49ers Draft De’Zhaun Stribling At No. 33
The 49ers opened the second round of the NFL draft with an offensive addition on Friday. They selected Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling 33rd overall.
San Francisco entered the draft with the 27th pick, but it arrived at 33 after trading down twice. The 49ers moved to 30th in a deal with the Dolpins and then went down three more spots in a trade with the Jets. General manager John Lynch was open to offers for the 33rd choice, but he instead stayed put and bolstered the 49ers’ receiving corps.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Stribling, nephew of WWE Hall of Famer Don “The Rock” Muraco, played at three different schools during a five-year college career. He combined for an impressive 95 catches and 10 touchdowns at Washington State from 2021-22 before transferring to Oklahoma State. A hand injury limited Stribling to four games and 14 catches in 2023, but he bounced back during a 52-reception, 882-yard, six-touchdown showing the next season. Stribling moved on to Ole Miss last year, where he posted similar production (55-811-6).
While Stribling was rarely mentioned among the top receiver prospects during the pre-draft process, his stock rose thanks in part to his performance at the Combine. Stribling ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked him as the 67th-best prospect in this class heading into the draft, contending he could turn into a No. 2 or 3 receiver in the pros.
Stribling will now join a Mike Evans-led group of 49ers receivers that also includes 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall and slot wideout Christian Kirk in prominent roles. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk is still under contract, but the 49ers remain hopeful they will find a trade partner, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. That has proven difficult after a tumultuous year-plus for Aiyuk. After tearing his ACL and MCL in October, Aiyuk largely stayed away from the team during a lost 2025. The 49ers inked Aiyuk to a four-year, $120MM extension in August 2024, but they voided the remaining guarantees in his contract last July.
Latest On Day 2 QB Outlook
Although the falls of Shedeur Sanders and Malik Willis defined days of past drafts this decade, earlier-than-expected quarterback picks (and rapid pre-draft rises) are a draft tradition. The Rams continued this with their Ty Simpson pick at No. 13, and considerable fallout emerged from the choice.
Simpson coming off the board before the first round’s midpoint surprised, and with the Rams choosing him, a few QB-needy teams that lacked Fernando Mendoza access are still without one as Day 2 nears. The destinations of Carson Beck, Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier may be known tonight.
The Cardinals are still a team to watch for on a quarterback. Several teams view Arizona as a potential fit for Beck, according to veteran insider Jordan Schultz. Arizona holds the Nos. 34 and 65 picks tonight, but Schultz adds the team is looking to move down. A slide down from 34 could put the Cards in better range for Beck, even if the recent CFP title game starter may have completed a late rise during the pre-draft process.
No team was more closely connected to Simpson than the Cardinals, but it turned out a trade-up from No. 34 was not going to be enough to land him. Beck came up late as a possible second-round option, though SI.com’s Albert Breer cautions it is still possible none of this trio goes off the board tonight. Breer does place Beck atop the QB queue, listing Allar and then Nussmeier next. Most teams view the LSU product third among this group, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who cautions that is not a universal view.
The topic of this draft’s QB3 has come up frequently, and now that we have seen Mendoza and Simpson go off the board, it will be one of tonight’s centerpiece storylines. The Browns did a lot of QB work in this draft, Rapoport adds, though a Thursday report indicated Cleveland — after drafting Sanders and Dillon Gabriel last year — is not expected to select one.
The Rams and Jets worked out Nussmeier; the Colts did as well. Recent medical clearance on a spine injury also figures to matter significantly for the former first-round prospect. The Cardinals, Jets and Steelers used “30” visits on Allar. The Cardinals, Dolphins and Jets met with Beck.
The Dolphins, Jets and Steelers should be considered in the mix for these passers, though. And the Browns should not be ruled out just yet. That said, the prospect of a tantalizing 2027 QB crop could cause some of these teams to wait (this has come up as a Jets likely path). Then again, choosing a third-round passer this year would not exactly eliminate the prospect of a first-round choice next year.
DTs, CBs, WRs To Populate Day 2 Of Draft
A whopping nine offensive linemen came off the board in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. After they dominated the proceedings on Thursday, there are other positions to watch heading into Day 2. A slew of defensive tackles, cornerbacks and wide receivers could hear their names called Friday.
Florida’s Caleb Banks and Clemson’s Peter Woods were the only D-tackles taken in the opening round. The Vikings selected Banks 18th overall, while the Chiefs grabbed Woods at No. 29. There will be an early run on the position on Friday, according to James Palmer of Bleacher Report. Veteran insider Jordan Schultz passes along similar information, reporting a “ton” of DTs will find homes in the second round. Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Christen Miller (Georgia) and Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) are among prominent options still out there.
