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.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 34): OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M
- Round 3 (No. 65): QB Carson Beck, Miami
Analysis:
- Grabbing Bisontis, a first-round talent, to bolster the interior of the offensive line made a lot of sense early in Round 2.
- I projected Beck as the Cardinals' pick at No. 65 in my seven-round mock draft. He has a lot of big-game experience, but he was not consistent enough in his decision-making to be considered a sure-fire NFL starter. Kudos to Arizona for not reaching for a signal-caller.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 48): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
- Round 3 (No. 79): WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Analysis:
- Atlanta picked Avieon Terrell to join his brother, A.J., in the Falcons secondary. Avieon’s slight build and average long speed might have pushed him down boards, but he was a very good value as a nickel corner in the mid-second.
- Branch might have been undervalued by teams because he lacks ideal size, but he's a legit playmaker in the slot and could be a dangerous returner, as well. This was an excellent selection.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 45): Edge Zion Young, Missouri
- Round 3 (No. 80): WR Ja'Kobi Lane, USC
Analysis:
- Young fits the Ravens' prototype off the edge, with good length. It's not clear whether he will be able to win with speed at the next level, though. Also, the team passed up Alabama WR Germie Bernard and Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter despite having needs at those positions.
- Baltimore did find a receiver in Round 3. Lane should be a tough cover for smaller corners downfield. He knows how to find space and box out defenders. I had Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt and North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance as higher-rated outside receivers, though.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 35): Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson
- Round 2 (No. 62): CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State
Analysis:
- The Bills needed to find a reliable veteran presence at receiver. Swapping their second-round pick for the Bears’ DJ Moore and a fifth-rounder was a step in the right direction this offseason.
- Trading out of the first round proved to be smart, as the Bills landed a sturdy pass rusher early in Round 2. Parker’s production declined last season, but he did finish the year strong and performed well at the Senior Bowl.
- Buffalo traded up for Igbinosun. He has the size and speed to be an NFL corner, but he’ll need to trust his positioning instead of grabbing receivers when the ball is in the air.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 49): DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
- Round 3 (No. 83): WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Analysis:
- The Panthers traded up for Hunter for a swap of late-round picks. He's not an elite athlete, but his strength and short-area quickness make him tough to handle. Carolina had bigger needs, but the value wasn't there at receiver or edge rusher.
- Carolina chose Brazzell, a deep threat, in the third round. He was a bit of a wild card in this draft. He’ll be a valuable resource for Bryce Young if he puts it all together, but he’ll need to become more consistent at the next level.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 57): C Logan Jones, Iowa
- Round 3 (No. 69): TE Sam Roush, Stanford
- Round 3 (No. 89): WR Zavion Thomas, LSU
Analysis:
- The Bears sent DJ Moore and a fifth-rounder to the Bills for a second-round pick earlier this offseason, but they were able to recoup a fifth-rounder by trading down on Friday night.
- Jones was my favorite center in the draft. He’s an athletic zone blocker who can anchor despite lacking ideal size.
- Roush met the Bears' need for a tight end who can block and be effective as a receiver, if he cuts down on drops. They took Thomas later in Round 3. He’s an after-the-catch threat like Luther Burden III, but Thomas isn’t the most natural pass catcher.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 41): Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- Round 3 (No. 72): CB Tacario Davis, Washington
Analysis:
- The Bengals have typically relied on larger defensive ends, but signing Boye Mafe in free agency and picking Howell in Round 2 shows they’re open to building around players who lack ideal length off the edge.
- Cincinnati met its need for an outside corner in Davis, a tall and speedy defender who was picked about where I expected him to go.
Draft picks:
- 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
Analysis:
- Cleveland doubled down on receivers early in the second round, taking Boston as a power forward who wins 50/50 balls downfield. He’s a good complement to first-rounder KC Concepcion's speed and elusiveness.
- McNeil-Warren was considered a first round-caliber player by some because of his strong tackling and instincts, but his average athleticism pushed him into the second round. He reminds me of Jessie Bates coming out of Wake Forest, who went 54th overall in 2018.
- Barber was a fine value as the Browns continue to add depth to the offensive line.
Draft picks:
- Round 3 (No. 92): Edge Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Analysis:
- Dallas sent its 2026 second-round pick (along with a 2027 first-rounder and DT Mazi Smith) to the Jets for Quinnen Williams prior to last season’s trade deadline. That was a lot of draft capital for a player who was last a first-team All-Pro in 2022. The Cowboys also acquired George Pickens from the Steelers last offseason for three picks, including their 2026 third-rounder. It could still prove to be a very good move, especially if the two sides are able to work out a new contract before he becomes a free agent next year.
