After spending the weekend sorting by way of every workforce’s draft class, Yardbarker NFL writers have so many questions.
What have been the Atlanta Falcons considering by parting with a lot 2026 draft capital? Did the 49ers do sufficient to handle the offensive line? Have the Giants assured success with a sterling draft?
Listed here are draft grades for all 16 NFC groups. (Hyperlinks to draft lessons are from ESPN.com).
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Grade: B+ | Draft class link | Zack Martin’s retirement might have compelled the workforce’s hand in choosing proper guard Tyler Booker with the twelfth decide total. However taking edge-rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, the Seventeenth-best prospect total per Pro Football Focus, with the forty fourth decide was no attain. The identical will be stated for fifth-round working again Jaydon Blue, who posted a 4.38 within the 40-yard sprint and ran a ten.7-second 100-meter sprint in highschool in Harris County, Texas.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Grade: A | Draft class link | The Giants bought the draft’s greatest pass-rusher in Penn State’s Abdul Carter and will have discovered their subsequent franchise QB by buying and selling again into the primary spherical for Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, PFF’s highest-graded passer. Think about fourth-round working again Cam Skattebo, the one working again apart from Ashton Jeanty to power greater than 100 missed tackles in 2024, and higher days may very well be forward for New York.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Grade: A- | Draft class link | Prime-rated linebacker Jihaad Campbell was a first-round steal at decide No. 31, second-round security Andrew Mukuba led the SEC with 5 interceptions in 2024 and third-round defensive deal with Ty Robinson led his place on the NFL Scouting Mix by working a 4.83 at 310 kilos within the 40-yard sprint. Not unhealthy for a workforce seeking to exchange six defensive gamers (together with 4 starters) from its Tremendous Bowl LIX roster.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Grade: B | Draft class link | The primary-round collection of offensive deal with Josh Conerly Jr. appears a bit odd contemplating the workforce took OT Brandon Coleman in final 12 months’s draft and traded for OT Laremy Tunsil, a five-time Professional Bowler, within the offseason. However second-round cornerback Trey Amos allowed a stellar 54.5 passer score and posted a career-high three interceptions in 2024 and will thrive reverse Marshon Lattimore. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Grade: A | Draft class link | The Cardinals went all-in on attempting to improve their protection for head coach Jonathan Gannon, with six of their seven picks approaching that aspect of the ball. Probably the most intriguing of these picks was at No. 47 with Will Johnson, a cornerback with first-round expertise.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Grade: B | Draft class link | The Rams traded out of the primary spherical, netting themselves a future first-round decide from the Atlanta Falcons. That may very well be a doubtlessly big rating sooner or later, however additionally they made a giant addition to their offense with tight finish Terrance Ferguson as their prime decide (No. 46 total).
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS| Grade: C+ | Draft class link | The 49ers gave themselves wanted pass-rush assist with first-round decide Mykel Williams, and adopted that with defensive deal with Alfred Collins within the second spherical. The place the 49ers lose some with this class is with their later picks that gave the impression to be reaches. How may they not handle their greatest short- and long-term wants on the offensive line?
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Grade: B | Draft class link | The largest problem with this class is perhaps first-round decide Grey Zabel. Although he fills a giant want on the offensive line, in case you are taking a guard within the prime 20, you should be certain you’re getting a serious influence participant for the subsequent 10 years. Zabel would not appear to be that man. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | Grade: A- | Draft class link | Many have been stunned by Chicago’s determination to take Colston Loveland over Penn State TE Tyler Warren with the tenth total decide, however the Michigan tight finish has the instruments to imitate Detroit’s Sam LaPorta in former Lions OC Ben Johnson’s new offense. The Bears continued to help QB Caleb Williams by grabbing high-upside vast receiver Luther Burden III, offensive deal with Ozzy Trapilo and working again Kyle Monangai.
DETROIT LIONS | Grade: C | Draft class link | It’s exhausting to disagree with GM Brad Holmes primarily based on his stellar draft historical past, however choosing just one defensive participant within the first 5 rounds was puzzling. The Lions didn’t do sufficient to handle their greatest wants, and vast receiver Isaac TeSlaa within the third spherical was one of many greatest reaches of the draft.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Grade: B | Draft class link | After 23 years of begging, Packers followers lastly bought their want of a large receiver (Matthew Golden) within the first spherical. Golden will convey wanted pace to this offense, however Inexperienced Bay didn’t want so as to add one other wideout within the third spherical (Savion Williams) when it had extra obvious wants.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Grade: B- | Draft class link | The Vikings entered the NFL Draft with the fewest picks of any workforce within the league (4), so that they did effectively to seize potential starters in guard Donovan Jackson and vast receiver Tai Felton. Snagging a Georgia defensive lineman (Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins) and a Penn State linebacker (Kobe King) within the later rounds offers Minnesota a greater likelihood to hit on these picks. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | Grade: D+ | Draft class link | The Falcons solely had 5 picks and borrowed in opposition to subsequent 12 months’s capital, parting with two 2026 picks — together with a primary — to maneuver as much as choose edge James Pearce Jr. (No. 26 total) and security Xavier Watts (No. 96 total). These strikes depart the Falcons with 5 picks in 2026 and places huge strain on Pearce and Watts to change into full-time starters.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | Grade: B | Draft class link | Typical knowledge stated the Panthers ought to have addressed their league-worst protection at No. 8 total, however vast receiver Tetairoa McMillan, their first-round decide, nonetheless can. As unhealthy as Carolina’s offense was, its protection was virtually all the time on the sphere with a deficit, permitting opponents to implement a run-heavy assault. McMillan ought to make the offense extra explosive, which may very well be the final word blessing for his or her protection.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Grade: C | Draft class link | Deal with Kelvin Banks joins a doubtlessly robust offensive line that features 2024 first-round decide Taliese Fuaga, two-time Professional Bowl heart Erik McCoy and 2020 first-round decide Cesar Ruiz. New Orleans additionally impressed with its secondary additions — security Jonas Sanker and cornerback Quincy Riley — however what’s with the decide of QB Tyler Shough, first-year head coach Kellen Moore’s handpicked possibility and certain Week 1 starter ought to Derek Carr be unavailable? Looks as if a attain.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | C+ |
Draft class link | The Bucs’ picks appear to be the workforce is able to embark on Noah’s Ark. Tampa Bay chosen two vast receivers (Emeka Egbuka at No. 19, Tez Johnson at No. 235), two cornerbacks (Benjamin Morrison at No. 53, Jacob Parrish at No. 84) and two edge-rushers (David Walker at No. 121, Elijah Roberts at No. 157). That’s a variety of overlap, and Tampa Bay uncared for to handle linebacker, which may very well be a difficulty with Lavonte David, 35, being the workforce’s best choice. — Eric Smithling
