In our latest two-round projection, we witnessed a massive shakeup that saw Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama) and Kevin Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M) skyrocket into the first-round conversation!

With the “Blue Chip” talent pool shifting, the New York Jets kicked off the second round by snagging Avieon Terrell. In a division defined by elite quarterback play, finding a corner with Terrell’s Clemson-bred instincts at pick 33 is the definition of value.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans proved that the best way to win the draft is to let the board come to you. By waiting until the second round to grab Anthony Hill Jr. and D’Angelo Ponds, both teams secured Day 1 starters without the “top-10” price tag. Ponds, in particular, represents a massive win for a Titans secondary looking to reset the culture in the AFC South.

Perhaps the most polarizing move of the mock was Ty Simpson’s ascent into the first round. By moving the Alabama signal-caller into the top 32, the Cleveland Browns are forced to pivot. While the Browns opted for technical security with center Connor Lew, the Steelers also stayed aggressive under center, landing Garrett Nussmeier at 76 to compete in a wide-open QB room.

If you’re looking for the pick that will be graded an “A+” three years from now, look no further than Zachariah Branch to the Atlanta Falcons at 48. In an era where “high-end” playmakers are the ultimate currency, getting a home-run threat like Branch outside the top 40 is highway robbery.

Other notable Round 2 values include Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt) to Miami, a mismatch nightmare for a Dolphins offense that thrives on speed. Malachi Fields (WR, Notre Dame) to Tampa Bay, the “Pro’s Pro” who provides immediate reliability for the Bucs’ passing game. And Gabe Jacas (DE, Illinois) to Detroit, a high-motor edge rusher who fits Dan Campbell’s “kneecap-biting” philosophy like a glove.

The 2026 NFL Draft class is proving that there is no consensus. Teams aren’t just drafting for talent; they are drafting for identity. From the Jets’ defensive doubling-down to the Texans’ trench-warfare approach, the battle for AFC supremacy is being fought in the mid-rounds.

Check out the full Round 2 breakdown below to see if your team found their next superstar!

Moore, who transferred to Oregon after a brief stint at UCLA, has quickly emerged as one of the most polished young quarterbacks in the nation. McShay praised his smooth mechanics, advanced accuracy, and ability to manipulate defenses—traits that stand out even in a stacked 2026 QB class.

The declaration comes as Oregon prepares for a marquee matchup against Penn State, led by fellow top quarterback prospect Drew Allar. McShay has already made clear where he stands, writing in The McShay Report that Moore’s poise and passing consistency put him ahead of Allar heading into the season.

With scouts already circling and expectations rising, Moore will have every opportunity to solidify himself as QB1 on draft boards. If he delivers on McShay’s lofty projection, Oregon could be sending one of the most highly touted passers of the decade into the NFL.

Thamel surveyed 25 NFL scouts and executives, asking them to project who will ultimately emerge as the top quarterback in the class. The responses revealed both excitement and uncertainty across the league, with seven different signal-callers receiving at least one vote.

Leading the pack was South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, who earned eight votes, edging out LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (seven). Sellers’ combination of size, arm talent, and dual-threat ability has scouts intrigued about his ceiling as a franchise quarterback.

Behind the two frontrunners was a group of contenders, each drawing support from multiple evaluators. Miami’s Carson Beck and Oklahoma’s John Mateer received three votes apiece, while Penn State’s Drew Allar earned two. Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and Texas star Arch Manning rounded out the list with one vote each.

The spread of votes underscores how fluid the quarterback landscape remains, with no clear consensus QB1 emerging just yet. Still, Sellers’ showing suggests that momentum is building around the Gamecocks’ rising star as the 2026 draft cycle begins to take shape.

If Sellers can build on his breakout campaign in Columbia, he could position himself as South Carolina’s first quarterback ever to be selected No. 1 overall.