Best Available Players After Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft: Football Scout 365 Day 2 Big Board

Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft sets up as a defense-heavy board. After Round 1 leaned into offensive line, pass rush, and skill-position talent, several of the top remaining Football Scout 365 prospects are still available at cornerback, linebacker, safety, and interior defensive line.

Cornerback is the headline. Jermod McCoy is the top player left on the FS365 board, while Colton Hood, Avieon Terrell, D’Angelo Ponds, and Brandon Cisse give teams multiple starting-caliber options. Cincinnati, New Orleans, Minnesota, Kansas City, Miami, and Seattle are all teams to watch if the corner run starts early.

Linebacker could also move quickly after only one came off the board in Round 1, with C.J. Allen, Josiah Trotter, Jake Golday, Kyle Louis, Jacob Rodriguez, and Anthony Hill Jr. still available. The board also remains strong at safety and interior defensive line, led by Kayden McDonald, Lee Hunter, Jalon Kilgore, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, A.J. Haulcy, and Treydan Stukes. Denzel Boston is the top wide receiver left, but the bottom line is clear: Day 2 should be defined by defensive value, with cornerback as the premium position to monitor early.

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Football Scout 365 Best Available Players In The 2026 NFL Draft

1. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 17

McCoy is the top remaining player on the Football Scout 365 board and the biggest Round 1 slide from our perspective. The talent is still first-round caliber. He brings press-man physicality, patient footwork, recovery speed, and advanced route recognition. The medical variable tied to his ACL recovery is the reason he remains available, but the coverage profile still points to CB1 upside.

Best Team Fits: The Dallas Cowboys make the most sense if McCoy reaches their Day 2 range. Cornerback remains a clear need, and McCoy’s press-man traits fit a defense that needs more high-end perimeter coverage. The Minnesota Vikings also stand out after passing on cornerback in Round 1. McCoy would give them the type of long-term outside corner they have been searching for.

2. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 22

Hood is one of the cleanest cornerback values left on the board. He has the size, speed, length, and competitive profile to play outside, while also offering enough short-area quickness to handle certain slot matchups. His ball skills and route recognition translate well to press-man, off-man, and match-zone systems.

Best Team Fits: The New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks all fit the profile. New Orleans needs cornerback help early on Day 2. Green Bay could use another physical coverage player in the secondary. Seattle passed on cornerback in Round 1 and could circle back to the position if Hood slides into their range.

3. Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 24

Kilgore is one of the most versatile defensive backs still available. He can align at safety, in the slot, and in certain boundary looks, giving defensive coordinators a movable piece on the back end. His best traits are processing speed, zone awareness, short-area burst, and the ability to trigger downhill with urgency.

Best Team Fits: The Cincinnati Bengals are a strong fit because of their need for defensive upgrades at multiple levels. Kilgore’s versatility would give them flexibility in sub-packages. The Atlanta Falcons also make sense for a defense that can use more speed and multiplicity in the secondary. Minnesota is another logical landing spot if it wants to add a defensive back with more alignment flexibility.

4. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 25

Boston is the top remaining wide receiver on the Football Scout 365 board. He is a big-bodied boundary receiver who wins with catch strength, body positioning, and red-zone production. He is not a pure vertical separator, but he understands leverage and creates throwing windows with size, timing, and physicality.

Best Team Fits: The New York Jets are the cleanest fit at the top of Round 2. Boston would give them a physical boundary option to complement Garrett Wilson. The Tennessee Titans also make sense if they want to add size and reliability to the passing game. Cleveland could be in play as well if it prioritizes a possession-based perimeter target.

5. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 28

Terrell is a twitchy, competitive corner with quick feet, fluid hips, and strong route recognition. He plays bigger than his size and brings excellent run support value. His instincts, motor, and coverage discipline give him one of the higher floors among the remaining defensive backs.