- Dallas dealt DT Osa Odighizuwa to San Francisco for a third-round pick this offseason. They added another edge rusher in Barham with that selection, though he has a lot of experience playing off-ball linebacker, where the Cowboys have a pressing need.
Draft picks:
- Round 3 (No. 66): DT Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
Analysis:
- The Broncos traded their third-round pick to Miami as part of the Jaylen Waddle deal but wound up picking Onyedim in the early third after trading out of the second round. He brings power and quickness to a line that lost DL John Franklin-Myers, though I thought Missouri DT Chris McClellan would have provided better value.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 44): Edge Derrick Moore, Michigan
Analysis:
- The Lions traded a fourth-round pick to the Jets to move up for Moore, a powerful rusher who can complement his fellow former Wolverine, Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit had a big need on the edge, and I believe Moore would have been picked by someone else if GM Brad Holmes had not traded up, so the price was reasonable.
- Detroit sent two third-round picks in this draft to Jacksonville to pick Isaac TeSlaa in the third round last April. TeSlaa looks to be a keeper but that was a heavy price to pay.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 52): CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
- Round 3 (No. 77): DT Chris McClellan, Missouri
Analysis:
- Cisse met a major need for the Packers. He's an athletic player with great speed, fitting the Packers' prototype at the position. He needs to be more consistent in his technique to maximize his potential.
- Green Bay traded a fifth-round pick to Tampa Bay to move up for McClellan, filling a need with a strong interior presence.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 36): DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- Round 2 (No. 59): TE Marlin Klein, Michigan
Analysis:
- The Texans acquired a 2026 second-round pick from Washington as part of the Laremy Tunsil trade. They traded up with that pick, swapping mid-round selections with Las Vegas to take a great run-stopper in McDonald ahead of the DT-needy Giants.
- Klein has great upside, but the Texans passed on edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. to pick a player I viewed as more of third- or fourth-round value.
- A year ago, the Texans dealt a 2026 third-round pick to trade up for RB Woody Marks. He’s a solid back, but I'm not sure if the deal will pay off after they traded for David Montgomery this offseason to be the primary ball-carrier.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 53): LB CJ Allen, Georgia
- Round 3 (No. 78): S A.J. Haulcy, LSU
Analysis:
- The Colts smartly accepted a fourth-round pick from Pittsburgh to move down six spots in the second round. GM Chris Ballard found a strong, instinctive leader in Allen after the move.
- Haulcy met a need at safety and provided appropriate value in the top half of the third round. He caught my eye during his time at Houston (2023-2024) and stood out at LSU (2025) as a smart, hard-hitting defender.
Draft picks:
- 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
Analysis:
- Boerkircher has a good skill set but was picked significantly ahead of where I expected him to go.
- The Jags did well to receive two third-round picks this year from Detroit in a Day 2 trade last April. With the first of those picks, they reached for Regis, a small, active defensive lineman; with the other, they added Huskey, a versatile defensive back.
- Pregnon was Jacksonville's best pick in terms of value; the third-rounder should be a starter at guard this year or next, because he can move tackles and hit second-level targets.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 40): Edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
Analysis:
- Kansas City needed a speed rusher, so it was not shocking when they selected the smallish but energetic and surprisingly strong Thomas in Round 2. Cashius Howell was the other edge worth taking at that selection, and he went to Cincinnati with the next pick.
- The Chiefs' third-rounder (No. 74 overall) was traded to Cleveland as part of the move up to No. 6 for cornerback Mansoor Delane. The deal was reasonable, considering Kansas City's need for an elite cornerback.
Draft picks:
- 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
Analysis:
- Las Vegas selected Stukes after trading down two spots to turn a fourth-round (No. 117) pick into a third (No. 91). A physical player with good speed, Stukes was announced as a defensive back instead of a corner or safety, which speaks to his versatility. Other corners available at the time included Avieon Terrell (who went 48th overall to Atlanta) and D'Angelo Ponds (50th to the Jets).
