The 2026 NFL Draft is underway. As the draft goes on, teams will be graded on how they have done. Here are the 2026 NFL Draft Grades.
Note: This post will be updated throughout the weekend
Buffalo Bills: A
Draft Picks: EDGE TJ Parker, CB Davison Igbinosun, OT Jude Bowry, WR Skyler Bell, LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, S Jalon Kilgore, DL Zane Durant, CB Toriano Pride, P Tommy Doman, IOL Ar’maj Reed-Adams,
The Bills get some credit for trading down and got a solid power rusher at value in TJ Parker. Igbinosun, who was a bit of a reach, is a little grabby in coverage, but it works in his favor sometimes. Bowry can give the Bills some depth on the offensive line.
Miami Dolphins: B-
Draft Picks: OT Kadyn Proctor, CB Chris Johnson, LB Jacob Rodriguez, WR Caleb Douglas, TE Will Kacmarek, WR Chris Bell, EDGE Trey Moore, LB Kyle Louis, S Michael Taafe, WR Kevin Coleman, TE Seydou Traore, IOL DJ Campbell, EDGE Max Llewellyn,
The Dolphins get some credit for trading down, but Proctor could need to move to guard. They then traded up for Johnson, who can play man or zone coverage. Rodriguez was great value and can help rebuild the defense. Douglas was a reach, as there were plenty of better receivers on the board. Kacmarek is a good blocking tight end, but was taken a bit too early. Bell is coming off a torn ACL, but is good with the ball in his hands.
New England Patriots: A
Draft Picks: OT Caleb Lomu, EDGE Gabe Jacas, TE Eli Raridon, CB Karen Prunty, OT Dametrious Crownover, LB Namdi Obiazor, QB Behren Morton, RB Jam Miller, EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins,
Lomu was the best tackle available and can step in and start right away. Jacas is a strong defensive end who has heavy hands. The Patriots took tight end Eli Raridon, who is a good receiving option and can block a little too.
New York Jets: B+
Draft Picks: EDGE David Bailey, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper Jr., CB D’Angelo Ponds, DL Darrell Jackson, QB Cade Klubnik, IOL Anez Cooper, S VJ Payne,
Bailey is a good pass rusher, but may not hold up in run defense. Sadiq will give the offense another unique weapon, which should really help move things in the right direction. They also got another solid piece for the offense in Cooper Jr. by trading back into the first round. Ponds is a small, but feisty corner who can play inside or out. Jackson can help stop the run. Taking Clubnik likely won’t help, but he could develop into a solid backup.
Baltimore Ravens: A
Draft Picks: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, EDGE Zion Young, WR Ja’Kobi Lane, WR Elijah Sarratt, TE Matthew Hibner, CB Chandler Rivers, TE Josh Cuevas, RB Adam Randall, P Ryan Eckley, DL Rashaun Benny, IOL Evan Beerntsen,
The Ravens had troubles on the interior offensive line and got the best player at that position in the draft. Young plays good run defense and can develop into a better pass rusher. Lane gives the Ravens a different type of receiver than they usually take and should give them a nice redzone threat. Sarratt gives them a similar type of receiver as Lane.
Cincinnati Bengals: A-
Draft Picks: EDGE Cashius Howell, CB Tacario Davis, IOL Connor Lew, WR Colbie Young, IOL Brian Parker, TE Jack Endries, DL Landon Robinson,
Cincinnati had bigger needs, but Howell presents good value on the edge. Davis is a long corner who can help the versatility of the defense. Lew is a good depth piece on the interior.
