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Chad Reuter’s Second Round Mock Draft for the 2026 NFL Draft

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say on Chad Reuter 2nd Round Projections!
The Verdict: Who Won Round 2?

Title: Steals, Reaches, and Game-Changers

We’ve seen 64 picks, and the 2026 landscape has officially shifted. Chad Reuter’s second round proved that while the first round is for the stars, the second round is for the starters.

From the Jets doubling down on pass-catchers for Ty Simpson to the Bears surrounding Caleb Williams with elite protection and weaponry, the draft’s middle frame was a masterclass in roster building.

Now it's your turn to weigh in:
- Did your team find a Day 1 starter or a developmental project?
- Which pick was the biggest steal of the round?
- Who was the biggest reach?
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Chad Reuter’s Second-Round Projections
The NFL Draft is just weeks away, and mock draft season has reached a fever pitch. After breaking down the seismic shifts and high-stakes trades of the opening frame, we’re shifting our focus to the second round of NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter’s massive seven-round mock.

Check out Reuter's 1st Round Right Here

Reuter isn't just looking at the big names; he’s projecting the schematic fits and veteran-rookie pairings that could define the next decade of football. With the first-round cornerstones already in place, here is the second-round breakdown of his latest 2026 projections.
33. New York Jets
Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Jets waste no time getting Ty Simpson a massive target. Denzel Boston has a huge frame and gives this offense a legitimate red-zone threat to pair with Garrett Wilson on the outside.
34. Arizona Cardinals
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

Arizona stays local to solidify the edges of their offensive line. Max Iheanachor is a high-upside blocker with the athleticism and length to handle the premier speed rushers in the NFC West.
35. Tennessee Titans
Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M

The Titans prioritize the ground game by snagging a powerful interior mauler. Chase Bisontis brings a physical edge to the front five and the versatility to shore up the pocket for Tennessee's young playmakers.
36. Las Vegas Raiders
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

With the quarterback secured in round one, Vegas adds a disruptive force to the middle of the defense. Peter Woods is a high-motor interior rusher who can collapse the pocket and make life easier for the Raiders' edge group.
37. New York Giants
Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

The Giants continue to build through the trenches with this explosive interior defender. Christen Miller is a physical presence at the point of attack who helps the G-Men dictate terms at the line of scrimmage.
38. Houston Texans (via Washington)
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

DeMeco Ryans finds a veteran-style anchor for the heart of his defense. Lee Hunter is a powerhouse who excels at eating up double teams and neutralizing the opponent's rushing attack.
39. Cleveland Browns
T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

Cleveland adds a twitchy, productive pass rusher to pair with their veteran stars. TJ Parker has the speed and bend to create consistent pressure from the outside, keeping the Browns' defensive front elite.
40. Kansas City Chiefs
Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The Chiefs add a sticky, technical corner who isn't afraid to compete on an island. Avieon Terrell fits Steve Spagnuolo’s aggressive man-coverage scheme and provides much-needed depth to the secondary.
41. Cincinnati Bengals
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Cincinnati finds an instinctive safety with a nose for the football. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has the range to play deep and the diagnostic skills to help the Bengals' secondary eliminate explosive plays.
42. New Orleans Saints
Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

The Saints add more juice to their pass rush with a bendy, athletic edge threat. Cashius Howell provides the immediate disruptiveness New Orleans needs to stay aggressive against divisional quarterbacks.
43. Miami Dolphins
D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Miami targets a corner with the elite recovery speed necessary to survive in the AFC East. D'Angelo Ponds is a fluid athlete who can mirror quick wideouts and contribute immediately in sub-packages.
44. New York Jets
CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The Jets go back to the defense to find a physical, high-IQ signal-caller for the second level. CJ Allen is a reliable tackler who brings a blue-collar mentality to the middle of the Jets' unit.
45. Baltimore Ravens
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon

Baltimore finds a classic Ravens-style guard who excels in a gap-heavy rushing system. Emmanuel Pregnon is a powerful blocker who helps clear lanes for Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore backfield.
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The Bucs secure a rangy linebacker who can play sideline-to-sideline. Jacob Rodriguez is a sure-handed tackler with the instincts to thrive in Todd Bowles’ complex defensive packages.
47. Indianapolis Colts
De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Mississippi

The Colts add a big-bodied wideout who specializes in winning 50/50 balls. De'Zhaun Stribling provides Anthony Richardson with a reliable target down the field and a physical presence in the red zone.
48. Atlanta Falcons
Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

