Full Breakdown
Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft: Teams Shape Rosters in Rounds Two and Three
4/25/2026, 4:49:21 AM
Core Event – Day-2 Draft Overview
Friday, April 24, 2026, marked the start of rounds 2-3 of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Picks 33-100 were on the clock, with the San Francisco 49ers opening at No. 33 after two first-round trade-downs. A pronounced run on offensive linemen dominated the final 20 selections, while cornerbacks and edge rushers remained in high demand.
Background & Context – First-Round Trades and Position Runs
The first round featured several high-profile moves: the Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13, the Arizona Cardinals took running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, and the New York Jets acquired No. 44 (from Dallas) after trading DT Quinnen Williams. The late-round emphasis on linemen reflected a “run on offensive linemen over the final 20 picks” (source 1).
Key Teams & Strategies
- Los Angeles Rams – Drafted Simpson to secure a future quarterback behind veteran Matthew Stafford (source 16).
- San Francisco 49ers – Accumulated extra capital (picks 33 & 179) to bolster depth after trading down twice (source 13).
- New York Jets – GM Darren Mougey stressed flexibility: “We’ll always be open and always pick up the phone.” (source 5).
- Atlanta Falcons – Entered Day 2 with picks 48 and 79, aiming to add depth per GM Ian Cunningham (source 45).
- New England Patriots – Targeted edge rusher Gabe Jacas and tight end Oscar Delp among other prospects (source 55).
Data & Statistics
- Offensive linemen accounted for the “run on offensive linemen over the final 20 picks” (source 1).
- The draft order listed 68 selections from No. 33 to No. 100 (source 25).
- The Falcons’ two Day-2 picks are No. 48 and No. 79 (source 25).
Official Statements & Responses
Rams GM Les Snead described the Simpson selection as a “big-way bet on upside” to prepare for the post-Stafford era (source 17). Jets GM Darren Mougey reiterated the organization’s willingness to trade and acquire picks (source 5). Saints head coach Kellen Moore praised wide receiver Jordyn Tyson for his versatility and multi-sport background (source 53). The 49ers highlighted the value of additional second-round capital after their trade-down strategy (source 13).
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts questioned the Rams’ move, noting the pick “doesn’t help the 2026 squad in what should be an all-in push toward a Super Bowl” (source 48). The Cardinals’ selection of Love drew criticism for allocating a high pick to a running back on a team lacking a clear quarterback plan (source 47).
Verbatim Quotes
- “We'll always be open and always pick up the phone,” — Darren Mougey, GM, New York Jets (source 5)
- “One of the people that he leaned heavily on and told him in December, the floor is first round for Ty Simpson was Les Snead, the Rams' general manager,” — Tom Pelissero (source 16)
- “The upside is still there for Ty Simpson. The Rams are betting on that upside in a big way by using the number 13 pick. Any coach, any coach in the NFL, is going to go, 'I got the reigning NFL MVP. I'm trying to win right now. Get the help for Matthew Stafford.' Ty Simpson, in the best case scenario, doesn't see the field this season, because that would mean something happened to the reigning NFL MVP. For Les Snead, he is setting this thing up for the long haul. It doesn't happen very often, particularly when a player is playing at as high level as Matthew Stafford. But you have to understand, this is what it was going to take for the Rams to get him. Les Snead was on this for months. This was not willy-nilly, we got stuck, and we took a guy. This was Les Sneed's guy, and we'll find out in the years to come how well it works.” — Les Snead, GM, Los Angeles Rams (source 17)
- “Jordyn is a really exciting player for us,” — Kellen Moore, head coach, New Orleans Saints (source 53)
- “I try not to listen to the noise and media and everything, but I knew that Seattle was pretty interested in me,” — Jadarian Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks (source 59)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on cornerback Jermod McCoy’s health: CBS Sports notes injury concerns that could drop him out of the top-50 (source 22), while other mock drafts still rank him as a first-round talent (source 1). Opinions on Simpson’s durability also vary, with some citing size and injury history as risks (source 48).
What’s Next
Day 2 will continue through pick 100, after which rounds 4-7 begin Saturday at noon ET. Teams such as the Patriots and Falcons are expected to address remaining edge-rusher and secondary needs before the draft concludes.
