Fewer trades. Less drama. An eventful evening nonetheless, despite all the pre-draft smoke and mirrors.
Here's a look at how Day 1 unfolded for the New England Patriots, other notable selections around the NFL and the best players available headed into Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
New England Stands Pat
The Patriots staved off last-ditch efforts by the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings to land their man Drake Maye with the No.3 overall selection. While quarterback was the choice all along, there was much suspense surrounding the pick leading up to the draft. The North Carolina gunslinger should be a good fit with New England offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt who runs an RPO, west-coast-orientated offense. It has been an arduous process for the Pats, who exhausted every option, meeting with all the premier quarterback prospects during the past four months. Early discussions about how the season may open would seem to indicate that Maye will likely open Week 1 behind vet Jacoby Brissett, until he is ready to hop in the saddle. There is sure to be plenty of optimism in Foxborough heading into rookie camp next month.
Patriots Day 2 Targets
For scouting reports on 125+ prospects and a further breakdown of individual player rankings, be sure to check out the BSJ primer series:
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Offensive Tackles | Guards | Centers
Defensive Tackles | Edge Rushers | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties
New England holds the No.34 and No.68 overall selections heading into Day 2 of the NFL Draft, with their two biggest needs being offensive tackle and wideout. However, a total of seven receivers were chosen on Day 1 and Buffalo is also expected to take a wide receiver with the No.33 selection. Top wideouts remaining on the board include Keon Coleman (Florida State), Ladd McConkey (Georgia) and Adonai Mitchell (Texas).
Not to be outdone, offensive tackles flew off the board in fast and furious fashion with a grand total of eight selected, leaving the cupboard bare. Potential round three prospects who could slide would be Dominick Puni (Kansas), Roger Rosengarten (Washington) and Christian Jones (Texas). What makes the NFL Draft so fascinating are the different philosophies. If the Pats opt to stick to the 'best player available' model, there are various intriguing options.
Due to their medicals, first-round talents such as Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson, Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean and Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry all remain on the board. These players project as high-level starters but come with some risk. Another draft mystery surrounds Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. Should he last to pick No.68, there's a serious discussion to be had about drafting the toughest man to block in this year's draft class.
There is sure to be more moving and shaking throughout the evening. Check out the BSJ First Round Live Tracker to get caught up with all the Patriots latest draft news!
More NFL Day 1 Musings
Here are some quick takeaways from around the league …
The Bears are suddenly contenders. With Caleb Williams as the new face of the franchise and the most stacked wide receiver corps in the (NFL) – which now includes Washington rookie Rome Odunze, newly acquired six-time Pro Bowl selection Keenan Allen, plus another 1,000-yard receiver in DJ Moore – Chicago is right up there with the Chiefs, 49ers, Dolphins as far as owning the most high-octane offense goes.
Many were shocked by the Falcons selection of Michael Penix Jr. but it makes sense when you consider the fact that Kirk Cousins has one lone playoff victory in 12 seasons. A competent signal-caller who can certainly keep his club in ball games on any given Sunday, Cousins can only take an organization so far. Kudos to general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Rahemm Morris for recognizing the superior upside of Penix Jr.
The biggest steal on offense would have to go to the Raiders, who shrewdly nabbed tight end Brock Bowers, a top-five overall talent at pick No.13. Las Vegas didn’t get caught up in the notion that they just invested a second-round pick in Michael Mayer the previous draft. This was the best move to set up Antonio Pierce for success in a division that includes a Mount Rushmore of head coaches with Andy Reid (Chiefs), Sean Payton (Broncos) and Jim Harbaugh(Chargers).
On defense, the Eagles got exceptional value when Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell fell into their laps with the No.22 overall selection. A physical, feisty press cover-man, Mitchell will fit in nicely with the Vic Fangio-led defense in Philadelphia. The Eagles enter 2024 with high expectations and head coach Nick Siriannai riding a sizzling hot seat! A fresh body to inject into the secondary alongside aging veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry, along with injury-riddled Avonte Maddox was big.
