NFL Draft best players available 2026: Updated list of top prospects remaining for Rounds 2-3 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NFL Draft is an imperfect science, which is both good and bad news for fans.
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On one hand, picking near the top of the draft doesn’t necessarily guarantee anything. On the other hand, teams without first-round picks or with a bevy of Day 3 picks can still come away with some real value.
Some of the NFL’s all-time greats have been found on Day 2, but it takes more than all-time greats to win a Super Bowl. The reigning-champion Seahawks found key pieces on their Super Bowl roster in the second and third rounds, from Nick Emmanwori and Abraham Lucas to Derick Hall.
Future Pro-Bowlers and Super Bowl champions are undoubtedly still on the board Friday.
Who are the best players still on the board at the 2026 NFL Draft? Here’s the complete list.
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2026 NFL DRAFT HQ:Live tracker | Pick-by-pick grades | SN’s Day 2 mock draft
The rankings below reflect the original positions on Sporting News’ top 257 big board. All analysis is from SN’s Vinnie Iyer.
McCoy is capable of moving around well to handle all types of receivers in coverage with his size and instincts. He also has a strong nose for making big plays on the ball.
McNeil-Warren blows up run plays like a linebacker and is getting more attention for his coverage playmaking upside.
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Allen is a classic Bulldogs linebacker with his speed, playmaking instincts, off-the-charts intangibles and sound, physical tackling.
Cisse covers a lot of ground vs. the run, including using his size well to burst into his coverage assignments, but he likely would fit best early, covering the big slot.
Abney will have great value as a versatile corner who can handle any type of coverage assignment, outside or inside, solid vs. spectacular.
Bell is impressing with his uncanny strength and toughness to win as a physical route runner to overpower a lot of smaller or same-sized corners.
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NFL DRAFT RANKINGS 2026:QBs | WRs | TEs | EDGE | RBs
Hill is the classic active all-around linebacker with his ability to stop the run, make plays in coverage and get to the quarterback on blitzes.
Brazzell is a massive receiver who uses his size well to post up in coverage and also is a run blocking asset.
Lawrence brings nice power and size as a quick pass rusher and has room to grow vs. the run.
Scott has proved to be a well-rounded cover corner who does a little of everything well to help a defense.
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Haulcy has a good blend of linebacker-like thumping and nose to force takeaways in coverage.
Jacas is a versatile pass rusher who uses his strength and size and becomes more dangerous by getting more nimble and using improved technique.
Pregnon is a savvy all-around blocker with a good blend of ideal size and assets to win inside for the running and passing games.
The first thing that stands out for Tiernan is his size, but he also is technically sound with good footwork to compensate for less than top-end athleticism.
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Stowers is a hybrid athletic receiving type who uses his body well to position himself before and after the catch.
Sarratt is a tough competitive route-runner and big-play receiver who needs to show more consistency.
Lew is a technically sound mauler who should start for a long time in the NFL, standing out in the running game much like Tyler Linderbaum.
Coleman doesn’t explode with his game but he plays bigger and tougher than his size with production in any capacity.
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Height has decent size, but overall, he’s limited to being a very dynamic pass rusher or situational defender until he can bulk up and get stronger vs. the run.
Smith is a lanky and big cover man for the inside with a chance to be this year’s Nick Emmanwori.
Washington is a strong versatile runner who has solid power for inside and burst to the outside and has gotten more attention as someone who can handle a bigger workload late in the process.
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Williams has some explosive qualities to his game that make him an intriguing, quick developmental project on Day 2.
Halton is a bit undersized but teams have found it difficult to knock him too much for that with his immense quickness that helps disrupt so much in the backfield.
Lucas looks the part of a dominant engulfing pass-rushing with his frame, but consistency and honing technique are his key pro challenges.
Dunker will either excel at right tackle or slide inside to guard to use his nasty, tough run blocking to a great extent. He can be dominant at times with pure power and has athletic upside to boot.
Klare can be the new Colston Loveland coming out of the Big Ten with his athletic pass-catching and ability to get open on downfield routes.
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Hecht lacks ideal size and power to some, but to others, he can’t miss because of his smarts and technique in blocking and line calling.
Branch offers yet another dynamic slot option in the class as he tries to position himself to go higher than the third round.
Josephs is a very active and aggressive pass rusher who is also relentless in blowing up run plays in the backfield. He needs to be more consistent and start faster on his rush.
Orange is a nice swing backup who can provide plenty of work vs. run and pass in any rotation.
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Jones has stood out late for his smarts and quickness as he still has some upside to get stronger.
Fields has a tantalizing size/speed profile with his talent but he needs some polish and consistency to emerge as a top NFL target outside.
Muhammad is ideally built to handle zone coverage well, working in busy nickel packages.
Overton is an experienced, versatile pass rusher with his size, power, and athleticism.
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Louis is.a bit undersized, but he can be an intriguing coverage and run cleanup safety hybrid in the bigger Reed Blankenship vein.
Kilgore is a natural big cover man as corner hyrid who can either help in the slot or be effective outside ffor some teams.
Trigg stands out most as a receiver with his work downfield with his speed and his good hands for the red zone, with a lot of inconsistency in between.
Ramsey isn’t a blazer but he’s a technically sound inside cover man who has shown the instincts to make a lot of big plays.
