These college prospects barely made it out of the first round, but they didn't get far in the second round of the NFL draft.
The 2026 NFL draft got underway on Thursday night, and the second round kicked off Friday, going through Rounds 2-3 before finally wrapping up on Saturday. The top of the second round was headlined by some trades that took place in the first round, shaking up the order of one of the more valuable draft rounds.
Here is a round up of the Top Ten selections in the second round of the draft (Nos. 33 to 42), and how they fit with their respective new teams.
33. San Francisco 49ers (NYJ) – WR De'Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss)
The 49ers traded out of the first round for the first time in the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch era, swapping first with the Miami Dolphins and later the New York Jets for the No. 33 pick, where they selected Stribling. The pick shows their commitment to fully addressing that dire need from last season after signing star Mike Evans in free agency this offseason.
Full story from 49ers Roundtable writer Joey Hickey:
34. Arizona Cardinals – OG Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M)
The Cardinals made a pretty shocking selection with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3. This round, they took a need at pass blocker with versatility, athleticism and a multi-year starter who ended his career playing at a high level in Bistonis. Bisontis started his career at right tackle as a freshman before moving to left guard, where he was a fixture in 23 starts for the Aggies. Has to clean up some of his pass protection techniques but has leverage, power, and speed.
Full story from Aggies Roundtable writer Timothy Hamm:
35. Buffalo Bills (TEN) – EDGE T.J. Parker (Clemson)
The Bills made three trades down and eventually out of the first round, with this being their first selection in their final trade with the Titans. They ultimately went with an edge who they’ll hope can compete right away out of Clemson, despite not having Parker in for a 30 visit or reportedly meeting with him at the Combine. He was a three-year player for the Tigers with a career-high season in 2024 where he had an impressive 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 19.5 tackles for loss.
Full story from Bills Roundtable writer Mike Straw:
36. Houston Texans (LV) – DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
The Texans moved up from No. 38 in a trade with the Raiders to grab Ohio State's McDonald with versatility and size with real productivity that's rare at defensive tackle, and be strong at the point of attack, one they felt the need to jump up for. McDonald continues to add to a strong Buckeyes draft haul this cycle.
Full story from Texans Roundtable writer Nick Crain:
37. New York Giants – DB Colton Hood (Tennessee)
The Giants continued to address defense after using their No. 5 selection on Arvell Reese, this time strengthening their coverage with Hood out of the Volunteers. It may be a bit of a surprising pick for some, with strong corners still on the board, notably his teammate, Jermod McCoy, and Avieon Terrell from Clemson. But McCoy was seen as a top corner in last year’s class before tearing his ACL and missing all of last season.
Full story from Giants Roundtable writer Matthew Schmidt:
38. Las Vegas Raiders (HOU) –S Treydan Stukes (Arizona)
The Raiders traded back with the Texans, who originally held the pick from the Commanders, to select the six-year athlete Stukes. After taking their quarterback of the future, they got to make their first real “surprise” pick of the draft in Arizona’s Stukes, who they could’ve taken at No. 36, as predicted in several mock drats. Las Vegas had several needs, but Stukes was a top player available with the versatility to slot into several coverage spots.
Full story from Raiders Roundtable writer Matt Wadleigh:
39. Cleveland Browns – WR Denzel Boston (Washington)
After selecting KC Concepcion in Round 1, the Browns doubled down on pass catchers in a strong draft with Washington’s Boston, who many thought could be a first-round talent. It gives a dynamic receiver duo to a team in need of a quarterback, who Boston will hopefully help transform as an outside threat.
Full story from Browns Roundtable writer Spencer German:
40. Kansas City Chiefs – EDGE R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma)
The Chiefs invested in defense in the first round, being the first team to make a trade in the draft for LSU’s Mansoor Delane. They doubled down on that in the second round with the pass rusher out of Oklahoma. Thomas was a headliner of an aggressive defense under Brent Venables, and will bring real disruption to Kansas City’s front seven.
Full story from Sooners Roundtable writer Tyler Jones:
41. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)
The Bengals are investing in their front seven after trading for Dexter Lawrence in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick and did that with A&M’s Howell. He’s one of the premier pass rushers in the class with 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season, earning him SEC Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous All-American honors.
Full story from Aggies Roundtable writer Timothy Hamm:
42. New Orleans Saints – DT Christen Miller (Georgia)
Amid reports that the Saints were inquiring about trading for Kayvon Thibodeaux, they shored up their defensive line with Georgia’s Miller. New Orleans gets help in their run defense with a player who has strong size for an interior lineman. Miller has real ability to disrupt at the line of scrimmage and is a strong defensive add after the team went for skill on offense on Day 1.
Full story from Saints Roundtable writer Joey Hickey:
