The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books. Starting with the Las Vegas Raiders taking Fernando Mendoza, and ending with the Denver Broncos selecting Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock, 257 new members have joined the National Football League fraternity. While it is an exercise in futility to grade a class immediately after the draft is held because none of these guys have taken a snap yet, it's still a fun process and a good way to determine which squads should have high expectations for their rookies. Without further ado, here are our grades for the AFC's 2026 NFL Draft classes.
Baltimore Ravens: B
Round 1 (No. 14): G Vega Ioane, Penn State
Round 2 (No. 45): Edge Zion Young, Missouri
Round 3 (No. 80): WR Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
Round 4 (No. 115): WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Round 5 (No. 133): TE Matt Hibner, SMU
Round 5 (No. 162): CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
Round 5 (No. 173): TE Josh Cuevas, Alabama
Round 5 (No. 174): RB Adam Randall, Clemson
Round 6 (No. 211): P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
Round 7 (No. 250): DE Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
Round 7 (No. 253): G Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern
They took the best pure guard in this draft with their first-round selection in Vega Ioane, which will help them shore up their interior offensive line. Then again, if he doesn't work out, they made a low-risk, high-reward selection by taking Evan Beerntsen with their final pick. Zion Young had a first-round grade in my book, so landing him with the 45th pick was a great value. The same can also be said for Ja'Kobi Lane, who felt like a second-rounder. Baltimore also got a steal in Chandler Rivers, who graded out as a third- or fourth-round pick. Double-dipping on tight ends also increases the Ravens' chances of finding a guy to make up for the lost production of Isaiah Likely. Baltimore would’ve received a higher grade if it had addressed its needs for a center.
Buffalo Bills: B+
Round 2 (No. 35): Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Round 2 (No. 62): CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Round 4 (No. 102): OL Jude Bowry, Boston College
Round 4 (No. 125): WR Skyler Bell, UConn
Round 4 (No. 126): LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU
Round 5 (No. 167): S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
Round 5 (No. 181): DT Zane Durant, Penn State
Round 7 (No. 220): CB Toriano Pride Jr., Missouri
Round 7 (No. 239): P Tommy Doman, Florida
Round 7 (No. 241): OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
The Day Three value that Buffalo got in the 2026 NFL Draft was excellent. Skyler Bell is a third-round talent that the Bills got in the fourth round. He'll be a meaningful addition to the offense. Jalon Kilgore is also a name to watch out for on this defense. I think he’ll get a lot of snaps. Zane Durant may be slightly undersized, but his insane athleticism was worth a fifth-round pick. We also have to highlight their first picks: T.J. Parker, who could've gone in the first round, and Davison Igbinosun, whose durability will make him an important rotational piece in the secondary.
Cincinnati Bengals: B-
Round 2 (No. 41): Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Round 3 (No. 72): CB Tacario Davis, Washington
Round 4 (No. 128): C Connor Lew, Auburn
Round 4 (No. 140): WR Colbie Young, Georgia
Round 6 (No. 189): OT Brian Parker II, Duke
Round 7 (No. 221): TE Jack Endries, Texas
Round 7 (No. 226): DT Landon Robinson, Navy
They basically used the number-ten overall pick to trade for a former All-Pro defensive tackle in Dexter Lawrence, so this could already be seen as a good draft for the Bengals. But they actually didn't do a bad job with the actual picks they ended up making. Cashius Howell was an incredibly productive pass rusher who was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, so he should have an impact on Cincy's defense. Tacario Davis has fantastic size, giving him the versatility to line up at a few different spots in the secondary. Connor Lew could've been a second-rounder had he not torn his ACL. Meanwhile, Brian Parker II showed versatility along the offensive line, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few starts this season.
Cleveland Browns: A
Round 1 (No. 9): OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Round 1 (No. 24): WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Round 2 (No. 39): WR Denzel Boston, Washington
Round 2 (No. 58): S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Round 3 (No. 86): OT Austin Barber, Florida
Round 5 (No. 146): C Parker Brailsford, Alabama
Round 5 (No. 149): LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama
Round 5 (No. 170): TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati
Round 6 (No. 182): QB Taylen Green, Arkansas
Round 7 (No. 248): TE Carsen Ryan, BYU
If they didn't have the best draft amongst AFC teams, then they at least rank in the top two. Their first four selections all had first-round grades. Spencer Fano will be the franchise left tackle for years to come, while KC Concepcion and Denzel Bozton bring different, valuable qualities to the passing attack. Concepcion can be a burner, and Boston will be a good possession receiver. Plus, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, whom I viewed as a first-rounder, will probably end up being a starter on this defense. Parker Brailsford gives the Browns another option at center if Elgton Jenkins struggles. I especially love taking a low-risk pick on QB Taylen Green, who looks like one of the most athletically gifted quarterback prospects we have seen ever seen. Cleveland's rookies will have a huge impact on the team this year.
