NFL Draft grades 2026: All 32 draft classes ranked from Titans' flawless week to Rams' wasted opportunity

How do you grade a team’s draft class despite not knowing what kind of returns it will get from all the players it just picked? There are a few simple rules Sporting News applies to this annual exercise in instant analysis

First, did the team get the right kind of talent with every opportunity while on the clock? Second, teams’ initial grades should be based more on whether they did well addressing remaining roster needs after free agency.

Third — and most important — it’s critical to consider whether a team drafted well for its current league status, with playoff contenders going for more immediate impact and rebuilding franchises going for more valuable future help.

NFL Draft grades 2026: Ranking the best & worst classes, 1-32

1. Tennessee Titans

• Grade: A+

Draft picks: WR Carnell Tate, EDGE Keldric Faulk, LB Anthony Hill Jr., G/C Fernando Carmona, RB Nicholas Singleton, DT Jackie Marshall, G/C Pat Coogan, TE Jaren Kanak

Analysis: GM Mike Borgonzi built up offseason momentum to do right by new defensive-minded coach Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and second-year franchise QB Cam Ward. Getting Tate was better than reaching for a running back early, and Singleton is a sleeper there later. Faulk and Hill can change the defense, and Carmona leads further offensive line upgrades. The Titans are good enough now to sneak into the wild-card hunt.

MORE: How Fernando Mendoza, Omar Cooper Jr. made history in draft

2. Las Vegas Raiders

• Grade: A

Draft picks: QB Fernando Mendoza, CB/S Treydan Stukes, EDGE Keyron Crawford, OT/G Trey Zuhn III, CB Jermod McCoy, RB Mike Washington Jr., S Dalton Johnson, CB Hezekiah Masses, WR Malik Benson, DT Brandon Cleveland

Analysis: Sitting on Mendoza alone would have made this a great draft, but then GM John Spytek followed up well to further fill needs for a starting interior lineman (Zuhn) and an explosive backup back (Washington). Stukes adds to the secondary overhaul, and if McCoy pans out, it would be huge. Crawford can match Maxx Crosby’s pass-rush energy. Klint Kubiak is seeing a strong commitment, with Tom Brady now a more influential owner.

3. Baltimore Ravens

• Grade: A

Draft picks: G Olaivavega Ioane, EDGE Zion Young, WR Ja'Kobi Lane, WR Elijah Sarratt, TE Matthew Hibner, CB Chandler Rivers, TE Jose Cuevas, RB Adam Randall, P Ryan Eckley, DT Rayshaun Benny, G/C Evan Beerntsen

Analysis: The Ravens always do well with GM Eric DeCosta, and that was the same case with rookie coach Jesse Minter. Ioane was ideal for the offensive line, while Young can rev up the pass rush again. Then they were smart to reload with bigger targets who fit the offense of new coordinator Declan Doyle. Rivers can be a steal in the slot, too, while Benny was a good late get for run stopping.

4. New York Jets

• Grade: A

Draft picks: EDGE David Bailey, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper Jr., CB D'Angelo Pounds, DT Darrell Jackson Jr., QB Cade Klubnik, G/C Anez Cooper, S VJ Payne

Analysis: The Jets loaded on explosive athletes for Aaron Gleen and new offensive coordinator Frank Reich. GM Darren Mougey got two pass-defense game-changers in Bailey and Ponds. Sadiq and Omar Cooper make the offense a lot more dangerous. Jackson was good value for the defensive line later. Klubnik was a worthy flyer behind Geno Sith.

5. Washington Commanders

• Grade: A

Draft picks: LB Sonny Styles, WR Antonio Williams, EDGE Joshua Josephs, RB Kaytron Allen, G/C Matt Gulbin, QB Athan Kaliakmanis

6. Kansas City Chiefs

• Grade: A

Draft picks: CB Mansoor Delane, DT Peter Woods, EDGE R Mason Thomas, CB Jadon Canady, RB Emmett Johnson, WR Cyrus Allen, QB Garrett Nussmeier

Analysis: The Chiefs don't whiff when they pick late in the first round with Andy Reid and Brett Veach, so one knew they would aggressively reload after a non-playoff season gave them high picks. Delane, Woods, Thomas and Canady should thrill Steve Spanguolo with ideal pass defense reinforcements for his scheme. Johnson will be a fantastic new backfield 1-2 punch Kenneth Walker III. Nussmeier was a sneaky good stash at No. 3 behind Patrick Mahomes and Justin Fields to boot.

