It’s time for some quick regrouping before teams huddle back up in their respective NFL Draft war rooms.
Months of planning for the first round gave way late Thursday night to a day of scrambling to get ready for the second and third rounds of the draft, which begin at 7 p.m. tonight.
The Bills, who traded down twice to get out of the first round, are set to pick first at No. 33 overall.
If they are looking for a receiver to replace the traded Stefon Diggs, they have plenty of options, even after a record-tying seven were picked in the first round.
Here are scouting reports on the 10 best available players, including their original pre-draft ranking on The Post’s Top 100 Big Board in parentheses:
1. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas, 6-2, 205 (23)
Lanky playmaker gets vertical with ease. Tracks the deep ball well.
Big catch radius leads to some red-zone jump-ball highlights. Developing route-runner. Wasn’t a big factor in two years at Georgia.
Can be “uncoachable” when his blood sugar is not maintained, a scout told GoLongTD.com.
2. CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa, 6-0, 203 (28)
Pairs smashmouth ways of a safety with prolific ball skills. Seven career interceptions and four touchdowns, including one as an elite punt returner.
Sidelined for most of pre-draft process by broken leg. NFL hasn’t had a full-time white starting cornerback since 2002.
3. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia, 6-0, 186 (29)
A quarterback’s best friend, who is a technician about uncovering. Bag of tricks includes head fakes, start-and-stop moves and manipulating body leverage.
Polished route-runner who slips away after the catch to move the chains — not a deep threat.
4. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama, 5-11, 199 (31)
Top-10 overall prospect before last season raised some deep-speed and press-coverage concerns.
Ran 4.47-second 40-yard dash before scheduled foot surgery (March). Rarely blows assignments. Alpha personality. Dynamic punt returner.
Bad habit of using sideline for tackling help.
5. LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M, 6-2, 230 (33)
Want sacks? He had eight.
Want coverage? He can man-up tight ends and backs (eight pass break-ups over last two seasons).
Want tackling? Ball-carriers felt his 83 stops last season.
Knack for spying dual-threat quarterbacks. Guilty of over-pursuit.
6. DT Jer’Zahn Newton, Illinois, 6-2, 304 (34)
Hand and feet technician who pushes the pocket by skill.
Always seems to have a rush plan, as one snap or one series sets up moves later in the game.
Chases down the ball. Not flashy power or speed.
7. WR Troy Franklin, Oregon, 6-2, 176 (35)
Catch-and-run weapon, especially on slants, who turns on the jets with the ball in his hands.
Will draw safety help away from other receivers.
Totaled eight 40-yard catches and 14 touchdowns last season.
Some concentration and fail-to-secure-the-catch questionable drops.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft
- 2024 NFL Draft grades for every first-round pick
- Giants take electric receiver with No. 6 pick in NFL Draft
- Jets take offensive tackle after trading back in NFL Draft
- Falcons’ $100 million QB blindsided by team drafting quarterback
- Bettors cash in with ridiculous Caleb Williams No. 1 pick wagers
8. CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri, 5-11, 183 (37)
Don’t let size fool you.
Plenty of fire and physicality in that body.
An extra perimeter defender to upend a running back. Brings contagious energy.
Of 24 career passes defended, only one is an interception. Takes away underneath routes.
9. EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan, 6-3, 267 (38)
Former two-star recruit who keeps improving.
Raw power bull-rusher who tallied 37 pressures last season.
Fits the edge in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
Pass-rushing plan becomes a little predictable.
One game responsible for three of 4.5 sacks in 2023.
10. OG/C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon, 6-3, 328 (40)
Barrel-chested Rimington Trophy (nation’s top center) winner’s never-quit motor gets under opponents’ skin. Add in toughness, scheme versatility and high football IQ, and you have a center. Sets can become too wide. Long injury history.