Denver Broncos: C+
Round 3 (No. 66): DT Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
Round 4 (No. 108): RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
Round 4 (No. 111): OG Kage Casey, Boise State
Round 5 (No. 152): TE Justin Joly, N.C. State
Round 7 (No. 246): S Miles Scott, Illinois
Round 7 (No. 256): TE Dallen Bentley, Utah
Round 7 (No. 257): LB Red Murdock, Buffalo
They basically sacrificed a first-rounder to get a proven wideout in Jaylen Waddle, so we have to factor that into their draft grade. Tyler Onyedim was graded as a third- or fourth-rounder, so Denver didn't reach on him. He'll rotate in at a few different spots along the defensive line. It also can't hurt to add a running back like Jonah Coleman since J.K. Dobbins has a history of injuries. Justin Joly is a really good pass catcher who had incredible production in college, so he’ll probably carve out a role in Denver's offense. Even Mr. Irrelevant, Red Murdock, had a sixth-round grade. Landing him with the last pick in the draft was a good value selection.
Houston Texans: B
Round 1 (No. 26): OG Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
Round 2 (No. 36): DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Round 2 (No. 59): TE Marlin Klein, Michigan
Round 4 (No. 106): OG Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma
Round 4 (No. 123): LB Wade Woodaz, Clemson
Round 5 (No. 141): S Kamari Ramsey, USC
Round 6 (No. 204): WR Lewis Bond, Boston College
Round 7 (No. 243): LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana
The Texans addressed their biggest needs with the 2026 NFL Draft, which I’m always a fan of. They needed interior offensive line support, so they took the second-best pure guard in this draft with their first-rounder. The only knock against their defense was defending against the run, but big-bodied defensive tackle Kayden McDonald will help the unit improve in that area. Febechi Nwaiwu has positional flexibility, so he will probably compete for a starting job somewhere on the interior offensive line. At 6'6", tight end Marlin Klein should be a nice target that helps Houston overcome its red zone woes. Kamari Ramsey could end up looking like a second- or third-round quality defensive back if he can stay healthy.
Indianapolis Colts: B
Round 2 (No. 53): LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Round 3 (No. 78): S A.J. Haulcy, LSU
Round 4 (No. 113): OG Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
Round 4 (No. 135): LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
Round 5 (No. 156): Edge George Gumbs Jr., Florida
Round 6 (No. 214): Edge Caden Curry, Ohio State
Round 7 (No. 237): RB Seth McGowan, Kentucky
Round 7 (No. 254): WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma
CJ Allen was my second-best inside linebacker prospect in this class, so he was a steal with the 53rd overall pick in the draft. He’ll serve as an immediate replacement for Zaire Franklin. A.J. Haulcy was one of the best safeties in the country when you factor in his athleticism and production, so he’ll surely play a huge part on the Colts' defense. Jalen Farmer has immense athleticism that could've made him a second-round pick, so getting him in the fourth is a steal. Doubling up on edges in the fifth and sixth rounds only increases the team's chances of finding another elite pass rusher.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C
Round 2 (No. 56): TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M
Round 3 (No. 81): DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M
Round 3 (No. 88): OG Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Round 3 (No. 100): S Jalen Huskey, Maryland
Round 4 (No. 119): Edge Wesley Williams, Duke
Round 5 (No. 164): TE Tanner Koziol, Houston
Round 6 (No. 191): WR Josh Cameron, Baylor
Round 6 (No. 203): WR CJ Williams, Stanford
Round 7 (No. 233): Edge Zach Durfee, Washington
Round 7 (No. 240): LB Parker Hughes, Middle Tennessee
It felt like the Jags reached on several draft picks, so they received the lowest grade amongst AFC teams. Their first pick was used on Nate Boerkircher, a blocking tight end who had a fourth-round grade. Albert Regis is an undersized defensive tackle who was also taken well before when he was projected to go. They got a huge steal by landing Emmanuel Pregnon in the third round, considering he was a second-rounder in my eyes. Jalen Huskey, who was taken with the 100th overall pick, graded out as a sixth- or seventh-rounder, so that was another huge reach. I like the fact that they doubled up on edge and wide receiver, but this was a confusing draft process for Jacksonville. This will either look brilliant or utterly stupid in a few years. Only time will tell.
