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2026 NFL mock draft: Rounds 2-3 predictions, best available

ByMatt Miller ESPN logo

Friday, April 24, 2026 6:40AM

The San Francisco 49ers are officially on the clock for the No. 33 pick after trading out of the first round, so it's time for a first look at which prospects could go where on Day 2 of the2026 NFL draftFriday.

There are several top prospects available, including safetyEmmanuel McNeil-Warren, receiver Denzel Boston, cornerback Avieon Terrell and quarterback Carson Beck.

Where could these prospects land Friday night?

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.

Let's start with the 49ers.

(*compensatory picks)

More NFL draft coverage:

Kiper's Round 1 recap: Winners, losers

Pros, cons for every first-round pick

Experts debate Round 1: Biggest steals

Scouting reports| DraftCast

Round 2 mock draft

33. San Francisco 49ers(from NYJ)

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

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 safetyNick Emmanworineutralize offenses, former safety and 49ers general manager John Lynch drafts his own version.

34. Arizona Cardinals

Carson Beck, QB, Miami

Is this a reach for Beck? It is, based on predraft rankings of him, but the Cardinals are in quarterback purgatory 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.

35. Buffalo Bills(from TEN)

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Boston was considered a potential target for Buffalo in Round 1 if the team stayed at No. 26. The big-bodied wide receiver is exactly what Josh Allen needs in the red zone as a complement for DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir.

36. Las Vegas Raiders

Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona

Stukes is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the draft, and teams fell in love with his 4.33 speed in the predraft process and the fact that he was a three-time team captain. The Raiders' need at safety was almost as big as the need at quarterback.

37. New York Giants

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

McCoy ranked as my No. 10 overall prospect in the class based off film study, but questions surrounding the long-term health of his knee following an ACL injury in 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.

38. Houston Texans(from WSH)

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

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.

39. Cleveland Browns

Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

The offensive line rebuild in Cleveland continues with a powerful, aggressive run blocker in Bisontis. He has to work on cutting down penalties after having 19 flags thrown his way in his career, but his bully-like mentality will make him a fixture at guard for the Browns.

40. Kansas City Chiefs

T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

After addressing cornerback and defensive tackle in Round 1, the Chiefs stick with defense and add the long-armed, powerful strongside defensive end in Parker. Wide receiver also would be a consideration here, but the depth at receiver is good enough to wait until Round 3.

41. Cincinnati Bengals

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

The Bengals watched Dexter Lawrence II highlights Thursday night after trading the No. 10 pick, 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.

42. New Orleans Saints

Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

There was buzz Thursday that the Saints might trade up for linebacker Arvell Reese and multiple teams asked 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.

43. Miami Dolphins

Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

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.

44. New York Jets(from DAL)

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

With no third-round pick, the Jets will cross off the need at cornerback that was created when Sauce Gardner was traded to the Colts. Cisse has excellent length and explosive closing speed.

45. Baltimore Ravens

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

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.

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

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 also can take snaps in the Wildcat formation.

47. Indianapolis Colts

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Losing Zaire Franklin 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.

48. Atlanta Falcons

Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

The Falcons focus again on the defensive line after selecting two edge rushers in the first round last year, 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.

49. Minnesota Vikings

A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

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.

50. Detroit Lions

Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Finding a running mate opposite Aidan Hutchinson 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.

51. Carolina Panthers

Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

The Panthers have drafted highly athletic projects at tight end in the past but haven't hit on one yet. Stowers is in a similar mold with 4.51 speed and record-setting jumps of 45.5 inches (vertical) and 11 feet, 3 inches (broad) at the combine, but his production (nine TDs the past two seasons) stands out.

52. Green Bay Packers

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Finding fast, rangy linebackers who can also affect 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 past three seasons was fill up the box score with 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles and three interceptions.

53. Pittsburgh Steelers

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

The Steelers are betting that Aaron Rodgers 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.

54. Philadelphia Eagles

Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

Talk of a potential retirement from Landon Dickerson should have the Eagles thinking long term at guard. Pregnon had fans in NFL scouting departments thinking he might go late in Round 1.

55. Los Angeles Chargers

D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Ponds is one of my favorite players in the class, but concerns about a lack of size (5-foot-8) pushes him down the board. Coach Jim Harbaugh would love the feisty slot cornerback who is also an elite blitzer.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars

R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma

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.

57. Chicago Bears

Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois

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 past two seasons.

58. San Francisco 49ers

Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

San Francisco added Mike Evans in free agency, and they like Ricky Pearsall as a deep threat, but an intermediate option from the slot is needed. Williams is a precise route runner with consistent hands and a yards-after-catch ability.

59. Houston Texans

Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

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-foot-11 and 191 pounds, making him an option to play inside or outside in the NFL.

60. Chicago Bears(from BUF)

Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

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.

61. Los Angeles Rams

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

The Rams first-round pickTy Simpson 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 frame and ability to beat defenders at the catch point.

62. Denver Broncos

Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri

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.

63. New England Patriots

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

It's a trenches draft for the Patriots so far with Caleb 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.