{"id":627319,"date":"2026-04-24T06:30:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T06:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/627319\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T06:30:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T06:30:10","slug":"sis-2026-nfl-mock-draft-for-rounds-2-and-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/627319\/","title":{"rendered":"SI\u2019s 2026 NFL Mock Draft for Rounds 2 and 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

First-Round Grades<\/a> | Best Available Players<\/a> | Fernando Mendoza is Tom Brady\u2019s successor<\/a> | Ty Simpson will test Sean McVay<\/a> | Cardinals made the right pick<\/a><\/p>\n

The 2026 NFL draft<\/a> promised to be unpredictable, and the first round certainly met expectations.<\/p>\n

There were bold moves<\/a> and head-scratchers, in-division trades<\/a> and sneaky value picks. And by night\u2019s end, there were also several first-round-caliber players still on the board.<\/p>\n

First-round picks, rightfully, generate the most buzz. But what happens from here on\u2014over the final six rounds and 225 selections\u2014will ultimately dictate which teams hit the mark this draft season and which fall short.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s our full projection for Day 2, which starts at 7 p.m. ET Friday in Pittsburgh. You can follow Rounds 2 and 3 with live grades in SI\u2019s draft tracker<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ROUND 233. San Francisco 49ers: Zion Young, edge, Missouri<\/p>\n

The 49ers traded out of the first round and likely will field plenty of offers for this pick on Friday night, but Young fits the build of a traditional San Francisco pass rusher. The 49ers finished last in the league in sacks in 2025, and Young has the juice to elevate the unit this fall.<\/p>\n

34. Arizona Cardinals: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson<\/p>\n

After taking running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, the Cardinals need to improve their play along both lines. Parker is a physical run defender with nuanced hands and has a chance to be a three-down player.<\/p>\n

35. Buffalo Bills: R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma<\/p>\n

Buffalo traded down three times and ultimately moved out of the first round, but Thomas is a solid consolation prize. The Bills want to add more speed off the edge, and Thomas, while undersized, has the twitch and power to provide it.<\/p>\n

36. Las Vegas Raiders: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Perhaps the Raiders will opt to give QB Fernando Mendoza a new weapon, but the team also needs a physical presence on the interior of its defensive line. McDonald, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, has powerful hands and is one of the draft\u2019s best run defenders.<\/p>\n

37. New York Giants: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington<\/p>\n

The Giants nabbed a pass rusher with Arvell Reese at No. 5 and an offensive lineman with Francis Mauigoa at No. 10. They didn\u2019t, however, give QB Jaxson Dart a new target\u2014until now. Boston is big and strong with tremendous ball skills, making him a strong complement to Malik Nabers.<\/p>\n

38. Houston Texans: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia<\/p>\n

Houston improved its interior offensive line with Keylan Rutledge in the first round, and it should continue bolstering its defensive line on Day 2. Miller blends power and athleticism to thrive against the run and flash on passing downs.<\/p>\n

39. Cleveland Browns: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo<\/p>\n

Day 1 went as the Browns hoped: Cleveland moved down and landed Utah tackle Spencer Fano at No. 9, and it still secured a playmaking receiver with KC Concepcion at No. 24. McNeil-Warren is long, lanky and a quality value pick at this slot.<\/p>\n

40. Kansas City Chiefs: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

The Chiefs traded up to select cornerback Mansoor Delane with their first pick and added defensive tackle Peter Woods with their second. To cap a stronghold on the top 40, they get Howell, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, who\u2019s one of the draft\u2019s best pure speed rushers.<\/p>\n

41. Cincinnati Bengals: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee<\/p>\n

Cincinnati effectively used its first selection in a trade for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, whom the Bengals acquired via trade last Saturday<\/a>. The Bengals need more defensive help, especially at corner, and Hood was one of the more surprising omissions from the first round. Hood is physical, athletic and has a high ceiling, which bodes well in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

42. New Orleans Saints: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee<\/p>\n

The Saints were tied to cornerbacks at No. 8, but after the Chiefs moved up to select Delane, New Orleans opted for Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Without medical concerns, McCoy could\u2019ve been in play in the top 10. His speed, fluidity and ball production in 2024 warranted such a pick, but his knee injury justifies his fall.<\/p>\n

