Charlie Campbell’s 2024 NFL Mock Re-Draft: Round 2

Buffalo Bills: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Buffalo snatches up a deep-threat receiver for Josh Allen.

Franklin was a reliable receiver for Bo Nix in 2023, turning in a good season for the Ducks. On the year, Franklin caught 81 passes for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns. He notched 61 catches for 891 yards and nine scores in 2022. Franklin (6-3, 187) has some size and the ability to be an underneath receiver in the NFL.

New England Patriots: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

Bill Belichick failed tremendously in his wide receiver evaluations in 2019 by taking N’Keal Harry over Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and Terry McLaurin. Belichick’s evaluations of wideouts were poor in other years as well, like taking Tyquan Thornton over George Pickens, and New England badly needs to upgrade its receiver talent. Here’s a playmaker who would immediately make the Patriots’ offense much more dangerous.

Polk went under the radar because of teammate Rome Odunze, but team sources said they really like Polk as a potential value pick for Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. In 2023, Polk recorded 73 receptions for 1,191 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 204-pounder has quality size, speed and route-running. He would have been a No. 1 receiver at most schools.

Arizona Cardinals: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

The Cardinals could use more interior offensive line talent. Powers-Johnson could be their long-term center or be a starter at guard.

It took some time with an odd journey, but eventually Powers-Johnson turned himself into an impactful player for the Ducks. Powers-Johnson was a backup in 2021 before playing defensive line in an emergency role to close out that season. He was back to being a backup in 2022, but took over as the starting center in 2023 and had a superb season. The 6-foot-3, 334-pound Powers-Johnson is a heavy center who looks like a safe pick to be a solid pro starter. He is strong, nasty, and can blast open holes in the ground game. Powers-Johnson could be a starter at guard or center.

Washington Commanders: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

The Commanders need a lot of help on the offensive line. Here’s a plug-and-play upgrade who could be their long-term left tackle.

The cousin of Lions All-Pro Penei Sewell, Suamataia was a top recruit who landed at Oregon and redshirted. In 2022, Suamataia transferred to BYU and broke out, including not allowing a sack all season. The 6-foot-4, 329-pounder has shocking speed and athleticism for an edge blocker of his size. He is a physical and powerful run blocker who has the quickness and athleticism to be a capable pass protector. Suamataia could stand to add some lower body strength, and he was inconsistent in the back half of his final season, especially in pass protection. With a great skill set, Suamataia has a lot of upside and could be a very good starter at left tackle, right tackle, or guard in the NFL.

Los Angeles Chargers: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

The Chargers need more interior defensive line talent.

While Jenkins did not generate big pass-rushing numbers, he was consistent about producing pressure from the inside for Michigan. Jenkins may not be an elite rusher as a pro, but he is a superb run defender who contributes some pass rush. He possesses athleticism, quickness and strength, plus has very good instincts. Jenkins recorded 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception in 2023. After spending a couple of seasons as a backup, Jenkins (6-3, 305) earned a starting spot in 2022 and had a strong debut with 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and two hurries. Kris Jenkins is the son of former Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and the nephew of former Packer Cullen Jenkins, so he has good NFL bloodlines. His father and uncle have tutored him well, as Kris Jenkins is a real tactician with advanced development.

Tennessee Titans: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan

The Titans add another weapon for Will Levis.

In 2023, Wilson recorded 48 catches for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns. That showed improvement over his 2022 (25-376-4) and 2021 (25-420-3) seasons. Wilson (6-0, 192) has some speed and explosiveness as a route-runner to go along with quality size. He could become an even bigger playmaker in the NFL after being stuck in a running-based offense with Michigan.

Carolina Panthers: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

The Panthers could use more young talent at cornerback after losing Donte Jackson and C.J. Henderson in free agency.

In 2023, Rakestraw totaled 35 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble. Team sources say Rakestraw has the talent to be a solid pro starter because he is a well-rounded cover corner. Rakestraw (6-0, 188) has quality size, quickness, physicality and instincts, but he does not have an elite skill set and lacks ball production. He could be an outside or inside corner in the NFL. In 2022 as a redshirt sophomore, Rakestraw started all 13 games and totaled 36 tackles, 12 passes broken up and an interception.

Washington Commanders: Chris Braswell, OLB, Alabama

The Commanders grab more pass-rush talent to help replace Montez Sweat.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Braswell has edge-rush ability for the next level. He possesses a very good skill set with legit speed and strength in his frame. In 2023, Braswell recorded 42 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and a pass batted. In 2022, he totaled three sacks and 22 tackles while rotating behind Will Anderson and Dallas Turner. Braswell has real upside for the NFL.

Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

The Packers could use some young talent at linebacker.

Team sources said Cooper impressed in 2023, showing explosive speed and athleticism. They noted that while Cooper is not as natural in coverage, he is a beast in the ground game. In 2023, he totaled 83 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, zero interceptions and two passes batted. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder possesses excellent size for the NFL, including ideal height and length. Owing to having more eligibility, Cooper could have decided to return for another season to improve his pass-coverage skills rather than enter the 2024 NFL Draft, but he declared. Cooper has a big-time skill set with a ton of upside.

Houston Texans: Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State

The Texans could use more young talent on the inside of their defensive line.

In 2023, Hall recorded 24 tackles and 1.5 sacks while playing out of position at nose tackle. He got off to an impressive start for the 2022 season, showing speed and playmaking ability at the point of attack. Hall recorded 19 tackles and 4.5 sacks that season, but looked like he was just scratching the surface of his potential. While Hall (6-2, 290) is a little light, he is fast off the ball with the ability to fire his gap and is a natural three-technique. If Hall did not have a lot of character and off-the-field issues, he would be a first-rounder given his skill set.

Atlanta Falcons: Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

The Falcons could use more corner talent to go with A.J. Terrell.

Lassiter (5-11, 186) has a good skill set and established himself as the top cover corner for the Bulldogs in 2023. Lassiter is very instinctive and impressed with his ability to sustain coverage. In 2023, he recorded 37 tackles and eight passes broken up while providing steady blanket coverage on the opposing team’s top receiver. He totaled 38 tackles and four passes batted in 2022.

Las Vegas Raiders: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Raiders could stand to add more talent in the secondary.

In 2023, McKinstry recorded 32 tackles, zero interceptions and seven passes broken up. Most freshmen didn’t play immediately for Nick Saban, but McKinstry was an anomaly, notching 26 tackles, an interception, a pass broken up and a sack in 2021. In 2022, McKinstry recorded 35 tackles, a sack, an interception and 15 passes broken up. The 5-foot-11, 199-pounder possesses, size, length, straight-line speed, and physicality. However, he is a press-man corner only and does not look like a good fit for a zone or off-man scheme.

New Orleans Saints: Cooper DeJean, S/CB, Iowa

The Saints could use more youth at safety.

DeJean recorded 41 tackles, two interceptions and five passes batted in 2023 before his season ended early. He was all over the field for Iowa in 2022, making big plays while totaling 75 tackles, five interceptions and eight passes defended. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound DeJean is a gritty and instinctive defender. While he can play outside cornerback, some team sources feel DeJean would be best as a hybrid safety and nickel corner in the NFL, similar to a C.J. Gardner-Johnson or Brian Branch. That would allow DeJean the freedom to use his instincts to make plays. Teams love DeJean’s versatility because he has starting ability at three positions in the secondary. Sources have also raved about DeJean’s character and intangibles, and I think he is a top-20 talent in the 2024 NFL Draft class.

Indianapolis Colts: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

The Colts grab a weapon for Anthony Richardson.

McConkey (5-11, 187) is not the biggest or fastest receiver, but he is a gritty football player who came up with some clutch plays for Georgia in its back-to-back National Championship seasons. McConkey recorded 58 catches for 762 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. That was a big improvement over 2021 (31-447-5). McConkey might fit best as a slot receiver at the next level. He dealt with some injuries in 2023 while catching 30 passes for 478 yards and two touchdowns.

New York Giants: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota

The Giants could use more safety talent after losing Xavier McKinney in free agency.

Some teams had Nubin graded out as a potential first- or second-round pick for the 2023 NFL Draft prior to him returning to Minnesota for another year. In 2023, Nubin totaled 53 tackles, five interceptions and four breakups. While he looked better in pass coverage during 2023, he missed some tackles. In 2022, Nubin recorded 55 tackles, four interceptions and three passes defended. He had similar production in 2021 with 49 tackles, three picks and two passes broken up. Pro evaluators like that Nubin (6-2, 210) is big, physical, instinctive, and has impressive movement skills for a player of his size.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Maason Smith, DT, LSU

The Jaguars could go a number of directions with this pick, but one area of need is on the interior of the defensive line. Jacksonville could use an interior pass rusher and disruptor. Arik Armstead was signed in free agency, but he is not a big presence in the pass rush at this stage of his career. Here is a high-upside three-technique tackle, which the Jaguars need for operating more four-man fronts.

Smith was a dynamic freshman for the Tigers in 2021, and the former five-star recruit made an instant impact for them, recording four sacks and 19 tackles. There was a ton of hype coming from LSU that he was poised to have a monster 2022 season, but he suffered a torn ACL in the season opener against Florida State and missed the year. The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder has excellent size and length with the upside to build on his fantastic debut. He was suspended for Week 1 of 2023, but went on to record 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two passes batted over the rest of his year.

