The first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft have been full of excitement, drawing over a half million attendees in downtown Detroit, as they prepare to break the all-time record of 600,000 set by the city of Nashville in 2019. Amongst the first 100 draft selections, New England has made three picks, with another five more on tap for the final day of festivities. Our 'Best Player Available' tracker can be found below but first a few thoughts from Day 2 and a look ahead to what Day 3 might have in store.
Day 2 Rewind
A much-anticipated trade finally arrived from New England. However, it didn't turn out to be a Day 1 blockbuster like many predicted. Instead, the Patriots wheeling and dealing began at the top of round two, as they moved back three spots from No.34-to-No.37, while acquiring an additional fourth round pick, No.110 from the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers used the selection to draft Georgia speed burner Ladd McConkey. While McConkey was projected as a potential first round pick, he is viewed more as a very strong complimentary wideout who will likely line up primarily in the slot.
New England still managed to land their target in wideout Jalen Polk of Washington in the third round. A lengthy, physical target who excels in winning the contested catch, Polk projects as a boundary, or ‘X’ receiver in the Patriots offense, something they sorely lack. While Polk ran a pedestrian forty-yard dash time of 4.52, his ten-yard split of 1.52, along with a 37.5” vertical jump and 10-9 broad jump demonstrates the type of explosion he possesses. Polk is expected to compete for a starting job immediately.
With the No.68 overall pick, New England addressed another major need with their selection of Penn State right tackle Caeden Wallace. A combination of massive size, sound technique and great experience, Wallace owns the traits to develop into a solid contributor. A former New Jersey state champion wrestler and track standout, he demonstrates great hand placement and adequate lateral quickness. Wallace opted out of the bench press at both the combine and pro day, so he may need to enhance his strength when making the transition to the next level. With 40 collegiate starts under his belt, look for Wallace to be a rookie contributor and down the road starter.
Day 3 Outlook
Heading into the last day, New England hold picks No.103 and No.110 in the fourth round. They do not have a selection in round five but will choose two more players in round six with picks No.180 and No.193 before making their final selection in round seven, No.231.
Should the Pats continue to draft based on need, acquiring additional playmakers would be beneficial for rookie signal-caller Drake Maye. Few prospects are capable of making bigger plays than Oregon State deep threat Anthony Gould. A dazzling blend of speed, quickness and change of direction ability, Gould owns 4.39-speed, can take the top off any defense, plus brings electrifying return experience. Another player worth monitoring is UCF Javon Baker, a smooth route runner who began his career at Alabama and generated a bit of a buzz during the pre-draft process.
There are still plenty of tight ends on the board, one position on offense that New England could benefit from by adding depth. A great fit would be Cade Stover of Ohio State who is an excellent blocker but has also proven to be a competent receiving threat in the pass game. He would be the perfect compliment to Hunter Henry (the pass-catcher) and Austin Hooper (the blocker). A Day 3 sleeper would be Erick All of Iowa, a top-100 talent who has been plagued by injuries.
On defense, the premier pass-rushers didn't make it out of the top-100. However, there are some intriguing possibilities that remain such as Colorado State short-armed Mohamed Kamara, who finished with 33.5 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons, plus late-bloomer Austin Booker of Kansas, who has eight sacks during his final year.
A massive run on cornerbacks transpired on Day 2, with a total of 10 being drafted, including seven in round two. Still, a pair of corners in Kalen King of Penn State and TJ Tampa of Iowa State all remain on the board due to subpar forty-times. Once considered much higher-rated prospects, these players would certainly be worth a roll of the dice due to their upside and the depth they could provide in the secondary.
In terms of best player available, all NFL teams are debating the risk/reward selection of Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin who is in the middle of a mysterious free-fall. One of the most underrated players in the draft would be Malik Washington of Virginia who flashes insane change of direction skills. Do-it-all runner Will Shipley would be a great complimentary piece to any offense due to his ability to play all four downs. Meanwhile, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. offers value at the linebacker spot and brings strong NFL bloodlines.
