New 2026 NFL Mock Draft from ESPN Reveals Updated Carson Beck, Garrett Nussmeier Landing Spots in R2

After an unexpectedly wild Day 1 of the 2026 NFL draft, the event resumes on Friday night with rounds two and three taking place from Pittsburgh.

ESPN's Matt Miller has unveiled his Day 2 mock, including Carson Beck coming off the board early to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 33 and the Pittsburgh Steelers adding quarterback depth by taking Garrett Nussmeier with the 53rd pick.

Here are some of the notable selections from Miller's Day 2 projection.

Team	Pick
33. 49ers (via NYJ)	Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S
34. Cardinals	Carson Beck, QB
35. Bills	Denzel Boston, WR
37. Giants	Jermod McCoy, CB
45. Ravens	Avieon Terrell, CB
46. Buccaneers	Jacob Rodriguez, LB
50. Lions	Zion Young, EDGE
53. Steelers	Garrett Nussmeier, QB
67. Raiders	Chris Bell, WR
92. Cowboys	Elijah Sarratt, WR

Before the start of the draft, the Cardinals were frequently connected to Ty Simpson. There were projections having them trading back into the first round or standing pat at No. 33 to take the Alabama quarterback.

If that was Arizona's original plan, it got thrown out the window quickly when the Los Angeles Rams pulled off the surprise of the first round by taking Simpson at No. 13 to be Matthew Stafford's successor.

Beck would certainly be an interesting alternative. He's got more experience than Simpson that could make him ready to start sooner. The 23-year-old started 43 games over the past three seasons between Georgia and Miami.

The actual ceiling for Beck in the NFL is a question mark. B/R scout Damian Parson cited Kenny Pickett as his pro comparison.

Meanwhile, the Steelers are still playing the waiting game with Aaron Rodgers. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in the lead up to the draft that they were "hoping" to get confirmation from the four-time MVP about his future.

Through at least the first round of the draft, there's been nothing publicly to suggest Rodgers has assured Steelers coaches and management he's coming back. They used the No. 21 pick to add Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor.

Nussmeier is a fascinating quarterback prospect in this class. He entered the 2025 season in contention with Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 player at the position.

A disappointing season hampered by injuries knocked Nussmeier down, but the upside that made him such a tantalizing prospect is still in there. Parson's comparison for him is San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

If the Steelers can get Nussmeier as a developmental quarterback, it would at least give them options as they think about 2027 and beyond.