- Crawford was a solid third-round pick as a stand-up pass rusher who possesses the strength and length to start across from Maxx Crosby for as long as the All-Pro sticks around Las Vegas. The Raiders finally addressed the offensive line later in the third by taking the hard-nosed and intelligent Zuhn. He can play all five spots up front, but expect him to start out at guard because of his average length.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 63): OG Jake Slaughter, Florida
Analysis:
- The Chargers smartly gained fourth- and sixth-round picks by trading down in the second round. L.A. needed interior offensive line help, but instead of taking Emmanuel Pregnon or Trey Zuhn to play guard at No. 63, the Bolts reached a bit for a solid player in Slaughter.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 61): TE Max Klare, Ohio State
- Round 3 (No. 93): OT Keagen Trost, Missouri
Analysis:
- The Rams added yet another tight end to the fold despite re-signing Tyler Higbee this offseason. Klare looked like a second-round pick at Purdue, then was a bit lost in Ohio State's offense last season, leading me to view him as more of a third-rounder.
- L.A. found a potential future right tackle in Trost, who doesn't look like an elite athlete but settles into his stance and simply doesn't get beat -- he's not unlike former long-time starter Rob Havenstein. I'll be interested to see if Trost outperforms fellow Day 2 values Gennings Dunker and Caleb Tiernan.
Draft picks:
- 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
Analysis:
- Linebacker wasn't among the Dolphins' biggest needs, and taking a receiver like Germie Bernard or an edge like Derrick Moore could have improved those parts of the depth chart. That said, Rodriguez is an athletic playmaker who is all over the field and willing to take the ball away from running backs and receivers.
- The Dolphins picked up an extra third-rounder in a Day 3 swap last year, and that choice was included in the move up three spots in Round 1 for cornerback Chris Johnson, which also yielded a fourth-rounder.
- With the third-rounder acquired from Philadelphia in the Jaelan Phillips deal last November, Miami picked Kacmarek, choosing him well ahead of where I would have expected. He's not a great athlete but is a really good blocker and should benefit from the increased usage of 13 personnel in the league.
- With a lack of pass-catchers on the roster, the Dolphins used two third-round picks on receivers. Douglas will stretch defenses with his size/speed attributes, but the pick was at least one round earlier than I projected. Miami took a better player in Bell later in the round (with a selection acquired from the Broncos as part of the Jaylen Waddle trade); he surely would have come off the board earlier if he wasn't recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 51): LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
- Round 3 (No. 82): DT Domonique Orange, Iowa State
- Round 3 (No. 97): OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
- Round 3 (No. 98): S Jakobe Thomas, Miami
Analysis:
- Golday could be a solid starter because of his toughness and athleticism, but there were players of better value available.
- Minnesota's lack of depth on the defensive line led them to pick a second DT in "Big Citrus." In most drafts, a run-stuffer like Orange would be a Day 3 selection, but a lack of talent up front pushed him up boards. Tiernan should become a solid swing tackle for the Vikings, and Thomas is a physical player picked ahead of higher-rated safeties Kamari Ramsey and Zakee Wheatley.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 55): Edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois
- Round 3 (No. 95): TE Eli Raridon, Notre Dame
Analysis:
- New England traded fourth- and sixth-round picks (Nos. 131 and 202, respectively) to the Chargers to move up eight spots for Jacas, which was a bit more than I would’ve parted with. However, the Pats desperately needed to upgrade their pass rush, so it makes sense that they’d feel forced to climb the board rather than let the draft come to them.
- Raridon, part of Day 2’s run on tight ends, offers the Pats a pass catcher and move blocker who should compete for the TE2 job in Year 1.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 42): DT Christen Miller, Georgia
- Round 3 (No. 73): TE Oscar Delp, Georgia
Analysis:
- The Saints addressed their need for a run-stopper in Miller, an athletic, ready-for-the-pros defensive tackle. Although pass rusher might have been a bigger priority for them, all the top edge defenders were gone by the time they were on the clock in Round 2. So taking a DT at that spot, in a draft thin at the position, made sense.
- Although Delp's college production was limited -- especially when compared to his predecessor, Brock Bowers -- his athleticism and potential in the passing game offers plenty of upside. At the very least, he’ll add depth to a TE room that lost some key contributors (Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau) in free agency.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 37): CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
- Round 3 (No. 74): WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
Analysis:
- Hood, who was a frequent name in Round 1 mocks, was a very good value early in Round 2. He gives the Giants a true cover corner, someone who has the speed and confidence to challenge the league’s top receivers. The team could have selected a DT to fill the void left by Dexter Lawrence's recent departure, but Hood offered better value than the available interior D-linemen still on the board.
- The Giants traded their original third-round pick this year in their move up for Jaxson Dart in 2025. With the way Dart played in Year 1, and the hope he’s already injected into the franchise, that investment seems to be paying off.
