The Houston Texans are looking to walk out of Day 2 with at least a pair of game-changing prospects. So are 31 other teams after an eventual first round.
Six quarterbacks, six receivers, nine offensive linemen and a Brock Bowers later, history has been made. Twenty-three total offensive players heard their names called Thursday during the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, pushing defensive studs into Day 2.
For some teams, that’s a concern. For Houston, it’s a massive strength, especially given its dire needs mostly hail on the defensive side of the ball. With three picks — for now at least — on Day 2, the Texans could walk out with a pair of defensive talents and then have fun with the third option.
It’s been a long day and it’s about to get longer, so here’s an updated mock draft to pass the time until Buffalo is on the clock. And no, there’s no trades and you will get over it.
33. Buffalo Bills (VIA CAR): Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
Could the Bills trade down again to bulk up their picks? Yes. Should they with Mitchell just waiting there at the top of after being the forgotten first-round target? No, and they won’t.
34. New England Patriots: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
All offseason, I said that McConkey wasn’t a clone of Julian Edelman or Wes Welker. He isn’t, but he’s landing where they both became stars as Drake Maye’s new No. 1 weapon.
35. Arizona Cardinals: Oregon OC Jackson Powers-Johnson
Cornerback could be a need here, but the Cardinals must bolster their interior line. Powers-Johnson was a one-year starter, but he was a part of one of the best run-blocking units in the country. This gives Kyler Murray more time to find Marvin Harrison Jr. downfield for highlight plays.
36. Washington Commanders: Houston OT Patrick Paul
I thought Washington would trade back up in the first to land a franchise tackle. Instead, the Commanders stand pat and secure Paul, who allowed five sacks in three years while serving as the anchor on Houston’s line.
37. Los Angeles Chargers: Oregon WR Troy Franklin
Los Angeles made sure to add protection for Justin Hebert. Now, the Chargers secure him a hopeful future No. 1 target in Franklin, who averaged 17.1 yards per catch at Oregon last season. The two ducks are about to go quackers in this revamped offense.
38. Tennessee Titans: Illinois DL Johnny Newton
This is where the fall ends for Newton, who now becomes one of the best bull-rushing 3-4 defensive ends in the AFC. He’ll learn opposite of Jeffery Simmons as he looks to eliminate the run and add a second element to the pass rush.
39. Carolina Panthers (VIA NYG): Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper
Shaq Thompson has lost a step over the past few years and Frankie Luvu left in free agency. With Cooper, Carolina secures its long-term middle linebacker with blazing speed and a big-time hit radius.
40. Washington Commanders (from CHI): Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
In today’s game, you need two cornerbacks to be successful. The Commanders pair former SEC interceptions leader Emmanuel Forbes with Rakestraw, a three-year starter who loves contact.
41. Green Bay Packers (VIA NYJ): Iowa DB Cooper DeJean
DeJean was on Green Bay’s radar at pick No. 25. Instead, the Packers now land him in the second round, thus killing their special teams woes and nickel defender problems with one prospect.
42. Houston Texans (Via MIN): Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Oh, ya! The Kool-Aid Man isn’t real, but McKinstry’s man cover skills are as legit as they get. The former Crimson Tide star reunites with Will Anderson Jr. and gets to play for fellow Bama alum DeMeco Ryans as the new No. 2 corner.
43. Atlanta Falcons: Western Michigan EDGE Marshawn Kneeland
NFL Network reported Friday morning that the Falcons tried to trade back up into the first round to land UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. They take the next-best edge rusher in Kneeland instead.
44. Las Vegas Raiders: Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter
An alpha dog in coverage with a bit of an attitude, Lassiter isn’t the fastest cornerback, but he’s very tough and loves to hit. Antonio Pierce will have a field day with him in Sin City.
45. New Orleans Saints (fVIA DEN): Florida State WR Keon Coleman
Michael Thomas is gone, so the Saints need a new No. 2 option alongside Chris Olave. Coleman proved last season he’s a prototypical big-bodied receiver who will cook in space and downfield. He’s consistent wherever you line him up, which could be a blessing for Derek Carr in a prove-it year.
