The 2026 NFL Draft is within the books.
Under, we take a more in-depth have a look at groups’ respective draft courses, what lies forward and extra:
Assertion: Arizona Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love might have disappointing rookie season just like that of Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
The Cardinals took Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Love with choose No. 3 of the 2026 draft, a questionable choice. Arizona lacks the offensive line depth to justify taking a RB that prime.
Per Pro Football Reference, the Cardinals ranked twenty seventh within the NFL in yards earlier than contact (949 on 366 makes an attempt) final season. Yards earlier than contact measures what number of yards a runner positive aspects earlier than he will get hit. It is thought-about a dependable technique to gauge whether or not an O-line is holding its blocks within the run sport.
The Raiders, in the meantime, ranked final on this stat (601 yards earlier than contact on 369 dashing makes an attempt), contributing to Jeanty’s struggles. The sixth choose of the 2025 draft averaged a below-average 3.7 yards per carry (975 yards on 266 carries). It is easy to ascertain the same yr for Love, regardless of ending eighth within the nation in dashing yards (1,372) final season. | TRUE
Assertion: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza ought to be clear Offensive Rookie of the Yr favourite
The Raiders could have had one of many strongest drafts, including Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Mendoza (choose No. 1) and Texas A&M Aggies heart Trey Zuhn III (choose No. 91), who earned a 2025 first-team All-SEC nod.
That is not sufficient to enhance a group that went 3-14 final season. Vegas failed to handle proper sort out within the draft, which stays a difficulty. Pro Football Focus gave beginning RT DJ Glaze a subpar 63.3 pass-blocking grade in 2025.
Vegas did not present 2025 Heisman winner Mendoza (41 TD passes in 2025, No. 1 in FBS) with a number of high quality pass-catchers, both. The Raiders took Oregon Ducks WR Malik Benson (choose No. 195), who ran a 4.37 40-yard sprint on the 2026 NFL Scouting Mix. Nevertheless, he by no means had greater than 719 receiving yards in his three-year profession, which included stops with the Florida State Seminoles and the Alabama Crimson Tide. | FALSE
Assertion: New Orleans Saints second-year QB Tyler Shough ought to be poised for breakout after 2026 draft
The Saints had one task through the 2026 draft: Discover as many weapons for 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Yr finalist Shough as they may. New Orleans could have achieved that with its choices.
The NFC South squad took Arizona State Sun Devils WR Jordyn Tyson (choose No. 8) and North Dakota State Bison WR Bryce Lance (choose No. 136), brother of Los Angeles Chargers QB Trey. Tyson had 18 landing catches over his previous two seasons with the Solar Devils, whereas Bryce Lance logged 25.
The brand new pass-catchers enhance a receiving corps that already options WR Chris Olave, a 2025 second-team All-Professional. | TRUE
Assertion: Arkansas Razorbacks star Taylen Inexperienced will make noise in Cleveland Browns beginning QB competitors
ESPN draftnik Mel Kiper Jr. should not fear about Inexperienced (choose No. 182) being a risk for Browns QB Shedeur Sanders, one in every of his favourite prospects from the 2025 draft. The QB, after all, is competing with Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel for the beginning job.
Inexperienced showcased elite speed on the mix, operating a 4.36 40-yard sprint, however he is inaccurate. The passer accomplished 198-of-326 passes (60.7 %, beneath common) in his closing season at Arkansas. | FALSE
The Jets took Bailey with choose No. 2 as a substitute of Ohio State Buckeyes LB Arvell Reese (who went No. 5 general to the New York Giants). The Ohio State star is broadly believed to have extra upside, however the Texas Tech standout is extra pro-ready.
Bailey tied for the FBS lead in sacks (14.5) final season, whereas Reese recorded 6.5. And a few of his considerations about his run protection are overblown. PFF credited him with 32 stops final season, twenty seventh amongst edge-rushers. (Stops are run performs that depend as wins for a protection, corresponding to stopping a ball-carrier from gaining a primary down on third down.) | TRUE
Assertion: The Dallas Cowboys could have most improved protection within the NFL
The Cowboys grabbed Ohio State security Caleb Downs (choose No. 11), who could also be a generational expertise, to jump-start a protection that allowed a league-leading 30.1 factors per sport final season. In three seasons with the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes, he had six interceptions and earned two first-team All-American nods. Dallas’ different prospects aren’t as polished.
In the course of the draft, a hot mic caught former Alabama coach/ESPN analyst Nick Saban saying the Cowboys’ choice of UCF Knights edge-rusher Malachi Lawrence (choose No. 23) was a attain, and he could also be proper. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gave Lawrence (seven sacks in 2025) a second-round grade, noting he did not face elite tackles in school. | FALSE
Assertion: Seattle Seahawks have discovered potential Kenneth Walker III substitute in Notre Dame RB Jadarian Worth
The Seahawks took Worth with choose No. 32 of the draft to switch Tremendous Bowl LX MVP Walker, who signed a three-year, $43.05M take care of the Kansas City Chiefs in free company. Worth by no means began in three seasons at Notre Dame, however do not let that idiot you; he is among the many most gifted backs within the class.
“JD can do all the pieces I can do,” Love informed USA Today’s Jacob Camenker earlier than the draft.
