Will Levis‘ wait to be drafted did not final lengthy in any respect on Friday night time, because the Tennessee Titans traded as much as take the Kentucky quarterback at No. 33 after he went unpicked within the first spherical.
As soon as thought of a top-five prospect, a despondent Levis grew to become the main focus of consideration on Thursday night time in Kansas Metropolis as three different quarterbacks had been picked forward of him.
In a while Friday night time, one other high-profile quarterback heard his title referred to as, because the Lions grabbed Tennessee passer Hendon Hooker at choose No. 68.
Whereas the 25-year-old Hooker was largely seen as a Day 2 choose, Levis slipped a lot additional than anticipated earlier than touchdown with the Titans.
‘I ended up the place I used to be meant to be, and I´m simply wanting ahead to competing and getting began,’ Levis stated. ‘I used to be ecstatic to get the decision.’
The 23-year-old, joined by his girlfriend Gia Duddy, was anticipated to be a top-five choose
Joey Porter Jr. was chosen at No. 32 by the Steelers – the identical crew his dad performed for
One choose earlier than, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. adopted within the footsteps of his father as he was chosen by the Steelers – the identical crew his dad was drafted by in 1999.
Porter Sr. was a fearsome linebacker for Pittsburgh, spending eight years with the franchise and successful Tremendous Bowl XL.
And Porter Jr., who starred at Penn State, will even start his profession in black and yellow after being chosen at No. 32.
‘You speak about legacies and a son not solely making it, however taking part in for a similar franchise — that in itself can be superb,’ Porter Sr. advised ESPN earlier than this 12 months’s draft.
‘You could not write these things in a storybook. It will be superb to see if one thing like that occurred.’
Tight finish Michael Mayer, one other massive title nonetheless on the board heading into Friday night time, was picked not lengthy after Levis at No. 35 total by the Raiders.
The Kentucky quarterback Levis was projected as excessive because the second total choose.
Levis sat uncomfortably on Friday night time, generally squirming in entrance of the TV cameras, as he watched three quarterbacks picked within the first 4 choices: Younger to the Panthers, Stroud to the Texans and Richardson to the Colts.
And Levis’ unlucky night time was watched by a large crowd, as a median of viewers of 11.4 million viewers watched on Friday throughout ESPN, NFL Community, ABC, ESPN Deportes and digital channels, the league stated.
‘Not shocked — shocked,’ stated ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., who had projected Levis as a top-four choose. ‘As soon as it obtained into that no-man’s land as a result of there was no person needing a quarterback mid-round, I believed perhaps any individual would soar again in. Possibly the Rams would.
Different mock drafters figured Levis might go as excessive as No. 2 total.
‘All of us thought he’d be a first-round choose,’ Kiper stated, figuring at worst that Levis would drop to Tampa Bay at No. 19. ‘Properly, he obtained down loads additional than that. He is out there within the second spherical.’
Similar to Boomer Esiason, Brett Favre and Geno Smith as soon as had been.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a cross in opposition to Kentucky on October 29
Notre Dame tight finish Michael Mayer went No. 35 total to the Raiders within the second spherical
Jordan Love could have been the largest winner on the second day of the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ draft
The Packers obtained just a few weapons for his or her new beginning quarterback within the NFL draft on Friday night time: They chose Oregon State tight finish Luke Musgrave and Michigan State extensive receiver Jayden Reed within the second spherical and South Dakota State tight finish Tucker Kraft within the third spherical.
‘I believe any time you are going to have a quarterback that is below heart for the primary time, you wish to encompass him with playmakers, in order that was positively a part of the dialog,’ Packers vice chairman of participant personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan stated.
Inexperienced Bay selected Musgrave with the forty second total choice, a choose they acquired within the commerce that despatched four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Rodgers’ exit palms the beginning quarterback job to Love, who has made only one begin for the reason that Packers chosen him out of Utah State within the first spherical of the 2020 draft.
