The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone. Over a year of scouting prep, roster evaluation and more went into the players these teams added, and now we’re left to evaluate how each team did.

Analyzing draft classes is more than just looking down my big board and seeing which teams got the best value. That’s part of it, but how each team navigated the draft, how they attacked needs while still getting value, avoiding reaches and drafting scheme fits all matter, too. We’ll know more in a few years about how these classes turned out, but there are some immediate takeaways already.

For the most part, teams are getting better and better at drafting. There were only three classes I truly disliked this year. I also ranked my top eight best classes.

Best

1 — New Orleans Saints

• Round 1, Pick 8: Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson

• Round 2, Pick 42: Georgia DT Christen Miller

• Round 3, Pick 73: Georgia TE Oscar Delp

• Round 4, Pick 132: Auburn G Jeremiah Wright

• Round 4, Pick 136: North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance

• Round 5, Pick 172: Ohio State S Lorenzo Styles Jr.

• Round 6, Pick 190: LSU WR Barion Brown

• Round 7, Pick 219: Iowa CB TJ Hall

I’m a big fan of what the Saints did in this draft. Getting Tyson at No. 8 — my top receiver in this class — is good value despite the injury concerns he had going into the draft. He’s a flawless fit next to Chris Olave and suddenly the Saints offense looks quite dangerous if Tyler Shough takes another step in his second year.

Miller was my top defensive tackle in this class and was the fourth off the board. He’s a plus run defender with untapped pass-rushing upside and should be a big upgrade in the middle of that defensive line. Delp is a high-floor blocking tight end with plus athleticism and at least theoretical receiving upside. While Wright was a bit over-drafted, he provides some depth on the interior of the offensive line.

Coming back in the fourth with Lance is just great business, and he might be the WR3 in New Orleans immediately. He can take the top off a defense with an unreal size/speed combination. Styles is a freak athlete who should be able to provide early value on special teams, while Hall can be a solid depth corner if he makes the roster.

2 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Round 1, Pick 15: Miami ED Rueben Bain Jr.

• Round 2, Pick 46: Missouri LB Josiah Trotter

• Round 3, Pick 84: Georgia State WR Ted Hurst

• Round 4, Pick 116: Miami CB Keionte Scott

• Round 5, Pick 155: Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart

• Round 5, Pick 160: Notre Dame G Billy Schrauth

• Round 6, Pick 185: LSU TE Bauer Sharp

The Bucs got the steal of the first round in Bain. There were reports leading up to the draft that he was expected to fall outside the top 10 due to length concerns, but after the Cowboys, Rams and Ravens all picked, it was still a surprise to see Bain sitting there for Tampa Bay at No. 15. They didn’t waste any time, though, jumping on the chance to add the draft’s best edge defender to a defensive line that sorely needed him. Bain was my No. 1 overall player in the class — getting him midway through the first is a coup.

The Trotter pick, on the other hand, I didn’t like at all. There were better linebackers on the board (I would have preferred Allen, Jake Golday, or Anthony Hill Jr.) and he was a reach on my board by about 80 spots. Still, he’s a young player and a plus athlete, and he’s already a good run defender and an extremely cerebral player. He could develop into a solid starter.

The middle rounds were an absolute clinic for the Bucs, though. Hurst is a high-upside receiver and a great athlete who should play a similar role to Mike Evans in that offense. Scott was one of the best values in the entire draft, and pairing him with Bain again could pay dividends. Miami used the two of them in combination to do some unique things schematically in their run defense, and Scott could earn the starting nickel corner job as a rookie.

Schrauth could be a long-term starter at guard for Tampa Bay, as he fell in the draft due to injuries more than anything else. Capehart is a role player but he’s an explosive, athletic two-gapping run-stuffer who has some pass rush upside. As a rotational piece in the fifth round, he was a great addition.