Atlanta adds a polished route-runner who can win consistently from the slot. Antonio Williams gives the Falcons' offense a dependable chain-mover who creates easy throwing lanes for the quarterback.
49. Minnesota Vikings
Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona

Minnesota finds a versatile secondary piece with the intelligence to play multiple roles. Treydan Stukes is a savvy defender who can drop into the box or play the deep half with equal effectiveness.
50. Detroit Lions
Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan

The Lions keep a local star in-state to add more power to their defensive line. Derrick Moore is a heavy-handed rusher who fits the high-effort culture Dan Campbell has established in Detroit.
51. Carolina Panthers
Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

Carolina beefs up the interior with a quick-footed defensive tackle. Gracen Halton wins with a great first step and provides the Panthers with more interior pressure to complement their young edge rushers.
52. Green Bay Packers
Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas

The Packers land a technical corner with elite footwork and ball skills. Malik Muhammad is a patient defender who thrives in zone-match schemes and adds valuable depth to the Green Bay secondary.
53. Pittsburgh Steelers
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

Pittsburgh adds an electric playmaker who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Zachariah Branch is a dynamic weapon in the open field and provides an immediate upgrade to the Steelers' return game.
54. Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

Howie Roseman finds a hard-hitting safety who brings a physical edge to the back end. A.J. Haulcy is an aggressive defender who excels at playing downhill and supporting the run.
55. Los Angeles Chargers
Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech

Jim Harbaugh prioritizes the trenches with a rugged interior blocker. Keylan Rutledge is a powerful road-grader who fits the Chargers' identity of dominating the line of scrimmage.
56. Jacksonville Jaguars
Zxavian Harris

"At a massive 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Harris won't be running down many quarterbacks himself, but he can collapse the pocket, cloud passing lanes and block kicks."

The Jacksonville Jaguars have plenty of high-priced edge talent, but they lacked the interior mass to keep those pass rushers clean last year. Zxavian Harris is a literal mountain of a man from Mississippi who demands double teams, effectively acting as a force multiplier for Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker by wrecking the pocket from the inside out.
57. Chicago Bears
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State

Chicago adds a high-ceiling pass rusher with a prototypical frame. Dani Dennis-Sutton has the raw tools and power to develop into a consistent double-digit sack threat for the Bears' defense.
58. San Francisco 49ers
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

The 49ers land a physical wideout who isn't afraid to do the dirty work in the run game. Germie Bernard is a reliable receiver with the size to win over the middle in Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.
59. Houston Texans
Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

Houston adds a versatile defensive back who can mirror receivers inside or out. Keionte Scott is a competitive, high-IQ corner who provides the Texans with valuable flexibility in the secondary.
60. Chicago Bears
Austin Barber, OT, Florida

Chicago invests in more protection for their franchise quarterback. Austin Barber is a massive tackle with the length and core strength to stabilize the edge of the Bears' offensive line.
61. Los Angeles Rams
Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa

The Rams look to the Iowa pipeline to shore up their interior protection. Gennings Dunker is a technically sound blocker who understands leverage and fits the Rams' zone-blocking system perfectly.
62. Denver Broncos
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Sean Payton finds a dynamic back who can factor into both the run and pass game. Jadarian Price has the vision and explosive burst to capitalize on the lanes created by the Broncos' offensive line.
63. New England Patriots
Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

The Patriots add a twitchy edge rusher with a quick first step. Malachi Lawrence provides New England with much-needed perimeter speed and a developmental piece with high sack potential.
Have Your Say on Chad Reuter 2nd Round Projections!
The Verdict: Who Won Round 2?

Title: Steals, Reaches, and Game-Changers

We’ve seen 64 picks, and the 2026 landscape has officially shifted. Chad Reuter’s second round proved that while the first round is for the stars, the second round is for the starters.

From the Jets doubling down on pass-catchers for Ty Simpson to the Bears surrounding Caleb Williams with elite protection and weaponry, the draft’s middle frame was a masterclass in roster building.

Now it's your turn to weigh in:
- Did your team find a Day 1 starter or a developmental project?
- Which pick was the biggest steal of the round?
- Who was the biggest reach?
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Chad Reuter’s Second-Round Projections
The NFL Draft is just weeks away, and mock draft season has reached a fever pitch. After breaking down the seismic shifts and high-stakes trades of the opening frame, we’re shifting our focus to the second round of NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter’s massive seven-round mock.

Check out Reuter's 1st Round Right Here

Reuter isn't just looking at the big names; he’s projecting the schematic fits and veteran-rookie pairings that could define the next decade of football. With the first-round cornerstones already in place, here is the second-round breakdown of his latest 2026 projections.