Cincinnati Bengals: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

The Bengals grab a replacement for Tyler Boyd.

McMillan took off in 2022 with 79 catches for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns. With the Huskies on their way to an appearance in the National Championship for the 2023 season, McMillan contributed while playing banged up. He missed four games with a knee issue and was limited in others, but he still made some big plays while recording 45 catches for 559 yards and five scores. McMillan (6-1, 198) does not look like an NFL team’s No. 1 wide receiver, but he could be a solid No. 2 wideout on the outside with the flexibility to also line up in the slot. McMillan is a polished receiver who is a solid route-runner, tracks the ball well, and has functional size and speed. The best trait that McMillan has is dangerous speed as he gets further into the route. McMillan does not have a great first-step or explosion off the ball, but he has serious build-up speed that lets him take defensive backs by surprise. Aside from needing time to reach top gear, McMillan can get pushed around and too easily re-routed by defenders. He needs to improve at winning on contested catches for the NFL.

Philadelphia Eagles: Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State

The Eagles could use more youth at linebacker.

Wilson (6-4, 238) put together a massive senior season and appearing all over the field for the Wolfpack. In 2023, he totaled 138 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, three interceptions and six passes defended. It was a huge increase over 2022. Wilson flashed similar performance to his 2023 play back in 2020, when he collected 108 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and one pass broken up. Wilson has good size for the NFL. Some sources think he could develop into being a starter, while others have him projected as a backup. Wilson is extremely fast and a good pursuit player, but he will need to get stronger and tougher for defending downhill runs.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

The Steelers could use more receiving talent after trading Diontae Johnson.

Mitchell notched 55 catches in 2023 for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. For the NFL, Mitchell has a big-time skill set and a ton of upside to develop. The 6-foot-4, 196-pounder has mismatch size and length, including a large catch radius. Mitchell possesses some straight-line speed, but lacks quick explosion and change-of-direction juice. He also needs to get stronger for the NFL. One can see why Mitchell was a top recruit at Georgia, and he was wise to transfer to Texas, which finally put him in an offense that features a passing attack and gets the receivers more involved. Mitchell looks like a potential first-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft. Teams have makeup concerns with Mitchell, including problems with how he manages his Type-1 diabetes.

Los Angeles Rams: Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

The Rams could add more interior defensive line talent.

Sources with NFL teams said they feel Newton has boom-or-bust potential. On the positive side, he is a dangerous interior rusher who has natural pass-rush ability that is hard to find from a defensive tackle. On the negative side, Newton can get destroyed as a run defender and has size limitations. He also seems to turn his play on and off. Newton is known to be a good worker who loves football, so that helps teams think he will do everything possible to turn into a good pro.

The fast and athletic Newton produced well in the pass rush over the past few seasons. He totaled 52 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two passes broken up in 2023. In 2022, Newton recorded 5.5 sacks, 59 tackles and three passes batted. He picked up 3.5 sacks in 2021. At 6-foot-2, 304 pounds, Newton is shorter and lacks length, so he will have to develop the ability to hold up against NFL mass to be a three-down starter. If he can’t develop his run defense, Newton might be a rotational player as an interior designated pass rusher.

Philadelphia Eagles: Adisa Isaac, DE, Penn State

The Eagles could use more youth at defensive end with Brandon Graham potentially in his final season.

While Chop Robinson was expected to be Penn State’s leading pass rusher, Isaac was the player who generated the most pass-rushing production in 2023 after Robinson was injured. In 2023, Isaac totaled 7.5 sacks, 37 tackles and a forced fumble. He had four sacks in 2022 and a grand total of three sacks over 2020 and 2019. Isaac has quality size for the next level and is a good run defender. His pass rushing needs to improve for the NFL.

Cleveland Browns: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

The Browns grab an interior pass-rushing presence.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Fiske is a quick and athletic interior pass rusher. He had a strong Senior Bowl, putting his pass-rush potential on display. Fiske is undersized and needs to get stronger as a run defender. Mass and power guards are able to push him out of his gap, so he needs to grow more stout for the NFL. In 2023, Fiske recorded 43 tackles and six sacks for the Seminoles. He had 58 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes batted in 2022. Fiske totaled 7.5 sacks over the previous three seasons.

Miami Dolphins: Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State

The Dolphins grab an upgrade at guard.

