Drew Mestemaker joins the QB run while the Jets complete their first-round haul
No. 17 Denver Broncos (1-1): Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
The Broncos select the first tight end off the board with Oregon's Jamari Johnson.
Stepping out from under the spotlight of Kenyon Sadiq, Johnson will have a chance throughout the 2026 college football season to showcase his own talent.
As a contender for TE1, he should get the attention of Sean Payton and other teams with tight end high on their list of roster needs.
No. 18 Arizona Cardinals (1-1): Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
The Cardinals could like the potential of Carson Beck enough to go in another direction in the first round, especially if they are not selecting in the top 10.
With quarterback talent still on the board, the Cardinals select Drew Mestemaker over Trinidad Chambliss and Julian Sayin, and it's mostly due to the combination of arm talent, size and dual-threat ability.
Whether this will be the right decision will depend on the development plan Arizona has in place for a talented QB like Mestemaker.
No. 19 Jacksonville Jaguars: Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
The Jaguars will be aiming to add talent on both sides of the line. They go with the more talented player who also fits a need with the selection of Jordan Seaton.
As the second tackle off the board, Seaton gives the Jags a long-term option at tackle, especially if Walker Little slips in production or looks like he is leaning toward leaving in free agency following the 2027 NFL season.
No. 20 Detroit Lions (1-1): Ashton Hampton, CB, Clemson
The Lions take care of one of their most dire needs at the start of the 2026 NFL season with the selection of Clemson star Ashton Hampton.
While Hampton won't solve the secondary issues all on his own, he gives the Lions a talented defensive back with No. 1 corner potential due to his size and press-man coverage skills.
No. 21 Carolina Panthers (1-1): Trey'Dez Green, TE, LSU
LSU's Trey'Dez Green lands with the Carolina Panthers at No. 21.
As a TE1 prospect, Green could prove to be the better tight end in the draft due to his 6-foot-7, 237-pound frame and outstanding catch radius.
Add him to an offense with Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker at wide receiver and Bryce Young at quarterback, and the Panthers' offense would be one to fear from a size and athleticism standpoint.
No. 22 New York Jets (1-1): KJ Duff, WR, Rutgers
With the third of their three first-round picks, the Jets get another offensive weapon to add to the mix in Rutgers star wide receiver KJ Duff.
Jets fans should be very familiar with Duff given how dominant he has been for Rutgers. His size, catch radius, run-after-the-catch ability and explosiveness added to the core of offensive players the team already has would give Arch Manning quite the array of weapons to get the ball to.
That's quite the first-round haul for the Jets: Manning, Echoles and Duff.
No. 23 New England Patriots (1-1): Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida
The Patriots got their first win of the season in Week 2, but a Rhamondre Stevenson fumble was a quick reminder of his ball-security issues.
Should the Patriots finally move on from Stevenson?
If a talent like Jadan Baugh is available when they select in the 2027 NFL Draft, they will have to consider the temptation of pairing Baugh with TreVeyon Henderson at running back.
The elusiveness and ball security of Baugh are two traits that could make him an instant upgrade over Stevenson.
No. 24 Cleveland Browns (1-1) via Los Angeles Rams (1-1): Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE, Alabama
The Browns use the pick acquired in the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade to select edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre.
While no one will replace the impact of Garrett, the high ceiling of Pierre off the edge combined with Jared Verse, Mason Graham in the interior and linebacker Carson Schwesinger gives the Browns a core of defenders in the front seven to carry them into the future.
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