Conventional wisdom suggests you can’t truly judge a draft class until they’ve been in the league for at least three years. Any immediate reactions are just based on your priors, and rookie seasons can be misleading. To truly gauge a class’ value, it’s important to see how things play out over the course of the bulk of their rookie contracts.

Today, I’m following that conventional wisdom. Let’s wind the clock back three years to 2023: how did these classes turn out compared to our initial first impression? I’m re-grading all 32 classes with the benefit of hindsight. Let’s see how each team did:

Arizona Cardinals

• Round 1, Pick 6: Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr.
• Round 2, Pick 41: LSU ED B.J. Ojulari
• Round 3, Pick 72: Syracuse CB Garrett Williams
• Round 3, Pick 94: Stanford WR Michael Wilson
• Round 4, Pick 122: UCLA G Jon Gaines II
• Round 5, Pick 139: Houston QB Clayton Tune
• Round 5, Pick 168: Auburn LB Owen Pappoe
• Round 6, Pick 180: Louisville CB Kei’Trel Clark
• Round 6, Pick 213: West Virginia DT Dante Stills

Original Grade: A+

3-Year Grade: B+

The Cardinals moved around the board twice to land Johnson, netting a future first-round pick in the process. While he hasn’t single-handedly fixed their offensive line, he’s been a good addition and a steady presence on the left side. Williams had to take a redshirt year as a rookie to recover from a torn ACL, but he’s stood out as a good nickel corner since coming back.

Wilson might be the star of this group. He dominated down the stretch of 2025 once Arizona started funneling more of the passing offense through him. Gaines and Pappoe have managed to stick as depth pieces, too.

Atlanta Falcons

• Round 1, Pick 8: Texas RB Bijan Robinson
• Round 2, Pick 38: Syracuse G Matthew Bergeron
• Round 3, Pick 75: Ohio State ED Zach Harrison
• Round 4, Pick 113: Utah CB Clark Phillips
• Round 7, Pick 224: Alabama S DeMarcco Hellams
• Round 7, Pick 225: South Carolina C Jovaughn Gwyn

Original Grade: C

3-Year Grade: C+

Robinson is just as good as everyone thought he’d be coming out of Texas. The problem for the Falcons is exactly what everyone thought as well: they don’t have the infrastructure to maximize Robinson’s talents. Three years later and they’re still looking to cobble together a competent team.

Bergeron is a good left guard, but no one else in this class made much of an impact. Harrison and Hellams are still on the roster, but don’t get much run.

Baltimore Ravens

• Round 1, Pick 22: Boston College WR Zay Flowers
• Round 3, Pick 86: Clemson LB Trenton Simpson
• Round 4, Pick 124: Ole Miss ED Tavius Robinson
• Round 5, Pick 157: Stanford CB Kyu Blu Kelly
• Round 6, Pick 199: Oregon G Sala Aumavae-Laulu
• Round 7, Pick 229: USC G Andrew Vorhees

Original Grade: A-

3-Year Grade: B-

Flowers is just as electric as he was billed coming out of college. He’s been Lamar Jackson’s No. 1 receiver since the day he was drafted, and at times he’s been Jackson’s only noteworthy receiver. Simpson’s been a disappointment, but Robinson is a quality rotational edge rusher. Vorhees fell due to injury and has been a consistent starter, though his play leaves something to be desired at times.

Buffalo Bills

• Round 1, Pick 25: Utah TE Dalton Kincaid
• Round 2, Pick 59: Florida G O’Cyrus Torrence
• Round 3, Pick 91: Tulane LB Dorian Williams
• Round 5, Pick 150: Florida WR Justin Shorter
• Round 7, Pick 230: Ole Miss OT Nick Broeker
• Round 7, Pick 252: Oregon State CB Alex Austin

Original Grade: C

3-Year Grade: B

This was a pretty good draft for the Bills. It’s tough to say if Kincaid has lived up to the first-round billing, but he’s a dynamic receiving weapon and an important part of their offense. Torrence, meanwhile, is a great right guard and a consistent performer on that side of the line. Williams took over as a starter in 2024 and quickly earned his keep — he’s a guy Buffalo is high on. It’s not the deepest class, but they hit on their first three picks.

Carolina Panthers

• Round 1, Pick 1: Alabama QB Bryce Young
• Round 2, Pick 39: Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo
• Round 3, Pick 80: Oregon ED DJ Johnson
• Round 4, Pick 114: N.C. State G Chandler Zavala
• Round 5, Pick 145: Florida State S Jammie Robinson

Original Grade: B-

3-Year Grade: C+

After all the dust settled, three years later…taking Young first overall was probably the right choice. He certainly had the best season in 2025, relative to the competition, even if the start of his career was abnormally bad (benching and all).

