Beau Brade projected as day two 2024 NFL Draft selection

Maryland will look to produce multiple draft picks for the third consecutive season and safety Beau Brade is drawing buzz as a potential day two selection. Brade will look to become the second safety and fourth defensive back out of Maryland to be drafted over the last three drafts as the former River Hill standout may not have to wait long to hear his name called.

One outlet projected Brade to be drafted 57th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Safety is a position of concern for Tampa Bay. Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal are out of contract at the end of the season. Winfield is a certainty to return, but he won’t be cheap. Adding a running mate for him would be a wise decision. Beau Brade is ultra-versatile, and his aggressive attitude and strong tackling mean he can thrive in the box.

The same outlet projected DJ Glaze to come off the board in the fifth round (173rd pick) to the New Orleans Saints and Ja’Quan Sheppard to the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round (185th), while players like Jeshaun Jones, Tarheeb Still and Corey Bullock look to improve their boost their draft stock heading into the spring.

The second-round buzz for Brade isn’t a surprise after turning heads during last week’s Senior Bowl practices. Brade, who officially measured in at 5-foot-11.6, 208 pounds, was named an All-Defense performer through practices by multiple analysts on-site.

Now it’s Beau Brade’s turn

The former Maryland safety breaks up the pass during today’s Senior Bowl practice. @NickHarrisDC wrote that Brade is “one that has been impressing coaches and scouts with his on-field knowledge and instincts” pic.twitter.com/ZQjyc0FRGf

— Inside the Black & Gold (@Insideblackgold) January 31, 2024

Brade was also recently ranked the 127th-best player and ninth-best safety in Pro Football Focus’ prospect rankings after becoming arguably Maryland’s best defensive player over the last two seasons.

Brade’s rise isn’t a surprise for Maryland fans after watching him blossom into a full-time starter over the last two seasons, leading the defense in tackles both years and half of the games in 2023. Brade also recorded double-digit tackles against both Michigan and Michigan State, recorded a key late fumble in the road win at Nebraska and came down with the Terps’ first takeaway of Big Ten play. A two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, Brade was voted one of the team captains by his teammate while also starting the One Speed Podcast alongside starters Dante Trader Jr. and Ruben Hyppolite.

Beau Brade projected as day two 2024 NFL Draft selection

Ahmed Ghafir