Before grabbing Woods, the Chiefs drafted LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane sixth overall. Twenty-one picks later, the Dolphins reeled in San Diego State’s Chris Johnson. No other corners went in Round 1, but there will be a “big” run in the second round, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network says.
A pair of Tennessee products, Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood, as well as Avieon Terrell (Clemson), D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana) and Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) have gone unpicked so far. Along with Delane, McCoy was considered one of the two best corners in this class as recently as three weeks ago. His stock has dropped as a result of concerns over the long-term health of his knee. It was a similar story last year with ex-Michigan standout Will Johnson, who fell to the Cardinals at pick 47.
It was no surprise that teams scooped up receivers Carnell Tate (Titans), Jordyn Tyson (Saints), Makai Lemon (Eagles), KC Concepcion (Browns) and Omar Cooper Jr. (Jets) on Thursday. There is still intriguing talent left at the position, though, and Schultz expects significant receiver movement in the third round. Denzel Boston (Washington), Germie Bernard (Alabama), Chris Bell (Louisville), Elijah Sarratt (Indiana), Zachariah Branch (Georgia), Chris Brazzell (Tennessee) and Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) are among several well-regarded pass catchers who may be gone when the fourth round gets underway on Saturday.
Cowboys’ Malachi Lawrence Was First-Round Target Of Four Other Teams
The Cowboys opened Thursday night by moving up one spot to select safety Caleb Downs at No. 11. That was followed by a small trade down the board (20 to 23) which resulted in edge rusher Malachi Lawrence being taken.
Dallas entered the draft widely expected to seek out defensive upgrades. It thus came as no surprise when Downs in particular was targeted after he fell out of the top 10. Taking Lawrence added to a pass rush group seen as needing depth, although some questions were raised about the value of the selection. Based on how Lawrence was regarded by other teams, though, he is not being viewed as a reach.
Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay said after the first round concluded (via NFL Network’s Jane Slater) that executives from four other teams called to inform him Dallas took their Day 1 target off the board with the Lawrence selection. No specifics were mentioned, although the latter stages of the first round included several teams opting to move down the board or out of the Day 1 order altogether. It appears that was influenced in part by the fact Lawrence was no longer available.
Over the course of his four-year tenure at Central Florida, Lawrence emerged as one of the country’s top pass rushers. He posted 19.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss from 2023-25, displaying an enticing combination of size and athleticism. Lawrence drew extensive interest leading up to the draft, making him a strong candidate to hear his name called at some point on Day 1. WFAA’s Ed Werder adds he “know[s] for certain” Lawrence would have still been a first-rounder if the Cowboys had taken another player at No. 23.
During the first season after trading away Micah Parsons, the Cowboys posted 35 sacks (good for 24th in the NFL). 2025 sack leader Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned at this point, and a departure on his part would create the need for production from elsewhere on the depth chart. Lawrence could see a large workload as a rookie, something which likely would have also been the case had he landed with another suitor given the market he generated.
Teams Atop Second-Round Order Receiving Calls; 49ers Open To Trading Down
4:15pm: The 49ers’ 33rd pick is a popular target for teams looking to trade up, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who mentions Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis among the group of potential selections.
If San Francisco does not bite on an offer, they may pursue Missouri defensive end Zion Young, Breer adds. Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams tore their ACLs last year, so Young would give the 49ers a reliable starter as the two former first-rounders make their way back to the field.
12:47pm: Many of the picks toward the back end of the first-round order changed hands last night. That resulted in several alterations to the draft list for Day 2.
As things stand, the 49ers, Cardinals and Bills own the first three picks in tonight’s second round. Several more trades can of course be expected moving forward, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports all three of those teams have received calls. It would come as little surprise if San Francisco in particular elected to move out of the No. 33 spot.
Per Schultz, the 49ers are considered to be “very open” to trading down. GM John Lynch authorized a move from No. 27 to 30 in a deal with the Dolphins. That was followed in short order by a trade which saw the Jets acquire No. 30. San Francisco has yet to make a selection in 2026 as a result, but Schultz notes the team is confident one of its targets will still be available even if another trade down the board takes place.
The Cardinals were long seen as a candidate to move into the back half of the first round to select quarterback Ty Simpson. With the Rams having selected him 13th overall, though, Arizona was not among the teams moving around late last night. The Cardinals added running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, and several options will be available when they are next on the clock regardless of if a trade is worked out.
