Plenty of high-end talent available
for NFL teams on Day 2 of draft after some early surprises
[April 24, 2026]
By ARNIE STAPLETON
A year after Shedeur Sanders' stunning fall from first-round hopeful
to late-round draft pick, another perplexing passer was all the buzz
at the NFL draft Thursday night.
With the 13th overall pick, the Los Angeles Rams selected undersized
and inexperienced quarterback Ty Simpson out of Alabama to serve an
apprenticeship under NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.
Simpson's selection was the biggest shocker on the draft's opening
night in Pittsburgh, but there were a few others that also pushed
value into the top of the second round Friday night, when the San
Francisco 49ers own the first pick.
Rams general manager Les Snead made a first-round pick for only the
second time in the past decade — and he turned in a surprise by
taking Simpson, who wasn’t considered a first-round talent on most
draft boards.
Simpson was a starter for only one season with the Crimson Tide,
passing for 3,567 yards and leading them to the Rose Bowl after
three seasons as a backup.
Other players who went higher than many anticipated included Clemson
offensive lineman Blake Miller to Detroit at No. 17, Georgia Tech
guard Keylan Rutledge to Houston at 26 and Clemson defensive tackle
Peter Woods to the Chiefs at 29.
Two University of Tennessee cornerbacks are among the prime
prospects expected to go early in the second round: Colton Hood, who
also played at Auburn and Colorado; and Jermod McCoy, who missed the
2025 season with a torn ACL.
Others who could hear their names called early in Round 2 include:
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
A high-energy defensive back, McNeil-Warren is a tall (almost
6-foot-4, 201 pounds), long safety who makes big hits his hallmark.
He’s just as aggressive tackling ballcarriers as he is in hitting
wide receivers. He forced eight fumbles in four seasons at Toledo.
[to top of second column] |
Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald poses on the red carpet
before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April
23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Hill has exceptional speed (low 4.4 in the 40) for his size
(6-foot-3, 238 pounds). He works around blockers with quickness and
an elite change of direction and he sports impressive closing speed.
He collected 17 sacks and forced eight fumbles in three years in
Austin.
Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
The SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 11 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles
for loss last season. He's undersized for a pass rusher but has
proven he gets to the quarterback and finishes. He has the burst to
knife through the line and disrupt things behind the line of
scrimmage.
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Terrell is an athletic, if undersized (5-foot-11, 180 pounds),
cornerback with great quickness and instincts. An active and willing
tackler and an outstanding blitzer, his NFL future is almost
certainly at nickel as he’s most effective in underneath zone
coverage.
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Boston is strong, fast and has elite ball skills. At 6-foot-4 and
212 pounds, he’s a big target lining up both outside and in the
slot. He boasts strength and a long stride and can wall off
defenders at any level downfield. He scored 20 TDs over the last two
seasons.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
McDonald was expected to join Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles as
Buckeyes defenders going in the first round. He’s a natural run
defender who’ll clog the middle of the line. At 6-foot-3 and 326
pounds, he has excellent size and strength for the position.
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