What drags this grade down is the rest of the class. Mingo flamed out quickly and was subsequently traded to the Cowboys. Johnson and Robinson did little in their time in Carolina. Zavala is an entrenched backup, though he’s been underwhelming during his stints as a starter.

Chicago Bears

• Round 1, Pick 10: Tennessee OT Darnell Wright
• Round 2, Pick 53: Florida DT Gervon Dexter Jr.
• Round 2, Pick 56: Miami CB Tyrique Stevenson
• Round 3, Pick 64: South Carolina DT Zacch Pickens
• Round 4, Pick 115: Texas RB Roschon Johnson
• Round 4, Pick 133: Cincinnati WR Tyler Scott
• Round 5, Pick 138: Oregon LB Noah Sewell
• Round 5, Pick 165: Minnesota CB Terell Smith
• Round 7, Pick 218: Kennesaw State DT Travis Bell
• Round 7, Pick 258: Stanford S Kendall Williamson

Original Grade: B+

3-Year Grade: C

Let’s start with the good. Wright is a stud at right tackle, a true mauler with quick feet. He’s one of the best right tackles in the sport right now. Sewell earned a starting spot at linebacker eventually and hits like a truck. Smith stuck on the roster as cornerback depth.

Both defensive tackles taken on Day 2 haven’t panned out. Pickens is no longer on the roster and Dexter is still starting out of necessity more than anything else. The same goes for Stevenson, who was benched last season and is trying to fend off rookie fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad to avoid a similar fate this year. Scott and Johnson were quickly buried on the depth chart; only Johnson is still around.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Round 1, Pick 28: Clemson ED Myles Murphy
• Round 2, Pick 60: Michigan CB D.J. Turner
• Round 3, Pick 95: Alabama S Jordan Battle
• Round 4, Pick 131: Purdue WR Charlie Jones
• Round 5, Pick 163: Illinois RB Chase Brown
• Round 6, Pick 206: Princeton WR Andre Iosivas
• Round 6, Pick 217: Michigan P Brad Robbins
• Round 7, Pick 246: Miami CB D.J. Ivey

Original Grade: B

3-Year Grade: B

This is a weird one. Murphy was a bust, but the rest of this class turned out pretty well. Turner turned heads with a ridiculous Combine performance, then took his time developing into a strong starting corner. Battle’s been a consistent starter at safety, while Brown keeps holding onto that starting running back role.

Both receivers have returned value, too. Iosivas is certainly the headline, putting up some big performances and locking down the WR3 spot behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Jones contributes a little on offense but sees the most playing time as a versatile return specialist.

Cleveland Browns

• Round 3, Pick 74: Tennessee WR Cedric Tillman
• Round 3, Pick 98: Baylor DT Siaki Ika
• Round 4, Pick 111: Ohio State OT Dawand Jones
• Round 4, Pick 126: Missouri ED Isaiah McGuire
• Round 5, Pick 140: UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
• Round 5, Pick 142: Northwestern CB Cam Mitchell
• Round 6, Pick 190: Ohio State C Luke Wypler

Original Grade: B-

3-Year Grade: C

The Browns didn’t pick until the middle of the third round, but they didn’t get much out of this draft. Tillman has produced in spurts and should still have a role even with the influx of receivers the Browns brought in this offseason. Thompson-Robinson had a fun stretch as the starter before he was traded. Wypler stuck around as depth, as did Mitchell for a time.

Jones might be the most interesting name here, just because he had a long runway to lock down a starting tackle spot. He was unable to do so, battling injuries and poor play, though he may serve as Cleveland’s swing tackle this season.

Dallas Cowboys

• Round 1, Pick 26: Michigan DT Mazi Smith
• Round 2, Pick 58: Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker
• Round 3, Pick 90: Texas LB DeMarvion Overshown
• Round 4, Pick 129: San Jose State DT Viliami Fehoko
• Round 5, Pick 169: North Carolina OT Asim Richards
• Round 6, Pick 168: Southern Mississippi CB Eric Scott Jr.
• Round 6, Pick 212: Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn
• Round 7, Pick 244: South Carolina WR Jalen Brooks

Original Grade: B

3-Year Grade: F

You can point to this draft as a big reason why the Cowboys regressed. They had a big need in the middle of their defense, but massively overdrafted Smith, who was viewed as a late second-rounder at best by scouts. He flamed out spectacularly and was a throw-in to last season’s Quinnen Williams trade.

