The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone. The draft is always such a chaotic few days out of the year, and this year’s edition was no exception.
Day 1 brought such surprise moves as the Los Angeles Rams drafting Ty Simpson to be their quarterback of the future after Matthew Stafford and the Philadelphia Eagles trading up past the Pittsburgh Steelers to secure Makai Lemon. Outside of Thursday, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy shockingly fell all the way to Round 4 amidst injury concerns.
32) Cleveland Browns
The big concern for the Cleveland Browns heading into this offseason was their offensive line, since nearly their entire starting lineup was hitting free agency. They’ve certainly been active in addressing those openings, but one could argue they’ve gotten more expensive and arguably worse up front.
The Browns were incredibly active, working on their offense in the drafting, using their first three picks on Spencer Fano, KC Concepcion, and Denzel Boston. Addressing their offense, which finished last in the NFL in PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric in 2025, made sense. The unit is still very unproven, but the upside is much higher now.
31) Miami Dolphins
Gone is Tua Tagovailoa, and in comes Malik Willis as the starting quarterback of the Miami Dolphins. It’s a new regime and a new era for the organization, and there’s a clear shift towards rebuilding. The likes of Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, and Minkah Fitzpatrick are no longer on the team.
With their abundance of draft capital, it’s no surprise the Miami Dolphins’ roster looks much different from what it was in 2025. They made a couple of head-scratching picks, but value selections like Jacob Rodriguez in Round 2, Chris Bell in Round 3, and Kyle Louis in Round 4 were intriguing.
30) Arizona Cardinals
Will it be Gardner Minshew or Jacoby Brissett starting at quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals next year? While neither option sounds particularly enticing, moving on from Kyler Murray gives them the long-term flexibility to commit to another rebuild, which they desperately need.
The vision for the Arizona Cardinals seemed to be playing out with their first two picks of running back Jeremiyah Love and offensive lineman Chase Bisontis. However, they used the first pick of Round 3 on quarterback Carson Beck, a rather surprising move on a quarterback generally perceived as a lower-ceiling game manager.
29) New York Jets
The New York Jets are still a ways away from competing for a playoff spot, but there’s no denying their roster got better this offseason. The defense looks completely different now, with the likes of Minkah Fitzpatrick, T’Vondre Sweat, Demario Davis, Nahshon Wright, David Onyemata, and Joseph Ossai joining the fray.
With Geno Smith at quarterback, the short-term ceiling for the Jets is limited. However, they fared well in the draft by making smart picks with their abundance of capital. David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, Omar Cooper Jr., and D’Angelo Ponds all stand out as Day 1 starters for a young, developing New York roster.
28) Las Vegas Raiders
For multiple reasons, the Las Vegas Raiders are at the forefront of the NFL offseason thus far. Their trade of Maxx Crosby to Baltimore ended up falling through, so they retain their All-Pro edge rusher for the time being. In the short-term, his presence is obviously a massive help to their defense.
After an active free agency, the Raiders made the obvious choice to draft Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall. It was perhaps surprising to see three of their next four picks used on defense, though Treydan Stukes gives them a likely Day 1 starter with versatility in the secondary. Jermod McCoy in Round 4 could be an all-time steal if the medicals are clean.
27) New Orleans Saints
Losses like Davis and Alontae Taylor could hurt, but one could argue that the New Orleans Saints have still gotten better in free agency thus far. David Edwards provides veteran stability on an ascending offensive line, Etienne is an upgrade over Alvin Kamara at running back, and Kaden Elliss gives them a versatile linebacker.
The Saints made some nice moves to upgrade their offense in the 2026 NFL Draft. Jordyn Tyson, Oscar Delp, and Bryce Lance are an intriguing haul of weapons for Tyler Shough to work with. Christen Miller should give them a pro-ready run stuffer at defensive tackle right out of the gates, as well.
26) Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans had a boatload of money to spend in free agency, and they certainly weren’t shy about doing exactly that. On offense, Wan’Dale Robinson provides a much-needed upgrade at wide receiver for Cam Ward to throw to, and Cordell Volson provides some experienced depth along their offensive line.
After a perceived slight reach pick of Carnell Tate as their future WR1, the Titans were aggressive, adding defensive talent in the 2026 NFL Draft. They traded up for both Keldric Faulk and Anthony Hill Jr., giving them two potential impact players for their front seven.
25) Atlanta Falcons
The big story with the Atlanta Falcons is their addition of Tua Tagovailoa in free agency, seemingly bringing him in to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for their starting quarterback job. Neither project is a star performer in 2026, but Tagovailoa gives them an experienced passer who should light a fire under the underwhelming Penix.
