6 winners and 5 losers from the second day of the 2024 NFL Draft

Some more winners and losers from the second day of the draft!

Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Cincinnati Bengals have added Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins with the No. 49 overall pick, Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton with the No. 80 overall pick, and with the No. 97 pick, they selected Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson.

Here are some more winners and losers, this time from the second and third rounds.

WINNERS

1. Lou Anarumo: Yesterday’s last loser was today’s first winner. The Bengals passed up on some talented defensive players who could have made an impact to select Amarius Mims with the No. 18 overall pick. Luckily, Anarumo didn’t have to wait long to see which new ingredient he’ll get in his laboratory, and then in the third round, he was handed another defensive tackle to add to the mix.
2. BJ Hill and Sheldon Rankins: By adding Jenkins and Jackson, the Bengals are taking some of the burden of the interior defensive line off the shoulders of their two starting defensive tackles, Hill and the recently signed Rankins. Jenkins, known as “The Mutant,” is strong and versatile. He mostly played in the B gap but would line up as a 5-technique at times. Jackson is a three-year starter who mostly played nose tackle. They will help keep Hill and Rankins, and hopefully themselves, healthy deep into the season.
3. Joe Burrow: Burrow got an extra bodyguard in the first round and a new toy in the second round. The Bengals selected Burton, a speedy, athletic receiver with excellent ball skills. He has the potential to be a great WR3 in his rookie year and WR2 once Higgins sets sail for a new home.
4. Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt: One of the best things about a big space-eating nose tackle is they soak up so many blockers. One of Reader’s best attributes was his ability to let the linebackers behind him play free. I’m not saying Jackson is Reader, but he is 326 pounds.
5. Dan Pitcher: A first-time offensive coordinator is going to take over an offense led by Joe Burrow, featuring Chase, Higgins, Burton, and four other talented wide receivers, and Mike Gesicki, with a complete offensive line. There are offensive assistants who would kill to have the chance to lead that offense. And the draft isn’t even over yet!
6. Day 3 Picks: Because the Bengals didn’t trade up, they’ll be one of the most active NFL teams on Day 3 with six selections to fill out the roster. They still have needs, namely at cornerback, tight end, and guard. There will be plenty of picks to address those.

LOSERS

1. Fans hoping the Bengals would trade up: There was a lot of buzz before the second round started that there were teams looking to trade up, and of course, the Bengals’ name was thrown around. Many were hoping the team would go after Johnny Newton or maybe Cooper DeJean, but they stood still at No. 49 and let Kris Jenkins fall to them. Was it a good move? Only time will tell. Would it have been fun to see them trade up? Yes.
2. Zach Carter: I’m not sure what the Bengals thought Carter was when they selected him in the third round in 2022. Some people thought the Bengals could maybe mold him into the 3-tech pass rusher we’ve been missing since Geno Atkins left. They didn’t, and he isn’t. The defensive line is just starting to take shape, and Carter is already on the outside.
3. Charlie Jones: While Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are undoubtedly WR1 and WR2, WR3 is up for grabs. One would think Trenton Irwin would have the inside track because of his experience in the offense, and Andrei Iosivas flashed at times, but Jones wasn’t really a big part of the offense. It’s not like he’s in jeopardy of being cut or anything, but Jones may have a hard time finding the field with another talented mouth to feed in the offense.
4. CB Room, again: One of the needs the Bengals have yet to address is cornerback. Right now the starters would be Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner on the outside and Mike Hilton in the slot. Who is CB4? There isn’t one unless it’s Dax Hill, and it shouldn’t be. The Bengals have added a lot of talent at needed positions so far in the draft, especially in the trenches, but they have passed on some talented cornerbacks along the way.
5. Jay Tufele: Tufele was picked up off waivers prior to the 2022 season and has rotated in and out. He started at nose tackle for Reader when the new Lions tackle was injured, but now his role, like Carter’s, is a little murky with Jackson coming to Cincinnati.

Who are your winners and losers from the second and third rounds of the 2024 NFL draft?