NFL Draft 2026 Day 2 winners and losers: Falcons, Rams and more

Loser: CB Jermod McCoy (for now)

Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) before a college football game between Tennessee and UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 20, 2025.

McCoy may end up being an All-Pro talent, but it's clear the medicals are holding him from being drafted for now. That stinks for him, but his time should come on Saturday. Even if he misses all of 2026 with an additional surgery, his future should be bright if he's healthy enough to play. The talent is evident; it's just when he's able to use it and for how long. If he plays for 10-plus seasons at a high level, some NFL team will walk away with an incredible steal.

Winner: Carson Beck, who could start games for the Cardinals in 2026

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami quarterback Carson Beck (QB04) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Don't be shocked if Beck plays some games for Arizona this year. It'd make sense if the Cardinals falter this year and this front office and coaching staff want to see what the former Georgia and Miami signal-caller can do before making a major investment at quarterback in 2027. Beck should get an early audition to prove his NFL bona fides.

Loser: Jaguars GM James Gladstone (for now)

Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone talked about the upcoming NFL Draft during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ annual pre-draft luncheon press conference in the media room at the Miller Electric Center Thursday April 9, 2026 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Okay, we're not going to hate too hard on Gladstone for the reach of the draft so far in tight end Nate Boerkircher. Did anyone expect Boerkircher to go on Friday night? No. Gladstone must really, really, really, really like what he can do for him to make such an outrageous reach with a quality draft pick and other needs on the Jaguars roster. Time will prove if Gladstone is the last one laughing with incredible foresight or if this plays out as shaky as it looks.

Winner: The Browns, who crushed Day 2

Oct 18, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates after he makes a reception in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Browns are having a great draft. On Friday night, the team added wide receiver Denzel Boston, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and offensive tackle Austin Barber. Boston and McNeil-Warren had first-round buzz going into this year's draft. That Cleveland got them both on Friday is a slam dunk. Boston and KC Concepcion give this wideout room a huge talent boost, and McNeil-Warren could be one of the biggest steals of the night.

Loser: AFC South offensive lines after DT Kayden McDonald joined Houston

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-1315994 ORIG FILE ID: 20260423_lbm_al2_075.JPG

McDonald joining that ferocious Houston Texans defense should give AFC offensive lines nightmares. Just imagine what such an impressive run-stuffer is going to allow the other Texans defensive linemen to do as they're freed up. This might be the best pick of the night purely from a football standpoint. That Texans defense is going to feast.

Winner: Broncos DT Tyler Onyedim getting real reps this season

Tyler Onyedim

The Broncos have picked one player through two days of the 2026 NFL Draft: Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim. By default, he is the pride of Denver for the weekend. Particularly after losing defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers in the offseason, the Broncos have a clear need for rotational help on the defensive front. Onyedim has a real chance to get lots of playing time this season. When you're the only one around, you're needed.

Loser: Bears DC Dennis Allen getting more help

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 18: Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen of the Chicago Bears looks on during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Bears decided, after taking heat-seeking missile/safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round of this year's NFL Draft that the team was okay on defenders for a bit. All three of the team's Day 2 picks were on offense. Center Logan Jones is a likely draft-and-stash for 2027, tight end Sam Roush might just be a blocking tight end at this point and wide receiver Zavion Thomas is an eye-opening reach who projects best as a returner. Chicago could have used more help on defense, particularly in the front seven, but it didn't come... at least on Friday. You have to imagine that Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is praying for more defenders on Saturday... or a free agent or two in May.

Winner: Vikings DC Brian Flores

Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Vikings did just about everything in their power on Friday to give defensive coordinator Brian Flores even more ammo for game days. Linebacker Jake Golday, defensive tackle Dominique "Big Citrus" Orange and safety Jakobe Thomas should all slot into roles with Minnesota this season, as should first-round defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The team took real losses this offseason on that side of the ball, including outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard in a Friday night trade. However, a defensive-heavy draft may help Flores keep his flaming bullet train on the tracks.

Loser: The Rams' absolutely confounding 2026 NFL Draft (this month)

Mar 30, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

What in tarnation are the Rams doing? A team with clear Super Bowl aspirations used one of its 2026 first rounders in a savvy March trade to get cornerback Trent McDuffie. The team used its other first rounder to draft a quarterback that Sean McVay has apparently never met. McVay seemed incredibly cagey about the Ty Simpson pick, which makes us wonder if general manager Les Snead forced his hand on it. That's not ideal! On Friday night, the team took another tight end, Max Klare, who may not be active on game day with how deep the position is for Los Angeles. The other pick, offensive tackle Keagen Trost, feels likely to man a swing tackle spot in his rookie season. That's three players a Super Bowl contender has taken that most likely won't see much game action, if any, during their rookie campaigns. What are they doing? The Rams have been thinking and acting in the present for years now. With another Lombardi clearly in reach, why is this the right time to forage for winter? Is Snead making moves for a team that McVay eventually won't coach? No team has been as perplexing as L.A. through two days.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL Draft 2026 winners and losers from Day 2: Carson Beck, Rams