2023 NFL draft: Day 2 Winners and Question Marks
With three rounds completed in the NFL draft, it’s time to analyze the winners and question marks of Day 2—and there was one team that found itself in both categories.
Detroit added a few potential difference makers on defense and might have landed its future franchise quarterback with the selection of Hendon Hooker in the third round. But the Lions had a questionable draft pick in the second round.
The Lions have had the draft spotlight for multiple reasons, but they’re not the only team making noise through the first three rounds. Here’s a list of our winners from Day 2, plus all the questions we have about the not-so-good picks of Friday night. For more, here are our grades for every pick Friday night.
Winners
Giants
Hyatt should help Daniel Jones immediately in the passing game.
George Walker IV/USA TODAY Sports
Picks: John Michael Schmitz, C, No. 57 and Jalin Hyatt, WR, No. 73
When you pay Daniel Jones $40 million per year, you better surround him with high-end talent. General manager Joe Schoen did a nice job of that Friday, selecting center John Michael Schmitz in the second round before nabbing Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt in the third round with a trade-up.
The Giants needed help both up front and on the perimeter, and will have one of the league’s best offensive coaching staffs to work with them. If they reach their potential, New York will have a much-improved unit capable of giving Jones more time and getting more separation down the field.
Lions
Picks: Sam LaPorta, TE, No. 34; Brian Branch, S, No. 45; Hendon Hooker, QB, No. 68
After a very bizarre first round which saw the Lions take a running back No. 12, Detroit had an excellent Friday night. In the second round, the Lions found tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch before securing a high-upside project in quarterback Hendon Hooker.
For Detroit, Branch and LaPorta should be immediate starters, even if LaPorta’s value was questionable (more on that below). Branch is an especially juicy choice, as he has the versatility to play both safety and in the slot. The Lions will also give LaPorta plenty of snaps, replacing T.J. Hockenson who was dealt to the Vikings last autumn.
Packers
Picks: Luke Musgrave, TE, No. 42; Jayden Reed, WR, No. 50; Tucker Kraft, TE, No. 78
The Packers need to build around quarterback Jordan Love. After going with an edge rusher in the first round, Green Bay went offense three consecutive times, including a pair of tight ends in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. The former is more of a pass-catching threat while Kraft will be an in-line blocker who can occasionally bolster the aerial attack.
In Reed, the Packers are getting a speedy threat who should fit in nicely with second-year receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Dobbs. While this will be a retooling year for Green Bay, general manager Brian Gutekunst should get a good look at his youth, beginning to understand who is part of the long-term future.
Steelers
Picks: Joey Porter Jr., CB, No. 32; Keeanu Benton, DT, No. 49; Darnell Washington, TE, No. 93
The Steelers have been one of the best drafting teams for years, and they’re putting together another excellent class. After trading up for left tackle Broderick Jones in the first round, Pittsburgh added a familiar name in Porter, the son of a longtime Steeler, who should solidify a secondary with veteran Patrick Peterson on the other side.
In the third round, Washington is an intriguing pick. He’s a 6'7" tight end, who, if healthy, can serve as a red zone weapon and double as a sixth offensive lineman. The Steelers have done a terrific job of landing talent on both sides of the ball, giving them reason to believe they can fight for a playoff spot in the loaded AFC.
Colts
Picks: Julius Brents, CB, No. 44 and Josh Downs, WR, No. 79
The Colts upgraded on the perimeter Friday night, while giving rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson a quality target. In the second round, Indianapolis landed Brents, who should come in and compete to replace Stephon Gilmore on the outside. One round later, they got Downs, whom some saw as a first-round talent.
General manager Chris Ballard needs a phenomenal draft to get the Colts out of the doldrums. If he hit on Richardson and Downs, the offense is already much-improved, albeit with concerns remaining along the offensive line. And defensively, Brents provides upside and a cheap contract at one of the sport’s premium positions.
Question marks
Lions
The Lions had an up-and-down Day Friday. LaPorta can be a good player for them but was not necessarily a value pick.
Joseph Maiorana/USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Sam LaPorta, TE, No. 34
The Lions were winners for Day 2, but they made another head-scratching move by drafting LaPorta ahead of Michael Mayer, who went the following pick to the Raiders. Perhaps Detroit wanted a tight end with more upside as a pass catcher, but it could have gotten that in Luke Musgrave, who later went to the Packers. Also, if the Lions plan to run the football heavily, Mayer could have provided blocking because he’s regarded as the most complete tight end prospect in the draft. Detroit reached again, just like it did with its two first-round selections of running back Jahmyr Gibbs and inside linebacker Jack Campbell. The Lions’ hype train has drastically lost steam in the past week.
Saints
Pick: Isaiah Foskey, DE, No. 40
Foskey was drafted ahead of edge rushers BJ Ojulari and Keion White, who went later in the second round. The win-now Saints reached in selecting the Notre Dame product, who has an intriguing skill set but will need time to improve against the run. The Saints don’t have time because they went all in on quarterback Derek Carr. New Orleans also needs immediate help at pass rusher after losing Marcus Davenport to the Vikings in free agency. Foskey will get an opportunity to learn under Cam Jordan, but the Saints probably should have gone with Ojulari or White.
Commanders
Pick: Jartavius Martin, S, No. 47
For the second consecutive day, the Commanders made a questionable pick with a defensive back who had mixed results in college. Martin could become a reliable safety or nickel cornerback, but many projected him to be available in the third round. Martin, who was taken in the second round, lacks size at 5'11" and 194 pounds. With Washington needing plenty of help, Martin and first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes are under plenty of pressure to provide immediate results.
Seahawks
Pick: Zach Charbonnet, RB, No. 52
Seattle won the first-round with its two picks of cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but it’s fair to question why the team thought it would be wise to add another running back after getting it right with Kenneth Walker III last season. The Seahawks could have prioritized their thin defensive line by adding another edge rusher. But this shouldn’t be surprising because coach Pete Carroll is a fan of smashmouth football. The duo of Charbonnet and Walker will be fun to watch, but Seattle missed an opportunity to add defensive depth.
Cardinals
Pick: Michael Wilson, WR, No. 94
The Cardinals took a gamble on Wilson, who missed several games in college because of injuries, including the final six games last season. If he can stay healthy, Wilson has the talent to become a savvy playmaker in the NFL, but Arizona can’t afford to bet on risky picks with so many needs throughout the roster, especially on the defensive side. Also, the Cardinals didn’t need to spend a third-round pick on a wideout with Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore and DeAndre Hopkins on the roster. Arizona might be shopping Hopkins, but GM Monti Ossenfort recently said the team doesn’t foresee trading the star wideout.
