NFL mock draft 2026 Rounds 2-3: 49ers upgrade o-line, Chiefs go corner again, Steelers get a QB

NFL mock draft 2026 Rounds 2-3: 49ers upgrade o-line, Chiefs go corner again, Steelers get a QB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft now complete, it’s time to take a look at what might happen on Day 2.

Friday night’s selections will begin an hour earlier (7 p.m. ET) from Pittsburgh and see more than double the action with the second and third rounds getting into the books.

Here are the updated projections, mocking the picks from No. 33 through No. 100.

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Table of Contents

NFL Mock Draft 2026

Round 2

33. San Francisco 49ers (from NYJ)

Chase Bisontis, G/C, Texas A&M (6-5, 315 pounds)

The 49ers have a serious weakness at left guard between future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams and solid center Jake Brendel. Bisontis brings an ideal blend of power and athleticism for Kyle Shanahan’s run blocking scheme.

34. Arizona Cardinals

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (6-3, 326 pounds)

The Cardinals have liked McDonald and his disruptive potential to fill a big need in Nick Rallis’ defense to support 2025 first-round Watler Nolen and rev up the inside pass rush next to Josh Sweat on the edge.

MORE: Where Jeremiyah Love ranks among highest-drafted RBs in recent NFL Draft history

35. Buffalo Bills (from Titans)

Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-3, 253 pounds)

The Bills are eyeing high-energy natural rotational pass rusher early. Howell would be the relentless type who can thrive in their new-look defense.

36. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders need to give Mendoza some extra receiving help beyond Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty and a mixed bag of wideouts. Adding Boston’s big presence on the outside will be welcome through the red zone.

37. New York Giants

Christen Miller, DT, Georgia (6-4, 321 pounds)

The Giants, after going with Reese and Mauigoa, need to turn their attention to helping replace Dexter Lawrence at defensive tackle. Miller is a natural run stopper with massive pass-rush upside.

38. Houston Texans (from Commanders)

C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia (6-1, 230 pounds)

The Texans, after going interior offensive line in the first round, can address another key need here with Allen to fit the rangy, physical mentality under former linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

39. Cleveland Browns

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (5-11, 186 pounds)

The Browns can look at Terrell, a first-round talent, as their potential slot solution between Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell.

MORE: Inside the history of Chiefs first-round picks

40. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs need to replace multiple cornerbacks and pairing Delane and Hood for the outside would complete their overhaul with newcomer Kader Kohou working the slot.

41. Cincinnati Bengals

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas (6-2, 238 pounds)

The Bengals took care of a big inside need by using their first-round pick to get Lawrence from the Giants but they need a thumper of a linebacker who can clean up plenty for Al Golden.

42. New Orleans Saints

T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson (6-4, 265 pounds)

The Saints got their wide receiver in Round 1 so they can go to work on replacing the power and pass-rush pop of Cameron Jordan in Brandon Staley’s defense, for which Parker’s frame is ideal.

MORE: Ranking signings, trades for all 32 teams from best (Chiefs) to worst (Jets)

43. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins, after going offensive line and cornerback early, can work on restocking their wide recever corp next. Bernard is a well-rounded route-runner who can help restore some of the speed and quickness lost without Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill.

44. New York Jets (from Cowboys)

Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati (6-5, 239 pounds)

The Jets would really have a shot at a big defensive upgrade if they take Golday following selection of David Bailey to address the edge rush early. They have loved more of what Golday can do cleaning the action upfield in a big frame that he moves well.

45. Baltimore Ravens

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech (6-4, 318 pounds)

The Ravens need to get a little stronger up front inside defensively, too, and have been attached to Hunter later in the process.

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina (6-0, 189 pounds)

The Buccaneers need a little corner help inside and Cisse has the size, quickness and instincts to cover all kinds of slot receivers.

MORE: Why did Rueben Bain slide to the Buccaneers?

47. Indianapolis Colts

Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State (5-10, 187 pounds

The Colts need a corner they can move around to better support Gardner and Abney is a good fit with Lou Anarumo’s defense.

48. Atlanta Falcons

Chris Bell, WR, Louisville (6-2, 222 pounds)

The Falcons need to support Drake London and Kyle Pitts better in the passing game. Bell can be a smooth physical, route-running productive big slot for them.

49. Minnesota Vikings

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (6-4, 201 pounds)

The Vikings, after reaching for Caleb Banks at defensive tackle instead of taking ideal Harrison Smith replacement Dillon Thieneman at safety, must address the position with this pick. McNeill has the size of an extra linebacker and has flashed as a big playmaker in coverage, too.

50. Detroit Lions

Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri (6-6, 262 pounds)

Young has the strong frame as a natural outside run stopper and can produce as the ideal complementary pass rusher to Aidan Hutchinson.