3 — Washington Commanders

• Round 1, Pick 7: Ohio State LB Sonny Styles

• Round 3, Pick 71: Clemson WR Antonio Williams

• Round 5, Pick 147: Tennessee ED Joshua Josephs

• Round 6, Pick 187: Penn State RB Kaytron Allen

• Round 6, Pick 209: Michigan State C Matt Gulbin

• Round 7, Pick 223: Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis

The Commanders did incredible work with just six picks in the draft. The headliner here is Styles, a common mock draft selection for Washington at No. 7, but there was some skepticism that he’d make it that far. They took advantage of his slight fall and added an immediate difference-maker to a defense lacking star talent. Styles is a converted safety with prototypical linebacker size and freakish athleticism. He profiles as one of the few true stars at linebacker in the NFL.

I was exceptionally high on Josephs (ranked No. 8 overall on my big board) but even consensus had him ranked as an early third-round pick. Getting him in the fifth is just a good bit of business for any team, but he’s a truly perfect fit in Washington. The Commanders run a 3-4 scheme that Josephs slots into seamlessly as a stand-up speed rusher, and edge defender was not a deep position on this team. There’s a chance Josephs is starting Week 1, and he should be a key part of their rotation regardless. His athleticism and length make him a standout in Washington’s defense.

Williams was another pick I’m a huge fan of. He complements Terry McLaurin well and is exactly the type of receiver that Commanders QB Jayden Daniels thrives with. He gets up to top speed quickly and is a real vertical threat while also being a catch-and-run weapon, creating yards after the catch consistently. Allen is a good short-yardage and two-down back that should help raise the floor of Washington’s rushing attack, while Gulbin is good center depth on Day 3.

4 — Indianapolis Colts

• Round 2, Pick 53: Georgia LB CJ Allen

• Round 3, Pick 78: LSU S A.J. Haulcy

• Round 4, Pick 113: Kentucky G Jalen Farmer

• Round 4, Pick 135: Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher

• Round 5, Pick 156: Florida ED George Gumbs Jr.

• Round 6, Pick 214: Ohio State ED Caden Curry

• Round 7, Pick 237: Kentucky RB Seth McGowan

• Round 7, Pick 254: Oklahoma WR Deion Burks

For a team without a first-round pick, the Colts put on a clinic in drafting for both value and need, a rare feat. Usually, entering a draft with massive holes on the depth chart is an incredibly dangerous game, but Indy’s weakest positions were linebacker and safety, and they took advantage of the depth of those position groups in this class.

I was lower than most on Allen and Haulcy, but they’re both high-floor players who project as immediate starters in Indianapolis. Allen was consistently praised by coaches and scouts alike for his intelligence and on-field awareness. He called plays for Georgia’s defense, a rare feat in college, and one that no doubt endeared him to the coaching staff. Haulcy, meanwhile, should replace Nick Cross seamlessly, who’s now in Washington.

Farmer is another potential starter drafted in the middle rounds. The Colts will likely go into the summer with Jalen Travis at right tackle and Matt Goncalves at right guard, but since Goncalves can play either position, there’s a chance Farmer can earn his way into an early role. Either way, he’s expected to be a potential long-term solution on the interior. Boettcher will be battling Jaylon Carlies for the third starting linebacker role, as well.

McGowan will compete with 2025 fifth-round pick DJ Giddens for the backup running back role, while Burks is a local kid (and Purdue transfer) who could become the Colts’ WR3 as a rookie. Gumbs and Curry are completely different kinds of prospects, but both replenish some defensive line depth lost in free agency. Indianapolis went into this draft with a mission and got good value at every pick despite their desperation.

5 — Las Vegas Raiders

• Round 1, Pick 1: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

• Round 2, Pick 38: Arizona S Treydan Stukes

• Round 3, Pick 67: Auburn ED Keyron Crawford

• Round 3, Pick 91: Texas A&M OT Trey Zuhn III

• Round 4, Pick 101: Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy

• Round 4, Pick 122: Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr.