43. Miami Dolphins: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama<\/p>\n

Miami\u2019s receiving corps needs new life, and Bernard is a jack-of-all-trades weapon who can make plays with the ball in his hands and create separation from a variety of alignments.<\/p>\n

44. New York Jets: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson<\/p>\n

The Jets gave QB Geno Smith two shiny weapons in tight end Kenyon Sadiq and receiver Omar Cooper Jr., but they still need to improve their secondary. Injuries limited Terrell during the predraft process, but he\u2019s a first-round talent whose physicality and instincts make him a starting-caliber corner.<\/p>\n

45. Baltimore Ravens: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt<\/p>\n

Rebuilding depth and talent in the tight end room should be a priority for Baltimore, which was linked to Sadiq in the first round at various points in the draft process. No matter, Stowers is an athletic, movement-based tight end who can play in space and be a potent pass-catcher for Lamar Jackson.<\/p>\n

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina<\/p>\n

One of the biggest winners from the draft\u2019s opening round after stopping Rueben Bain Jr.\u2019s slide, the Buccaneers again secure a value pick in Cisse, who has first-round physical tools.<\/p>\n

47. Indianapolis Colts: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

Rodriguez, among college football\u2019s most dominant defenders last season, is a well-rounded player with the tangible and intangible traits to fill the Colts\u2019 void at middle linebacker.<\/p>\n

48. Atlanta Falcons: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

The Falcons figure to consider defensive tackles and receivers at this spot, and Hunter, a strong, powerful defender, has the goods to earn snaps in the rotation as a rookie.<\/p>\n

\"Indiana<\/p>\n

Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds won a national championship with Indiana. | Rich Janzaruk\/Herald-Times \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

49. Minnesota Vikings: D\u2019Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana<\/p>\n

The Vikings pulled a bit of a surprise in Round 1, drafting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks at No. 18. Ponds would help Minnesota\u2019s secondary, and he\u2019s pound-for-pound one of the draft\u2019s best pure football players.<\/p>\n

50. Detroit Lions: Gabe Jacas, edge, Illinois<\/p>\n

Detroit added a veteran plug-and-play right tackle in Blake Miller on Day 1 and may follow a similar track with Jacas on Day 2. Jacas is a tough, physical pass rusher, with a strong track record of production against high-level competition.<\/p>\n

51. Carolina Panthers: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia<\/p>\n

Pigeonholed by many as a gadget player, Branch\u2019s athleticism and suddenness offer hope that he can run a full route tree. If he can, his playmaking skills will give QB Bryce Young a quality weapon.<\/p>\n

52. Green Bay Packers: Derrick Moore, edge, Michigan<\/p>\n

The Packers are expected to tap into the edge market, and Moore is a rock-solid option. He\u2019s physical, consistent and a ready-made run defender with enough pass-rush flashes to eventually become a three-down player.<\/p>\n

53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson<\/p>\n

Williams is a smooth-moving wideout whose athleticism nicely complements the physical, big-bodied presence that offseason trade acquisition Michael Pittman Jr. brings to Pittsburgh\u2019s receiving corps.<\/p>\n

54. Philadelphia Eagles: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern<\/p>\n

The Eagles were heavily linked to offensive tackles in the first round but pounced when Makai Lemon fell further than expected. Tiernan, a seasoned starter at Northwestern, projects as an immediate swing tackle with the potential to be Lane Johnson\u2019s successor.<\/p>\n

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

Bisontis could go much sooner, and few teams would\u2019ve blinked if the Chargers took him in the first round. Instead, Los Angeles waits and fills its biggest hole with a big, strong, tough and athletic blocker.<\/p>\n

56. Jacksonville Jaguars: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia<\/p>\n

The Jaguars are in an advantageous position relative to the inside linebacker market, and Allen has the instincts, physicality and high-level experience to make an impact as a rookie.<\/p>\n

57. Chicago Bears: Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State<\/p>\n

Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen prefers bigger-bodied defensive ends, and the 6′ 6″, 256-pound Dennis-Sutton fits the bill. He has a diverse bag of pass-rush moves and a motor that always runs hot.<\/p>\n