Beebe (6-3, 322) played some snaps at tackle, but mostly was at guard for the Wildcats. The latter is his best fit for the NFL. Team sources said they liked Beebe’s 2022 tape more than what they saw in 2023. They shared they felt Beebe lost some intensity in his play. He is limited athletically and faces some issues with speed and quickness. However, he has power and can be productive in the ground game. Beebe looks like a future NFL starter.

Dallas Cowboys: Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

The Cowboys grab another option to compete with T.J. Bass to be the replacement for Tyler Biadasz.

The 6-foot-3, 313-pound Frazier is a physical and tough interior offensive lineman. He was a multi-year starter at West Virginia and enters the next level with a good amount of experience. Frazier is a former wrestler with strong hands and a serious ability to sustain blocks and tie up defenders. Frazier can also play guard given that he was a starter there as a freshman before moving to center for his other seasons with the Mountaineers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marshawn Kneeland, DE, Western Michigan

Tampa Bay could use more defensive line talent.

Kneeland played well against the run for Western Michigan in 2023, recording 57 tackles. He also tied his career high in sacks with 4.5 and two forced fumbles. As a sophomore in 2021, Kneeland had 4.5 sacks. Kneeland (6-3, 268) received an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he had a decent week of practice.

Green Bay Packers: Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina

The Packers could use some more talent at linebacker next to Quay Walker.

In 2023, Gray amassed 121 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and four passes defended. He was one of the best linebackers in college football in 2022 and super productive for the Tar Heels. Gray recorded 144 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, six passes broken up and one sack that season. In 2021, he totaled 99 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and three pass breakups. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has a good build and instincts.

Houston Texans: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

The Texans could stand to add some youth at cornerback.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder Hart is a big corner who will enter the next level with good development and experience. In 2023, Hart totaled 21 tackles, four passes broken up and three forced fumbles, but the numbers don’t illustrate how very good Hart was as a senior. He had a superb game against Marvin Harrison Jr., leading the way to limit the star receiver to three catches for 32 yards. Hart moves well for a big cornerback and can play man or zone coverage. With his skill set and experience, Hart could be a starter early in his NFL career.

Buffalo Bills: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami

The Bills use this opportunity to get younger at safety.

Despite missing time due to injury, Kinchens was incredible in 2023, showing he is an elite ball-hawking safety with amazing instincts and playmaking ability. On the year, Kinchens totaled 59 tackles, a sack, five passes batted and five interceptions. He broke out in 2022 with six interceptions, five passes defended, 59 tackles and a forced fumble. The 5-foot-11, 202-pounder has a great skill set and serious ball skills. Kinchens is athletic and rangy, so he could play single-high deep free safety for the NFL. Sources also said Kinchens is great off the field.

Detroit Lions: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

Josh Reynolds left in free agency, and the Lions could use a big receiver to go with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

In 2023, Coleman totaled 50 catches of 658 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has good size with functional quickness, athleticism, and excellent ball skills. In 2022 for Michigan State, he recorded 58 receptions for 798 yards and seven touchdowns while playing. Coleman opened the 2023 season, and his career as a Seminole, with a monster game of nine catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns versus LSU. Coleman also got the better of a future NFL corner in Wake Forest’s Caelen Carson in their matchup. Coleman hurt his draft stock with a slow 40 time at the combine.

Baltimore Ravens: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri

The Ravens grab some cornerback depth and competition.

Abrams-Draine (5-11, 178) could have been a mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft before deciding to return to Missouri. In 2022, Abrams-Draine was a gritty defender, recording 48 tackles and 14 passes broken up. In 2021, he totaled 37 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended. In 2023, he recorded 51 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes broken up. Abrams-Draine could be more of a slot corner candidate for the NFL. He was a good college player, but he faces size limitations for the next level.

San Francisco 49ers: Javon Bullard, CB/S, Georgia

The 49ers could use help at nickel corner and safety. Bullard is a perfect fit to help at either position.

Bullard (5-11, 180) totaled 56 tackles, two interceptions and five passes broken up in 2023. During 2022, he recorded 46 tackles, two interceptions, three passes broken up and 3.5 sacks. Bullard is highly instinctive, tough, physical, and has excellent feel and awareness. He also has a thinner frame, so it would help him to gain some weight for the NFL. Bullard is a corner/safety hybrid who is similar to Detroit Lions defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Brian Branch.

Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

Kansas City could stand to add more offensive line talent in front of Pat Mahomes.

The 6-foot-7, 333-pound Paul has starter-level ability for the NFL with massive size, length, quickness and athleticism. He will enter the pros with a lot of experience after breaking into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2021. Paul has upside, talent and versatility, but he needs work to improve his consistency. Paul might need a year of development with NFL coaching before being ready to start.