NFL Draft Best Available After Day 1: Top 10 Players Still on the Board Including Jacob Rodriguez, Germie Bernard, and More

April 24, 2026 | 11:05 AM EDT

The NFL Draft’s first 32 picks have been made, but there is still a long way to go. Many talents still could end up going to a variety of situations and somewhere, a franchise-changer is lying in wait.

With only 32 of the 257 picks done, the draft has barely started. Here’s a look at the best remaining players heading into Day 2.

Top Players Still Available in 2026 NFL Draft In Day 2

#10 – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Some have Jermod McCoy as the best remaining player in the draft class, but while his tape is sensational, missing the season before going pro was always going to hurt. McCoy was projected by many as a first-round talent, but his slide is likely to continue into Day 2. However, it is likely that not long into Day 2, McCoy’s upside will outweigh his cost.

McCoy sparked in 2023 and 2024 with two different programs, so he will have the selling point of working in multiple defensive systems, whether it is a heavily zone-reliant or man-to-man-reliant defense.

#9 – Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

Eli Stowers might be the closest thing to Taysom Hill in the NFL draft. The TE/QB hybrid is clearly a tight end first, but his next team will also be able to use him in trick plays. Expect his next team to have a couple of plays drawn up that get his arm throwing.

As a conventional tight end, Stowers improved in his final three seasons and earned 769 receiving yards and averaged 12.4 yards per reception in 2025. He also showed the ability to rush at times with 36 rushes in his final three seasons. Stowers is a dream for creative offensive minds.

#8 – Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas

Mike Washington Jr. spent five years in college, but clearly figured something out in 2025, when his yards per carry jumped by 1.8 to 6.4 from 4.6 in 2024. He also turned in his career-high in rushing yards with 1,070 yards.

Washington also showed somewhat of an ability to catch balls out of the backfield with 226 yards spread out over his final 12 games. Put simply, Washington proved that if he can get in the right system, he could be a star in the NFL.

#7 – Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

Chris Brazzell II has proven that it takes him two years to settle in, but once he does, he explodes. Brazzell earned new career highs in the second year of each of his tenures at Tulane and Tennessee.

In 2025, Brazzell caught nine touchdowns, which led the SEC. He also earned 1,017 yards, averaging 84.8 yards per game. It could take him until 2027 to hit top speed, but that could be an asset in certain situations, as he will be under the radar by then, offering an element of surprise.

#6 – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Day 3 isn’t expected to be quarterback-heavy, but it could be cornerback-heavy early on. Avieon Terrell showed he could do some of everything in his three years at Clemson. Terrell showed he could tackle on both sides of the line of scrimmage, including more sacks than some defensive tackles in 2025 (three).

Terrell also led the ACC in forced fumbles in 2025, proving that he belongs on a blitz-heavy team. Still, if needed to cover conventionally, he can handle it, with 21 passes defended in his final two seasons.

#5 – Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Zion Young’s 2025 outing was his best, signalling that it won’t take long for him to go off the board. Young racked up 23 tackles in the backfield, including 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

He also showed the ability to spend time in coverage from time to time, with five passes defended in his final two seasons. Young also showed perhaps an untapped ability to force turnovers with two forced fumbles in 2025. If he can learn a couple of more moves to cause fumbles in the backfield, he could be a scary force wherever he ends up.

#4 – Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

Jake Golday showed he could do some of everything in 2025, starting with getting opponents on the ground. The linebacker racked up 105 total tackles, seemingly having a hand in every stop.

Golday also showed some ability to rush the backfield with 3.5 sacks and 6.0 tackles for loss. With only two seasons in the FBS, however, it could take him some extra time to settle in this season. However, his eventual ceiling is as good as it gets in the NFL.

#3 – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Germie Bernard’s production ranks as high as any of the receivers drafted in the first round. He also has a better history of availability than some of those picked in the first round.

However, after spending time with three programs with a mix of results, it’s clear that he will need the right fit to explode. If he gets it, however, he could be as good as any rookie in the draft class with at least 790 yards in each of his final two seasons.

#2 – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Denzel Boston showed an impressive ability once he got his chance in 2024 in his third year with the Washington Huskies. Boston earned 20 receiving touchdowns in his final two seasons and also saw his average yards per reception increase over that span.

It’s clear he won’t have to wait until his third season to get a significant target share in the NFL, which means he could pop sooner rather than later. Don’t expect him to last long.

#1 – Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

It’s a crime that Jacob Rodriguez was not drafted in the first round. However, the linebacker could go in the opening moments of Day 2. Rodriguez led the Big 12 in solo tackles in both 2024 and 2025. He also led the FBS with seven forced fumbles.

Rodriguez was no secret, either, as the linebacker finished fifth in voting for the Heisman and also logged four interceptions. He also posted 255 total tackles in his final two seasons. Put simply, expect teams to line up for him.