A former Chargers player will announce the team’s Day 2 selections.
Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft has become a chance for the league to showcase its past, present, and future, with a number of former and active players tapped from each team to present a draft pick on stage.
On Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network revealed the full list of guest announcers, which includes Saints TE/QB Taysom Hill and legendary Lions running back Barry Sanders.
For LA, both #37 and #69 overall are slated to be announced by Chargers Hall of Famer Rolf Benirschke, a kicker who played ten seasons for the team in San Diego.
Benirschke, a San Diego native who attended La Jolla High School, was a 12th-round pick by the Raiders in 1977 before being traded to the Chargers midway through his rookie season. In 1978, he discovered that he had ulcerative colitis, which prevented him from playing for two seasons while he had two surgeries to remove his large intestine.
In 1980, Benirschke returned to the Chargers, playing seven more seasons and ending his career as the team leader in points scored with 766. To date, Benirschke is fourth all-time in points scored for the franchise.
After his playing days concluded, Benirschke spent six months as the host of Wheel of Fortune in 1989 and is now active in charity work in the San Diego area. In 1997, he was named the 12th member of the Chargers Hall of Fame.
One of the newest members of the New Orleans Saints will be greeted by his new teammate. Taysom Hill will announce the team’s second round draft pick:
One of the New Orleans Saints’ newest players will be greeted by a new teammate. Taysom Hill will announce the team’s second round pick in the 2024 draft on Friday night, the NFL announced Thursday, along with many other current and former players around the league.
The Saints are currently scheduled to pick at No. 45 overall. So unless they trade that selection — in a potential move up from the 14th slot in Thursday night’s first round — then it’ll be Hill welcoming his new teammate to the NFL.
It’s tempting to read into this as an indicator of Hill’s job security. He currently has one of the highest salary cap hits on the team and there’s been speculation brewing that he could be traded himself this summer. The Saints wouldn’t put him out in the public eye like this for a fan-friendly event only to trade him a few months later, right?
That seems unlikely, but you never know with this team. Either way, look for Saints fans attending the draft in Detroit to give Hill (and their new draft pick) a warm round of applause after booing Roger Goodell for two days.
In the NFL’s continuous effort to connect the game’s greats with the next generation of stars, NFL Legends and active players will add to the excitement of the 2024 NFL Draft by announcing various selections and participating in festivities in Detroit.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Isaac Bruce, Darrell Green, Calvin Johnson, Warren Moon and Barry Sanders are among the Legends in attendance to announce selections for the NFL Draft.
Ngata played 13 seasons for the Ravens, Lions, and Eagles, logging 328 career solo tackles, 188 assists, 32.5 sacks, five fumble recoveries, and five interceptions.
Ngata was selected to play in 5 Pro Bowls and won 1 Super Bowl title with Baltimore.
Brandon Graham will be the Eagles legend that announces Philadelphia’s Day 2 picks during the 2024 NFL Draft from his hometown of Detroit
Brandon Graham is heading home. The Eagles star is returning to Detroit as one of 32 legends or current players who’ll introduce Day 2 and 3 picks.
The NFL announced the move on Thursday, just hours before the start of Round 1.
Brandon Graham will announce the Eagles' second-round picks (currently slated as Nos. 50 and 53) on Friday in his hometown.
Of course, the Eagles could make moves. But Graham gets to go back to Detroit, have a Coney Dog (his favorite back home), and introduce Eagles fans to his…
In the NFL’s continuous effort to connect the game’s greats with the next generation of stars, NFL Legends and active players will add to the excitement of the 2024 NFL Draft by announcing various selections and participating in festivities in Detroit.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Isaac Bruce, Darrell Green, Calvin Johnson, Warren Moon and Barry Sanders are among the Legends in attendance to announce selections for the NFL Draft.
Graham is set to play his 15th and final NFL season, and the native of Detroit will get to honor his current team during the draft in his hometown.
Schrager posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, a list of teams that could find their way back into the end of the first round. The Texans, who currently own two second-round picks, were one franchise mentioned as something to monitor.
Teams who I could see movin’ on up tomorrow (check back for accuracy after the fact):
Vikings, Broncos, Eagles, Chiefs, Lions, Jaguars, Colts, Patriots (back into end of first round for a WR), Bills, Texans
Defensive tackle and cornerback remain weak points for the AFC South champs entering Thursday night. Both positions were constantly mocked at pick No. 23 and have the usual suspects in the second round.
