NFL Draft Day Two: Top Picks and Surprising Moves

DETROIT: The second day of the 2025 NFL Draft delivered significant player acquisitions as teams aimed to secure impactful talent during the second and third rounds. Following an eventful opening night, Friday’s proceedings featured strategic maneuvers, valuable selections, and unexpected player drops that captivated fans.

Early Selections and Defensive Bolstering

Kicking off the second round, the Cleveland Browns strengthened their defensive lineup by choosing linebacker Carson Schwesinger from UCLA. Simultaneously, the New York Giants provided quarterback Daniel Jones with an additional offensive option, selecting wide receiver Jayden Higgins from Iowa State.

Notable Player Acquisitions

One of the evening’s prominent stories involved the Tennessee Titans securing safety Nick Emmanwori from South Carolina at pick No. 35. Experts had projected Emmanwori as a potential late first-round selection. The New England Patriots also garnered attention by adding running back TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State with the 38th pick, enhancing their running game.

Offensive and Quarterback Decisions

The Carolina Panthers made a significant move by selecting Missouri’s Luther Burden III, recognized as one of college football’s most dynamic receivers. In a surprising decision, the New Orleans Saints opted for Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough at No. 40, potentially creating competition at the quarterback position.

Additional Key Selections

Other noteworthy picks featured tight end Mason Taylor from LSU, joining the New York Jets at No. 42, and Terrance Ferguson from Oregon, selected by the Los Angeles Rams at No. 46. Michigan’s Will Johnson was acquired by the Arizona Cardinals, immediately reinforcing their defensive backfield.

Edge Rushers and Late-Round Steals

Edge rushers also experienced considerable movement, with Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku heading to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 44, and Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau joining the Indianapolis Colts at No. 45. These players could prove to be valuable assets if they achieve their predicted potential.

Round Two Wrap-Up

The latter portion of Round 2 saw several interesting players being chosen: Shemar Turner from Texas A&M was picked by the Chicago Bears at No. 62, Omarr Norman-Lott from Tennessee went to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 63, and Andrew Mukuba from Texas concluded the round, joining the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 64.

Round Three Standouts

In Round 3, teams continued to unearth hidden talent. Darius Alexander from Toledo, Ashton Gillotte from Louisville, and Kyle Williams from Washington State all found new teams. A key moment was the Seattle Seahawks’ selection of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe at No. 92, indicating a possible developmental strategy behind Geno Smith.

Final Pick

The evening concluded with wide receiver Tai Felton from Maryland being selected by the Minnesota Vikings at pick No. 102, completing a busy second day where teams accumulated talent in hopes of discovering future stars.