Best Team Fits: Kansas City is a strong fit after losing key pieces in the secondary and needing more cornerback depth. New Orleans could also target Terrell if it wants a competitive nickel/outside hybrid. Green Bay makes sense as a team that values coverage intelligence and physicality in the secondary.

6. Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 29

McDonald is one of the top interior defensive linemen left on the board. At 6’3”, 326 pounds, he brings density, leverage, power, and true anchor strength. He is not a finished pass rusher, but his value as an early-down run defender is clear. He can occupy double teams, reset the line of scrimmage, and protect linebackers.

Best Team Fits: The New York Giants make a lot of sense after trading Dexter Lawrence and needing to rebuild the interior defensive front. Houston also fits if it wants a physical early-down presence inside. Kansas City could be another landing spot if it prioritizes defensive line depth and run-game structure.

7. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 31

McNeil-Warren is a long, downhill, tone-setting safety with a defined NFL role. He thrives near the line of scrimmage as a box defender, robber, or split-safety trigger player. His anticipation, physicality, and urgency against the run give him immediate sub-package value.

Best Team Fits: The Chicago Bears stand out as a natural fit after losing safety depth and needing more physicality on the back end. Cincinnati also makes sense if it wants a downhill defender who can play robber looks and help stabilize the middle of the field.

8. T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 32

Parker is a power-based edge defender with NFL-ready strength, violent hands, and strong edge-setting ability. He wins with leverage and force more than elite bend, but his ability to compress the pocket and play through contact gives him a clear Day 2 profile.

Best Team Fits: Cleveland is a logical fit if it wants more edge depth and power opposite its primary rushers. New Orleans also makes sense given its need for defensive front help. Baltimore could value Parker’s toughness, physicality, and ability to play heavy downs in a multiple-front structure.

9. Lee Hunter, IDL, Texas Tech

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 36

Hunter is a massive, powerful interior defender built to control the A-gaps. He wins with leverage, heavy hands, and functional explosiveness off the snap. He is not a dynamic penetrator, but he can collapse the pocket with power and create structure for the rest of the front.

Best Team Fits: Houston is one of the cleanest fits if it wants a high-floor interior anchor early on Day 2. The New York Giants also make sense as they continue reshaping the defensive line after the Dexter Lawrence trade. Hunter would give either team early-down mass and power inside.

10. Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 37

Moore is a power-based edge defender with starter traits built around leverage, leg drive, and speed-to-power conversion. His game is not built on elite first-step burst or corner flexibility, but he can collapse tackles into the pocket and win through physicality.

Best Team Fits: Kansas City fits if it wants another edge/front player with power and inside-out flexibility. New Orleans is also a logical landing spot because of its need for defensive line help. Green Bay could be in play if it wants another strong-side edge who can set the edge and rush with force.

11. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 38

Ponds is one of the most productive defensive backs still available, with seven interceptions and 32 pass breakups across his college career. The size profile will be the debate, but the instincts, route recognition, competitiveness, and ball production are legitimate Day 2 traits. He projects best as a high-impact nickel or versatile CB2 in a match-zone or off-man-heavy system.

Best Team Fits: Miami, Kansas City, New Orleans, Detroit, and Dallas all make sense. Miami and Kansas City need immediate cornerback help, New Orleans remains active in the Day 2 corner market, Detroit could use more nickel flexibility, and Dallas hosted Ponds on a Top 30 visit.

12. Christen Miller, IDL, Georgia

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 39

Miller is one of the better developmental interior defensive linemen still available. He has the frame, first-step quickness, and active hands to play as a rotational 3-technique early, with the upside to become more impactful as his rush plan matures. The consistency is still developing, but the front versatility and physical profile are strong.

Best Team Fits: Atlanta is the cleanest fit based on need and pre-draft engagement. The Falcons need more interior disruption and spent significant time on Miller during the process. The Giants, Packers, Broncos, and Bears also make sense as teams that could use defensive line depth and hybrid-front flexibility.

13. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 41

Cisse is a traits-based corner with real movement upside. He brings speed, burst, fluidity, and vision in coverage. His ability to stay connected vertically and close on throws gives him one of the more intriguing ceilings among the remaining cornerbacks. He is not a finished press-man corner, but the athletic profile gives him starter upside with technical development.

Best Team Fits: Seattle is the strongest team fit. The Seahawks have been heavily connected to Cisse and make sense if they want a long, explosive corner with developmental upside. Kansas City, Cleveland, Miami, and Green Bay also fit as teams that need more perimeter coverage depth.

14. A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 42

Haulcy has one of the strongest safety profiles left on the board. He brings experience, production, and alignment versatility with 44 career starts, 347 tackles, and 10 interceptions. At 215 pounds with 4.52 speed, he has the size and range to handle multiple safety roles. He can play deep, rotate down, cover the boundary, or function as a big nickel.

Best Team Fits: Chicago is the best fit if the Bears want to replace lost safety production and add a reliable back-end defender. Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Philadelphia, and Buffalo also make sense. Carolina and Buffalo both had notable pre-draft interest.

15. Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 43

Howell is one of the top remaining pass rushers on the Football Scout 365 board. He is slightly undersized, but he wins with twitch, urgency, leverage, and a diverse rush plan. His explosiveness and technical development give him a clear Day 2 profile as a stand-up rusher or hybrid edge in a multiple-front defense.

Best Team Fits: Detroit, Tampa Bay, Arizona, and Miami are logical fits. Tampa Bay stands out as a strong connection, while Detroit and Arizona both make sense for a twitchy edge who can add pass-rush juice. Miami could also view Howell as one of the better edge values left.

16. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 44

Rodriguez is one of the most instinctive linebackers left on the board. He is undersized by traditional standards, but his processing, toughness, run fits, and turnover production are outstanding. Thirteen career forced fumbles, including seven last season, match the tape. He fits best as a MIKE/WILL in a 4-3 zone-match defense or hybrid 4-2-5 structure.

Best Team Fits: Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Arizona all make sense. Cincinnati hosted Rodriguez on a Top 30 visit and has a clear need for more linebacker range and toughness. Tampa Bay is another strong fit because of his downhill instincts and defensive temperament.

17. Keionte Scott, CB, Miami

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 45

Scott is a scheme-specific nickel defender with legitimate playmaking ability. His value comes from versatility, blitz timing, downhill trigger ability, and sub-package impact. He is one of the most effective blitzing defensive backs in this class and brings real disruption from the slot. He is not a full-time outside corner, but he can be a valuable STAR, nickel, or hybrid box defender.

Best Team Fits: Houston, Miami, Chicago, Washington, and Seattle all fit. Houston hosted Scott on a Top 30 visit and makes sense if it wants more slot pressure and sub-package versatility. Chicago and Washington also showed pre-draft interest and could use his nickel/box flexibility.

18. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 47

Hill is the best athletic linebacker left on the board. His testing backs up the tape: 4.51 speed, 37-inch vertical, and 10’5” broad jump at 238 pounds. The production is also strong, with 249 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, and eight forced fumbles. He is at his best attacking downhill, blitzing interior gaps, scraping to the perimeter, and closing with force.

Best Team Fits: Jacksonville, the Rams, Cincinnati, and Buffalo all make sense. Jacksonville could use a rangy second-level defender. The Rams fit if they want more athleticism and blitz value. Cincinnati and Buffalo both have logical linebacker needs and could value Hill’s explosive profile.

19. Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 48

Abney is a strong processing corner with instincts, awareness, and ball production. He is not an elite athlete, but he sees routes develop quickly, communicates well, and plays with a “see ball, get ball” mentality in zone and off coverage. His best NFL fit is in Cover 3, match-zone, and off-man systems that protect him from excessive isolated press-man reps.

