2026 NFL Draft Day 2 Fantasy Football Recap: Homeruns & Head Scratchers
2026 NFL Draft | Day 2 Fantasy Grades | Dynasty & Redraft Analysis | Pittsburgh, PA | April 24, 2026
Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft delivered exactly what fantasy managers needed — a loaded slate of skill-position talent, a pair of quarterbacks coming off the board in Round 3, and some of the most dynasty-relevant IDP picks in recent memory. From Denzel Boston finally landing in Cleveland to the Steelers trading up for their new WR1, Friday night was a fantasy goldmine. Here's every pick that matters — broken down by position and graded for both dynasty and redraft.
WIDE RECEIVERS
De'Zhaun Stribling, WR – San Francisco 49ers (Pick 33)
The 49ers opened Day 2 immediately with one of the fastest-rising prospects in the class. Stribling ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at 207 pounds — elite size-speed combination for a perimeter receiver. He's a smooth mover who wins on the boundary with his frame and after the catch with his athleticism. Kyle Shanahan's offense historically creates mismatches for receivers with Stribling's profile, and San Francisco is a proven fantasy-friendly environment.
The Niners' decision to take Stribling over Denzel Boston — despite Boston being considered the more polished prospect — was notable. Reports suggest San Francisco valued the upside of Stribling's athleticism over Boston's contested-catch ceiling. Learning behind established veterans in a high-powered offense is rarely a bad situation for a rookie receiver.
Redraft grade: C+ (limited year-one targets behind a crowded WR room)
Dynasty grade: B+. The athletic profile and landing spot are elite. Buy now before the Shanahan hype cycle begins.
Denzel Boston, WR – Cleveland Browns (Pick 39)
The night's most anticipated pick finally happened: Denzel Boston, who fell out of the first round Thursday in the draft's biggest surprise, landed in Cleveland at 39th overall. The Browns now have him alongside KC Concepcion — drafted 24th overall Thursday — giving Shedeur Sanders a legitimate young receiver duo to build around.
Boston is a long-framed, smooth-moving outside receiver with deceptive speed and elite contested-catch ability. He is one of the better red-zone threats in this entire class and projects as an immediate X receiver at the NFL level. The honest fantasy reality: Cleveland already invested a first-round pick in Concepcion, Shedeur Sanders is still in Year 1 of development, and Boston's skill set as a red-zone threat rather than a YAC creator requires a stable, productive passing offense — which Cleveland does not yet have.
Redraft grade: D (year-one situation is not conducive to fantasy production)
Dynasty grade: B+. First-round talent at a second-round price. Buy the talent, be patient with the 2027-and-beyond timeline.
Germie Bernard, WR – Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 47, via trade up from 53)
The night's most impactful fantasy pick. The Steelers missed out on Makai Lemon Thursday when the Eagles jumped them at No. 20, but they answered by trading up with the Colts — surrendering picks 53, 135, and 237 — to land Alabama's Germie Bernard at No. 47. Pittsburgh doesn't trade up for players unless they believe in them at the highest level, and the trade capital spent here is significant.
Bernard is a balanced, competitive receiver with no single elite superpower but an abundance of high-floor traits across the board. He can line up inside or outside, blocks willingly, and makes very few mental errors. He fits exactly what Aaron Rodgers values in a receiver — a smart, reliable player who thrives in the quick game and doesn't manufacture mistakes. The critical context: George Pickens was traded to Dallas before the draft. Bernard steps directly into the WR1 role in Pittsburgh's offense. This is a legitimate fantasy opportunity, not a depth projection.
Redraft grade: B. Rodgers' WR1 with a full offseason together. Day-1 starter with a WR3 floor and WR2 upside in a pass-first Steelers offense.
Dynasty grade: A-. Pittsburgh traded up to get him, Pickens is gone, and Rodgers gives him a real Year 1 opportunity. He's the sleeper of the entire draft.
