No. 26: Buffalo Bills: TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The best way to describe Parker is simply "juiced up". He tore through college football with two consecutive productive seasons, relying mainly on violence and athletic ability, still managing to flash some refined technique in his hand usage. Buffalo gets an experienced defender late in the 1st round who can rush the passer and set the edge against the run at a high success rate.
No. 27: Philadelphia Eagles via San Francisco 49ers – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Will the AJ Brown saga ever come to a conclusion? Only time will tell, but Philadelphia has to find some sort of clarity on the future of its star wideout. Even considering a future where Brown stays, at least for 2026, the Eagles and Jalen Hurts could use another offensive playmaker, specifically one with more consistency. Cooper Jr. is such a technically sound receiver, and his route-running prowess and after-the-catch skills would give them a WR3 that would create terrifying matchups for any defense they face.
No. 28: New York Jets via Houston Texans – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The Jets work their way back into Day 1 for their 3rd pick of the round, this time to obtain the crown jewel of their draft class. While the 2027 class is being talked about as an incredible top-to-bottom group, head coach Aaron Glenn and the current New York regime may feel that they need to act quickly to preserve their jobs. Nothing does more for job security in the NFL than hitting on a quarterback in the draft, and Simpson, while there is work to do, could be a job-saving signal caller.
No. 29: Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) – Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Kansas City made sure to get the cornerback of their choice with their Top 10 selection, and now they shift their focus to the trenches. George Karlaftis finished the 2025 season with just 6 sacks, but that number topped the Chiefs' leaderboards. Young is physically imposing, relentless in his pursuit, and defends the run well enough to see a majority of snaps from his first day in the building.
No. 30: Miami Dolphins (via DEN) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Offense could continue to be the priority for Miami after taking Tyson earlier in the 1st round, but here they flip the script and bring in an uber-aggressive cornerback in Hood. The Volunteers' starting outside CB in 2025 with McCoy hurt, he put together some exciting film against some of the best WRs in the country. He can be put on an island with the man coverage skills to erase receivers, and would be another draftee for the Dolphins to build around.
No. 31: New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
With a run on tackles earlier in the round, New England goes after their other big need. Their pass rush was outmatched at far too many moments last season, and it would be difficult for them to recreate their success with similar production. Using their 1st round pick on a player with less-than-desirable arm length for the second straight year may be an advantageous decision, but Howell is a vicious edge rusher with a polished arsenal of pass rush moves.
No. 32: Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
Seattle has a few gaps to plug in their secondary after a quiet free agency, especially at the outside cornerback position. Much like many of the Seahawks' successful defensive backs in their Super Bowl run, Cisse is a technician at the catch point. His trigger is reactive and sharp, bringing elite ball skills to an already physical defense.