Cleveland Browns: A+
Draft Picks: OT Spencer Fano, WR KC Concepcion, WR Denzel Boston, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, OT Austin Barber, IOL Parker Brailsford, LB Justin Jefferson, TE Joe Royer, QB Taylen Green, TE Carsen Ryan,
The Browns traded down and got the best offensive lineman in the draft, which was a big area of need. They also got an explosive wide receiver to help the offense in Concepcion. Boston is a good addition to the receiver room as well, as a different, bigger-bodied receiver. McNeil-Warren was a good value in the late second round. Barber is a good depth piece for the line who could develop.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B-
Draft Picks: OT Max Iheanachor, WR Germie Bernard, QB Drew Allar, CB Daylen Everette, IOL Gennings Dunker, WR Kaden Wetjen, TE Riley Nowakowski, DL Gabriel Rubio, S Robert Spears-Jennings, RB Eli Heidenreich,
The Steelers needed offensive line help and got a player in Iheanachor, who is athletic but still learning the sport of football. They traded up for Bernard, who can diversify the offense from the receivers they already have on the roster. Allar adds another developmental quarterback to the room. Everette got plenty of good experience in the SEC over the last few seasons. Dunker played tackle in college, but should be able to start at guard at the pro level.
Houston Texans: B-
Draft Picks: IOL Keylan Rutledge, DL Kayden McDonald, TE Marlin Klein, S Jalen Huskey, IOL Febechi Nwaiwu, LB Wade Woodaz, S Kamari Ramsey, WR Lewis Bond, LB Aiden Fisher,
The Texans needed offensive line help, but reached on Rutledge, who was more of a mid to late day two player. They traded up to get a run-stopper in McDonald at the top of the second round. Houston reached on Klein, who is a good blocking tight end. They also picked Huskey and Nwaiwu too early.
Indianapolis Colts: A
Draft Picks: LB CJ Allen, S AJ Haulcy, IOL Jalen Farmer, LB Bryce Boettcher, EDGE George Gumbs, EDGE Caden Curry, RB Seth McGowan, WR Deion Burks,
The Colts needed a linebacker, and they got a player in Allen who should’ve been drafted much earlier and is a good field commander. Haulcy is a hard-hitting safety with ball skills who was a steal. Farmer is a great run blocker.
Jacksonville Jaguars: D
Draft Picks: TE Nate Boerkircher, DL Albert Regis, IOL Emmanuel Pregnon, EDGE Wesley Williams, WR Josh Cameron, WR CJ Williams, EDGE Zach Durfee, LB Parker Hughes,
The Jaguars needed a tight end, but made a severe reach in Boerkircher. Regis will help stop the run immediately for the Jags. Pregnon is a great value and can start right away on the interior.
Tennessee Titans: B
Draft Picks: WR Carnell Tate, EDGE Keldric Faulk, LB Anthony Hill, IOL Fernando Carmona, RB Nick Singleton, DL Jackie Marshall, IOL Pat Coogan, TE Jaren Kanek,
The Titans were expected to go with a different position, but get a solid receiving option for Cam Ward in Carnell Tate. Faulk is a great run defender and very athletic for his size. Hill is an athletic linebacker who should be able to make an impact early.
Denver Broncos: D
Draft Picks: DL Tyler Onyedim, RB Jonah Coleman, OT Kage Casey, TE Justin Joly, S Miles Scott, TE Dallen Bentley, LB Red Murdock
Onyedim was a severe reach after the Broncos traded down. Coleman was a great value and adds another good running back to the room. Casey may move inside to guard at the NFL level.
Kansas City Chiefs: A
Draft Picks: CB Mansoor Delane, DL Peter Woods, EDGE R Mason Thomas, CB Jadon Canady, RB Emmett Johnson, WR Cyrus Allen, QB Garrett Nussmeier,
After losing a lot of secondary pieces, the Chiefs were aggressive to go up and get the best cornerback in the draft in Delane. They could’ve used a different position at the end of the first round, but got good value in Woods. Thomas has real explosiveness off the edge. Canady can play in the slot for the Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders: A
Draft Picks: QB Fernando Mendoza, S Treydan Stukes, EDGE Keyron Crawford, OT Trey Zuhn, CB Jermod McCoy, RB Mike Washington Jr., S Dalton Johnson, CB Hezekiah Masses, WR Malik Benson, DL Brandon Cleveland,
The Raiders didn’t make a bad pick with Mendoza, as he is a solid quarterback prospect, but it just isn’t the best draft year for the position. Stukes is a solid safety prospect, but there were some better ones on the board. Crawford is a good pass rusher who is still learning the position. Zuhn may move inside to center at the next level. They took a risk on McCoy with the injury to his knee, but it is extreme value.
