Story perspectives

49ers trade down, Cardinals select RB Jeremiyah Love

4/24/2026

Summary

49ers Draft

Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft began Friday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh, where the San Francisco 49ers selected No. 33 overall after trading down for a fifth-round pick at No. 179.
The Arizona Cardinals held No. 34 after selecting running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3.
The draft aired on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network, streamed on Fubo, NFL+, and ESPN+, with seven-minute Round 2 and five-minute Round 3 selection clocks.

Summary

Jets Draft Bailey

David Bailey was taken No. 2 overall, becoming Jets’ highest-drafted defensive player and the first first-round edge rusher since 1967.
The Jets secured three first-round picks in 2026, their first since 2022, after trading the 33rd pick and a fifth-rounder to San Francisco to move back to No. 30.
Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana) and tight end Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) were drafted, marking the first Indiana player since 1974 and the first Oregon player in two decades.

History

Historical Context

The 1966 NFL draft marked the last separate league drafts before the AFL-NFL merger, with the Atlanta Falcons picking linebacker Tommy Nobis first overall on Nov 27 1965. The following March, the first common draft was held in New York, where the Baltimore Colts chose defensive tackle Bubba Smith at #1. This merger-driven draft system underpins the modern NFL draft, including the 2026 selections.

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49ers Draft

Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft began Friday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh, where the San Francisco 49ers selected No. 33 overall after trading down for a fifth-round pick at No. 179.
The Arizona Cardinals held No. 34 after selecting running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3.
The draft aired on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network, streamed on Fubo, NFL+, and ESPN+, with seven-minute Round 2 and five-minute Round 3 selection clocks.

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