46. Indianapolis Colts: Washington WR Ja'Lynn Polk
There were rumors that the Colts were looking to trade up for one of the top three receivers. Instead, they stand pat in Round 2 and land the No. 2 target from the top passing attack in college football. Polk is one of the better route runners in the class with excellent body control and the strong hands to make a tough catch for an offense as a secondary target.
47. New York Giants (VIA SEA): Iowa State CB TJ Tampa
New York needs another boundary defender. With Tampa, the Giants secure a physical defender on the edge who is willing to lay his body on the line in run support.
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rutgers CB Max Melton
The Jags entered the draft with needs at cornerback and receiver. After landing a home run threat in Round 1 with Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville smacks another one out of the park with Melton, a hard-hitting nickel defender that will go head-to-head against anyone.
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Michigan WR Roman Wilson
Tyler Boyd left in free agency, leaving a hole in the slot. Meet the plug-and-play replacement who secured Michigan a national title with his smooth route-running skills and sure-fire hands. Tee Higgins might want out, but Cincinnati is making sure it has one last chance for a title before that happens.
50. Philadelphia Eagles: Michigan LB Junior Colson
The Eagles might not be ready to give up on Nakobe Dean, but they need another option besides Devin White. Colson has a veteran demeanor in the middle of the defense and should pair nicely with in space
51. Pittsburgh Steelers: West Virginia OC Zach Frazier
This is the part of the draft where Pittsburgh ruins lives by taking a future Pro Bowl receiver like it has for years. This is also insane that Fraizer, who might be the most NFL-ready center, remains on the board for a team in desperate need of an upgrade.
52. Los Angeles Rams: Georgia DB Javon Bullard
What position is Bullard best at? Slot defender? Cornerback? Safety? Let Sean McVay worry about that later. He’s just happy to be getting a playmaker and chess piece to his defense.
53. Philadelphia Eagles: Minnesota SAF Tyler Nubin
While he’s not a Georgia player. Nubin led the Big Ten in interceptions over the past three seasons with 12 takeaways. The Eagles need safety help like you need water.
54. Cleveland Browns: LSU DL Maason Smith
It’s all about winning in the trenches, people. Smith is still a work in progress, but there aren’t many 6-foot-5, 310-pound defenders who move as fluid as him getting off blocks. Jim Schwartz landed something out of Tim Burton’s nightmares if he can refine Smith’s pass-rushing skills.
55. Miami Dolphins: Texas TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
Sanders does a bit of everything. He’s a solid route runner, a decent open-field blocker, and loves to hit defensive backs in the open field. Imagine having all that speed and then a security net across the middle that will look for contact. Miami completes its offensive personnel to go on a run.
56. Dallas Cowboys: Texas RB Joanthon Brooks
What? The worst-kept secret of the second round becomes a reality? Shocker, Dallas.
57. Tempa Bay Buccaneers: Penn State EDGE Adisa Isaac
A team always needs pass-rushing help, and if it says otherwise it’s a lie. Issac, who totaled 16 tackles for loss last season for the Nittany Lions, should pair well as a rotational option behind Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Soyinka
58. Green Bay Packers: Utah EDGE Jonah Elliss
The Packers have a sturdy offense. They added a slot defender who can do everything in coverage. Now, it’s time to attack the two young quarterbacks who were drafted Thursday evening to the NFC North. Ellis can be that difference-maker.
59. Michigan DB Mike Sainristil
Why would Houston double down on defensive backs in the second round? Simple; Sainristil would have been a first-round pick if he stood 6-foot-1. Instead, the 5-foot-9 embodiment of an actual wolverine heads down to Houston as the new nickel defender who will shine in run support and man coverage. No one in the AFC is getting a first down easy when they play Houston in 2024.
60. Buffalo Bills: Washington State DB Jaden Hicks
After the breakup of longtime safety duo Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, the Bills dive into the draft looking for safety help. Hicks does a bit of everything and should fill both spots in Sean McDermott’s dollar defense.
61. Detroit Lions: Alabama EDGE Chris Braswell
Oh look, Brad Holmes is committing a highway robbery again. The former Alabama pass-rusher still needs work, but he’s got a high motor and a good feel for winning with his hands against tackles.