Los Angeles Chargers: A-
Draft Picks: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, IOL Jake Slaughter, WR Brenen Thompson, OT Travis Burke, S Genesis Smith, DL Nick Barrett, IOL Logan Taylor, OT Alex Harkey,
Mesidor plays hard and violently, which Jim Harbaugh will love. They selected him at a good value. There were better interior linemen on the board than Slaughter. Thompson brings a lot more speed to the offense.
Dallas Cowboys: A
Draft Picks: S Caleb Downs, EDGE Malachi Lawrence, LB Jaishawn Barham, OT Drew Shelton, CB Devin Moore, EDGE LT Overton, WR Anthony Smith,
The Cowboys traded up a spot and got the second-best player in the class in Downs, who is at a position of need. They also addressed the edge rusher spot with the explosive Malachi Lawrence. Barham is versatile, as he can rush the passer or play off-ball. Shelton provides nice offensive line depth.
New York Giants: A
Draft Picks: LB Arvell Reese, OT Francis Mauigoa, CB Colton Hood, WR Malachi Fields, DL Bobby Jamison-Travis, OT JC Davis, LB Jack Kelly,
Reese was a good value at pick no. 5, although the Giants will need to figure out how to use him to get his most value. The Giants also got Francis Muaigoa at a nice value as a product of the Dexter Lawrence trade. Hood is an aggressive corner who will fit right in with how John Harbaugh wants his team to play. Fields is a big-bodied wide receiver who knows how to use his size well.
Philadelphia Eagles: A-
Draft Picks: WR Makai Lemon, TE Eli Stowers, OT Markel Bell, QB Cole Payton, IOL Micah Morris, S Cole Wisniewski, DL Uar Bernard, EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby,
The Eagles are likely trading AJ Brown, so they traded up for Lemon to address the issue. Stowers is an athletic tight end, who won’t be able to block on the line as much as others. Bell is a big offensive lineman who fits what the Eagles have done in the past.
Washington Commanders: A-
Draft Picks: LB Sonny Styles, WR Antonio Williams, EDGE Joshua Josephs, RB Kaytron Allen, IOL Matt Gulbin, QB Athan Kaliakmanis
Styles slipped a little bit, but he is a very athletic linebacker who Dan Quinn can get a lot out of. The Commanders get a shifty receiver in Williams, but he battled injuries last season.
Chicago Bears: B+
Draft Picks: S Dillon Thieneman, IOL Logan Jones, TE Sam Roush, WR Zavion Thomas, CB Malik Muhammad, LB Keyshaun Elliott, DL Jordan van den Berg,
Chicago lost some safeties in free agency and Thieneman has great range at the backend. Jones was a reach, but at a position of need at center. Roush is a good blocking tight end. Thomas is a versatile player, but could’ve been selected too soon.
Detroit Lions: B-
Draft Picks: OT Blake Miller, EDGE Derrick Moore, LB Jimmy Rolder, CB Keith Abney, WR Kendrick Law, DL Skyler Gill-Howard, DL Tyre West,
The Lions needed to replace Taylor Decker, but there were a few better tackles on the board. Moore was a little reach, but can provide a rusher across from Aidan Hutchinson.
Green Bay Packers: A
Draft Picks: CB Brandon Cisse, DL Chris McClellan, EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, IOL Jager Burton, CB Domani Jackson, K Trey Smack,
Cisse is a good corner who fits an area of need for the Packers. McClellan can help stop the run for the Packers. Dennis-Sutton is a productive edge rusher, but needs to refine his game.
