’26 NFL Draft: Final snap grades for every team

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Immediate draft grades provide a foundation for future evaluations. Waiting three years to assess draft classes without accounting for how the decision was viewed at the time usually leads to revisionist history.

These 2026 NFL Draft snap grades reflect the value I think each pick (or set of picks) has, given the slot and the prospect’s college film/athleticism scores. Trades, and the capital exchanged (both picks and players), are factored into these grades, too, as they also play a significant part in determining the future of a franchise.

SEARCH BY TEAM

AFC East: BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
AFC North: BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
AFC South: HOU | IND | JAC | TEN
AFC West: DEN | KC | LAC | LV

NFC East: DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
NFC North: CHI | DET | GB | MIN
NFC South: ATL | CAR | NO | TB
NFC West: ARI | LAR | SEA | SF

Grade

Arizona Cardinals

Draft picks:

Round 1 (No. 3): RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Round 2 (No. 34): OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
Round 3 (No. 65): QB Carson Beck, Miami
Round 4 (No. 104): DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
Round 5 (No. 143): WR Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech
Round 6 (No. 183): LB Karson Sharar, Iowa
Round 7 (No. 217): OT Jayden Williams, Mississippi

Grades:

Day 1: A
Day 2: A
Day 3: A-

Analysis:

The Cardinals chose the best offensive threat in the draft third overall, with Love’s strength, vision and ability to score from anywhere on the field apparently trumping the narrative that running backs aren’t worth a top-five pick. Bisontis is a nasty blocker worthy of his early second-round selection. I projected Beck to the Cardinals in the third round of my seven-round mock because, despite his lukewarm film over the past two seasons, he has the physical attributes to be an NFL starter.
I projected Proctor to the Cardinals in my seven-round mock because he’s the sort of athletic defensive lineman the team prefers. I liked the Virgil pick because of his consistency and quickness after the catch. Sharar will be a factor on special teams as a rookie. Williams was one of my favorite late-round tackle prospects. He doesn’t have the most size, but he wins with balance and hand usage on the outside. Arizona must spend its rookie free agent funds on pass rush depth.

Grade

B-

Atlanta Falcons

Draft picks:

Round 2 (No. 48): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Round 3 (No. 79): WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Round 4 (No. 134): LB Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma
Round 6 (No. 208): DT Anterio Thompson, Washington
Round 6 (No. 215): LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
Round 7 (No. 231): OT Ethan Onianwa, Ohio State

Grades:

Day 1: C
Day 2: A
Day 3: B-

Analysis:

Atlanta gambled by trading its 2026 first-round pick in a draft-day deal last year for edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who showed promise on the field as a rookie but ended up facing significant legal issues this offseason. In Round 2, the Falcons found value by adding the slight but feisty Terrell, who will join his brother A.J. Terrell in the secondary, along with Branch, an open-field playmaker who can do much more than Georgia’s offense allowed him to show.
Daniels is like Falcons LB Divine Deablo in that he’s a tall former safety who moved into the box full-time. Atlanta took another linebacker in Perkins, a player I expected to go much earlier in the draft. They had to find a run-stuffing DT in this draft; Thompson’s excellent pro day and flashes on tape made him a worthy Day 3 pick.

Grade

B+

Baltimore Ravens

Draft picks:

Round 1 (No. 14): OG Olaivavega 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 4 (No. 133): TE Matthew 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): DL Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
Round 7 (No. 253): OG Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern

Grades:

Day 1: B+
Day 2: B
Day 3: A

Analysis:

Ioane’s size, strength and nimble feet made him a solid mid-first round pick — though I do wonder if the Ravens might have been better off taking edge Rueben Bain Jr. at 14 and meeting the need for a guard later on. I wasn’t sure about the value of Baltimore’s Day 2 selections. Still, with his strength and length, Young meets the team’s pass rush need, while Lane is a tall jump-ball king who could be a major threat in the red zone.
Sarratt, a possession pass-catcher, was a good value. Grabbing the athletic Hibner in the fourth and the sturdy Cuevas in the fifth made sense. The Ravens used the fifth-round pick they acquired from the Chargers in the Odafe Oweh trade on Rivers, who overcomes a smaller frame with pure competitiveness. Randall runs harder than you’d expect for a former receiver. I projected Eckley to the Ravens with the 211th selection in my seven-round mock draft after they lost Jordan Stout in free agency. I expect Benny to develop into a playmaker for Baltimore.

