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Many draft experts and fans are pinning the Jacksonville Jaguars as having had the worst 2026 NFL Draft. ClutchPoints even gave them just a C+ grade for their selections, which was tied for the third-worst grade across the league. If the Jaguars’ draft was as bad as many people think, that is not good news […] The post Jaguars’ 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Every Pick appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Athlon Sports NFL Draft expert Luke Easterling hands out his immediate team-by-team grades for the 2026 NFL Draft class, including every team's biggest reaches and steals.
The 2026 NFL Draft is now officially in the books. There were 257 players drafted over the course of three days, and while we won’t truly know the ramifications of this year’s draft class until at least 2029, that won’t stop us from doling out our final 2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams. […] The post Final 2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Some NFL QBs were able to shed the “bust” label after making the most of another opportunity. Think of guys like Jim Plunkett and Steve Young. Or, more recently, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Daniel Jones. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about every other once-highly-touted quarterback that struggled early in their career. Some notable QB draft busts like Johnny Manziel and Ryan Leaf only have themselves to blame for failing to live up to the hype. But other so-called NFL quarterback draft “busts” have had the finger unfairly pointed at them long enough. Here are 10 such players who shouldn’t be blamed for the situation they were put in. Which QB did not have control over their career and ended up as a bust? David CarrDec 17, 2006; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker (95) Tully Banta-Cain tackles Houston Texans quarterback (8) David Carr in the 1st half against the at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © David Butler II Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way first… The Houston Texans entered the NFL as an expansion franchise in 2002. As such, the NFL awarded them the No. 1 pick in that year’s draft. So, of course, they addressed the league’s most important position by selecting Fresno State quarterback David Carr. The next pick was future Hall of Fame defensive end Julius Peppers, who went second overall to the Carolina Panthers. Sorry to remind you, Texans fans. Anyway, Houston fans know how this went down. He went 22-53-0 over five seasons as Houston’s starting quarterback, with 59 touchdowns against 65 interceptions. But please don’t get carried away and assume it was all Carr’s fault. He was sacked 76 times in his rookie year, an NFL record. Their defense was consistently among the NFL’s worst. Dom Capers wasn’t qualified to be a head coach, either. Carr spent his final years in the NFL as a journeyman backup, winning a Super Bowl 46 ring with the New York Giants as Eli Manning’s understudy. And by the way, the Texans wouldn’t get a true star-level QB until Deshaun Watson in 2017. Goes to show how bad this franchise was at evaluating the QB position, so please don’t blame Carr for his career shortcomings and becoming a bust. Robert Griffin IIIAug 18, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) is pressured by Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (90) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports After the Indianapolis Colts drafted Andrew Luck first overall in 2012, Washington happily took Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 selection. Washington had traded up via the St. Louis Rams to obtain that pick, as the NFC West club already had 2010 first-overall pick Sam Bradford in the fold. Griffin, you may recall, was lights-out in his rookie season. He threw for 20 touchdowns, only five interceptions, to go along with 815 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He led Washington to a surprise NFC East crown, its first division title since 1999. We all know what happened from there, though. Washington had Griffin play on a bad knee in their playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, which required surgery. He would never be healthy the rest of the way. From Dan Snyder’s incompetence to Bruce Allen’s horrific roster construction to Mike Shanahan showing zero regard for Griffin’s health, you can’t put any of the blame on RG3. Also, how many QBs have actually played well for more than one season in Washington again? That’s what we thought. If his body hadn’t taken so many beatings, Griffin might have been a star after leaving Washington in 2016. Unfortunately, too little, too late. Josh RosenCardinals quarterback Josh Rosen was in a car accident over the weekend. Cardinals Rams The special 2018 NFL QB draft class featured Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold. Two future Hall of Famers, slash MVP winners, and one Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Not half-bad. It’s hard to remember now, but the hype was also super high on UCLA product Josh Rosen. The Arizona Cardinals actually traded up via the Oakland Raiders to select Rosen with the No. 10 selection — making