ON TODAY'S SCORECARD
Report Cards
Nobody is as astute on the NFL that Nate Davis of USA TODAY. His with and insight are second to none. Here are his grades for the NFL Draft...
It’s time for that annual labor of love – or maybe indulgence, or maybe simply a fool's errand given the nature of our instant gratification culture. Nevertheless, he’s breaking out that digital red pen − at least three years before it’s remotely fair to evaluate any of the players taken in the 2026 NFL Draft or the teams that picked them − and issuing post-draft report cards, which aren’t even informed by progress reports, because I know you want and demand them. Furthermore, all 32 are (prematurely) ranked for your added enjoyment.
One note about the methodology: As I grade each team, the goal is to pull back for a bigger-picture look at its performance holistically rather than judging from a narrow perspective that doesn't include trades and other considerations that more accurately frame its draft decisions.
With that in mind, here are your ridiculously hasty 2026 NFL draft grades, the individual classes ranked best to worst: A team that also needs to progress with a significant cultural shift, was also probably wise to bring in Cooper and Ponds fresh off their championship run at Indiana. Admittedly, the Jets have “won” offseasons before, but it's time to find out if potential starts translating to a much better product on the field.
1. New York Jets: A+
It felt like Part 1 of a summer blockbuster, the highly anticipated draft sequel – generally and specifically to the NYJ – still a year away. But if things unfold as nicely in 2027 as well as Gang Green’s haul seemed to go this year, then New York should actually be a legitimate playoff contender by 2028 … or so. But OLB David Bailey, the second overall pick, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper and CB D’Angelo Ponds all project as immediate starters – Ponds and Sadiq both arriving courtesy of trades GM Darren Mougey made at last year’s November deadline. Even fourth-round QB Cade Klubnik could get an extended audition at some point this season – think Davis Mills in Houston. A team that also needs to progress with a significant cultural shift, was also probably wise to bring in Cooper and Ponds fresh off their championship run at Indiana. Admittedly, the Jets have “won” offseasons before, but it's time to find out if potential starts translating to a much better product on the field.
2. Las Vegas Raiders: A
It didn’t take a genius to pick QB Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall (sorry, Spytek), but he will obviously define this draft through his ability to lift – or not – this long-suffering franchise out of a decades-long quagmire. But getting players like DB Treydan Stukes (second round), CB Jermod McCoy (fourth) and RB Mike Washington Jr. (fifth) is quite the needed talent infusion – the gamble on McCoy and his highly scrutinized knee atop Round 4 a calculated risk with too much upside to bypass. It’s almost like getting the extra first-round pick the Silver and Black sought earlier this year while getting to keep DE Maxx Crosby.
3. New York Giants: A
Whether or not OLB Arvell Reese fell to fifth overall, he could eventually develop into this draft’s best overall player and one who justifies the widespread comparisons to Micah Parsons. Perhaps. Maybe. Acquiring the 10th pick from Cincinnati for Pro Bowl DL Dexter Lawrence (and his salary) last weekend, ultimately in exchange for OL Francis Mauigoa – arguably the draft’s best tackle – seems like another win for Big Blue. Getting CB Colton Hood (Round 2) and WR Malachi Fields (Round 3) on Day 2 project as relative value picks. New coach John Harbaugh could have this squad fighting for a playoff return in short order.
4. Cleveland Browns: A
The pre-draft perception – for whatever that’s ever worth – was that the Browns couldn't wait long to get more needed bodies for both the offensive line and the receiver room. Yet GM Andrew Berry, who seemingly hit last year’s draft out of the park, seemed to agree, getting two blockers and two WRs among this first five selections (the fifth guy in that cluster being second-round S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, whom Berry aggressively moved up to rescue at No. 58). But first-round OL Spencer Fano, first-round WR KC Concepcion (obtained thanks to last year’s Travis Hunter deal) and second-round WR Denzel Boston all project as immediate starters for a team that seems similar to the Jets in some respects – amassing talent while determining who the franchise QB is (unless sixth-rounder Taylen Green proves Brady-esque, which he certainly isn’t physically given his size-speed quotient) – though Cleveland’s rebuild seems well ahead of New York’s. Your move, Shedeur see Marc’s Opening atop this page..
5. Seattle Seahawks: A-
GM John Schneider, who loves to accrue draft capital (often at the expense of premium selections) entered the draft with a league-low four picks, then – somewhat stunningly – did the stick-and-pick thing in Rounds 1 and 2, taking RB Jadarian Price and S Bud Clark, respectively. Both players could and should play a lot as rookies, both due to their draft status and the players Seattle lost in free agency, namely Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and S Coby Bryant. Yet Schneider still managed to wheel and deal his way into doubling his crop into eight picks. This is how champions are built, two times over now in Schneider’s case with two completely different rosters, an NFL anomaly for a GM.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: A-
They jumped the Steelers for slot receiver extraordinaire Makai Lemon 20th overall as Pittsburgh was on the phone with the Cowboys, about to complete a trade for Lemon when Howie Roseman made a last-second call. Second-round TE Eli Stowers projects as quite a weapon, even if he’s ultimately a plus-sized receiver. Mammoth fourth-round OT Markel Bell might inherit RT Lane Johnson’s job one day − soon. And leave it to EVP/GM Roseman – the guy is everywhere - to also acquire a Pro Bowl pass rusher (Jonathan Greenard) at the cost of two third-rounders. WR A.J. Brown is almost certainly soon be a goner, while presumably fetching prized 2027 draft assets, but Philly seems pretty well positioned to evolve effectively without him.
Click here to view Nate Davis’s entire 2026 NFL Draft First Round Grades results. |
