Another day of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books.
Below, we take a closer look at Rounds 2-3, including the day’s winner, what lies ahead for the two quarterbacks taken and more.
The Browns were among the most active teams in the second and third rounds, adding three more players after making two Round 1 picks on Thursday. Cleveland began by double-dipping at wide receiver, selecting Denzel Boston, who had first-round potential, at No. 39, to join KC Concepcion, selected No. 24 the previous evening.
In one of the night’s biggest steals, the Browns landed safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren near the end of Round 2 at No. 58. Per Sports Info Solutions, he ranked as the second-best safety in the class and No. 22 overall prospect.
For the second night in a row, Cleveland also won on the phone lines, too, executing advantageous trades. In addition to moving up for McNeil-Warren, in Round 3, it dealt No. 74 overall, acquired in the first-round trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, to the New York Giants for a 2026 fourth (No. 105), 2026 fifth (No. 145) and 2027 fourth.
The Browns then packaged Nos. 105 and 145, along with a 2026 sixth (No. 206), in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers for No. 86 overall, which they used to select offensive lineman Austin Barber, a potential starter as a rookie. For a team with plenty of work to do, Friday was a promising step forward. | TRUE
Statement: The Houston Texans defense will be even better in 2026
The Texans moved up to select nose tackle Kayden McDonald at No. 36. For a defense that was already among the league’s most dominant, it could possible make it even better in 2026.
McDonald was the top defensive tackle prospect, according to SIS, which also ranked him No. 21 overall. At 6-foot-2, 326 pounds, the former Ohio State Buckeye can plug the middle of the defense against the run. Paired with edge-rushers Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, he makes Houston’s front four even more terrifying. The Texans also have three returning Pro Bowlers in the secondary, leaving them without any noticeable defensive weakness. | TRUE
Statement: New Orleans Saints will have league’s most improved offense
After selecting wide receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 in Round 1, the Saints further improved their offensive weaponry by adding tight end Oscar Delp in the third round. The former Georgia Bulldog
ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at Georgia’s pro day, which would have been the second-fastest among tight ends at the 2026 scouting combine. His 38-inch vertical would have been fourth.
Per SIS data, Delp was dynamic with the ball in his hands last season, averaging 8.2 yards after the catch per reception. He produced a 53 percent positive play rate against man coverage, his speed and 6-foot-5 frame allowing him to exploit mismatches.
The Saints finished 2026 ranked No. 28 in scoring, averaging 18 points per game. Their offense is in much better shape heading into 2026, giving it a chance for a big turnaround. | TRUE
Statement: Carson Beck will start for the Arizona Cardinals in 2026
While no quarterbacks went in the second round, Arizona struck early in the third, taking Beck with the first pick of the round. The Cardinals have one of the league’s worst quarterback situations, giving him a chance to start as a rookie. Jacoby Brissett put up serviceable numbers a season ago but is nothing more than a stopgap option, while free-agent addition Gardner Minshew is a below-average replacement.
Beck is limited as a thrower, but after six collegiate seasons, including three as a starter, he won’t have the learning curve of less seasoned prospects. Arizona won’t be contending this year, making it perfectly reasonable to expect Beck to get a look as QB1 before next year’s draft. The only question is how soon until he does. | TRUE
Statement: The Pittsburgh Steelers have their quarterback of the future
While Pittsburgh awaits Aaron Rodgers’ decision, it selected former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at No. 76 overall, the pick acquired in last year’s trade sending wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. After the selection, the Steelers now have Allar and second-year quarterback Will Howard on their roster, giving the organization two young options as they search for a long-term solution. The problem is neither provides much optimism.
Both project as backups with limited starter upside, suggesting the Steelers still haven’t filled their biggest need. Maybe next year. | FALSE
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