him the fourth QB taken in the top-10. Unfortunately for Rosen, he couldn’t have landed in a worse position as a rookie. The Cardinals had inexplicably signed the oft-injured Sam Bradford in free agency, making Rosen the backup. Arizona had also hired first-time head coach Steve Wilks to replace the retired Bruce Arians. Wilks, respectfully, wasn’t cut out for the head coaching gig. Rosen took over as the starting QB after three awful starts from Bradford. His best receiver was a fading Larry Fitzgerald. The o-line allowed Rosen to take 45 sacks in 14 games. The defense was a laughingstock, too. Wilks was fired after Arizona finished 3-13, the worst mark in football. New head coach Kliff Kingsbury wanted Kyler Murray, so Arizona took him with the No. 1 pick in 2019 and shipped Rosen to the Miami Dolphins. Rosen was stuck on a 2019 Dolphins squad that tried pulling off the most obvious tank job of NFL history. So, of course, he didn’t get anything going there. He spent one season as Matt Ryan’s backup on the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, then was soon out of the league altogether. Not sure about you, but we find it hard to assign blame to Rosen as a QB bust. Quite frankly, we’re not sure if Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or even Tom Brady would have been able to do much on those abhorrent 2018 Cardinals or 2019 Dolphins squads. Unlike fellow 2018 draftees like Darnold and Mayfield, Rosen never got an extended look on a third team to revive his career. Teams gave up on Rosen without giving him a real opportunity. Trey LanceDec 19, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) during warmups before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports The San Francisco 49ers gave up a king’s ransom to the Miami Dolphins in order to trade up into the No. 3 spot in the 2021 NFL Draft. After Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson went to the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively, Lance went to the 49ers. It should have been the ideal landing spot for Lance. He was playing in Kyle Shanahan’s QB-friendly system. The 49ers didn’t have to rush Lance, either, with Jimmy Garoppolo remaining the starting QB for 2021. After the 2021 season, the 49ers named Lance their starting QB. Unfortunately, he suffered a brutal season-ending ankle injury. So the 49ers had to go back to Jimmy G, who suffered his own season-ending injury late in the year. The 49ers had to turn to rookie and 2022 Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy. And the rest is history. Just when it looked like Lance would get his shot elsewhere…the 49ers traded him to the Dallas Cowboys…to back up Dak Prescott. Yippee… Lance got to play one game for Dallas in 2024 with the Cowboys’ playoff hopes over. Then he became Justin Herbert’s backup on the Los Angeles Chargers. So the 49ers ditched Lance after a season-ending injury. Then none of the other teams gave him a shot to take over as a starter. Don’t assign the blame to Lance becoming a QB bust. He never ever got a fair chance. Heath ShulerHeath Shuler (Photo by Imagn Images) With their Super Bowl dynasty in the rearview mirror, Washington restarted at quarterback and selected the Tennessee product with the No. 3 pick in 1994. Despite being stuck on a pathetic team that finished 3-13, Shuler showed promise as a rookie with 10 touchdown passes, albeit against 12 interceptions. Unfortunately, his supporting cast included the league’s worst scoring defense and a lousy running game that didn’t produce a single 700-yard rusher. Shuler started five games in his 1995 sophomore year, but lost the starting job to Gus Frerotte (FRAIR-AWT). After watching 1996 from the bench, he was traded to the New Orleans Saints, also among football’s worst teams at the time. After a rough first year in NOLA, Shuler dealt with a serious left foot injury and could never get back to 100 percent. He retired soon after and entered a career in politics, which proved to be far more successful than his NFL career. Being stuck on two terrible teams and having your career wiped out by an injury? We ain’t blaming Shuler, considering how terrible Washington has been at developing QBs. Blaine GabbertJACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 29: Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars scrambles for yardage during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field on September 29, 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) If you’re a Jacksonville Jaguars fan and somebody told you at the 2011 NFL Draft that Gabbert would win two Super Bowls? They would have jumped out of their shoes. Except, hehe, Gabbert won his rings as a backup QB on the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 2023 Kansas City Chiefs, respectively. The Jags traded up to select Gabbert with the No. 10 pick in 2011, memorably one spot before the Texans took JJ Watt. Ouch. Now, Gabbert went just 5-22 over his three years with the Jags, with 22 touchdowns against 24 interceptions. But uhhh…it didn’t help giving him a bottom-five defense and four different coaches in that period. Jags fans, you remember just how pathetic those teams were, right? Not saying he was GREAT, but Gabbert did show some flashes during his