Full NFL Draft 2024 Rounds 2 and 3 picks: Live updates, expert analysis and grades

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The NFL Draft’s second day is over, and no QBs were drafted in rounds 2 and 3. Here’s what to know

Exactly 100 picks down, 157 to go in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The second and third rounds passed Friday without any major trades — and without any more quarterbacks coming off the board. After a record six QBs went in the first 12 picks Thursday, 88 consecutive picks have passed without a quarterback’s name being called.

The Buffalo Bills opened the second round by selecting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman at No. 33. Texas’ Jonathon Brooks became the first running back taken, going to the Carolina Panthers at No. 46. And the night closed with Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey — brother of San Francisco 49ers star Christian — going to the Washington Commanders at No. 100.

Catch up below as The Athletic’s staff broke down the fits and graded every pick. Watch below as Robert Mays, Nate Tice, and Dane Brugler break down what we watched on The Athletic Football Show.

My favorite 5 picks of the night

5: N.Y. Giants (Round 2-47) — Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin. He’s a game-changing safety who can do everything you ask in coverage and stopping the run,

4: N.Y. Jets (3-65) — Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley. Aaron Rodgers has a physical complementary receiver to Garrett Wilson who will pick up serious yards after the catch.

3: Detroit (2-61) — The Lions attacked its weak spot this draft with two corners and stole Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the process. He is exactly the type of corner Aaron Glenn needs.

2: Dallas (3-73) — Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe has the offensive line equivalent of a dad bod, but he’s got the toughness and technique to start for 10 years.

1: Philadelphia (2-40) — After a horrendous 2023 season, the Eagles have remade their secondary and scooped up a Swiss Army knife in cornerback Cooper DeJean. He will fill some role on defense and return punts at an elite level.

Best available entering Round 4

Here are the 10 best players available on Dane Brugler’s board entering Saturday:

  1. Jaden Hicks, Washington State S
  2. T.J. Tampa, Iowa State CB
  3. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas TE
  4. Troy Franklin, Oregon WR
  5. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina QB
  6. Austin Booker, Kansas edge
  7. Theo Johnson, Penn State TE
  8. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee RB
  9. Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest S
  10. DJ James, Auburn CB

After six quarterbacks went in the first 12 picks, the last 88 have passed without another. Spencer Rattler remains the top QB on the board entering the fourth round.

Most picks made, first three rounds

7: Cardinals

6: Commanders

5: Packers

4: Bengals, Cowboys, Rams, Steelers, Buccaneers

Most top-100 picks this year

  • Michigan: 7
  • Washington: 7
  • Alabama: 6
  • Florida State: 6
  • Georgia: 6
  • Texas: 5

Final CFP rankings:

1. Michigan

2. Washington

3. Texas

4. Alabama

5. Florida State

6. Georgia

Grading Luke McCaffrey to the Commanders

A member of the now-famous McCaffrey athletic family (Ed’s son, Christian’s brother), Luke McCaffrey is a big, explosive target with great speed and general movement skills. A former college quarterback, McCaffrey’s first year as a receiver was at Rice in 2022 and came with 58 catches for 723 yards and six TDs. A growing prospect and a nice player – not the best receiver on the board. Grade: C+

Grading Kamren Kinchens to Rams

A two-time All-ACC selection, Miami safety Kamren Kinchens (5-11, 203 had 11 interceptions and 22 passes defended the last two seasons, including five picks last year. Perhaps he’s not the fastest defensive back (4.65 40 times at the combine), but Kinchens is instinctive, tough, and a tremendous Blitzer. He’s also a special teams demon who will help in all facets for the Rams—a terrific pickup at the end of the third round.

Grade: A

Luke McCaffrey’s fantasy impact

Transitioned from quarterback, which makes people draw the Julian Edelman comparison, and that would be his fantasy ceiling — although, likely unattainable. However, Romeo Doubs-like value is possible (59/674/8), which is top 40. If Jahan Dotson doesn’t rebound and lock down the No. 2 role, McCaffrey can step in and even put up Zay Flowers numbers, which would push close to the top 30 at wide receiver.

