The first round of the NFL Draft garners more attention than the remaining six rounds combined. However, the reality is that the majority of NFL rosters are made up of those players that are selected from rounds two through seven along with undrafted free agents. This year’s second round was loaded with talent and exits from their respective programs opened some major voids for college football teams that will have to replace them. Here is a look at the top replacements for the former college football stars that were selected in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.
LB: Jayon Brown
UCLA Bruins
Myles Jack is one of the most talented and versatile players to be selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Lingering health issues were a big enough concern that he slipped to the second round where the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the 36th overall pick but his considerable talent will be missed at UCLA. Fortunately for the Bruins, they have a strong replacement already locked in. Brown emerged as a starter last season and finished with a team-leading 93 tackles. Brown will lead UCLA’s linebacker core next season and will be leaned on heavily to help replace Jack’s position in the heart of the Bruins’ defense.
DE: Austin Bryant
Clemson Tigers
Clemson has groomed some impressive talent for the NFL over the last few years including Malliciah Goodman, Vic Beasley and a first round pick in this year’s class in Shaq Lawson. Kevin Dodd went to the Tennessee Titans in the second round and left the Tigers without their top two defensive ends from a year ago so the focus on the position will be that much greater for the defending ACC champion and national title game finalist. Bryant is next in line as an extremely talented end that is ready to step in to a more prominent role for Clemson next season. The Tigers have the talent to be considered legitimate national championship contenders again this season but they will need to lean on some younger players to step in and play prominent roles including Bryant holding down the edge on their defensive line.
S: Cameron Burrows
Ohio State Buckeyes
The New Orleans Saints locked up a safety that could start immediately for them when they drafted Von Bell in the second round as another talented piece to graduate from Ohio State to the NFL in this year’s draft. The Buckeyes lost nine underclassmen to this year’s NFL Draft and while the transition could be difficult with so many young players they do have a capable safety that is ready to step in and play a more prominent role in Burrows. The junior defensive back has played both cornerback and safety throughout his time at Ohio State and the Buckeyes will need him to play a more prominent role as a starting safety next season.
LB: Trevon Coney
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Dallas Cowboys got an absolute steal when they drafted Jaylon Smith at No. 34 overall. The only reason he slipped that far is because of an injury that could keep him out this season, but as it was reported on Friday morning, it doesn’t look like he has to land on Injured Reserve as of yet. He has the potential to be an absolute star when he makes his NFL debut and the Cowboys have a huge need at the position, anchoring a defense that has been plenty leaky over the last few seasons.
As for Notre Dame, they will be in tough to replace him for next season but they have a talented linebacker ready to step in and take his place in the sophomore Coney, who served as Smith’s backup last season. Coney suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of spring practice but he should be healthy by the time the fall rolls around and he projected to be the next big thing for the Fighting Irish at the linebacker position.
