NFL Draft 2026 Day 2: Carson Beck To Arizona Cardinals? Grading Round 2 And 3 Predictions For All 32 Teams
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The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh shifts gears to Day 2 this Friday, April 24, 2026, with several blue-chip prospects still searching for a home. After a first round dominated by defensive stars and blockbuster veteran trades, the focus moves to “value” and “developmental” picks in Rounds 2 and 3. The biggest storyline heading into Friday night centres on the Arizona Cardinals, who are reportedly eyeing Carson Beck at No. 34 to solve their long-standing “quarterback purgatory.” Meanwhile, teams like the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants are poised to land top-10 talents that slipped through the cracks on Thursday.
NFL Draft 2026: Top 10 Best Available Prospects Heading Into Day 2
| Rank | Player | Position | College | Projected Fit |
| 1 | Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S | Toledo | SF 49ers |
| 2 | Carson Beck | QB | Miami | AZ Cardinals |
| 3 | Denzel Boston | WR | Washington | Buffalo Bills |
| 4 | Jermod McCoy | CB | Tennessee | NY Giants |
| 5 | Avieon Terrell | CB | Clemson | Baltimore Ravens |
| 6 | Kayden McDonald | DT | Ohio State | Houston Texans |
| 7 | Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 8 | Treydan Stukes | S | Arizona | LV Raiders |
| 9 | Colton Hood | CB | Tennessee | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 10 | Anthony Hill Jr. | LB | Texas | GB Packers |
Will Carson Beck Join The Arizona Cardinals At No. 34?
The Arizona Cardinals are the team to watch as the second round begins. Holding the No. 34 overall pick, the Cardinals are projected to take a massive swing on Carson Beck. While some analysts view this as a “reach” based on his mid-round pre-draft ranking, Beck’s stock skyrocketed following his elite performance in the College Football Playoff. For a Cardinals franchise desperate for a stable arm, Beck offers the prototypical size and intelligence that could make him a long-term starter.
Further down the board, the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to the future. At No. 53, the Steelers are projected to select Garrett Nussmeier. With Aaron Rodgers potentially entering his final season in 2026, Nussmeier—who threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024—could be the perfect “project” to develop behind the veteran legend.
Round 2 & 3 Mock: Giants And 49ers Secure Defensive Steals
The New York Giants (Pick No. 37) and San Francisco 49ers (Pick No. 33) are positioned to capitalise on Round 1 “slippers.” Jermod McCoy, a top-10 film-study prospect, fell due to a January 2025 ACL injury, but the Giants are expected to pounce on the Tennessee corner to solidify their secondary. Similarly, John Lynch and the 49ers are linked to Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a hard-hitting safety who mirrors the physicality of rival Seattle’s Nick Emmanwori.
2026 NFL Draft Day 2: Round 2 Predicted Picks
| Pick | Team | Player | Position |
| 33 | SF 49ers | Emmanuel McNeil-Warren | S |
| 34 | AZ Cardinals | Carson Beck | QB |
| 35 | Buffalo Bills | Denzel Boston | WR |
| 36 | LV Raiders | Treydan Stukes | S |
| 37 | NY Giants | Jermod McCoy | CB |
| 40 | KC Chiefs | T.J. Parker | Edge |
| 45 | BAL Ravens | Avieon Terrell | CB |
| 50 | Detroit Lions | Zion Young | Edge |
The third round also promises fireworks, with the Dallas Cowboys (No. 92) projected to add speed in Elijah Sarratt and the New England Patriots (No. 95) bolstering their tight end depth with Sam Roush. As the draft concludes its first 100 picks, the depth of this class—especially at receiver and edge rusher—will become evident.
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