Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft started slow for enthusiasts of the primary fantasy positions, but it picked up steam as the second round concluded and the third round progressed. With even more prospects finding new homes, fantasy managers need to start forming opinions about the impact they will have next season.
While fantasy draft season may not be close to hitting its crescendo, hardcore gamers have been selecting players since the conclusion of the collegiate bowl season. So let's not waste any time.
(This article will focus primarily on rookies from a redraft perspective. We will have rookie and dynasty rankings on the site early next week. Our initial redraft rankings will hit the site later in the week. My signature Big Board - a draft day tool that is one of the principal reasons why I have yet to suffer a losing money season in 25 years of high-stakes fantasy football - will likely be finished sometime in June and updated daily after that.)
The 2026 NFL Draft is widely expected to be a down year for fantasy purposes, so there is not much reason to go into great detail on many of these players - despite the fact that Day 2 usually has plenty of potential contributors.
Team Fit: The Combine confirmed the explosiveness that was present during Stribling's dominant finish to the 2025 season. His hands improved over the course of his college career and he has the strength to avoid getting knocked off his route, although that happens more than it should. Stribling is also a willing blocker, which is the part of his game that appealed a lot to head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch shortly after selecting him. However, the lack of route-running nuance and ability to create separation makes it hard to believe he is going to find much playing time as a rookie, barring injury to Mike Evans and/or Ricky Pearsall. The problem is that Stribling would still fall behind Christian McCaffrey, Christian Kirk and George Kittle (assuming his recovery from an Achilles tear remains on track) in that circumstance.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams, non-Superflex)? Stribling can be avoided in most 18-round drafts. He appears to be no better than the No. 4 receiver for the 49ers.
Team Fit: New head coach Todd Monken and the Browns are getting serious about improving the offense. Boston is a big-bodied X receiver who will be hard to take off the field because he is such a big and trustworthy target in the short and intermediate game. He understands how to use his size to his benefit down the field and in the red zone. Boston is also very comfortable tracking the ball over either shoulder. Especially on this depth chart, he will be Cleveland's best contested-catch receiver on the same day he signs his contract. He is certainly worthy of a Michael Pittman Jr. comp and figures to play more of a full-time role for the Browns than first-round pick KC Concepcion - at least early - because he is also a very good blocker.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams, non-Superflex)? Boston should step into a juicy every-down role for the Browns, but he probably should be considered no more than a fantasy WR5 considering the quarterback situation in Cleveland. If that is not enough, Harold Fannin Jr, Concepcion and Jerry Jeudy will likely see more targets - at least for most of 2026.
Team Fit: If the Steelers had to miss out on Makai Lemon on Day 1, Bernard is not a bad consolation prize. The Alabama product tested out as an average NFL prospect at the Combine, but don't be fooled. He is one of the best in this draft class at playing through contact and gaining tough yards that most receivers cannot. As he showed in 2025, he can handle a few carries out of the backfield and even be an asset as a runner near the goal line. There is also no question that he enjoys getting his hands dirty as a blocker. He's not the second coming of Deebo Samuel, but he possesses a lesser version of the skill set that allowed Samuel to thrive during his days with the 49ers.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams, non-Superflex)? DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. should have the perimeter receiver jobs locked down for the foreseeable future, so Bernard will have to settle for slot work and third receiver duties. With head coach Mike McCarthy in town, there is a chance that role materializes into a flex-worthy option. More likely, Bernard is more of a WR5/6 consideration as a rookie.
Team Fit: General manager Howie Roseman typically does a great job of addressing future weaknesses, and that appears to be the case here as well. Dallas Goedert agreed to return for one more year, but bear in mind that Stowers is a completely different kind of tight end. Stowers is a mismatch weapon that lines up more often in the slot than a complete tight end. His measurables are similar to those posted by Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson about two decades ago. What safety/linebacker/slot corner is going to be able to match up with that? Especially in new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's offense (he of the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay coaching tree), there is a chance that he redefines what is expected from an "F" tight end.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams, non-Superflex)? Stowers probably will not be selected in most 18-round drafts, but he is one of maybe a handful of tight ends that fantasy managers should keep on watch lists. The sky is the limit for him. While he is not in the greatest position to maximize his talent in 2026, he could become a fantasy force if used correctly as soon as 2027.
Team Fit: Much like Nate Boerkircher a few picks earlier, Klein is an investment for 2027. The pick is a clear sign that Dalton Schultz is what the Texans want in a tight end, as Klein may be the player most like him in this draft class. Schultz is under contract through the end of the 2027 season, which is about the time Houston will expect to see something of note from Klein.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams, non-Superflex)? Move along. Nothing to see here.
Team Fit: As much as the Rams received criticism for their first-round selection of Ty Simpson, it made much more sense than the pick of Klare. Terrance Ferguson is a much better version of Klare as a move tight end, while Colby Parkinson is coming off a banner season. Klare faces long odds of contributing much in 2026, even for a team that uses a lot of 13 personnel - unless the Rams first remove Tyler Higbee and Davis Allen from the roster.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams, non-Superflex)? Move along. Nothing to see here.
Team Fit:Beck rebounded from a poor season behind a questionable Georgia offensive line in 2024 (that ended with him undergoing elbow surgery) to lead Miami (Fla.) to a national championship appearance. The 2025 season showed him at what he does best most of the time. He processes quickly and typically shows patience while doing so. Another feather in his hat (that typically translates to the NFL) is his comfort with play-action passing (72.7% completion rate, 30-to-4 TD-to-INT ratio). Beck will occasionally fall apart when he is pressured (48.3% completion rate, 3-to-3 TD-to-INT ratio in 2025). He has a chance to overtake Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew in 2026 and be a decent NFL short-term starter, although operating behind a poor offensive line isn't going to help his cause. He feels more like a long-term backup for whatever QB the Cards draft next year.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams, non-Superflex)? There is a small chance he could find himself in low-end QB2 territory if he beats out Brissett at some point, but the odds of him being startable in any one-quarterback league are long.
Team Fit: The trend of teams drafting tight ends who either don't need tight ends or are looking for blockers at the position continues with the Bears' selection of Roush. Cole Kmet is under contract for at least one more year, so this feels like Chicago's attempt to save some money down the road and prepare for his departure. He figures to be the long-term blocking complement to Colston Loveland.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams, non-Superflex)? Move along. Nothing to see here.