Best Team Fits: Washington is one of the cleanest fits if Abney reaches Round 3. Carolina and Jacksonville also make sense as teams that could target value at corner later in the draft. His projection is more late Day 2 than early Round 2.

20. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 49

Wheatley is a long, rangy safety with developmental upside. His best projection comes in two-high structures where he can play with vision, overlap routes, and use his range from depth. He still needs to become more consistent as a processor and tackler, but the length and coverage traits give him a path to an NFL role.

Best Team Fits: Pittsburgh and New England are the top fits. Pittsburgh could target him later as a developmental safety with special teams value. New England hosted him on a Top 30 visit and could see him as a two-high developmental piece.

21. Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 51

Stukes is a versatile nickel/safety hybrid with explosive testing and sub-package value. His 4.33 speed and 10’10” broad jump show up in his downhill trigger and ability to close space. He is at his best playing with vision, matching routes, and creating disruption from the slot or big nickel alignment.

Best Team Fits: Minnesota is a strong fit because of its safety need and schematic flexibility. Pittsburgh, the Rams, Arizona, and Atlanta also make sense. Arizona had notable pre-draft engagement, while the Rams fit because of Stukes’ nickel/safety versatility.

22. Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 52

Trotter is a physical, box-oriented linebacker with downhill temperament and tone-setting value against the run. He wins with toughness, contact balance, and the ability to trigger into interior gaps. The concern is the athletic profile in space, where hip stiffness and zone coverage limitations could create matchup issues at the next level.

He projects best as an early-down MIKE or downhill run defender in a system that protects him from extended man coverage and allows him to play forward.

Best Team Fits: Denver, the Rams, Cincinnati, and Dallas all make sense. Denver has been a frequent landing spot and needs more linebacker stability. The Rams could use second-level physicality. Cincinnati had notable pre-draft interest, and Dallas remains a logical fit given its linebacker need.

23. C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 53

Allen is one of the cleanest linebacker evaluations left on the board. He profiles as a three-down MIKE with strong processing, tackling efficiency, and communication skills. He is not the flashiest athlete in the class, but he wins with instincts, technique, and the ability to keep a defense organized.

With only one linebacker selected in Round 1, Allen becomes one of the top second-level defenders available. He has the profile of an immediate floor-raiser for a defense that needs stability in the middle.

Best Team Fits: Denver, Dallas, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay all fit. Denver has one of the clearest linebacker needs in this range. Dallas did not address the position in Round 1. Buffalo has long-term uncertainty at linebacker, and Tampa Bay could use another steady second-level presence.

24. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 54

Golday is a big, explosive linebacker with a pass-rush background and tone-setting traits near the line of scrimmage. He has the tools to impact the run game, pressure interior gaps, and add value as a downhill attacker. The developmental question is processing consistency, particularly when asked to sort through misdirection and coverage spacing.

He fits best in an aggressive front that lets him play downhill, blitz, and use his size-speed profile as a pressure piece.

Best Team Fits: Cincinnati is the strongest fit based on need and pre-draft engagement. Indianapolis, the Rams, and Denver also make sense. The Colts need more linebacker range, the Rams could use an explosive second-level defender, and Denver remains firmly in the linebacker market.

25. Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

Football Scout 365 Overall Rank: 55

Louis is an athletic, coverage-capable linebacker with sub-package value. His best traits show up in space, where he can run, match, and operate as a WILL or rover type in a modern defensive structure. The frame and block deconstruction are the concerns, especially if teams ask him to consistently take on guards in the box.

He projects best in a 4-2-5 or nickel-heavy defense that can use his range, coverage ability, and pursuit speed while limiting the number of direct interior collisions.

Best Team Fits: Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta stand out. Tampa Bay could use a coverage-capable linebacker in sub-packages. Pittsburgh makes sense as a team that values physical, instinctive second-level defenders and could use more range. Atlanta fits if it wants a hybrid linebacker who can function in space within a 4-2-5 structure.