McKinstry, who ran a 4.47 at Alabama’s pro day last month, fits the mold of what Texans coach and defensive play caller DeMeco Ryans loves in his cornerbacks. A three-year starter for the Crimson Tide, McKinstry finished his career with 23 pass breakups and two interceptions.
Last month at the combine, McKinstry said he did meet with the Texans for a formal interview, though it wasn’t reported if he visited NRG Stadium for a 30 visit after his pro day.
Newton, a two-time All-Big Ten defensive tackle, also met with the Texans at his pro day away from the other Illinois prospects. He was considered the top interior defensive lineman entering the season after finishing with a career-high 14 tackles for loss in 2022.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio has proven before his militancy to grab a talent he covets. In 2022, he traded up 23 spots to draft receiver John Metchie III in the second round. Last season, the Texans moved up nine spots with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire defensive end and eventually Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. at No. 3.
Both Metchie and Anderson went to Alabama, a common theme for Houston in the Caserio regime over the previous two drafts. On top of that, Arizona holds the No. 27 pick, and Caserio’s relationship with Monti Ossenfort bodes well for a potential deal.
Caleb Williams wants to play with a former high school teammate.
Once the Chicago Bears select former USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick on Thursday night, they will have no time to enjoy it. The Bears also hold the No. 9 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft and must immediately turn their attention to either getting Williams help on offense or a playmaker on defense.
On Thursday while speaking to the media, Williams announced who his top choice would be for Chicago with that next pick. Fashanu picked Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, who Williams played high school football with.
“I’d probably go Olu Fashanu because I know he’d put his life on the line for me,” Williams said.
Caleb Williams wants the #Bears to draft Olu Fashanu at No. 9 👀
“I’d probably go Olu Fashanu because I know he’d put his life on the line for me."
Williams did concede his next choice would be one of the three big receivers falls to the Bears at No. 9. The most likely candidates would be Washington’s Rome Odunze or LSU’s Malik Nabers. The Bears, however, might have different plans and will go with one of the top defenders in the draft.
Everyone has their own ideas about what the New Orleans Saints should do with their first round pick in the 2024 NFL draft — including players already on the team. Cameron Jordan sat down with NFL Network to preview the first round of selections on Thursday, and he shared his take on where the Saints should look to improve with the 14th overall pick.
“Who do I want? I’m very biased,” Jordan laughed. “If y’all are thinking top-10, offense galore, I’m thinking No. 14, defense. Run me the big defensive tackle. I like the little Florida State kid. I really like a Texas D-tackle. Just know, if it doesn’t happen in the first I’m still looking for our second or our fifth round pick. I think we have like four fifth round picks, we could trade up.”
The players Jordan is referring to there have been linked to the Saints at different points in this process: Florida State’s Braden Fiske and Texas products Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat.
But why does he see defensive tackle as such a high priority? Jordan is always asking for more linemen around draft time in these media spots, whether it’s another pass rusher or more depth on the interior. At this point it’s part of his brand. Murphy would be an awesome pairing with Bryan Bresee in the middle of the line, but the Saints really can’t afford to not address their offensive tackle spots in Round 1. Maybe they’ll surprise us and make Jordan happy.
Three predictions for the Jaguars entering the 2024 NFL draft
It’s finally here: The 2024 NFL draft will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday evening, with the Jaguars looking to build upon an active offseason relative to talent acquisition by making good use of their eight selections in the selection ceremony.
Jaguars Wire shares three predictions for Jacksonville’s approach to the 2024 NFL draft below.
The Jaguars will trade in the first round. Up or down?
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Raymond Vohasek (59) fist bumps general manager Trent Baalke Monday, Aug. 14, 2023 at Miller Electric Center at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Today was the 14th training camp session.
Sitting squarely in the middle of the first round, Jacksonville will be fortunate if one of the top two cornerbacks or top three wide receivers — the team’s two biggest positions of need — slides all the way to pick No. 17. At least one could fall that far, but isn’t exactly likely.
In the event the Jaguars are infatuated with one of these five players — wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze, and cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell — and one or several are available in the early-teen range, I predict Jacksonville will move up to secure their guy.
But if they aren’t, or if Jacksonville is unwilling to meet the trade demands to make such a move, I believe the Jaguars will field calls for their selection and ultimately move back in the first-round order. They’d add picks to their arsenal as a result, to potentially utilize in a second or third-round move-up.
Remember, the Jaguars are without their original third-round selection (No. 79) due to their trade with Atlanta for wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who signed with Tennessee after spending the 2023 season in Jacksonville. They own a compensatory pick near the end of the round, No. 96.
