Finest steals from the second evening of the 2023 NFL Draft

Ah sure, the second evening of the NFL Draft, the place no factors are scored but we nonetheless discover a option to preserve rating in some way.

The second evening of the 2023 NFL Draft noticed some slides finish (taking a look at your Will Levis), others linger a little bit longer (that will be you Trenton Simpson) and even just a few proceed into Day Three.

Nonetheless, there was worth to be discovered on Friday evening, and listed below are some picks that stand out.

Brian Department, S, Alabama — No. 45 (Detroit Lions)

In his profile of Alabama security Brian Department for NFL.com, Lance Zierlein compares Department to Pittsburgh Steelers security Minkah Fitzpatrick.

That most likely tells you all you might want to know concerning the job the Detroit Lions did to draft him at No. 45 general.

Department is a flexible, savvy, and skilled security whose expertise taking part in within the slot beneath Nick Saban has him able to deal with something requested of him on the subsequent degree. He can matchup with greater slot receivers and tight ends within the slot, he can play as a single-high or a two-high security, and his consciousness in zone protection is large. He can be plug-and-play in Detroit’s protection subsequent season.

O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida — No. 59 (Buffalo Payments)

One of many extra fascinating facets of attending the NFL Scouting Mix is noting what place teams crew beat reporters give attention to through the media classes. You may study lots about an NFL group views their roster, and their wants, by noting which place teams the beat reporters — who’re paid to know these views — give attention to through the media classes.

That’s why through the Mix this March I used to be not shocked to see Maddy Glab, who does large work masking the Buffalo Payments, in entrance of O’Cyrus Torrence’s podium for his media session.

Bolstering the inside of their offensive line was definitely a necessity for the Payments, and Torrence was linked to Buffalo all through the pre-draft course of, usually with their decide within the first spherical. In accordance with NFLMockDraftDatabase, Torrence was the consensus decide for the Payments at No. 27.

As a substitute Buffalo will get him over 30 spots later within the draft.

Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee — No. 68 (Detroit Lions)

Sure, a part of what makes this a steal is the truth that Hooker was receiving authentic first-round buzz, and the Lions have been capable of draft him within the third spherical.

Nevertheless, one thing related may have been mentioned about Malik Willis final spring, and the Tennessee Titans drafted Will Levis tonight. So, what appears like a steal one April, could possibly be a participant you need to substitute a 12 months later.

However what actually makes this a steal for Detroit is the potential match for Hooker beneath offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. I dove into that pairing, how Johnson tailored the offense in Detroit for Jared Goff, and extra proper after the choice was made. Hooker will get an opportunity to sit down and study beneath Goff, taking part in for an offensive coordinator that has demonstrated a capability to carry Air Raid and different ideas to an NFL Sunday.

Now, there’s a concern that come subsequent winter, Johnson’s success as a coach results in a head teaching job that he needs, and the circumstances change. However proper now, with Johnson on the town and the Lions having a possible out from Goff’s contract after the 2023 season, this appears like a perfect decide for Detroit.

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia — No. 93 (Pittsburgh Steelers)

This decide provides an ideal instance of the distinction between what we expect we all know on the surface, and what the NFL groups themselves know on the within.

Nearly each you seemed earlier than the draft, Washington was thought-about one of many prime prospects within the 2023 class, not simply on the tight finish place, however general. In accordance with NFLMockDraftDatabase he was the Thirty sixth-ranked participant within the class, and slid into the primary spherical of many mock drafts.

In accordance with the consensus huge board assembled every year by Arif Hasan, who does large work masking the league for Professional Soccer Community, Washington was the Thirty first-ranked participant within the class.

Right here at SB Nation, our Joseph Acosta ranked him 18th general.

And but, there he was Friday evening, sliding out of the second spherical and nonetheless ready to listen to his identify referred to as within the third.

Lastly, that slide ended, with the Pittsburgh Steelers drafting him at No. 93.

Apparently there have been damage issues that led to the slide:

What makes his slot in Pittsburgh fascinating is the presence of Pat Freiermuth. If the Steelers have been so inclined, a 12 personnel package deal with each Freiermuth and Washington on the sphere is at their disposal. Each are adept at dealing with the blocking duties of the job, and Washington could be a large weapon for Kenny Pickett within the pink zone.

Trying on the Steelers’ roster, a 12 personnel package deal with George Pickens and Allen Robinson at extensive receiver, Freiermuth and Washington within the recreation at TE, and Najee Harris within the backfield with Pickett, sounds reasonably harmful.