NFL Draft targets for teams without a first-round pick in 2026

If your favorite team doesn't have a first-round pick, don't worry, we have the best targets for your second- or third-round picks

JP Acosta

Apr 22, 2026

7:00 am ET

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8 min read

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Night 1 of the NFL Draft always feels like a new beginning. For most teams, they're hoping their first-round draft pick is the next franchise savior, or the missing piece to a Super Bowl. However, not every team gets to enjoy the hope of drafting a first-round pick this year. Six teams don't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft: the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and the newly added Cincinnati Bengals.

While most of these teams would willingly do their draft trades again, not having a first-round pick leaves them out of many prospect discussions.

Well, not this one. We care about the teams without a first-round pick over here and want to set the table for players they could realistically select when they get to that range. You won't see any surefire first-rounders in this group, but there are still some very fun players and position groups among the batch that can help these teams win right now.

So let's break down each team's top needs and the players that'll be in range for their Day 2 selections.

Pick 42 (Round 2), 71 (Round 3)

Top need: Linebacker

The Bengals spent multiple picks in 2025 on the linebacker spot, adding Demetrius Knight on Day 2 and Barrett Carter on Day 3. The problem is that in 2025, Carter and Knight were one of the worst LB pairings in the NFL, either missing tackles (Carter and Knight missed 18 and 16 tackles last season, respectively) or being picked on in coverage (Knight gave up a 106.7 passer rating in coverage). With the addition of Dexter Lawrence in the middle of that defense, the Bengals could use a quarterback on defense, someone who can make plays in coverage but also play cleanup behind Lawrence and the Bengals' revamped defensive line.

Top targets: CJ Allen (Georgia), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Keyshaun Elliott (Arizona State)

Secondary need: Safety

Honestly, the reasons for needing a safety in Cincy are almost a carbon copy of linebacker. The Bengals added Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger to this group in the offseason, but S Jordan Battle was awful last season. In addition, potentially finding a safety with nickel versatility could be beneficial, especially if Dax Hill is staying on the outside. The good thing is that this is an incredibly deep safety class, even beyond Ohio State's Caleb Downs, so finding a guy who can play deep or play in the slot could help DC Al Golden's defense turn itself around.

Top targets: Treydan Stukes (Arizona), AJ Haulcy (LSU), Keionte Scott (Miami), Zakee Wheatley (Penn State)

Pick 47 (Round 2), Pick 78 (Round 3)

Top need: Linebacker

The Colts are currently projected to start Akeem Davis-Gaither and Austin Aijake at linebacker in 2026 after trading Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers. Not exactly where they want to be going into a year where they're trying to win a Super Bowl. For the Colts specifically, I think their need at linebacker is a little more specific. After trading for CB Sauce Gardner at the deadline, the Colts blitzed at the second-highest rate in the NFL and played man coverage at the sixth-highest rate. DC Lou Anarumo wanted to lean into his ability to play man coverage and be more aggressive with Gardner on the field, and the linebacker group has to be able to affect the game as a blitzer for this to really work.

Top targets: Josiah Trotter (Missouri), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Kyle Louis (Pitt), Keyshaun Elliott (Arizona State)

Secondary need: Wide Receiver

After trading away Michael Pittman Jr, the Colts' depth at receiver is thin. Behind Alec Pierce and Josh Downs is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, then you get into players like Laquon Treadwell. Again, not great at all, especially considering how Pittman Jr. helped to tie the skills of Pierce and Downs together. In his stead, the Colts should look for receiving help on Day 2, specifically guys that can do some of the dirty work that Pittman did for Indy. Guys who are willing and plus blockers, unafraid to work the middle of the field and can be a QB's best friend, even if not super explosive or dynamic.

Top targets: Germie Bernard (Alabama), De'Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss), Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)

Pick 48 (2nd round), Pick 79 (3rd round)

Top need: EDGE

The Falcons need to be preparing for the inevitability of not having EDGE James Pearce Jr. on the roster for the foreseeable future. Free agent additions Azeez Ojulari and Samson Ebukam provide nice depth behind promising second-year EDGE Jalon Walker, but they need more pop in that room to keep up with the defense's breakout 2025. A lot of juice in that pass rush room has left the building, and Atlanta could use some more speed to keep thei