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Thumbs-up, thumbs-down for 2016 second-round NFL draft picks

NFL Nation reporters assess every second-round pick. Check out what they thought about the 31 first-round picks here.

32 (1). Cleveland Browns

Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State | Highlights

The Browns could have started Round 2 with a splash. Instead they took a defensive end from Oklahoma State whose best fit is projected as a 4-3 end. Ogbah might succeed, but if the Browns wanted a pass-rusher, Noah Spence was there to be taken. Thumbs down. -- Pat McManamon

33 (2). Tennessee Titans

Kevin Dodd, LB, Clemson | Highlights

Dodd is coming off a 12-sack season. Though he was a defensive end in college, the Titans are calling him an outside linebacker. They need a jolt of pass-rush ability from a young guy, and Dick LeBeau will enjoy searching for opportunities and matchups for the 6-foot-5, 277-pound Dodd. Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan are veteran starters making big money. But when Morgan was hurt last year, the pass rush tanked. Teams that play a 3-4 need more than two outside linebackers, and if Dodd can shift there comfortably, the Titans have three top ones now. Thumbs up. -- Paul Kuharsky

34 (3). Dallas Cowboys

Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame

Smith could have been a top-five pick if he were healthy, but the Cowboys need defensive help immediately and he can't provide that this season. They need pass-rush help and a lot of it, and they need secondary help as well. Again, this is not about Smith's ability. A year from now the move will be hailed as genius if Smith returns to the form he had at Notre Dame. Thumbs down. -- Todd Archer

35 (4). San Diego Chargers

Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas | Highlights

After losing pass-catching tight end Ladarius Green in free agency to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chargers needed to find an eventual replacement for veteran tight end Antonio Gates. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Henry has the skill set to develop into that kind of player. A first-team All-SEC pick last season, Henry finished with 51 catches for 739 yards and three touchdowns in 2015. Thumbs up. -- Eric D. Williams

36 (5). Jacksonville Jaguars*

Myles Jack, LB, UCLA | Highlights

The Jaguars' good luck continues. Jack is a top-five talent that slipped into the second round because of concerns about his knee. Jack is a fast, athletic playmaker, which is something the Jaguars' defense has had a shortage of over the past three seasons. Jack is very good in coverage and has the ability to line up and cover tight ends and bigger receivers. He's an underrated blitzer, too. Thumbs up. -- Mike DiRocco

*Acquired in trade with Ravens

37 (6). Kansas City Chiefs*

Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State | Highlights

Jones makes sense from a positional standpoint. The Chiefs could lose Dontari Poe after next season to free agency. In the meantime, the Chiefs have another big and capable player to plug into their defensive-line rotation. Thumbs up. -- Adam Teicher

*Acquired in trade with 49ers

38 (7). Miami Dolphins*

Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor | Highlights

The Dolphins entered the second round of the NFL draft with a well-defined need at cornerback. They traded up four spots to fill that need by drafting Baylor cornerback Xavien Howard. There were bigger-name corners still on the board, but the Dolphins like Howard's size. However, I don't like the fact Miami also gave up a fourth-round pick to get him. Thumbs down. -- James Walker

*Acquired in trade with Ravens

39 (8). Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Noah Spence, LB, Eastern Kentucky | Highlights

The Buccaneers figured to address their defensive line early in the NFL draft, and that's what happened with the selection of Spence. The Bucs have ached for a quality edge rusher, and Spence has intriguing potential at 6-foot-2, 251 pounds. Spence comes with some baggage because of failed drug tests in college, but if he stays out of trouble, he has high upside. Thumbs up. -- Andrew Astleford

