hilltoppers, Corley caught 253 passes over the past three seasons.

66. Arizona Cardinals | Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

The Cardinals continue to build around Kyler Murray with their hoard of picks, this time taking Benson, an electric weapon out of the backfield. At the combine, Benson ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. He had 2,267 scrimmage yards over two years with the Seminoles.

67. Washington Commanders | Brandon Coleman, OT, TCU

Coleman joins an offensive line that has brought in new members over the last few years, including tackle Andrew Wylie and guard Nick Allegretti. Coleman comes into the NFL at 313 pounds and could reduce inside to play guard.

68. New England Patriots | Caedan Wallace, OT, Penn State

Playing right tackle, Wallace is a bit of a project. The big question is whether he can kick quickly enough to stay at tackle. The Patriots need an improved line for Drake Maye, and this is an effort in that vein.

69. Los Angeles Chargers | Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

Colson fills a clear need for the Chargers, who desperately need to restock their second level after watching Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray Jr. depart in the offseason. At Michigan, Colson could cover while also screaming downhill against the run.

70. New York Giants | Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky

Phillips is the second secondary pick for the Giants, who are adding to last year’s move of taking Deonte Banks in the first round. Phillips can play inside or out, and brings physicality at 190 pounds.

71. Arizona Cardinals (from Tennessee) | Isaiah Adams, G, Illinois

Adams is a mauler up front, and gives Arizona some nastiness on the interior. With the Illini, he was a team captain and a two-year starter, giving him experience to bring into the desert.

72. Carolina Panthers (from N.Y Jets) | Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

Wallace is going to a Carolina defense which has been completely remade this offseason, highlighted by the signings of Josey Jewell, A’Shawn Robinson and D.J. Wonnum and Jadeveon Clowney among others. At Kentucky, Wallace had 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in three seasons.

73. Dallas Cowboys (from Minnesota through Detroit) | Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State

Beebe upgrades the offensive front for Dallas, one of many groups that saw defections in free agency this winter. At Kansas State, Beebe started 48 games with most of them coming at guard.

74. Atlanta Falcons | Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington

Trice gives the Falcons some pass rush, something they desperately needed after finishing near—or at—the bottom in many of those metrics. Trice is a third-team All-American who had seven sacks in 2023.

75. Chicago Bears | Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale

Amegadjie gives the Bears a prospect who has a chance to become a bookend on the line opposite of last year’s first-round pick, Darnell Wright. At Yale, Amegadjie started 24 games.

76. Denver Broncos | Jonah Elliss, Edge, Utah

Elliss fills one of many needs for coach Sean Payton and the Broncos, who released Frank Clark and Randy Gregory in the middle of the 2023 campaign. Last season at Utah, Elliss notched 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

77. Las Vegas Raiders | Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland

After taking Powers-Johnson in the second round, Glaze is being picked to potentially fill in the right side. Glaze could also kick inside and play as a guard, potentially giving the Raiders a strong interior after years of struggling there.

78. Houston Texans (from Philadelphia through Washington and Seattle) | Calen Bullock, S, USC

Bullock joins a young, talented secondary in Houston. The Texans already have Derek Stingley Jr. and second-round pick Kamari Lassiter, along with safety Jalen Pitre. Adding a versatile chess piece in Bullock gives coach DeMeco Ryans ample options.

79. Indianapolis Colts (from Arizona and Atlanta through Jacksonville) | Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh

Goncalves is 327 pounds and goes to Indianapolis as someone who could provide immediate, quality depth and even challenge for a starting spot. The Colts are trying to load up on offense around second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.

80. Cincinnati Bengals | Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama

Burton is a talented kid who produces across four years with Georgia and Alabama. The big question is whether he’s an off-field issue, something which has been a conversation around him throughout the pre-draft process. He could eventually replace Tee Higgins.

81. Seattle Seahawks (from New Orleans through Denver) | Christian Haynes, OG, UConn

Haynes is a mountain at 6’3″ and 317 pounds who started 49 games at Connecticut. He should start immediately for the Seahawks, who already have a pair of young starting tackles in Charles Cross and Abe Lucas. 

82. Arizona Cardinals (from Indianapolis) | Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois

The Cardinals added their fourth offensive pick of the first three rounds, bringing in a depth piece behind Trey McBride. Reiman only had 420 yards in his career with the Illini, making him a developmental project.