Kansas City Chiefs: A-
Round 1 (No. 6): CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Round 1 (No. 29): DT Peter Woods, Clemson
Round 2 (No. 40): Edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Round 4 (No. 109): CB Jadon Canady, Oregon
Round 5 (No. 161): RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
Round 5 (No. 176): WR Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
Round 7 (No. 249): QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
The Chiefs were very methodical in their approach ot the 2026 Draft and got a good value with almost every pick they made. Mansoor Delane is the best cornerback prospect in this class, so he’ll step in and be the CB1 in Kansas City. They'll also be able to use Jadon Canady as a rotational piece in the secondary. Peter Woods was once considered the best interior defensive lineman in this class. Lining him up next to Chris Jones will be a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. Even R Mason Thomas will have an important role on this team as one of its better pass-rushing threats. Emmett Johnson and Cyrus Allen are great low-risk, high-reward selections on Day Three who will score a few TDs this season. I'm even enamored with Garrett Nussmeier, who I think can become a reliable NFL backup.
Las Vegas Raiders: A
Round 1 (No. 1): QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Round 2 (No. 38): DB Treydan Stukes, Arizona
Round 3 (No. 67): Edge Keyron Crawford, Auburn
Round 3 (No. 91): OG Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
Round 4 (No. 101): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Round 4 (No. 122): RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
Round 5 (No. 150): S Dalton Johnson, Arizona
Round 5 (No. 175): CB Hezekiah Masses, Cal
Round 6 (No. 195): WR Malik Benson, Oregon
Round 7 (No. 229): DT Brandon Cleveland, N.C. State
Fernando Mendoza is the Raiders' quarterback of the future, but he’ll probably start in a backup role with Kirk Cousins on the roster. Treydan Stukes offers plenty of versatility, while Jermod McCoy is arguably the most NFL-ready cornerback in this class, so the secondary should be much better this season. Keyron Crawford is still quite new to football, but he shows a lot of promise and could have an impact right away as a situational pass rusher. Trey Zuhn III boasts remarkable athleticism that will allow him to line up at multiple spots along the offensive line. Mike Washington tested off the charts at the combine and should be a dynamic RB2 who can blaze past defenses after they have been worn down by Ashton Jeanty.
Los Angeles Chargers: B+
Round 1 (No. 22): Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Round 2 (No. 63): OG Jake Slaughter, Florida
Round 4 (No. 105): WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State
Round 4 (No. 117): OT Travis Burke, Memphis
Round 4 (No. 131): S Genesis Smith, Arizona
Round 5 (No. 145): DT Nick Barrett, South Carolina
Round 6 (No. 202): OG Logan Taylor, Boston College
Round 6 (No. 206): OG Alex Harkey, Oregon
Who cares if Akheem Mesidor is 25 years old? The Chargers are built to win right now, and he can be an impactful pass rusher who plays opposite Khalil Mack. LA saw how bad pass protection was last season, so it used FOUR picks on offensive linemen. At least ONE of those guys will emerge as a starting guard, while the others will provide valuable depth in case other offensive linemen suffer injuries. Brenen Thompson has blazing speed that makes him a promising slot wideout. Genesis Smith is a low-risk, high-reward fifth-rounder whose athletic ability could allow him to carve out a niche role on Los Angeles' defense.
Miami Dolphins: A-
Round 1 (No. 12): OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Round 1 (No. 27): CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
Round 2 (No. 43): LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Round 3 (No. 75): WR Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech
Round 3 (No. 87): TE Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
Round 3 (No. 94): WR Chris Bell, Louisville
Round 4 (No. 130): LB Trey Moore, Texas
Round 4 (No. 138): LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
Round 5 (No. 158): S Michael Taaffe, Texas
Round 5 (No. 177): WR Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri
Round 5 (No. 180): TE Seydou Traore, Mississippi State
Round 6 (No. 200): OG DJ Campbell, Texas
Round 7 (No. 238): Edge Max Llewellyn, Iowa
I think first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan did a good job finding players who can be Week One starters for this team. Some people believe the 'Phins reached on Kadyn Proctor, but he can be a franchise left tackle if he can control his weight. Meanwhile, Chris Johnson fills a huge need at cornerback. He was one of my draft crushes. Jacob Rodriguez is a pure footballer. Dolphins fans will fall in LOVE with this kid. They used five picks on pass catchers, so a new WR1 should emerge from that group. My money is on Chris Bell, who could've been a first or second-rounder if he didn't tear his ACL late last season. The versatility of Kyle Louis and Trey Moore also impresses me. At the very least, there are at least three long-term starters in Miami's draft class.
