Looking Back at the 2026 NFL Draft

So, here we are, way too early to think about the 2027 mock draft—just kidding, that’s a bit ridiculous. The 2026 NFL Draft brought a lot of insights into the choices teams made over those three days. Some teams definitely made some noteworthy selections, but others? Well, let’s just say their decisions were memorable for all the wrong reasons. Let’s dive into the highs and lows of the draft.

I really had to hold myself back from slamming my laptop shut while writing this. It’s just annoying when people say, “How does he do it again?” after a team drafts a good player who inexplicably fell into their hands. Take Roseman and the Eagles, for example. They made a smart move by jumping ahead of the Steelers to snag McAylemon right when their GM was on a call with him. They also picked tight end Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt, who should really help out their offense by replacing Grant Calcaterra and, eventually, Dallas Goedert. Plus, after trading with the Jets, they managed to get offensive tackle Markelle Bell early in the third round. So, overall, they aced the first three rounds of the draft.

Now, I mentioned it previously, but I’ll reiterate: the Saints emerged as the winners of the NFC South. They grabbed Jordyn Tyson, the most dynamic receiver of the class, and picked up Bryce Lance in the fourth round. Also, they bolstered their defense by selecting Georgia defensive tackle Kristen Miller in the second round and Ohio State safety Lorenzo Stiles in the fifth round. With the addition of Travis Etienne and Tyler Shaw during free agency, the Saints seem poised for a strong playoff run. Funny enough, I had to Google how to spell “beignets”—typed in “binyay,” and it worked out!

Their defense was what you’d expect from an aging roster! Names like Bobby Wagner and Marshon Lattimore might’ve sounded great in 2019. Yet they selected Sonny Styles, arguably the most athletic linebacker in the class, with the seventh pick. They also picked wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round and running back Caitron Allen in the sixth. While the selection pool wasn’t huge, they still brought in players who could contribute right away.

The Dolphins made two picks I really liked. They selected Jacob Rodriguez in the second round and Kyle Lewis in the third, both solid additions to the defense. With Kaydin Proctor, a tackle they picked in the first round, along with receiver Chris Bell in the third, the Dolphins are clearly setting themselves up for a bright future.

I must admit, I’ve actually liked the Browns’ draft for two consecutive years now. They snagged Spencer Fano as their left tackle and added KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston at receiver, addressing a weak spot on their roster. Picking up Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second round was, in my opinion, great value. I’m also a fan of the athletic quarterback Tylen Green out of Arkansas. If this translates into more wins for the Browns, we might fondly look back at these drafts.

If you’re reading this, check your phone. It’s likely that James Gladstone would be impressed by your nimble reactions, maybe even at a catering table during a busy event. You could switch from chicken to lettuce wraps in no time, and they’d likely see you as an asset for pass protection!

Now, I’m not quite sure what the Jaguars were thinking with some of their picks. They chose Stanford wide receiver C.J. Williams in the sixth round—a player ranked way down at No. 678 on most boards. Then, in the seventh round, they picked up Middle Tennessee State linebacker Parker Hughes at No. 679. They even went for tight end Nate Borklicher as their first pick, despite him having only 38 receptions over five college seasons. They did opt for Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnant in the third round, which was a decent move, but overall, many of their selections raised eyebrows.

It’s almost comical how Brandon Beane seems to have a knack for trading away good players in the draft. The Bills traded their 26th pick to the Texans and the 28th pick to the Patriots. They even skipped over the 31st pick altogether. Eventually, they went with the 35th pick, but while I appreciate their effort, their edge rusher acquisition, TJ Parker, felt like a misstep given the earlier trade for defensive tackle Cayden McDonald. Then they moved up in the second round to draft Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, even though he could’ve been picked later. Honestly, Beane’s been known for making questionable draft picks, and it seems that their fanbase is left feeling a bit anxious.

As for the Rams, the Ty Simpson pick will either make them look brilliant or end up being handed over to the Bengals in a future trade for Joe Burrow. If the former happens, I guess Les Snead’s decision-making will be vindicated. However, reaching for tight end Max Clair in the second round seemed unnecessary, especially since it follows a pattern from last year. Then there’s third-round tackle Keegan Trost—his selection also felt like a bit of a stretch.