- New York sent fourth- and fifth-round picks this year and a fourth-rounder next year to get back into Round 3 for Fields … that’s a lot of draft capital for a receiver without suddenness and long speed to separate from NFL defenders. That said, Fields offers unique contested-catch ability and should benefit from playing alongside Malik Nabers.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 50): CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Analysis:
- The Jets gained a second-round pick this year and a first-rounder next year from Dallas for Quinnen Williams, which was a strong return. They traded down with Detroit for a fourth-round pick and still added Ponds, a small but feisty corner able to play outside or at the nickel spots.
- They didn't do as well giving up a third this year for Haason Reddick two years ago (one sack in 10 games with the team).
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 54): TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
- Round 3 (No. 68): OT Markel Bell, Miami
Analysis:
- Even though Dallas Goedert signed a contract extension, getting a receiver/tight end prospect with top-notch athleticism and strong hands made the Eagles' second-round pick a bargain, especially without edge rushers of value available. Soon after the pick, it was announced that the Eagles traded a third-rounder (No. 98) and a 2027 third-round pick to Minnesota for pass rusher Jonathan Greenard.
- The Eagles received a third-round pick this year from the Jets for Haason Reddick back in April 2024. The humongous Bell was selected with that bounty and could work himself into a solid swing tackle or future starter -- if he can stay with NFL rushers on the edge.
- Philly sent its own third to Miami for Jaelan Phillips in November, but only got two sacks in eight games for that price.
Draft picks:
- 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
Analysis:
- If Bernard maximizes his potential as a strong, elusive, reliable pass catcher, the Steelers will forget all about just missing on Makai Lemon in Round 1.
- Pittsburgh gained a third-round pick in the May 2025 trade of George Pickens, which was decent value considering their untenable relationship. The Steelers used the pick on Allar, a Mason Rudolph-type who went a bit earlier than his film suggested. They hope can overcome an injury-marred and inconsistent senior season to take advantage of his physical traits.
- Everette's film was uneven, but his size and athleticism made him a third-round pick for Pittsburgh, which may need him to start eventually if Joey Porter Jr. leaves as a free agent in 2027. The Steelers then found really good value at guard in Dunker, who will compete for a starting spot as a rookie and could play outside in a pinch.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 33): WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi
- Round 3 (No. 70): Edge Romello Height, Texas Tech
- Round 3 (No. 90): RB Kaelon Black, Indiana
Analysis:
- San Francisco prioritized Stribling with the first pick Friday night due to his size, elusiveness and speed after the catch.
- The 49ers traded their third-round pick to Dallas for pass-rushing DT Osa Odighizuwa, who is under contract through 2028.
- Height isn't the 4-3 base end the 49ers typically value, but he was good value early in the third in an effort to improve the team's lacking pass rush. Black, who wasn't invited to the combine, surprised as a third-round pick, but he's a fine prospect possessing the strength, vision and quickness to contribute as a rookie. Other backs still on the board include Kaytron Allen and Mike Washington Jr..
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 64): S Bud Clark, TCU
- Round 3 (No. 99): CB Julian Neal, Arkansas
Analysis:
- Seattle addressed its ultra-thin secondary on Day 2. Clark is an experienced ballhawk with good athleticism who fits into the starting safety spot left by free agent Coby Bryant. The Seahawks passed on safeties AJ Haulcy and Jalon Kilgore at that spot. Neal is a typical Seahawks cover corner with plus size and physicality.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 46): LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
- Round 3 (No. 84): WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State
Analysis:
- The Buccaneers went away from the speedy middle linebacker model of past years to pick a run-stopper in Trotter. He was selected much earlier than I expected, especially with CJ Allen and a few cornerbacks still on the board.
- Hurst isn't a physical receiver like Mike Evans, but he will be an outside threat who can run with quickness and has strong hands. He'll contribute as a rookie even with Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan on the squad.
Draft picks:
- Round 2 (No. 60): LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Analysis:
- Tennessee traded up into the first round for Keldric Faulk, so Day 2 was quiet until the Titans moved up again into the late second, sending Cleveland a fifth-rounder for the 60th pick. Hill is good value as a "Mike" linebacker, and while he may not be elite in coverage, he plays well in zone and as a punisher in the box.
Draft picks:
- Round 3 (No. 71): WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
Analysis:
- Washington sent its second-round pick to Houston as part of the Laremy Tunsil trade last offseason. Tunsil played 14 games last year but needs to stay on the field throughout a playoff run for the deal to be successful.
- The Commanders needed dynamic playmakers at receiver and Williams can be just that whether lined up outside or in the slot. The team got good value early in the third round for a top-50 prospect.