Round 3, No. 100: Commanders draft Rice WR Luke McCaffrey

The Washington Commanders selected Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey with the 100th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on McCaffrey: A two-year starter at Rice, McCaffrey played the F wide receiver role in offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo’s pro-style spread, working primarily from the slot (71.2 percent of his snaps the last two seasons). A former highly ranked quarterback recruit, he reinvented himself as a wide receiver after transferring to Rice and was one of just six FBS receivers with at least 70 catches and 13 touchdowns in 2023 (caught a touchdown in 11 of 13 games).

As one might expect given his bloodlines, McCaffrey is a detailed athlete by nature, and his experience at quarterback helped smooth his transition with the timing and execution of his routes (4.02-second short shuttle and 6.70 three-cone both ranked top three among all participants at the 2024 combine). His tape shows a pass catcher with outstanding focus through contact, although that is a double-edged sword, because he doesn’t create a ton of separation or clean windows for his quarterback.

Overall, McCaffrey doesn’t always uncover as easily as his testing numbers might suggest, but he is smart and controlled in his route movements with the tough-minded ball skills to be a steady possession target. His ability to carve out a role on special teams could be the key to him earning a roster spot as a rookie.

Grading the Payton Wilson pick

A tackling machine with sideline-to-sideline speed (ran a 4.43 40), Wilson made 402 tackles in his career and is one of the fastest and most instinctive tacklers in this class. There are major injury concerns. In fact, NFL Network reported Friday one of Wilson’s knees has no ACL. He might not make it beyond his first deal (he’s also 24), but Wilson (when healthy) is ready to play right now.

Grade: B

Round 3, No. 99: Rams draft Miami (Fla.) S Kamren Kinchens

The Los Angeles Rams selected Miami (Fla.) safety Kamren Kinchens with the 99th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Kinchens: A three-year starter at Miami, Kinchens was a field/post safety in defensive coordinator Lance Guidry’s scheme (played more of a nickel role in 2022). A highly productive player, he led the ACC in interceptions as both a sophomore and junior. He also was the only player in college football with double-digit combined interceptions over the last two seasons(and the first Miami player to reach at least 10 career interceptions since Sean Taylor). Although he lacks explosive speed and his risk-taking tendencies are worrisome, Kinchens anticipates well from depth and has the range to play over the top and properly track the football. He can rotate down as the robber and be a factor in the run game, too.

Overall, Kinchens doesn’t have top-tier athletic traits, but he has a well-balanced skill set with the playmaking awareness and ball skills to compete for a starting

Grading McKinnley Jackson to Cincinnati

The Bengals have made it abundantly clear they plan to bulk up in the trenches in this draft. By adding Texas A&M’s McKinnley Jackson, Cincinnati has added a defensive tackle who will eat up space and spell the starters for a few years. Jackson (6-1 ½, 326) was projected as a sixth-rounder, so this is a reach. But he might help keep the starters fresh for a series each half.

Grade: C-minus

Round 3, No. 98: Steelers draft NC State LB Payton Wilson

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected NC State linebacker Payton Wilson with the 98th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Wilson: A four-year starter, Wilson played weakside linebacker in defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s 3-3-5 stack scheme. After returning for a sixth year in Raleigh, he put together his most complete season in 2023 with 11.5 tackles per game (fifth best in the FBS) and cleaned up on the award circuit, taking home the Butkus (nation’s top linebacker) and Chuck Bednarik (nation’s top defensive player) awards (first in NC State history to win either honor). Against run or pass, Wilson is quick to trigger (downhill and laterally) and has some impressive GPS numbers for both his speed and the ground covered on plays. Although he is an average take-on player and can be late escaping blocks, he never shuts it down and competes with the “every play could be my last” mentality.

