NFL Draft 2023 - Round 2

(from Chicago)

Grade: A

The Steelers make the ideal pick to fill their need at corner opposite venerable newcomer Patrick Peterson, staying in state to grab the son of their one-time star pass rusher. Porter’s size and playmaking skills give him first-round talent.

(from Houston through Arizona)

Grade: B

The Titans trade up to stop the fall of Levis and address their need for a new franchise QB to clean up the Ryan Tannehill-Malik Willis mess. Levis’ cannon arm and dash of athleticism is a good fit playing off the run to upgrade Tennessee’s downfield passing game.

(from Arizona)

Grade: A

The Lions go back to the Hawkeyes program to replenish tight end after trading T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings last season  LaPorta is a welcome extra intermediate target for Jared Goff.

(from Indianapolis)

Grade: A+

The Raiders needed to address tight end after trading Darren Waller and learning of Foster Moreau’s injury concern. Mayer gives them a legitimate dangerous all-around option vs. the the makeshift veteran combination of Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard. Josh McDaniels will hope he has his new Rob Gronkowski in the second round with blocking, field-stretching and red zone finishing.

Grade: B

The Rams’ first pick is part of their offensive line rebuild. Avila offers good power and agility for reliable interior blocking and there’s a good chance he replaces fading Brian Allen at center soon.

(from Denver)

Grade: A

The Seahawks needed to boost their pass rush and Hall has the rudeness and quickness they like to help interior newcomer Dre’Mont Jones get to the quarterback.

(from Las Vegas through Indianapolis)

Grade: C

The Falcons reach a little for depth behind Jake Matthews, Caleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom vs. addressing any of their defensive needs, making another curious luxury pick behind a strength after drafting running back Bijan Robinson first.

Grade: D

Mingo shot up boards late because of some workout impressions, but in the end he’s more of a Day 3 selection given his strength/toughness profiles as a big slot vs. the big-play outside threat the Panthers needed for Bryce Young. Mingo was picked based on Adam Thielen being a short-term option.

Grade: A

Foskey is a sound, productive pass rusher the Saints can develop well opposite Cameron Jordan after seeing Trey Hendrickson and Marcus Davenport move on in recent offseasons. He fills a key defensive need and pairs well with first-round tackle Bryan Bresee.

(from Tennessee)

Grade: B

Make that solid, reliable college pass rushers off the board back to back. Ojulari, the brother of Giants linebacker Azeez, fills a massive void Arizona has for getting after the QB.

(from Jets through Cleveland)

Grade: A

The Packers were tied to a lot of tight ends in this class given a glaring need for Jordan Love and chose to go with an athletic target with the speed, quickness and route-running to make big wideout-like plays.

Grade: B

More than depth behind Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, Tippmann has a good chance to displace shaky Connor McGovern as the new starting center for Aaron Rodgers with his super athleticism for the position.

(from Atlanta)

Grade: A

The Colts had a critical need in outside coverage after trading Stephon Gilmore to the Cowboys. Brents is another big corner in this class with a good blend of physicality and explosiveness in this class.

(from Packers)

Grade: A+

The Lions continue their secondary upgrading this offseason after getting Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley in free agency. Branch gives them good inside coverage versatility, from starting next to Gardner-Johnson to starring as the nickel.

Grade: B

White was a bit inflated as a potential first-rounder and is a decent value here for the Patriots’ front. His size, athleticism and classic versatility had to be all appealing for Bill Belichick.

Grade: D

The Commanders reach again to try to boost their secondary. Although Martin is a smart inside cover man, he still is developing as a playmaker and should have been a Day 3 selection.

(from Detroit through Green Bay)

Grade: A

The Buccaneers traded up a little to make sure they got Mauch, whose toughness and quickness can allow him to start right away opposite Tristan Wirfs on the other side after the team released long-time left tackle Donovan Smith.

Grade: B

The Steelers reached a little for need, but did get their kind of defensive lineman as Benton is their prototypical run stuffer with some pass-rush upside.

(from Tampa Bay)

Grade: B

The Packers went to work to get more targets for Jordan Love on Day 2. Although Reed probably was more of a third-rounder, it was a worthy reach to make sure they got the right type of receiver in between Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Reed can be reliable as a possession slot with some big-play upside.

Grade: A

The Dolphins have Jalen Ramsey joining Xavien Howard at corner, so from that perspective, it’s an interesting depth move for their initial pick. But in terms of the player, Smith is a great value here because he’s another big, physical, aggressive corner in this class who should have gone much earlier.

Grade: A

The Seahawks needed to address their power-running depth behind Kenneth Walker and Charbonnet made a lot of sense as a strong backup who provides seamless effective relief.

(from Baltimore)

Grade: B

The Bears needed to beef up the position with a run stuffer and as a bonus, Dexter has some untapped explosive upside shooting into the backfield.

Grade: A

The Chargers stay in L.A. to fill a key need on their front. Tuipulotu's combination of speed, power and agility is an intriguing inside pass-rush possibility for Brandon Staley.

(from Minnesota through Detroit)

Grade: A

The Chiefs trade up nicely to get a key versatile route-running technician and strong inside-outside possession man for Patrick Mahomes to replace JuJu Smith-Schuster.

(from Jacksonville)

Grade: A

The Bears continue their solid defensive haul with a big, attacking corner to help out a lot of their issues in coverage behind a revamped pass rush.

Grade: A+

The Giants were wise to recognize that fading Ben Bredeson needed to be replaced in front of Daniel Jones. Schmitz will be a long-term snapper and line leader for them as the draft’s best pure center.

Grade: D

The Cowboys did get their tight end room replenished with Dalton Schultz leaving in free agency, but this is a curious reach given Darnell Washington and other much better blockers and athletes were left at the position.

Grade: A+

The Bills make up for their questionable first-round offensive pick of tight end Dalton Kincaid by getting the much-needed powerful road grader for their running game as a needed upgrade over the “other” Connor McGovern.

Grade: A

Turner had an excellent Combine in terms of agility drills and testing to back up his smarts and athleticism in coverage. He can help out Cincinnati in the slot but has the potential to transition outside, too.

(from San Francisco through Carolina and Chicago)

Grade: D

This is a weird reach for Strange, a deep-day three tight end, especially as a pure depth move behind Evan Engram and Luke Farrell. Darnell Washington would have been better here, too.

(from Philadelphia)

Grade: C

The Texans trading up for a pure center they could have gotten deep into Day 3 is also a strange second consecutive pick from Penn State. They got a little desperate to replace Scott Quessenberry in front of C.J. Stroud.

(from Kansas City through Detroit)

Grade: C

Mims is a strange reach for a third-round prospect here after trading up, especially with the Broncos still having Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick, bringing up whether they are ready to move one of the first two soon. At least Mims is different from the rest as a dual big-play threat, both stretching the field and shooting downfield after the catch.