2026 NFL Draft: Top Day 2 Steals and Hidden Gems Still Available

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft has officially concluded, and as always, the opening night delivered its share of surprises, heartbreaks, and strategic gambles. While 32 prospects heard their names called on Thursday, the real value of any draft class often begins on Day 2. For general managers and scouting departments, Friday night is where championships are built—finding starting-caliber players who slipped through the cracks due to injury concerns, scheme fit questions, or simply a deep positional class.

As we turn the page to Rounds 2 and 3, a fascinating group of talents remains on the board. Some of these players were once projected as surefire first-rounders, but a combination of medical red flags, raw traits, or off-field narratives caused them to slide. Here is your expert guide to the best available prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft as Day 2 gets underway, featuring a heavy dose of Tennessee Volunteers defensive backs and a pair of pass-rush specialists who could become immediate difference-makers.

Jermod McCoy: The Ultimate Value Play at Cornerback

The most intriguing name still on the board is undoubtedly Jermod McCoy, the Tennessee cornerback who was once considered a top-10 lock. McCoy’s slide is almost entirely attributable to one factor: a torn right ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. According to league sources, there remains some uncertainty in the healing process, which scared off teams picking in the back half of Round 1. However, for a franchise willing to be patient, McCoy offers elite-level talent.

Let’s be clear: McCoy’s best reps from the 2024 season—where he shadowed top SEC receivers and showed fluid hip movement, elite ball skills, and remarkable recovery speed—would have made him a top-10 pick in this class. He has the kind of natural cover instincts that cannot be taught. The concern is purely medical. If McCoy’s knee checks out in follow-up evaluations, he should be the first player selected on Day 2. Expect a team like the Dallas Cowboys or Seattle Seahawks to aggressively move up for him.

Prediction: McCoy goes early in Round 2, likely within the first five picks. He’s a high-risk, high-reward selection, but in the modern NFL, elite cornerback play is worth the gamble.

Colton Hood: The Healthy Volunteer Who Deserved Better

Perhaps the most baffling slide of Day 1 belongs to Colton Hood, McCoy’s teammate at Tennessee. Hood is fully healthy, having played a full season in 2025, and his tape is every bit as impressive as his injured counterpart’s. Hood possesses explosive burst out of his breaks, a physicality at the line of scrimmage that disrupts timing routes, and the versatility to play both outside and in the slot. By every measurable standard, Hood was a first-round talent.

So why did he fall? The conspiracy theory circulating among scouts is that McCoy’s injury is creating a stigma around the entire Tennessee secondary. Teams may be overcorrecting, worried about scheme advantages or the system producing inflated stats. That’s a mistake. Hood’s clean bill of health and his ability to press and mirror receivers make him a plug-and-play starter.

For a team that needs immediate help in the defensive backfield—think the Indianapolis Colts or New York Giants—Hood represents a steal. The battle between “health vs. ability” will be fascinating to watch on Day 2. If Hood goes before McCoy, it signals that medicals are still king. If he falls further, it suggests a broader concern about Tennessee’s defensive scheme.

Prediction: Hood is selected in the middle of Round 2. He will be an early starter and could outperform several corners taken in Round 1.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: The Small-School Safety with Big-Time Potential

While two safeties came off the board in the first round—a relative rarity in modern drafts—Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo was not among them. This is a player whose athletic profile screams “NFL starter,” but his Group of 5 background may have caused some teams to pause. McNeil-Warren is a rangy, instinctive safety who thrives in zone coverage, using his impressive closing speed to break on the ball and make plays.

However, there are legitimate questions about his man-coverage ability. Against bigger, faster receivers in the MAC, he often relied on athleticism rather than technique. In the NFL, that gap can be exploited. Still, his zone instincts are elite, and he has the frame (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) to play in the box as a hybrid linebacker/safety.

For a team like the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers, who value versatile safeties with range, McNeil-Warren is a perfect fit. He should be one of the first players selected on Day 2, and I expect a team to trade up for him. His ability to cover ground in the deep half and his ball production (6 interceptions in 2024) make him a potential early starter.

Prediction: McNeil-Warren goes in the top 10 of Round 2. He starts by Week 6 for a playoff contender.

Cashius Howell: The Unorthodox Edge Rusher Who Wins with Speed

Edge rushers are always at a premium, yet Cashius Howell from Texas A&M is still waiting for his name to be called. The reason? Arm length. Howell’s arms measure between 30 and 31 inches, depending on the source, which is well below the traditional threshold for NFL edge rushers. Teams worry that shorter arms mean he will struggle to disengage from offensive tackles and get his hands on quarterbacks.

But here’s the thing: Howell wins with pure speed and bend. He is arguably the most prolific speed rusher in this entire draft class, with a remarkable ability to convert pressures into sacks. In 2025, he recorded 10.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits, many of them coming on explosive edge rushes where he simply ran around blockers. He also offers surprising value in coverage, dropping into flat zones and even matching up with running backs.

For a team that runs a multiple-front defense—such as the Detroit Lions or Miami Dolphins—Howell can be deployed as a designated pass rusher on third downs. He is not a three-down player yet, but his unique skill set is too good to ignore. If a team is willing to look past the measurables, they will get a player who disrupts games.

Prediction: Howell is selected in the early portion of Round 2. He will have the most sacks of any Day 2 edge rusher in his rookie season.

Final Analysis: Why Day 2 Will Define This Draft Class

The 2026 NFL Draft is already being called a “two-tier” class, where the top 15 picks are elite, and the rest is a crapshoot. But that narrative ignores the depth of talent available on Day 2. The players listed above—McCoy, Hood, McNeil-Warren, and Howell—all have the potential to become Pro Bowl-caliber contributors. The key is finding the right scheme and the right medical clearance.

For general managers, the message is clear: Don’t overthink the slide. Jermod McCoy’s knee will heal. Colton Hood’s tape is undeniable. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren’s athleticism translates. And Cashius Howell’s speed is a weapon. The teams that make bold moves on Friday night will be the ones celebrating in January.

Stay tuned to the live tracker as Round 2 unfolds. The 2026 NFL Draft is just getting started, and the best value is still to come.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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