Following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, professional football analysts have completed their comprehensive evaluation of how all 32 franchises performed during the selection process.
Teams that invested heavily to secure early draft positions generally maximized their opportunities, according to the assessment.
Football experts examined each organization’s draft strategy and assigned letter grades based on their immediate analysis of every team’s rookie class.
However, analysts caution that these early evaluations are based on projections of developing talent and evolving team systems, with the learning curve often being significant. Typically, it requires a minimum of two complete seasons to understand the reasoning behind these draft choices, and not every prospect will reach their potential.
Arizona Cardinals
Grade: B-
Selecting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick raises concerns given teams’ historical success finding quality backs in later rounds. Arizona’s primary need was quarterback, but no signal-caller warranted the third selection after Fernando Mendoza was unavailable. Their secondary need was pass rusher, with Texas Tech’s David Bailey being the only elite edge player available – he was taken one spot before Love. While Love’s big-play ability is undeniable, the wisdom of this selection is questionable given opportunities to trade down and address multiple roster holes.
Atlanta Falcons
Grade: B+
Without a first-round selection due to their 2025 trade for pass rusher James Pearce Jr., Atlanta found excellent value with Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell at pick 48 and speedy Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch (4.36 40-yard dash) in round three.
Baltimore Ravens
Grade: A-
No pre-draft prediction was simpler than matching the offensive line-needy Ravens with Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane at 14th overall. Second-round selection Zion Young from Missouri was a player Dallas might have reached for earlier. He possesses all the necessary attributes to contribute immediately alongside Trey Hendrickson.
Buffalo Bills
Grade: B
Buffalo’s strategy of trading backward paid dividends. The most impressive values appear to be fifth-round selections safety Jalon Kilgore from South Carolina and Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant. However, their first two picks will likely provide the most immediate impact: 35th overall selection T.J. Parker, a Clemson edge rusher, and 62nd pick Davison Igbinosun, an Ohio State cornerback.
Carolina Panthers
Grade: B-
This grade could have approached the top tier if offensive tackle Monroe Freeling had returned to Georgia for his final season. He represents excellent value at 19th overall, while 49th pick Lee Hunter from Texas Tech could be the perfect nose tackle prospect due to his massive frame and surprising mobility. Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, selected 83rd overall, offers the most appealing combination of size, skill, and speed among available receivers.
Chicago Bears
Grade: B-
Chicago deserves credit for being positioned to select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman 25th overall. He can significantly improve their inconsistent secondary. Iowa center Logan Jones at 57th helps restructure the offensive line behind Garrett Bradbury, though if he’s not a starter, addressing pass rush might have been wiser.
Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: B+
The decision to trade their 10th pick to New York for nose tackle Dexter Lawrence would feel better if not for his declining production last season with the Giants. If he arrives motivated and 41st overall pick Cashius Howell develops – he brings tremendous energy but lacks ideal size – this strategy improves significantly.
Cleveland Browns
Grade: A-
According to Field Level Media’s analysis of prospects Andrew Berry contacted to welcome to Cleveland, the Browns executed another outstanding draft. First-round selections of Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano and Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion launched an exceptional weekend. 39th pick Denzel Boston from Washington is a borderline number one receiver most expected to go in the top 30, while Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren went 58th, approximately 40 spots below projections based on his talent and versatility.
Dallas Cowboys
Grade: A
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs ranked among the six undisputed elite prospects, making Dallas wise to sacrifice mid-round selections for the versatile playmaker. UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence possesses impressive traits, though he’s not immediately ready to rush the passer. He should win consistently. Acquiring linebacker Dee Winters from San Francisco for a fifth-round pick and selecting Michigan edge Jaishawn Barham gives Dallas the foundation for a formidable defense.
Denver Broncos
Grade: C+
Acquiring proven commodity Jaylen Waddle surpasses what Denver could have accomplished with the 30th overall pick traded to Miami.
Detroit Lions
Grade: B
Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller provides an immediate replacement for Taylor Decker, while Michigan edge Derrick Moore represented typical Detroit value in round two.
Green Bay Packers
Grade: B
This year’s first-round selection and their 2027 first-rounder went to Dallas in the Micah Parsons trade. Parsons showed Defensive Player of the Year potential before suffering a season-ending Denver injury. As he recovers, Green Bay should contend seriously. South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse at 52nd overall deserved first-round consideration.
Houston Texans
Grade: C
The first-round selection of Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge raises questions. Not because Rutledge lacks talent, but because no teams were competing for him or any interior lineman at that draft position, making the trade-up an overpayment. GM Nick Caserio redeemed himself in round two with Ohio State nose tackle Kayden McDonald.
