The NFL Draft is halfway over now as we have finished Day 2 of the draft. We had several quarterbacks land in interesting situations for 2026 rookie drafts, especially in Superflex formats.
The wide receivers were on a train ride all night, with plenty of them finding roles that could lead to immediate fantasy relevance. Meanwhile, tight end had plenty of blocking TEs land on Day 2.
There was one running back who found a sneaky value spot, especially as a handcuff with long-term upside. Some players saw their rookie draft stock rise immediately, while others became more of year-two or year-three dynasty stashes.
Here is the instant reaction for every fantasy-relevant player from Day 2 and their projected Average Draft Position in dynasty rookie drafts.
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Round 2 Selections
San Francisco 49ers – De’Zhaun Stribling WR (33rd Pick)
The first pick on Day 2 was wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. The 49ers get a vertical receiver with long strides and good ball-tracking talent. He has the speed to work after the catch, but this was a bit of a surprise this early in the second round.
Stribling will have work to do to earn playing time with Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall ahead of him in the lineup. Both have injury concerns, so Stribling could get a chance to contribute as a rookie. He feels more like a year two or year three rise rather than someone who breaks out right away.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.10 – 3.02
Cleveland Browns – Denzel Boston WR (39th Pick)
After adding KC Concepcion in Round 1, the Browns double down on their receiver group by adding size with Denzel Boston. He is a prototypical X receiver who should get chances as a rookie to show off his size.
While Boston showed inconsistency in college, he could flash touchdown upside as a rookie. He isn’t likely to see efficient targets early due to the quarterback situation, but he has first-round talent in his game. If he slips in rookie drafts, he should be a solid selection for a contender.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 1.10 – 2.02
Pittsburgh Steelers – Germie Bernard WR (47th Pick)
This one hurt, as I wanted Germie Bernard to get a chance to make an impact in year one for a team. While he still could, it will be an uphill battle with D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. on the roster.
Bernard’s situation gives me Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Rome Odunze vibes, where he flashes early but breaks out in year two or three. He is an all-around good receiver, but there likely won’t be a high-production rookie season ahead of him.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.01 – 2.06
Philadelphia Eagles – Eli Stowers TE (54th Pick)
The Philadelphia Eagles get their TE of the future in Eli Stowers. Some considered him close to the top TE in the class, and Stowers has talent. He is a versatile TE who can be used as a weapon and has the size and speed to be a difference-maker at the position.
He’ll likely sit and learn behind Dallas Goedert for a season, but he could easily be a starting TE heading into 2027. As long as Goedert is on the team for 2026, Stowers’ value remains lower, but the long-term upside is there in dynasty.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 1.11 – 2.03
Jacksonville Jaguars – Nate Boerkircher TE (56th Pick)
This was a surprising pick by the Jaguars, selecting Nate Boerkircher in the middle of the second round. Boerkircher wasn’t much of a threat as a pass catcher in college. He gets drafted early for his blocking ability, as he is one of the better blockers in the class.
Brenton Strange is a free agent after the 2026 season, so could Boerkircher have a future starting job? Maybe, but I don’t see him having much fantasy success.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.06 – Undrafted
Houston Texans – Marlin Klein TE (59th Pick)
The TE run continues with the Texans selecting Marlin Klein. Klein wasn’t a highly regarded prospect, but he gets good draft capital due to his ability as a blocker, which is an underrated trait.
He can be a solid in-line TE at the next level, and the Texans could work on developing him for the future. He is likely another TE without much rookie value and has a cloudy future due to limited upside.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.01 – 4.06
Los Angeles Rams – Max Klare TE (61st Pick)
Such a confusing landing spot for one of the top TE prospects, Max Klare. He was a very good route runner and was better as a weapon when he was at Purdue.
