Mel Kiper Jr. Hails Browns and Questions 49ers, Rams After 2026 NFL Draft Day 2

With Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft in the books, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. revealed a surprising pick for his biggest winner of the second and third rounds.

Kiper praised the Cleveland Browns for their selections of wide receiver Denzel Boston (No. 39), safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (No. 58) and Austin Barber (No. 86).

"If you were questioning the Browns going with two receivers inside the top 40 picks, well, look at the stat sheet from 2025. Cleveland didn't have a single wideout crack 650 yards, and the WR room combined for a league-low 1,467 receiving yards. Keep the WR picks coming," Kiper stated. "Elsewhere, McNeil-Warren was 33rd on my board, and the Browns found him still available at No. 58. I was surprised he slid this far. ... The Browns hit value all night."

However, a pair of NFC West teams were among those who drew criticisms from Kiper for their draft selections.

Kiper called Day 2 of the NFL draft "a really odd night" for the San Francisco 49ers, who selected wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (No. 33), edge rusher Romello Height (No. 70) and running back Kaelon Black (No. 90).

Similarly, Kiper stated that the Los Angeles Rams' selection of tight end Max Klare (No. 61) "didn't make sense" because of their more pressing needs at wide receiver and offensive tackle.

Teams like the Browns will look to continue their momentum during Day 3 of the NFL draft on Saturday, while the 49ers and Rams will be among those who try to rectify their mistakes.