7. Dallas Cowboys

• Grade: A

Draft picks: S Caleb Downs, EDGE Malachi Lawrence, EDGE Jaishawn Barham, OT Drew Shelton, CB Devon Moore, EDGE LT Overton, WR Anthony Smith

Analysis: The Cowboys had plans to load up on defense with no real offensive concerns except getting some tackle help which they did. Jerry Jones delivered a lot more pop for the pass defense that needed it with new coordinator Christian Parker. They did a good job trying to emulate the Seahawks' deep pass rush by committee.

8. Carolina Panthers

• Grade: A

Draft picks: OT Monroe Freeling, DT Lee Hunter, WR Chris Brazell II, CB Will Lee III, G/C Sam Hecht, S Zakee Wheatley, LB Jackson Kuwatch

Analysis: The Panthers had a solid methodical draft to build on their NFC South title and playoff berth. GM Dan Morgan checked off all the key needs, led by Freeling and Hecht for the offensive line. Hunter can be huge up front to beef up the defense. Watch out for Brazzell being a dynamic No. 2 opposite Tetairoa McMillan.

9. Chicago Bears

• Grade: A

Draft picks: S Dillon Thieneman, G/C Logan Jones, TE Sam Roush, WR Zavion Thomas, CB Malik Muhammad, LB Keyshaun Elliott, DT Jordan Van Der Berg

10. Cincinnati Bengals

• Grade: A

Draft picks: EDGE Cashius Howell, CB Tacario Davis, G/C Connor Lew, WR Colbie Young, G/C Brian Parker II, TE Jack Endries, DT Landon Robinson

Analysis: Personnel lead Duke Tobin did well without a first-rounder and getting Dexter Lawrence from the Giants should be considered adjacent to this class. Howell and Davis upgrade the pass defense plenty with high energy. Lew can battle for a starting job at guard with immediate impact. Endries was a good value to add as an unique target for Joe Burrow.

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11. New York Giants

• Grade: A-

Draft picks: LB/EDGE Arvell Reese, OT/G Francis Mauigoa, CB Colton Hood, WR Malachi Fields, DT Bobby Jamison-Travis, OT J.C. Davis, LB Jack Kelly

Analysis: This was a top-heavy first draft with the Giants for John Harbaugh working well with GM Joe Schoen. Reese gives them yet another big play force the front seven. Mauigoa will deliver on his promise to help Jaxson Dart big-time anywhere he plays. Fields is the ideal big target to add, too. Hood has some shutdown potential for new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Grade: A-

Draft picks: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Josiah Trotter, WR Ted Hurst, CB/S Keionte Scott, DT Demonte Capehart, G/C Billy Schrauth, TE Bauer Sharp

Analysis: GM Jason Licht had to jump on Bain to replenish the pass rush for Todd Bowles and Trotter was the ideal rebound from Lavonte David's retirement. Hurst can fill some of the big-play void created by Mike Evans leaving. Scott can make a lot of plays in their secondary inside sooner rather than later.

13. Detroit Lions

• Grade: A-

Draft picks: OT Blake Miller, EDGE Derrick Moore, LB Jimmy Rolder, CB Keith Abney II, WR Kendrick Law, DT Skyler Gill-Howard, DT Tyre West

14. New England Patriots

• Grade: A-

Draft picks: OT/G Caleb Lomu, EDGE Gabe Jacas, TE Eli Raridon, CB Karon Prunty, OT Demetrius Crownover, LB Namdi Obiazor, QB Behren Morton, FB Jam Miller, EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins

Analysis: The Patriots also went after immediate needs with GM Eliot Wolf, staying on target despite the Mike Vrabel distraction. Lomu will start somewhere to upgrade the line, while Jacas can boost the pass-rush productin. Raridon helps both blocking and receiving. The rest of the class is their kind of depth.

15. Green Bay Packers

• Grade: A-

Draft picks: CB Brandon Cisse, DT Chris McClellan, EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, G/C Jager Burton, CB Domani Jackson, K Trey Smack

Analysis: GM Brian Gutekunst operated with limited capital and no first-rounder but did well to make the class defensive-focused. Cisse and McClellan strengthen JOnathan Gannon's defense up the middle and Dennis-Sutton gives Micah Parsons some good Penn state support. Burton can start and be effective soon, too.

