Full Breakdown
Day Two of the 2026 NFL Draft: Teams Assess Best Available Prospects
4/25/2026, 9:56:21 AM
Schedule and Broadcast Overview
The second round of the 2026 NFL Draft began on Friday, April 24, at 7 p.m. ET, covering picks 33 through 64. Rounds 2 and 3 concluded that night; rounds 4 through 7 will follow on Saturday, April 25, at noon ET. The draft is broadcast on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, with streaming on NFL + and ESPN Unlimited. The event is held in Pittsburgh.
Patriots’ Day-Two Focus
New England entered day two after trading up to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu (28th overall), adding depth behind Morgan Moses and Will Campbell. Projected best-available targets include wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee), edge rusher Gabe Jacas (Illinois), edge Derrick Moore (Michigan), tight end Oscar Delp (Georgia), and versatile tight end/receiver Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt). Additional options were tight end Max Klare (Ohio State), receiver Ted Hurst (Georgia State), edge Romello Height (Texas Tech), edge Keyron Crawford (Auburn), and receiver De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss).
Top Prospects Highlighted by Multiple Teams
Multiple outlets listed overlapping day-two candidates. The Philadelphia Eagles highlighted cornerbacks Jermod McCoy, Avieon Terrell, Colton Hood, D’Angelo Ponds and edge rushers Zion Young, T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, Gabe Jacas, Derrick Moore. The Cincinnati Bengals focused on defensive linemen Kayden McDonald, Gabe Jacas, Zion Young, T.J. Parker and cornerbacks Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood, Brandon Cisse. The Buffalo Bills, with pick 35, considered wide receiver Denzel Boston, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, and linebacker CJ Allen. Georgia’s remaining prospects featured CJ Allen, Christen Miller, Oscar Delp, Zachariah Branch, and Daylen Everette. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. placed Jermod McCoy, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Denzel Boston, Kayden McDonald, Zion Young, and Cashius Howell in his top-ten.
Data & Statistics on Remaining Talent
Key metrics from the lists include Brazzell’s 4.37-second 40-yard dash and 92nd-percentile wingspan, Boston’s 62 receptions for 881 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, and McCoy’s 31 tackles, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions at Oregon State before transferring. Edge rusher Gabe Jacas boasts an 82-inch wingspan, while Zion Young recorded 42 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks in 2025.
Why It Matters: Roster Impact and Strategic Moves
Day-two selections allow teams to fill positional gaps identified after the first round, such as New England’s tackle depth, Philadelphia’s secondary needs, and Buffalo’s desire for offensive weapons or interior defensive strength. Securing high-upside athletes early in the second round can shape roster construction for the next three seasons.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the ranking of certain players; for example, the Patriots article lists Gabe Jacas as a top edge target, while the Bengals piece places him among a broader defensive-line group. Additionally, the Georgia list highlights Zachariah Branch as a top receiver, whereas the Patriots board does not mention him. No definitive consensus exists on the exact order of day-two priorities.
What’s Next: Upcoming Selections and Rounds
The second round will conclude with pick 64, after which teams will move to round three on the same night. Round four begins Saturday at noon ET, completing the draft on Saturday afternoon. Teams will continue to address depth and developmental needs as the draft progresses.
