Tag: Second Round

Steelers hosted former second-round WR for workout

The Pittsburgh Steelers brought in former second-round draft selection, the incredibly fast Andy Isabella, for a workout on Monday.

Depth will forever be a facet of the team that the Pittsburgh Steeler pride themselves on making strong.

The offensive line suddenly became thin after three season-ending injuries to the unit took place, and the Steelers attempted to remedy this issue by signing lineman Max Scharping, as well as hosting two additional offensive linemen for workouts.  However, the Steelers also need some depth in their wide receiver room as well.

WR Andy Isabella, a former second-round draft pick out of UMass in 2019, was brought in for a workout on Monday.  Isabella is blazing fast and offers versatility on special teams in the return game as well.

Most recently, Isabella spent time with the Buffalo Bills and could take advantage of Pittsburgh’s depleted receiver room, potentially getting a second chance to revive his less-than-spectacular career.

Pittsburgh could definitely use the boost, as injuries have plagued the team throughout the 2024 season. They’re aiming to get back on track in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys on October 6th, at 8:20 PM EST.

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Chiefs OT Kingsley Suamataia’s message for Patrick Mahomes: ‘Nobody is gonna touch you’

Kingsley Suamataia’s message to #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes came through loud and clear during his introductory press conference

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was dedicated to adding more depth to the offensive line after this weekend’s NFL Draft. He may have selected a day-one starter in BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia in the second round on Friday night.

Suamataia experienced his first taste of Kansas City media shortly after his selection, as he spoke about his expectations via Zoom. The former Cougars star is motivated to protect starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes anywhere on the offensive line.

“Blocking for Patty (Patrick) Mahomes himself is mind-blowing, but you know I gotta come in there and let him trust me, like, I got you,” Suamataia said. “Nobody is gonna touch you. Even at practice, nobody is touching you. The ability that Patty Mahomes [has] and just the weapons that we have on offense with Pacheco [and] with Travis, like that’s the dynamic trio, no duo dynamic trio.”

Suamataia had plenty of experience playing both tackle positions and running RPO sets while in college. He welcomes the challenge of fitting into the Chiefs’ complex system.

“[It] has everything you could ever ask for blocking for a running back, blocking for a tight end and receiving yards, and just blocking for Patty Mahomes himself,” Suamataiaso explained of Andy Reid’s system. “It’s definitely a dream come true, but I’m just willing to work and feel my best fit in the offense.”

The former offensive captain at BYU spoke confidently about adjusting to life in Kansas City after a past visit and enjoying the local cuisine.

“They don’t mess around with their barbecue food. They don’t mess around down there,” Suamataia said with a smile. “I’m excited, [it] just felt like home when I landed there.”

The competition for the all-important starting left tackle position will be a highlight of training camp. Second-year player Wanya Morris, who started a few games last year, could be in for a battle with the highly motivated Suamataia.

2024 NFL draft: Chiefs select BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia with pick No. 63

With pick No. 63 in the 2024 NFL draft, the Kansas City #Chiefs selected BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia

Following a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, the Kansas City Chiefs selected BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia with the 63rd pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

After deciding to move on from veteran Donovan Smith, the Chiefs have targeted a versatile offensive tackle. Wanya Morris is currently slotted at the starting left tackle position. Still, general manager Brett Veach made it known in a recent press conference that the starting position will be a competition in training camp.

Suamataia had 22 career starts at BYU, splitting his time between left and right tackle, showing plenty of versatility on the offensive line.

Suamataia was a two-year starter inside BYU’s run-pass-option-oriented offense. He has incredible size and arm length and displays solid movement in the trenches to pair with exceptional strength.

The young offensive tackle’s family is no stranger to the NFL, as his cousin is a Detroit Lions star lineman Penei Sewell.

Former Alabama DE Chris Braswell selected by Tampa Bay in second round of 2024 NFL draft

Former Alabama defensive end Chris Braswell is now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football defensive end Chris Braswell has been selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft with the No. 57 pick.

Braswell had a strong 2023 season. Though he didn’t grab much of the spotlight, he put up respectable numbers. He recorded 42 total tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown.

Braswell is a former five-star recruit who had to wait his turn in Tuscaloosa with the likes of Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner roaming the edge of the Alabama defense.

Now Braswell will make his mark at the next level with the Bucs!

 

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow other former Alabama football players who are looking to begin their professional careers through the 2024 NFL draft.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Packers select Georgia S Javon Bullard at No. 58 overall in 2024 NFL draft

The Green Bay Packers selected Georgia safety Javon Bullard at No. 58 overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected Georgia safety Javon Bullard at No. 58 overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Bullard produced 8.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups over 40 games and 22 starts. He was a starter as a true sophomore and a preferred starter for two years at Georgia.

Bullard played snaps at slot cornerback and free safety, giving him the interchangeable abilities the Packers want in a defensive back to team with Xavier McKinney. He is an explosive athlete and big-time hitter.

Bullard is 21 years old. He has a Relative Athletic Score of 8.25 out of 10.0.

Bullard joins cornerback Eric Stokes, linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt as former Georgia Bulldogs on the Packers defense.

