In the ongoing 2024 NFL Draft, Rounds 2 and 3 concluded Friday night, leaving teams one day away from completing their rosters and addressing their needs for the upcoming season. On the "With the First Pick" podcast by CBS Sports, NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman discussed the highlights and surprises from the recent rounds.

Both Wilson and Spielman agreed that the second round of this year's draft was filled with excellent value picks. Due to the depth of talent available, players who could have been first-round selections in other years slipped to the second round. One such example was tight end Ben Sinnott, who was ranked as the second-best in his position and was ultimately selected in the second round.

However, there were also some head-scratching moments in the draft. Wilson was surprised that the team picked wide receiver Luke McCaffrey when they did, but Spielman expressed confidence in Washington's general manager Adam Peters, predicting a quick turnaround for the team.

The Philadelphia Eagles had a successful draft, according to Wilson and Spielman. They acquired cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the No. 22 pick in the first round, a great value for the team. The Eagles then traded up to No. 40 to select cornerback Cooper DeJean, making another positive addition to their defense. Furthermore, the selection of edge rusher Jalyx Hunt at No. 94 overall was praised by Wilson, who believes Hunt possesses physical tools that could be developed into a valuable player.

The Bills received some criticism in the first round for trading their pick to their rival, the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Spielman defended Bills general manager Brandon Beane, considering him one of the best personnel people in the league. The team addressed their needs by adding wide receiver Keon Coleman, safety Cole Bishop, and defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, ensuring depth for their upcoming season.

The Steelers were commended for a "great draft," earning them an "A" grade. The selection of wide receiver Roman Wilson was particularly favored by Wilson and Spielman. Despite some injury concerns surrounding linebacker Payton Wilson, they believe he has the potential to succeed with hard work. The offense is expected to be physical, with an emphasis on running the ball.

Interestingly, no quarterback was drafted in the second or third rounds. Wilson explained this by stating that quarterbacks selected beyond the second round tend to have lower success rates. Spielman added that most of the later round quarterbacks are likely to serve as backups. They anticipated that quarterback Jordan Travis would slide in the draft due to his return from a leg injury.

Running backs did not see much action in this year's draft, leading to speculation about the position's value or the lack of standout talent. Spielman predicted that Jonathon Brooks, selected by the Carolina Panthers at No. 46, would be the most productive running back by the end of the 2024 season.

Tight end was another position that didn't receive as much attention in the draft. Spielman mentioned tight ends like Theo Johnson, Ja'Tavion Sanders, and Cade Stover, who were still available entering Day 3. Spielman believed Stover, who converted from linebacker to tight end, has significant upside and strong blocking abilities.

The Atlanta Falcons raised eyebrows with their selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Despite signing Kirk Cousins during the offseason, Wilson and Spielman commended the team's overall offseason work but questioned their decision not to address immediate needs that could have helped them win now and make a playoff push.

The New England Patriots moved down in the draft to select wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, but Wilson and Spielman believed there were better options available. Mitchell and McConkey were two players they considered preferable to Polk.

Overall, Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft showcased both promising selections and puzzling choices. As teams enter the final day of the draft, there is still an opportunity to shape their rosters further and find hidden gems for the upcoming season.