Grade

Buffalo Bills

Draft picks:

Round 2 (No. 35): Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
Round 2 (No. 62): CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Round 4 (No. 102): OT 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): DB 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 Jr., Florida
Round 7 (No. 241): OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M

Grades:

Day 1: A
Day 2: A
Day 3: A

Analysis:

The Bills traded down three times in Round 1 to gain additional mid-round selections and still found a much-needed physical pass rush presence on the edge in Parker. Igbinosun possesses the size and physicality to start on the outside, especially if he continues reducing his pass-interference penalties. Buffalo’s original second-round pick was wisely used to acquire receiver DJ Moore and a fifth-round selection from Chicago.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Bowry slide inside to guard, where the Bills have to replace David Edwards. Reed-Adams will also add depth on the interior of the line. The Bills found excellent value in the dynamic yet reliable Bell, the athletic/big-hitting Elarms-Orr, the speedy/productive Kilgore and undersized but quick Durant.

Grade

A-

Carolina Panthers

Draft picks:

Round 1 (No. 19): OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Round 2 (No. 49): DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Round 3 (No. 83): WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Round 4 (No. 129): CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Round 5 (No. 144): C Sam Hecht, Kansas State
Round 5 (No. 151): S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
Round 7 (No. 227): LB Jackson Kuwatch, Miami (Ohio)

Grades:

Day 1: A
Day 2: B+
Day 3: A-

Analysis:

Carolina found good value in Round 1 with Freeling, an up-and-coming tackle who could replace left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (who is coming off a ruptured patellar tendon) this year or next, after his rookie contract runs out. The Panthers swapped late-round pickswith the Vikings to add Hunter’s wide frame and nimble feet to their defensive line, then took a chance on the 6-foot-4 Brazzell as an effective downfield playmaker, even though they used their first-round picks over the previous two drafts on outside receivers (Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette).
The competitive Lee could become a starter with improved technique. Hecht and Wheatley were steals in the fifth round. They are both productive, experienced players who will compete for starts as rookies at center and safety, respectively. The Panthers should be looking for pass-rush help in the undrafted free agent market.

Grade

A-

Chicago Bears

Draft picks:

Round 1 (No. 25): S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Round 2 (No. 57): C Logan Jones, Iowa
Round 3 (No. 69): TE Sam Roush, Stanford
Round 3 (No. 89): WR Zavion Thomas, LSU
Round 4 (No. 124): CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
Round 5 (No. 166): LB Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
Round 6 (No. 213): DT Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech

Grades:

Day 1: A
Day 2: B+
Day 3: B

Analysis:

Thieneman is an easy fit with the Bears in the first round, because his athleticism, toughness and versatility will fill a hole in the secondary left by departed free agent Kevin Byard. Chicago picked the best center in the draft in Round 2; Jones should remind fans of prior starter Drew Dalman. The trade of veteran receiver DJ Moore to Buffalo puts pressure on 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III and Thomas, a surprising third-round choice, to replace that production. Roush was a good value in Round 3 as a future starter with solid receiving and blocking skills.
Muhammad’s athleticism and toughness made him a steal in Round 4. Selecting Elliott made sense for the Bears since 2023 fifth-round pick Noah Sewell is recovering from a torn Achilles. Van den Berg, a native of South Africa, is an excellent athlete and meets the team’s need for defensive line depth. The Bears did not use any picks on edge rushers or offensive tackles this year despite their needs at those positions.

Grade

Cincinnati Bengals

Draft picks:

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

Grades:

Day 1: B
Day 2: A
Day 3: C+

Analysis:

The Bengals traded the 10th overall selection to the Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and signed him to an extension. The deal is somewhat risky, given Lawrence’s decreased production last season and the availability of top prospects like safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Rueben Bain at 10. Cincinnati did well on Day 2, breaking team precedent by taking Howell, a smaller edge with speed, then adding Davis’ height and quick feet to a secondary facing the potential loss of multiple veterans in free agency next year.
Lew is coming off an ACL injury, which is why he was still available in Round 4, but I expect him to be starting at center by 2027. Young’s a big receiver who should compete for playing time in 2026. Picking Parker after Lew seemed a bit duplicative, although the Bengals apparently view Parker as someone who can play outside in addition to the interior spots, where he best projects. Endries isn’t elite in any one area, but he was productive at Cal and Texas, giving the Bengals nice value in the seventh round.