The Bills were originally scheduled to select 26th overall. Things changed on multiple occasions as the first round drew to a close, however, with Buffalo opting to trade down three times. That has given general manager Brandon Beane extra capital to work with, although continuing to move down will carry risk in terms of limiting the remaining high-end prospects available when he makes his first pick. It will be interesting to see how Buffalo operates moving forward.
Earlier today, the Giants were floated as a team which could trade up from the No. 37 slot. A pairing between New York and one of the top three teams in the current second-round order could be something to watch for as the countdown to Day 2 continues.
Commanders Were Not Expecting Sonny Styles At No. 7
Sonny Styles was frequently pegged as a top-five pick during the pre-draft process, but the Cardinals and the Titans both went in other directions at Nos. 3 and 4.
That left Styles’ Ohio State teammate Arvell Reese available to the Giants at No. 5, and they quickly swooped in to select the top-ranked player on their board. New York was one of the frequently-mocked destinations for Styles, but they preferred Reese’s versatility and upside as an edge rusher.
The Chiefs then traded up to the No. 6 pick, but for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Styles then fell to the Commanders at No. 7, an outcome they were not expecting, per Bleacher Report’s James Palmer.
Washington was interested in trading back (thought not up) from No. 7, Palmer adds, and leapt at the opportunity to secure one of their favorite prospects in the draft.
Styles will immediately slot in as a starter in Daronte Jones’ new defense, likely partnered with free agent signing Leo Chenal. Frankie Luvu, who is entering the last of his contract, played significantly more time off the edge in 2025 relative to his previous time as an off-ball linebacker. He will likely have a bigger role as a pass rusher in 2026 with Styles working next Chenal.
The Commanders have no complaints about landing Styles, but they enter Day 2 of the draft having not addressed any of their major positions of need. Washington needs a center and could stand to add depth at tight end and running back as well. They do not pick until the third round at No. 71 overall after trading their second-rounder to the Texans last offseason for Laremy Tunsil.
Chiefs Saw Saints As Threat To Draft CB Mansoor Delane
The first trade of Thursday’s opening round saw the Chiefs swing a trade with the Browns to acquire pick No. 6. That allowed Kansas City to move up from No. 9 and take cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Especially with Jermod McCoy facing medical concerns, Delane was seen as the clear-cut top option at the cornerback position this year. That made him an enticing option for the Chiefs, a team looking to restock its secondary. But the two teams direcetly ahead of Kansas City were also candidates to take Delane.
When speaking to the media last night, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said (via ESPN’s Nate Taylor) he viewed the Saints in particular as a threat to select Delane at No. 8. Moving ahead of New Orleans – not to mention Washington at No. 7, a team which expectedly added on defense in the first round – thus became a major priority. Veach said he learned of the Browns’ willingness to move down from 6 during the league meeting, helping pave the way for yesterday’s swap.
The Chiefs had Delane ranked as a top-five player in the class, Bleacher Report’s James Palmer notes. He confirms Veach was concerned about Saints GM Mickey Loomis (no stranger to trading up in the draft) moving up to take the LSU cover man. New Orleans was named as a trade-up candidate during the build-up to the opening round, albeit with an edge rusher being seen as the target. In the end, Loomis and the Saints remained in place at No. 8 and took receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Delane will be counted on to handle a starting role right away for the Chiefs as part of their latest CB reset. Trent McDuffie was traded away earlier this offseason, while Jaylen Watson departed in free agency. Neither Rams addition on that front came entirely as a surprise, but it left Kansas City in need of reinforcements via the draft. Veach accomplished his goal of securing Delane early, and it will be interesting to see how he operates over the next two days on the trade front.
Multiple Teams Looking To Move Up In 2nd Round
Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft was packed with trades. Teams were constantly shuffling the order as they attempted to secure coveted prospects and/or extra draft capital.
The picks are expected to continue flying around on Day 2 with clubs jockeying for top talents who fell out of the first round. Several are looking to move up to the top of the second round, including the Dolphins, Saints, Browns, Steelers, and Jaguars, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He mentions four players are potential trade-up targets: Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Tennesse cornerbacks Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy, and Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.
The Dolphins drafted two nose tackles in Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips last year, so trading up for a third in McDonald would make little sense. Their cornerback room was a major liability last year and only saw marginal upgrades in free agency, so either Hood or McCoy could be targets. And of course, trading Jaylen Waddle created a major need at wide receiver in Miami. Boston could fill it.
Saints defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd and Davon Godchaux are both into their 30s and entering the final year of their contract, so the team could certainly target McDonald. They could stand to upgrade at cornerback behind 2024 second-rounder Kool-Aid McKinstry, but trading up to select another wide receiver after taking Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall seems unwise.