The Rams have Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, and a young TE from last year’s second round in Terrance Ferguson. Where does Klare fit in all of this? I expect the Rams to continue running 13 personnel, which they did a lot last year. Klare will likely be a year two or year three play.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.08 – 4.02
Rounds 3 Selections
Arizona Cardinals – Carson Beck QB (65th Pick)
With the first pick in the third round, the Cardinals select quarterback Carson Beck. This is an interesting selection for Superflex rookie drafts with Beck’s opportunity in Arizona. Beck has limitations as a passer, but he is an experienced field general who could possibly do well with a strong supporting cast. Good thing for Beck: Arizona provides exactly that.
Beck will likely fight for the backup job, but he could get a chance to start a few games if the coaching staff wants to see what they have in him. That gives him sneaky value in deeper Superflex formats.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.01 – 3.05
Chicago Bears – Sam Roush TE (69th Pick)
This was a surprising pick for the Chicago Bears as they landed TE Sam Roush. He is another blocking-type tight end who has limitations with his athletic profile. He is a decent short-area TE but likely won’t have much fantasy value in 2026.
The Bears already have two tight ends under contract over the next two seasons, so I don’t see much rookie draft value here. He is more of a long-term stash at the position with minimal upside.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.06 – Undrafted
Washington Commanders – Antonio Williams WR (71st Pick)
This was a great selection for the Commanders as they continue searching for a second receiver behind Terry McLaurin. Antonio Williams is a strong slot receiver with good burst and twitchy route-running ability. He has the talent to create after the catch, which makes him very intriguing for fantasy.
Williams could have top-40 value as a rookie with Washington, especially since they lost over 160 targets from last season. He should be a strong target for dynasty managers as he lands in a quality spot with real upside.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.01 – 2.05
New Orleans Saints – Oscar Delp TE (73rd Pick)
The Saints added a young upside TE in Oscar Delp, which could be a solid landing spot. Juwan Johnson is the current starter and is pushing 30-years old, which could open the door for Delp sooner rather than later.
He was a solid short-area pass-catching tight end with good hands and body control. He is likely more of a year-two play in dynasty leagues.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.08 – 3.12
New York Giants – Malachi Fields WR (74th Pick)
After passing on some of the top receivers in the draft during the first round, the Giants landed big-bodied receiver Malachi Fields. Fields is a dynamic receiver with the athletic ability to help a young quarterback thanks to his big frame and ball skills.
He isn’t a complete receiver and showed inconsistency throughout college and the draft process, but he’ll likely compete with Darnell Mooney for one of the starting jobs. Fields could flash in a few games with touchdown upside as a rookie.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.06 – 2.10
Miami Dolphins – Caleb Douglas WR (75th Pick)
With a big need at receiver, the Dolphins went with Caleb Douglas in the third round. Douglas felt like a bit of a reach, as he was not highly graded pre-draft.
He fits as a big-bodied receiver for a team that doesn’t have many pass catchers over 6’0”. Douglas could carve out an outside role and become a red-zone threat. There is some rookie flash potential, but it likely remains limited.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.04 – 3.08
Pittsburgh Steelers – Drew Allar QB (76th Pick)
In the third round, the Steelers decided to bring in another quarterback to compete for the starting job. While they are still waiting on Aaron Rodgers, if he doesn’t return, that could open the door for Drew Allar.
The Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, so the room is wide open. Allar is still a young prospect with upside to his game. Pittsburgh will want to see more of the 2024 version of Allar rather than what we saw in 2025. He could easily push for early playing time, making him an interesting rookie draft target in Superflex leagues.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.11 – 3.04
Atlanta Falcons – Zachariah Branch WR (79th Pick)
The Atlanta Falcons was a once-popular landing spot for receiver. That role will now be filled by Zachariah Branch. Branch is interesting as a smaller 5’8” receiver who also had some off-field concerns recently.
