Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and there were some surprising moves made on Thursday night. There were several players projected to make the top 32 who would remain on the board in Round 2. Before the second night of the draft, let’s take a look at the 20 best players still set to go in this week’s NFL Draft.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Washington receiver Denzel Boston still needs some time to develop, but he could be a star at the next level. He has a very good start, good speed, is effective at winning jump balls and competitive pass battles, and is a problem in the red zone.
Still, there are concerns about his ability to stay away from press coverage. This is a major reason why he was not taken in Round 1.
Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
Missouri EDGE runner Zion Young could be a difference maker at the next level. He has good size and strength which proves valuable in driving passes and blowing up run blocks. Plus, he’s a dog who brings fiery energy to the field and locker room.
Young’s biggest shortcomings are his speed, range, and limited moves when trying to shed pass blockers. At the very least, he can contribute immediately as a run stopper.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
After a big sophomore season, where he earned Second-Team All-American honors, Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy was sidelined his junior year after tearing his ACL. If not, he likely would have been a first-rounder this week.
McCoy is a very good athlete who shows explosiveness and quick feet. He has also proven that he has good instincts for breaking up passes and getting interceptions. However, he struggles against faster receivers and when he goes for passes against stronger opposition.
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The best way to summarize Georgia linebacker CJ Allen is extremely solid. His athleticism and highlight reel don’t demand attention. However, he is a smart player who helps elevate the talent around him as a very good “green dot” leader on defense. He is not great in any one area, nor is he a liability. Allen can be a reliable three-down linebacker.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood had the potential to go in the first round. However, he still needs to improve his coverage techniques and instincts. Additionally, he is very good in press coverage as he uses his physical ability to outmaneuver opposing wide receivers. The same aggression proves valuable in stopping the run as well. With development, Hood could be an impressive cornerback at the next level.
Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
Texas A&M guard Chase Bissontis is one of the better players at his position in this year’s class. He’s a talented run blocker with good footwork, above-average strength, and brings out a nasty streak when needed. However, he did not go into Round 1 due to concerns about his pass blocking as he has shown problems to opponents.
Bisontis still has a lot of potential and can definitely be a worthwhile starter in the NFL.
Jeremy Bernard, WR, Alabama
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Bernard brings some nice tools to the team that selects him in the NFL Draft. He is a smooth route runner with good size and acceleration. He can play outside or become a matchup problem in the slot.
The biggest issues with Bernard’s game are that he does not play commensurate with his size (6-foot-1 and 206 pounds) while struggling for balls in the air, and he is not a player who will stretch the field at an above-average level.
Kaden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Many thought five Ohio State players could go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday. However, defensive tackle Kaden McDonald was not called among the first 32 picks. That doesn’t mean he can’t become an impact player at the next level soon.
McDonald is not a tackle with real rush value, but he has shown he can be a high-level talent in stopping the run as he has natural leverage and sends shock waves to interior linemen during initial contact. The OSU star has also proven that he is very good at finding the ball carrier and making tackles.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
In the right system, Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has star potential in the NFL. Often lined up in the box as a safety, he has consistently shown ability as a run-stopping difference-maker and an enforcer through the middle. Although he has solid coverage skills, he will still need to defend against mismatches with speedy burners on the outside.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. has consistently improved at each stop. His speed and breakaway ability are his trademarks and can cause problems lining up when moving through interior traffic. However, he struggles to get to the hole quickly, fouls are a problem, and while he has good size (6-foot-1 and 223 pounds), he lacks the necessary composure when blocking. He could be a nice rotation addition at the next level.
R Mason Thomas, OLB, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas has impressive speed and the ability to explode off the edge and slip into gaps in the offensive line. He also has better than expected power when he gets forward. However, when he has to stand 10 feet under and go to battle with a bigger, taller blocker, his game show looks go berserk. Still, he can definitely become an impact player in a few years.
Cassius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M
Texas A&M linebacker Cassius Howell could be an immediate difference-maker in the NFL as an EDGE rusher. He has a great first burst, is elusive, and owns a nasty spin move. Still, he needs to improve his handwork and his strength to better deal with run blockers and set the edge properly. But at the very least, he can be a designated player early in his career.
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. could be a Pro Bowler in a few years. He’s smart, has the power to blow up run plays, and the speed to hold his own in coverage or move from sideline to sideline. The bigger issue was that most of their success came from a lot of run-blitz calls. He also needs to work on disguising his attacks and missed a surprising number of tackles two years ago.
Brandon Sissay, CB, South Carolina
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse is an explosive athlete who is strong and has good length to intercept passes. But his impressive athleticism has masked some of his technical and instinctive shortcomings at the college level. That’s pretty much a next level project. However, he has the highest ceiling compared to other players at this point in the NFL Draft.
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Texas Tech nose tackle Lee Hunter could be a strong anchor on a 3-4 defensive line. While he needs development in his block-shedding techniques and winning in the gap, at 6-foot-3, 318 pounds and with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he’s quite good at run-stuffing the middle. For now, he estimates it’s primarily an early-down threat.
Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
In a run-heavy attack, Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon would be a very nice addition in Round 2. The 6-foot-4, 314-pounder is durable, experienced, and is a nasty downhill blocker due to his upper body strength. Not surprisingly, his lack of quickness in pass blocking is a notable issue. But he is a smart and consistent player.
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez entered the college ranks as an offensive tackle, but has reached the next level as a very productive tackling machine. He has good explosion and is difficult to catch on blocks because he focuses on quick ball handlers. Despite his production, he drops to Round 2 as he has trouble with big blockers and can often be fooled due to misdirection and play actions.
Avion Terrell, CB, Clemson
Avion Terrell, brother of 2020 Atlanta Falcons first-round pick AJ Terrell, is a good athlete who moves well and is at his best in press-man coverage. While he struggles against larger receivers due to his size (5-foot-10 and 186 pounds), he is good at getting upset at the catch. He plans to be a very good nickelback early in his career.
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt tight end Eric Stowers is a former quarterback with a lot of potential. He has great hands and is an exceptional athlete. He can also beat downfield linebackers with his speed and is strong on his breaks. But he still needs a lot of development in his route running and isn’t a strong enough run blocker for a position where that’s a critical need.
Zacharias Branch, WR, Georgia
Georgia’s Zachariah Branch can turn routine plays into explosive plays due to his breakaway speed. He is much stronger than he looks and has shown his toughness on several occasions. He needs work on his route running, but offers the option to become a returner as he develops his skills.
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