The first round of the NFL Draft is over, but that doesn't mean the betting action is complete. Day 2 of the draft provides plenty of exciting opportunities, so let's get to my NFL Draft Day 2 best bets.
Ladd McConkey to be Drafted Before Adonai Mitchell (+116 at FanDuel)
Adonai Mitchell, once considered a surefire first-round pick, has seen his stock plummet in a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the draft. Mitchell's college career, while not stellar, showed promise with three 100-yard games and four games with 4+ receptions. However, his production profile has left some teams wanting more. Last year, he ranked just 100th out of 121 qualified wide receivers in yards per route run, a statistic that has surely raised eyebrows.
Questions have also been raised about Mitchell’s character as he often quits on routes when he knows he isn’t the first read. There are also concerns about him having diabetes, as his low blood sugar has reportedly led to frequent mood swings and behavioral issues. Being diabetic isn’t a reason to fall in the draft, but Mitchell appears to lack maturity in handling his condition.
Ladd McConkey, meanwhile, has been a steady pre-draft riser. The Georgia product is one of the most refined route runners in this draft class, and Matt Harmon tracked him with an 80th-percentile (or better) success rate against both man and zone coverage in his Reception Perception profile. McConkey also broke multiple tackles on 31.3% of his “in space” attempts, per Harmon, highlighting excellent YAC ability.
After betting on Mitchell’s draft position over 27.5 and Xavier Worthy to be drafted ahead of him in the first round, I’ll happily keep fading Mitchell. McConkey has a better production profile, is a more refined route-runner and doesn’t possess the same off-field concerns as Mitchell.
Blake Corum to be Drafted by the Chargers (+230 at FanDuel)
Michigan legend Blake Corum is expected to come off the board at some point on Day 2. Corum’s 27 touchdowns last season were the most by any Power 5 back in a single season since Derrick Henry ran for 28 in 2015.
New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has raved about Corum, and I believe he will do what it takes today to land his former running back. In one of his columns leading up to the draft, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote that he’d be betting on Corum to the Chargers if there were a way to do it based on what he had heard from the team.
FanDuel had the Chargers at +600 to draft Corum this morning, but the odds have since been bet down. I believe Harbaugh will find a way to bring Corum with him to Los Angeles.
Tory Taylor First Kicker or Punter Selected (+450 at DraftKings)
An absolute legend at Iowa, Tory Taylor broke the NCAA’s single-season record with a ridiculous 4,479 punting yards last season on a 48.2-yards per punt average. The Iowa offense was incompetent last season and averaged 15.4 points per game, the second-fewest in the FBS. However, the Hawkeyes still won 10 games, thanks to their elite defense and Taylor's ability to flip the field.
Bryan Anger was the last punter drafted on Day 2, back in 2012, and he’s the only punter who has been a second- or third-round pick since 1995. However, Taylor is one of the most productive punters to enter the draft in recent years, and it wouldn't be a huge shock to see the 2023 Ray Guy Award winner come off the board at some point on Day 2.
Washington Commanders’ Second Drafted Player Cornerback: (+370 at FanDuel)
The favorite for the Commanders’ second-drafted player is an offensive lineman, but I like the value on cornerback. Cooper DeJean and Kool-Aid McKinstry are still on the board, and there’s a solid chance one or both will still be available when Washington picks at No. 36, especially if the Bills or Patriots take a wide receiver, as they're favored to do.
Washington ranked last in the NFL last season in pass defense EPA. The Commanders signed cornerback Michael Davis and safety Jeremy Chinn in free agency, but the secondary remains a significant need.
