NFL Draft Predictions: What to expect on Day 2
Night 1 and the first round are officially in the books. While last nights edition of NFL Draft predictions didn’t seem to get off to a promising start, I actually hit on most of them. Anyway, there is much intrigue heading into day 2, so here’s what I think will happen.
We will see the first TE drafted.
This TE class hasn’t been give a great reputation, and it definitely isn’t a great class. Only one was mentioned as a possible 1st rounder last night, which was Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet. I think he is the most complete TE in this class, so he would be my bet to be the first one off the board. I would also expect to possibly see Dayton’s Adam Trautman, Purdue’s Brycen Hopkins, and Florida Atlantic’s Harrison Bryant. Teams may also reach a bit for UCLA’s Devin Asiasi, Washington’s Hunter Bryant, Missouri’s Albert Okwuegbunam.
There will be a run on running backs.
Only one RB, LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, was drafted in the first round. I would expect this run (no pun intended) to come somewhere in the 2nd round. Wisconsin’s Johnathan Taylor, Georgia’s D’Andre Swift, and Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins we possibilities in Round 1 and are prime candidates. Others you may see involved are Florida State’s Cam Akers and Utah’s Zack Moss.
There will be a run on defensive linemen.
Similarly, there is a lot of defensive line talent left. TCU’s Ross Blacklock and Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa slid out of the first round and highlight the group. There are too many other interior DL players I expect to see picked for me to list them all. I’ll say, besides the two I’ve mentioned, look for Auburn’s Marlon Davidson, Oklahoma’s Neville Gallimore, and Missouri’s Jordan Elliott.
There are also many good edge rushers left. Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos fell out of the first round. Some of my other favorites are Utah’s Bradlee Anae, Michigan’s Josh Uche, Boise State’s Curtis Weaver, and Tennessee’s Darrell Taylor. Look for them along with several others.
Someone will reach for a player expected to go much later.
It happens every year. Many times with multiple teams. Last year, the Lions did it twice with Jehlani Tavai and Will Harris. Seattle also did it with L.J. Collier in the 1st and Cody Barton on Day 2. Cincinnati took TE Drew Sample. This year, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear McTelvin Agim, Jason Strowbridge, and Kenny Willekes this early.
We will see our first trades involving veteran players.
A few veterans have requested trades from their current teams, but the teams have been holding out for better compensation. These complicated deals usually start to come to fruition on Day 2 if they are going to happen at all. Expect reports surrounding disgruntled veterans to start heating up.
Project QBs will be taken.
Jalen Hurts, Jacob Eason, and even Jake Fromm were all mentioned as candidates to sneak into round 1. While it didn’t happen, they are virtual locks for Day 2. Teams seem to be highest on Hurts, but the others are just as good, if not better, in my opinion. Florida International’s James Morgan and Washington State’s Anthony Gordon have a chance of sneaking in as well.
Jalen Hurts will be the first QB taken tonight.
Like I said, it seems like teams are higher on him than the other QBs. While I’m not very high on him, he does possess certain traits that make him appealing to NFL teams, specifically his athleticism and running ability. I’m very skeptic of him, but there seems to be enough interest. Would not surprise me if the Patriots used one of there several picks tot ake him tonight.
Johnathan Taylor will be the first RB taken.
One of the easier NFL Draft predictions for me. He’s probably my favorite RB in this class. I would take him on my team instantly. It could end up being Dobbins, Swift, or someone else, but I’ll go with Taylor.
A.J. Epenesa will be the first DL taken.
Epenesa was once expected to be a top 10 pick. He’s a great player, and teams in need of DL help should sprint to the “podium” to draft him. He has the versatility to play both DT and DE. At DE, he’s a steady edge-stopper who will do his job. At DT, he’s a bit undersized but would provide an interior pass rush that’s hard to match. A very intriguing Day 2 prospect.
Denzel Mims will be the first WR taken.
Michael Pittman, Tee Higgins, and Laviska Shenault will challenge this, but I chose Mims because I found myself screaming at my TV for teams to pick him last night. He’s been rising up boards all offseason. With size (6’3″) and speed (4.38 40), he instantly makes an offense better. That size also makes him a viable red-zone threat.
We will see more trades.
There were 4 trades (as I predicted) in round 1. The middle rounds seem to often be an area where teams will flip around quite a bit. The Patriots are well known for using this day to their advantage and have several picks on Day 2. Also, as I mentioned earlier, it’s a day where we tend to see the start of some veteran movement. Expect more action.
There will be a run on offensive linemen.
While there were several offensive tackles taken on Night 1, Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz was the only interior offensive lineman taken. As a result, there are many quality interior guys left. Most will probably last into the 3rd round, but you will see LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry, Damien Lewis, Temple’s Matt Hennessy, and possibly Louisiana’s Robert Hunt. Tackles you will see are Houston’s Josh Jones and Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland.
Those are my NFL Draft predictions for day 2. Enjoy the 2nd and 3rd rounds.