The best picks from Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft
By Michael Renner •
Apr 27, 2019
We are back with our favorite picks from Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft. With so much value left on the PFF draft board after the first round, we saw a ton of picks we liked throughout the second and third rounds.
[Editor’s Note: To view all of Pro Football Focus’ advanced stats and grades for draft-eligible players, check out our 2019 NFL Draft Guide. All EDGE and ELITE subscribers already have access to the guide, and for those who don’t, you can get your copy for as low as $9.99!]
Pick 33 – Byron Murphy, Arizona Cardinals
Big Board Rank: 6th
The best zone corner in the draft goes to Vance Joseph’s zone-heavy scheme. Murphy is reminiscent of Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. with his versatility and prowess in off coverage.
Pick 35 – Jawaan Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars
Big Board Rank: 15th
Taylor takes a short drive up north and gets to stay at his right tackle position. Taylor is as dominant a run-blocking tackle as there is in this class, and the Jags have been looking for a way to kick start Leonard Fournette.
Pick 41 – Dalton Risner, Denver Broncos
Big Board Rank: 19th
The analytics absolutely love Risner’s pass-blocking ability – he allowed fewer than 30 pressures his entire college career. Risner probably kicks inside to center for Denver where he played a little as a freshman.
Pick 46 – Greedy Williams, Cleveland Browns
Big Board Rank: 9th
The Browns didn’t technically have a first-rounder, but in our eyes, they got a top-10 pick here. Williams’ speed and length will pair nicely across from Denzel Ward, and they’ll be able to match up with whatever a receiving corps can throw their way.
Pick 51 – AJ Brown, Tennessee Titans
Big Board Rank: 20th
With Brown, the Titans get versatility and the dynamic presence after the catch that the offense has been lacking. The Ole Miss wide receiver broke 40 tackles over the past two seasons.
Pick 57 – JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Philadelphia Eagles
Big Board Rank: 23rd
Arcega-Whiteside should take the Eagles’ red-zone offense to the next level. His body control and catch radius is a perfect pairing with Carson Wentz. The Stanford wideout led the nation in red zone receiving grade last year.
Pick 60 – Nasir Adderley, Los Angeles Chargers
Big Board Rank: 27th
Adderley was the top safety on our board and the ideal single high safety to pair with Derwin James in the box. He had four picks and six pass breakups last season.
Pick 62. Andy Isabella, Arizona Cardinals
Big Board Rank: 30th
Isabella was the most productive wide receiver in the country last season, and his speed will be put to good use in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. The Cardinals’ receiving corps was in desperate speed of dynamism, and they found it.
Pick 64 – D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Big Board Rank: 17th
The top receiver on our draft board. Metcalf may be a bit of a one trick pony, but it’s a good trick. With 4.33 speed at his size, he’ll be able to separate well on the vertical route tree.
Pick 77 – Chase Winovich, New England Patriots
Big Board Rank: 29th
Winovich had back-to-back 90.0-plus graded seasons at Michigan and tested out as an elite athlete at the combine. At that point, there are not too many question marks in our eyes. His on-field play compared to teammate Rashan Gary at this point isn’t even close.
Pick 80 – David Long, Los Angeles Rams
Big Board Rank: 33rd
Instead of plugging needs, the Rams had the luxury of taking some backups who will be future starters on Day 2. Long allowed only 18 catches his entire college career although he’ll have to get up to speed with any sort of off-coverage in the NFL.
Pick 84 – Khalen Saunders, Kansas City Chiefs
Big Board Rank: 47th
Saunders is the complete opposite type of nose tackle than the Chiefs got in the third round last season. Derrick Nnadi is far more of a space eater while Saunders is a gifted penetrator. At a shade over 6-0 and 324 pounds, Saunders has exceptional quicks for a man that size and had the second-best win rate in the one-on-ones among defensive tackles at the Senior Bowl.
Pick 92 – Chuma Edoga, New York Jets
Big Board Rank: 64th
Edoga is a smooth offensive tackle who projects well in pass protection at the next level. He isn’t going to win any awards for his run blocking, but he allowed all of 10 pressures over the past two seasons.
Pick 100 – Will Grier, Carolina Panthers
Big Board Rank: 24th
Grier has a trump card in this QB class and its pinpoint underneath accuracy. There are too many ugly throws on tape, and he takes more sacks than you’d like, but ball placement is far and away the most important trait for a quarterback to have.
