Home runs and head-scratchers from NFL Draft Rounds 2-3, including Malachi Fields, Emmanuel Pregnon

April 25, 2026 - 06:59

The second and third rounds of the NFL Draft are often where championships are truly built, but they are also where front offices can make decisions that leave fans scratching their heads. This year’s middle rounds were no different, offering a mix of brilliant value picks and puzzling reaches that will be debated until the season kicks off.

One of the most intriguing selections came when the Indianapolis Colts snagged wide receiver Malachi Fields. While not a household name, Fields possesses a rare combination of size and contested-catch ability that many analysts believed warranted a Day 2 pick. His fit in an offense needing a physical boundary threat makes this a potential home run. On the flip side, the selection of guard Emmanuel Pregnon raised eyebrows. While Pregnon is a powerful interior lineman, his inconsistent pass-protection technique and tendency to play high made him a reach in the third round for a team that could have addressed other pressing needs. The value simply wasn't there compared to other interior linemen still on the board.

Other head-scratchers included teams reaching for specialists and project players with high ceilings but low floors. The risk-reward calculus in these rounds is always delicate, and while some picks look like steals on paper, others appear to be desperate swings. As training camps approach, these selections will be the first to face scrutiny, proving once again that the draft’s middle rounds are as unpredictable as they are crucial.