After an interesting first round of the 2024 NFL draft, the focus now turns to Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday night. The first 32 picks all but wiped out the top 20 prospects on my personal big board, and the choices on Thursday night tabbed 24 of my top 32.
There’s still an abundance of talent on the board for teams to select on Day 2. In this range of the draft, especially, it’s about fitting prospects for teams who can live with the flaws that kept these players from being first-rounders.
Here are the top 40 players left from my pre-draft rankings.
1
Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
Sep 8, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) scrambles from Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton (4) during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Newton was my No. 6 overall prospect and top-graded defensive player.
2
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
3
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
4
Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State
Oct 23, 2021; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats offensive tackle Cooper Beebe (50) blocks Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive linebacker Krishon Merriweather (1) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
5
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) warms up ahead of the Rose Bowl game against Alabama at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
6
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 02: Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 27-24 in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
7
Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky
WKU’s Malachi Corley runs in for a touchdown against UTEP on Nov. 4, 2023 at the Sun Bowl.
8
Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
Oct 7, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson (1) runs while Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) defends during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
9
Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) makes a catch and runs for touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
10
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Nov 4, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kamari Lassiter (3) prepares to cover Missouri Tigers wide receiver Mookie Cooper (5) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
11
Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 2: Braden Fiske #55 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a sack against Jack Plummer #13 of the Louisville Cardinals during the ACC Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
12
Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan
Sep 9, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Garrett Schrader (6) runs with the ball as Western Michigan Broncos defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland (99) defends during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
13
Christian Mahogany, IOL, Boston College
Nov 28, 2020; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Dennis Grosel (6) celebrates a touchdown pass with offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
14
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) catches a touchdown pass against Washington Huskies running back Ryder Bumgarner (25) during the fourth quarter in the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
15
T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State
Iowa State Cyclones’ defensive back T.J. Tampa (2) warms up during the university’s Spring Football game at Jack Trice Stadium Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Ames, Iowa
16
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State
Florida State Seminoles running back Trey Benson (3) rushes with the ball during the first half against the Florida Gators at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 25, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]
17
Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri
Oct 22, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine (14) breaks up a pass intended for Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Will Sheppard (14) during the first half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
18
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
Aug 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) celebrates a stop against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
19
Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
Sep 17, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Zach Frazier (54) celebrates with fans after defeating the Towson Tigers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
20
Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M
Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) sacks Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
21
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Oct 14, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keon Coleman (4) celebrates after catching a pass over Syracuse Orange defensive back Jason Simmons Jr. (6) (not pictured) during the first quarter at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
22
Cole Bishop, S, Utah
Jan 31, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National defensive back Cole Bishop of Utah (8) sets a defensive play during practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
23
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Junior Colson (25) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
24
Michael Hall, DT, Ohio State
Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) celebrates a sack of Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium.
25
Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw (2) celebrates after his first-career interception during the Tigers’ 34-17 win over Abilene Christian on Sept. 17, 2022.
26
Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) warms up before the East Carolina game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
27
Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State
Nov 11, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaden Hicks (25) before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
28
Ja'Tavian Sanders, TE, Texas
Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (0) celebrates a first down against Baylor in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Waco, Texas.
29
Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame
Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame offensive lineman Blake Fisher (OL20) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
30
Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Nov 25, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Ray Davis (1) runs the ball against Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Jermayne Lole (90) during the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Kentucky defeated Louisville 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
31
Zac Zinter, IOL, Michigan
Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Zak Zinter (65) against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
32
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas
Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) runs for the first down against TCU Horned Frogs in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, November. 11, 2023, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
33
Leonard Taylor, DT, Miami FL
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Leonard Taylor III #56 of the Miami Hurricanes pressures E.J. Warner #3 of the Temple Owls in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Miami Hurricanes defeated the Temple Owls 41-7. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
34
Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard (DB47) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
35
Jarvis Browlee, CB, Louisville
Former Louisville DB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (19) intercepts a pass during the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024.
36
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Oct 21, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia (78) prepares to block against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
37
Gabriel Murphy, EDGE, UCLA
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA linebacker Gabriel Murphy (LB22) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
38
Isaiah Adams, IOL, Illinois
Jan 31, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National offensive lineman Isaiah Adams of Illinois (78) blocks during practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
39
Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
Nov 12, 2022; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) catches a pass for a first down during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. The Huskies won the game 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
40
Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Chris Braswell (41) reacts in the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