• Round 5, Pick 150: Arizona S Dalton Johnson

• Round 5, Pick 175: California CB Hezekiah Masses

• Round 6, Pick 195: Oregon WR Malik Benson

• Round 7, Pick 229: N.C. State DT Brandon Cleveland

Yes, the Mendoza pick was a layup, but he still counts as part of their draft class. He provides a beacon of hope for the franchise as the future under center, but with Kirk Cousins in the fold, he won’t be thrown to the wolves unless he’s actually ready for that responsibility.

What sets this class apart, though, is what the Raiders did after Mendoza. Stukes is a fantastic athlete and a switchable piece on the back end. He can play in the slot or in a more true safety role, and his versatility is a big boost to an undermanned secondary. I loved Crawford as a prospect and he might start opposite Maxx Crosby as a rookie — the arrow is firmly pointing up for him.

Zuhn was a college tackle who can play all five positions on the offensive line. He’s another potential starter as a rookie, probably at guard. Washington was a great value where they got him and will provide a real punch behind Ashton Jeanty in what’s developing into a varied Las Vegas rushing attack. I like Masses quite a bit as a depth corner, though he’s more of a zone-only type of player.

I don’t quite know what to make of the McCoy pick, but there’s no denying it was the best value of the draft (and it’s not close). He was the No. 6 overall player on my board and an undeniable top-10 talent off tape alone. But teams were concerned about a degenerative knee injury that may require surgery before the season and his return timeline — as well as his long-term prospects — are unknown. Still, the Raiders took a chance on a true No. 1 corner, and getting that type of player in the fourth round is well worth the risk.

6 — Chicago Bears

• Round 1, Pick 25: Oregon S Dillon Thieneman

• Round 2, Pick 57: Iowa C Logan Jones

• Round 3, Pick 69: Stanford TE Sam Roush

• Round 3, Pick 89: LSU WR Zavion Thomas

• Round 4, Pick 124: Texas CB Malik Muhammad

• Round 5, Pick 166: Arizona State LB Keyshaun Elliott

• Round 6, Pick 213: Georgia Tech DT Jordan Van den Berg

After we’d been hearing for weeks that there was no way Thieneman was getting past both the Vikings and the Panthers at Nos. 18 and 19, he makes it all the way to No. 25 and Chicago. But man, he really couldn’t be a more seamless fit in that defense, and he’ll pair with Coby Bryant to form one of the most electric safety duos in the league. That pair should be a ton of fun to watch, and I’m excited to see what Bears DC Dennis Allen does with Thieneman’s versatility on the back end.

Jones landed in the perfect spot and could start as a rookie, but even if he starts his career behind Garrett Bradbury, he’s the long-term answer at center. Roush was fantastic value where he went and was the best blocking tight end in the class with real passing game upside. Eventually, he could take over Cole Kmet’s role in this offense, but for now, they’ll combine with Colston Loveland to form a deep and versatile tight end room.

Muhammad was a top-20 player in this class for me and I think he has a chance to start over Tyrique Stevenson as a rookie with his length and fluidity in space. Elliott provides quality linebacker depth and Van den Berg is an upside swing on an athletic, gap-shooting interior defender.

7 — Cleveland Browns

• Round 1, Pick 9: Utah OT Spencer Fano

• Round 1, Pick 24: Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion

• Round 2, Pick 39: Washington WR Denzel Boston

• Round 2, Pick 58: Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren

• Round 3, Pick 86: Florida OT Austin Barber

• Round 5, Pick 146: Alabama C Parker Brailsford

• Round 5, Pick 149: Alabama LB Justin Jefferson

• Round 5, Pick 170: Cincinnati TE Joe Royer

• Round 6, Pick 182: Arkansas QB Taylen Green

• Round 7, Pick 248: BYU TE Carsen Ryan

I don’t know that the Browns could have navigated the draft any more expertly. They traded down to No. 9, getting the player they were targeting all along in Fano. I’m a believer in his ability to stick at tackle, but whether Cleveland agrees or moves him inside to guard, they got the most dynamic tackle in the class.

