Matt MillerApr 24, 2026, 01:20 AM ETCloseMatt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Matt spent 11 years as a senior draft analyst at Bleacher Report.Follow on XMultiple Authors
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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 the 2026 NFL draft Friday.
There are several top prospects available, including safety Emmanuel 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 are marked with an asterisk.)
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 safety Nick Emmanwori neutralize offenses, former safety and 49ers general manager John Lynch can draft his own version.
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.
Carson Beck’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Miami’s Carson Beck.
Check out some of the top highlights from Miami’s Carson Beck.
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.
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.
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.
Jermod McCoy’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy.
Check out some of the top highlights from Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy.
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 having 19 flags thrown his way in his career, but his bully-like mentality would make him a fixture at guard for the Browns.
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 later.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check out some of the top highlights from Clemson’s Avieon Terrell.
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.
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 1-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 would get a strong safety with 215 pounds of power, but also playmaking ability that saw him pick off 10 passes in college.
Finding a running mate opposite Aidan Hutchinson has been a priority for Detroit since he was drafted. The Lions would 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.
Zion Young’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Missouri’s Zion Young.
Check out some of the top highlights from Missouri’s Zion Young.
The Panthers have drafted highly athletic developmental guys 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 45½ inches (vertical) and 11 feet, 3 inches (broad) at the combine, but his production (nine TDs the past two seasons) stands out.
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.
Check out some of the top highlights from LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
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.
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 can 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.
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 yards-after-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-foot-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 here. He’s my top center and is an elite run blocker.
The Rams’ first-round pick Ty 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.
Denver’s first pick of the draft aims to solve the lack of depth at linebacker. Trotter is a force in the running game with an attacking, downhill style.
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.
Lee Hunter’s NFL draft profileCheck out some of the top highlights from Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter.
Check out some of the top highlights from Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter.
The rich get richer as Seattle’s defense adds an edge rusher who created 10 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss last season.
Kirk Herbstreit’s biggest surprises of NFL draft Round 1 (0:59)Kirk Herbstreit’s biggest surprises of NFL draft Round 1 (0:59)
Matt MillerApr 24, 2026, 01:20 AM ETCloseMatt Miller is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. A Missouri native, Matt joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Matt spent 11 years as a senior draft analyst at Bleacher Report.Follow on XMultiple Authors