2024 NFL Mock Draft: Fascinating Day 2 selections for each NFC West team

It was an interesting first round in our Mock Draft for the NFC West. The Los Angeles Rams walked away as winners, but the Arizona Cardinals were not far behind. Now it's time for Day 2.

Who will the Rams turn their freebie pick into? Can the Cardinals keep building? Can the Seattle Seahawks complete their Legion of Boom II?

We are way ahead of them in our divisional midseason mock drafts. Let's turn our attention back to the NFC West. The Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals and 49ers are up on the clock today in the NFL Mocks Midseason Mock Draft for the NFC West Day 2.

The Cardinals have many Day 2 picks: 34, 66, 72, and 82. They picked Marvin Harrison Jr at No.2, then on the defensive side, they drafted FSU's Jared Verse at No.17. There is a copious amount of quality QBs left, and the Cardinals still need upgrades on both lines.

The Rams pulled off a magnificent draft shuffle, trading the 12th overall to the Falcons so they could take JJ McCarthy, getting the 19 and 51 in return. Their guy Chop Robinson was still available at 19, so the Rams got a free second-round pick out of the deal. They will draft at 45, 51 and 76 today.

The Seahawks used the 22nd pick on Penn St. cornerback Kalen King, paired him with Jamal Adams and the sensational Rookie Devon Witherspoon, and are attempting to recreate the Legion of Boom. They need a hard-hitting free safety to do so. They also need a contingency plan at QB and help inside the O-line. They have 80th and 86th picks in the third round.

The 49ers' are still just drafting for depth with one of the most solid rosters up and down in NFL history. They have the 61st and 93rd picks today.

Let's get to it. Next up is the Arizona Cardinals.

With the 34th pick in the NFL Mocks Midseason Mock Draft for the NFC West, the Cardinals select Donovan Jackson, an offensive guard from Ohio State. Building the interior line is an undeniable asset to the Cardinals; Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. will thrive with the .02 seconds Jackson will buy them.

Donovan Jackson stood out as a five-star recruit coming out of high school, and it is easy to see why--at 6'4" and 320 pounds, with his arms measuring close to 36" long, he has a powerful build. Coupled with his lateral mobility and combative hand usage, he can contain opposing rushers. While his flexibility may not be elite, in a confined area, the strength of his build is formidable. Jackson plays low, keeping linemen out of his frame, and he has the explosiveness necessary to move out into space and take down defenders.

Fortify the line is the move here, and Jackson was the best interior lineman on the board. The Cardinals still have three day-two picks to make a splash, but it is a solid start.

The Rams are selecting offensive tackle Graham Barton, Duke at No. 45. Barton is a great offensive line that takes care of his QB; ask Duke's dual-threat Junior quarterback Riley Leonard.

He has had a four-year starting stint at Duke, spending the truncated 2020 season at center (six starts) before transitioning to left tackle the following season, which has been his position since then. In 2021, he started 12 games, 13 in 2022, and is still manning the blindside in 2023.

Barton is a seasoned starter with many first-team repetitions at two distinct positions. His skill set is visible in the film; he has a low start and plays with strength to pressure defenders. He is agile enough to move across a defender's face and shut them out from the play.

Rams are back on the Clock at No. 51 and select Kris Abrams-Draine CB Missouri. Going with a shutdown corner is something the Rams haven't had since Jalen Ramsey.

Abrams-Draine's athleticism is his biggest asset, as he can accelerate quickly and has a great burst. This will help him as he must play in space during the pre-draft evaluation. His athleticism is especially evident when the ball is in the air, as he can recognize it and take the necessary angles to attack it. He can play man coverage effectively, undercutting routes and driving across the face of receivers.

They are building up their backfield with a bonus pick in the second round, and it's a great use of the picks. The Donald/ Robinson QB hunt is on and will cause divisional QBs like Brock Purdy to panic and throw a bad pass. Abrams-Draine will be on the receiving end of this passes.

The San Francisco 49ers have the 61st pick in the NFL Mocks Midseason Mock Draft for the NFC West and will select Landon Jackson EDGE Arkansas. This may seem like a wasted pick with the recent addition of Chase Young and the long-term signing of Nick Bosa at the beginning of the season, but Jackson is a beast.

It wouldn't be surprising to learn Jackson had a development contract in professional wrestling. He has a fabulous physique and carries his weight well. He grew in size and physical maturity with LSU and Arkansas. His build isn't the only attribute on the rise, as his numbers in 2023 indicate an increasing level of proficiency. His long arms and reach make him an attractive choice for teams looking for someone to control the line of scrimmage.

Additionally, Jackson's quickness and ability to create force in a short amount of time are advantages. His most notable development in 2023 is his hand usage; he is becoming more precise and accurate when using his hands to get the better of offensive linemen. This is a key factor if he reaches his full potential, and the progress will surely boost his draft prospects.

Should Young not re-sign or injuries to him or Bosa, or one of them needs a breath, Jackson can step in and not miss a beat. This is a deadly addition to an already scary pass rush.

Up at No. 66 is the Arizona Cardinals, and they are selecting McKinnley Jackson, DT Texas A&M. Reinforcement to the interior D-line will make the transition of Jared Verse to the NFL much more effective.

