Where will the best players still on the board land on Day 2? We projected the next 68 picks of the NFL draft.
Here's how I think Rounds 2 and 3 will shake out based on fit, need and how every team could fill roster holes. I will not predict trades, though it is likely a few might happen.
The 49ers moved out of Round 1, but the chance to take the player I originally predicted for them is still here as McNeil-Warren slips to Round 2. After watching rival Seahawks safetyIs this a reach for Beck? It is, based on predraft rankings of him, but the Cardinals are in quarterback pergatory and need to take swings to find a capable starter.
Beck's excellent play in the College Football Playoff changed the narrative on him and there are believers around the NFL in his ability as a future starter. Boston was considered a potential target for Buffalo in Round 1 if the team stayed at No. 26 overall.
The big-bodied wide receiver is exactly whatStukes is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the entire draft, and teams fell in love with his 4.33 speed and the fact that he was a three-time team captain in the predraft process. The Raiders' need at safety was almost as big as the need at quarterback.
McCoy ranked as my No. 10 overall prospect in the class based off film study, but questions surrounding the long-term health of his kneein January 2025 caused him to slip. The Giants will jump on the opportunity to select a top-10 player at a core position of need. McDonald was a possibility for Houston in the first round. Giving coach DeMeco Ryans a space-eating nose tackle who was active enough to make 65 tackles last season almost seems unfair.
With the starter-caliber offensive tackles off the board, this is an easy pick for Houston. The offensive line rebuild in Cleveland continues with a powerful, aggressive run blocker in Bisontis. He has to work on cutting down penalties after seeing 19 flags thrown his way in his career, but his bully-like mentality will make him a fixture at guard for the Browns. , the Chiefs stick with defense and add the long-armed, powerful strongside defensive end in Parker.
Wide receiver would be a consideration here, too, but the depth at receiver is good enough to wait until Round 3. , but are now on the clock with a good group of cornerbacks still available. Hood is the draft's most aggressive corner and gives Cincinnati size on the outside of the defense.and multiple teams asked around about the truth of it. After staying put, New Orleans needs pass rush help.
Howell had 11.5 sacks in 2025 and has the quickness off the snap to be a problem in space. The Dolphins made it out of Round 1 without adding a wide receiver, despite it being the team's biggest need. Bernard is a bit of a gadget-guy thanks to his ability to create yards from the backfield or wide receiver, but his big-play ability is sorely needed in Miami.
It happens every year: the Ravens play the board and a great player falls into their laps. Terrell is a fighter at cornerback with excellent press technique and short-area quickness that would allow him to thrive in the slot. Replacing Lavonte David won't be easy, but Rodriguez is a playmaker. The middle linebacker had seven forced fumbles and four interceptions last season.
Oh, and he can take snaps at Wildcat quarterback, too.in free agency left a hole in the middle of the defense. Allen is a solid run defender who is raved about by coaches and scouts. He would be the green dot Mike linebacker here in no time. The Falcons focus again on the defensive line after selecting two edge rushers in the 2025 first round, this time grabbing an anchor in nose tackle Miller.
The 6-foot-4, 321-pounder easily projects as a one-technique or nose tackle starter who has shown the strength to be a presence in a two-gapping situation. We were all stunned when the Vikings didn't select a safety in Round 1 after virtually every mock draft since February predicting one of them.
In Haulcy, Minnesota gets a strong safety with 215 pounds of power, but also playmaking ability that saw him pick off 10 passes in college.has been a priority for Detroit since he was drafted. The Lions will have one in Young, a player who projects as a strong three-down defensive end with the strength to be as good against the run as he is in pass rush settings.
The Panthers have drafted highly athletic projects at tight end in the past, but haven't hit on one yet. Stowers is in the similar mold with 4.51 speed and record-setting jumps of 45.5" and 11'03 at the combine, but his production stands out.
Finding fast, rangy linebackers that can also impact the game as a pass rusher is rare, but Hill is available in Round 2 after teams were uncertain about his run game instincts. All he did in the last three seasons was fill up the box score with 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and three interceptions.returns in 2026, but what's the long-term plan? Nussmeier's 2024 tape, when he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns, looked like a first-round caliber player.
If he can get back to that, the Steelers have a franchise quarterback.should have the Eagles thinking long-term at guard. Pregnon had fans in NFL scouting departments thinking he might go late Round 1. Ponds is one of my favorite players in the entire class, but concerns about a lack of size pushes him down the board. Coach Jim Harbaugh would love the feisty slot cornerback who is also an elite blitzer.
The speedy Thomas is a blur around the edge and has the versatility to drop into coverage when needed. He's undersized at 6-foot-2 and 241 pounds, but he's an ideal situational pass rusher who can develop into more as he adds strength. The Bears went defense in Round 1 and they'll stay there in Round 2 with Jacas.
At 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds he plays with big-time power and wracked up 26.5 tackles for loss the last two seasons.as a deep threat, but an intermediate option from the slot is needed. Williams is a precise route-runner with consistent hands and yards-after-the-catch ability. There is no better blitzing cornerback in this draft than Scott, and he might be one of the NFL's best as soon as he puts on a Texans' helmet.
He also has 4.33 speed at 5-11 and 191 pounds, making him an option to play inside or outside in the NFL. Waiting until Round 3 to grab a center might be possible given the depth of this class, but the Bears jump on Hecht.
He's my top center and is an elite run blocker.is in place as the quarterback of the future, but Fields can be an immediate asset on offense with his 6-foot-4, 218-pound ability to beat defenders at the catch point. Denver's first pick of the draft aims to solve the lack of depth at linebacker. Trotter is a force in the run game with an attacking, downhill style.
It's a trenches draft for the Patriots so far with Lomu in Round 1 and now Hunter. He's an active defensive tackle with nose guard experience but has the tools to move around the line. The rich get richer as Seattle's defense adds an edge rusher who created 10 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss last season. Rams take QB Ty Simpson with No. 13 pick in NFL draft
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