Via: sportingnews.com\
After and action-packed day one of the NFL Draft, day two will begin in just a few hours. Many talented prospects are still available, some of which were expected to be drafted last night. Some NFL teams will look to continue to fill out their rosters today, as others could be looking to trade their picks for the league's current stars. With that said, let's take a look at the best players available in the NFL Draft.
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean’s slide-down draft boards was one that many predicted leading into round one. Dean stuffed the stat sheet during his time at Georgia, however, the questions about Dean’s size as well as the value of an off-ball linebacker caused Dean to fall as far as he has. Dean’s sideline-to-sideline ability, along with his capabilities in coverage and rushing the quarterback would be a perfect fit for multiple teams early in the second round. Dean is regarded as the number one prospect available by most and shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called on Friday night. The Giants, Texans, and Jets are three teams to watch for with picks early in the second round that could target Nakobe Dean.
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
It was projected that there wouldn’t be many Quarterbacks to have their names called last night, however, it’s still a surprise that there was only one QB drafted on night one. With Willis still being on the board, it feels like there must be a team in need of a Quarterback considering trading up for Willis. Willis’ ability to make plays with his legs and accurately make downfield throws should be enticing for multiple franchises. A few teams to watch regarding Willis: Tennessee, Seattle, and Atlanta.
Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
After the massive run on receivers in the first round and through trades on night one, I figured we’d see more cornerbacks selected towards the end of the round. With only four corners being selected, that leaves plenty of defensive backs for teams with weak secondaries to select on day two. I believe that Gordon and Booth are 1A and 1B for the best corner available. I love Gordon’s ball skills as well as his willingness to make plays in the run game. Some teams to watch for that could be in on Kyler Gordon: Minnesota, Seattle, and Chicago.
Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Booth is another excellent corner that I expected to have been selected on night one. Booth possesses special athleticism, enabling him to make incredible plays on the ball. The tape on Booth also shows his high IQ and great ability to recognize what opposing offenses are doing on the fly. Booth is then able to fly to the ball and use his tackling ability to finish plays. A few teams to watch that could select Booth: Minnesota, Tennessee, New York, and Indianapolis.
David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan
Ojabo was expected to slip into the second round as the Achilles tear he suffered on his pro day drastically affected his stock. Ojabo had a productive season lined up on the opposite side of the now number two pick, Aidan Hutchinson. Ojabo has great speed and a quick get-off that mixes well with the aggressiveness of his hands when rushing the passer. There could be a few teams that see Ojabo’s potential and decide he’s worth the risk even with the Achilles injury.
Boye Mafe, OLB, Minnesota
When watching Mafe play, the first thing that jumps out is his pure speed off the edge, but what also makes him a special prospect is his ability to disrupt the run when lined up on the edge. Mafe ‘s first step makes him so dangerous as a pass-rusher and his ability to change directions with ease allow him to finish plays. Mafe led the Golden Gophers in 2021 with seven sacks. Mafe could be in play for Houston, Seattle, Atlanta, and Baltimore.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Watson is an intriguing prospect that some had as a potential late first-rounder. Watson’s combination of his size and frame (6’4” with 32 ½’’ arms) and speed (4.36 forty-yard dash) make him a really exciting day two prospect. We witnessed tons of movement last night in the draft and the league as a whole for the wide receiver position, some teams that chose not to select a receiver on night one could be in the running for Watson. I’d keep an eye out for Houston, Indianapolis, and Cleveland as wide receiver needy teams that could be in the mix for Watson.
Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
As expected, no running backs were selected during the first round of the draft, leaving the top players at the position available on day two. Iowa State’s Breece Hall is the number one running back in most people’s eyes and could be the first back to have his name called on day two. Hall has great versatility out of the backfield with his receiving ability, Hall racked up over seventeen-hundred total yards and twenty-three total touchdowns in 2021 for the Cyclones. Tampa Bay, Buffalo, and Atlanta are teams that could be looking to select Hall
*All stats were received from ESPN Stats & Info. Department