I wasn’t a big fan of taking Concepcion over some of the other receivers on the board, but the Boston pick redeemed it. They will form a genuinely great trio of receivers with Jerry Jeudy, and the Browns needed a major influx of talent at the position. Trading up to take advantage of McNeil-Warren’s fall was another smart move, and he’ll bolster an already deep secondary.

I thought Barber was overdrafted, but he and Brailsford will add additional depth to a reworked offensive line. I like Royer’s upside as a TE2 in the league and Green is an intriguing quarterback prospect who may be a candidate for a position switch as well. The Browns took some elite prospects in the first two rounds and then padded out their draft with depth pieces and upside swings on Day 3.

8 — Buffalo Bills

• Round 2, Pick 35: Clemson ED T.J. Parker

• Round 2, Pick 62: Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun

• Round 4, Pick 102: Boston College OT Jude Bowry

• Round 4, Pick 125: Connecticut WR Skyler Bell

• Round 4, Pick 126: TCU LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr

• Round 5, Pick 167: South Carolina S Jalen Kilgore

• Round 5, Pick 181: Penn State DT Zane Durant

• Round 7, Pick 220: Missouri CB Toriano Pride Jr.

• Round 7, Pick 239: Florida P Tommy Doman

• Round 7, Pick 241” Texas A&M G Ar’maj Reed-Adams

The Bills found value up and down the board and added a lot of high-upside talent to a roster that was starting to lack it. Trading out of the first round and adding extra picks was the move, and they landed Parker early in the second, one of my favorite fits of the entire draft. He’s a high-floor run-stuffing end who plays with real power and strength at the point of attack. But he’s also an extremely refined hand-fighter who should provide some secondary pass-rush ability.

I wasn’t a fan of the Igbinsoun pick at all — there were a bunch of better cornerbacks still on the board at the end of the second round. But they won me back over with their work in the middle rounds, as Buffalo cleaned up and added a bunch of potential future starters. Bowry projects as an immediate swing tackle with starter-level upside in the future, and he could kick inside to guard as well. Bell was one of the best value picks of the whole draft: he’s probably the third-best receiver on the Bills’ roster right now, and his athleticism and reliability should be a big boost to a receiving corps that has been lacking those traits for some time.

Elarms-Orr is an upside swing on a linebacker who, while he needs to get more consistent, has all the traits and production you could want from the position. Kilgore was another great value when Buffalo got him, and he’s a matchup weapon against tight ends and bigger receivers from the slot. His potential can’t be understated given the type of athlete he is, and he’ll be one of the youngest players in the league this year.

Durant and Pride are solid fliers to take on plus athletes, and Reed-Adams should not be underestimated despite being a seventh-round pick. He’s a monster in the trenches and a true mauler, someone who should fit well in Buffalo’s scheme. Even in the seventh round, the value for drafting a punter just isn’t there, but I can overlook it given the sheer amount of talent the Bills added at good value in this draft.

Worst

1 — Jacksonville Jaguars

• Round 2, Pick 56: Texas A&M TE Nate Boerkircher

• Round 3, Pick 81: Texas A&M DT Albert Regis

• Round 3, Pick 88: Oregon G Emmanuel Pregnon

• Round 3, Pick 100: Maryland S Jalen Huskey

• Round 4, Pick 119: Duke ED Wesley Williams

• Round 5, Pick 164: Houston TE Tanner Koziol

• Round 6, Pick 191: Baylor WR Josh Cameron

• Round 6, Pick 203: Stanford WR CJ Williams

• Round 7, Pick 233: Washington ED Zach Durfee

• Round 7, Pick 240: Middle Tennessee State LB Parker Hughes

There are exactly four picks I liked in this haul. Regis and Pregnon were good prospects and should have major roles right away. Pregnon could start as a rookie and Regis can be a two-down run-stuffer for years to come. Koziol and Cameron were solid values in the middle to late rounds.

