The second night of the 2026 NFL draft featured a flurry of defensive selections and a notable veteran trade, as the Philadelphia Eagles acquired edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings and signed him to a four-year, $100 million extension.
Eagles Land Greenard in Blockbuster Trade
The Eagles sent the 98th overall pick in this year's draft and a 2027 third-round selection to the Vikings in exchange for Greenard and a seventh-round pick (No. 244). The 28-year-old, a 2024 Pro Bowler, subsequently agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal that includes $50 million guaranteed, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Greenard, who had been seeking a new contract, carried a cap hit of more than $22 million for 2026. The trade gives Minnesota additional flexibility as they reshape their roster following a 9-8 season and the firing of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The Eagles, meanwhile, addressed a need on the edge after losing Jaelen Phillips in free agency. Greenard had 12 sacks in 2024 but was limited to 12 games last season by a shoulder injury, finishing with three sacks.
Carson Beck Selected by Cardinals in Third Round
Once considered a potential top pick, Carson Beck became the first player selected in the third round of the NFL draft. The Arizona Cardinals took the polarizing Miami quarterback with the 65th overall pick on Friday night. He joins a quarterback room that includes veterans Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew under rookie coach Mike LaFleur.
“I’m super excited, super grateful, super blessed,” Beck said. “I took a visit out there and loved the staff, loved Coach LaFleur.”
Beck was only the third quarterback selected in a draft widely viewed as thin at the position. Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 to Las Vegas, and Ty Simpson was taken 13th by the Los Angeles Rams. No quarterbacks were picked in the second round.
Defense Dominates Second Round
Defense dominated the second round, with 22 of 32 picks on that side of the ball. The Houston Texans and New York Giants took Kayden McDonald and Colton Hood with back-to-back picks at 36 and 37. Cincinnati added Texas A&M edge Cashius Howell at No. 41, while Atlanta took Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell at No. 48. Green Bay followed with South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse at No. 52, and Indianapolis selected Georgia linebacker CJ Allen at No. 53.
Drew Allar Goes to Steelers
Drew Allar became the fourth quarterback off the board when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the Penn State product at No. 76, keeping him in-state after an injury-riddled college career. Allar is returning from a broken ankle that ended his final season, and his selection drew a mixed reaction from fans at Acrisure Stadium.
Pittsburgh, which set an NFL draft attendance record with 320,000 fans on Thursday, later drew a roar of approval by selecting Iowa guard Gennings Dunker, a combine standout known for his mullet and mustache.
First Picks for Eight Teams
Eight teams made their first selections of the draft after sitting out the opening round. San Francisco kicked off day two by taking Mississippi wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling at No. 33 after trading down twice. The Buffalo Bills traded back three times before selecting Clemson edge rusher TJ Parker at No. 35. Denver, which had traded away earlier picks, waited until the third round to select Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim at No. 66.
Just 16 of the 32 first-round picks were made by the teams that originally held them, underscoring a draft defined as much by movement as by selections.
