2026 NFL Draft Second-Day Values: Offense

In recent weeks, there have been a lot of questions about who my value picks are in the 2026 NFL Draft class. A value or sleeper prospect is basically a player who gets drafted after the first round and proves to be a steal. The second day of the draft is when the men are separated from the boys among NFL general managers. All the players have strengths and flaws, but the top evaluators find future starters and team-building blocks on day two. Every year I pick my favorite day two values. In case the player I picked goes in the first round, I started picking two or three players in case one or two end up being a first-round pick. If a player goes in the first round, I should not get credit for calling him a day two value pick if he pans out. Here is my track record, starting in 2008, going back to my time with Pewter Report.

Previous Selections for Value Picks – All Positions

This year, my top day-two values are J.T. Tuimoloau, Omarr Norman-Lott, and TreVeyon Henderson. It would not shock me if anyone of those three is a first-round pick, as they have a lot of fans with team sources.

Overall, this list is very strong, with a few exceptions, like the pairs in 2015 and 2016. I definitely hit on Sam LaPorta a couple of years ago, as he was one of the best tight ends in the NFL as a rookie. In other years, there were good selections like Brandon Flowers, Mike Wallace, Justin Houston, Derek Wolfe, Larry Warford, Jaylon Smith, Ronald Darby, and Deebo Samuel. Here is a breakdown of a top day-two value prospect at each position for the 2026 draft class. All of these prospects are likely to go on the second day of the draft. If a player is a possible late first-round pick, I generally don’t include them as an option.

Quarterback

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Simpson may not go in the first round, and I think he could be a steal in the second round. For the NFL, Simpson is a dangerous passer capable of ripping apart a defense with his arm talent. The most important trait for any pro quarterback is accuracy, and Simpson has phenomenal accuracy. His ball placement is superb as he routinely throws perfect passes into tight windows. With natural loft and timing, Simpson fits his passes into tight windows and beats good coverage by being supremely accurate. Simpson leads his receivers for more yards after the catch. Along with throwing receivers open, Simpson throws passes with good loft and is able to give his wideouts a very catchable ball. In terms of arm strength, Simpson has it with a strong arm capable of making all the throws in the NFL. He does not have elite arm strength like Josh Allen, but Simpson has the arm to make the necessary throws. Simpson has good poise in the pocket and stands tall with the rush bearing down on him. He is able to make excellent throws off platform, on the run, or even flat-footed. Simpson’s accuracy is rare and elite. He also has the ability to make plays with his legs and has great intangibles. I think Simpson could be a massive steal.

Previous Selections for Value Picks – Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

There is no doubt that Price has the ability to be an NFL running back with a skill set to be in contention as a three-down starter early in his pro career. The first trait that generates a lot of talk about Price is his acceleration, as he has a quick first step to hit the hole and a second gear to burst to the second level of the defense. In the open field, Price can rip off yards in chunks as a threat to turn ordinary carries into big gains. Price is a one-cut, downhill, straight-line runner with a knack for ripping off long gains and scoring sprints. Aside from his quickness, Price is a natural runner with instincts. He has excellent vision and anticipation to follow his line before bursting downhill as he quickly anticipates where a hole is about to open. On top of his feel for running with the ball, he has a compact build that provides him with some power to run through tackles and pick up yards after contact. Price has plus balance to maintain his feet after getting hit by defenders, and he uses his stature to run through would-be tacklers. In the open field, Price has some moves, quick feet, and elusiveness. His strength and build make him a quality short-yardage runner as well.

