The 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be an intriguing affair, with a mix of surprises and expected moves. In this mock draft, we delve into the second and third rounds, exploring potential picks and their implications. One of the most notable moves is the San Francisco 49ers' selection of Garrett Nussmeier, a quarterback from LSU, in the second round. Nussmeier, while not guaranteed to become an NFL starter, offers a high-floor backup option with potential. The 49ers, having missed out on several targeted players in the first round, are now focusing on addressing other needs. The Arizona Cardinals, who took Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in the first round, address a need for a long, rangy pass rusher by selecting Zion Young, an edge rusher from Missouri. The Buffalo Bills, after trading down three times in the first round, are in a prime position to snag a quality receiver like Denzel Boston, a big receiver with exceptional movement skills. The Kansas City Chiefs, in a potential steal, add Denzel Boston, a big receiver with exceptional movement skills, to their roster. The New York Jets, acquiring a pick from the Dallas Cowboys, select Garrett Nussmeier, a quarterback with a high floor and potential for development. The Cleveland Browns, with a focus on addressing their quarterback needs, might consider drafting a quarterback in the second or third rounds. The New York Giants, after trading with the Houston Texans, select Christen Miller, a defensive tackle from Georgia, to replace the outgoing Dexter Lawrence. The Houston Texans, acquiring a pick from the Washington Commanders, select Avieon Terrell, a cornerback from Clemson, to bolster their defensive backfield. The Las Vegas Raiders, with concerns about Jermod McCoy's knee, take him in the second round, potentially mitigating the risk. The Miami Dolphins, seeking a QB-friendly target, add Germie Bernard, a receiver from Alabama, to their roster. The New Orleans Saints, aiming to bolster their defense, select T.J. Parker, an edge rusher from Clemson, who has the potential to excel in his younger form. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in need of a linebacker, pick Jacob Rodriguez, a former quarterback with exceptional skills, from Texas Tech. The Indianapolis Colts, focusing on a highly intelligent and quick-footed inside linebacker, select CJ Allen from Georgia. The Atlanta Falcons, seeking a powerful defensive tackle, choose Lee Hunter from Texas Tech, an explosive athlete with a great first step. The Minnesota Vikings, addressing their safety needs, select Keionte Scott, a linebacker with the body of a slot corner, from Miami. The Detroit Lions, looking to bolster their edge presence, pick Gabe Jacas, a powerful technician from Illinois. The Carolina Panthers, seeking a dynamic receiver, select Ted Hurst, an absolute burner from Georgia State. The Green Bay Packers, addressing their cornerback needs, take Treydan Stukes, a fast and agile cornerback from Arizona. The Pittsburgh Steelers, with hybrid potential, select A.J. Haulcy, a safety with great burst and power, from LSU. The Philadelphia Eagles, focusing on third-down impact, pick Cashius Howell, an edge rusher with a strong first step, from Texas A&M. The Los Angeles Chargers, in need of an athletic interior lineman, select Chase Bisontis, a versatile player from Texas A&M. The Jacksonville Jaguars, seeking a player with a connection to their home stadium, pick Domonique Orange, a defensive tackle from Iowa State. The Chicago Bears, addressing their edge rusher needs, select Keyron Crawford, a powerful athlete with a diverse set of rush moves, from Auburn. The San Francisco 49ers, in need of a tackle, pick Caleb Tiernan, a hulking player with an outstanding work ethic, from Northwestern. The Houston Texans, looking to replace outgoing players, select Derrick Moore, an edge rusher with length and developing rush moves, from Michigan. The Chicago Bears, acquiring a pick from the Buffalo Bills, add Antonio Williams, a receiver with a similar skill set to D.J. Moore, from Clemson. The Los Angeles Rams, seeking a big receiver with movement skills, select Malachi Fields, a jumbo target with the agility of a smaller pass catcher, from Notre Dame. The Denver Broncos, in need of a hybrid-type defender, pick Jake Golday, a smaller version of Jack Campbell, from Cincinnati. The New England Patriots, focusing on explosive pass-catching, select Eli Stowers, a TE with exceptional vertical jump, from Vanderbilt. The Seattle Seahawks, addressing their cornerback needs, pick