NFL draft gets defensive in round two after Bills and Chargers get WRs early
Defense became the focus of the NFL draft on Friday night after a record 23 offensive players were selected in the first round.
The Atlanta Falcons, who shocked everyone by signing quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8, started the shift by moving up and taking Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro with the third pick of the second round.
“I cannot abandon them, and I will do everything in my willpower not to abandon them,” Orhorhoro said.
The Commanders then took Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, and a total of 20 defensive players went in a round that saw seven trades take place as teams were trading to get their man.
The Titans took a chance on Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat with the 38th pick after he was arrested for driving under the influence. Sweat visited Tennessee after the incident and new coach Brian Callahan, along with general manager Ran Carthon and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, went to his home to visit him and his family.
“We had some tough conversations while we were there,” Carthon said.
After Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske went to the Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles moved up to take Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean at No. 40. The Eagles made Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell the starting cornerback at No. 22 and the addition of DeJean strengthens a now crowded club. secondary, including Darius Slay and James Bradberry.
“All I wanted was an opportunity to play,” said DeJean, who was expected to be picked in the first round. “Obviously there was some frustration yesterday, but I’m excited about where I am today.”
DeJean started a run on cornerbacks and three more followed in a row. Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry went to New Orleans, Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter was selected by Houston and Arizona selected Rutgers’ Max Melton.
The third round was almost split, with 20 of the 37 picks being offensive players.
Day two started with the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers giving their star quarterbacks new wide receivers.
After making two trades and falling out of the first round, the Bills opened the second round by selecting Keon Coleman out of Florida State to give Josh Allen another playmaker who can help replace Stefon Diggs.
“He has everything you want in a quarterback,” Coleman said of Allen. “I like playing with him.”
The Chargers, who selected Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt over wideouts Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze with the fifth overall pick, traded up to take Georgia’s Ladd McConkey at No. 34. Justin Herbert will be counted on to fill the void following the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
“Just looking at his game, it comes easy to him,” McConkey said of Herbert. “He can make any throw. I’m excited to get out there, get into the rhythm with him, show him what I can do and earn his trust.
Seven wide receivers took the field Thursday night, tying a record for most in the first round. In the second four more went. The highest number of receivers drafted in the first two rounds is 13 in 2020.
New England selected Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk to make it 10 wide receivers in the top 37. Texas’ Adonai Mitchell became the 11th wideout when the Colts selected him at No. 52.
No quarterbacks were selected Friday after a record six went into the top 12 on Thursday, including five of the first eight picks.
The Bills raised a lot of eyebrows when they traded the 28th pick to AFC rival Kansas City, who defeated Xavier Worthy by a wide margin. Buffalo then dealt the 32nd pick to Carolina and watched the Panthers take wideout Xavier Legette.
But the Bills added a third-rounder and more draft capital and still ended up with a talented receiver in Coleman, who had a disappointing 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been caught from behind,” Coleman said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had the opportunity to not be able to run through someone. In fact, I don’t think there was ever just one DB who just sat there when I ran towards them. So that tells you pretty much everything you need to know.
The Raiders got a first-round talent at No. 44, selecting Oregon lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson.
Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper went to Green Bay before Jonathon Brooks became the first running back selected at No. 46 by Carolina.
The Giants got Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, the Jaguars took LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith and the Bengals selected Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins.
The Commanders, who received Nos. 50 and 53 from the Eagles in the deal for No. 40, selected Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil with the first of the two selections. They went with Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott at No. 53.
West Virginia center Zach Frazier went with the 51st pick to Pittsburgh, giving Russell Wilson more protection. They took lineman Troy Fautanu at No. 20 on Thursday.
The Browns made their first pick of the draft at No. 54 with Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. The Dolphins took Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul, and the Cowboys selected Western Michigan edge Marshawn Kneeland.
Alabama edge Chris Braswell went to Tampa Bay. The Packers got Georgia safety Javon Bullard. Houston added Notre Dame offensive tackle Blake Fisher.
Utah safety Cole Bishop was Buffalo’s pick at No. 60. The Lions selected Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as fans in Detroit roared as Hall of Famer Barry Sanders walked to the podium with the mayor to announce the pick. Washington offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten was selected by the Ravens.
The second round concluded with the Chiefs taking BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia and the 49ers selecting Florida State cornerback Renardo Green.
Highlights in the third round included three players from state champion Michigan playing in a row. The Rams took Wolverines running back Blake Corum at No. 83, the Steelers selected wide receiver Roman Wilson and the Browns selected guard Zak Zinter.
That prompted new Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh to sing Michigan’s fight song in the Los Angeles design room.