Only two players from this group are still on Dallas’ roster. Overshown broke out in 2024 as one of the league’s more productive backers, but a devastating knee injury wiped out most of his 2025 season. Schoonmaker is still the TE2 there, but you typically want more from your second-round picks.

Denver Broncos

• Round 2, Pick 63: Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims
• Round 3, Pick 67: Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
• Round 3, Pick 83: Iowa CB Riley Moss
• Round 6, Pick 183: Boise State S JL Skinner
• Round 7, Pick 257: Oregon C Alex Forsyth

Original Grade: C+

3-Year Grade: B-

This is a decent group, all things considered. Moss is the best player here; he’s established himself as a solid No. 2 corner next to Patrick Surtain II. Mims was the headliner at draft time, and while he struggled on offense to begin his career, he’s always been an excellent return man. That bought him time to develop and he was a lethal deep threat last season.

Sanders and Skinner both stuck as depth pieces and special teamers, and Denver has gotten some starting burn from Forsyth. It’s not the flashiest group, but for a team without a pick in the top 50, the Broncos did decent work.

Detroit Lions

• Round 1, Pick 12: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
• Round 1, Pick 18: Iowa LB Jack Campbell
• Round 2, Pick 34: Iowa TE Sam LaPorta
• Round 2, Pick 45: Alabama S Brian Branch
• Round 3, Pick 68: Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker
• Round 3, Pick 96: Western Kentucky DT Brodric Martin
• Round 5, Pick 152: William & Mary OT Colby Sorsdal
• Round 7, Pick 219: North Carolina WR Antoine Green

Original Grade: C

3-Year Grade: A

The Lions had more draft capital than anybody in this class, and they were heavily criticized for their approach. They attacked arguably the four least-valuable positions on the field with their top four picks, but that works out well when those four players end up being awesome. Gibbs is primed to contend for Offensive Player of the Year and racks up touchdowns like a beast. Campbell started his career out slowly, but blossomed into an All-Pro linebacker last year.

LaPorta dominated from the outside as one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, and while he’s fallen back to earth a bit from the highs of his rookie campaign, he’s still very good. Branch is probably the best individual player of the bunch. He’s such a versatile piece on the back end. This is a four-man class, but that’s okay when those four are this good.

Green Bay Packers

• Round 1, Pick 13: Iowa ED Lukas Van Ness
• Round 2, Pick 42: Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave
• Round 2, Pick 50: Michigan State WR Jayden Reed
• Round 3, Pick 78: South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft
• Round 4, Pick 116: Auburn DT Colby Wooden
• Round 5, Pick 149: Penn State QB Sean Clifford
• Round 5, Pick 159: Virginia WR Dontayvion Wicks
• Round 6, Pick 179: Bowling Green DT Karl Brooks
• Round 6, Pick 207: Auburn K Anders Carlson
• Round 7, Pick 232: Kentucky CB Carrington Valentine
• Round 7, Pick 235: Central Michigan RB Lew Nichols III
• Round 7, Pick 242: Iowa State CB Anthony Johnson Jr.
• Round 7, Pick 256: Charlotte WR Grant DuBose

Original Grade: B

3-Year Grade: B

In classic Packers fashion, this draft is almost impossible to nail down. Musgrave was a miss, but Kraft was a big hit at the same position. He looked like a top-five tight end in the league before a season-ending injury last year. Reed is a dynamic slot weapon and field stretcher, while Valentine is a solid starting cornerback drafted in the seventh round. Brooks established himself as a starter on the interior, while Wicks flashed and was just traded to Philadelphia.

Van Ness was a project coming out of Iowa and he hasn’t developed as hoped. He’s coming off the worst season of his career and more will be put on his plate this season. Outside of the first two picks, though, this class is pretty strong.

Houston Texans

• Round 1, Pick 2: Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
• Round 1, Pick 3: Alabama ED Will Anderson Jr.
• Round 2, Pick 62: Penn State C Juice Scruggs
• Round 3, Pick 69: Houston WR Tank Dell
• Round 4, Pick 109: TCU ED Dylan Horton
• Round 5, Pick 167: Alabama LB Henry To’oTo’o
• Round 6, Pick 201: Notre Dame G Jarrett Patterson
• Round 6, Pick 205: Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson
• Round 7, Pick 248: Pittsburgh S Brandon Hill

Original Grade: D

3-Year Grade: A+

This class is a clinic in finding value throughout the draft. The Texans took a big risk that was heavily criticized at the time, trading up from No. 12 to No. 3 to draft Anderson. All he’s done since is win Defensive Rookie of the Year and be an annual All-Pro contender as one of the best all-around edge rushers in the league. Stroud’s a little tougher to judge — he had a fantastic rookie season, but has been more hot and cold since, and will need a bounce-back season to secure an extension in Houston.