subsequent and brief stints with the 49ers and Cardinals. Why was he unwatchable with the Jags and became a QB bust? Because they made everybody look bad in those days. Joey HarringtonJan 1, 2006; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback (3) Joey Harrington throws the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Tom Szczerbowski Two picks after the Texans went with David Carr first overall in 2002, the Detroit Lions used the No. 3 selection on Oregon signal-caller Joey Harrington. Unfortunately, Harrington suffered the same fate as Carr. Over Harrington’s four seasons as the Lions’ starting QB? They had FIVE Pro Bowlers. Then-GM Matt Millen is quite honestly the worst executive in NFL history. And yeah, Marty Mornhinweg and Steve Mariucci were totally over their heads as the coaches during Harrington’s tenure in Motown. Harrington had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers to work with in James Stewart and Kevin Jones. But the defense was always a bottom-tier unit, and don’t get us started with his anemic group of pass-catchers. And don’t blame Harrington for failing to revive his career with the Miami Dolphins in 2006. How many QBs have done well in South Beach since Dan Marino retired again? Mitch TrubiskySep 17, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) warms up before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports Chicago Bears fans don’t like to be reminded that their team drafted Trubisky second overall in 2017, infamously passing up on Patrick Mahomes. We warn Bears fans to point the finger elsewhere. Trubisky was a victim of coaching malpractice over his four seasons in Chicago. They never gave him a good offensive line, thus becoming a QB bust. And no, Matt Nagy was not qualified as a head coach. Remember how well Justin Fields and Andy Dalton did with him? Neither do we. You might point out Trubisky’s lackluster production with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yeah, well, did anyone in Pittsburgh have success with then-OC Matt Canada? Actually, when’s the last time the Steelers had Pro Bowl-caliber production at QB? Can’t help but think things would have gone much better for Trubisky if he landed on a team like the San Francisco 49ers, who traded down from the No. 2 spot. Even the New York Jets, or the Cincinnati Bengals, two other QB-needy teams at the time, would have gotten more out of Trubisky. Tim CouchOct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch reacts after breaking a guitar before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images After a three-year hiatus, the Cleveland Browns were officially reactivated by the NFL in 1999. The league awarded them the top pick that year, giving the front office the opportunity to take one of five big-name QB prospects: Couch, Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith, Daunte Culpepper, or Cade McNown. All five would be top-12 picks. The Browns went with Tim Couch, which was good news for future Pro Bowlers McNabb and Culpepper…but bad news for Mr. Couch himself. Angry Browns fans like to blame Couch for his disappointing career. Never mind that his offensive line was garbage, or that he only had a single 1,000-yard receiver and ZERO 1K rushers. Or that the coaching staff was terrible. Couch left the Browns in 1999, but unfortunately, never landed a roster spot again despite numerous tryouts. And as everybody knows, Cleveland has been the NFL’s ultimate quarterback graveyard. Blame Couch all you want, but this franchise has ruined so many careers. It wasn’t the fault of Couch. He was the first victim of the Cleveland Browns’ dysfunction and malpractice. Sam BradfordSep 19, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) during the game against the Oakland Raiders at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Rams 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports Rams fans don’t have fond memories of the Bradford era. And yes, he also failed to make the most of his other opportunities with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, or Arizona Cardinals. But again, it’s unfair to blame the guy. The Rams took Bradford first overall in 2010 and then forgot all the important rules of building around a franchise QB. He had a horrible offensive line and zero playmaking pass-catchers. Oh yeah, Jeff Fisher as his head coach after Steve Spagnuolo was let go. As great as ‘Spags’ is as a defensive coordinator, he was never cut out for head coaching. Bradford suffered numerous injuries because the Rams gave him an atrocious offensive line. He suffered a season-ending ACL tear in 2013 and 2014. All told, he only played 49 games in five years with the Rams. His one season with the Eagles drew mixed results. In 2016, he actually looked good with Minnesota with a 71.6 completion percentage, 20 touchdowns, and five picks. Unfortunately, another injury in 2017 saw him lose his starting job to Case Keenum. Bradford’s career never recovered. Bottom line: The Rams destroyed Bradford. Fisher was a QB-killing coach. The front office had no idea how to build a team until Les Snead arrived and subsequently hired Sean McVay. If Bradford had landed elsewhere in the 2010 NFL Draft, there’s no telling how different his career might have been.
The second and third rounds of the NFL Draft will infuse plenty of fantasy football talent into the fold. Here's how each one translates for 2026 and beyond.
With their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher with the 56th overall pick. Fans are not thrilled with the pick, with most calling for general manager James Gladstone to be fired. How the NFL World Reacted to the Jaguars Drafting Nate Boerkircher In 2025, […]
NFL analysts explain why the Jacksonville Jaguars' surprising selection of Nate Boerkircher earned the first F grade of the draft.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft was a wild one. There were surprise picks, players falling, and a ton of trades in the end. Thursday night just scratched the surface of this class, though. Friday night is when the cores of teams are built, and you can follow along with our 2026 NFL […] The post 2026 NFL Draft Day 2 Tracker: Live updates, picks, trades, and analysis appeared first on ClutchPoints.
After a wild first round Thursday night, Athlon Sports NFL Draft expert Luke Easterling breaks down the biggest storylines heading into Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Athlon Sports NFL Draft expert Luke Easterling delivers an updated projection for Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft following an action-packed first round.
The top rookie WR seasons in PPR fantasy football history came from first-year playmakers who turned early volume, big yardage, and touchdowns into huge totals.
Brian Thomas Jr. trade rumors are heating up as the Jacksonville Jaguars look to potentially get back into the first round.
THE NFL Draft begins THIS WEEK, with all 32 NFL teams hoping to find the star of their franchise’s future. 257 players will be drafted over the course of the…
Over the last few years, Travis Etienne became a household name for Jacksonville Jaguars fans. The LSU product had his ups and downs in Duval, but he was a pretty productive player for most of his career. Every fan became familiar with the running back. As it turns out, though, everyone was mispronouncing Etienne’s last […] The post Even Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence didn’t know how to say Travis Etienne’s name appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett just got a monster deal, but then he won the Defensive Player of the Year Award, so all bets may be off. The post Myles Garrett Expected to Make Absurd Demand of Browns 1 Year After $160 Million Deal appeared first on Heavy Sports.
Jaguars trade Trevor Lawrence's 23-year-old DL teammate to Falcons for former second-round pick sportingnews.com
THE NFL has made a huge change to the 2026 NFL Draft prospects’ contact information after last year’s Shedeur Sanders prank call. Sanders was brutally tricked into thinking he was…
Trying to prevent a repeat of last year. The 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 23, and hundreds of players will be waiting with their phones to get the call from their next time. But over the past few years, a number of players have also gotten prank calls claiming to be from NFL teams on draft night. The most high-profile incident, obviously, came last year when Shedeur Sanders got a call pretending to be from New Orleans Saints […] The post The NFL Is Trying To Crack Down On Prank Calls During This Year’s Draft first appeared on Whiskey Riff.