Towards the end of the first round, we saw some exceptional fits line up. The term grit gets tossed around frequently in Motown, which drew a massive crowd of 150,000-plus fans on Thursday night. There may not be a grittier player in this year;’s draft than Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, who seems like a perfect fit for Detroit and reunites with former Crimson Tide secondary mate Brian Branch. Get used to seeing the Lions atop the standings, this team is built to last.
No head coach in the NFL would possibly be able to make better use of Missouri monster Darius Robinson than Cardinals headman Jonathan Gannon. The creative ways he has shown to mix and match his defensive line makes the addition of Robinson intriguing, as the big body chameleon can easily jump inside-out along the defensive line. He does a fantastic job setting the edge against the run and can also apply pressure on the quarterback when asked to do so.
Is anyone surprised that the Chiefs somehow finagled a way to land the fastest man in the draft with their trade-up for Texas wideout Xavier Worthy? Word is that the recent legal troubles that have landed star receiver Rashee Rice in hot water will ultimately lead to a suspension. Kansas City was thin to begin with at the wideout spot. Can Patrick Mahomes-to-Worthy become a more dangerous pitch-and-catch tandem than Mahomes-to-Tyreek Hill … Getcha popcorn ready!
Below are the best players remaining as we enter Day 2 of the NFL Draft in Detroit, Michigan (Previous selections in bold/parenthesis).
Best Available Players
Caleb Williams, QB, USC [Rd.1 No.1 – Bears]
Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State [Rd.1 No.4 – Cardinals]
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia [Rd.1 No.13 – Raiders]
Joe Alt, Jr, OT, Notre Dame [Rd.1 No.5 – Chargers]
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington [Rd1. No.9 - Bears]
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU [Rd.1 No.6 – Giants]
JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan [Rd1. No.10 – Vikings]
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington [Rd.1 No.8 - Falcons]
Jared Verse, ER, Florida State [Rd.1 No.19 - Rams]
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina [Rd.1 No.3 – Patriots]
Laiata Latu, ER, UCLA [Rd1.No.17 – Vikings]
Dallas Turner, ER, Alabama [Rd1. No.15 – Colts]
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State [Rd1. No.11 – Jets]
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo [Rd.1 No.22 - Eagles]
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU [Rd1. No.2 – Commanders]
Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas [Rd1. No.16 – Seahawks]
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State [Rd.1 No.14 – Saints]
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama [Rd.1 No.24 - Lions]
Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State
Graham Barton, C, Duke [Rd.1 No.26 - Buccaneers]
Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri [Rd.1 No.27 - Cardinals]
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington [Rd.1 No.20 - Steelers]
Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU [Rd.1 No.23 - Jaguars]
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia [Rd.1 No.18 - Bengals]
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas [Rd.1 No.28 - Chiefs]
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona [Rd.1 No.25 - Packers]
Chop Robinson, ER, Penn State [Rd.1 No.21 - Dolphins]
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon [Rd.1 No.12 – Broncos]
Cooper Beebe, OG, Kansas State
JC Latham, OT, Alabama [Rd1. No.7 – Titans]
Adonia Mitchell, WR, Texas
Marshawn Kneeland, ER, Colorado
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson [Rd.1 No.30 - Ravens]
Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
Chris Braswell, LB, Alabama
Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma [Rd.1 No.29 - Cowboys]
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina [Rd.1 No.32 - Panthers]
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Christian Haynes, OG, UConn
Bralen Trice, ER, Washington
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
Mike Sainristill, CB, Michigan
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Dominick Puni, OT, Kansas
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
Calen Bullock, S, USC
Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
Maason Smith, DT, LSU
Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida [Rd.1 No.31 - 49ers]
Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas
Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
Malik Washington, WR, Virginia
TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky
Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Jonah Ellis, ER, Utah
Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan
Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Brandon Coleman, OG, TCU
Cole Bishop, S, Utah
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
Adissa Isaac, ER, Penn State
Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Mohamed Kamara, ER,Colorado State
Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College
Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College
Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky
Christian Jones, OT, Texas