The Packers additionally entered the night time with the No. 45 total choice, however they despatched that to Detroit in a commerce that introduced them the No. 48 selection and a fifth-round choose. They then moved down two extra spots and obtained a sixth-round choose from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They used the No. 50 spot on Reed, who turned 23 on Friday and thought of the decision from the Packers the perfect birthday reward.
‘Properly, my girlfriend gave me some glasses,’ Reed stated. ‘I obtained an Apple watch. However nothing tops this. I imply that is all I might ever ask for. That is all I ever wished eternally in my life.’
Michigan State extensive receiver Jayden Reed is headed to the Inexperienced Bay Packers
The Packers capitalized on the depth of this 12 months’s tight finish class by taking two gamers at that place. Inexperienced Bay’s high tight ends below contract are Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis, who mixed to catch 17 passes for 140 yards final season.
Inexperienced Bay is taking an opportunity on the upside of Musgrave, who totaled simply 20 video games in 4 seasons at Oregon State on account of accidents. He had 11 catches for 169 yards and a landing in Oregon State’s first two video games final 12 months earlier than present process season-ending surgical procedure on his medial collateral ligament.
Musgrave impressed scouts on the Senior Bowl and on the mix.
‘I actually was attempting to press to get to the Senior Bowl,’ stated Musgrave, the nephew of former NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator Invoice Musgrave. ‘It actually was my purpose. I obtained cleared actually type of reluctantly two weeks earlier than it, and I used to be capable of go to the Senior Bowl.’
The Commanders took Illinois defensive again Quan Martin within the second spherical
The Washington Commanders stuffed two areas of want on the second day of the NFL draft, including one other potential playmaker within the secondary and assistance on the offensive line.
They took Illinois defensive again Quan Martin within the second spherical and Arkansas heart Ricky Stromberg within the third on Friday night time. Martin at No. 47 adopted the collection of Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with the sixteenth choose within the first spherical.
‘I am excited to have the ability to play with him,’ Martin stated of Forbes. ‘He is an ideal ball hawk, takes the balls away and will get the protection ultimately zone.’
Martin, whose given title is Jartavius however prefers to go by Quan, was a five-year starter with the Illini and will break up his time between security and nickel again early on within the NFL. He made 64 tackles, compelled two fumbles and had three interceptions throughout his remaining faculty season.
His versatility was one of many causes the Commanders had curiosity in Martin.
‘Soccer simply at all times got here pure to me,’ Martin stated from a draft occasion gathering at a home in central Florida. ‘Having the ability to play any place on the again finish at any given second within the recreation simply reveals my understanding of the sport and my soccer IQ.’
The Jaguars chosen Penn State tight finish Brenton Unusual with the 61st total choose
The Jacksonville Jaguars used the early rounds of the NFL draft to place extra items round budding quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The Jaguars chosen Penn State tight finish Brenton Unusual with the 61st total choose after which added Auburn working again Tank Bigsby with the 88th selection Friday night time. They joined offensive deal with Anton Harrison in Jacksonville’s draft class. Harrison was the twenty seventh choose in first spherical Thursday night time.
All three selections had been designed to assist Lawrence take his recreation to the following degree in a season that ought to open with the expectation to repeat as AFC South champion.
Though the Jaguars have wants at cross rusher and cornerback, they loaded up on offense earlier than coach Doug Pederson’s second season.
Unusual offers them a flexible tight finish to pair with veteran Evan Engram, and Bigsby supplies a complementary backup to Travis Etienne.
The Philadelphia Eagles noticed Georgia gamers nonetheless on the NFL draft board within the third spherical after taking two Bulldogs within the first spherical — and 4 complete the final two drafts — and determined it is likely to be time to look elsewhere.
The Eagles snapped their Georgia draft-pick streak on Friday after they chosen Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Steen and Illinois security Sydney Brown (pictured) within the third
‘I used to be nervous they had been going to relegate us to the SEC if we took extra Georgia guys,’ Eagles normal supervisor Howie Roseman stated Friday night time.
The Eagles snapped their Georgia draft-pick streak on Friday night time after they chosen Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Steen and Illinois security Sydney Brown within the third spherical.