Antonio Williams, WR – Washington Commanders (Pick 71)
Washington added the Clemson receiver in Round 3 to bolster Jayden Daniels' receiving corps beyond Terry McLaurin. Williams has been producing since his freshman year, showing a complete route tree and reliable hands across all three levels. He fills a real, open role — there isn't significant receiving competition outside of McLaurin in Washington — and a bounce-back season for Jayden Daniels could accelerate his fantasy timeline significantly.
Redraft grade: C (limited year-one targets as a rookie third-rounder)
Dynasty grade: B. Third-round receiver with immediate opportunity, a young quarterback, and no real competition for the WR2 role. Worth a late pick in 14-team+ dynasty leagues.
Malachi Fields, WR – New York Giants (Pick 74, via trade up)
The Giants made a statement by trading up from 105 — giving Cleveland picks 105, 145, and a 2027 fourth — specifically to land Notre Dame's Malachi Fields. When a team surrenders that kind of capital to move up in Round 3 for a receiver, it communicates exactly how they plan to use him. New York already used two first-round picks on offensive linemen to protect Jaxson Dart. Fields is the next piece: the WR1 to grow alongside their second-year quarterback.
Fields is a polished receiver who wins with precise route running, YAC ability, and excellent hands in traffic. He isn't a burner, but he plays smart and will compete for targets immediately in a New York offense that needs a go-to option.
Redraft grade: C+ (rookie third-rounders rarely produce immediately, but the role is defined)
Dynasty grade: A-. The Giants invested significant draft capital to move up for Fields. In dynasty, receivers who lock in with a young QB early tend to pay off massively. Prioritize him in rookie drafts.
Zachariah Branch, WR – Atlanta Falcons (Pick 79)
The Falcons added USC's Zachariah Branch — one of the most electric slot receivers and return specialists in the class. Branch is slippery in space with breakaway speed and a route tree that should expand at the NFL level with choice routes and deep crossers worked into his workload. Atlanta's offense is expected to bounce back significantly in Year 2 under coordinator Zac Robinson, and Branch steps into the starting slot receiver role immediately.
Redraft grade: C-. Speed-first slot receiver in an offense primed for improvement. PPR leagues benefit most from his target upside.
Dynasty grade: C+. In PPR and dynasty PPR formats, Branch's short-to-intermediate volume and big-play ability make him a premium asset. Buy early.
Ted Hurst, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Pick 84)
Georgia State's Ted Hurst is a big, explosive small-school receiver with a 99th percentile athletic score. At 6'4" with elite testing numbers, he profiles as a natural long-term replacement for Mike Evans in Tampa's offense. Both Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka will be around in 2026, but Tampa's offense has ranked among the highest in receiving fantasy points since Baker Mayfield took over, and Hurst's size and athleticism earn him immediate reps on the outside.
Redraft grade: C (role player in 2026 behind established veterans)
Dynasty grade: A-. A 99th-percentile athlete with Mike Evans' physical profile landing in one of the league's most pass-friendly environments. High-upside stash.
Zavion Thomas, WR – Chicago Bears (Pick 89)
LSU speed merchant added to give Caleb Williams a legitimate deep threat. Thomas is electric off the line and capable of taking the top off a defense, but he was not a volume target in college and will likely slot in as a big-play specialist rather than a consistent target hog early in Chicago. The Bears' room has established competition.
Redraft grade: D (specialist role limits fantasy ceiling)
Dynasty grade: C+. Speed is tantalizing, but opportunities may be limited. Hold in deep leagues only.
Chris Brazzell II, WR – Carolina Panthers (Pick 83)
Tennessee receiver added to Carolina's rebuild. Third-round receiver in a developing offense with limited immediate opportunity. Long-term dynasty stash at best.
Dynasty grade: C+. Monitor training camp depth charts.
TIGHT ENDS
Eli Stowers, TE – Philadelphia Eagles (Pick 54)
The most important tight end pick of Day 2 for dynasty managers. With Dallas Goedert on a one-year deal in Philadelphia, the Eagles drafted Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers at 54 overall — a clear signal they have found their long-term answer at the position. Stowers is a superb athlete at tight end with the profile of a future TE1 in Sean Mannion's offense. The Eagles' offense has been one of the NFL's top scoring units, and Stowers is being groomed as Goedert's direct successor.