It’s more than just Stroud and Anderson at the top with this group. Dell looked like one of the league’s most promising young receivers before a brutal ankle injury prematurely ended his 2024 season. We’ll see how he looks in his return this season. To’oTo’o is a strong starting middle linebacker, Patterson provides quality depth on the interior, and Hutchinson continues to stick on the roster and make plays in big moments. Scruggs was sent to Detroit as part of the David Montgomery trade.

Indianapolis Colts

• Round 1, Pick 4: Florida QB Anthony Richardson
• Round 2, Pick 44: Kansas State CB JuJu Brents
• Round 3, Pick 79: North Carolina WR Josh Downs
• Round 4, Pick 106: BYU OT Blake Freeland
• Round 4, Pick 110: Northwestern DT Adetomiwa Adeboware
• Round 5, Pick 138: South Carolina CB Darius Rush
• Round 5, Pick 158: California S Daniel Scott
• Round 5, Pick 162: Miami TE Will Mallory
• Round 5, Pick 176: Northwestern RB Evan Hull
• Round 6, Pick 211: Wagner ED Titus Leo
• Round 7, Pick 221: Texas A&M CB Jaylon Jones
• Round 7, Pick 236: Northern Michigan OT Jake Witt

Original Grade: A

3-Year Grade: C-

I’m not going to fault the Colts too much for taking the consensus QB3 as the third quarterback off the board. But the Richardson pick set this franchise back years. He missed most of his rookie year with a broken shoulder and a concussion, then dealt with a back injury that knocked out the second half of his sophomore campaign. He’s now battling Riley Leonard for the backup position behind Daniel Jones.

Other than Richardson, three players hit in this class. Downs is one of the best slot receivers in the league and should be in line for a bigger role after Indianapolis traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers. Jones started a lot of games for the Colts and should still see run in dime packages, while Adeboware carved out a nice role as a depth interior pass rusher. Brents was cut after two seasons and Freeland has since been passed on the depth chart by multiple draft picks. A poor haul all told considering the assets they had.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Round 1, Pick 27: Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
• Round 2, Pick 61: Penn State TE Brenton Strange
• Round 3, Pick 88: Auburn RB Tank Bigsby
• Round 4, Pick 121: Florida LB Ventrell Miller
• Round 4, Pick 130: Oklahoma State DT Tyler Lacy
• Round 5, Pick 136: Louisville LB Yasir Abdullah
• Round 5, Pick 160: Texas A&M S Antonio Johnson
• Round 6, Pick 185: Penn State WR Parker Washington
• Round 6, Pick 202: Rutgers CB Christian Braswell
• Round 6, Pick 208: Pittsburgh S Erick Hallett II
• Round 7, Pick 226: Appalachian State G Cooper Hodges
• Round 7, Pick 227: North Carolina DT Raymond Vojasek
• Round 7, Pick 240: Houston ED Derek Parish

Original Grade: C+

3-Year Grade: B+

This isn’t the sexiest class, but it’s a bunch of good work that laid the foundation for what’s become one of the AFC’s stronger rosters. Harrison isn’t a star, but he’s been a solid starter over the last two years after a rocky rookie season. Strange has become one of the more versatile tight ends in the league, and Jacksonville’s offense hit a new gear when he broke out last season. Later in the draft, Johnson developed into a good starting safety.

Miller is set to step into a starting role this season after playing more situationally last season. Washington was a breakout player last year and has the slot receiver role on lockdown after posting 847 yards. Bigsby had an up-and-down stretch as a depth back but became a good kick returner and was traded mid-season to the Eagles last year.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Round 1, Pick 31: Kansas State ED Felix Anudike-Uzomah
• Round 2, Pick 55: SMU WR Rashee Rice
• Round 3, Pick 92: Oklahoma OT Wanya Morris
• Round 4, Pick 119: Virginia Tech S Chamarri Conner
• Round 5, Pick 166: Stephen F. Austin ED B.J. Thompson
• Round 6, Pick 194: Texas DT Keondre Coburn
• Round 7, Pick 250: Ball State CB Nic Jones

Original Grade: B-

3-Year Grade: C+

Even grading on an “end of the first round” curve, Anudike-Uzomah has been a disappointment. He’s barely played in three seasons and probably won’t be much of a factor in the rotation again this season, despite the need for contributors the Chiefs have on the edge. Morris was just granted his trade request after getting lost in the shuffle on the offensive line.