Even though they didn’t have a first-round pick, the Falcons came away from the 2026 NFL Draft with an impressive haul. Avieon Terrell is an intelligent nickel corner, and Zachariah Branch has high upside as a complementary speed threat. Their defense got more explosive with Day 3 additions like Kendal Daniels, Anterio Thompson, and Harold Perkins Jr.
24) New York Giants
John Harbaugh made a few key moves this offseason to build the New York Giants’ roster in his image. They lost a couple of contributors in the process, in Wan’Dale Robinson and Cor’Dale Flott, both of whom had followed their old head coach Brian Daboll to Tennessee. Retaining Jermaine Eluemunor was a big bonus, though.
Arvell Reese should be a versatile defender for the Giants who can play off-ball and off the edge, and Francis Mauigoa should be a Day 1 starter at guard with eventual starting potential at tackle. Colton Hood should be an immediate starting cornerback, as well, and Malachi Fields gives New York a big-bodied, physical receiver they didn’t have previously.
23) Indianapolis Colts
The two biggest free agents the Indianapolis Colts had hitting the open market were Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce. They were able to retain both players, keeping two cornerstones of their offense in place. Because of that, though, they were unable to keep many other talented players who left their roster.
Despite not having a first-round pick, the Colts added two potential starters on defense in CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy. They also added one of the best steals of the draft by selecting star Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks with the No. 254 overall selection.
22) Pittsburgh Steelers
As of this writing, Aaron Rodgers hasn’t decided his NFL future yet. Should he retire or sign with a new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be prone to fall in these power rankings. That said, they’ve done a solid job of remaining active and upgrading their roster in the meantime.
The Steelers’ selection of Max Iheanachor in Round 1 indicates Broderick Jones’ time in Pittsburgh might be coming to an end. They took a shot on Drew Allar as a long-term answer at quarterback in Round 3, though that selection may have come at the expense of fixing other immediate needs.
21) Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are coming off an NFC South-winning season, and they came to play in free agency. They made two big splashes by signing defensive end Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, adding two impact performers to their front seven.
Starting off their draft with two trench selections, the Panthers added Monroe Freeling on offense and Lee Hunter on defense. Such offensive selections as Chris Brazzell II and Sam Hecht were great value additions, and Will Lee III and Zakee Wheatley should both provide depth to their defensive secondary.
20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gone are long-time staples Mike Evans and Jamel Dean from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster. Each loss should be a major one on its respective side of the ball, though the hope is that they already have successors in place on their roster. Retaining Cade Otton would help their passing attack.
If the off-field concerns play out, Tampa Bay may have gotten the steal of Round 1 in Rueben Bain Jr. He should pair well with Josiah Trotter, Keionte Scott, and DeMonte Capehart on a reloading defense, while Ted Hurst has legit starting upside for the Buccaneers’ talented offense.
19) Minnesota Vikings
After a year of shaky play at the quarterback position, the Minnesota Vikings signed former Pro Bowler Kyler Murray to a one-year deal. Though he’s anticipated to compete for a starting job, there’s reason to believe he’ll be a favorite to take over under center for Minnesota.
The Vikings’ decision to ignore the secondary early in the 2026 NFL Draft could come back to bite them as they push for a return to the playoffs. Caleb Banks was a risky pick in the first round coming off two broken feet in the last year, but if he can stay healthy and retain his collegiate level of athleticism, he could be an impact defensive tackle.
18) Dallas Cowboys
Anyone who watched the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 could tell you their defense was their biggest weakness. They attacked that side of the ball heavily in free agency, trading for some pass-rushing help in the form of Rashan Gary and signing Jalen Thompson to add to their secondary.
Moving up one spot for Caleb Downs was a smart move for the Cowboys, who are in desperate need of blue-chip talent on defense. Malachi Lawrence is a bit raw as a run defender, but he should provide some immediate pass-rushing value with long-term potential to grow into a starting role.
17) Los Angeles Chargers
Things could change, but through the first wave of free agency, the Los Angeles Chargers haven’t been incredibly active. Tyler Biadasz figures to be an upgrade at center, but they’ve further increased their existing need at guard with the departure of Zion Johnson. Their interior offensive line was a major issue for them in 2025.
Not having a third-round pick hurt the Chargers’ draft haul, and drafting center Jake Slaughter as a guard in Round 2 is a major projection. But Akheem Mesidor was great value at No. 22 overall, and Brenen Thompson projects well as a speed threat who could eventually stick as a long-term starter.