The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching very quickly, as each team is looking to select a new rookie who they hope can develop into a superstar for years to come. Even though there aren’t many quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft who look like game changers, there are plenty of other talented college players that each team needs to stay competitive for the upcoming 2026 season. Keep in mind, the first round isn’t the only round where talented athletes come out of, as NFL teams always find a steal in the later rounds of the draft. Here at TPS, we’re going to dive into every NFL team’s biggest need for the 2026 NFL Draft. Which kind of players does each NFL team need for the 2026 Draft? Arizona Cardinals: Offensive LineJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona Cardinals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Cardinals’ situation at quarterback is currently unknown, with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew likely splitting starting time, but their biggest need is getting a new offensive lineman. Guys like Kobe Baynes, Olaivavega Ioane, or Chase Bisonte would give Brissett or Minshew the necessary protection they need to make plays work during the regular season. Atlanta Falcons: Interior defenderNov 10, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Atlanta Falcons helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images The Falcons have a talented roster heading into 2026, but an interior defender will help the team take the next step for the upcoming season. Peter Woods, Caleb Banks, or Kayden McDonald would flourish under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and improve the team’s defense right from the get-go. Baltimore Ravens: Interior Offensive LineJan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A view of Baltimore Ravens players’ helmets on a heated bench against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The Ravens’ loss of Tyler Linderbaum is a major blow that will affect the team’s offensive line in 2026. Leave it up to general manager Eric DeCosta to find a new talented interior offensive lineman during the NFL draft. Drafting guys like Olaivavega Ioane, Emmanuel Pregnon, or Jalen Farmer would benefit the team for the upcoming season. Buffalo Bills: LinebackerBuffalo Bills helmet (Denny Medley-Imagn Images) The Bills did sign Bradley Chubb, but he’ll be 30 when the 2026 NFL season kicks off, and the team needs to draft a younger linebacker who can learn from a talented veteran like Chubb. Drafting someone like Sonny Styles, CJ Allen, or Jacob Rodriguez would help the Bills, and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will appreciate their work ethic throughout the season. Carolina Panthers: SecondaryDec 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Panthers helmet rests on the bench against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Panthers addressed their need at linebacker with Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd joining the roster. However, they still need to add someone to further improve the secondary. Guys like Caleb Downs, Jermod McCoy, or Mansoor Delane would give Jaycee Horn the help he needs to make the Panthers’ secondary more dangerous heading into the 2026 season. Chicago Bears: Defensive LineNov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Chicago Bears helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The biggest concern for the Bears heading into the 2026 season is the defensive line, which allowed the fourth-most yards before contact in 2025 (1.89). Bringing in someone like Domonique Orange, Christen Miller, or Darrell Jackson Jr. would work well under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s watch and would help them learn from Montez Sweat and Grady Jarrett. Cincinnati Bengals: LinebackerDec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the helmet of Cincinnati Bengals long snapper Cal Adomitis (48) during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images The Bengals’ linebackers finished the 2025 NFL season with the lowest grades per Pro Football Focus, and the team must address the position by drafting a game-changer for 2026. Drafting someone like Sonny Styles, Anthony Hill Jr., or Josiah Trotter would bolster the team’s strength at the position for the upcoming season. Cleveland Browns: Offensive TackleNov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Cleveland Browns helmets on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images The Browns’ offensive line was awful in 2025, as they ranked 31st out of the 32 offensive line units in 2025 per Pro Football Focus. A guy like Kayden Procter, Travis Burke, or Spencer Fano has the potential to flourish under head coach Todd Monken and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer’s schemes and system for the upcoming season. Dallas Cowboys: LinebackerDallas Cowboys helmet (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) After the Cowboys traded away Micah Parsons, their defense immediately regressed and couldn’t stop many opposing offenses in 2025. Drafting a new, young, and competitive linebacker will help improve the pass-rush for the 2026 season. Someone like Sonny Styles, Anthony Hill Jr., or Kaleb Elarms-Orr would bolster the Cowboys’ defense and work very well with defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Denver Broncos: LinebackerOct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Similar to the Cowboys, the Broncos need a new linebacker, as the team released Dre Greenlaw and saw him re-sign with the San Francisco 49ers. The Broncos could draft someone like Jacob Rodriguez, Deontae Lawson, or CJ Allen to take Greenlaw’s place for the upcoming 2026 NFL season and learn to dominate under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Detroit Lions: Offensive TackleHelmet of Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates (not in the photo) before the NFC divisional round between Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders] at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. The Lions need a formidable offensive tackle to pair