NFL Draft Predictions - Second and Third Round Mock Draft (2024)

36. Washington Commanders - Cooper DeJean - CB, Iowa

Here comes DeJean, a defensive dynamo with skills across the board that are just too good to ignore. Whether it's at cornerback, in the slot, or at safety, this guy can do it all and make it look effortless. He turns every area he covers into a showcase of his abilities. Washington is on a mission to solidify their team with players who not only have talent but also bring a strong character to the table, and DeJean fits that bill perfectly—a true difference-maker. It's honestly surprising that he slipped out of the first round given his caliber.

37. Los Angeles Chargers - Jer'Zhan Newton - DT, Illinois

If you haven't caught on to Jim Harbaugh's vision of tough, physical football in Los Angeles, you should tune in. Newton might have flown under the radar a bit during the NFL Combine due to a minor injury, but don’t be fooled—his performance in 2023 was outstanding, with 43 total pressures and 8 sacks, as per the stats wizards at PFF. Finding an interior defensive lineman who can consistently pressure the quarterback like Newton is a rare gem. Usually, players of his caliber demand a hefty price tag in free agency.

38. Tennessee Titans - Edgerrin Cooper - LB, Texas A&M

GM Ran Carthon has pushed the Titans' chips into the middle of the table this offseason, leveraging the financial wiggle room that QB Will Levis’ rookie contract offers to beef up the roster elsewhere. It’s a solid play, especially if Levis starts living up to his hype. Fresh off picking OT Joe Alt in Round 1 -- a move that shores up their offensive line -- the Titans dive into the defensive pool, snagging the first safety off the board. They’re rolling the dice on Cooper, a budding talent in the linebacker spot who’s got a knack for hunting down quarterbacks. And with the recent trade acquisition of CB L'Jarius Sneed, it's obvious: Tennessee is itching to revive its reputation for rock-solid defense.

39. Los Angeles Rams (from CAR through NYG) - Ladd McConkey - WR, Georgia

TRADE ALERT. Rams receive: 39. Carolina receives: 52, 99, 155

The Rams keep beefing up their offensive lineup, and grabbing McConkey could be their eventual move to fill Cooper Kupp’s shoes. He's a jack-of-all-trades receiver, super dynamic when he gets the ball. Picture him in LA's setup, moving around everywhere, with Sean McVay dialing up plays—that's a nightmare for defenses.

WR’s still sitting out there:

Adonai Mitchell
Keon Coleman
Ladd McConkey
Ja’lynn Polk
Jalen McMillan
Troy Franklin
Brenden Rice
Roman Wilson
Javon Baker
Devontez Walker
Malachi Corley#Steelers #NFL

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) April 26, 2024

40. Washington Commanders (from Chicago) - Kingsley Suamatai - OT, BYU

Washington snagged this pick when it dealt edge-rusher Montez Sweat right before last year's trade deadline. The Commanders are looking at a roster with gaps wider than the Grand Canyon, so it’s time to stack up on solid talent. Enter Suamataia, the cousin of Lions right tackle Penei Sewell. He's still developing as a pass blocker, but has the potential to be a really good pro.

41. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ) - Kool-Aid McKinstry - CB, Alabama

The Jags need to continue to surround their QB Trevor Lawrence with plenty of talent and McConkey is certainly that. Injuries kept him off the field for a good bit during his college career, but there's no denying his ability to be a quarterback's best friend.

42. Houston Texans (from Minnesota) - Junior Colson - LB, Michigan

NFL Draft Picks No. 43-52 - Will There Be Another QB off the Board?

43. Atlanta Falcons - Ennis Rakestraw Jr. - CB, Missouri

Several mock drafts projected Rakestraw going in the first round, but he doesn't quite match the blazing speed of the top corners in the league. Still, Rakestraw brings a gritty, hardworking attitude to the cornerback position, handling his duties with precision. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah is a big fan of Rakestraw. I don't know what the heck the Falcons were thinking in Round 1, but they can make up for it a little bit here.

44. Las Vegas Raiders - T.J. Tampa - CB, Iowa State

The Raiders are facing gaps across their roster and must start filling them with quality players, especially in a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Tampa is a cornerback known for his length and physicality, a perfect match for the defensive style favored by new head coach Antonio Pierce.

45. New Orleans Saints (from DEN) - Marshawn Kneeland - DE, Western Michigan

There's a vacancy for a havoc-wreaking pass rusher along the Saints' defensive line and enter Kneeland. Don’t let the small-school tag fool you; this dude’s engine is always revved up, packed with potential that could turn up the Saints' defense. Another one of draft guru, Dane Brugler's favorite players in the draft.

