Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft may not have had as much weight as the first round, but there were still big stakes throughout the order.
Eight teams ultimately made their first selections after sitting out opening day as other franchises continued to fill out their classes. With many high-profile names off the board, some organizations have seized the opportunity to address key deficiencies and build for the future. But some questioned the path they were taking in the roster creation process.
Here are the biggest winners and losers in the second and third rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Day 2 Winner
cleveland browns
The immediate and impressive returns of last year’s draft class were probably the only silver lining for the Browns last fall outside of Myles Garrett. With Todd Monken taking over as coach and uncertainty remaining at quarterback, Cleveland needed to continue revamping its roster with a new infusion of young talent, something it had long lacked.
And Andrew Berry seems to have found success again.
After taking Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion in the first round, Cleveland made a big hit on Day 2 by selecting wide receiver Denzel Boston and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Both would have been perfectly reasonable choices with the 24th overall pick the night before. Boston can use back-shoulder throws and deeper heaves on offense, while McNeil-Warren can help match up with tight ends and solidify the middle. Third-round offensive tackle Austin Barber offers some upside as a deployment option up front.
Terrell family
Atlanta Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell was definitely thrilled wherever his brother Avion landed. But it sparked one of the coolest moments of the entire event when the Falcons scooped up the fellow Clemson product and cornerback to make the secondary a sibling affair.
This isn’t just a feel-good story for families who get to watch siblings compete together. Avion is a very capable cover man who can fill the outside spot opposite AJ or work from the slot, but his skill set seems better suited to the latter. Not a bad start to the reign for Matt Ryan.
Kayden McDonald
The Ohio State defensive tackle was understandably emotional after his long wait in the dressing room was finally over. Once considered the favorite to become the first player at his position, while he was at a loss on his first day, two other interior linemen heard their names called.
But in the end, McDonald’s found itself in a very advantageous situation.
After all, what better spot for a defensive tackle between Will Anderson Jr. and Daniel Hunter? The Houston Texans have acquired McDonald over the New York Giants, and he is expected to play a key role up front alongside DeMeco Ryans. A rapid acclimatization period will allow him to quickly forget about waiting for the draft.
tight end
As teams skew toward higher run rates, it has become fashionable to have multiple tight ends on the field. That momentum looks set to continue into 2026, as eight players at that position were acquired on the second day.
Perhaps even stranger than the tight end totals was how many teams that already looked set there jumped into contention. The Los Angeles Rams added Max Clair to a group that already includes Colby Parkinson and 2025 second-round pick Terrence Ferguson, while the Chicago Bears added third-round pick Sam Roush to follow Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. It speaks volumes that Sean McVay and Ben Johnson, two of the league’s biggest trendsetters, are building their rosters their own way.
veteran running back
It has long been clear that this draft class lacks a starting ball carrier. However, the second day brought home just how few veteran full-backs are at risk of having their roles reduced. After former Notre Dame teammates Jeremiah Love and Jadarrian Price were rivals in the NFC West in the first round, Kaylon Black (90th overall, San Francisco 49ers) was the only player at the position selected in the second or third round.
Black won’t do much more than curse Christian McCaffrey’s inside run. And his selection may speak to Kyle Shanahan’s pattern of investing in mid-round running backs rather than league-wide value. Meanwhile, Mike Washington Jr. of Arkansas, Emmett Johnson of Nebraska and Jonah Coleman of Washington State remain on the waiting list despite having the starting lineup.
NFL Draft Day 2 Losers
Jermod McCoy
When the 2024 All-American was knocked out of the first round, many thought he might be headed for a similar trajectory as former University of Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, who made it to the second round in 2025 amid injury concerns. But McCoy’s fall has been steeper, and he’s still far from over it.
The Tennessee cornerback enters Day 3 as the top player available. But the X-factor here isn’t talent. NFL Network reported on April 20 that McCoy was foggy from a bone plug used to repair cartilage in his knee after recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament last January.
At some point, teams should be attracted to the potential payoff. But that’s a harsh reality for McCoy, who spent much of the pre-draft process being viewed in the same category as Mansour Delane, who went No. 6 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.
pittsburgh steelers
Omar Khan made it clear in the lead-up to the draft that he wants what many envision in an AFC North quarterback: a statuesque figure with a strong arm. He found one in former Penn State quarterback Aller, whom the general manager took in the third round.
However, therein lies the problem of Allah. He resembles the ideal quarterback, but he’s a long way from actually living it up.
The former five-star recruit has long been intriguing with his 6-5, 228-pound frame and ability to threaten defenses vertically in the passing game. But in the final season, when many were hoping for a much-awaited breakthrough in Alaa’s development, all of his flaws were exposed. Before suffering a season-ending ankle injury, he was repeatedly sabotaged by sloppy footwork, erratic ball placement, and a hesitant approach that always threw him off rhythm.
The Steelers, focusing on physical traits, may be adopting an “I can fix him” mentality here. But whether or not the four-time NFL MVP re-signs with the team, it’s hard to trust Aller to replace Aaron Rodgers anytime soon. And while it’s understandable that the Steelers would want to bring in a passer behind Rodgers, there’s also a good chance they’ll be looking to bring in another passer in the near future.
The Cardinals, who were the subject of widespread derision for selecting running back Jeremiah Love with the No. 3 overall pick, appeared to be in for a reprieve on Day 2. They acquired offensive guard Chase Visontis with a second-round pick, strengthening a shaky front and looking like they were headed for a one-shot deal.
Then the Cardinals orchestrated one of the strangest moves of the year, grabbing quarterback Carson Beck again.
Acquiring a mid-round signal-caller would certainly facilitate what seems like a major addition for general manager Monty Ossenfort and first-year coach Mike LaFleur. However, this is not actually a sound investment strategy, but rather an attempt to make money playing the lottery.
And even if all goes well, Beck isn’t a particularly high-return prospect. If he does his best, he can become a competent distributor with pocket money. But he can succumb when faced with pressure and doesn’t have the toolkit to earn a second chance. That’s more of a reliable backup who can fill in, rather than the profile of a potential legitimate starter.
Beck could be a project worth tackling for some franchises. But Arizona can’t simply give away an early third-round pick.
Garrett Nussmeyer
LSU’s gunslinger once appeared to be on relative parity with Beck and Aller in the second tier of quarterbacks in this class, with many considering him even above his two colleagues. But the 6-2, 203-pound passer took a backseat to players more typical of his position.
It’s not just about size. Nussmeier’s aggressive approach may have been a deterrent for some teams, while others may have been bitter about his disappointing final season, which was marred by injuries. But now as a third-day prospect, he won’t be much more than a dart thrower no matter which team plays him. The promotion of Shedule Sanders from fifth-round pick to rookie starter doesn’t bear that out. But his climb will be tough.
james gladstone
In the first draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ general manager made a bold move by trading up for Travis Hunter Jr. with the No. 2 overall pick. With reduced funding this time around, Gladstone had a rather puzzling start to this year’s class.
The second round selection of tight end Nate Verkacher set the tone for the night. The Texas A&M product was bought ahead of several more high-priced stocks at tight end. Jacksonville may not have been looking for a receiving threat at the position with Brenton Strange in the fold, but the spot had better value than a player who could top the list as a good blocker. He then closed out the night with Jalen Huskey, a defensive back with significant field limitations, doubling his reach. The Jaguars have a promising core, but this felt like a missed opportunity to replenish that group.