with Penei Sewell and newly acquired Larry Borom, as Taylor Decker left in free agency. General Manager Brad Holmes should keep an eye on guys like Spencer Fano, Monroe Feeling, or Blake Miller, who should fit right into the team’s offense for the upcoming season. Green Bay Packers: Cornerback Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Green Bay Packers helmet sits ready before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images The cornerbacks in the Packers’ secondary were bullied by opposing wide receivers in 2025, and the team needs an immediate upgrade to keep up with the competition in 2026. The team should keep their eyes on guys like Julian Neal, Will Lee III, or Malik Muhammad to replace Nate Hobbs, who left in free agency. Houston Texans: Defensive LineAug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Houston Texans helmet sits on the sidelines during the 4th quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports The Texans had arguably the best defense in the 2025 season, but some of their veterans are getting up there in age: Danielle Hunter will be 32 by the end of the 2026 season, Sheldon Rankins is 32, and E. J. Speed will be 31 by week one. The Texans should keep their eyes on the draft with guys like Caleb Banks, Lee Hunter, or Peter Woods, who should complement Hunter, Will Anderson Jr., and Azeez Al-Shaair in the 2026 NFL season. Indianapolis Colts: LinebackerDec 1, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; An Indianapolis Colts helmet sits on an equipment case during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images The Colts need a massive upgrade at linebacker, as Segun Olubi and Zaire Franklin are gone via free agency. Jake Golday, Josiah Trotter, and Anthony Hill Jr. are names the Colts should keep their eyes on as draft day approaches before making their decision for the position. Jacksonville Jaguars: Running BackNov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmets on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Jaguars need a new starter at running back, as Travis Etienne Jr. signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the New Orleans Saints. The Jaguars need someone who’ll be explosive right off the bat, like Jeremyiah Love, Demond Claiborne, Emmet Johnson, or Kaelon Black, as options when looking for their next bruising rusher for 2026. Kansas City Chiefs: SecondaryFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Chiefs need to rebuild their secondary, as they traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams and Jaylen Watson signed with the Rams via free agency. Signing veterans like Tanner McCalister and Kader Kohu helps the secondary out, but neither of them is Pro Bowl-caliber. Drafting guys like Mansoor Delane, Colton Hood, or Caleb Downs would flourish under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system during the 2026 season and beyond. Las Vegas Raiders: Interior Offensive LineAug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A Las Vegas Raiders Riddell speedflex helmet on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports There’s no question the Raiders are going to select Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. However, the “Silver and Black” must upgrade their offensive line if Mendoza or Kirk Cousins want to make successful plays during the regular season. The Raiders’ offensive line gave up 55 sacks when Geno Smith was under center in 2025, and the team must draft someone who’ll prevent Mendoza or Cousins from getting sacked in key games. Guys like Kaydon Procter, Logan Jones, or Brian Parker should complement newly acquired Tyler Linderbaum, depending on who the team drafts during the weekend. Los Angeles Chargers: Interior Offensive LineAug 12, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers helmets on the bench at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Just like the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chargers need new offensive linemen, as Justin Herbert ran for his life throughout most of the 2025 season. Herbert was sacked 54 times during the 2025 season, and the Chargers must fix that heading into the 2026 season. Keylan Rutledge, Emmanuel Pregnon, or Sam Hecht would be great complements to Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater on the Chargers’ offensive line, depending on who they select in the 2026 Draft. Los Angeles Rams: Wide ReceiverJan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Rams are looking like one of the more complete teams heading into the 2026 season. However, they should consider drafting a new wide receiver, as Davante Adams is going to be 34 when the season concludes, and Puka Nacua keeps making headlines for the wrong reasons. Wideouts like Omar Cooper Jr., Denzel Boston, or KC Concepcion would be excellent additions to the team’s passing attack for the upcoming season, depending upon what kind of moves the Rams make during the NFL draft. Miami Dolphins: Wide ReceiverAug 3, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet on the field during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports The Dolphins are in total rebuild mode, as they traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos and are loading up on draft picks. The Dolphins could draft guys like Makai Lemon, Jordan Tyson, or Carnell Tate, who would make a great passing target for Malik Willis to work with for the upcoming regular season. Minnesota Vikings: SafetyJan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Vikings are going to need a new dynamic safety patrolling the secondary, as the team released Harrison Smith during the offseason. Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are hard-hitting safeties that defensive coordinator Brian Flores would love to work with, depending on who the Vikings select in the upcoming NFL draft. New England Patriots: Edge RusherPatriots Helmet (Photo By Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports) The 2025 Patriots had an impressive run to the Super Bowl despite losing to the Seahawks 29-13. The team needs a strong and productive edge rusher to cause havoc against opposing quarterbacks for the upcoming season. Someone like Zion Young, T. J. Parker, or Cashius Howell would flourish under head coach Mike Vrabel’s and defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr’s schemes in the 2026 season and beyond. New Orleans Saints: Wide ReceiverDec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a New Orleans Saints helmet during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images The Saints have likely found their long-term solution at quarterback with Tyler Shough, but they must surround him with more offensive weapons in the 2026 season. The Saints should draft a wide receiver like Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, or Jordyn Tyson, who will complement Chris Olave in the passing attack and provide Shough with another great option to throw to for the upcoming NFL season. New York Giants: Defensive LineOct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants helmets on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Jaxson Dart and new head coach John Harbaugh are going to make things exciting for the 2026 season on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, the team needs a new defensive lineman, as Dexter Lawrence recently requested a trade from the team. Guys like Peter Woods, Lee Hunter, or Dominique Orange would replicate Lawrence’s production in the upcoming season and mesh nicely with the defensive unit moving forward. New York Jets: Wide ReceiverAug 17, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets helmets during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports The Jets were an absolute disaster in the 2025 season, but they managed to improve their secondary by trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick during the offseason. The Jets must draft a new speedy wide receiver to complement Garrett Wilson for the upcoming NFL season. Someone like Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, or Chris Bell would shine under offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s system. Philadelphia Eagles: SafetyFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Eagles need a new safety to power the secondary, as Reed Blankenship signed with the Houston Texans, and Sydney Brown was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. General Manager Howie Roseman should keep his eyes on Caleb Downs, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, or Kamari Ramsey, who could flourish under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio during the 2026 season. Pittsburgh Steelers: Offensive LineGeneral view of a Pittsburgh Steelers helmet (Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports) The Steelers’ quarterback situation is in question, as the team currently has Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster, while the team released Aaron Rodgers, and it’s not known whether he’ll play in 2026 or not. However, the team must draft a young and talented offensive lineman who’ll protect either Howard, Rudolph, or Aaron Rodgers if he returns in 2026. Someone like Kage Casey, Gennings Dunker, or Alex Harkey would provide great protection for any quarterback under center for the Steelers for the upcoming season. San Francisco 49ers: Edge RusherSan Francisco 49ers helmet (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) The 49ers have a lot of talented names on their roster, but they’ve dealt with injuries for two straight seasons, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The 49ers would love having guys like T. J. Parker, Akheem Mesidor, or Rueben Bain Jr., who would learn a lot from Nick Bosa and Keion White, and shine under defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Seattle Seahawks: Running BackDec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The defending Super Bowl champions saw their game-winning MVP running back, Kenneth Walker III, sign a three-year, $45 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving them in need of a new rusher in the backfield. Guys like Jadarian Price, Mike Washington Jr., or Jonah Coleman would flourish in the team’s backfield and learn a lot from Zach Charbonnet and Cam Akers, who have championship experience at the position. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LinebackerNov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images The Bucs saw longtime linebacker Lavonte David hang up his cleats and retire during the offseason, and need a new linebacker to dominate in the pass-rush via the NFL Draft. Someone like Jake Golday, Lander Barton, or Sonny Styles would flourish in the team’s defense and absorb knowledge from Alex Anzalone and Al-Quadin Muhammad, and fit in quite nicely with head coach Todd Bowles’ and defensive pass game coordinator George Edwards’ systems and schemes. Tennessee Titans: Interior Offensive LineAug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tennessee Titans helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports The 2025 Tennessee Titans were downright awful, as Cam Ward was running for his life on offense and had no offensive line protecting him from the league’s fiercest defenders. Not to mention, Ward had virtually no one to throw to and was sacked 55 times in the 2025 season. Guys like Connor Lew, Logan Jones, Sam Hecht, or Jake Slaughter would help the Titans’ offensive line out and provide Ward with the necessary protection moving forward in the 2026 season. Washington Commanders: CornerbackSep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Washington Commanders helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Commanders’ 2025 season was a massive disappointment, as they dealt with injuries and had a very weak secondary. The team must focus on drafting new cornerbacks who’ll patrol the secondary and cover the league’s best wide receivers moving forward. General manager Adam Peters should consider drafting Jermod McCoy, D’Angelo Ponds, or Treydan Stukes, who’ll cause some havoc against opposing wide receivers and replicate the production that the recently released Marshon Lattimore is leaving behind.
Analyst credits Browns for dodging Travis Hunter in 2025 trade.
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