83. Los Angeles Rams | Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

Corum was one of college’s best running backs last year, and now joins a terrific backfield headlined by Kyren Williams. At Michigan, Corum ran for 2,708 yards and 45 touchdowns over the past two years.

84. Pittsburgh Steelers | Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

Wilson is a steal at this point in the draft. He was a standout in Mobile at the Senior Bowl throughout the week, and with Michigan, caught 48 passes for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns for the national-champion Wolverines in 2023.

85. Cleveland Browns | Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan

At 6’6″ and 309 pounds, Zinter is a terrific athlete who can maul in the run game. He’s coming off a nasty injury where he broke both the tibia and fibula on his left leg, but so long as he bounces back, Zinter can be a starter in short order. 

86. San Francisco 49ers (from Houston through Philadelphia) | Dominick Puni, OT, Kansas

Puni is a tackle who could push Colton McKivitz on the right side for San Francisco, but will more likely reduce down inside. He’s a good athlete who started 40 games for the Jayhawks.

• All 49ers: More on San Francisco’s third-round pick

87. Dallas Cowboys | Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame

Liufau is a bit of a surprise here, as many thought he’d be a Day 3 pick. However, he’s a two-year starter from Notre Dame who amassed 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks over that span.

88. Green Bay Packers | MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC

Lloyd is a pick that, in a vacuum, doesn’t make much sense. The Packers have AJ Dillon and signed Josh Jacobs to a four-year deal. At USC, Lloyd ran for 18 touchdowns over the past two years. 

89. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tykee Smith, S, Georgia

The Buccaneers are hoping to get versatility out of Smith, who could play in the slot or as a safety. With the Bulldogs, the 202-pounder recorded 98 tackles over the past two seasons.

90. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston) | Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College

Jones had five interceptions last year for the Eagles, and he comes to Arizona as a nickel corner. The Cardinals had a myriad of holes entering this draft, but with six picks in the first 90 selections, Arizona has made vast improvements.

91. Green Bay Packers (from Buffalo) | Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri

For the second time in four selections, the Packers targeted the second level of their defense. Hopper transferred from Florida after three years before recording 19.5 tackles for loss with the Tigers.

92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Detroit) | Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

McMillan is a slot receiver who has good size at 197 pounds. He’s the third Wahsington wideout to go off the board with Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk preceding him. In Tampa Bay, he’ll join forces with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

93. Baltimore Ravens | Adisa Isaac, Edge, Penn State

Isaac is a fantastic get at this point in the draft. Despite being overshadowed by Chop Robinson, Isaac was terrific throughout Senior Bowl week and Baltimore has an excellent staff that will put him in position to succeed off the edge.

94. Philadelphia Eagles (from San Francisco) | Jalyx Hunt, Edge, Houston Christian

Hunt comes from the Southland Conference, where he totaled 13.5 sacks over the past two years. With the Eagles, he joins a loaded group with Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat and Nolan Smith coming off the edge.

95. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City) | DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke

Carter is a nice find late in the third round. Carter had 5.5 sacks for the Blue Devils in 2023, and should pair nicely with Ed Oliver in the coming years. He’s a powerful force who can push the pocket.

96. Jacksonville Jaguars | Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State

Jones is another nickel corner who will try to help the sieve that was Jacksonville’s passing defense. An All-ACC honorable mention, the five-year collegian had three interceptions for the Seminoles in 2023.

97. Cincinnati Bengals | McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M

The Bengals have been doing nothing but drafting on the lines save for Burton in the third round. Jackson is a run-stuffer who essentially replaces D.J. Reader, who left in free agency to join the Lions.

98. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Philadelphia) | Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

Wilson was rated as a potentially first-round talent, but injuries pushed him a few rounds. For Pittsburgh, he comes in as a special teams contributor who will push for a bigger role. At NC State, Wilson played in 47 games and notched 48 tackles for loss.

99. Los Angeles Rams | Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami

At 203 pounds, Kinchens doesn’t have great speed. However, he’s instinctual and that trait is all over his film. At Miami, Kinchens nabbed 11 interceptions over the last two years.

100. Washington Commanders (from San Francisco) | Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice

The Commanders already have Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, but are adding another receiver for their new quarterback. At Rice, McCaffrey caught 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 19 touchdowns after changing positions from quarterback.