But man, what were the Jaguars thinking with the rest of their picks? Taking Boerkircher at No. 56 is draft malpractice. That is such a misevaluation of his value relative to the rest of the class, and to make that your first move of the draft? Huskey, Durfee and both the Williams did not have draftable grades by most evaluators. Huskey, in particular, is a crazy reach in the top 100.

Acting smarter than the rest of the league rarely, rarely works, because teams are rarely smarter than the collective wisdom of the rest of the league over a significant sample size. Top Jaguars decision-makers skipped the Combine and it shows. This was one of the worst draft classes I’ve seen in years.

2 — San Francisco 49ers

• Round 2, Pick 33: Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling

• Round 3, Pick 70: Texas Tech ED Romello Height

• Round 3, Pick 90: Indiana RB Kaelon Black

• Round 4, Pick 107: Oklahoma DT Gracen Halton

• Round 4, Pick 127: Washington OT Carver Willis

• Round 4, Pick 139: Washington CB Ephesians Prysock

• Round 5, Pick 154: Louisiana LB Jaden Dugger

• Round 5, Pick 179: Kansas OT Enrique Cruz Jr.

Let’s start with the good: I loved the Prysock pick. Not only was he a good value in the fourth round (with a lot of upside, too), but he’s a good scheme fit in San Francisco. I also liked Height where they got him in the third, and he’s the perfect designated pass rusher type for that defense. Halton has value as a rotational interior pass rusher.

But how long will the 49ers be able to keep setting draft picks on fire and still be able to field a competitive team? Taking Stribling at No. 33 with Boston, Germie Bernard, Williams, Malachi Fields, Chris Bell, Skyler Bell, Lance, Hurst, and so many other receivers on the board is just bad evaluation. Black might have gone undrafted if the 49ers hadn’t selected him, and they took him in the third round. In the top 90!

San Francisco has to get better at reading the rest of the league and knowing the relative value of their favorite prospects. They just have to. No one else was taking Willis in the fourth. No one else was taking Dugger or maybe even Cruz in the fifth. And here’s the thing: if another team surprises you and drafts them, let them. Continually overdrafting players — then overdrafting the same archetypes a year later because those players didn’t work out — isn’t sustainable team building. Eventually, it will come back to bite them.

3 — Los Angeles Rams

• Round 1, Pick 13: Alabama QB Ty Simpson

• Round 2, Pick 61: Ohio State TE Max Klare

• Round 3, Pick 93: Missouri OT Keagen Trost

• Round 6, Pick 197: Miami WR CJ Daniels

• Round 7, Pick 232: Alabama DT Tim Keenan III

The Rams should be thanking Jacksonville and San Francisco for overshadowing their own class. Of course, when you overdraft a quarterback at No. 13 out of nowhere, people will still talk. Who were the Rams competing with for Simpson? They could have added the draft’s best defender in Bain or added another weapon for Matthew Stafford like Makai Lemon or Boston. Instead, they drafted his successor.

Supporters of the Simpson pick point to the Packers a few years ago with Jordan Love. But No. 13 is a far cry from No. 26, and the same criticism of Green Bay’s choice still applies to the Rams now. The Packers never even reached the Super Bowl again with Aaron Rodgers. It almost doesn’t matter how good Simpson eventually is: Los Angeles sits right now as the Super Bowl favorites. If they fail to win one before Stafford hangs it up, there will always be a question of “What if?” with this pick.

It’s a shame, because outside of the Simpson pick, the Rams did a pretty good job with the rest of their limited picks. Klare enters a loaded tight end room, but he was a good value where he was picked and has three-down star potential in the NFL. Trost is quality depth with spot-starter potential, and I loved the Keenan pick at the end of the draft.