Jason Burgos
Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and there were quite a few surprising moves on Thursday night. There were also several players projected to go in the top 32 that remain on the board heading into Round 2. Ahead of night two of the draft, let’s look at the 20 best players still up for grabs in this week’s NFL Draft.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Washington receiver Denzel Boston still needs a little time to develop, but he could be a star at the next level. He has a very good starting burst, nice speed, is impressive in winning the jump ball and contested pass battle, and is a problem in the red zone.
Nevertheless, there are concerns about his ability to separate from press coverage. It is a key reason why he was not taken in Round 1.
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Missouri EDGE rusher Zion Young can be a difference-maker at the next level. He has good size and strength that prove valuable in setting the edge and blowing up run blocks. Furthermore, he is a dog that brings fiery energy to the field and locker room.
The biggest knocks on Young are his speed, range, and limited moves when trying to shed pass blockers. At the very least, he can contribute right away as a run stopper.
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
After a big sophomore season where he earned Second-Team All-American honors, Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy was robbed of his junior year after tearing his ACL. If not, he likely would have been a first-rounder this week.
McCoy is a very good athlete who shows explosiveness and quick feet. He has also proven that he has good instincts in breaking up passes and getting interceptions. However, he struggles against speedy receivers and when going up for passes against strong opposition.
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The best way to sum up Georgia linebacker CJ Allen is super-solid. His athleticism and highlight reel don’t demand attention. However, he is a smart player who helps elevate the talent around him as a very good “green dot” leader of a defense. He isn’t great at one area, nor is he a liability. Allen can be a reliable three-down linebacker.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood had the potential to go in the first round. However, he still needs to improve his coverage techniques and instincts. Aside from that, he is very good at press coverage as he uses his physicality to bully opposing wide receivers. That same aggression also proves quite valuable in run-stopping as well. With development, Hood can be an impact corner at the next level.
Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis is one of the better players at his position in this year’s class. He is a talented run blocker with good footwork, above-average strength, and brings out a nasty streak when needed. However, he didn’t go in Round 1 because of concerns about his pass blocking since he has shown issues sticking to opponents.
Bisontis still has a lot of upside and can definitely be a meaningful starter in the NFL.
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard brings some nice tools to the table for the team that selects him in the NFL Draft. He is a smooth route runner with good size and acceleration. He can play on the outside or be a matchup problem in the slot.
The biggest issues with Bernard’s game are that he doesn’t play to his size (6-foot-1 and 206 pounds) when battling for balls in the air, and he isn’t a player who will stretch the field at an above-average level.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Many thought five Ohio State players could go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday. However, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald was not called in the first 32 picks. That doesn’t mean he can’t be an impact player soon at the next level.
McDonald isn’t a tackle with real rush value, but he has shown he can be a high-level talent at stopping the run because he has natural leverage and sends a shock to interior linemen during the initial contact. The OSU star has also proven he is very good at locating ball carriers and racking up tackles.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
In the right system, Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has star potential in the NFL. As a safety often lined up in the box, he has consistently shown the ability to be a difference-maker in run-stopping and as an enforcer over the middle. While he has solid coverage skills, he will need to be protected against mismatches against speedy burners on the outside.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. consistently got better at each stop he made. His speed and breakaway ability are his trademark and can be a problem to lineup on the move in interior traffic. However, he struggles getting to holes fast, fumbles are an issue, and while he has good size (6-foot-1 and 223 pounds), he lacks the necessary grit when blocking. He can be a good rotation back at the next level.
R Mason Thomas, OLB, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas has impressive speed and explosion on the edges and slipping into the gaps of an offensive line. He also has better-than-expected power when he’s on the move. However, when he has to stand 10 toes down and go to war with a big, lengthy blocker, the warts in his game show. Nevertheless, he can definitely be an impact player in a couple of years.
Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M
Texas A&M linebacker Cashius Howell could be a difference-maker immediately as an EDGE rusher in the NFL. He has a great first burst, is elusive, and owns a nasty spin move. Nevertheless, he needs to improve his handwork and his strength to better deal with run blockers and properly set the edge. But at the very least, he can be a designated rusher early in his career.
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. can be a Pro Bowler in a few years. He is smart, has the power to blow up run plays, and the speed to hold his own in coverage or pursue from sideline to sideline. The big issue was that much of his success came from a lot of run-blitz calls. He also needs to work on disguising his blitzes and missed a surprising amount of tackles two years ago.
Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse is an explosive athlete who is strong and has good length to disrupt passes. But his impressive athleticism has covered up some of his technical and instinctive deficiencies on the college level. He is very much a project at the next level. However, he has a higher ceiling than other players at this point in the NFL Draft.
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
Texas Tech nose tackle Lee Hunter could be a rock-solid anchor on a 3-4 defensive line. While he needs development in his block-shedding techniques and winning in the gap, at 6-foot-3, 318 pounds, and with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he is quite good at run-stuffing up the middle. As of now, he projects to mainly be an early-downs threat.
Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
In a run-heavy offense, Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon would be a very nice addition in Round 2. The 6-foot-4, 314-pounder is durable, experienced, and is a nasty downhill blocker because of his upper body power. Unsurprisingly, his quickness deficiencies are a notable issue in pass blocking. But he is a smart and consistent player.
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez entered the college ranks on offense, but heads to the next level as a very productive tackle machine. He has a good burst and is hard to corral on blocks as he quickly zeroes in on the ball handler. Despite his production, he falls to Round 2 because he has trouble with big blockers and can be fooled too often on misdirection and play actions.
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Avieon Terrell, the brother of 2020 Atlanta Falcons first-round pick AJ Terrell, is a good athlete who moves well and is at his best in press-man coverage. While he struggles against bigger receivers because of his size (5-foot-10 and 186 pounds), he is good at being an annoyance on the catch. He projects to be a pretty good nickleback early in his career.
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt tight end Eric Stowers is a former quarterback with a lot of potential. He has great hands and is an exceptional athlete. He can also beat linebackers downfield with his speed and is strong on his breaks. But he still needs a lot of development with his route running and is not a strong run blocker for a position where it is a key requirement.
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Georgia’s Zachariah Branch can turn routine plays into explosive plays because of his breakaway speed. He is stronger than he looks and has shown his toughness on many occasions. He needs work on his route running, but he offers the option of being a returner while he develops his skills.