40 (9). New York Giants

Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma | Highlights

The Giants needed a No. 2 wide receiver to pair with Odell Beckham Jr., and they have been high on Shepard throughout the process. He's a small wide receiver at 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, but he ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the combine and impressed in the bench press and the vertical leap as well. The Giants love combine "workout warrior" types, and while they might not have been able to get Shepard in the third round, there's likely to be similar wide-receiver inventory when they pick again next. I'd have taken an offensive tackle, such as Jason Spriggs, or a safety such as Vonn Bell here. But this is a good player who fills a need. Thumbs up. -- Dan Graziano

41 (10). Buffalo Bills

Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama | Highlights

The Bills needed a linebacker probably more than any other team in the NFL, and they got good value in Ragland in the second round after he was mentioned as a possibility at No. 19, their first-round pick. The Bills gave up their original second-round pick and two fourth-round picks -- one in 2016 and one 2017 -- to move up eight spots, which was a steep price. However, Ragland addresses a need and provides good value. Thumbs up. -- Mike Rodak

*Acquired in trade with Bears

42 (11). Baltimore Ravens

Kamalei Correa, LB, Boise State | Highlights

The Ravens traded back twice in the second round to get two additional picks (a fourth- and fifth-rounder) as well as their targeted pass-rusher. Correa is the young pass-rusher that Baltimore wants to team with Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, both of whom are in their 30s. His relentless style fits the Ravens' style of defense. Thumbs up. -- Jamison Hensley

43 (12). Tennessee Titans*

Austin Johnson, DT, Penn State | Highlights

Johnson is a big defensive tackle who joins the Titans from Penn State, just as fourth-round defensive end DaQuan Jones did two years ago. The draft is loaded with defensive-line talent, and the Titans figured to take a piece of it along the way. For maximum value, he'd be able to play end in base and work inside next to Jurrell Casey in nickel. Johnson is not a major need filler, but clearly new GM Jon Robinson saw Johnson as a value at No. 43. Thumbs up. -- Paul Kuharsky

*Acquired in trade with Rams

44 (13). Oakland Raiders

Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois | Highlights

The Raiders, already having drafted a safety in the first round in Karl Joseph who is recuperating from a knee injury, selected a defensive end who, according to ESPN NFL draft insider Adam Schefter, might need arthroscopic knee surgery that would sideline him six weeks. At least the season does not begin for another four-plus months. Plus, he played DE in Illinois' 3-4 defense, while the Raiders' base defense is a 4-3, though coach Jack Del Rio said the defense will be interchangeable this season. Thumbs down. -- Paul Gutierrez

45 (14). Tennessee Titans*

Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama | Highlights

With Henry, the Titans got the Heisman Trophy winner for the second consecutive season. He's a bruising back who can get some tough yards. But his NFL offensive line won't blow people away like Alabama's did. The Titans traded for DeMarco Murray and are only two years removed from spending a second-rounder on a running back in Bishop Sankey. It's a passing league, and the Titans are insufficient at receiver and cornerback, positions that are far more important than running back. On the bright side, it spells the end of carries for the likes of Sankey and Antonio Andrews. Henry might be great, but the Titans are overspending on the position. Thumbs down. -- Paul Kuharsky

*Acquired in trade with Rams

46 (15). Detroit Lions

A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama | Highlights

The Lions needed to find a long-term solution at defensive tackle and in the big, burly Robinson, they found it. Robinson will help against the run immediately along with being able to be groomed by Haloti Ngata to be his eventual replacement. The Lions had ignored defensive tackle early in the draft the past few years and this makes up for it, guaranteeing Detroit more than a one-year solution at a position where the top three players are all on short-term deals. Robinson could have been Detroit's pick at No. 16. Instead, the Lions get him 30 picks later. Thumbs up. -- Michael Rothstein

47 (16). New Orleans Saints*

Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | Highlights

The Saints threw a slight curveball with their second-round pick -- Ohio State WR Michael Thomas -- but only because he doesn't play defense. Receiver was one of the Saints' two biggest needs on offense. And they especially needed a big man to help replace Marques Colston. I had the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Thomas rated as the best WR fit for the Saints heading into Day 2. Thumbs up. -- Mike Triplett

