The Falcons shocked the NFL by drafting Michael Penix Jr. at 8, making the decisions with their three Day 2 picks all the more important. Here are the best players available heading into the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Atlanta Falcons made the shocking decision to select quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick on Thursday. Penix is a prospect the team obviously hopes will be become a future franchise quarterback, but given the contract status of Kirk Cousins, is unlikely to see the field for at least two seasons. With Day 2—which consists of the second and third rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft—on deck tonight, the stakes have never been higher for Atlanta to find instant contributors.
Still, this is a deep class with a lot of talent available heading into the second round. If the Falcons play this right, I believe they can come away from Friday night with three potential starters and change the very bleak narrative currently surrounding the team. I’ve taken a look at the players left on the board and come up with a list of my favorite targets for Atlanta, sorted into the second and third round.
Before we get to the list, a reminder that the team is currently slated to have three picks on Day 2: Pick 43 (2nd), Pick 74 (3rd), and Pick 79 (3rd). It’s been confirmed that Atlanta was aggressively pursuing a trade up for Laiatu Latu on Thursday—and the team has a history of trades in the second round through Terry Fontenot’s tenture—so I wouldn’t be shocked if one or more of those picks change when it’s all said and done.
Top targets in the second round
DT Jer’Zhan Netwon, Illinois — Consensus Rank: 20, PFF Rank: 11
CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa — Consensus Rank: 22, PFF Rank: 8
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama — Consensus Rank: 27, PFF Rank: 26
WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas — Consensus Rank: 29, PFF Rank: 22
WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia — Consensus Rank: 31, PFF Rank: 32
WR Troy Franklin, Oregon — Consensus Rank: 39, PFF Rank: 29
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri — Consensus Rank: 40, PFF Rank: 46
SAF Tyler Nubin, Minnesota — Consensus Rank: 45, PFF Rank: 31
DT Braden Fiske, Florida State — Consensus Rank: 47, PFF Rank: 44
DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan — Consensus Rank: 49, PFF Rank: 50
CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia — Consensus Rank: 50, PFF Rank: 56
EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama — Consensus Rank: 54, PFF Rank: 58
WR Roman Wilson, Michigan — Consensus Rank: 53, PFF Rank: 42
CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State — Consensus Rank: 55, PFF Rank: 51
EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan — Consensus Rank: 60, PFF Rank: 63
WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington — Consensus Rank: 62, PFF Rank: 48
SAF Javon Bullard, Georgia — Consensus Rank: 63, PFF Rank: 47
Lucky for the Falcons, there are a number of very interesting defensive prospects still on the board entering Day 2. I doubt they’ll stick around for long, and if Atlanta wants an impact player, they’ll likely need to trade into the mid-30s. Obviously the headliners are defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton and cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry. I think all three would be tremendous fits, but none are likely to fall to 43. If the team is leaning offense, the wide receiver trio of Adonai “A.D.” Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, and Troy Franklin are all intriguing choices.
If the team stays at 43, the best players on the board are likely to be in the secondary or on the defensive line. I’ve been on record as loving safety Tyler Nubin from Minnesota, but cornerbacks Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Kamari Lassiter, and T.J. Tampa are also strong contenders. On the defensive line, I typically prefer the interior guys like Braden Fiske and Kris Jenkins in this range over the edge rushers. Still, we know the team has shown interest in Marshawn Kneeland, and could also be considering someone like Chris Braswell.
I also think we’d be remiss to not discuss the potential for reuniting Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk with Penix in Atlanta, who would naturally be a boon to Kirk Cousins as well. Another receiver to watch is Michigan’s Roman Wilson, who stood out at the Senior Bowl and could garner strong consideration.
Top targets in the third round
EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington — Consensus Rank: 64, PFF Rank: 98
CB Max Melton, Rutgers — Consensus Rank: 65, PFF Rank: 72
EDGE Adisa Isaac, Penn State — Consensus Rank: 66, PFF Rank: 38
SAF Jaden Hicks, Washington State — Consensus Rank: 67, PFF Rank: 54
DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson — Consensus Rank: 68, PFF Rank: 67
WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky — Consensus Rank: 69, PFF Rank: 62
DT Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State — Consensus Rank: 70, PFF Rank: 107
SAF Cole Bishop, Utah — Consensus Rank: 72, PFF Rank: 132
SAF Calen Bullock, USC — Consensus Rank: 76, PFF Rank: 81
EDGE Jonah Elliss, Utah — Consensus Rank: 79, PFF Rank: 55
DL Brandon Dorlus, Oregon — Consensus Rank: 80, PFF Rank: 65
WR Jalen McMillan, Washington — Consensus Rank: 81, PFF Rank: 85
SAF Kamren Kinchens, Miami (FL) — Consensus Rank: 84, PFF Rank: 109
EDGE Austin Booker, Kansas — Consensus Rank: 85, PFF Rank: 88
CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri — Consensus Rank: 90, PFF Rank: 130
WR Javon Baker, UCF — Consensus Rank: 95, PFF Rank: 78
C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia — Consensus Rank: 97, PFF Rank: 100
CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon — Consensus Rank: 100, PFF Rank: 87
WR Malik Washington, Virginia — Consensus Rank: 101, PFF Rank: 90
CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame — Consensus Rank: 102, PFF Rank: 156
SAF Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech — Consensus Rank: 104, PFF Rank: 94
The third round is where things typically get a little crazier, as NFL teams see their boards diverge from one another pretty drastically. It’s hard to predict which of these prospects will actually be on the board at 74 and 79, so I tried to cast a wide net.
There are typically some interesting edge rushers on the board here, though you’re looking at guys who are more limited than their early-round counterparts. Washington’s Bralen Trice, Penn State’s Adisa Isaac, Utah’s Jonah Elliss (who is Kaden Elliss’ brother!), and Kansas’ Austin Booker are some of my favorites. Interior defensive line is also interesting, with a trio of pass rush specialists in Ruke Orhorhoro, Michael Hall Jr., and Brandon Dorlus.
If the team hasn’t yet addressed the secondary, there are quite a few cornerbacks I like in this range. Max Melton from Rutgers is one of the last immediate starters I see in this class, so he’d be a priority if he’s still on the board. Otherwise, there are several intriguing developmental options, like Missouri’s Kris Abrams-Draine, Oregon’s Khyree Jackson, and Notre Dame’s Cam Hart. Safety is another hotspot, and I’d be watching Jaden Hicks closely to see if he falls. After Hicks, some of my top targets would be Utah’s Cole Bishop, Texas Tech’s Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, USC’s Calen Bullock, and Miami’s Kamren Kinchens.
Finally, this is the range where I expect Atlanta to add a wide receiver. Two of my favorites in this range are UCF’s Javon Baker and Virginia’s Malik Washington, but I think we should prepare for the possibility of another Washington reunion with Jalen McMillan. We also can’t rule out a future-focused offensive line pick, and this is the range where Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran typically comes off the board.
Which positions are you hoping to see the Falcons address during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft?
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