Someone start up a “D-Fence” chant in Pittsburgh.
The top of the second round of the NFL draft could see a run on defensive talent after only two cornerbacks, two defensive tackles, two safeties and one inside linebacker were taken in the first round.
It’s perfectly set up for a team like the Giants at No. 37 to look for a replacement for departed free-agent cornerback Cor’Dale Flott or traded-away defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
The 49ers (No. 33) and Bills (No. 35) — sandwiched around the Cardinals (No. 34) — hold two of the first picks after neither team made a first-round selection.
Here are scouting reports on The Post’s top 10 available players on Day 2, with their original rank on the top-75 Big Board included in parentheses.
Might have been No. 1 if he played last season because his 2024 tape (four interceptions) is The Real McCoy. Quick reads and spatial awareness in zone. “No limits” after torn ACL in January 2025. Penalty-prone downfield. Plays “cat coverage” – you have that “cat.
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images 2. WR Denzel Boston, Washington, 6-4, 212 (19) Is he quick enough to separate at next level? Needs to play to his strengths: Using big body to box out defensive backs and suction anything in his catch radius with strong oven mitts. Finds the first-down marker.
Rangy tackler and punishing tackler who would’ve been a regular on ESPN’s old “Jack’d Up” segment. Physicality translates to contagious energy. Imagine if bulks up. Nose for the ball – nine forced fumbles and circus interceptions. Better off covering tight ends than quick slot receivers.
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Three-school, three-year journey ended filling McCoy’s shoes and making 4.5 tackles for loss. Safety-like run-defense mentality, but shifty receivers could give him issues. Runs stride-for-stride in man-to-man coverage on vertical routes. Only 13 career starts. Jams receivers off the ball.
Preseason top-10 projected pick didn’t match 11-sack production from 2024. Goes for the strip when making the hit. Speed-to-power rushes are the name of his game. What’s his Plan B move? Versatility to slide inside. Gets off run blocks.
Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images 6. LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech, 6-1, 231 (33) Thirteen career forced fumbles (seven last season) jumps off the page. Former quarterback/running back/receiver/tight end at Virginia. Filled his trophy case. Quarterback of the defense communicator with contagious hustle. Could struggle in man coverage. Only adequate size. Waiting for ball-carriers in hole.
Blue-collar New Jersey native. Will bury a defender to the ground and loom. Strong hands a plus, lack of length a minus. Burly run-blocker who climbs to second-level blocks. Susceptible to lunging. Penalty prone. Rare prospect who competed in every NFL Combine drill.
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Knock-back power in his hands allowed him to live behind the line of scrimmage (nine tackles for loss) last season. Immovable object for opposing centers. Big numbers versus elite competition. Limited pass-rush ability, especially against moving pockets. One-year starter.
Projected rotational pass-rusher with go-to spin move as a rookie. Of 27 career sacks, three on three straight plays vs. Utah State was most impressive. Will disguise a drop in coverage (14 pass breakups). Improvements as a run-defender needed to play three downs.
Relentless ball-pursuer who tallied 31.5 career tackles for loss. Dynamic blitzer with 17 sacks and eight forced fumbles. Evades blocks with quickness. See-ball, get-ball anticipation. Shedding blocks is a work in progress. Suffocates screens thrown in front of him and covers tight ends.