58. San Francisco 49ers: Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon<\/p>\n

The 49ers may consider a tackle, but they need help on the interior, too. Pregnon, who stands 6′ 4″ and 314 pounds, has four years of starting experience at guard and brings a tough, physical presence.<\/p>\n

59. Houston Texans: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Igbinosun won\u2019t be a match for every team, but he\u2019s an extremely competitive corner who should appeal to Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. Igbinosun\u2019s instincts help him stay in phase during routes, and he has starting-level talent.<\/p>\n

60. Chicago Bears: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee<\/p>\n

Brazzell\u2019s physical tools are among the best in this receiving class. He\u2019s long, athletic and a legitimate field-stretcher, and his size and ball skills make him productive above the rim.<\/p>\n

61. Los Angeles Rams: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville<\/p>\n

The Rams surprised nearly everyone by taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round, a move seemingly unconducive to a team in win-now mode<\/a>. Bell, who suffered a torn ACL in November, doesn\u2019t inherently fit the bill, either. But before his injury, his ball skills and post-catch playmaking put him in the first-round conversation, and he\u2019d be a good value pick here.<\/p>\n

62. Denver Broncos: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas<\/p>\n

The Broncos have long needed linebacker help, and Hill is an intriguing talent. He\u2019s big, long, rangy and athletic, with a high ceiling and proven versatility as a blitzer.<\/p>\n

63. New England Patriots: Keyron Crawford, edge, Auburn<\/p>\n

New England wants to add explosiveness to its pass rush, and Crawford is a high-twitch mover off the edge. He can work speed to power and should see snaps on passing downs as a rookie.<\/p>\n

64. Seattle Seahawks: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU<\/p>\n

Haulcy\u2019s instincts and anticipation generated eight interceptions over the past two years, and his ball production and physicality fit well in Seattle\u2019s secondary.<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

Former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck could be selected during the second and third rounds of the draft. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

ROUND 3<\/p>\n

65. Arizona Cardinals: Carson Beck, QB, Miami<\/p>\n

66. Buffalo Bills: Romello Height, edge, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

67. Las Vegas Raiders: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana<\/p>\n

68. Philadelphia Eagles: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State<\/p>\n

69. Tennessee Titans: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati<\/p>\n

70. Cleveland Browns: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State<\/p>\n

71. Washington Commanders: De\u2019Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss<\/p>\n

72. Cincinnati Bengals: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri<\/p>\n

73. New Orleans Saints: Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State<\/p>\n

74. Cleveland Browns: Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia<\/p>\n

75. Miami Dolphins: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina<\/p>\n

76. Pittsburgh Steelers: Gennings Dunker, OG, Iowa<\/p>\n

77. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

78. Indianapolis Colts: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

79. Atlanta Falcons: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State<\/p>\n

80. Baltimore Ravens: Logan Jones, C, Iowa<\/p>\n

81. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas<\/p>\n

82. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida<\/p>\n

83. Carolina Panthers: Bud Clark, S, TCU<\/p>\n

84. Green Bay Packers: Billy Schrauth, OG, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

85. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State<\/p>\n

86. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Joly, TE, North Carolina State<\/p>\n

87. Miami Dolphins: Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

88. Jacksonville Jaguars: Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss<\/p>\n

89. Chicago Bears: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State<\/p>\n

90. San Francisco 49ers: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State<\/p>\n

91. Houston Texans: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU<\/p>\n

92. Dallas Cowboys: Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas<\/p>\n

93. Los Angeles Rams: Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke<\/p>\n

94. Miami Dolphins: Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State<\/p>\n

95. New England Patriots: Skyler Bell, WR, UConn<\/p>\n

96. Seattle Seahawks: Joshua Josephs, edge, Tennessee<\/p>\n

97. Minnesota Vikings: Genesis Smith, S, Arizona<\/p>\n

98. Philadelphia Eagles: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State<\/p>\n

99. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State<\/p>\n

100.Jacksonville Jaguars: Trey Moore, edge, Texas<\/p>\n

More NFL Draft for Sports Illustrated\"\"Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"First-Round Grades | Best Available Players | Fernando Mendoza is Tom Brady\u2019s successor | Ty Simpson will test…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":627320,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":["post-627319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/627319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=627319"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/627319\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/627320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=627319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=627319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=627319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}