16. Los Angeles Chargers

• Grade: A-

Draft picks: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, G/C Jake Slaughter, WR Brenen Thompson, OT Travis Burke, S Genesis Smith, DT Nick Barrett, G/C Logan Taylor, G/C Alex Harkey

Analysis: GM Joe Hortiz is in sync with Jim Harbaugh's wants and filled needs well with pass rush and interior offensive line having the highest priority with Mesidor and Salughter. Smith can be a big-time playmaker to help Derwin James in the secondary. Watch out for the super-speedy Thompson being deployd well by Mike McDaniel, too.

17. Cleveland Browns

• Grade: B+

Draft picks: OT/G Spencer Fano, WR KC Concepcion, WR Denzel Boston, S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, OT Austin Barber, G/C Parker Brailsford, LB Justin Jeffferson, TE Joe Royer, QB Taylen Green, TE Carsen Ryan

18. New Orleans Saints

• Grade: B+

Draft picks: WR Jordyn Tyson, DT Christen Miller, TE Oscar Delp, G/C Jeremiah Wright, WR Bryce Lance, S Lorenzo Styles Jr., WR Barion Brown, CB T.J. Hall 

Analysis: The Saints did will starting with Tyson but should have thought more about edge rusher at some point soon after that instead of going blank following a trade for the Raiders' Tyree Wilson. Let's lean toward above average with GM Mickey Loomis' latest class.

19. Seattle Seahawks

• Grade: B+

Draft picks: RB Jadarian Price, S Bud Clark, CB Julian Neal, G/C Beau Stephens, WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr., CB Andre Fuller, DT Deven Eastern, CB/S Michael Dansby

20. Buffalo Bills

• Grade: B+

Draft picks: EDGE T.J. Parker, CB Davison Igbinosun, OT Jude Bowry, LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, S Jalon Kilgore, DT Zane Durant, CB Toriano Pride Jr., P Tommy Doman Jr., G/C Ar'Maj Reed-Adams

Analysis: The Bills were smart to get Parker and Igbinosun right away as GM Brandon Beane attacked key pieces for the defensive change without Sean McDermott. Bowry was a good third pick for the offensive line retooling. 

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21. Arizona Cardinals

• Grade: B

Draft picks: RB Jeremiyah Love, G/C Chase Bisontis, QB Carson Beck, DT Kaleb Proctor, WR Reggie Virgil, LB Karson Sharar, OT Jayden Williams

Analysis: The Cardinals drafted more like a contender with the early luxury of Love as a workhorse running back, but at least GM Monti Ossenfort supported it with Bisontis to upgrade the blocking. Beck is where the class went awry, forcing a QB pick that wasn’t needed with no Ty Simpson. Choppy is the best description for this class, with little value on Day 3.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Grade: B

Draft picks: OT Max Iheanachor, WR Germie Bernard, QB Drew Allar, CB Daylen Everette, G/C Gennings Dunker, WR Kaden Wetjen, TE Riley Nowakowski, EDGE Gabe Rubio, S Robert Spears-Jennings, RB Eli Heidenreich

23. Denver Broncos

• Grade: B

Draft picks: DT Tyler Onyedim, RB Jonah Coleman, OT Kage Casey, TE Justin Joly, DB Miles Scott, TE Dallen Bentley, LB Red Murdock

Analysis: The Broncos didn't have much capital after they made the trade for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and the draft got off to a shaky start with Onyedim as the first pick for GM George Paton. But Coleman, Casey and Joly were good additions with Bo Nix in mind.

24. Indianapolis Colts

• Grade: B

Draft picks: LB C.J. Allen, S A.J. Haulcy, G/C Jalen Farmer, LB Bryce Boettcher, EDGE George Gumbs, EDGE Caden Curry, RB Seth McGowan, WR Deion Burks

Analysis: The Colts, without a first-rounder, still made this draft solid with the combination of Allen and Haulcy early to fill defensive needs. With no glaring holes, GM Chris Ballard did the best he could to bolster depth with Curry being the best later pick.