The Eagles traded their lone second-pick at No. 62 total for the sixty fifth choose and one choose in every of the sixth and seventh rounds. Steen went sixty fifth and Brown 66th.
‘We wish to take a pair extra photographs,’ Roseman stated.
Brown began 50 video games over 5 years throughout his Illini profession and completed with 319 tackles, 10 interceptions, 26 passes defended, 10 tackles for loss and 4 compelled fumbles. He was a first-team All-Huge Ten choose in 2022.
Brown might compete for vital taking part in time after the Eagles misplaced security C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free company.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni stated it was too early say whether or not Steen might wrest away one of many beginning spots — maybe from Cam Jurgens — on the offensive line.
The Cincinnati Bengals clearly have a factor for defensive backs from Michigan.
Cincinnati chosen Wolverines cornerback DJ Turner II within the second spherical of the NFL draft Friday night time.
Turner reunites together with his former faculty teammate Dax Hill. The Bengals drafted the previous Michigan security with the thirty first total choose a season in the past.
‘It is going to be the secondary we had again at Michigan,’ Turner stated. ‘I already talked to (Hill) and every thing. I am unable to wait.’
Turner was a two-time All-Huge Ten Convention performer for the Wolverines and had a team-high 9 cross breakups final season.
Cincinnati chosen Wolverines cornerback DJ Turner II (pictured) within the second spherical
Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo each famous they like the professional defensive system Michigan runs.
‘They do very totally different coverages,’ Anarumo stated. ‘There’s numerous groups that do it, however they do some issues that translate to our league. It performs a small function within the analysis course of. It isn’t the one piece, nevertheless it helps when you’ll be able to see them do a number of issues.’
The Bengals used the sixtieth total choose on a cornerback for the second 12 months in a row. Cincinnati drafted former Nebraska nook Cam Taylor-Britt with the sixtieth choose final April.
‘They’re a little bit bit totally different,’ Anarumo stated of the 2 corners. ‘Each quick. Cam’s a little bit bit larger of a man, however each are very, very aggressive, each wish to win, each have nice attitudes about soccer. They love the sport. There are some similarities, however the physique sorts are just a bit bit totally different.’
The Browns are giving Deshaun Watson every thing he wants.
After sitting out two rounds, Cleveland chosen Tennessee extensive receiver Cedric Tillman with the No. 74 total choose within the NFL draft on Friday night time.
‘One other software in our toolbox for Deshaun,’ stated Catherine Raiche, the crew’s assistant normal supervisor and vice chairman of soccer operations. ‘It was positively definitely worth the wait.’
Tillman’s arrival comes after the Browns, who solely had Watson on the sphere for six video games final season following his NFL suspension, traded for receiver Elijah Moore, signed free agent receiver Marquise Goodwin and tight finish Jordan Akins.
‘I am fired up,’ Tillman stated on a convention name with Cleveland media. ‘Deshaun Watson is without doubt one of the finest quarterbacks within the league. I am actually wanting ahead attending to all my teammates and new brothers and new coaches and stuff, so I am excited.’
The Los Angeles Rams had been gutted by accidents on the offensive line final season, finally utilizing 13 totally different beginning combos in 17 video games.
They regarded to handle these points by deciding on TCU guard Steve Avila within the second spherical with the thirty sixth total choose of the NFL draft on Friday night time.
Avila performed each place besides left deal with throughout his 5 seasons with the Horned Frogs, incomes consensus All-America honors at left guard as a redshirt senior in 2022.
‘I could not actually inform you the place the flexibility comes from,’ Avila stated in a video teleconference from Fort Value, Texas. ‘I do know it began proper after I obtained to varsity as a result of that complete 12 months I used to be taking part in proper deal with for the scout crew. … It is nice, you recognize, for a corporation that may have an offensive lineman that may transfer round, and I take very a lot delight in doing so.’
A key piece up entrance throughout TCU’s surprising run to the Faculty Soccer Playoff title recreation, which it misplaced to Georgia, Avila didn’t permit a sack throughout his final two seasons in faculty.
