Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft can be the point at which teams’ classes are made or broken.
While the first round is the expected avenue for securing top talent, the second and third rounds are vital places for teams to secure quality starters. All 32 teams hope they left Friday’s action with a few future staples — as well as some potential stars.
The evening proved plenty eventful, with two marquee quarterbacks finding their landing spots and a kicker coming off the board at an unexpectedly high spot.
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Here are the winners and losers of Day 2 of the draft:
WINNERS
Pittsburgh Steelers
In his first draft at the helm, GM Omar Khan got to reap the rewards of his foresight in the Chase Claypool trade. With the No. 32 overall selection that essentially served as a bonus first-rounder, Pittsburgh took Joey Porter Jr., the son of former Steelers great and ex-assistant coach Joey Porter. More importantly, his arrival means the team checked off its two most glaring problem areas in offensive tackle (first-rounder Broderick Jones) and cornerback (Porter Jr.). Second-round defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and third-round tight end Darnell Washington seem like quintessential Pittsburgh picks.
Tight ends
After only one tight end made the cut for Round 1 (Utah’s Dalton Kincaid), Day 2 served as a reminder of why this was called the deepest and best collection of talent at any position in this class. In all, nine tight ends were selected Friday, including six in the second round. The Las Vegas Raiders’ Michael Mayer and Detroit Lions’ Sam LaPorta were among several who could be in line for significant roles as rookies.
Will Levis
The Kentucky quarterback became arguably the biggest story of the first round in an undesired fashion, as he endured being passed up entirely on Thursday while on hand for the festivities in Kansas City, Missouri. After returning home, he didn’t need to wait long to learn of his destination, as the Tennessee Titans traded up to grab him with the second pick of Round 2. As the team weighs the long-term future of Ryan Tannehill, Levis should get an opportunity to show what he’s capable of as a potential starter, even if it’s not taking on that role out of the gate.
Detroit Lions
Credit where credit is due: Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell seemed to get back on track in finding value after a bewildering pair of Day 1 decisions. Alabama safety Brian Branch is the perfect piece in the secondary for Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, as his versatility, intelligence and sure tackling should set him up for early success. It was surprising to see LaPorta come off the board earlier in the second before Mayer, but he should be a good fit in Ben Johnson’s offense. And though Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is already 25 and coming off a torn ACL, allowing him to sit behind Jared Goff for at least a season could provide him with a favorable setting for his development.
Packers’ troll job of Aaron Rodgers
OK, OK. This probably wasn’t what the Packers were aiming for Friday when they took two field-stretching tight ends in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft as well as speedy receiver Jayden Reed. But it was unquestionably a nice way to support Jordan Love after the team finally sent Rodgers off to the New York Jets via trade.
Rashee Rice
What young receiver doesn’t want to be paired with Patrick Mahomes? The SMU product looks set to take over for JuJu Smith-Schuster as the possession receiver in the defending champions’ collection of pass catchers. As the Chiefs have employed a more methodical approach and spread the wealth among their wideouts, there’s still a significant role for Rice, even with Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore likely seeing more work in 2023.
Mike McDaniel
Adding an All-American track talent at running back to the Dolphins’ blazing-fast collection of skill-position talent almost feels like a cliché. But with third-round running back Devon Achane, McDaniel can enjoy yet another threat to break off a long gain at any moment. The 5-foot-8, 188-pound Texas A&M product can share a workload with Raheem Mostert to keep the two fresh and in top form.
Matt Eberflus
New Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles clearly is attuned to Eberflus’ predilections, as he followed up the selection of first-round right tackle Darnell Wright by equipping the coach with two formidable defensive linemen (Gervon Dexter Sr. and Zacch Pickens) and a rangy cornerback (Tyrique Stevenson). For whatever faults this outfit still has, toughness shouldn’t be one of them next season.
Marte Mapu
Let’s give a shoutout to the first player who might have a elicited a “who?” from several fans when he was chosen. The versatile Sacramento State product was not invited the NFL scouting combine and later tore his pectoral while training for the draft, yet he still managed to crack the third round. And the hybrid linebacker/safety lands with Bill Belichick, who is no stranger to that type of defender.
LOSERS
Malik Willis
A little more than a year ago, many analysts were confident the rocket-armed Liberty product would find a home somewhere in the first 32 picks. Fast forward to Friday, when the 2022 third-round selection already looks like the odd man out in Tennessee after the move to grab Levis. Between a regime change and his benching for the final two games of the regular season, it was already clear which way things were trending for Willis. But it looks like the door truly closed on him on Friday.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Taking an H-back in Brenton Strange felt like a reach in the second round, especially with the team set to bring Evan Engram back into the fold. Running back Tank Bigsby was a fine addition in the third round, but a cornerback or defensive lineman seemed like the better route. Time for Trent Baalke to do some maneuvering with his 10 picks in the final four rounds.
Sam Howell
A second-year signal-caller with the apparent lead on Jacoby Brissett for the Commanders’ starting role, Howell wasn’t given much support via the draft. Washington followed up its first-round choice of cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with defensive back Jartavius Martin in the second, though third-round center Ricky Stromberg provides some depth up front. An offensive lineman or tight end in the first two rounds might have gone a long way toward making Howell more comfortable
Seattle Seahawks
Never count out the possibility that Pete Carroll will take a running back early, no matter what his team’s outlook is. This time, he pounced on UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet in the second round in a move that was hard to square with 2022 second-rounder Kenneth Walker’s abundantly successful rookie campaign. Walker should still operate in the lead role, but this is a hefty investment for a change of pace.
Atlanta Falcons
Speaking of teams overly invested in the running game … Atlanta doubled down on Thursday’s Bijan Robinson selection by grabbing Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron, who could be poised for a move to guard. It wasn’t until the third round that the Falcons addressed a pass rush that has tallied a league-worst 39 sacks in the last two years by adding Ohio State defensive end Zach Harrison. Better hope that proves sufficient for keeping inexperienced quarterback Desmond Ridder out of shootouts.
Hendon Hooker
Erroneous first-round quarterback hype strikes again. While some posited that Hooker could crash the Day 1 party in the final few picks, the Tennessee passer ended up a good deal back of the top four players at the position, making it clear he’s more of a developmental prospect than an expected eventual starter. There’s a path for him to become a first-stringer, but it’s definitely narrower than it appeared before the draft.
Kelee Ringo
It doesn’t seem that long ago that the 6-2, 207-pounder seemed ticketed to join many of his former Georgia teammates as an early draft pick. Now, his wait has extended all the way into Saturday. His physical tools are undeniable, but his change-of-direction problems and underdeveloped instincts might be a sticking point for some teams.
San Francisco 49ers
With the No. 99 overall pick, the 49ers selected … Michigan kicker Jake Moody, making him the highest selection at the position since Roberto Aguayo was taken by the Buccaneers in the second round in 2016. That’s hardly company you want to join. Yes, the 49ers are probably better situated than most teams to make this kind of gamble, but history indicates it’s overwhelmingly likely to be a losing bet.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