Previous Selections for Value Picks – Running Backs

Tight End

Sam Roush, TE, Stanford

For the NFL, Roush is a well-rounded tight end who is an effective blocker and receiver. He should quickly become a starting Y tight end as a pro. Roush is big, strong, and valuable to contribute as a blocker. He is strong at the point of attack and shows the ability to seal rush lanes from edge defenders and linebackers. All good tight ends have to be able to block the C-Gap and pass protect. Roush shows that ability with the size to tie up edge rushers and is capable of handling the C-Gap with his ability to tie up and block in the ground game. As a receiver, Roush is a big target with enough functional speed and athleticism to be dangerous against zone coverage. Roush presents a big target going down the seam and running passes to the flat or along the sideline. Roush runs quality routes and has reliable, strong hands with a natural ability to snatch the ball. Roush is dangerous after the catch, showing a surprising burst to dart downfield after he makes a catch. Roush uses his big body to bounce off tacklers, and he shows a knack for ripping off good gains after making a reception. I think Roush is going to be a good starting tight end in the NFL.

Previous Selections for Value Picks – Tight Ends

Wide Receivers

Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

What really sets Bell apart is what he can do as a possession receiver. Bell is a dangerous receiver who is not a burner with elite speed, but he makes up for it with polish, physicality, and strength. With good route-running and strong, reliable hands, Bell is a chain mover that does the dirty work in the short to intermediate part of the field. Bell is very dangerous with the ball in his hands. He uses his strong frame to break tackles and is very difficult for a lot of defensive backs to get on the ground. His strength to run through their hands makes it difficult for them to get a hold of him. While he isn’t super elusive and is more straight-line, Bell does have the feet to dodge some tacklers in the open field. For the NFL, Bell has yards after the catch potential, and he could be a great fit in a West Coast offense. Bell is fantastic running the core routes of slants, digs, and crossers in the short-to-intermediate part of the field. Coming off a late-season ACL tear, Bell might not do much as a rookie. But I think Bell is very similar to A.J. Brown and could turn into a second round seal.

Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

For the NFL, Branch may not ever become a team’s No.1 wide receiver, but he could be a very good slot receiver. Branch is a smooth route-runner who doesn’t take extra steps in and out of his breaks. He has enough quickness through the route with shiftiness to generate separation from press coverage. For Georgia, Branch used his route-running and quickness to consistently generate separation. What really sets Branch apart is his tremendous yards after the catch skills. He is electric with the ball in his hands to dodge defenders and weave through the secondary. Branch has rare elusiveness as a runner and is dynamic on screens and returns. Branch is also extremely fast and explosive to stretch defenses downfield and take the top off the defense. After the catch, Branch finds a second gear and has superb vision and instincts to continue to rip off yards when he looks like he is going to get tackled. When the ball is in his hands, Branch is a playmaker who can really hurt defenses.

Previous Selections for Value Picks – Wide Receivers

Offensive Linemen

Connor Lew, C, Auburn

Lew would be an early second-round pick if it weren’t for an ACL tear midway through last season. Lew is a smart technician who is very polished and ready to compete in the NFL. He is an effective run blocker and very reliable in pass protection. I think he is going to be a steal and turn into a potential Pro Bowl center in the NFL if he can recover from the injury.

Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

I think Bisontis is going to be a second-round pick who has a long and effective career in the NFL. In the ground game, Bisontis has good size and strength to tie up defenders. He has the size and power to drive block and will push defenders out of their gap. Off the snap, Bisontis is physical and nasty; he projects to have power run-blocking potential. Bisontis is agile and athletic enough as a blocker who is very good at pulling or moving in space on zone stretch runs. Bisontis was a quality pass protector during his collegiate career. He uses his strength and balance to sustain blocks to neutralize second efforts. With enough athleticism and quickness, he can mirror speed rushers, and he has the strength to anchor. Bistontis could be an effective pro guard early in his rookie contract.

Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College

Bowry was very effective as a pass blocker and showed impressive ability to handle speed rushers. While he has gone under the radar, I think Bowry has starting potential as a left tackle in the NFL. He is mobile, athletic, and quick with good feet and agility. Bowry would be a great fit in a zone blocking scheme and I think he could be a day-two steal in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Previous Selections for Value Picks – Offensive Linemen

2026 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Offense | 2026 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Defense
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