Top 5 Big 10 players to watch out for in Round 2 of NFL Draft 2024 ft. Cooper DeJean

The Big 10 has some incredible talents that are available heading into Round 2 of the 2024 NFL draft. Some players will hear their name called between the 32nd and 64th picks today. Let's look at the top five players from the conference to watch out for on the second day of the draft.

Top 5 Big 10 players to watch out for in Round 2 of the NFL draft

#5: Tyler Nubin, S (Minnesota Golden Gophers)

Tyler Nubin is one of the most athletic safeties in the country and could significantly affect the running game. Nubin recorded 53 total tackles with a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, four pass deflections and five interceptions during the 2023 season. When being targeted, quarterbacks went 6-for-20 and had a 39.6 passer rating.

Nubin will be a great option for teams that look to improve the secondary with a dominant safety.

#4: Kris Jenkins, DT (Michigan Wolverines)

Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is one of the strongest players in the entire draft class and could be a strong starter in the correct scheme. He finished with 37 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception in 2023.

Coming off a national championship as well, teams will value how he disrupts the game. Despite the numbers looking less than ideal, Jenkins had 18 quarterback hurries and could be over the tackle or starting in the gap.

#3: Junior Colson, LB (Michigan Wolverines)

Junior Colson has been doing well as a linebacker for the Michigan Wolverines as he has totaled 196 total tackles with two sacks and three pass deflections in the last two seasons.

Colson has been improving every season, dominating in coverage and against the run. With a decent athletic profile at 6-foot-3, 247 pounds, he can be a rotational linebacker in a 4-3 system to start and has the potential to continue climbing up the rankings.

#2: Jer'Zhan Newton, DT (Illinois Fighting Illini)

Jer'Zhan Newton from Illinois is a little smaller at the defensive tackle spot but has incredible skills to make up for that while being an explosive player on the defensive line. Newton has recorded 62 quarterback hurries and 26 quarterback hits in the last two seasons, disrupting the opposing offense.

#1: Cooper DeJean, CB (Iowa Hawkeyes)

Cooper DeJean is one of the best prospects in the NFL draft, let alone being a second-round pick. DeJean finished last season with 41 total tackles, two interceptions and five pass deflections while having a 37.8 passer rating against before getting injured. He has allowed two total touchdowns in his previous three seasons and can help lock down one of the top wide receivers in the sport.