*Acquired in trade with Titans

48 (17). Green Bay Packers*

Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana | Highlights

This isn't a pick for 2016 but rather for the future, and it's a good one. There was some thought the Packers might take Spriggs in the first round, at No. 27 overall. Instead, general manager Ted Thompson traded up nine spots in the second round to take him at No. 48. With left tackle David Bakhtiari headed for free agency after this season, and right tackle Bryan Bulaga playing on shaky knees, Spriggs could be the eventual starter at either spot. Thumbs up. -- Rob Demovsky

*Acquired in trade with Colts

49 (18). Seattle Seahawks*

Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama | Highlights

Many had Reed (6-foot-3, 307 pounds) pegged as a first-round pick, but he lasted to No. 49, and the Seahawks traded up. With nose tackle Brandon Mebane having signed with the San Diego Chargers in free agency, Reed has a chance to compete for a starting spot right away. He had 57 tackles last season and should fit right in as a run-stuffer next to Ahtyba Rubin. The Seahawks will try to develop Reed as a pass-rusher, but he's a high-floor prospect who should make an immediate impact. Thumbs up. -- Sheil Kapadia

*Acquired in trade with Bears

50 (19). Houston Texans*

Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame | Highlights

The Texans are loading up on Notre Dame players, having taken Irish receiver Will Fuller in the first round. After letting go of Ben Jones in free agency, there really wasn't a natural successor at center. They get that here, filling a need nicely. Thumbs up. -- Tania Ganguli

*Acquired in trade with Falcons

51 (20). New York Jets

Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State | Highlights

GM Mike Maccagnan changed the Jets' quarterback landscape by picking Hackenberg, raising questions about the futures of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty. This was a reach by the Jets, who had other needs. Hackenberg is coming off two mediocre seasons, with questions about his accuracy and mental toughness. This comes across as a panic move by Maccagnan but not a shock. His affinity for Hackenberg was known in scouting circles. Thumbs down. -- Rich Cimini

52 (21). Atlanta Falcons

Deion Jones, LB, LSU | Highlights

Falcons coach Dan Quinn emphasized this offseason the need to improve team speed at linebacker. Well, getting LSU's Jones gives the Falcons one of the fastest linebackers in the draft class. He might be a little undersized and might not have the best instincts, but Quinn can work with Jones' speed. Jones ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at his pro day. Thumbs up. -- Vaughn McClure

53 (22). Washington Redskins

Su'a Cravens, LB, USC | Highlights

The Redskins' goal was to add players with a certain mindset and that's what they've done with Cravens. He's a hybrid player and he can do a lot of everything. Cravens moves well enough and is big enough to play near the line in a nickel defense -- he can help against the run and also cover. But he's the sort of player general manager Scot McCloughan likes: smart, tough and competitive. When McCloughan says someone is a "football player," this is the sort of guy he's describing. Thumbs up. -- John Keim

54 (23). Minnesota Vikings

Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson | Highlights

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has said his team won't make a habit of acquiring short cornerbacks, and the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Alexander seems like an odd fit. His competitiveness and willingness to mix it up with receivers could help him overcome his stature, but he'll have to work to handle big receivers. He didn't have an interception in college, and while the Vikings need depth at cornerback they also could have taken a safety or offensive linemen here. Zimmer's track record with defensive backs is stellar, but in the short-term, this pick is a bit of a puzzler. Thumbs down. -- Ben Goessling

55 (24). Cincinnati Bengals

Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh | Highlights

Cincinnati should have gotten a receiver in the first round. But when a run on the position took place in the three picks before the Bengals went on the clock, it was hard for them to justify taking a player who probably didn't have a first-round grade. So they waited for a player who became his school's all-time leading receiver. As a freshman at Pitt, Boyd shattered records that previously had been held by current Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Will Boyd be the No. 2-type of receiver Cincinnati is looking to pair with A.J. Green? It's hard to say that right now. But he should contribute quickly to a passing offense that also will feature Green, Brandon LaFell and tight end Tyler Eifert. Thumbs up. -- Coley Harvey

