Mel Kiper Jr., Football analyst 8y

Rookies from Rounds 2-3 who will play immediately

NFL, NFL Draft

Defense dominated the 2016 NFL draft in terms of overall quality, bolstered in record-setting style on the second night of the draft.

Forty-two defensive players were selected in Rounds 2-3, the most in the common draft era, which stretches to 1967. That's close to a two-thirds ratio for the defensive side of the ball.

Is it an offensive league? Yes.

Is there a lot of good defense on the way? Yes.

Here's a quick look at players drafted on Day 2 who could make an impact early on. I've added notes on some others as well.

Offense

Hunter Henry, TE: The Chargers' blocking was atrocious at times, but that didn't keep Philip Rivers from dropping back. And Rivers knows how to spread the ball around. This isn't a fantasy column, but I'd consider Henry one to watch. Seven Chargers pass-catchers saw more than 60 targets in 2015, and Henry could join the club in 2016. It's rare to get the top tight end in the draft this late, but San Diego did, and he'll see the ball.

Sterling Shepard, WR: Rueben Randle was the second-most-targeted Giant last year, and he's elsewhere in 2016. Odell Beckham Jr. is the clear No. 1 in this passing offense, but Shepard can get open anywhere you line him up -- and New York wouldn't have spent a second-rounder on him unless it planned to feed him the ball.

^ Back to Top ^