The 2026 NFL Draft is within the books.
Beneath, we take a better have a look at groups’ respective draft lessons, what lies forward and extra:
Assertion: Arizona Cardinals RB Jeremiyah Love might have disappointing rookie season much like that of Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
The Cardinals took Notre Dame Combating Irish RB Love with decide No. 3 of the 2026 draft, a questionable selection. Arizona lacks the offensive line depth to justify taking a RB that prime.
Per Professional Soccer 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 good points earlier than he will get hit. It is thought-about a dependable option 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 speeding makes an attempt), contributing to Jeanty’s struggles. The sixth decide of the 2025 draft averaged a below-average 3.7 yards per carry (975 yards on 266 carries). It is simple to ascertain an identical 12 months for Love, regardless of ending eighth within the nation in speeding yards (1,372) final season. | TRUE
Assertion: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza needs to be clear Offensive Rookie of the Yr favourite
The Raiders might have had one of many strongest drafts, including Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Mendoza (decide No. 1) and Texas A&M Aggies heart Trey Zuhn III (decide 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 deal with proper deal with within the draft, which stays a difficulty. Professional Soccer 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 Geese WR Malik Benson (decide 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 needs to be poised for breakout after 2026 draft
The Saints had one task in the course of the 2026 draft: Discover as many weapons for 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Yr finalist Shough as they may. New Orleans might have achieved that with its choices.
The NFC South squad took Arizona State Solar Devils WR Jordyn Tyson (decide No. 8) and North Dakota State Bison WR Bryce Lance (decide 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 (decide No. 182) being a risk for Browns QB Shedeur Sanders, one among 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 velocity on the mix, operating a 4.36 40-yard sprint, however he is inaccurate. The passer accomplished 198-of-326 passes (60.7 p.c, beneath common) in his closing season at Arkansas. | FALSE
The Jets took Bailey with decide No. 2 as an alternative of Ohio State Buckeyes LB Arvell Reese (who went No. 5 total 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 issues about his run protection are overblown. PFF credited him with 32 stops final season, twenty seventh amongst edge-rushers. (Stops are run performs that rely as wins for a protection, resembling 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 (decide 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.
Through the draft, a scorching mic caught former Alabama coach/ESPN analyst Nick Saban saying the Cowboys’ number of UCF Knights edge-rusher Malachi Lawrence (decide 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 alternative in Notre Dame RB Jadarian Value
The Seahawks took Value with decide No. 32 of the draft to interchange Tremendous Bowl LX MVP Walker, who signed a three-year, $43.05M cope with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in free company. Value by no means began in three seasons at Notre Dame, however do not let that idiot you; he is among the many most proficient backs within the class.
“JD can do all the things I can do,” Love informed USA Right now’s Jacob Camenker earlier than the draft.