When a team spends a top-55 pick on a tight end specifically to replace a TE1 who is on a one-year deal, dynasty managers don't wait.
Redraft grade: B (Goedert is still the starter in 2026, limiting year-one fantasy ceiling) Dynasty grade: A+ . Buy now in all dynasty formats. The Eagles have told you exactly who Stowers is by where they spent the pick.
Eli Raridon, TE – New England Patriots (Pick 95)
Notre Dame tight end added to give Drake Maye another weapon in New England. A large-framed receiving tight end with legitimate upside. With Hunter Henry aging, Raridon has a real path to targets in 2026 and beyond in a Patriots offense being built around Maye.
Dynasty grade: B-. Monitor training camp. The opportunity is real if Henry fades. A dart throw in deeper dynasty leagues.
Oscar Delp, TE – New Orleans Saints (Pick 73)
Project tight end for New Orleans, blocked by Juwan Johnson and the team's new investment in their passing game. Minimal fantasy timeline in 2026. Long-term stash only in the deepest formats.
Dynasty Grade: B- Delp is a freak athlete and a perfect handcuff behind Johnson. Higher than most on Delp here.
QUARTERBACKS
Carson Beck, QB – Arizona Cardinals (Pick 65)
The Cardinals opened Round 3 by drafting Miami's Carson Beck — providing a veteran backup and insurance option behind Kyler Murray while quietly acknowledging Murray's persistent injury history. Beck is a polished pocket passer who showed genuine processing ability and arm talent in college before an injury derailed his final season. Arizona is a quietly interesting situation with Jeremiyah Love as a featured weapon and an offensive line being rebuilt.
Dynasty QB grade: C-. Not a priority stash unless Murray misses significant time. The situation warrants monitoring given Murray's history, but Beck isn't a buy in 12-team leagues.
Drew Allar, QB – Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick 76, via Dallas trade)
Dallas traded the 76th pick and a 2027 fifth to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2027 sixth and wide receiver George Pickens. The Steelers used the return pick on Penn State's Drew Allar — explicitly positioning him as the Aaron Rodgers heir apparent in Pittsburgh. Allar spent multiple seasons at Penn State developing his game and shows legitimate arm talent, processing ability, and poise under pressure. Learning behind Rodgers in a winning system — and having a full offseason with a new WR1 in Germie Bernard — sets Allar up exceptionally well for when his opportunity comes.
Dynasty QB grade: B. Don't rush Allar into starting lineups — Rodgers is still there — but stash him in all dynasty leagues now. The coaching pipeline, the system, and the mentorship situation are as good as it gets for a developmental quarterback.
KEY IDP PLAYERS
Jacob Rodriguez, LB – Miami Dolphins (Pick 43)
The IDP pick of the entire draft. Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive "athlete" at Virginia before transferring to Texas Tech, where he became one of the most instinctive and productive linebackers in the country. He is uniquely productive — elite tackle totals, interceptions, and forced fumbles — with burst and lateral pursuit speed to operate sideline-to-sideline. His ballhawking instincts and outstanding hands make him a nightmare for running backs and tight ends in coverage, and his urgency and "make every play" mindset should keep his statistical production sky-high.
Miami's new regime immediately identified the need for a tone-setting linebacker and made Rodriguez a priority with the 43rd pick. He projects as a long-term starting inside linebacker from Day 1, bringing his specialty — taking the football away — to a defense that desperately needs a difference-maker in the middle.
IDP dynasty grade: A+ Rodriguez is the IDP value of the entire draft behind Downs & Styles. Elite statistical upside at the tackle-heavy LB position, a clear starting role, and enough pass-rush and interception upside to differentiate him from any other linebacker in this class.
Anthony Hill Jr., LB – Tennessee Titans (Pick 60, via trade up)
The Titans traded picks 69 and 144 to Chicago to move up and grab Texas' Anthony Hill Jr. — a clear statement of intent. Over three seasons at Texas, Hill posted 31.5 TFLs, 17 sacks, and 8 forced fumbles, combining downhill thump against the run with sideline-to-sideline speed in pursuit. He is a three-down linebacker with Pro Bowl-caliber instincts who transitions seamlessly from read to react to finish. Tennessee moving up for him signals an immediate starting role.