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Moore is getting more Day 2 attention for his size, savvy and shiftiness in coverage.
Nussmeier’s NFL coaching pedigree pays off and his quick release, accuracy and ability to hang tough as a smart pocket passer, giving him some buzz to jump Simpsons.
Rivers is a smart, savvy nickel corner who can have an impact in the way of the Texans‘ Jalen Pitre.
Neal is a durable and physical player vs. the run to add another element to his big-bodied, steady and durable coverage.
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Benny plays bigger than his size as a solid run stopper for early downs and would be welcome in a lot of 4-3 rotations.
Dennis-Sutton is a natural tough outside run defender for his size and can also blossom into a more reliable pass-rush finisher.
Bell is a well-rounded receiver whose best asset might be his ability to use his ideal size and quickness after the catch well in the open field.
Barham thrived as a pass rusher in Ann Arbor to the point his speed and production kind of took away from the notion he’s more of a complete player.
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Crawford will bring a lot of energy and production as a situational pass rusher at first.
McClellan flashes with his strong arm and sturdy feet to make big plays and can develop more to become more consistent from down to down.
Wheatley is a rangy playmaker who handles himself well in coverage because of that tough frame with athleticism.
This physical and sturdy run defender can beef up any pro rotation right away with his play.
Corleone has been well polished in school to be a run-stuffer, playing nose in either a 4-3 or 3-4.
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Thompson is an elusive complementary vertical threat who can make a lot of big plays in the open field in the right system.
Igbinosun is appealing for his physical coverage which also translates into an asset vs. the run. He might be a better fit at safety.
Parker is a well-rounded experience blocker who can play multiple positions well, including tackle.
Klubnik has a strong, accurate arm through intermediate throws and can develop plenty in the right pocket-passing system.
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Lawson is a great downhill thumper against the run with some improving coverage skills..
Allen is the classic good hands and solid route-running slot option.
Everette doesn’t blow away with his speed but he uses his agility well in coverage where his size can have a big impact.
McGowan brings a good blend of power and juice but he must be more consistent with his ball security and blocking.
Proctor remains on the rise as a downright dynamic athlete with big inside pass-rush upside.
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Slaughter is solid with his agile blocking, a huge asset in pass protection. He has the smarts to fit best as a starting center.
Sapp packs a run-smashing wallop for his smallish frame, giving him room to improve with the quickness aspects of his game.
York stands out for being a tough, aggressive and instinctual starter with a chance to tap into more playmaking upside.
World is a massive natural outside run blocker trying to get healthier and better in shape to be trusted as a regular starting tackle.
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Allar has no issues with hanging in the pocket with his size and delivering strong throws all over the field, but his execution and efficient need to be more consistent.
Johnson is a compact, well-balanced runner with good hands and zip when bursting in the open field off a carry or a catch.
Endries is a smart, smooth short-to-intermediate route-runner who can help plenty get open inside for key tough gains.
Boerkircher is a pure upside prospect with all the natural skills as a blocker and receiver to become a middle-round steal.
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Brailsford is strong and solid with his interior run blocking and is only a middle-rounder because his game lacks the spectacular.
Masses is getting more attention late for being such an aggressive and productive on-ball playmaker.
Allen is a compact strong power runner with some underrated qualities for passing downs.
Barber is sturdy and experienced, giving him appeal as a backup to help a team in running and passing.
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Bowry has impressive natural pass-protecting qualities but would benefit from becoming stronger in the running game.
Trey’s brother spent a lot of time in college as a savvy playmaker flashes most with his size and explosiveness outside.
Beck is most intriguing for his prototypical size, experience and intangibles. He has a chance if he can improve his mechanics to be more accurate and his decision-making ot be more efficient.
Montgomery is a dynamic offensive weapon from a small school trying to find the ideal fit for his usage, perhaps the Saints or Broncos.
Schrauth is the classic strong and smart reliable run blocker often produced by the Fighting Irish.
Harris is an appeal massive run-stunning tackle who needs to develop more pass-rush pop to see regular starting time.
Kamara is a productive, high-energy pass rusher who can get to the QB with a variety off moves.
Casey is a nimble versatile all-round blocker who could benefit greatly from adding more bulk and strengthening.
Rivers is a bit undersized but still can be a dynamic field-stretcher if not growing into being a big-play option inside.
Willis has gotten more attention for his ace athleticism of which he takes full advantage in his smooth inside run blocking.
Coleman works his slot routes well to get open with quickness and toughness.
Hurst is the classic big vertical deep threat made to complement a No. 1 outside.
Davis is an experienced strong outside run blocker who can further develop as a potential starting right tackle or guard down the line.
Demmings will join a team with his physical intensity that can be an asset in coverage subpackages and special teams.
Crownover checks the intriguing boxes with nimble feet for such a big, strong frame.
Zuhn is an experienced left tackle with the blend of athleticism and strength to back up everywhere well on the line.
Raridon is a sturdy big blocker as a traditional inline tight end with some receiving upside.
Joly is undersized for a tight end but is a dynamic short-area slot receiver with reliable hands.
Burks is an intriguing, speedy deep threat who can also excel at making big plays out of the slot when getting in the open field after the catch.
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