Welcome to The Athletic’s pick-by-pick grades for Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. If you missed them, check out our grades for all 32 picks made during Thursday night’s Round 1.
Grading in the moment is a difficult (some might even say unfair) project, and it’s true that we’ll need several years to fully get an idea of each pick’s level of success. So, our instant reactions will try to take everything into account — pick value, trade costs, what the board looked like at the time of the selection and so on.
Here’s how everyone did on Day 2 of the NFL Draft:
(Note: Scott Dochterman provided grades for odd-numbered picks, Nick Baumgardner for even-numbered picks.)
NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis
Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300?
Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections
“The Athletic Football Show”: Watch live reaction to the draft
Round 2
33. Buffalo Bills (from CAR): Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Big, physical and capable of making highlight-reel catches, Coleman ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the combine — a time that may have knocked him down a few spots. But he’s a quality pickup to open the second round. In one season at Florida State, Coleman (6-3, 213) caught 50 passes for 658 yards (13.2 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns with only two drops.
Grade: B-plus
34. Los Angeles Chargers (from NE): Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
Arguably the most QB-friendly receiver in the draft, McConkey is all speed and precision with reliable hands and wiggle after the catch. He’s versatile enough to play multiple spots, he’ll block — McConkey easily could have a first-round pick. He’ll be Justin Herbert’s new best friend.
Grade: A
35. Atlanta Falcons (from ARI): Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
In their 3-4 defense, the Falcons always can use size up front. Orhorhoro offers that — he’s 6-foot-4 and 294 pounds with 34-inch arms. He posted 24 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and nine passes defensed combined from 2021-23. He could be a good player long-term, but to make this selection this early in the second round — and trade away a third-round pick in the process — is a bit rich.
Grade: D-plus
36. Washington Commanders: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
A versatile and powerful interior pocket pusher who can play nose or three-tech, Newton showed dominant stretches of disruption at Illinois and was a first-rounder on a few boards. His impact wasn’t as consistent as you’d like, and his length is less than ideal — meaning he’ll have to flash dominant power far more often. It’s easy to like Newton, but would an offensive tackle have helped more?
Grade: B
37. New England Patriots (from LAC): Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
New England needed a threat at receiver for new quarterback Drake Maye, and it picked one up here. Tough and competitive but lacking top-end speed, Polk is not afraid to block or make difficult catches over the middle. This was probably a bit high for him, however.
Grade: C-plus
38. Tennessee Titans: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
This is a tough one. Sweat was charged with a DWI earlier this spring, but The Athletic’s Dane Brugler reported that Sweat was open about his off-field behavior during the draft process. Football-wise, Sweat is a unique mountain of a man — 360-plus pounds with the feet and agility to play multiple spots. Can you trust him off the field? Can he keep his weight down? High-risk, high-reward pick here.
Grade: B
39. Los Angeles Rams (from NYG via CAR): Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
Wow, did the Rams give up a ton (Nos. 52 and 155 plus a second-round pick next year) to move up 13 spots. Nothing against Fiske, who’s worth a second-round selection, but that’s way, way too much. Fiske (6-3, 292) won’t wow anyone with his physical abilities at this level, but his work ethic and toughness will garner immediate respect.
Grade: D
40. Philadelphia Eagles (from CHI via WAS): Cooper DeJean, CB,…
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