Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft might not have carried the same weight as the first round, but the stakes were still significant throughout the order.Eight teams finally made their first selections after sitting out Day 1, while other franchises carried on filling out their classes. With a number of big names coming off the board, some organizations seized on opportunities to address key deficiencies and build for the future. Others, however, raised questions about the path they're taking in the roster-building process.Here are the biggest winners and losers of Rounds 2 and 3 in the 2026 NFL Draft:Winners of NFL draft Day 2Cleveland BrownsThe immediate and impressive returns on last year's draft class were perhaps the only non-Myles Garrett silver lining for the Browns last fall.
With Todd Monken taking over as coach and uncertainty lingering at quarterback, Cleveland needed to continue refurbishing its roster with another infusion of the young talent it long lacked.And Andrew Berry appears to have delivered once again.After landing Spencer Fano and KC Concepcion in the first round, Cleveland struck it big on Day 2 with wide receiver Denzel Boston and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, either of whom would have been entirely reasonable choices at the No. 24 overall pick the night before. Boston can open up back-shoulder throws and more deep heaves for the offense, while McNeil-Warren can help match up against tight ends and lock down the middle.
Third-round offensive tackle Austin Barber offers some upside as a developmental option up front.The Terrell familyAtlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell was sure to be ecstatic no matter where little brother Avieon landed. But when the Falcons made their secondary a sibling affair by scooping up the fellow Clemson product and cornerback, it sparked one of the cooler moments of the entire event.It's a family affair for the Terrell brothers in ATL ❤️The Falcons select Avieon Terrell at No. 48 overall where he'll join his brother, A.J.‼️ pic.twitter.com/xKglzWzCXR— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2026This isn't just a feel-good story for a family that can now watch the brothers compete alongside one another.
Avieon is a highly capable cover man who can hold down either the outside spot opposite A.J. or work from the slot, though his skill set seems better suited for the latter. Not a bad way for Matt Ryan to begin his reign.Kayden McDonaldThe Ohio State defensive tackle was understandably emotional after his extended green-room wait finally came to an end. Once thought to be a leading candidate to be the first player at his position taken, he heard two other interior linemen have their names called on Day 1 while he was left in limbo.
In the end, however, McDonald ended up in a highly favorable situation.After all, what better spot is there for a defensive tackle between Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter? The Houston Texans leapfrogged the New York Giants to secure McDonald, and he figures to serve a vital role along DeMeco Ryans' front. With a rapid acclimation period, he can put his draft wait behind him in short order.Tight endsAs teams skew toward higher run rates, getting multiple tight ends on the field has become en vogue.
That dynamic looks set to continue in 2026, as eight players at the position were taken on Day 2.Perhaps even stranger than the sum of tight ends taken was how many teams that already appeared set there jumped into the fray. The Los Angeles Rams added Max Klare to a group that already includes Colby Parkinson and 2025 second-rounder Terrance Ferguson, among others, and the Chicago Bears brought on third-rounder Sam Roush behind Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. It speaks volumes that two of the league's biggest trendsetters in Sean McVay and Ben Johnson are having their rosters built his way.More: NFL draft trend: What tight end craze has to do with offensive innovation and Sean McVayVeteran running backsIt was long clear that this draft class was short on potential starting ball carriers.
Day 2, however, drove home how few established backs were in jeopardy of having their roles reduced. After former Notre Dame teammates Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price became NFC West rivals in Round 1, Kaelon Black (No. 90 overall, San Francisco 49ers) was the only player at the position selected in either Round 2 or 3.Black won't do more than spell Christian McCaffrey on inside runs. And his selection might speak more to Kyle Shanahan's pattern of investing in mid-round running backs than his leaguewide value.
Meanwhile, Arkansas' Mike Washington Jr., Nebraska's Emmett Johnson and Washington's Jonah Coleman continue to wait despite having the makeup of potential starters.Losers of NFL draft Day 2Jermod McCoyWhen the 2024 All-American slid out of Round 1, many assumed he was headed for a trajectory similar to that of Will Johnson, the former Michigan cornerback who lasted to the second round in 2025 amid injury concerns. McCoy's tumble, however, is far more precipitous