Overall, Wilson’s medicals will be a key factor in his final grade, but he is a rangy and instinctive player who impacts the game in different ways, because of his effort and toughness. His four-down potential will separate him from most linebacker prospects.

Grading the Jarrian Jones pick

Another nickel corner off the board, Jones ran a 4.38 40 at the combine and plays with terrific burst and speed both in press and zone at 5-11, 190. He makes plays, but Jones is also a gambler who takes too many chances and winds up getting caught looking. The CB class, especially inside at nickel, is all preference. I think there were better options available here. Grade: C

Round 3, No. 97: Bengals draft Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson with the 97th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Jackson: A three-year starter at Texas A&M, Jackson was the nose tackle in former defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin four-man front, playing primarily over the A gap. He was drawing early round draft grades from NFL scouts the summer before the 2023 season, but his final season in College Station was uneven in both production and performance. Jackson has the long arms and initial burst to rudely slam his hands into blocks, displaying contact balance and natural strength to hold the point. Though he flashes explosion out of his stance, his momentum quickly stalls out once he meets any resistance, lacking the pass rush moves/counters to easily shed and disrupt the backfield.

Overall, Jackson has a desirable nose tackle body type with his arm length, low center and raw power, but his disjointed hand usage and positional instincts are concerns for his next-level transition. He is a candidate to provide depth as a shade in a 4-3 front.

Round 3, No. 96: Jaguars draft Florida State CB Jarrian Jones

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones with the 96th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Jones: A three-year starter at Florida State, Jones was the slot cornerback in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s balanced-coverage scheme. After previously playing the boundary, he moved inside to the nickel in 2023 and had his best season, allowing just 16 catches (zero touchdowns) and leading the Seminoles with three interceptions (voted the team’s 2023 most-improved defensive player).

Jones played in a defense that demanded speed and competitiveness, and he put plenty of both on tape, which led to several flash plays. His ball skills are a strength to his game, and he maintains positioning once he finds it, but he can be late anticipating route breaks and needs to become more reliable in run support.

Overall, Jones has an impressive athletic profile, and his inside-outside experience is a plus, but he plays too reactionary and needs to better pick up on route clues to survive in NFL coverage. He projects as a potential reserve and special teamer.

Grading DeWayne Carter to Buffalo

A highly respected three-year starter, Duke DeWayne Carter (6-3, 302) will immediately step into the Bills’ rotation as an impact performer. Buffalo lost a ton of leadership in an offseason purge, but Carter will help fill that void. He’s also a physical, relentless interior defender. A good pickup who fits the Bills’ culture.

Grade: B-plus

Round 3, No. 95: Bills draft Duke DT DeWayne Carter

The Buffalo Bills selected Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter with the 95th pick.

The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler on Carter: A three-year starter at Duke, Carter was a three-technique defensive tackle in former head coach Mike Elko’s 4-2-5 base scheme (also saw snaps on the edge). He became the first three-time team captain in Blue Devils history, although his senior season production fell short of what he put on film as a sophomore and junior. Carter needs to keep adding moves to his rush attack, but he generates power from his get-off and transfers it to his hands to create initial movement in his pass rush. He displays similar play strength, effort and ball-tracking versus the run, although he will need to be more efficient as a block shedder to be a relevant run defender at the line of scrimmage in the NFL.

Overall, Carter doesn’t have a true difference-making trait on the field, but he is smart, strong and very active. He might never be a full-time starter, but he will give a team value as a rotational three-technique (even fronts) or five-technique (odd fronts).

Grading the Jalyx Hunt pick

A high school wide receiver who played safety at Cornell before bulking up to play edge at Houston Christian, Hunt is now a 6-3, 252-pound edge rusher with 10-inch hands and 34 ⅜-inch arms. A former basketball player with elite burst and great speed, Hunt has more traits than polish right now — but the upside here, and the positional versatility, is highly intriguing.

Grade: B+

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