Grade

A-

Cleveland Browns

Draft picks:

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

Grades:

Day 1: A
Day 2: A
Day 3: B

Analysis:

The Browns found a potential starting tackle early in Round 1, grabbing the athletic, versatile Fano in spite of his lack of ideal length. They also met their need for a receiver and returner by snagging the explosive (if inconsistent) Concepcion with the first-round pick received from Jacksonville in the Travis Hunter trade last April. Cleveland found great value on Friday night, as well, taking hard-hitting safety McNeil-Warren in Round 2 and the athletic, stout Barber in Round 3. The icing on the Browns’ Day 2 cake was trading the third-rounder acquired from the Chiefs for two fourth-rounders this year and a 2027 fourth from the Giants.
Brailsford is undersized but tough in the pivot. I loved the decision to pick Jefferson in Round 5. He finds the ball in the open field and is not afraid of contact. Royer is a good pass catcher who strengthens the Browns’ tight end corps. Green arrives in a crowded quarterback room, but he was worth a sixth-round pick.

Grade

B+

Dallas Cowboys

Draft picks:

Round 1 (No. 11): S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Round 1 (No. 23): Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF
Round 3 (No. 92): Edge Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Round 4 (No. 112): OT Drew Shelton, Penn State
Round 4 (No. 114): CB Devin Moore, Florida
Round 4 (No. 137): DL LT Overton, Alabama
Round 7 (No. 218): WR Anthony Smith, East Carolina

Grades:

Day 1: B+
Day 2: B
Day 3: B+

Analysis:

Dallas had the steal of the first round, trading two fifth-round picks to move up one spot for Downs; he should be a long-time defensive leader able to make plays in the deep half, flat and the box. The ‘Boys moved down from Green Bay’s first-round selection, acquired in the Micah Parsons trade, to pick Lawrence, who has potential because of his length and athleticism but carries risk as a late riser in the evaluation process. They traded their original Day 2 picks for veterans Quinnen Williams and George Pickens but were still able to select Barham, a versatile second-level defender, in the third round after sending defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers back in March.
Shelton’s 2025 game tape did not scream fourth-round pick to me, but the team can develop him into a swing tackle in time. Dallas received two fourth-round picks from Philadelphia in the teams’ first-round trade. They used one of those selections on the physical but injury-plagued Moore and the other on Overton, who might compete to replace Osa Odighizuwa on the interior. The Cowboys filled a glaring need by trading a fifth-round pick to the 49ers for LB Dee Winters. Look for Smith to fight for a roster spot as a receiver who can stretch the field.

Grade

A-

Denver Broncos

Draft picks:

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

Grades:

Day 1: A
Day 2: A-
Day 3: B+

Analysis:

Jaylen Waddle essentially serves as Denver’s first-round pick this year, given that the Broncos sent the No. 30 overall choice to Miami for the veteran receiver. That Waddle deal also included the Broncos’ third-round selection, so their only pick of Day 2 was Onyedim, chosen despite the availability of Missouri’s Chris McClellan (who was picked by the Packers at No. 77) to fill their need for an active, strong defensive lineman to replace departed free agent John Franklin-Myers.
Denver drafted Coleman with the fourth-round pick it acquired from New Orleans for receiver Devaughn Vele, adding a power runner to a deep running back group. Casey adds depth at tackle and guard for the Broncos. Joly and Bentley bolstered the tight end room. Linebacker depth was a need for the Broncos and Murdock’s intensity in the box should absolutely make him relevant even though he was the final pick of the 2026 draft.