He brings big burst and short-area quickness and thrives in open space. Branch could land the slot role in the Falcons offense since they don’t have many pass catchers outside of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. If the coaching staff uses him correctly, he could see top-50 rookie value.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.06 – 2.10
Baltimore Ravens – Ja’Kobi Lane WR (80th Pick)
The Ravens finally decide to get younger at receiver instead of chasing aging veterans by selecting Ja’Kobi Lane. Lane is a lengthy receiver who runs routes well and has a big catch radius with strong ball-tracking skills.
Baltimore doesn’t have a trusted pass catcher outside of Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. Lane could compete with Rashod Bateman for the WR2 role. He could flash as a rookie, though he may be more boom-or-bust than consistent early on.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.04 – 2.07
Carolina Panthers – Chris Brazzell II WR (83rd Pick)
The Carolina Panthers continue putting weapons around Bryce Young by adding big-play deep threat Chris Brazzell II. Brazzell offers speed and strong acceleration to take the top off a defense.
The challenge is target competition. Carolina already drafted Tetairoa McMillan and still has Jalen Coker plus former first-rounder Xavier Legette. Brazzell likely offers more long-term dynasty upside. He could have a few blow-up games as a rookie, but consistency may be difficult.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.04 – 2.09
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ted Hurst WR (84th Pick)
This was one of the more surprising picks as the Buccaneers landed upside receiver Ted Hurst. The Georgia State receiver has strong short-area quickness and the skill set to make highlight plays for fantasy.
The landing spot is confusing with Tampa as they still Emeka Egbuka , Jalen McMillan and Chris Godwin. Hurst offers a different type of skill set, but he is likely the WR4 on the depth chart. He may make little noise as a rookie, but the upside makes him worth stashing on taxi squads for a year or two.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.01 – 3.03
Miami Dolphins – Will Kacmarek TE (87th Pick)
Miami continues to build size in the trenches by adding tight end Will Kacmarek. He is an in-line tight end and a strong blocker.
Kacmarek doesn’t offer much upside as a pass catcher and will likely be used primarily as a blocker. There is very little fantasy appeal here.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 4.06 – Undrafted
Chicago Bears – Zavion Thomas WR (89th Pick)
The Bears took speedster Zavion Thomas late in Round 3. Thomas offers plenty of speed and acceleration to his game.
His likely value comes more from special teams with only a part-time offensive role. The Bears already have their top three pass catchers locked in, so Thomas should see minimal rookie targets and little breakout potential.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.10 – 4.02
San Francisco 49ers – Kaelon Black RB (90th Pick)
We get an interesting landing spot for the third running back off the board in Kaelon Black. The Indiana running back had great vision and carries an NFL-ready frame. He has some three-down upside at the next level.
His receiving skills are limited, but that doesn’t mean he can’t improve there. Black will likely compete with Jordan James for the backup role behind Christian McCaffrey. Given CMC’s injury history and age, Black could become a valuable handcuff with real rookie-year upside.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.07 – 2.11
Miami Dolphins – Chris Bell WR (94th Pick)
The last fantasy-relevant player selected at the end of Day 2 was Miami taking Chris Bell. The Dolphins took a chance on Bell coming off an ACL tear last season, but the upside is notable.
He is a strong possession-style receiver who is tough to bring down after the catch. Bell has a clear path to a meaningful role in Miami due to the lack of established talent at receiver. Health will be the biggest factor, but if he gets on the field early, he could quickly become a starter. Bell has top-50 rookie upside because of the opportunity.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 2.07 – 2.12
New England Patriots – Eli Raridon TE (95th Pick)
Despite the big run of TEs in this draft, the Patriots may have landed a steal with Eli Raridon late in the 3rd round. He offers a solid skill set as both a blocker and receiver. He is not elite in one specific area, but he can be a solid TE at the NFL level.
Current starter Hunter Henry is heading into the final year of his contract, so Raridon could see starting work in 2027. We saw at times last year that the Patriots were willing to get both of their top two TEs involved in the offense. Raridon is likely outside the top 30 rookies, but he is a decent stash in TE premium leagues.
Projected Rookie Draft Selection: 3.11 – 4.03
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