2026 NFL rookies: Day 2-3 draft picks with instant impact - ESPN

Most of the attention after this NFL draft will go to the Round 1 picks, but there are 225 other selections who could make just as big of an impact.

Last year's class had plenty of examples of Day 2 and Day 3 picks making a huge difference. The Browns selected linebacker Carson Schwesinger at the top of the second round, and he went on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year after leading the team with 146 tackles. Meanwhile, fourth-round pick Chimere Dike led the NFL with 2,427 all-purpose yards for the Titans.

So who could be this year's version of Schwesinger and Dike? I'm listing 10 players on each side of the ball selected in Rounds 2-7 whom I expect will make the greatest immediate impact as rookies. I'm factoring in potential role, upside and talent. Let's start with an offensive lineman who's filling a critical need in Arizona.

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It should not be surprising that the second pick of Day 2 is expected to have a legitimate early role. However, I'm particularly enthused by Bisontis' short-term outlook because of Arizona's needs on the right side of its line. While I fully expect Bisontis to settle in as the starting right guard, his experience as a right tackle as a freshman at Texas A&M indicates that he has the necessary versatility to play significant snaps immediately.

Eyebrows were raised when Boerkircher went off the board in Round 2, but the Jaguars expect him to play meaningful snaps early. He was regarded as one of the best blocking tight ends in the class but has been underutilized as a pass catcher, even though he has a skill set that outpaced his production. Multiple tight end sets are trendy in the NFL, and while Brenton Strange is set to be Jacksonville's lead tight end, Boerkircher