Rice is a tricky player to grade. He’s one of the league’s most dynamic receivers, but off-field issues and repeated legal troubles have put his career in jeopardy. One good season probably leads to an extension in Kansas City, but the jury’s still out on that. Additionally, Conner has proven himself to be a versatile slot corner/safety hybrid who started from his rookie season.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Round 1, Pick 7: Texas Tech ED Tyree Wilson
• Round 2, Pick 35: Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer
• Round 3, Pick 70: Alabama DT Byron Young
• Round 3, Pick 100: Cincinnati WR Tre Tucker
• Round 4, Pick 104: Maryland CB Jakorian Bennett
• Round 4, Pick 135: Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell
• Round 5, Pick 170: Georgia S Chris Smith II
• Round 6, Pick 203: Florida LB Amari Burney
• Round 7, Pick 231: Arizona State DT Nesta Jade Silvera

Original Grade: C+

3-Year Grade: D+

This was not a good draft. I — along with many others — had major questions about Wilson coming out of college. He’s now in New Orleans. Mayer is a good, versatile tight end, though he’s now playing behind Brock Bowers. Bennett showed flashes before he was traded to the Eagles last summer, and O’Connell got plenty of run as the starter and has seemingly settled in as a long-term backup.

Tucker might be the best player from this class. He has just 1,566 career receiving yards, but he exploded down the stretch of last season. We’ll see if he can keep the momentum up. It doesn’t help that the Raiders drafted the wrong Byron Young, either.

Los Angeles Chargers

• Round 1, Pick 21: TCU WR Quentin Johnston
• Round 2, Pick 54: USC ED Tuli Tuipulotu
• Round 3, Pick 85: Washington State LB Daiyan Henley
• Round 4, Pick 125: TCU WR Derius Davis
• Round 5, Pick 156: Clemson G Jordan McFadden
• Round 6, Pick 200: Boise State FB Scott Matlock
• Round 7, Pick 239: TCU QB Max Duggan

Original Grade: C+

3-Year Grade: B-

It’s tough to be too hard on this draft, though the Chargers probably wish they could have their first-round pick back. Four receivers went in round one in 2023: Los Angeles took the second off the board and ended up with the worst of the group. Still, Johnston showed some progress in 2025 and could be poised for even bigger things in 2026.

Tuipulotu is the star of the class, though. One of the better pass rushers in the league, he had 13 sacks last season and has 26 for his career so far. Henley is an excellent run-and-chase linebacker with some pop in coverage. Davis even stuck as a return man.

Los Angeles Rams

• Round 2, Pick 36: TCU G Steve Avila
• Round 3, Pick 77: Tennessee ED Byron Young
• Round 3, Pick 89: Wake Forest DT Kobie Turner
• Round 4, Pick 128: Georgia QB Stetson Bennett
• Round 5, Pick 161: Appalachian State LB Nick Hampton
• Round 5, Pick 174: Ohio State OT Warren McClendon Jr.
• Round 5, Pick 175: Clemson TE Davis Allen
• Round 5, Pick 177: BYU WR Puka Nacua
• Round 6, Pick 182: TCU CB Tre Tomlinson
• Round 6, Pick 189: Nebraska ED Ochuan Mathis
• Round 6, Pick 215: Ole Miss RB Zach Evans
• Round 7, Pick 223: Florida P Ethan White
• Round 7, Pick 234: Oklahoma State S Jason Taylor II
• Round 7, Pick 259: Toledo ED Desjuan Johnson

Original Grade: C+

3-Year Grade: A+

This class is teach tape for the analytically-minded draft experts who preach trading down and amassing picks. The more bites at the apple, the more chances you have, as the saying goes. The Rams proved that here. Avila isa road-grader and a good starter at left guard. Young isn’t quite a star, but he’s one of the most productive young pass rushers in the league. Turner was an odd Combine snub, but his tape in college was great and he’s proven himself one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL.

The star of this class is Nacua, without a doubt. One of the single best wide receivers in the NFL, he had over 1,000 yards as a rookie and never looked back. McClendon stepped into a starting role as an injury fill-in last year and performed so well he’s the starting right tackle for Los Angeles entering camp. Allen and Johnson both stuck in depth roles, too.

Miami Dolphins

• Round 2, Pick 51: South Carolina CB Cam Smith
• Round 3, Pick 84: Texas A&M RB De’Von Achane
• Round 6, Pick 197: Stanford WR Elijah Higgins
• Round 7, Pick 238: Michigan OT Ryan Hayes

Original Grade: B+

3-Year Grade: B-

The Dolphins weren’t working with much here, so I won’t be overly harsh. Achane is one of the best backs in the league and just got a massive payday. Higgins converted to tight end and has managed to stick in Arizona, though it’s hard to count that as a win for Miami. Smith floundered whenever he saw the field and is now in the CFL.

