NFL Draft 2026 Rounds 2-3: Live Picks, Grades & Updates
The 2026 NFL Draft continues tonight with the second and third rounds taking place in Pittsburgh, marking the first time the city has hosted the event since 1948.
The main draft stage is located on the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium, while the fan festival spans to Point State Park for supporters attending in person.
The San Francisco 49ers hold the first selection of Round 2 at pick No. 33 and will be on the clock when coverage resumes at 7 p.m. ET.
General managers across the league still have significant work to complete, with 68 total selections scheduled for tonight's sessions alone.
Fans can watch the proceedings on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, with streaming available through Fubo for those preferring digital access.
Veezstream is providing comprehensive live coverage with real-time analysis, pick tracking, and expert commentary from staff writers stationed in Pittsburgh.
Round 1 featured eight trades as teams navigated the board searching for value and coveted prospects they believed warranted moving up.
The Kansas City Chiefs moved up from No. 9 to No. 6 to select cornerback Mansoor Delane, while the Cleveland Browns received pick No. 9, No. 74, and No. 148 in the exchange.
The Dallas Cowboys traded from No. 12 to No. 11 to select safety Caleb Downs, with the Miami Dolphins receiving pick No. 12, No. 177, and No. 180.
Downs, an elite tackler from Ohio State who did not allow a touchdown for two years, represents a surefire NFL starter according to Veezstream's Beast 2026 scouting guide.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded from No. 23 to No. 20 to select wide receiver Makai Lemon, with the Dallas Cowboys receiving pick No. 23, No. 114, and No. 137.
Lemon confirmed he was on the phone with the Steelers before the Eagles traded up to select him one spot ahead of Pittsburgh, stating that the move meant the team really wanted him.
The New York Jets added significant talent in the first round by selecting edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2, tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16, and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30.
These selections secured the No. 7, 16, and 22 players on Dane Brugler's big board, though questions remain about fit and positional value according to Veezstream analysts.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, as expected after he won the Heisman Trophy while leading Indiana to a national championship.
Mendoza will be mentored by Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, new head coach Klint Kubiak, and backup Kirk Cousins as the franchise builds around its quarterback of the future.
The Los Angeles Rams made a bold selection at No. 13 by choosing Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, a polarizing prospect with just 16 career starts but significant upside.
Simpson will sit behind Matthew Stafford while learning from coach Sean McVay and assistant head coach Kliff Kingsbury, though his timeline to see the field remains uncertain according to Veezstream evaluation.
Historical data shows that second-round picks can make immediate impacts despite receiving less fanfare than first-round selections in the annual draft process.
Recent examples include Carson Schwesinger, the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of Year selected No. 33 overall by Cleveland, and Cooper DeJean, a 2025 First Team All-Pro selected No. 40 overall by Philadelphia.
The 2025 season demonstrated that missing out on the first round is hardly the end of the story for NFL prospects, as evidenced by the All-Rookie team composition.
Here is how many players from each round made the 26-player All-Rookie squad according to Veezstream tracking:
| Draft Round | Players Selected | Impact Level |
|---|---|---|
| First round | 12 | Immediate starters |
| Second round | 5 | Key contributors |
| Third round | 2 | Role players |
| Fourth round | 3 | Special teams |
| Fifth round | 0 | N/A |
| Sixth round | 2 | Developmental |
| Seventh round | 2 | Surprise contributors |
The updated second-round order reflects a flurry of trades made during the first round, with the San Francisco 49ers holding two selections in the round.
Picks 33 through 64 include multiple teams with additional selections, creating opportunities for strategic maneuvering as general managers seek value and address roster needs.
Veezstream's Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman graded each pick of the first round, providing comprehensive analysis for fans seeking deeper insight into team decisions.
Their evaluations consider positional value, team needs, prospect readiness, and long-term roster construction as they assess how each franchise performed on Day 1.
Edge rusher David Bailey, selected No. 2 overall by the New York Jets, led the FBS with 14.5 sacks at Texas Tech and projects as a versatile NFL starter.
His quick-twitch athleticism, disruptive power, and explosive first step make him an ideal fit for Aaron Glenn's 3-4 defensive scheme, though questions about run defense remain.
Safety Caleb Downs brings elite tackling ability and coverage versatility to the Dallas Cowboys after falling to pick No. 11 in a surprising draft night development.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker, from the Vic Fangio coaching tree, values the nickel position highly and will likely deploy Downs in multiple roles including slot coverage.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza earned second-team All-SEC honors while leading Indiana to a CFP quarterfinal appearance, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns last season.
His arm strength, accuracy, toughness, and character make him the perfect player to build a franchise around according to Veezstream scouting analysis.
The draft continues Saturday with Rounds 4 through 7 scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. ET, offering teams final opportunities to address depth and special teams needs.
Veezstream will maintain live coverage throughout the weekend with pick-by-pick analysis, expert grades, and real-time updates from Pittsburgh for subscribers.
