2026 NFL Draft grades, picks analysis for Round 2: Steelers grab 'A+' for WR, Bears get 'D+' for reaching

All of Mike Renner's grades for the picks made in Round 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft

Mike Renner

Apr 25, 2026

11:04 am ET

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10 min read

Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports

Two of the seven rounds in the 2026 NFL Draft are now complete. Friday night delivered some memorable moments, including Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons to play with his brother A.J. Terrell. Unfortunately, the round came and went without Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy -- widely considered one of the best talents in the draft -- hearing his name called.

Teams moved up and down the board to target prospects and fill needs, while others were more patient. How did each team fare? Every selection below received a grade that you can now peruse at your leisure.

Check out the best prospects still available in the NFL Draft along with grades for every selection that has been made in the CBS Sports NFL Draft tracker. Follow along with each pick and every trade in our NFL Draft live blog.

This year, my pick-by-pick grades are being used to create real-time team report cards, so keep this page open throughout the weekend.

Grades: Round 1 • Round 2 • Round 3 • Round 4 • Round 5 • Round 6 • Round 7

33. 49ers: De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss

Grade: C+

The 49ers tab Stribling as their Jauan Jennings replacement. He's one of the better blockers in the class and will do the dirty work in the offense. Stribling will add a stronger vertical element than Jennings did. The Ole Miss receiver just isn't nearly the route-runner that Jennings was in the offense.

34. Cardinals: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

Grade: A

After taking Jeremiyah Love in Round 1, the Cardinals come back and give him someone to open up running lanes. Bisontis is also a physical presence in pass protection where he thrives cleaning up pockets whenever he can. Without any options to fill their tackle need, this was the next best option.

35. Bills: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Grade: B-

The Bills were in desperate need of pass-rushing help and add just that at the top of Round 2. Parker is a physical edge rusher who's been a plus run defender and pocket-collapser since Day 1 at Clemson. He would have gone much higher than this after his sophomore year, but his lackluster 2025 tape drops him to Round 2.

36. Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Grade: A+

If there was any weakness on this Texans defense, well, it just got fixed. McDonald is nothing short of an elite run-defending nose tackle prospect. His ability to envelope double teams and make plays in the run game will allow DeMeco Ryans to dedicate more resources to the back end in coverage - a scary thought.

37. Giants: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Grade: B+

New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson gets himself one of the better press-corners in the class. Hood is physical at the line of scrimmage and has top-end speed to make up ground deep. While he can get a little overly aggressive, he's still one of the younger corners in the class, just turning 21, with room for development

38. Raiders: Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona

Grade: A

Stukes was college football's top slot corner in coverage last season. He has the length and athleticism to play man as well as the quick processing for zone. He could end up at either slot, outside corner, or safety for Las Vegas - that's how versatile he is. A tremendous influx of talent for a secondary in need.

39. Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Grade: A

The Browns double up at receiver a year after doubling up at running back. It's an indictment of their current room, for sure, but also indicative of the loaded receiver class. Boston is a distinctly different type of receiver from KC Concepcion as he's more of a possession receiver with a big wingspan and catch radius. He also has some of the best hands in the entire class.

40. Chiefs: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

Grade: A

Thomas represents a distinct departure from the bigger-bodied edges that Steve Spagnuolo has coveted in the past, and I like it. He's a speed rusher with one of the more refined toolboxes in this class. He may not be much of a run defender, but the Chiefs won't have to use him on run downs to get their money's worth.

41. Bengals: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Grade: A+

If you can do what Howell did this past season to SEC tackles, you can rush the passer in the NFL. Short arms be damned. He's a twitchy mover who sets up tackles with his pacing extremely well. He goes to the perfect spot on a Cincinnati team that needs edge-rushing help and can also afford to let him be a specialist.

42. Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

Grade: B+

Miller is one of the safer run defenders in the class. He has prototypical 3-4 defensive end traits, although he could probably even kick into nose if you really wanted him to. He may never be an elite pass-rusher,