Indianapolis Colts
Grade: C
Sauce Gardner himself acknowledged being Indianapolis’s first-round pick for 2026. Acquired at last season’s trade deadline, Gardner’s campaign collapsed due to calf injury. Will he return to his 2022 and 2023 All-Pro form in 2026?
Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: C-
Jacksonville’s draft lacked excitement, particularly after trading up for Travis Hunter second overall in 2025. Weighing the cost of their 2026 first-rounder against Hunter’s franchise contribution thus far, this appears disappointing.
Kansas City Chiefs
Grade: A
Questioning Andy Reid proves unwise. The trade-up for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at sixth overall was brilliant, while 29th pick Peter Woods from Clemson possesses top-15 talent. Edge rusher R Mason Thomas could significantly impact this defense.
Las Vegas Raiders
Grade: A
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the obvious first overall selection, but lesser-known picks could drive the franchise turnaround. Multi-position lineman Trey Zuhn III and cornerback Jermod McCoy – a first-round talent who missed last season with a January 2025 ACL injury – at 101st overall represent foundation-building selections if they succeed.
Los Angeles Chargers
Grade: B-
Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor can revitalize the pass rush with Odafe Oweh departed and Khalil Mack nearing retirement. Their strongest work came later, particularly four selections invested in offensive line improvement.
Los Angeles Rams
Grade: D+
The Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson when three consensus first-round talents remained available. Simpson’s evaluation suggested 44th overall value, drawing reactions similar to Sean McVay’s visible disappointment. However, viewing this as a bonus pick while considering trade acquisition Trent McDuffie as their first-round success makes GM Les Snead’s reach more understandable.
Miami Dolphins
Grade: C
This draft emphasized quantity for Miami, exiting round one with two potential starters who could equally be first-year projects: 12th pick Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor and 27th overall San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez shows second-round gem potential. Red Raiders receiver Caleb Douglas at 75th overall surprised everyone, as nobody projected him near the top 100.
Minnesota Vikings
Grade: C-
Using the 18th pick on massive Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks seems questionable when Minnesota could have traded back or found similar talent later. Second-round Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday and fourth-round Miami pick Jakobe Thomas represent solid selections.
New England Patriots
Grade: C+
Utah tackle Caleb Lomu at 28th overall offers flexibility with guard experience. GM Eliot Wolf traded up for Lomu, then acquired Illinois player Gabe Jacas in round two.
New Orleans Saints
Grade: B
Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson at eighth overall feels risky considering durability concerns that mirror current Saints number one Chris Olave. Georgia tight end Oscar Delp appears to be a third-round steal.
New York Giants
Grade: A-
Most expected Ohio State’s Arvell Reese to be gone before fifth overall, where New York secured him, five picks before powerful Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa. Based purely on potential and fit, the Giants excelled in round one. However, they never addressed replacing defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, traded to Cincinnati for the 10th pick.
New York Jets
Grade: A
GM Darren Mougey acquired three potential Pro Bowl players in round one, a haul the franchise can celebrate knowing more premium picks arrive next season. Texas Tech’s David Bailey was the draft’s best pure pass rusher, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq was the only elite player at his position, and 30th pick Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana matched or exceeded several receivers selected earlier. Cooper’s teammate D’Angelo Ponds offers speed and ball skills, representing excellent 50th overall value.
Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: B
While respecting Howie Roseman’s roster construction, trading up for slot receiver Makai Lemon in round one was puzzling with multiple talented receivers still available late in the first round.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: C-
Landing Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor, one of the draft’s best finishers, deserves praise. The Drew Allar quarterback selection shows tools and potential, but the upside remains unclear unless Pittsburgh plans to develop him for two years.
San Francisco 49ers
Grade: B-
After multiple trades back, San Francisco selected Ole Miss receiver De’Zhaun Stribling with the first second-round pick. He’s a big-bodied target to complement free agent Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall.
Seattle Seahawks
Grade: B
GM John Schneider discussed trading out of round one before surprising everyone by selecting Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the final first-round pick. Price can immediately replace Kenneth Walker III if needed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: A
Selecting falling Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at 15th overall sparked Warren Sapp comparisons and began a series of successful picks. Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter (46th) and Bain’s Miami teammate cornerback Keionte Scott (116th) enter the NFL with starter-plus ability.
Tennessee Titans
Grade: A-
Quarterback Cam Ward, the 2025 first overall pick, suddenly has an impressive arsenal. First-round Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate (fourth overall) and 31st pick Auburn edge Keldric Faulk address key positions while setting the tempo.
Washington Commanders
Grade: B
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles (seventh overall) was considered top-five talent after his NFL Combine performance. Every great Dan Quinn defense features a linebacker with coach-on-the-field qualities. Clemson slot receiver Antonio Williams (71st overall) exceeds expectations.
