The 2026 NFL Draft continued with Day 2 selections that addressed key needs for several teams, and the San Francisco 49ers, having traded out of the first round, entered Day 2 without making a pick initially. However, they ended up selecting Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 overall pick. According to NBC Sports Bay Area. The 49ers later traded their No. 58 and No. 152 picks for a third-round (No. 70) and fourth-round (No. 107) selection, which they used to pick Texas Tech edge rusher Romello Height and Indiana running back Kaelon Black.

Key Picks and Trades

In a mock draft from ESPN. The 49ers were projected to take safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at No. 33, but the actual draft saw Stribling selected instead. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals were expected to pick linebacker/edge Arvell Reese in the first round, as reported by SPORT BILD; the Cardinals are in need of offensive and defensive improvements, and Reese was seen as a high-upside player for the team.

The Tennessee Titans were projected to select running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 4 overall pick; According to SPORT BILD, Love was considered the best running back in the draft and was a key target for the Titans. The New York Jets. Who had the No. 2 overall pick, were expected to select edge rusher David Bailey, according to SPORT BILD; the Jets had one of the worst defenses in the league last season and needed immediate help on that side of the ball.

Team Needs and Moves

The Dallas Cowboys made a significant move in the first round by trading up to select Malachi Lawrence from the University of Central Florida with the No. 11 overall pick, according to their official site. Lawrence is expected to contribute immediately as a pass rusher and has the athleticism to fit into the Cowboys’ evolving 3-4 defensive scheme. He brings a variety of pass rush moves and has elite physical traits for his draft class.

According to DAZN, the Jets have several needs on both offense and defense, including an offensive tackle, a linebacker, and a cornerback. The New York Jets were also active in the draft, trading out of the first round and acquiring multiple picks. Their strategy involved adding young talent to build a competitive roster from scratch after a major roster overhaul last season. The Jets are expected to prioritize offensive line and defensive improvements as they look to become more competitive in the coming years.

Other Notable Picks

ESPN’s mock draft included several top prospects who were selected on Day 2, including quarterback Carson Beck and receiver Denzel Boston. Beck, who played for Miami, was seen as a potential starter despite being a reach in the second round. According to ESPN, Beck’s performance in the College Football Playoff boosted his draft stock, and he could be a future starter for a team in need of a quarterback. Denzel Boston, a receiver from Washington, was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 35 pick in a trade with the Titans.

The 49ers also addressed their running back needs by selecting Indiana’s Kaelon Black in the third round. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers made a calculated move to trade their picks and acquire additional selections to fill key roster holes. The move showed the team’s commitment to building depth and versatility on both offense and defense.