Landing an offensive cornerstone in a draft where you only had four picks is a solid enough draft, all things considered, though they were banking on Smith being good.

Minnesota Vikings

• Round 1, Pick 23: USC WR Jordan Addison
• Round 3, Pick 102: USC CB Mekhi Blackmon
• Round 4, Pick 134: LSU S Jay Ward
• Round 5, Pick 141: LSU DT Jaquelin Roy
• Round 5, Pick 164: BYU QB Jaren Hall
• Round 7, Pick 222: UAB RB DeWayne McBride

Original Grade: C

3-Year Grade: C-

Addison is great, though he has a bit of trouble staying on the field. No one else in this class panned out. Blackmon was traded last offseason and he was the second-best player of the group. There isn’t much else to say here: the Vikings got one above-average starter and nothing else in this draft, though perhaps Ward can rewrite the narrative if he holds onto a starting spot this year. 

New England Patriots

• Round 1, Pick 17: Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
• Round 2, Pick 46: Georgia Tech ED Keion White
• Round 3, Pick 76: Sacramento State LB Martu Mapu
• Round 4, Pick 107: Troy C Jake Andrews
• Round 4, Pick 112: Maryland K Chad Ryland
• Round 4, Pick 117: Eastern Michigan G Sidy Sow
• Round 5, Pick 144: UCLA G Atonio Mafi
• Round 6, Pick 187: LSU WR Kayshon Boutte
• Round 6, Pick 192: Michigan State P Bryce Baringer
• Round 6, Pick 210: Liberty WR DeMario Douglas
• Round 6, Pick 214: Michigan State CB Ameer Speed
• Round 7, Pick 245: Jackson State CB Isaiah Bolden

Original Grade: B

3-Year Grade: B-

Gonzalez is a stud. He was an exceptional pick and is already one of the best cornerbacks in the league. No notes from me. The Patriots also got a pair of good receivers in the sixth round. Douglas is a dynamic slot receiver while Boutte has proven himself one of the better deep threats in the league.

Now to the negative: White was traded to the 49ers at the deadline last year since he didn’t fit in the new scheme. New England took three shots on interior offensive linemen in the middle rounds and none of them are still on the roster. Ryland is yet another great example of why you don’t draft kickers and Mapu isn’t on the team anymore either. For what it’s worth, Baringer at least is still around.

New Orleans Saints

• Round 1, Pick 29: Clemson DT Bryan Bresee
• Round 2, Pick 40: Notre Dame ED Isaiah Foskey
• Round 3, Pick 71: TCU RB Kendre Miller
• Round 4, Pick 103: Old Dominion OT Nick Saldiveri
• Round 4, Pick 127: Fresno State QB Jake Haener
• Round 5, Pick 146: Minnesota S Jordan Howden
• Round 6, Pick 195: Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry

Original Grade: B

3-Year Grade: D+

The return on this class is pretty brutal. Foskey was such a bust that he was cut early in his second season. Haener and Perry are likewise no longer on the roster. Saldiveri is still around as a depth tackle, and Miller’s been fine in a limited role, though he also hasn’t broken out despite opportunities to do so.

Bresee is a tough one. He’s been fine enough, but 2026 second-round pick Christen Miller will be pushing him for his starting spot. Howden is the best player from this class, as he’s started in the slot each of the last three seasons.

New York Giants

• Round 1, Pick 24: Maryland CB Deonte Banks
• Round 2, Pick 57: Minnesota C John Michael Schmitz
• Round 3, Pick 73: Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt
• Round 5, Pick 172: Oklahoma RB Eric Gray
• Round 6, Pick 209: Old Dominion CB Trey Hawkins III
• Round 7, Pick 243: Oregon DT Jordon Riley
• Round 7, Pick 254: Houston S Gervarrious Owens

Original Grade: B-

3-Year Grade: F

This class did not age well at all. Banks had a decent rookie season but has regressed since then. His play has declined each season he’s been in the league and the Giants were aggressive about signing upgrades in free agency to get him out of the starting lineup. Hyatt has just 13 catches over the last two seasons and has more career fumbles than touchdowns. He’s a long shot to make the roster this season.

Gray had a brief stint as a return specialist but he couldn’t make an impact on offense. The one potentially salvageable piece from this class is Schmitz: once viewed as one of the safest prospects in his class, he’s struggled to hold up in the NFL. But he’s the projected starting center once again this season, so there’s still hope for his long-term outlook.