Jacksonville won’t prioritize offensive line help
Nov 12, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line huddle around quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) before a play during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive line help hasn’t been an uncommon prediction for Jacksonville leading up to the draft. However, it would surprise me to see Jacksonville pick an offensive lineman before day three, as the team has its five starters and three depth pieces in place for the 2024 season.
Jaguars Wire covered this topic previously: The signing of center Mitch Morse before free agency, the re-signing of left guard Ezra Cleveland, the restructuring of right guard Brandon Scherff’s contract and the decision to keep left tackle Cam Robinson despite the cap savings his release would have generated indicate Jacksonville’s plans to largely run the offensive line of 2023 back in 2024.
Of course, paired with right tackle and 2023 first-round pick Anton Harrison.
Morse’s acquisition moved 2023 starting center Luke Fortner into the spot’s backup position, pairing him with guard Tyler Shatley and hybrid tackle/guard Walker Little among Jacksonville’s experienced depth.
Unless Jacksonville intends to upgrade one of the players on the starting five that it has devoted significant resources to, the path toward playing time for a rookie offensive lineman is extremely narrow. Perhaps such a player could offer valuable depth in year one, but even on the second-team, they would face competition.
It’s difficult to envision an offensive line prospect contributing to Jacksonville winning games in 2024. That’s why I don’t believe the Jaguars will pick one until day three, in the developmental range, barring a player being too good to pass up with an earlier pick.
The Jaguars will draft a kicker
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide place kicker Will Reichard (16) kicks an extra point during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
The Jaguars haven’t drafted a kicker in exactly 20 years, to date. Their last kicker pick was Josh Scobee in the fifth round on April 25, 2004.
In my unpopular opinion, that will change this weekend.
The Jaguars have had three different starting kickers in as many seasons, since Josh Lambo was released early in the 2021 campaign, and brought in a potential fourth, Joey Slye, to compete with one of the job’s previous holders, Riley Patterson (2022), this offseason.
Slye has been with four teams in five seasons. He’s finished two of those campaigns sub-80% on field goal attempts, most recently in 2023, and has missed at least three extra-point tries every year since turning pro.
Patterson struggled with distance with the Jaguars in 2022, posting a long kick of 53 yards and missing three attempts from 40-to-49 yards. He missed three extra points with Detroit in 2023.
Jacksonville needs a long-term, or at least not short-term, answer at kicker and doesn’t appear to have one currently on the roster. Although taking a kicker in the draft is usually not well-received by fans and analysts, the Jaguars’ best approach to fixing the position might be selecting one.
Alabama’s Will Reichard, Stanford’s Joshua Larty, Arkansas’ Cam Little and Missouri’s Harrison Mevis have each garnered attention throughout the draft process and could hear their names called this weekend. One will be selected by Jacksonville.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated as it stated the Jaguars had not previously traded up in the first round under general manager Trent Baalke, which is incorrect, as Jacksonville traded back into the first round for linebacker Devin Lloyd in 2022. Jaguars Wire regrets this error.
The Cardinals have 11 draft picks this year. See where they are one more time before the 2024 NFL draft begins Thursday night.
The 2024 NFL draft begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. Arizona time). Thursday night will be just the first round, where the Arizona Cardinals have two selections.
On Friday, the second and third rounds will occur. The Cardinals have four picks on Day 2.
The third and final day of the draft is Saturday, which will include Rounds 4-7.
The Cardinals have five selections in the final four rounds.
The Cardinals have the fourth and 27th picks in the draft on Thursday. Find out the approximate time the announcements will be made.
The 2024 NFL draft begins tonight, Thursday, April 25 beginning at 8 p.m. ET or 5 p.m. Arizona time. Thursday night is just the first round of the draft.
The Arizona Cardinals enter the draft with two selections in the first round. They have the fourth overall pick — their own selection — and the 27th pick, which they obtained from the Houston Texans in a draft-day trade last year.
NFL teams have 10 minutes to make their selection or to trade it.
So roughly at what time should the Cardinals make their selections, assuming they do not trade their picks and move around the round.
Last year, the fourth pick was made at 8:41 p.m. ET (5:41 p.m. Arizona time). Last year, the fourth pick was quarterback Anthony Richardson by the Indianapolis Colts.
The 27th pick last year was announced at 11:25 p.m. ET (8:25 p.m. Arizona time). Last year, the 27th pick, made by the Jacksonville Jaguares, was tackle Anton Harrison.
So if you aren’t watching the draft the entire time tonight, barring a trade, you can know when to get on social media or when to turn on the broadcast to find out about Arizona’s selections.
