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The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft certainly featured its share of surprises, including Caleb Banks going to the Vikings at No. 18 and the Texans trading up for Keylan Rutledge at No. 26.
But it also featured several expected moves, including seven offensive tackles hearing their names called and a slew of defensive backs being pushed down the board — potentially making them prime pickings on Day 2.
With that in mind, here’s a mock draft for Rounds 2 and 3:
(Note: An asterisk indicates a compensatory draft pick.)
Round 2
33. San Francisco 49ers (from NYJ): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
McNeil-Warren was a top-30 player on my final board and would check off a need for the 49ers, who moved out of the first round after missing out on “a couple of players” they had targeted, according to GM John Lynch. The best tackles in this draft are now gone, so it might make sense for San Francisco to check off another need here first.
34. Arizona Cardinals: Zion Young, edge, Missouri
The Cardinals were bold at the top of the first round, taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3. Now, they can fill a bigger area of need with a long, rangy pass rusher in the 6-5, 267-pound Young.
35. Buffalo Bills (from TEN): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
The Bills traded down three times in Round 1, perhaps wisely, so this is set to be their first pick of the 2026 draft. Buffalo might be in position to snag a quality receiver here (Denzel Boston?), the next-best linebacker on their list or a player such as McDonald, who would fill a need up front defensively.
36. Las Vegas Raiders: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
There are long-term concerns surrounding McCoy’s surgically repaired right knee, which caused him to miss the entire 2025 season. Taking him at the top of the second round might not be as big a risk, though, and it could provide a huge payoff.
37. New York Giants: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
The Giants were able to turn Dexter Lawrence into Francis Mauigoa, who may be the team’s new right guard after being selected at No. 10. And Miller could be the replacement for Lawrence on the D-line.
38. Houston Texans (from WAS): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
The corners took a tumble again in this year’s draft, which is sort of becoming a theme. Terrell is another top-30 player on my board and could push for starting time immediately.
39. Cleveland Browns: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Don’t be shocked if the Browns dip into the quarterback well at some point in this draft. However, I also think a run on corners might happen Friday night.
40. Kansas City Chiefs: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
This would be an absolute steal. Boston was good enough to go in the first round — he’s a big receiver who moves like a small one.
41. Cincinnati Bengals: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Ponds, a 5-foot-9 pit bull, was the heartbeat of the Hoosiers’ national title-winning defense and is one of the toughest pound-for-pound athletes in this draft.
42. New Orleans Saints: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson
Parker was amazing as a true freshman, good as a sophomore and pretty invisible as a junior. If he can get back to his younger form, this could be a steal — either for the Saints here or someone else on Day 2.
43. Miami Dolphins: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
A very QB-friendly target and great after the catch, Bernard is a high-floor receiver who can play in any system.
44. New York Jets (from DAL): Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
I’m not sure Nussmeier will blossom into an NFL starter, but he’s a high-floor backup who at least has a chance of becoming more. I thought he was closer to Ty Simpson on the board than many did.
45. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Another hyper-athletic corner with size, Cisse needs polish but fits the mold of an aggressive — and versatile — back-end player who could thrive under Jesse Minter.
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
One of my favorite prospects in this class, Rodriguez is a quarterback on defense (and an actual former quarterback) who seems to get better every time you watch him.
47. Indianapolis Colts: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
If Kirby Smart had a prototype for what a Georgia linebacker should look like, it might be Allen. The former Bulldog is a highly intelligent, quick-footed inside linebacker with a very high floor.
48. Atlanta Falcons: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
An explosive 320-pounder with a great first step and a ton of power at the point of attack, both against the run and as a pass rusher, Hunter is one of the savvier DTs in this class.
49. Minnesota Vikings: Keionte Scott, S, Miami
A linebacker in the body of a slot corner, Scott is an older player (he’ll be 25 in August), but his tenacity in the box and out in coverage is infectious. He was a huge reason Miami made it to the national title game.
