NFL Draft 2026 Fantasy Rookie Winners and Losers in Rounds 2 and 3

Fantasy-relevant players who gained or lost value after being taken on Day 2 of the NFL draft.

Wide receiver Denzel Boston lands with the Cleveland Browns with the 39th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

First-Round Grades | Day 2 Mock Draft | Best Available Players | Fernando Mendoza is Tom Brady’s successor | Ty Simpson will test Sean McVay | Cardinals made the right pick 

Day 2 of the draft is here. Once again you can follow Rounds 2 and 3 in SI’s live tracker. Before the round starts, let’s get into what I’m hearing today …

The first night of the 2026 NFL draft was highlighted by fantasy-relevant selections, maybe none more than Jeremyiah Love going to the Cardinals, Carnell Tate landing with the Titans and Jadarian Price heading to the Pacific Northwest. We have them all covered for you right here on Sports Illustrated!

Now it's on to Rounds 2 and 3. There aren’t likely to be many more truly huge fantasy-relevant selections, there still will be plenty of player selections that have an effect on player values going into fantasy drafts, whether as a sleeper or a handcuff.

Once again, I’ll be providing instant analysis for each offensive skill player picked through Round 3 of the draft.

Winners

Eli Stowers, TE, Eagles: Stowers has played as a tight end for only three years, but he’s super athletic and has developed into a nice pass-catcher. His first year in the NFL is likely to be nondescript with Dallas Goedert still on the roster, but Stowers is the perfect heir apparent in an offense that utilizes the tight end often. While the veteran is still likely to be picked first between the two in redrafts, I could see Stowers showing some flashes and being startable if Goedert were to miss time.

Losers

D’Zhaun Stribling, WR, 49ers: The selection of Stribling might have been a surprise to some, as Washington’s Denzel Boston was still on the board. The Ole Miss wideout certainly has the tools to become a potential No. 1 down the line for coach Kyle Shanahan, however. Stribling has good size and upside, but can he push Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk for meaningful targets in Year 1? I’m not so sure. I like Stribling more in dynasty than in redraft leagues.

Denzel Boston, WR, Browns: The Browns have now drafted two wide receivers with their first three picks, KC Concepcion in Round 1 and Boston in Round 2. The latter figures to be their potential future alpha in the passing game for new head coach Todd Monken, but he might take longer than Concepcion to make a fantasy impact … unless the Browns move on from Jerry Jeudy. Boston is another player I like more in dynasty formats than in redraft leagues.

Germie Bernard, WR, Steelers: I’m actually a fan of Bernard, whoi reminds me of a lighter Deebo Samuel Sr., but the Steelers already have DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. atop their wide receiver depth chart. That will make it tough for Bernard to see enough targets to make a consistent Year 1 fantasy impact … especially when you consider we don’t even know who the quarterback will be in Pittsburgh yet. Bernard is a better long-term option in fantasy land.

Max Klare, TE, Rams: How many tight ends do the Rams need? They did play a ton of 13 personnel last season, but all three of Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson and Tyler Higbee will be back with the team in 2026. Klare has virtually no chance to make an impact this year as a result, and he might not get a chance to see enough targets to be a worthwhile fantasy option for his first few seasons. I’d still prefer Ferguson, who was also a second-round pick, in 2026.

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