Keith Abney II, a young and agile cornerback from Arizona State. The Buffalo Bills, after trading with the Tennessee Titans, select Chris Bell, a receiver from Louisville, to add depth to their receiving corps. The Las Vegas Raiders, seeking a receiver, pick Elijah Sarratt, a player from Indiana, to contribute to their offensive arsenal. The Philadelphia Eagles, acquiring a pick from the New York Jets, select Max Klare, a TE with potential, from Ohio State. The Tennessee Titans, after trading with the New York Giants, select Emmanuel Pregnon, a G with potential, from Oregon. The Cleveland Browns, addressing their interior line needs, pick Gennings Dunker, a G with potential, from Iowa. The Washington Commanders, seeking a receiver, select De’Zhaun Stribling, a player from Ole Miss, to contribute to their offense. The Cincinnati Bengals, addressing their offensive tackle needs, pick Travis Burke, a player from Memphis, to bolster their offensive line. The New Orleans Saints, focusing on linebacker, select Anthony Hill Jr., a player from Texas, to strengthen their defense. The Cleveland Browns, acquiring a pick from the Kansas City Chiefs, select R Mason Thomas, an edge rusher with potential, from Oklahoma. The Miami Dolphins, seeking a safety, pick Bud Clark, a player from TCU, to contribute to their defensive backfield. The Pittsburgh Steelers, addressing their defensive tackle needs, select Tyler Onyedim, a player from Texas A&M, to bolster their defensive line. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in need of a tight end, pick Justin Joly, a player from NC State, to contribute to their offense. The Indianapolis Colts, focusing on a safety, select Zakee Wheatley, a player from Penn State, to strengthen their defense. The Atlanta Falcons, seeking a wide receiver, pick Bryce Lance, a player from North Dakota State, to contribute to their offense. The Baltimore Ravens, addressing their safety needs, select Jalon Kilgore, a player from South Carolina, to strengthen their defense. The Jacksonville Jaguars, acquiring a pick from the Detroit Lions, select Kyle Louis, a linebacker from Pittsburgh, to contribute to their defense. The Minnesota Vikings, seeking a linebacker, pick Josiah Trotter, a player from Missouri, to strengthen their defense. The Carolina Panthers, addressing their safety needs, select Genesis Smith, a player from Arizona, to contribute to their defense. The Green Bay Packers, seeking an offensive tackle, pick Markel Bell, a player from Miami, to bolster their offensive line. The Pittsburgh Steelers, focusing on interior line needs, select Jalen Farmer, a player from Kentucky, to strengthen their offensive line. The Los Angeles Chargers, in need of a tight end, select Sam Roush, a player from Stanford, to contribute to their offense. The Miami Dolphins, acquiring a pick from the Philadelphia Eagles, select Oscar Delp, a TE with potential, from Georgia. The Jacksonville Jaguars, seeking a running back, pick Mike Washington Jr., a player from Arkansas, to contribute to their offense. The Chicago Bears, addressing their defensive tackle needs, select Darrell Jackson Jr., a player from Florida State, to strengthen their defensive line. The San Francisco 49ers, acquiring a pick from the Houston Texans, select Dani Dennis-Sutton, an edge rusher with potential, from Penn State. The Houston Texans, acquiring a pick from the Buffalo Bills, select Jake Slaughter, a C with potential, from Florida. The Dallas Cowboys, acquiring a pick from the San Francisco 49ers, select Keyshaun Elliott, a linebacker with potential, from Arizona State. The Los Angeles Rams, seeking a tight end, select Marlin Klein, a player from Michigan, to contribute to their offense. The Miami Dolphins, acquiring a pick from the Denver Broncos, select Jaishawn Barham, an edge rusher with potential, from Michigan. The New England Patriots, addressing their defensive tackle needs, select Chris McClellan, a player from Missouri, to strengthen their defensive line. The Seattle Seahawks, seeking a wide receiver, pick Zachariah Branch, a player from Georgia, to contribute to their offense. The Minnesota Vikings, acquiring a compensatory pick, select Chris Brazzell II, a WR with potential, from Tennessee. The Philadelphia Eagles, acquiring a compensatory pick, select Austin Barber, an OT with potential, from Florida. The Pittsburgh Steelers, acquiring a compensatory pick, select Cole Payton, a QB with potential, from North Dakota State. The Jacksonville Jaguars, acquiring a compensatory pick, select Davison Igbinosun, a CB with potential, from Ohio State.