Keion White of Georgia Tech participates in a drill in the course of the NFL Mix on March 2
New England Patriots draft choose Keion White was one among 17 NFL draft prospects who made the journey to Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, to take a seat backstage in hopes of getting chosen and having a nationwide TV second on stage with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
He sat within the inexperienced room for your complete first spherical with out listening to his title referred to as.
He did not return for Friday night time’s second spherical, however he did not have to attend too lengthy.
The Patriots picked the Georgia Tech standout forty sixth total, including one of the vital agile edge rushers on this 12 months’s draft class.
White stated he had no regrets about his draft expertise.
‘I obtained to expertise going to the NFL draft. I am going to by no means expertise that ever once more. There was solely 17 guys on the planet that obtained to expertise the 2023 NFL draft. So, you are taking the second in,’ White stated. ‘Regardless of the place I obtained picked, I nonetheless obtained picked. And I nonetheless should put work in after this level.
‘It was an excellent expertise. And now it is time to get to work.’
The Patriots additionally chosen Sacramento State safety-linebacker hybrid Marte Mapu with the 76th total choose within the third spherical, leaving them with 9 remaining picks. A commerce with the Steelers on Thursday gave New England a fourth-round choose (one hundred and twentieth total).
After having to attend a day to make their first choose within the NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers traded up and chosen security Ji’Ayir Brown from Penn State with the 87th total choice Friday night time.
Brown, who was the defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl, does not fill a direct want for the Niners however he offers them flexibility within the secondary together with his versatility and skill to play nickel nook.
Brown additionally fills a necessity within the short-term future with security Tashaun Gipson turning 33 in August. Gipson signed a one-year take care of San Francisco within the early phases of free company.
The 49ers despatched three picks to Minnesota to maneuver up and take Brown.
San Francisco nonetheless owns choose No. 99. The choices within the third spherical had been all particular compensatory picks that had been awarded to the 49ers by way of the up to date Rooney rule.
The 49ers needed to wait so lengthy after buying and selling away their first three picks on this 12 months’s draft as a part of offers to acquire quarterback Trey Lance (2021) and working again Christian McCaffrey (2022).
The Bucs addressed offensive lineman points with North Dakota State deal with Cody Mauch
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers addressed wants for an offensive lineman and edge rusher on the second day of the NFL draft, deciding on North Dakota State deal with Cody Mauch within the second spherical and Louisville defensive finish YaYa Diaby within the third on Friday night time.
Mauch fills a necessity created partly by the crew’s determination to half methods with veteran left deal with Donovan Smith, who performed poorly final season, when the Bucs struggled to guard Tom Brady and completed final within the league in dashing offense.
Whereas Brady threw for the third-most yards within the NFL and was one of many league’s least-sacked quarterbacks, that primarily was attributed to the seven-time Tremendous Bowl’s potential to get the soccer out of his palms earlier than being hit.
With 2021 All-Professional Tristan Wirfs already making ready himself for the potential of transferring to left deal with for subsequent season, Mauch ultimately might get a possibility to compete for the beginning job Wirfs has held on the correct facet since being drafted within the first spherical in 2020.
The Seahawks added depth to the defensive entrance with Auburn edge rusher Derick Corridor (No. 5)
The Seattle Seahawks added depth to their defensive entrance by deciding on Auburn edge rusher Derick Corridor with the thirty seventh choose of the NFL draft on Friday night time, after which added a working again later within the second spherical, taking UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet at No. 52 total.
Corridor had 19 1/2 sacks in his remaining 36 video games for the Tigers and can seemingly be an outdoor linebacker in Seattle’s defensive alignment. He was a first-team all-Southeastern Convention choice his remaining season, when he had 60 tackles, seven sacks and an interception.
Corridor is assured in his potential to flourish wherever the Seahawks plug him in, having performed all around the discipline in faculty.
‘I did loads,’ Corridor stated. ‘These final two years, I used to be requested to do numerous various things. I used to be on the road of scrimmage taking part in exterior, I performed (defensive) finish, I performed exterior backer, I dropped, I rushed, I stepped again into (center linebacker) place. … I used to be moved round loads.’