IDP dynasty grade: B+ Three-down starting linebacker with elite sack and TFL production from Day 1 in Tennessee. If you play IDP, Hill is a mandatory acquisition.
D'Angelo Ponds, CB – New York Jets (Pick 50)
The Jets' fourth pick in the top 50 and arguably their best defensive selection of the entire draft. Ponds is a small, scrappy, highly instinctive cornerback from Indiana with too many positive traits to fail at the next level. He matches press releases with good slide quickness, stays in phase vertically, and triggers downhill with elite instincts in zone. His eye discipline and catch-disruption skills are outstanding. He fits Aaron Glenn's aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme perfectly as a slot corner who can trigger off the line.
IDP dynasty grade: C+. Size limitations push him to nickel, but as a slot corner in Glenn's Jets defense, Ponds is a year-one starter with elite interception and PD upside. He will be everywhere on the field.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S – Cleveland Browns (Pick 58, via trade up)
The Browns traded up from 70 — sending picks 70 and 107 to San Francisco — to secure the Toledo safety. McNeil-Warren is a long, physically imposing safety at over 6'3" with elite closing speed and a downhill style that disrupts both run games and shallow crossing routes. He is most valuable playing near the line of scrimmage or in robber positioning, with wingspan, agility, and play strength to keep tackle totals elite from year to year. Cleveland moving up for him signals immediate starting trust.
IDP dynasty grade: B. A tone-setter at safety who will produce tackles and splash plays from Week 1. A must-add in IDP dynasty leagues.
Avieon Terrell, CB – Atlanta Falcons (Pick 48)
Avieon Terrell — younger brother of All-Pro Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell — was drafted by Atlanta and shared a long embrace with his brother on the draft stage. Beyond the narrative, the football is legitimate: Avieon is an athletic, fluid mover in press coverage who mirrors releases with timing and discipline. He plays wide or in the slot and is willing in run support. He projects as an early starter thanks to his polish, ball skills, and coverage versatility.
IDP dynasty grade: C. Cornerback with early starting upside in a solid defense. The family narrative keeps him visible; the tape keeps him relevant.
T.J. Parker, EDGE – Buffalo Bills (Pick 35)
A borderline first-round pass rusher landing in one of the best IDP situations in the NFL. Parker is a well-built penetrator with a pro-ready body and a developed pass-rush plan to challenge tackles from day one. The Bills' defensive scheme demands edge production, and Parker steps into a role with immediate opportunities for sacks and pressures.
IDP dynasty grade: C+. First-round talent in a top-5 IDP landing spot. Buffalo edge rushers produce. Prioritize in IDP dynasty leagues.
Zion Young, EDGE – Baltimore Ravens (Pick 45)
Athletic edge rusher from Missouri added to Baltimore's already loaded front. In Baltimore's system — consistently one of the most IDP-friendly defenses in the league — Young has a path to rotational snaps immediately and starter upside as the Ravens cycle their pass rush depth.
IDP dynasty grade: B. Rotational piece in Year 1 with long-term starter upside. Baltimore makes EDGE rushers relevant.
Day 2 Fantasy Summary
Buy immediately: Germie Bernard (PIT, WR) · Eli Stowers (PHI, TE) · Jacob Rodriguez (MIA, LB)
Buy with patience: Denzel Boston (CLE, WR) · De'Zhaun Stribling (SF, WR) · Zachariah Branch (ATL, WR) · Drew Allar (PIT, QB)
Monitor in training camp: Antonio Williams (WSH, WR) · Ted Hurst (TB, WR) · Eli Raridon (NE, TE) · Carson Beck (ARI, QB) · Avieon Terrell (ATL, CB)
Avoid in 2026 redraft: Denzel Boston · Caleb Douglas · Will Kacmarek · Zavion Thomas
Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) begins Saturday at noon ET from Pittsburgh. Stay locked in for our complete late-round fantasy breakdown, final dynasty rookie rankings, and the best Day 3 value picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.