2024 NFL Draft: Packers & Russell Wilson Win Big on 2nd Day as Panthers and Josh Allen Amongst Biggest Losers

The 2024 NFL Draft’s second day saw fortunes shift. While some teams hit the jackpot, strengthening their Super Bowl aspirations, others faltered, leaving their fan bases questioning the decision-making.

At the forefront stood the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who made all the right moves. On the other hand, the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills may have dropped the ball, with questionable picks leaving pundits scratching their heads.

Packers and Steelers hit home runs on NFL Draft Day 2

The Packers knocked it out of the park on Day 2, nabbing studs like Edgerrin Cooper and Javon Bullard, earning an A- and B+ grade according to NFL Draft analyst Chris Trapasso. Cooper brings “ultra-quick trigger” skills and can be a QB’s best friend, while Bullard plays “hair-on-fire” football and will be a “missile” against the run.

The Steelers also earned high marks for fortifying their O-line with picks like West Virginia center Zach Frazier. Praised for his “mobility and leverage, “, Frazier can “anchor like a champ” to give Wilson and Fields a clean pocket. They also picked wideout Roman Wilson and linebacker Payton Wilson to add depth.

With smart picks filling needs, these franchises positioned themselves as legit contenders from the opening kickoff. Protecting their star QBs and adding playmakers, they’re aiming to run the table in ’24. But not every squad hit pay dirt on Day 2. The Panthers and the Bills’ underwhelming draft capital, has some observers wondering if they missed a chance to truly “load up” around Josh Allen.

Scrutiny on Panthers & Bills after questionable picks

While the Panthers failed to equip Bryce Young with a precise deep threat in Xavier Legette, they weren’t alone in their struggles. Their oversight went beyond just the wide receiver position. Carolina had glaring needs at defensive back, edge rusher, tight end and defensive tackle heading into the draft, but didn’t grab any of the top prospects at those premium positions. With two second-round picks (33 and 39 overall) and a third-rounder at 65, they had ample draft capital to bolster the roster but appear to have missed out.

The Bills’ strategy of trading down twice in the first round eliminated their chance at drafting an elite prospect to fill one of their many holes. While taking Keon Coleman gives Josh Allen another target after losing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, the pick earned a lackluster “C-” grade, with the scouting report stating he “doesn’t separate consistently and isn’t as good of a contested-catch wideout as his size would indicate.”

With remaining needs at edge rusher, defensive tackle, safety and even running back, Buffalo’s curious moves have been widely panned.

The Giants (Tyler Nubin, B-), Cowboys (Marshawn Kneeland, B-), and 49ers (Renardo Green, A) also raised some eyebrows with their Day 2 selections. Nubin’s “stiffness as an athlete” was a concern, while Kneeland gets flagged for having “just scratching the surface” talent despite not dominating in the MAC. Even the Niners’ Green pick, while graded highly, comes with the caveat that he “may not have the twitch to play inside.”

For contenders like Buffalo, Carolina, and San Francisco, filling out the roster with complementary pieces is crucial in a championship window. Disappointing draft capital, especially at premium positions like receiver and corner, could haunt these teams down the road as they try to keep pace with rivals who made more impactful moves.