25. Philadelphia Eagles

• Grade: B-

Draft picks: WR Makai Lemon, TE Eli Stowers, OT Markel Bell, QB Cole Payton, G/C Micah Morris, DT Uar Bernard, DT Keyshawn James-Newby

Analysis: Lemon comes with sudden bust potential as not the ideal type of target to replace A.J. Brown, but the combination of him and Stowers is good for the new offense of Sean Mannion. Bell and Payton, however, were big reaches. Bernard is the most intriguing pick after Stowers for GM Howie Roseman.

26. Atlanta Falcons

• Grade: B-

Draft picks: CB Avieon Terrell, WR Zachariah Branch, LB Kendal Daniels, DT Anterio Thompson, LB Harold Perkins Jr., OT Ethan Onianwa

Analysis: The Falcons were smart to get Terrell to join his brother in the secondary, likely playing in the slot. Matt Ryan and GM Ian Cunningham took a chance on Branch being OK off the field to make a needed extra playmaker on the field.

27. San Francisco 49ers

• Grade: B-

Draft picks: WR De'Zhaun Stribling, EDGE Romello Height, RB Kaelon Black, DT Gracen Halton, OT Carver Willis, CB Ephesians Prysock, LB Jaden Dugger, OT Enrique Cruz

Analysis: GM John Lynch did keep trading down with no clear needs, but in the end a complementary wide receiver, defensive front help and a backup running back did address those things. Stribling was a reach, with Height and Halton being the best picks. They also could have have better backs to fit their system than Black.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

• Grade: C

Draft picks: TE Nate Boerkircher, DT Albert Regis, G/C Emmanuel Pregnon, S Jalen Huskey, EDGE Wesley Williams, TE Tanner Koziol, WR Josh Cameron, WR C.J. Williams, EDGE Zack Dufree, LB Parker Hughes

Analysis: Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone made their splash in last year's draft to help the Jaguars ascend to an AFC playoff team. With limited capital, there was not much to stand out here with Pregnon being the best pick with starting potential. The defensive picks were reaches and they could have eased on tight end and wide receiver depth.

29. Miami Dolphins

• Grade: C

Draft picks: OT/G Kadyn Proctor, CB Chris Johnson, LB Jacob Rodriguez, WR Caleb Douglas, TE Will Kacmarek, WR Chris Bell, LB Trey Moore, LB Kyle Louis, S Michael Taaffe, WR Kevin Coleman Jr., TE Seydou Traore, G/C D.J. Campbell, EDGE Max Llewellyn

Analysis: The Dolphins reached on Proctor and Johnson. Rodriguez and Louis were the best combination of picks. Bell was the much better wideout pick than Douglas. There was a just a lot of questionable quantity with little quantity to accelerate a rebuild.

Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (OL41) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

30. Houston Texans

• Grade: C-

Draft picks: G/C Keylan Rutledge, DT Kayden McDonald, TE Marlin Klein, G/C Febechi Nwaiwu, LB Wade Woodaz, S Kamari Ramsey, WR Lewis Bond, LB Aiden Fisher

Analysis: The Texans went well off the board to take Rutledge early with McDonald being a much better redemption pick for their defensive line. Klein went too early and there werent' any standout value picks besides Ramsey.

31. Minnesota Vikings

• Grade: C-

Draft picks: DT Caleb Banks, LB Jake Golday, DT Domonique Orange, OT Caleb Tiernan, S Jakobe Thomas, FB Max Bredeson, CB Charles Demmings, RB Demond Claiborne, G/C Gavin Gerhardt

Analysis: GM Jon-Eric Sullivan had it rough with his first draft. Banks was a massive reach for an injured player early. Golday was a great pick, but Orange is more of a rotational pickup up front. It was good they went defense to help Brian Flores, but they didn’t inch toward a rebound playoff team for Kevin O’Connell.

32. Los Angeles Rams

• Grade: D

Draft picks: QB Ty Simpson, TE Max Klare, OT Keagen Trost, WR C.J. Daniels, DT Tim Keenan III

Analysis: Sean McVay's face after the first-round sleection of Simpson has had too many explanations after GM Les Snead went against the grain for a QB prospect he knew well. It was a major wasted pick for a contender early. Klare just adds to a croweded position. There was no real impact here for 2026 with big questions as well for 2027 and beyond.