Minnesota Vikings: B
Draft Picks: DL Caleb Banks, LB Jake Golday, DL Domonique Orange, OT Caleb Tiernan, S Jakobe Thomas, FB Max Bredeson, CB Charles Demmings, RB Demond Claiborne, IOL Gavin Gerhardt,
The Vikings took a risk on Banks, who is really explosive, but is dealing with foot injuries. Golday was good value and can make an impact early on their defense. Orange was a good value, but doubling down on the interior may not have been necessary. Tiernan can be a good depth tackle for the Vikings. Thomas can play deep split-zone or in robber coverage well.
Atlanta Falcons: A
Draft Picks: CB Avieon Terrell, WR Zachariah Branch, LB Kendal Daniels, DL Anterio Thompson, LB Harold Perkins, OT Ethan Onianwa,
Terrell joins his brother in Atlanta and was a good value for the Falcons. Branch is a good complement to his offense with his great speed.
Carolina Panthers: B
Draft Picks: OT Monroe Freeling, DL Lee Hunter, WR Chris Brazzell, CB Will Lee, IOL Sam Hecht, S Zakee Wheatley, LB Jackson Kuwatch,
Freeling needs more experience to really fill out his game, but he has really good physical tools to work with. Hunter is a good run-stopper for the middle of their defense. Brazzell is a tall, deep threat who can stretch the defense.
New Orleans Saints: B
Draft Picks: WR Jordyn Tyson, DL Christen Miller, TE Oscar Delp, IOL Jeremiah Wright, WR Bryce Lance, S Lorenzo Styles, WR Barion Brown, CB TJ Hall,
The Saints will have to deal with Tyson’s injury history, but he is able to separate well to give Tyler Shough a nice target. Miller can be a good defender on the interior for the Saints. Delp didn’t produce as much as expected, but he is athletic and has solid size.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A
Draft Picks: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Josiah Trotter, WR Ted Hurst, CB Keionte Scott, DL DeMonte Capehart, IOL Billy Schrauth, TE Bauer Sharp,
Tampa Bay needed help on the edge and had a top 10 player in the class fall to them in Bain. Trotter is a good run defender who fills a position of need. Hurst is a contested catch winner who can take a Mike Evans-like role on the offense. Scott can be an impactful nickel player.
Arizona Cardinals: B
Draft Picks: RB Jeremiyah Love, IOL Chase Bisontis, QB Carson Beck, DL Kaleb Proctor, WR Reggie Virgil, LB Karson Sharar, OT Jayden Williams,
The Cardinals have too many running backs after selecting Love, even if they did get the best player in the draft. Bisontis can help an offensive line that really needs some help and was good value. The Cardinals reached on Carson Beck and didn’t need a developmental quarterback when they will likely be taking one next season. Proctor can rush solidly well from the inside.
Los Angeles Rams: C
Draft Picks: QB Ty Simpson, TE Max Klare, IOL Keagen Trost, WR CJ Daniels, DL Tim Keenan,
Quarterbacks always go earlier than expected, but the Rams took a player to the future when they could’ve loaded up for a run this year with Matthew Stafford. Klare is a good tight end, but wasn’t at a position of need. They also reached on Trost.
San Francisco 49ers: B
Draft Picks: WR De’Zhaun Stribling, EDGE Romello Height, RB Kaelon Black, DL Gracen Halton, OT Carver Willis, LB Jaden Dugger, OT Enrique Cruz,
Stribling was a late riser in the process after a productive career and the 49ers get credit for trading down. Height is a good designated pass rusher who can help on passing downs. The 49ers took Black a bit too early. Halton plays aggressively, despite being smaller for interior players.
Seattle Seahawks: C
Draft Picks: RB Jadarian Price, S Bud Clark, CB Julian Neal, IOL Beau Stephens, WR Emmanuel Henderson, CB Andre Fuller, DL Deven Eastern, CB Michael Dansby
The Seahawks needed to take a running back, but overdrafted Price, who does have some potential with more work in the NFL than he had in college. Clark is a ball-hawking safety with experience, but also was a bit too early. Neal can help the Seahawks at corner after Tariq Woolen walked in free agency.
Make sure to check out our brand new NFL Draft page for more content like 2026 NFL Draft Grades!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