51. Carolina Panthers

Chris Brazell II, WR, Tennessee (6-4, 190 pounds)

The Panthers could use a little more size to put in their wide receiver corps to better complement Tetairoa McMillan in Year 2.

MORE: Winners and losers from round one of the 2026 NFL Draft

52. Green Bay Packers

D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana (5-9, 182 pounds)

The Packers have had a keen eye on Ponds to fill their need for a feisty cover corner who plays bigger than his size.

53. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers could use some pass-rush depth behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Jacas has the versatility to get to the quarterback from several alignments.

MORE: What Makai Lemon pick means for A.J. Brown, Eagles’ offense

54. Philadelphia Eagles

A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU (6-0, 215 pounds)

The Eagles would like his natural linebacker run-supporting and coverage skills to help replace Reed Blankenship.

55. Los Angeles Chargers

Emmanuel Pregnon, G/C, Oregon (6-5, 318 pounds)

The Chargers can feel good about getting their pass-rush help with Akheem Mesidor int he first round and fill another need for a potential big upgrade at right guard.

56. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (6-1, 231 pounds)

The Jaguars didn’t re-sign Devin Lloyd to need to replace him with a prolific, rangy upfield linebacker who was good enough to get Heisman consideration.

57. Chicago Bears

Keionte Scott, S, Miami (5-11, 193 pounds)

The Bears shouldn’t mind thinking about interior coverage improvements multiple times. Scott can be a real bonus working the inside like a corner hybrid.

58. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers need a zone-blocking friendly backup to Christian McCaffrey and Coleman has even a little Frank Gore to his game.

59. Houston Texans

Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern (6-7, 325 pounds)

The Texans can tap back into some offensive line help with this technically sound pass protector who can be an option to battle with newcomer veteran Braden Smith.

MORE: Winners and losers from 2026 NFL free agency

60. Chicago Bears (from Bills)

Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana (6-3, 210 pounds)

The Bears can focus on getting some depth back for their wide receiver corps with his boundary acquisition in the wake of trading D.J. Moore to the Bills.

61. Los Angeles Rams

Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri (6-2, 237 pounds)

The Rams could use a physical downhill linebacker to better help vs. the run and Trotter also can be a bonus asset in coverage in time.

62. Denver Broncos

The Broncos are in the market for a athletic impact receiving tight end and Stowers is a flat-out playmaker in many alignments as a converted quarterback.

63. New England Patriots

Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-3, 239 pounds)

The Patriots have tied themselves plenty to liking Height as a needed complementary pass rusher and he’s a good fit in Mike Vrabel’s defense.

64. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are in the market to add to their strong situational pass rush by committe and Thomas would be replacing free-agent departure Boye Mafe.

Round 3

65. Arizona Cardinals

Connor Lew, G/C Auburn (6-3, 300 pounds)

The Cardinals need to upgrade left guard between Paris Johnson Jr. and center Hjalte Froholdt and Lew, falling only because of injury recover, can slide in to produce well there in the running game to help Jeremiyah Love.

66. Tennessee Titans

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas (6-1, 233 pounds)

The Titans, after seeing the Cardinals take Love ahead of the first round, can instead target this rising complete back as a replacement for Tony Pollard.

67. Las Vegas Raiders

Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State (6-2, 322 pounds)

The Raiders have been tied to Orange’s reliable rotational production for a while to mesh with Rob Leonard’s defense.

MORE:

68. Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets)

Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee (6-3, 242 pounds)

The Eagles need to replenish their pass rush and Josephs’ active and aggressive style is a bonus upfield vs. the run.

MORE: How the Eagles stole Makai Lemon from the Steelers

69. Houston Texans (from Giants)

Genesis Smith, S, Arizona (6-2, 202 pounds)

The Texans have looked at Smith closely for some Nick Emmanwori-like impact for Ryans’ defense.

70. Cleveland Browns

Sam Hecht, G/C, Kansas State (6-4, 300 pounds)

The Browns, after going Fano in the first round, need some morenterior help and Hecht isn’t that far down from the versatile inside talents of Bisontis and Lew.

71. Washington Commanders

Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson (6-0, 187 pounds)

The Commanders need to add a No. 2 receiver with some explosivness to support Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin.

72. Cincinnati Bengals

Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC (6-6, 256 pounds)

The Bengals, after using their first-rounder to get Lawrence and then taking Hill in this mock can work on replacing the relentless pass rush lost with no Trey Hendrickson.

73. New Orleans Saints

Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas (6-0, 182 pounds)

The Saints lost Alontae Taylor to the Titans in free agency and they can recover right away to help them cover the big slot well.

74. Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs)

Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan (6-4, 255 pounds)

The Chiefs need to give Myles Garrett some edge help and to also better support 2025 first-round tackle Mason Graham, Moore’s former teammate.

75. Miami Dolphins

Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame (6-5, 218 pounds)

The Dolphins could also use some boundary size at wide receiver after getting Bernard to help replace Waddle inside.

76. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Cowboys)

Gennings Dunker, G/C Iowa (6-5, 315 pounds)

The Steelers getting a one-two blocking punch of Iheanachor and Dunker for the inside and outside would be their kind of old-school upgrade.

77. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Devin Moore, CB, Florida (6-3, 198 pounds)

The Buccaneers, after getting Bain for their pass rush and Cisse to help in the slot, can go after this big corner with some intriguing ball skills for the outside.

78. Indianapolis Colts

Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma (6-3, 293 pounds)

The Colts have scouted Halton well as a capable run-stopper with rare inside pass-rush quickness.

79. Atlanta Falcons

Logan Jones, G/C, Iowa (6-3, 302 pounds)

The Falcons have felt a void inside since now retired Drew Dalman bolted for the Bears in free agency last offseason. Here’s another option for center as they try to maintain their run blocking strength for Bijan Robinson.

80. Baltimore Ravens

Max Klare, TE, Ohio State (6-4, 243 pounds)

The Ravens lost both Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar behind Mark Andrews in free agency and Klare would bring some welcome in-line strength on top of receiving ability.

81. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions)

LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama (6-3, 274 pounds)

The Jaguars need to get a little more depth in the pass rush to produce behind Josh Hines-Allen.

82. Minnesota Vikings

Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh (6-0, 220 pounds)

The Vikings can keep up the theme for Flores’ front seven by getting this linebacker/safety hybrid to pair with McNeil-Warren.

83. Carolina Panthers

Chandler Rivers, CB, Duke (5-10, 185 pounds)

The Panthers have looked at Rivers’ smarts and instincts as a good fit for their slot coverage.

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84. Green Bay Packers

Jaishawn Barham, EDGE, Michigan (6-4, 240 pounds)

The Packers can add a well-rounded pass-rushing option for Jonathan Gannon’s defense.

85. Pittsburgh Steelers

Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor (6-4, 240 pounds)

The Steelers need to boost their athleticism at tight end behind Pat Freiermuth and Trigg has proved he can be a versatile weapon.

86. Los Angeles Chargers

Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State (6-2, 189 pounds)

The Chargers could use a big physical corner to pair with ballhawking Donte Jackson and also improve in run support from the position.

87. Miami Dolphins (from Eagles)

The Dolphins need to further rebuild their inside coverage and Ramsey’s rangy work is a good fit with first-round corner Johnson.

88. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jalon Kllgore, S, South Carolina (6-1, 210 pounds)

The Jaguars should like the versatility he can bring to a secondary to further help Hunter with big physical coverage.

89. Chicago Bears

Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan (6-3, 298 pounds)

The Bears need an early-down run stopper to fill a defensive need and Benny is the best option at this spot.

90. San Francisco 49ers(from Texans and Dolphins)

Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas (6-2, 203 pounds)

The 49ers should consider getting help by joining the run on big corners. Neal is a San Francisco native they have scouted well.

91. Houston Texans (from Bills

Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri (6-4, 313 pounds)

The Texans need to boost their line rotation and McClelland flashes a lot of disruptive big-play ability.

92. Dallas Cowboys (from Browns and 49ers)

The Cowboys will like his frame in run defense with a chance to tap way more into high pass-rush upside to help Lawrence.

93. Los Angeles Rams

Skyler Bell, WR, UConn (6-0, 192 pounds)

The Rams address their wide receiver need behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams well with Bell’s speed and quickness.

94. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos)

Isaiah World, OT, Oregon (6-8, 318 pounds)

The Dolphins can afford to take a few chances with some picks that require patience. World can start at either tackle once he gets healthier and further develops his pass protection.

95. New England Patriots

Kaleb Proctor, DT, Southeastern Louisiana (6-2, 291 pounds)

The Patriots go for a different Proctor after losing out on the offensive lineman early, this time beefing up their inside pass-rush potential.

96. Seattle Seahawks

Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona (6-1, 190 pounds)

The Seahawks can go after the ideal playmaking replacement for free-agent departure Riq Woolen.

97. Minnesota Vikings (compensatory)

Jake Slaughter, G/C Florida (6-4, 303 pounds)

The Vikings also need to think about interior offensive line on Day 2 and Slaughter has rare natural pass blocking skills for the position.

98. Philadelphia Eagles (compensatory)

Jack Endries, TE, Texas (6-5, 245 pounds)

The Eagles can land the ideal tight end to groom behind aging Dallas Goedert, back only on a one-year deal.

99. Pittsburgh Steelers (compensatory)

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (6-2, 203 pounds)

The Steelers can take their shot on a QB just in case Aaron Rodgers really isn’t returning.

100. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Lions, compensatory)

Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska (5-10, 202 pounds)

The Jaguars need to give Bhayshul Tuten some new support with Travis Etienne Jr. gone and Johnson can be a solid complement with his balanced and speedy running.

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