16) Jacksonville Jaguars
According to GM James Gladstone, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been dormant in free agency to play the compensatory-pick game in the 2027 NFL Draft. That could help them in the long run, but it leaves them with some big shoes to fill in the short term, with the likes of Lloyd and Travis Etienne departing in free agency.
The Jaguars strayed far away from the national consensus with their draft haul. Aside from Emmanuel Pregnon in the third round, their other three top-100 selections came in much higher than where most draft analysts anticipated. Tanner Koziol and Josh Cameron feel like intriguing Day 3 selections for their offense, too.
15) Washington Commanders
Coming off a disappointing 2025, the Washington Commanders needed some major upgrades to their roster in free agency. So far, they’ve been able to do exactly that. Most of their moves have come on defense, having signed the likes of Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Leo Chenal, Nick Cross, Tim Settle, and Amik Robertson.
Despite not having picks in the second or fourth rounds, the Commanders came away with the top-graded draft class by PFSN’s NFL Draft HQ. Sonny Styles and Antonio Williams should start right away for Washington, while Day 3 picks like Joshua Josephs, Kaytron Allen, and Matt Gulbin were all great value selections where they got drafted.
14) Cincinnati Bengals
Ranking the Cincinnati Bengals this high is completely reliant on Joe Burrow staying healthy. If he’s able to do that, then this team should be in much better shape with the additions they’ve made this offseason. Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and Jonathan Allen should be four key additions to their porous defense.
In an effort to shore up their defense, the Bengals’ draft picks complemented their free agent and trade additions well. Cashius Howell and Tacario Davis have starting upside in Cincinnati, while their interior offensive line looks better now after drafting Connor Lew and Brian Parker II on Day 3.
13) Kansas City Chiefs
At this juncture, the Kansas City Chiefs might be the toughest team to predict in the NFL. On one hand, you’ll have Patrick Mahomes eventually coming back from injury with Andy Reid, Travis Kelce, Steve Spagnuolo, and Chris Jones among a core of their dynasty days. Additions such as Walker III, Khyiris Tonga, and Alohi Gilman should strengthen the roster.
The Chiefs needed some defensive upgrades in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they did exactly that on Draft Day. Mansoor Delane, Peter Woods, and R Mason Thomas should all contribute to their defense in Year 1. Jadon Canady has good defensive versatility, too. Kansas City’s offense should be deeper after selections like Emmett Johnson, Cyrus Allen, and Garrett Nussmeier, the latter of which is projected as the best QB value pick of the draft.
12) Baltimore Ravens
In spite of the bizarre Maxx Crosby situation, the Baltimore Ravens still managed to find their much-needed pass-rushing help in the form of All-Pro edge rusher Hendrickson. That addresses their biggest need from the 2025 season, while additions like John Simpson, Chidobe Awuzie, and Jaylinn Hawkins help plug up starting holes.
The Ravens needed to address their trenches, and they did so by picking guard Vega Ioane and edge rusher Zion Young with their first two picks. Their offense gained some intriguing depth with weapons like Ja’Kobi Lane, Elijah Sarratt, Matthew Hibner, and Adam Randall.
11) Detroit Lions
Given their success in recent seasons, it was somewhat surprising to see the Detroit Lions miss the playoffs entirely in 2025. Coming off that disappointing season, they’ll continue to face an uphill battle without the likes of Taylor Decker, Montgomery, Alex Anzalone, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Robertson on the roster.
Blake Miller is a seamless fit at right tackle with his nasty demeanor and refined skill set, as the Lions are expected to move Penei Sewell to left tackle. Their fifth-round selection of Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II could end up being one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft, as well.
10) Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears entered the draft more or less finding themselves in the same spot they were in going into free agency. They lost a few key starters, but additions like Coby Bryant, Devin Bush, and Garrett Bradbury are projected as new faces in the lineup. They retain the whole of their young, talented core on offense, as well.
Dillon Thieneman was one of the biggest steals of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft. Logan Jones is a nasty and athletic center with long-term starting upside, too. Their selection of Sam Roush when they already have a loaded tight end room was a surprise, and Zavion Thomas in Round 3 was a major reach. Their defensive line remains a major concern after largely ignoring it in the draft, but they added some good depth on defense on Day 3.
9) Houston Texans
Essentially, the Houston Texans swapped out Tytus Howard for Braden Smith along their offensive line. This would normally be a no-brainer move, but Smith is coming off a down season with the Colts in 2025. The hope is that he’ll bounce back to his old self and that bringing in David Montgomery will give the Texans a stronger ground game.