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
DJ James, CB, Auburn
Jalyx Hunt, ER, Houston Christian
Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State
Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
Josh Newton, CB, TCU
DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Austin Booker, ER, Kansas
Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State
Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee
Cedric Johnson, ER, Mississippi
Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
Curtis Jacobs, LB, Penn State
Brennan Jackson, ER, Washington State
Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan
Myles Cole, DT, Texas Tech
Tykee Smith, S, Georgia
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Javon Foster, OT, Missouri
Qwan’Tez Stiggers, CB, Toronto (CFL)
Xavier Thomas, ER, Clemson,
Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State
Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State,
Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
Matt Goncalves, OT, Pittsburgh
Gabriel Murphy, ER, UCLA
Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU
Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville
Mason McCormick, C, South Dakota State
Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
Sataoa Laumea, OG, Utah
Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest
Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami
Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale
Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington
Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
Erick All, TE, Iowa
Renardo Green, CB, Florida State
McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia
Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma
Javion Cohen, OG, Miami
Caedan Wallace, OT, Penn State
Jordan Magee, LB, Temple
Gabe Hall, DT, Baylor
Blake Watson, RB, Memphis
Jaylen Harrell, ER, Michigan
Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson
Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona
Ryan Watts, CB, Texas
Javon Baker, WR, UCF
Trey Taylor, S, Air Force
Jaden Crumedy, DT, Mississippi State
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
Jaylin Simpson, S, Auburn
Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa
JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame
Tylan Grable, OT, UCF
Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota
Jaheim Bell, TE, North Carolina State
Eric Watts, ER, UConn
Jalen Coker, WR, Holy Cross
Sione Vaki, S, Utah
Marcus Harris, DT, Auburn
Garrett Greenfield, OT, South Dakota State
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
Justin Eboigbe, DT, Alabama
Isaac Guerendo, RB, Lousiville
Layden Robinson, OG, Texas A&M
Javon Solomon, ER, Troy
Beanie Bishop Jr., CB, West Virginia
Myles Murphy, DT, North Carolina
Hunter Nourzad, C, Penn State
Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville
Ty’ron Hopper, LB, Missouri
Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
MJ Devonshire, CB, Pittsburgh
Dylan McMahon, C, North Carolina State
Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Jackson Sirmon, LB, California
Travis Glover, OT, Georgia State
Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas
Ryan Fournoy, WR, Southeast Missouri State
Isaiah Adams, OG, Illinois
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State
James Williams, LB, Miami
Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland
Tahj Washington, WR, USC
Braiden McGregor, ER, Michigan
Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota
Deantre Prince, CB, Mississippi
Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame
Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon
Drake Nugent, C, Michigan
Jowon Briggs, DT, Cincinnati
Tyler Owens, S, Texas Tech
Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Notre Dame
Tyrone Tracy, RB, Purdue
Frank Crum, OG, Wyoming
Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky
Willie Drew, CB, Virginia State
Bub Means, WR, Pittsburgh
Trajan Jeffcoat, ER, Arkansas
Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
Beau Brade, S, Maryland
Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee
Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas
Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland
Fabian Lovett Sr., DT, Florida State
Eyabi Okie-Anoma, ER, Charlotte
Jaden Shirden, RB, Monmouth
Cam Allen, S, Purdue
AJ Barner, TE, Michigan
Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
Julian Pearl, OG, Illinois
Devin Culp, TE, Washington
Zion Tupuola-Fetui, ER, Washington
Mason Tipton, WR, Yale
Charles Turner III, C, LSU
Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP
Johnny Dixon, CB, Penn State
Josh Proctor, S, Ohio State
Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State
KT Leveston, OG, Kansas State
Ethan Driskell, OT, Marshall
Demani Richardson, S, Texas A&M
Sundiata Anderson, ER, Grambling
Keith Randolph Jr., DT, Illinois
Keaton Bills, OG, Utah
Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn
Nelson Ceaser, ER, Houston
Jacob Monk, C, Duke
Lideatrick Griffin, WR, Mississippi State
Logan Lee, DT, Iowa
Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
Andre Sam, S, LSU
Zion Logue, DT, Georgia
Aaron Casey, LB, Indiana
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