56 (25). Chicago Bears

Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State | Highlights

Whitehair has experience at multiple positions -- left guard, right tackle and left tackle. He should compete for a starting job, probably somewhere on the left side of the offensive line. Even though GM Ryan Pace recently signed free agents Ted Larsen and Manny Ramirez, you can never have enough quality depth on the offensive line. The Bears should be applauded for moving back 15 spots to ultimately draft Whitehair. Thumbs up. -- Jeff Dickerson

57 (26). Indianapolis Colts

T.J. Green, S, Clemson | Highlights

Green had 95 tackles and forced two fumbles last season. It's a surprising a pick considering the Colts still need a pass-rusher and more depth at cornerback. Indianapolis is already set at safety next season with veteran Mike Adams and second-year player Clayton Geathers expected to start. Thumbs down. -- Mike Wells

58 (27). Pittsburgh Steelers

Sean Davis, S, Maryland

The Steelers are going all-in on the secondary, grabbing a corner and safety in the first two rounds. This addresses a need, and Davis offers a lot to like – he’s physical, big, stops the run, has experience at corner and safety and amassed 300-plus tackles in three seasons. But there are questions about his overall coverage skills, particularly with missed tackles and footwork, and Ohio State safety Vonn Bell, one of the best cover safeties in the draft, was available at 58. Davis has a chance to prove me wrong. Can he cover tight ends? Let's see. Thumbs down. -- Jeremy Fowler

59 (28). Tampa Bay Buccaneers*

Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State | Highlights

Talk about raising eyebrows. The Buccaneers traded back into the second round to take Aguayo, a Lou Groza Award winner. It was a move that cost them their No. 74 pick in the third round and their No. 106 in the fourth. This is a head-scratcher. Sure, the Bucs had kicking problems last season with Kyle Brindza before cutting him and moving to Connor Barth. But the cost here is too high. Thumbs down. -- Andrew Astleford

*Acquired in trade with Chiefs

60 (29). New England Patriots

Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama | Highlights

Identified as a "favorite five" option at cornerback entering the draft, Jones fits what the Patriots do from an on- and off-field perspective. His 6.71-second 3-cone drill ranked second among cornerbacks at the combine, which is reflective of his change of direction skills. He'll be a factor as a returner as well. Thumbs up. -- Mike Reiss

61 (30). New Orleans Saints*

Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State | Highlights

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay praised Bell as the best coverage safety in this year's draft class. And the Saints' pass defense obviously needs help after they set the NFL record for touchdown passes allowed last year. But I don't like the price they paid (trading both their third- and fourth-round picks to move up and get him). That's not great considering they had only six picks to start with this year. Thumbs down. -- Mike Triplett

*Acquired in trade with Patriots

62 (31). Carolina Panthers

James Bradberry, CB, Samford | Highlights

General manager Dave Gettleman likes big cornerbacks, and Bradberry is big at 6-foot-1, 213 pounds. But this is a player Gettleman probably could have gotten in the third or fourth round, and it felt like a reach because of size. There were several safeties still available and even more highly rated corners such as Kendall Fuller out of Virginia Tech who faced big-time competition. But Josh Norman did come out of little Coastal Carolina, and he became a Pro Bowl selection. Still ... Thumbs down. -- David Newton

63 (32). Denver Broncos

Adam Gotsis, DT, Georgia Tech | Highlights

He's certainly an athletic prospect who played Australian Rules Football before moving to the United States. He was headed for a notable season in 2015 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury, so he did not work out at the school's pro day in mid-March. Athletically, he has rare quickness for a 287-pound player, but the Broncos probably reached here before they had to. Thumbs down. -- Jeff Legwold