Spherical 1 of the NFL Draft got here and went on Friday, beginning the slide for prospects who had been as soon as considered as first-rounders. This is a take a look at the most effective gamers nonetheless accessible as we head into Spherical 2 of the draft:
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee — McCoy missed your complete 2025 season as a result of a torn proper ACL, and his drop is not shocking given the information that there was nonetheless some work to do within the therapeutic course of. McCoy nonetheless being on the board signifies that, on Day 2 of the draft, a group will get a high-level participant by way of pure soccer expertise. McCoy’s greatest reps from the 2024 season would have cemented him as a prime 10 participant had they occurred this 12 months, however with the time away from the game, McCoy slid.
Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee — It wasn’t simply an injured Tennessee secondary participant who fell, as even a wholesome one remains to be on the board. Hood being accessible in Spherical 2 is legitimately shocking, as his burst and physicality made him an apparent candidate for an early choice, to not point out his clear invoice of well being. You must marvel if McCoy’s harm is hurting Hood’s inventory. It is going to be attention-grabbing to maintain observe of what in the end wins out, well being or potential.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo — Whereas two safeties got here off the board in Spherical 1 (considerably of a rarity), McNeil-Warren was not considered one of them. Maybe it was to do together with his Group of 5 background, or as a result of his man-coverage potential nonetheless wanted some cleanup. His zone instincts and spectacular athleticism ought to make McNeil-Warren one of many first gamers to come back off the board in Day 2, turning the Toledo defensive again into an early starter for a group.
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M — Many of the edge rushers chosen on Thursday got here with customary measurements, outdoors of Rueben Bain Jr., who slid to No. 15. Howell is probably going nonetheless on the board due to his arm size, measured between 30 and 31 inches, relying on who you ask. If a group is prepared to take an opportunity on an unorthodox participant, it can get considered one of this draft’s most prolific pace rushers with a behavior of changing pressures into sacks. Howell additionally does robust work dropping into protection, so he needs to be chosen fairly early in Spherical 2.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State — 4 Ohio State gamers heard their names referred to as Thursday evening, however McDonald was not considered one of them. Groups could not have seen a whole lot of creativity with McDonald, who profiled primarily as a run-stopping nostril deal with. Whereas that analysis may go away you believing McDonald had restricted worth, if a group wants an anchor within the defensive entrance, McDonald will hear his identify referred to as earlier in Spherical 2. This is a secret: His pass-rush reps aren’t so unhealthy both.
–Discipline Stage Media
