The first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night always attracts the most attention, especially when you get as many surprises as we saw last night. However, every year it is the second day that proves to be the most meaningful as this is where many of the gems are found.
Let's take a look at our winners and losers for Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Winner: Buffalo Bills
If the Buffalo Bills had taken Clemson edge defender TJ Parker with their first round pick, he would have received a B- grade. Although he is not an exceptional athlete, the 6-foot-3 athlete knows how to win with his strength, and his arm length and hand usage make him very effective in penetrating the backfield. Parker also provides a relentless motor, and it shows him being a capable run defender. So, Buffalo got a potential talent and upside pick in the first round, and they snagged him in the second round after falling three times and adding a ton of picks on days two and three.
RELATED: Winners, losers from Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Loser: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
The last two nights have been a reminder of how one injury can erase everything for such a promising talent. Back to December 2024: Jermod McCoy is coming off an All-American season and is projected to be a top 10 pick each year. Then he injured his knee during offseason workouts and everything derailed. He'll miss the entire 2025 season, and reports came out last night that NFL teams are very concerned about a "bone plug used to repair a cartilage defect" in the same knee. The fear is that he will need another surgery in the future. The surgery will end the season and some even fear it could end his career.
RELATED: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Winner: Shadure Sanders, QB, Cleveland Browns
The first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft were not only a vote of confidence from the Cleveland Browns organization in Shedur Sanders, but they are also putting him in a better position to succeed. Todd Monken's offense now features an explosive receiver who gets open quickly (Casey Concepcion) and a big-bodied wideout who can catch anything thrown in his general direction (Denzel Boston). Oh, Sanders also has a better offensive line to protect him next season. He may not be a long-term starter in Cleveland, but the Browns draft picks in 2026 give Sanders a legitimate chance to prove himself this season.
READ MORE: Fantasy football analysis from Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft
Loser: Jacksonville Jaguars
The good news for the Jacksonville Jaguars is that select tight end Nate Borkircher made a run that forced other teams to take some picks to end Round 2. Borkircher is a solid blocker, and he looks for opportunities to get physical with defenders. The 'good' here for Jacksonville is that they got a legitimate TE2 to pair with Brenton Strange. But at what cost? It was a reach with the 56th overall pick. Notably, NFL insiders also told Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson during the other day's live stream that Boerkircher doesn't really have size either.
Winner: Terrell Family and Atlanta Falcons
In 2020, the Atlanta Falcons selected cornerback AJ Terrell with the 16th overall pick. Six years later, he's become one of the franchise's best players and a stalwart in the secondary, and now he gets a chance to play alongside his younger brother. Avion Terrell would have been a first-round pick if not for the pre-draft process when he ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at his pro day. 40 Don't let time fool you; He is a very good football player. He also idolizes his brother, wearing his jersey number on his way to the NFL. Now they have the opportunity to be teammates, which is a dream scenario for the entire family. Seeing Terrell get selected and celebrate with his family was one of the best moments in the 2026 NFL Draft, and this selection at 48th overall is excellent value.
Loser: 2026 NFL Draft QB and RB class
Jeremiah Love and Fernando Mendoza were the consensus top-four prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they naturally went in the first three selections. After that, the Ty Simpson selection by the Los Angeles Rams was universally questioned, and the Seattle Seahawks were mocked for using the 32nd overall selection on Jadarion Price. Those prospects were several levels above their peers at quarterback and running back. Carson Beck, who plans to be a career backup, was within reach of the Arizona Cardinals with the 65th overall pick. Additionally, we didn't see any running backs or quarterbacks between picks 33 to 75. Drew Allar came off the board with the 76th overall pick, but nothing he showed at Penn State suggests the Pittsburgh Steelers will ever be able to magically develop him and really take advantage of his physical tools.
Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
As always, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made magic the other day. The moves also occurred within minutes of each other. In need of a long-term replacement for Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia snatched up Eli Stowers with the 54th overall pick. He doesn't bring anything in the way of a blocker, but the athleticism he brings at 6-foot-3 is nearly unmatched in this class. Just find ways to get the football in his hands, and he can be dangerous with it. What a strong night for the Eagles front office, but this is the norm for them in the NFL Draft.
Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers
We still don't believe the Pittsburgh Steelers have a long-term starting quarterback on the roster. Drew Allar boasts the size and arm strength you want, and Mike McCarthy's track record of getting more out of his young signal-callers at least offers some hope for Allar's development. That said, this was a three-year starter at Penn State who hasn't really shown any signs of improvement, and his mechanics are still a mess. We see no reason to believe so; Given the lack of improvement in defensive diagnostics and play within rhythm, we think Elar will be a swing-and-a-miss for Pittsburgh. Additionally, this selection now signals that the team already doesn't feel Will Howard can be a long-term starter.
Winner: Indianapolis Colts
Dealing without a first-round pick, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faced extra pressure Friday night because he was on the hot seat. It's early, but the Colts are poised to be one of the winners of the 2026 NFL Draft. At No. 53, Indianapolis landed a starting off-ball linebacker in C.J. Allen. You can immediately understand why Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo loved Allen, given that he is extremely intelligent and has served as team captain for Georgia's defense. He will be a liability in pass coverage, which Colts fans are accustomed to, but he is a very smart football player who will make an impact defending the run, and he will make great plays from time to time as a blitzer.
Following that pickup, Indianapolis landed LSU Tigers safety AJ Holsey in Round 3 with the 78th overall pick. He provides good awareness of ball skills to the match. What he brings to the table is ideal for zone coverage, and you can bet Anarumo will allow him to rotate deep and maximize that excellent experience where the football is at all times. The Colts returned two quality defensive starters on day two.