Grade

A-

Detroit Lions

Draft picks:

Round 1 (No. 17): OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Round 2 (No. 44): Edge Derrick Moore, Michigan
Round 4 (No. 118): LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
Round 5 (No. 157): CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State
Round 5 (No. 168): WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky
Round 6 (No. 205): DT Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech
Round 7 (No. 222): DT Tyre West, Tennessee

Grades:

Day 1: A
Day 2: B-
Day 3: A

Analysis:

Miller came out of Clemson as a solid, experienced tackle — then showed above-average athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, likely clinching his status as a top-25 pick. He meets Detroit’s need for a tackle after Taylor Decker‘s exit. The Lions sent a fourth-round pick to the Jets so they could pair bullish pass rusher Moore with fellow former Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson. Also included in the Lions’ draft grade is the trade of two third-round picks this year to select receiver Isaac TeSlaa in last year’s third round.
Detroit needed a linebacker and Rolder’s aggressive style will endear him to Lions fans. The Lions traded David Montgomery to the Texans for OL Juice Scruggs, a fourth-round pick this year and a 2027 sixth-rounder. They used the fourth to move up for Moore and replaced Montgomery with Isiah Pacheco in free agency. Law is a receiver in a running back’s body and should get a look as a returner during training camp. Gill-Howard is undersized but stood out on Texas Tech’s star-studded defense before an ankle injury ended his season.

Grade

B+

Green Bay Packers

Draft picks:

Round 2 (No. 52): CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Round 3 (No. 77): DT Chris McClellan, Missouri
Round 4 (No. 120): Edge Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Round 5 (No. 153): C Jager Burton, Kentucky
Round 6 (No. 201): CB Domani Jackson, Alabama
Round 6 (No. 216): K Trey Smack, Florida

Grades:

Day 1: B
Day 2: A-
Day 3: A

Analysis:

Green Bay sent first-round picks this year and next to Dallas for star pass rusher Micah Parsons last year. Though he was a difference-maker when on the field, Parsons missed time due to injury for the second straight season. Cisse is a speedy corner who could grow into a solid starter if able to tighten up his technique. McClellan’s heavy hands and quick feet should make him a welcome addition to the defensive line, which is in flux after the trade of Kenny Clark to Dallas for Parsons and an injury sidelining Devonte Wyatt on Thanksgiving Day.
Dennis-Sutton’s athleticism made him a solid find in the fourth round, especially for a team needing pass rushers. Burton’s power and quick feet made him an excellent pick to bolster the line with the fifth-round pick Green Bay received from the Eagles for WR Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers couldn’t rely on their kickers last year. Smack’s leg strength and accuracy from 50-plus yards out made him worthy of the trade-up at the end of Round 6.

Grade

Houston Texans

Draft picks:

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

Grades:

Day 1: B
Day 2: B
Day 3: B-

Analysis:

The Texans upgraded the offensive line with Rutledge, a strong finisher, but they gave up two mid-round selections to move up just two spots to select him. Houston moved up again in the second round, too, swapping mid-round picks with Las Vegas to jump ahead of the Giants for McDonald, an excellent run defender who was worthy of a first-round selection. The Texans passed on the chance to add more defensive talent to grab the tall, athletic Klein in the second round. Their grade also reflects the decision to give up this year’s third-round pick for running back Woody Marks in the 2025 draft. Marks flashed as a rookie, but he didn’t stop the Texans from trading for David Montgomery to be the team’s primary ball-carrier.
The Texans drafted Nwaiwu with a pick acquired from Washington for OT Laremy Tunsil. Nwaiwu is a versatile lineman but lacks athleticism. Woodaz also came off the board a bit earlier than I expected. I viewed Fisher, selected by Houston in Round 7, as a better linebacker prospect. Ramsey was drafted two rounds later than I expected. The Texans selected him with a pick acquired from Cleveland for Tytus Howard.

Grade

Indianapolis Colts

Draft picks:

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

Grades:

Day 1: C
Day 2: A
Day 3: A

Analysis:

The acquisition of Sauce Gardner from the Jets cost the Colts their first-round picks this year and in 2027. His true worth to the team’s defense won’t be known until next year, since he missed time with an injury late last fall and the injury to quarterback Daniel Jones took the steam out of the team’s rise to playoff contention. Indianapolis found excellent value in the second and third rounds, however, meeting needs in the middle of their defense with Allen, an instinctual leader, and Haulcy, a physical safety who makes plays at the second and third levels.
Farmer was a potential top-100 pick who adds strength and agility to a thin Colts interior offensive line. Boettcher fits as a strong inside ‘backer and special teams ace, while Gumbs and Curry are tenacious edge rushers and run defenders. Forget Burks’ size (5-9 3/4, 180 pounds). Getting him late in the seventh round was outstanding, considering his production (151 catches, 1,669 yards, 14 TDs) at the highest level of college football.