62. Baltimore Ravens: Texas Tech DB Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
Do you ever see a player who just fits a team’s aura? That’s how I feel about Taylor-Demerson playing with Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams and Marlon Humphrey. He’s versatile and could play at multiple spots in the secondary, so expect him to shine in the nickel from Day 1.
63. San Francisco 49ers: Washington OT Roger Rosengarten
Championship teams need offensive line depth. Rosengarten has been a steady riser during the draft process thanks to his toughness and ability to run block. He’s a good fit for the swing tackle role out in the Bay Area thanks to his sturdy frame and footwork.
64. Kansas City Chiefs: Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher
Kansas City might feel content with its starting tackles entering the year, but the depth is like looking at a boxer who refuses to throw in the damn towel. Sorry, Apollo. Fisher is a talented tackle with the athleticism and upside to be a well-rounded option on either side of the line. He’s still a work in progress, but the Chiefs don’t need a Day 1 starter.
ROUND 3: Picks No. 65-74
65. Carolina Panthers: Florida State DL Braden Fiske
Fiske is a wild card, but he’ll be let loose in Charlotte as the next big-time bull-rushing three-tech.
66. Arizona Cardinals: Kentucky CB Andru Phillips
67. Washington Commanders: NC State LB Payton Wilson
68. New England Patriots: BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
You have a young quarterback with the confidence of a prized young fighter. Keep it that way, New England, by keeping him upright.
69. Los Angeles Chargers: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley
70. New York Giants: South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler
This is where the Giants add competition to the room. Rattler isn’t perfect, but he’ll push Daniel Jones to improve with consistency and timing.
71. Arizona Cardinals (from TEN): Florida State RB Trey Benson
72. New York Jets: UFC WR Javon Baker
73. Dallas Cowboys (from MIN via DET): Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace
74. Atlanta Falcons: Florida State CB Renardo Green
The Falcons need another corner to pair with A.J. Terrell. Green comes from a winning pedigree in Tallahassee and loves to tackle in zone coverage.
ROUND 3: Picks No. 75-84
75. Chicago Bears: Kansas EDGE Austin Booker
76. Denver Broncos: Penn State TE Theo Johnson
Bo Nix needs weapons and Greg Dulcich just won’t cut it at tight end anymore with a talent like Johnson still on the board.
77. Las Vegas Raiders: UConn OL Christian Haynes
78. Washington Commanders (from SEA): Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie
79. Atlanta Falcons (from JAX): USC SAF Calen Bullock
Adding another play-making safety to the back end of a revamped defense makes too much sense after mixed play opposite Jessie Bates.
80. Cincinnati Bengals: Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott
81. Seattle Seahawks (from NO via DEN): Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
82. Indianapolis Colts: Ohio State TE Cade Stover
83. Los Angeles Rams: Alabama WR Jermaine Burton
84. Pittsburgh Steelers: North Carolina WR Tez Walker
Fans are about to find out why Walker was garnering some first-round buzz before the season as the new Day 2 target who kills it in Pittsburgh.
85. Cleveland Browns: North Carolina LB Cedric Gray
ROUND 3: Picks No. 85-100
85. Cleveland Browns: Michigan DL Kris Jenkins
86. Houston Texans (from PHI): Ohio State DL Michael Hall Jr.
87. Dallas Cowboys: Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe
88. Green Bay Packers: Houston Christian EDGE Jalyx Hunt
89. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: North Carolina LB Cedric Gray
90. Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) – Texas DL T’Vondre Sweat
91. Green Bay Packers (from BUF): Clemson DL Ruke Orhorhoro
92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from DET): USC RB Marshawn Lloyd
93. Baltimore Ravens: Virginia WR Malik Washington
94. San Francisco 49ers: Oregon DL Brandon Dorlus
95. Buffalo Bills: Florida State WR Johnny Wilson
96. Jacksonville Jaguars: TCU OL Brandon Coleman
97. Cincinnati Bengals: Washington EDGE Bralen Trice
98. Pittsburgh Steelers (from PHI*): LSU DL Mekhi Wingo
99. Los Angeles Rams: Tulane QB Michael Pratt
100. Washington Commanders: Boston College OL Christian Mahogany