50. Detroit Lions: Gabe Jacas, edge, Illinois
A powerful technician off the edge, Jacas (6-4, 260) is exactly the type of presence against the run Detroit is looking for opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
51. Carolina Panthers: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
An absolute burner who didn’t get much attention because of his decision to stay at a small school, Hurst could be extremely dynamic for Bryce Young and the Panthers aligned opposite Tetairoa McMillan.
52. Green Bay Packers: Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona
Stukes (6-1, 193) can absolutely fly. He ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash (and posted a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump) at the combine, and he was all over the ball at Arizona (29 pass breakups, seven picks).
53. Pittsburgh Steelers: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Another player with hybrid potential, Haulcy is a 215-pound safety with great burst and a ton of power. He can play either safety spot or in the box.
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M
Possessing one of the best first steps in the class, Howell probably isn’t a three-down weapon, but his impact on third downs could pay off immediately.
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
This feels like it would be terrific value — Bisontis has a chance to go inside the top 40 to a team in need of a scheme-versatile, athletic interior lineman.
56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State
What would be better than Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange lining up in the Citrus Bowl for the Jacksonville Jaguars this year?
57. Chicago Bears: Keyron Crawford, edge, Auburn
A rocked-up edge with terrific burst and acceleration, Crawford (6-5, 253) gets the most out of his body and comes with a deep bag of rush moves.
58. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
If there’s a tackle worth taking in Round 2 this year, it’s Tiernan. The hulking 6-7, 323-pounder has an outstanding work ethic and an even better anchor.
59. Houston Texans: Derrick Moore, edge, Michigan
A powerful, explosive athlete who brings length off the edge, Moore has a developing set of rush moves that could turn him into a notable sack producer over multiple contracts.
60. Chicago Bears (from BUF): Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
The Bears moved on from D.J. Moore and could still use a little bit of receiver help. Why not grab a guy who plays a bit like Moore, albeit in a smaller frame?
61. Los Angeles Rams: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
A jumbo target at 6-4, 218, Fields is another of those big receivers with the movement skills of a smaller pass catcher. He plays a lot like Michael Pittman and could make his way into the Rams’ starting lineup.
62. Denver Broncos: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
Another hybrid-type defender who could line up as a Sam ‘backer or operate in the stack, Golday plays a bit like a smaller version of Detroit Lions star Jack Campbell.
63. New England Patriots: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Stowers is not a blocking asset, but he’s one of the most explosive pass catchers in the draft. His vertical jump (45 1/2 inches) set an NFL combine record for his position.
64. Seattle Seahawks: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
A younger corner with quick feet and agility in tight spaces, Abney is a durable defender who should be able to compete for time early.
Round 3
65. Arizona Cardinals: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
66. Buffalo Bills (from TEN): Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
67. Las Vegas Raiders: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
68. Philadelphia Eagles (from NYJ): Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
69. Tennessee Titans (from NYG via HOU and BUF): Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
70. Cleveland Browns: Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa
71. Washington Commanders: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
72. Cincinnati Bengals: Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
73. New Orleans Saints: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
74. Cleveland Browns (from KC): R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma
75. Miami Dolphins: Bud Clark, S, TCU
76. Pittsburgh Steelers (from DAL): Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M
77. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Joly, TE, NC State
78. Indianapolis Colts: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
79. Atlanta Falcons: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
80. Baltimore Ravens: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
81. Jacksonville Jaguars (from DET): Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
82. Minnesota Vikings: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri
83. Carolina Panthers: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona
84. Green Bay Packers: Markel Bell, OT, Miami
85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky
86. Los Angeles Chargers: Sam Roush, TE, Stanford
87. Miami Dolphins (from PHI): Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
89. Chicago Bears: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State
90. San Francisco 49ers (from HOU via MIA): Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge, Penn State
91. Houston Texans (from BUF): Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
92. Dallas Cowboys (from SF): Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State
93. Los Angeles Rams: Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan
94. Miami Dolphins (from DEN): Jaishawn Barham, edge, Michigan
95. New England Patriots: Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
96. Seattle Seahawks: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
97. Minnesota Vikings*: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
98. Philadelphia Eagles*: Austin Barber, OT, Florida
99. Pittsburgh Steelers*: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
100. Jacksonville Jaguars (from DET)*: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