New England Patriots: B-
Round 1 (No. 28): OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Round 2 (No. 55): Edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois
Round 3 (No. 95): TE Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
Round 5 (No. 171): CB Karon Prunty, Wake Forest
Round 6 (No. 196): OT Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M
Round 6 (No. 212): LB Namdi Obiazor, TCU
Round 7 (No. 234): QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech
Round 7 (No. 245): RB Jam Miller, Alabama
Round 7 (No. 247): Edge Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College
After all that talk about how Will Campbell is the team's franchise left tackle, the Pats wound up using their first-round pick on a left tackle. Regardless, either Lomu or Campbell will emerge as a long-term answer at that spot for this team, so it’s a good pick. I also really like Gabe Jacas, who demonstrates the type of high-level athleticism that you want to see from a starting pass rusher in the NFL. They could've addressed other needs with their next two picks instead of selecting a TE3 and a CB4. At least the Pats can move on from Rhamondre Stevenson now that they have Jam Miller, who should fill the role of RB2 nicely.
New York Jets: A+
Round 1 (No. 2): Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech
Round 1 (No. 16): TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Round 1 (No. 30): WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Round 2 (No. 50): CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Round 4 (No. 103): DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
Round 4 (No. 110): QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Round 6 (No. 188): OG Anez Cooper, Miami
Round 7 (No. 228): S VJ Payne, Kansas State
The New York Jets absolutely knocked their first few picks out of the park. They didn't just get four starters but four legitimate difference-makers. David Bailey will be the cornerstone of Gang Green's defense for years to come. Kenyon Sadiq is an electric pass catcher who will become the new TE1. Omar Cooper Jr. is no slouch either. His versatility will make him the Swiss Army Knife of New York’s offense. The Jets also found a successor to Sauce Gardner by drafting D'Angelo Ponds. I even like the fourth-rounder they used on Cade Klubnik, who at one point looked like a potential first-round pick. If Geno Smith underperforms, then Klubnik could get some playing time and maybe surprise some people by turning into a starter or at least a decent backup. This feels like a franchise-changing draft class for the Jets.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B+
Round 1 (No. 21): OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Round 2 (No. 47): WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
Round 3 (No. 76): QB Drew Allar, Penn State
Round 3 (No. 85): CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
Round 3 (No. 96): OG Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Round 4 (No. 121): WR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
Round 5 (No. 169): TE Riley Nowakowski, Indiana
Round 6 (No. 210): DE Gabe Rubio, Notre Dame
Round 7 (No. 224): S Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma
Round 7 (No. 230): RB Eli Heidenreich, Navy
My good friend who's a Steelers fan hates this draft class (shoutout Symeon). I'm here to tell him and the rest of the Pittsburgh faithful that things are not as bad as they seem. Max Iheanachor is a superb athlete who will help fans get over the potential loss of Broderick Jones. Cornerback Daylen Everette has the athleticism needed to make an impact on the defense in his first season. Gennings Dunker is a draft darling and will almost certainly be a starter when the regular season rolls around. Even germie Bernard will be a positive influence on the offense this season. This draft class doesn't get an A- because I think Drew Allar is a terrible quarterback who is not worthy of a third-round pick. But there are at least four starters in this group.
Tennessee Titans: B+
Round 1 (No. 4): WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Round 1 (No. 31): Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Round 2 (No. 60): LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Round 5 (No. 142): OG Fernando Carmona, Arkansas
Round 5 (No. 165): RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Round 6 (No. 184): DT Jackie Marshall, Baylor
Round 6 (No. 194): C Pat Coogan, Indiana
Round 7 (No. 225): TE Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma
This was a good showing for the new regime in Tennessee. Carnell Tate is my top-rated receiver in this draft class and will be a reliable weapon for second-year quarterback Cam Ward. Also, Keldric Faulk is a really nice pass rusher who will flourish playing next to an elite defensive lineman like Jeffrey Simmons. Anthony Hill Jr. will be a Week One starter for Robert Saleh's defense. Nichols Singleton is a bigger back who possesses a lot of athleticism, which will help him emerge as the RB2 in this offense. I also think there's a future in this league for center Pat Coogan, who elevated his performance in the College Football Playoffs.
