On Day 2 of the 2016 NFL Draft, quarterbacks slipped, feel-good stories got drafted and one college coach proved his eliteness as a head coach. With just one day left of the NFL Draft, teams who didn’t win last night or on Day 1, the pressure is on to take advantage of round four through seven.
Here are the five winners, and five losers, from Day 2 of the draft, including the Texans, Saints, Patriots, Panthers and (sad face) Browns.
Winners
Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith
The two linebackers suffered devastating knee injuries during their final college seasons, forcing both to struggle through an NFL Draft process that forced teams to value them on medical reports rather than forty-times. With all of the NFL Draft viewers rooting for them, neither had to wait too long. Smith with 34th to the Cowboys, shockingly early considering where most teams valued him at, while Myles Jack went 36th to a trading-up Jaguars team that considered him at 5th overall.
Urban Meyer
Despite not winning the national championship this year, Urban Meyer can tip his hat to the NFL for giving him the award for best college team, talent-wise, in NFL Draft history. The Buckeyes saw 10 players drafted during Day 1 and 2 of the draft, including five in round one. But he’s not done: He could have as many as five players drafted on Day 3 as well.
Houston Texans
After moving up (one pick) to secure their top rated receiver in round one, the Texans entered Day 2 without many glaring needs to address. With that luxury and not needing to press, they sat back and enjoyed with Nick Martin, brother of Pro Bowler Zach Martin of the Cowboys, fell to them, giving them a plug-and-play starter at center or guard. Then, in late round three, Houston added one of my favorite prospects in Ohio State quarterback-turned-receiver Braxton Miller. Both players are clear high second-round values and (hot take alert) may be better than their first rounder Fuller by 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City traded out of the fun of Day 1 of the draft to collect picks from the 49ers, and traded back again on Day 2 for more draft choices. Kansas City’s double trade down netted them two extra fourths and a fifth, but didn’t sacrifice any value for them. They landed Chris Jones, defensive tackle from Mississippi State who had many first-round grades from teams (and us at OptimumScouting.com), and Notre Dame cornerback Keivare Russell, who will likely compete (and win) the starting cornerback job opposite Marcus Peters in training camp. Two starters and three more draft picks is a huge win for a Chiefs team poised to take over as the AFC West’s best team.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints suffered through salary cap hell the last two seasons through complete fault of their own. However, the 2016 off-season seemed to officially cleanse them of the restraints, and they’ve (so far) used the 2016 NFL Draft to stockpile talent moving forward. After a relatively safe pick of Sheldon Rankins in the first, the Saints landed receiver Michael Thomas of Ohio State, arguably the most talented receiver in the class if he can master an NFL playbook, and traded up for fellow Buckeye safety Vonn Bell, who had serious consideration from teams in the back half of round one. New Orleans not only netted two potential starters, but added two of the highest upside players at their respective positions in the entire draft.
Losers
Connor Cook
Sitting atop the quarterback board on ESPN and NFL Network for much of the night, the Spartan quarterback likely sat by the phone frustratingly all night. Not only did he not hear his name called, but saw Christian Hackenberg, Jacoby Brissett and Cody Kessler (yuck) go before him. Why is he falling? Because his leadership and character concerns are really bad. Teammates didn’t respect him, arrogance throughout his time as a leader and NFL executives simply don’t LIKE him. That all said, for as polished in a pro-style offense as Cook is, should go early on Day 3.
Cleveland Browns
I was so excited for you, Cleveland. Trading back made so much sense and, even disregarding the three future top-two round picks you received, I was optimistic you could dominate Day 2 of the draft. But after drafting Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (which was fine), they took a stiff, still developing defensive end in Carl Nassib, a feel good story but severely concerning on-field offensive tackle Shon Coleman and a USC quarterback in Cody Kessler who simply isn’t good. Hopefully they take advantage of value better on Day 3.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay was doing so well in the 2016 NFL Draft. They nabbed their long-time target Vernon Hargreaves with the 11th pick in the first-round, and stole Eastern Kentucky high-upside edge rusher Noah Spence early in the second round. But, after filling their clear two biggest needs, Tampa decided to trade two draft picks to move back into the second round for their perceived third biggest need: kicker, in Robert Aguayo of Florida State. Unless there’s a rule change that gives field goals 5 points instead of 3, kickers should never go above the fourth round, especially for kickers like Aguayo who don’t have once-every-decade kicking strength.
Carolina Panthers
General Manager has the type of confidence that all great decision makers have, and it’s easy to appreciate his convictions on building through the offensive and defensive line each year. But his Day 2 picks, both secondary players, are questionable for sure. James Bradberry of Samford, a Senior Bowl invite, is a bit of a ‘tweener who is more justifiable in the 3rd or 4th round, as he struggled with hip turn fluidity and finishing ability at the college level and against top talent at the Senior Bowl. Daryl Worley of West Virginia was a cornerback we didn’t have ranked as draftable, but heard buzz about as a potential Day 3 sleeper. However, despite awesome length and athletic upside, it’s tough to justify him as a worthy third round pick, especially with the Panthers immediate need.
New England Patriots
While many often advocate to trust Bill Belichek in the off-season, it’s well known that he’s struggled mightily in the draft process the last few years. His 2014 first rounder Dominique Easley is already cut, and he’s struggled to find quality receivers and cornerbacks in the draft. Oddly, the Patriots took a quarterback (Jacoby Brissett) in the 3rd round, along with a fringe outside cornerback in Cyrus Jones who may only have value as a returner. This Day 2 haul will rely on Nebraska Vincent Valentine to outplay his draft position and be more than a rotational player for the Patriots.