The Browns are known to have interest in wide receivers in this draft class, though Boston’s skillset may not be ideal for Todd Monken’s new offense. Cleveland could strengthen the interior of their defensive line, especially with a massive run-stuffer like McDonald. They have more talent at cornerback, but could stand to add a high-upside talent to the room.
The Steelers are likely looking to move up for a wide receiver after getting sniped for Makai Lemon by the Eagles in Round 1. They could move up as high as the 33rd overall pick, the first on Day 2, which is currently owned by the 49ers via trades with the Dolphins and Jets. San Francisco has received multiple calls about their selection and is open to moving it, per Pelissero.
Jacksonville would seem to be set at wide receiver with Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas, and Parker Washington. Travis Hunter is going to spend more time at cornerback in 2026, but he will still be available for some offensive packages. The Jaguars traded for defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, this offseason, but they could still add depth, especially with DaVon Hamilton entering the final year of his contract. Similar to the Browns, they have a decent cornerback room right now but could stand to add more long-term upside.
The Jaguars also explored trading into the first round, per Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union, though no deal materialized. General manager James Gladstone was aggressive in pursuing Hunter during last year’s draft, and his time under Rams GM Les Snead further indicates his willingness to chase his favorite prospects.
Rams Eyed Free Agent Deal For Joe Flacco
For much of the offseason, the Rams’ backup quarterback position was a talking point. The matter was settled last night when Los Angeles used the 13th overall pick on Ty Simpson.
Simpson will be counted on to handle QB2 duties in 2026, taking the place of Jimmy Garoppolo in that regard. The latter is still unsigned at this point, and retirement could be an option. A number of veterans – including Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins – were on the Rams’ radar this spring, but they were not the only ones receiving consideration.
Los Angeles “made overtures to sign” Joe Flacco during free agency, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Sarah Barshop report. The former Super Bowl MVP sought out an opportunity to start when initially on the open market, although a Rams agreement obviously would have seen him back up Matthew Stafford. In the end, Flacco opted to re-sign with the Bengals.
Stafford is under contract for 2026, but the latest round of extension talks between the 2025 MVP and the Rams are ongoing. Earlier this week, it was reported progress was being made on that front. Stafford is currently due to collect $40MM in his age-38 campaign, although the top of the quarterback market and his highly productive showing last season point to another raise being in store.
Flacco would have needed to serve as a low-cost backup had he joined the Rams. His latest Bengals pact checked in at $6MM in base value (including $4MM guaranteed) with another $3.5MM available through incentives. Instead of making a similar financial commitment in March, Los Angeles avoided a veteran contract such as that one altogether. Entering the draft, it appeared as though Garoppolo may have been in line for another inexpensive Rams pact. With Simpson now in place, however, the team can proceed without a veteran signing at the quarterback spot.
Giants To Play Arvell Reese At LB, Francis Mauigoa At G
The Giants let the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft come to them on Thursday night, landing two of the class’ most highly-regarded players in Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.
Reese, 20, primarily lined up as an off-ball linebacker in college but has been tabbed for a move to edge rusher in the NFL. New York, though, has three-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, last year’s No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, and 2022 No. 5 pick Kayvon Thibodeaux on the roster. There would be little room for Reese as an edge rusher as a rookie.
Instead, the Giants are planning to keep Reese off the ball to begin his career, head coach John Harbaugh said (via FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano). He will line up on the weak side, and his versatility will keep him involved in the pass rush.
General manager Joe Schoen said (via NFL insider Jordan Schultz) that Reese was the team’s top-ranked non-quarterback prospect, so New York was more than happy to draft him and figure out where to play him later.
Mauigoa lined up at right tackle for the Hurricanes, but his 33.25-inch arms is below typical NFL standards at the position. The Giants are also set at both tackle spots with Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, who are both signed through the 2028 season. As a result, Mauigoa will slide inside to compete for a starting guard job, likely on the right side, per Vacchiano.
That comes with an obvious caveat: Mauigoa must be healthy. A disc issue in his back popped up during the pre-draft process, and though there have been positive updates around his status, there was some concern it would affect his stock. Perhaps it did, as he was frequently mocked in the top five picks but instead fell to the Giants at No. 10. They made their own assessment of Mauigoa’s health and came away satisfied.
“We’re comfortable with it,” Schoen said (via Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper), noting that the team now employs one of Mauigoa’s former trainers at Miami. That gives them additional information on the injury, which occurred during the 2025 season, and the confidence to spend their second first-rounder on the 20-year-old lineman.