Packers select Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper at No. 45 overall in 2024 NFL draft

The Green Bay Packers selected Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper at No. 45 overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers selected Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper at No. 45 overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Packers traded back from No. 41 with the New Orleans Saints, adding a fifth- and sixth-round pick on Day 3 of the draft. After moving back four spots, the Packers took Cooper, the first off-ball linebacker off the board in the draft.

Cooper was dominant during the 2023 season, producing 17.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. He was a first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC pick.

Cooper made 21 career starts and had 30.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions.

Cooper visited the Packers ahead of the draft. He was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl but couldn’t participate due to injury.

The Packers are switching to a 4-3 base defense and need another starter with Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie.

Kool-Aid McKinstry selected by New Orleans Saints in second round of 2024 NFL draft

Former Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry will begin his professional career with the New Orleans Saints after being selected No. 41 overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry will begin his professional career with the New Orleans Saints after being selected No. 41 overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

McKinstry was on the first-round radar for quite some time. Many experts had him near the top of cornerback position grades heading into the 2023 college football season. A slight decline in production and the rise of fellow Crimson Tide cornerback Terrion Arnold led to McKinstry sliding in 2024 projections. However, he didn’t wait long after the second round began.

Last season, McKinstry recorded 32 total tackles, two tackles for loss and seven defended passes. However, in 2022, he tallied 35 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, an interception and 15 passes defended.

It’s noteworthy that McKinstry is also a skilled special teams asset. He was utilized as Alabama’s primary punt returner for a while.

He lands with the Saints as a steal of a pick; they have an immediate starter in the talented rookie-to-be.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow McKinstry as he begins his professional career in the 2024 NFL season.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

This is when the Saints will be picking in Round 2 on Friday night

Set your DVR or make plans to get to your seat. This is when the Saints will be picking in Round 2 on Friday night:

The 2024 NFL draft is up and running, so be sure to make plans to get to your seat in time for the New Orleans Saints to make their pick (or at least set your DVR). Right now, the Saints are scheduled to make the 13th pick in Round 2 on Friday night, at No. 45 overall. If they stay put, they’ll go on the clock around 7:25 p.m. CT.

This is the pick the Saints got back from the Denver Broncos after trading the rights to Sean Payton’s contract last offseason. And it won’t be Roger Goodell reading the card — it’ll be Taysom Hill welcoming his newest teammate to the NFL.

So who will the Saints pick? We’ve highlighted their best options out of the players still on the board, but it’s anyone’s guess as to which direction they try to move. Maybe they’ll target a wide receiver. They could double-dip on the offensive line. Or an addition to the defensive line or secondary might be in the cards. Tune in to ABC, ESPN, or NFL Network on Friday night to find out.

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Taysom Hill to announce Saints’ second round draft pick

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.

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PFF identifies a popular draft riser as a top Day 2 target for the Saints

PFF identified a popular draft riser as a top Day 2 target for the Saints. How could Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson help the team?

There’s a ton of intrigue surrounding the New Orleans Saints as they finish preparing for the 2024 draft, but we’ve got a good idea about their plans in the first round: necessity is almost forcing them into adding an offensive tackle between Ryan Ramczyk’s health concerns and Trevor Penning’s too-slow development. So what’s more interesting is to consider their options in the second round.

Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman has a suggestion: Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Darius Robinson. It’s no secret that the Saints didn’t bring enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks last year, but Wasserman writes that Wasserman could help improve there while also upgrading a sneaky-bad New Orleans run defense:

“The Saints need defensive line help, and Missouri’s Darius Robinson could be a versatile target for the team. Robinson played on the edge in 2023 but has plenty of experience inside and could be better suited there. Either way, his strength in the run game and improved pass-rush ability would strengthen New Orleans’ defensive line.”

While Robinson mainly lined up inside against guards earlier in his career (logging 581 of his 762 snaps in the B gap in 2021 and 2022) he moved outside in 2023 and responded with career-highs in sacks (8.5) and total quarterback pressures (27, per PFF charting). The Saints use a ton of three-man fronts and he offers flexibility as someone who can play inside or out. He stood out in practices at the Senior Bowl this year and did well at the NFL Scouting Combine, though his numbers in agility drills were a little underwhelming.

And he certainly has the size they’ve looked for under head coach Dennis Allen. Robinson weighed in at an impressive 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, with his 34.5-inch arms giving him a rare wingspan. If he was playing football 15 or 20 years ago he’d probably have been moved to offensive tackle. Instead, he uses his size to his advantage. Robinson’s 7.72 Relative Athletic Score doesn’t meet the thresholds that line up with the Saints’ usual standards, but it’s close enough to keep him in consideration with the 45th pick.

If the Saints can address their offensive line early on in the first round, maybe they can afford the luxury of drafting a defender like Robinson in the second round. Checking off that highest priority right away would free them up to look into other team needs like the defensive line and receiving corps (and we should remember they aren’t limited to wideouts; a pass-catching tight end could do well in this offense, too). With so many picks at their disposal in the later rounds, it shouldn’t shock anyone to see the Saints act aggressively to trade up for someone they value highly earlier in the draft. Maybe it’s someone like Robinson.

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