When observers view the 2022 Aggies defense, their attention is immediately drawn to the imposing figure in the middle of their formation. Jackson, a captain for the Aggies in his junior year, was an invaluable presence in their lineup, and his absence was sorely felt. His stats may not be impressive, but a true 0-technique with 7 TFLs and two sacks is still an accomplishment. He is a savvy run defender and has the agility to shift into a more vertical role if necessary.

The Cardinals' defense is improving, and the Verse/Jackson will be as formidable as Bosa/Young or Donaldson/ Robinson. Stuffing the run and getting the offense back on the field will be the primary concern for the Cardinals in 2024; Jackson works perfectly in that spot.

With the 72nd pick in the NFC West Mock draft, the Cardinals are back on the board and take Oregon running back Bucky Irving. The Cardinals' offense is ready for a new set of legs, and Bucky Irvin is the best back they have seen since David Johnson.

Without question, Irving has a dynamic and explosive style of running that can easily cover any mistakes made. Even though he will sometimes move outside the tackle box when it's not necessary, his speed is beneficial. He is competitive and seeks to keep plays alive with success. He keeps his head up and looks for running lanes even when none appear available.

Though he has difficulty slowing down to change directions and will sometimes run into a blocker, he acts quickly and usually doesn't take many tackles for loss. A strong inside-zone or outside-zone team will benefit from Irving's knack for making big plays and stressing out opposing defenses. He would be a welcome addition to the Cardinal's new pass-heavy squad, which needs a different type of back and a major receiving threat.

There is no excuse for Murry not to thrive now; they added two incredible weapons: a defense that can get him back on the field quickly and stellar protection. That's five day one starts for the Cardinals if you are keeping count.

With the 76th NFC West Mock draft pick, the Rams take Michigan running back Blake Corum. Great fit here; the Rams need a workhorse back that can be a star in LA.

Corum stands out among runners for his all-around abilities. He may not stand out in any particular area, but he has good acceleration, quickness, agility, awareness, and the ability to make decisions on the fly when avoiding defenders. Additionally, his 5'8", 213-pound frame is dense and well-balanced, allowing him to shrug off single tackles and keep his momentum going to maximize output.

He has a storied career at Michigan and deserves his shot in the NFL. The third round may be high for Corum going before names like Aldrich Estime and Braleon Allen, but again, the Rams get their guy.

At No.80 overall, the Seahawks select Calen Bullock, safety USC. They got the last piece to the new Legion of Boom.

Calen Bullock, one of the top safeties in the 2024 class, has excellent experience. He's effective in coming downhill, giving hard hits, and catching the ball if left hanging. While his explosiveness isn't outstanding, and he is primarily trained in man coverage, the modern NFL defenses, with Vic Fangio's scheme, Pete Carrol's defense will benefit from Bullock's presence. Going into the fall, Bullock has a solid grade of a second-round pick.

It's a whole new backfield in Seattle; each piece brings its own individual threats, all led by the commander of the new legion, Jamal Adams.

The Cardinals are back on the clock one last time on Day 2 at No. 82 overall and use it to draft Georgia QB Carson Beck. As mentioned, Kyler Murray is stocked with talented weapons; if there are any issues on or off the field, Carson Beck can step in and thrive.

Beck is highly skilled in the aspects of quarterbacking that are necessary to succeed in the NFL. His body and mind are well-synchronized, and he is usually unfazed by pressure. However, Beck stands out because of his ability to quickly make subtle changes in the pocket when faced with pressure.

Put the Call of Duty down, Turn the iPad on and win some games, Murray. If he doesn't have the Cardinals in playoff contention in 2024, it will be Beck's team in the future.

With their second pick in the third round, the Seattle Seahawks use the No. 86 overall to select Zach Frazier, center, West Virginia. They are bolstering the O-line in Seattle with a nice asset.

At 6'2" and 310 pounds, Zach Frazier is one of the most powerful interior linemen in the nation. His lack of ability to make milestone moves on the second level of defenses may be a drawback, but he is very effective in dealing with the opposition when it comes to the running game or pass blocking.

With the NFL seeing more and more freakishly athletic defensive tackles enter the league, having a powerful player who needs little support is a valuable asset. Frazier has a good awareness and is competent as a help blocker. His athleticism could limit which schemes he fits, but he is forecasted to have a midround grade and could be an NFL starter.

With the 93rd and last Day 2 selection in the NFL Mocks Midseason Mock Draft for the NFC West, the 49ers select Zak Zinter OG Michigan. Zinter was recently severely injured in the Michigan/ Ohio State game, but the 49ers are not deterred.

Zinter's height is an advantage for him in many cases but can also hinder him. His strength and agility are decent, but his lack of freakish mobility means it won't be the main feature of his game. He can move and hold his ground, but he's not as fluid or quick as some other blockers. His range of positions is broad, but he is ultimately best suited to guard. His physical attributes aren't enough to get him a high draft pick.

Zinter will be able to recover and step into his role gradually in San Francisco, as the 49ers already have a great line. Adding Kingsley Suamataia and Zinter to an already fantastic OL room will be advantageous for all.