New York Jets

• Round 1, Pick 15: Iowa State ED Will McDonald IV
• Round 2, Pick 43: Wisconsin C Joe Tippmann
• Round 4, Pick 120: Penn State OT Carter Warren
• Round 5, Pick 143: Pittsburgh RB Israel Abanikanda
• Round 6, Pick 184: Western Michigan LB Zaire Barnes
• Round 6, Pick 204: LSU CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
• Round 7, Pick 220: Old Dominion TE Zack Kuntz

Original Grade: C+

3-Year Grade: C

This draft runs pretty hot and cold. McDonald was viewed as an overdraft at the time and he’s largely been more solid than spectacular in the league. Over the last two seasons, he has 19 sacks, so the arrow might be pointing up for him. Tippmann transitioned to guard and has been excellent at his new position, a definite win for the Jets.

Nobody else from this class is still on the roster. Warren, in particular, was an abject disaster in the NFL and was a massive reach at the time.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Round 1, Pick 9: Georgia DT Jalen Carter
• Round 1, Pick 30: Georgia ED Nolan Smith
• Round 3, Pick 65: Alabama G Tyler Steen
• Round 3, Pick 66: Illinois S Sydney Brown
• Round 4, Pick 105: Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
• Round 6, Pick 188: Stanford QB Tanner McKee
• Round 7, Pick 269: Texas DT Moro Ojomo

Original Grade: A-

3-Year Grade: A

This class is pretty much exactly what we all thought it would be on draft day. Carter is a star, already arguably the best defensive tackle in the league, but his off-field and locker room concerns have made the Eagles hesitant to commit big money to him in an extension. There’s no reason to think that won’t get smoothed out. Smith is a good edge defender, though his limitations were exposed a bit when he was the top pass rusher on the team.

Steen is a two-year starter at right guard, while Brown had his moments at safety. He was traded to Atlanta this offseason. Ringo never developed into a startable cornerback, but he’s one of the league’s best gunners. McKee has nailed down the backup spot over the last three seasons and Ojomo finally got consistent minutes last season and responded with six sacks.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Round 1, Pick 14: Georgia OT Broderick Jones
• Round 2, Pick 32: Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
• Round 2, Pick 49: Wisconsin DT Keanu Benton
• Round 3, Pick 93: Georgia TE Darnell Washington
• Round 4, Pick  132: Wisconsin LB Nick Herbig
• Round 7, Pick 241: Purdue CB Cory Trice
• Round 7, Pick 251: Wisconsin G Spencer Anderson

Original Grade: A-

3-Year Grade: B+

This is a tough class to grade. Porter’s had his ups and downs, but he was a day one starter and closed the 2025 season fairly well. The Steelers are optimistic about his future, though he was reportedly pushed hard in OTAs by rookie third-round pick Daylen Everette. Benton hasn’t been a major standout, but he’s consistent, yet to miss a game and broke out with five sacks in 2025. Anderson eventually settled into the starting left guard spot, and Washington is one of the league’s best blocking tight ends.

Herbig is the star of this class, undeniably. He successfully transitioned to the edge and has been a sack machine, already with 16 career sacks. Jones is another story, though. He’s been such a disaster in his three years in the league that the Steelers already spent a first-round pick on his replacement, Max Iheanachor, a few months ago. Despite that, it’s an overall strong class for Pittsburgh.

San Francisco 49ers

• Round 3, Pick 87: Penn State S Ji’Ayir Brown
• Round 3, Pick 97: Michigan K Jake Moody
• Round 3, Pick 101: Alabama TE Cameron Latu
• Round 5, Pick 155: South Alabama CB Darrell Luter Jr.
• Round 5, Pick 173: Georgia ED Robert Beal Jr.
• Round 6, Pick 216: TCU LB Dee Winters
• Round 7, Pick 247: Oklahoma TE Brayden Willis
• Round 7, Pick 253: Michigan WR Ronnie Bell
• Round 7, Pick 255: Purdue LB Jalen Graham

Original Grade: C

3-Year Grade: C

It’s a wonder the 49ers are as good as they are with such consistently poor draft classes. This one is far from the worst they’ve had in recent years, but it’s not great, either. Brown is undeniably the best player in this class, as he’s locked down one of the safety spots since being drafted. Winters saw some shine last season filling in for the injured Fred Warner, and he was traded to the Cowboys during the 2026 draft. Luter, Willis and Graham have all stuck around on the roster in one form or another.