BSJ 2024 NFL DRAFT TRACKER - BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE (SELECTED PLAYERS IN BOLD)
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 [Rd.2 No.36 Commanders]
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 [Rd.2 No.44]
Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State [Rd.3 No.98 - Steelers]
Graham Barton, C, Duke [Rd.1 No.26 - Buccaneers]
Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri [Rd.1 No.27 - Cardinals]
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M [Rd.2 No.45 - Packers]
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington [Rd.1 No.20 - Steelers]
Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU [Rd.1 No.23 - Jaguars]
T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas [Rd.2 No.38 - Titans]
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa [Rd.2 No.40 - Eagles]
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State [Rd.2 No.33 - Bills]
Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia [Rd.1 No.18 - Bengals]
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota [Rd.2 No.47 - Giants]
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia [Rd2. No.34 - Chargers]
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas [Rd.1 No.28 - Chiefs]
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama [Rd.2 No.41 - Saints]
Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia [Rd.2 No.51 - Steelers]
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 [Rd.3 No.73 - Cowboys]
JC Latham, OT, Alabama [Rd1. No.7 – Titans]
Adonia Mitchell, WR, Texas [Rd.2 No.52 - Colts]
Marshawn Kneeland, ER, Colorado [Rd.1 No.56 - Cowboys]
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State [Rd.2 No.39 - Rams]
Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson [Rd.1 No.30 - Ravens]
Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami [Rd.3 No.99 - Rams]
Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri [Rd.2 No.61 - Lions]
Chris Braswell, LB, Alabama [Rd.2 No.57 - Buccaneers]
Max Melton, CB, Rutgers [Rd.2 No.42 - Cardinals]
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 [Rd.3 No.69 - Chargers]
Christian Haynes, OG, UConn [Rd.3 No.81 - Seahawks]
Bralen Trice, ER, Washington [Rd.3 No.74 - Falcons]
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan [Rd.2 No.49 - Bengals]
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State [Rd.2 No.66 - Cardinals]
Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State [Rd.2 No.54 - Browns]
Mike Sainristill, CB, Michigan [Rd.2 No.50 - Commanders]
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan [Rd.3 No.83 - Chargers]
Dominick Puni, OT, Kansas [Rd.3 No.86 - 49ers]
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington [Rd.2 No.62 - Ravens]
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky [Rd.3 No.65 - Jets]
Calen Bullock, S, USC [Rd.3 No.78 - Texans]
Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State [Rd.2 No.53 - Commanders]
Maason Smith, DT, LSU [Rd.2 No.48 - Jaguars]
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 [Rd2. No.35]
Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington [Rd.3 No.92 - Buccaneers]
Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky [Rd.3 No.72 - Panthers]
Javon Bullard, S, Georgia [Rd.2 No.58 - Packers]
Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Jonah Ellis, ER, Utah [Rd.3 No.76 - Broncos]
Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan
Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan [Rd.3 No.84 - Steelers]
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU [Rd.2 No.63 - Chiefs]
Brandon Coleman, OG, TCU [Rd.3 No.67 - Commanders]
Cole Bishop, S, Utah [Rd.2 No.60 - Bills]
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
Adissa Isaac, ER, Penn State [Rd.3 No.93 - Ravens]
Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon
Brenden Rice, WR, USC
Mohamed Kamara, ER,Colorado State
Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina
Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College [Rd3. No.90 - Cardinals]
Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College
Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky [Rd.3 No. 70 - Giants]
Christian Jones, OT, Texas
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington [Rd2. No.37 - Patriots]
DJ James, CB, Auburn
Jalyx Hunt, ER, Houston Christian [Rd.3 No.94 - Eagles]
Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State [Rd.3 no. 96 - Jaguars]
Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
Josh Newton, CB, TCU
DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke [Rd.3 No.95 - Bills]
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas [Rd.2 No.46 - Panthers]
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 [Rd.3 No.80 - Bengals]
Curtis Jacobs, LB, Penn State
Brennan Jackson, ER, Washington State
Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan [Rd.3 No.85 - Browns]
Myles Cole, DT, Texas Tech
Tykee Smith, S, Georgia [Rd.3 No.89 - Buccaneers]
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame [Rd.2 No.59 - Texans]
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston [Rd.2 No.55 - Dolphins]
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 [Rd.3 No.79 - Colts]
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 [Rd.3 No.75 - Bears]
Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington
Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
Erick All, TE, Iowa
Renardo Green, CB, Florida State [Rd.2 No.64 - 49ers]
McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M [Rd.3 No.97 - Bengals]
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 [Rd.3 No.68 - Patriots]
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 [Rd.3 No.88 - Packers]
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 [Rd.3 No.100 - Commanders]
Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois [Rd.3 No.82 - Cardinals]
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 [Rd.3 No.91 - Packers]
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 [Rd.3 No.71 - Cardinals]
Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State
James Williams, LB, Miami
Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland [Rd.3 No.77 - Raiders]
Tahj Washington, WR, USC
Braiden McGregor, ER, Michigan
Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota
Deantre Prince, CB, Mississippi
Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame [Rd.3 No.87 - Cowboys]
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
Javontae Jean-Baptiste, ER, Notre Dame
Chigozie Anusiem, CB, Colorado State
Gottlieb Ayedze, OT, Maryland
Jarrett Kingston, OG, Washington State
Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tulane
Anim Dankwah, OT, Howard
Levi Drake-Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M Commerce
Cam Little, K, Arkansas
Will Reichard, K, Alabama
Tory Taylor, P, Iowa
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