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NFL Draft Predictions & Best Bets for Day 2
By Ryan Potts in NFL News
Published:
- The first 32 picks are in the books
- Today, 68 more players will hear their names called
- Continue reading for my best bets for Day 2 of the NFL Draft
After an exciting first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Day 2 is set to begin at 7:00 pm ET in Pittsburgh. Same as yesterday, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network will broadcast the draft. Today’s events include both Round 2 and Round 3, with 68 picks (32 second-round, 32 third-round picks, and four third-round compensatory picks) being made.
Keep reading for my predictions best bets for Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft as well as various odds markets.
NFL Draft Position Odds (Day 2)
Kalshi
Jordyn Tyson: Drafted under 8.5
99%
Akheem Mesidor: Drafted under 25.5
99%
Carnell Tate: Drafted under 7.5
99%
Chris Johnson: Drafted under 33.5
99%
Jeremiyah Love: Drafted under 4.5
99%
KC Concepcion: Drafted under 24.5
99%
Olaivavega Ioane: Drafted under 14.5
99%
Spencer Fano: Drafted under 10.5
99%
Ty Simpson: Drafted under 30.5
99%
David Bailey: Drafted under 5.5
99%
The teams who currenly hold the #33 through #36 picks have one need in common: high-upside defensive talent. The Cardinals and Raiders need defensive bodies to elevate from the worst defenses in the NFL. The 49ers and Bills could use a big-time difference maker in the middle of the defense to push them closer to a Super Bowl.
Top Draft Position Predictions & Best Bets
- CJ Allen Under 36.5 (49¢ at Kalshi)
The value here is having four bites at the apple. Any team from #33 to #36 could realistically select Allen to fit into their defense. While I am not particualrly confident in any individual team pulling the trigger, I would say any of the four teams has about a 20%-25% chance to take Allen.
- Denzel Boston Over 34.5 (64¢ at Kalshi)
While a trade is a possibility, neither the San Francisco 49ers nor Arizona Cardinals projects as receiver-needy teams. The Cardinals have a healthy corps with Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Kendrick Bourne. The 49ers have Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk. Both teams are in dire need of defensive talent – looking at you, CJ Allen.
Boston is a talented piece who will find a home quickly on Day 2, but that home is unlikely to be San Francisco or Arizona. On Kalshi, Cleveland is the favorite to take Boston, followed by Buffalo, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, and the New York Giants. Barring a trade, any of those teams selecting Boston would satisfying this bet.
Second-Linebacker Drafted Odds
Kalshi
Jacob Rodriguez
62%
CJ Allen
36%
Jake Golday
15%
Anthony Hill Jr.
8%
Josiah Trotter
2%
Sonny Styles
1%
Kyler Louis
1%
Jimmy Rolder
1%
Harold Perkins Jr.
1%
Bryce Boettcher
1%
Jacob Rodriguez is the favorite to be the second linebacker taken, following Sonny Styles going with the #7 pick (with Arvell Reese counting as an edge defender). However, I am backing the second option in Georgia’s CJ Allen.
Second Linebacker Drafted Pick: CJ Allen (29¢ at Kalshi)
Allen and Rodriguez share a position and second-round value, but they get to this spot in different ways. Allen is an impressive athlete who has room to grow in terms of his understanding of the position. Rodriguez is an advanced processor, but his less-than-elite athleticism could keep him from being an All-Pro in the NFL.
Given the NFL’s desire to have the best athletes as possible, I think Allen is a reasonable pick to be taken ahead of Rodriguez and the rest of the linebackers in this class. As mentioned, I expect Allen to be one of the first four players off the board in the second round.
Third Running Back Drafted Odds
Kalshi
Mike Washington Jr
73%
Jonah Coleman
28%
J'mari Taylor
24%
CJ Donaldson
24%
Roman Hemby
15%
Emmett Johnson
11%
Nick Singleton
10%
Le'Veon Moss
4%
Adam Randall
4%
Rahsul Faison
4%
Both Notre Dame running backs went off the board in the first round, leaving a wide-open race for the third running back to hear his name called. Mike Washington Jr. and Jonah Coleman are the sizable favorites to be the third running back, but I have an inkling that Emmett Johnson will break through as an underdog.
Third Running Back Drafted Pick: Emmett Johnson (18¢ at Kalshi)
Johnson had an exceptional season for Nebraska. Johnson led the Big Ten in rushing, averaging just shy of 6.0 yards per carry despite being the focal point of the offense, especially after Dylan Raiola went down. Johnson also caught 46 passes and tallied 15 total touchdowns on the season. Among the candidates to be the third running back taken, Johnson is coming off the best season, and he has the least amount of wear of the group.
Team to Draft a Quarterback Odds
Kalshi
Los Angeles R
99%
Las Vegas
90%
Arizona
80%
Pittsburgh
73%
New York J
46%
Miami
41%
Cleveland
40%
Tampa Bay
37%
Buffalo
15%
Denver
15%
The Cardinals currently have the #34 and #65 picks on Day 2 of the draft. While the Cardinals do need a quarterback, the rest of the team needs a dramatic overhaul before a quarterback can be asked to change the team’s fortunes. While Jacoby Brissett led the Cardinals to a 1-11 record in his starts last year, the real rotten part of Arizona’s team was the defense.
Best Bet to Draft a QB: Arizona Cardinals: No (50¢ at Kalshi)
I am expecting the Cardinals to balance out the luxury pick of Jeremiyah Love with two “meat and potatoes” picks on Day 2. At #34, the Cardinals could take a spine of the defense player, such as the aforementioned CJ Allen, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, or Kayden McDonald. The Cardinals could also be in the market for an offensive lineman such as Emmanuel Pregnon or Caleb Tiernan.
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Ryan Potts is a veteran football and baseball content creator. He was previously a credentialed NFL media member, covering the draft, bombine, and Super Bowl. He has been featured on Atlanta sports talk radio and Arizona student radio. Ryan is a journalism graduate from the University of Arizona.