It’s wild to see San Francisco so masterfully play the compensatory picks game only to set them on fire each draft. Moody was a bad pick at the time — we don’t need hindsight for that. He was cut after the first game in 2025 after going 1-3 on field goal attempts. Once again: don’t draft kickers.

Seattle Seahawks

• Round 1, Pick 5: Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon
• Round 1, Pick 20: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• Round 2, Pick 37: Auburn ED Derick Hall
• Round 2, Pick 52: UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet
• Round 4, Pick 108: LSU G Anthony Bradford
• Round 4, Pick 123: Mississippi State DT Cameron Young
• Round 5, Pick 151: Michigan ED Mike Morris
• Round 5, Pick 154: Michigan C Olusegun Oluwatimi
• Round 6, Pick 198: New Mexico S Jerrick Reed II
• Round 7, Pick 237: Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh

Original Grade: A-

3-Year Grade: A+

The Seahawks just won a Super Bowl in large part because of this class. Smith-Njigba just won Offensive Player of the Year with one of the best singular seasons we’ve seen at the receiver position in a while. He’s a star, and so is fellow first-round pick Witherspoon. He makes plays everywhere on that defense and his fingerprints were all over Seattle’s Super Bowl victory.

Getting two of the best players in the league at their respective positions in the first round would be plenty for most classes, but the Seahawks weren’t done. Hall has been a consistently productive rotational pass rusher and just signed an extension, while Charbonnet helped form one of the NFL’s most dangerous two-headed monsters at running back. Bradford is a three-year starter at right guard and Oluwatimi has stuck as the backup center.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Round 1, Pick 19: Pittsburgh DT Calijah Kancey
• Round 2, Pick 48: North Dakota State G Cody Mauch
• Round 3, Pick 82: Louisville ED YaYa Diaby
• Round 5, Pick 153: Pittsburgh LB SirVocea Dennis
• Round 5, Pick 171: Purdue TE Payne Durham
• Round 6, Pick 181: Kansas State CB Josh Hayes
• Round 6, Pick 191: Nebraska WR Trey Palmer
• Round 6, Pick 196: Eastern Michigan LB Jose Ramirez

Original Grade: D

3-Year Grade: B

Health is the only thing keeping this grade out of the ‘A’ range. Kancey’s been as-advertised when on the field, as he had 12 sacks in 26 games across his first two seasons before playing just three in 2025. Likewise, Mauch was a great stabilizer at right guard before also missing last season due to injury.

The gem of this class is Diaby. He hasn’t missed a game yet in his career and has 19 sacks so far in the league, by far the most productive pass rusher in Tampa Bay during that stretch. Dennis started last season and will be in the mix to do so again, while Durham has settled nicely into the TE2 role behind Cade Otton. Palmer had a productive rookie season in a depth role, though he’s now with the Saints.

Tennessee Titans

• Round 1, Pick 11: Northwestern G Peter Skoronski
• Round 2, Pick 33: Kentucky QB Will Levis
• Round 3, Pick 81: Tulane RB Tyjae Spears
• Round 5, Pick 147: Cincinnati TE Josh Whyle
• Round 6, Pick 186: Maryland OT Jaelyn Duncan
• Round 7, Pick 228: UT Martin WR Colton Dowell

Original Grade: B

3-Year Grade: C+

A college tackle, Skoronski was moved to guard right away and has been a stalwart there ever since. He’s easily the best player of this group. Spears hasn’t dominated or anything, but he’s an effective, versatile back who sees plenty of reps each year.

It’s easy to clown on the Levis pick given how that turned out, but as a second-round flier, I don’t hate it. It didn’t work out, but it’s much more defensible than taking him at No. 11.

Washington Commanders

• Round 1, Pick 16: Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes
• Round 2, Pick 47: Illinois S Quan Martin
• Round 3, Pick 97: Arkansas C Ricky Stromberg
• Round 4, Pick 118: Utah OT Braeden Daniels
• Round 5, Pick 137: Clemson ED KJ Henry
• Round 6, Pick 193: Kentucky RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
• Round 7, Pick 233: Louisiana-Lafayette LB Andre Jones Jr.

Original Grade: C+

3-Year Grade: F

We’ll get to the two good players from this class in a second. The Forbes pick is indefensible. It was seen as a reach at the time and only looks worse in hindsight. He was so clearly in over his head as a rookie and was cut midway through his second season. What makes this pick look even worse is that the Patriots took Gonzalez one spot later. To add insult to injury, Forbes ended up landing with the Rams and giving them good minutes last season.

Martin and Rodriguez both managed to stick. Martin is the only starting-caliber player from this class, and he hasn’t quite lived up to his potential either.