Bringing Kayden McDonald to a Texans defense that was already the second-best unit by PFSN’s Defense Impact Metric is just unfair for the rest of the NFL. Keylan Rutledge was a perceived reach in Round 1, but he’s a high-motored guard who should provide an upgrade for Houston early. I love the value of safety Kamari Ramsey in Round 5, too.
8) Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles lost more in free agency than they gained this year. Phillips is a big loss for their defensive line, though they essentially get the third-round pick they gave up for him back in the form of a 2027 compensatory pick. Reed Blankenship and Nakobe Dean depart the defense, as well.
As the Eagles seemingly prepare to trade A.J. Brown, they doubled down on athletic offensive weapons with Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Selecting Nigerian defensive tackle Uar Bernard in the seventh round, an athletic freak who has never played a down of football, is a fun storyline to watch.
7) Green Bay Packers
This Green Bay Packers squad in 2026 will look very different from the 2025 team. Besides Willis, they lost Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, Walker, and Kingsley Enagbare this offseason. They’ve also been active, adding the likes of Zaire Franklin, Benjamin St-Juste, and Javon Hargrave.
Without a first-round pick, the Packers still found some good value on defense in the 2026 NFL Draft. Brandon Cisse should be an immediate starter at cornerback. Chris McClellan is a physical defensive tackle with some short-area quickness, and Dani Dennis-Sutton has elite tools as a developmental edge rusher in Round 4.
6) New England Patriots
The defending AFC champions were active once again in free agency. The New England Patriots spent plenty of money in the open market, acquiring the likes of Kevin Byard, Romeo Doubs, Dre’Mont Jones, and Alijah Vera-Tucker. Their defense should be in good shape with the additions they made this offseason.
New England’s first two draft picks of Caleb Lomu and Gabe Jacas consist of two talented trench players and potential future starters on both sides of the ball. Among their Day 3 selections, Dametrious Crownover has a high developmental ceiling as a backup offensive tackle with great physical attributes.
5) Denver Broncos
Things were quiet for the Denver Broncos, who didn’t do much in the 2026 NFL free agency period. They re-signed the likes of Alex Singleton, J.K. Dobbins, and Ja’Quan McMillian, but they also lost Franklin-Myers and Dre Greenlaw on defense.
Not having a draft pick in the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft means the Broncos probably won’t get massive impact from their rookie class early on. With a need at tight end, however, they took two intriguing swings with Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley on Day 3 of the draft.
4) San Francisco 49ers
As things currently stand, the San Francisco 49ers have essentially just swapped out Kendrick Bourne for Mike Evans. Even with Evans coming off an injury-shortened 2025, that’s a big win for the 49ers’ offense. With Brandon Aiyuk likely on the way out, it was crucial for them to add some talent at wide receiver.
Trading back out of the first round was a good move for the 49ers to acquire additional draft capital, but their second-round pick of De’Zhaun Stribling was a major surprise. Their two third-round picks were also slight reaches, but defensive tackle Gracen Halton was a stellar addition in Round 4.
3) Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have needed a true WR1 since the departure of Diggs a few seasons ago, and the hope is they found one by acquiring D.J. Moore in a trade with Chicago. He joins a Bills team that also adds the likes of Bradley Chubb, Dee Alford, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson on defense.
T.J. Parker has starting potential as an edge rusher in Buffalo’s defensive front. While that was a good pick to begin their 2026 NFL Draft, I’m more impressed with their Day 3 selections than what they did the rest of Day 2. Skyler Bell, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Jalon Kilgore, and Zane Durant were all great values on Saturday of the draft.
2) Los Angeles Rams
Watching the Los Angeles Rams maneuver free agency was a perfect example of the rich getting richer. Their glaring weakness heading into free agency was their secondary, and they took both McDuffie and Watson away from the Chiefs’ cornerback room. They also extended safety Kamren Curl for added stability.
Taking Ty Simpson at No. 13 was not only a reach by PFSN’s draft analysis, but it was also entirely a future-minded move for a team in a win-now situation. Taking Max Klare after selecting Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 last year was a surprise, as well. The Rams’ roster is tremendous, and their coaching staff is strong, but their draft was underwhelming.
1) Seattle Seahawks
The defending Super Bowl champions had a lot of starters hitting free agency this offseason, and naturally, they weren’t able to retain all of them. Boye Mafe, Bryant, Riq Woolen, and Kenneth Walker III have departed for other teams, leaving the team with a couple of roster holes.
We’ve seen enough success from John Schneider to trust his draft selections, but the picks he made in the 2026 NFL Draft were puzzling. Jadarian Price was a bold pick in Round 1, and second-round pick Bud Clark is a talented safety, but one who’s older entering the NFL and has an injury history.