46. Indianapolis Colts – Troy Franklin - WR, Oregon

It's no secret that GM Chris Ballard loves his combine warriors and their offense could use an additional deep threat for what QB Anthony Richardson does best: launch that football to the moon. Here comes Franklin, a blazing-fast playmaker who set Oregon's offense on fire in 2023. He racked up impressive stats with 81 receptions, 1,383 yards, and 14 touchdowns, averaging 17.1 yards per catch. His yards per routes run at 3.32 shows he's not just a player but a highlight reel waiting to happen. Pairing him with WRs Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs could make for a nightmare trio that keeps NFL defenses on their toes.

Big Draft wants you to believe Troy Franklin isn’t good.

Resist Big Draft. pic.twitter.com/RmDit1tzr8

— Christian Williams (@CWilliamsNFL) April 22, 2024

47. New York Giants (from SEA) – Payton Wilson - LB, N.C. State

The only real knock on Wilson is his prior injury history, as he suffered a torn ACL in high school and one during his sophomore year in college. The silver lining is it's already baked into the price. With a clean bill of health, Wilson is probably a Top 20 pick. The Giants could use another playmaker on that side of the ball.

48. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mike Sainristil - CB, Michigan

One of the toughest and smartest players in this year's class, Sainristil was considered the team captain at Michigan and a huge part of why they won the National Championship. The Jaguars need help in their secondary badly. Sainristil is best suited as a nickel but has the versatility to be a vital piece of the Jags' secondary. He had an impressive six INTs in 2023, and always seems to be around the ball. This is a nice follow-up after trading back and still snagging WR Brian Thomas Jr. in Round 1.

49. Cincinnati Bengals – Roman Wilson – WR, Michigan

Get ready for the wide receiver wave! Quite a few of these players hung around longer than expected, but some of the teams they landed with didn’t seem like the best fit. The Bengals are in a bit of a dilemma with Tee Higgins and his future. It might be wise for them to capitalize on his value now to bolster other areas of their team. Trying to manage big contracts for QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja'Marr Chase, and Higgins all at once isn’t the most financially sound move, even if it's not what Bengals fans want to hear.

The 2nd-round WR group is LOADED. Ladd McConkey, AD Mitchell, Keon Coleman, Malachi Corley, Ja'Lynn Polk, Troy Franklin, Roman Wilson, etc. WR is the new RB. Maybe use high picks on LT, and wait on WR.

— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) April 26, 2024

50. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) - Zach Frazier - C, West Virginia

After the retirement of C Jason Kelce, the Eagles need to keep reloading in the trenches. Frazier is a former state champion wrestler who loves to get down and dirty. As usual, GM Howie Roseman continues to crush his drafts.

51. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ja'Lynn Polk - WR, Washington

Polk has been rising up draft boards of late and had a solid career at Washington. While he benefitted from playing opposite star WR Rome Odunze, I'm told a lot of teams like Polk. After sending away Diontae Johnson to the Panthers, this pick makes too much sense for Pittsburgh.

52. Carolina Panthers (from LAR) – Kris Jenkins - DT, Michigan

NFL Draft Picks No. 53-64 - Who Else Goes off the Board?

53. Philadelphia Eagles – Kiran Amegadjie - OT, Yale

54. Cleveland Browns - Jonah Elliss - Edge, Utah

55. Miami Dolphins – Malachi Corley - WR, Western Kentucky

56. Dallas Cowboys – Jonathon Brooks - RB, Texas

57. Tampa Bay Bucs – Adisa Isaac - Edge, Penn State

58. Green Bay Packers – Braden Fiske - DT, Florida State

59. Houston Texans - Bradon Dorlus - DT, Oregon

60. Buffalo Bills - Jaden Hicks - S, Washington State

61. Detroit Lions – Chris Braswell - Edge, Alabama

62. Baltimore Ravens – Blake Fisher - OT, Notre Dame

63. San Francisco 49ers – Max Melton – CB, Rutgers

64. Kansas City Chiefs – Andru Phillips - CB, Kentucky

 

Conclusion

I hope you are enjoying NFL Draft weekend so far and it's an overall showcase of offensive powerhouses, where fantasy football dreams are born and the next NFL stars emerge.

As we count down to this football extravaganza, let's not just watch from the sidelines. Let's dive deep into draft discussions, explore the possibilities, and get ready to meet the future faces of the league. The 2024 NFL Draft isn't just an event; it's the beginning of an exciting new chapter in football history.

Do you have any thoughts or hot takes on the mock draft picks? Drop me a line on X, and let's dive into the debate. And remember, RotoBaller has you covered for all things NFL, year-round. Here's to making this draft season one to remember and starting off with a bang! Thanks for joining in, and let's make it an unforgettable year!

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