Favorite Day Two Prospects

With round one of the NFL Draft in the books, we look forward to some of the top day-two prospects left. I surveyed some of our in-house NFL draft experts, along with experts from some popular draft outlets to get a sense of some of the favorites still on the board. Check out additional draft coverage at atbnetwork.com/nfl-draft/.

Brian Maafi – ATB Network: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

“He is one of probably two players in this class with the highest floor. Him and Bijan Robinson. He should come into an NFL offense and immediately contribute as a rookie both as a receiver and blocker. His ceiling may not be as high as some of the other tight ends in the class, but you know you are getting a guy who can come in and start from day 1.”

Saivion Mixson – ATB Network: Adetomiwa Adebaware, iDL, Northwestern

“When Kancey went off the board and other names like Campbell and McDonald flew off earlier than we thought, I thought Ade was surely next. Man is electric, can play him all over the line, and is a specimen athletically. I don’t see him lasting very long in the second.”

Daniel Olinger – The Draft Network: Adetomiwa Adebaware, iDL, Northwestern

“Obviously I’m biased because he’s a Northwestern guy and a player I first tweeted about when he was just a true sophomore getting his first start back in 2020, but the dude can play. Unbelievably explosive off the line of scrimmage, versatility to play on both interior and at EDGE, build like an overly swole fire hydrant, and has one of the coolest names in the draft. Any team should be happy to take him in round two.”

JP Acosta – SB Nation: BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

“What I love about Ojulari is his refined ability to get after the passer. He has great bend and flexibility, and a repertoire of counters to go with his speed. He’s a little undersized, which causes a problem in the run game, but if you want a Day 2 player who will immediately give your pass rush some juice, take Ojulari.”

Alex Katson – Neptune Scouting/Chargers Wire: BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU

“An injury prevented Ojulari from testing at his full potential, but his bend is second-to-none in this class. His tape shows a ready-made NFL pass rusher with plenty of athletic upside.”

Cory Kinnan – Browns Wire: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

“Sure, he played exclusively in the nickel this past season and did not test well at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, Brian Branch is a straight-up football player and willing to do the dirty work. Some team is going to get a top-15 talent at a bargain.”

Tyler Forness – Vikings Wire: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

“While he’s not a sexy pick for a lot of people, Branch is a do-it-all player on the back end who pairs good athleticism and versatility with elite football IQ. My 13th-ranked player in the 2023 class should come off the board quickly”

Aaron Freeman – Locked On Falcons: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

“I see shades of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Tyrann Mathieu when watching Branch, given his consistency, discipline, and play-making ability. His ability to be a plug-and-play nickel with lots of potential as a deep safety, somebody is going to get a very reliable component of their defense for many years to come.”

Ian Cummings – Pro Football Network: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama

“Top 15 prospect for me. Doesn’t quite have elite long speed and has a niche as a nickel DB, so those could be reasons for his slide out of Round 1. Ultimately, I think Branch still has high-level short-area mobility and fluidity, to go along with clean off-man coverage technique, instincts, playmaking ability, and biting physicality in both phases. He’s a tremendous value deal wherever he goes today.”

Hunter Thompson – Neptune Scouting: Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech

“Dude is a baller. He’s got awesome power. The size is everything you want at the NFL level. And he gives the defensive line some major versatility. He was a top 15 player on my board, so him falling into the second is insane. Someone’s getting a steal”

Honorable Mentions:

There are a few others that deserve mention as favorite players on day two. The guys mentioned are some of the top players left, so I’ll give a few lower additional guys who I really enjoy.

Quan Martin, S, Illinois

Quan Martin is an extremely versatile player in the Illinois secondary. He can play either as a nickel or as a deep safety. He has good coverage upside and is solid in the run game. Martin totaled three interceptions this past season. He is also an elite athlete for either a safety or a cornerback.

Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

Drew Sanders is one of the top linebackers in the draft, and projects to come off the board early on day two. Sanders provides versatility as both an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher. While his coverage skills are lacking, he provides passing-down capabilities as a pass rusher.

Gervon Dexter, iDL, Florida

Dexter is a upside swing at the defensive tackle position. He had limited production, but there are a number of explanations for why. One reason may be the lack of help along the rest of the Florida defensive line. Another may be his egregious snap counts this past season. But, it could also be that he is slow off the ball despite having elite athleticism for the position. It’s definitely a risk, but one that I like in round three.

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia

Darnell Washington is a freak athlete at the tight end position with the upside to be a dominant force as both a blocker and a receiver. He needs work at both and hasn’t produced heavily at the college level, but that can be attributed to playing behind the best tight end in college football Brock Bowers. Washington showed flashes of brilliance, and has a chance to be one of the most physically dominant players in the NFL.