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The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, with 32 teams introducing a new class of rookies. This year’s draft featured several surprising selections, with many prospects hearing their names called much sooner than expected. While there were certainly some perplexing picks, there were also some excellent picks. Because there were many reaches, many teams got talented players at great value. While there are plenty of strong draft classes this year, a handful stood out from the pack. Which five teams had the best 2026 NFL Draft, and how do their selections improve the roster? 2026 NFL Draft Winners Las Vegas Raiders The Raiders got the one true franchise quarterback in this class after taking Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick. The Mendoza pick in itself is enough for this class to be a win. However, Las Vegas didn’t stop there. It also addressed its secondary by adding two cornerbacks. The Raiders selected Treydan Stukes in the second round and arguably the biggest steal of the class, Jermod McCoy in the fourth round. Stukes is a great player at nickel, posting a stellar 90.4 PFF coverage grade in 2025. McCoy went from a consensus first-round pick to falling to day three due to injury concerns. While the durability questions are valid, getting him in the fourth round is a low-risk, high-reward move. If McCoy can return to his pre-injury form, then 31 teams will be kicking themselves for passing up on him. Las Vegas also got a high-upside edge rusher in Keyron Crawford in the third round. With Maxx Crosby likely on the move sooner or later, boosting depth to the pass rush makes sense. Some had Mike Washington Jr. as the second-best running back in this class, and the Raiders got him in the fourth round. Washington serves as a complementary power back behind Ashton Jeanty. Cleveland Browns Cleveland was one of several teams that had two first-round picks last Thursday. It addressed its two biggest needs, offensive line and wide receiver. After moving back to the ninth pick, the Browns selected Spencer Fano. Although it’s unclear whether Fano will be a tackle or guard at the next level, Cleveland got an elite run blocker with good pass-protection technique. He should be a quality starter somewhere along the Browns’ offensive line. They then doubled down at receiver, picking KC Concepcion at 24th overall and Denzel Boston early in the second round. Concepcion is a crisp route runner who can be productive in a variety of ways. Boston is a prototypical X-receiver who performs well in the red zone, catching 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Cleveland also got an absolute steal with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren towards the end of the second round. A local prospect, McNeil-Warren is a physical and versatile playmaker at safety. Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs entered this draft in uncharted territory, making a top-ten pick for the first time since trading up for Patrick Mahomes in 2017. They again traded up, acquiring the sixth overall pick to take Mansoor Delane. While trading up didn’t seem necessary, Kansas City got the best corner available, which was a significant need. If Delane is as good as the Chiefs believe, then trading up is a small price to pay. They also got the best defensive tackle in this class, selecting Peter Woods with their second first-rounder. Chris Jones is getting up there in age, so reloading the interior defensive line with Woods maintains a strength Kansas City has had for years. The Chiefs’ defense was notoriously bad at getting off the field on third-and-long, so getting a speed rusher who specializes in that situation was a must. They picked R Mason Thomas in the second round, one of the better pure pass rushers available. Kansas City also picked up Emmett Johnson in the fifth round, who should serve as a capable RB2 behind Kenneth Walker III. New York Giants New York was the only team with two top-ten picks, and it used them wisely. Getting Arvell Reese with the fifth pick was a surprise, including for Malik Nabers. Despite questions from fans and Nabers alike about Reese being a great talent at a position the Giants didn’t need, he is still an excellent selection. While New York is stacked with edge rushers, Reese can easily play off-the-ball linebacker, which the Giants do need. He will help improve a woeful run defense, while also bringing value as a pass rusher. They also picked Francis Mauigoa in the top ten, bolstering an offensive line that needs help. New York got two of the best prospects in this class, and improving the trenches is essential for a successful rebuild. The Giants didn’t just get talent in the trenches; they also got a couple of pieces on the perimeter. They picked Colton Hood in the second round to upgrade the secondary and added depth at wide receiver with Malachi Fields in the third round. Atlanta Falcons Despite not having a first-round pick and only having six picks total, the Falcons did more with less. One of the coolest stories from draft weekend was Avieon Terrell teaming up with his brother A.J. Terrell in Atlanta’s secondary. Awesome storylines aside, Terrell was a first-round caliber prospect who slipped to the middle of the second. He’s an all-around playmaker who will help Atlanta break through in the NFC South. The Falcons also got another prospect a round later than they should, getting Zachariah Branch in the third round. Branch is a dynamic player after the catch and can develop into a good WR2 in Atlanta. The Falcons took a flyer on Harold Perkins Jr. in the sixth round. Perkins is a hybrid defender who was a superstar at LSU as a freshman. While he battled through injury during his collegiate career, he’s a good late-round chance for Atlanta to take.              

Learning Under Tom Brady: Expectations Will Skyrocket There is a certain weight that comes with being a quarterback on the Las Vegas Raiders at this moment in time and it has absolutely nothing to do with the depth chart. The mere presence of Tom Brady, however indirectly, does not just increase expectations. The expectations skyrocket. The Tom Brady and Fernando Mendoza dynamic will be a big storyline in the NFL heading into the 2026 season. Tom Brady’s Influence is Invaluable Mendoza is not walking into a polished situation. This feels like an ever-moving target. He has the tools, otherwise Brady and the Raiders would not have drafted him. Mendoza is not sharing a locker room with Brady, but the influence is undeniably real. This is not a place where “he’s developing” gets you two low to average producing seasons. Everything gets analyzed and magnified. And every good pass gets thrown against a bar that so few quarterbacks in the history of the league have ever cleared. Would you expect anything less when one of your owners is the greatest quarterback of all time? Can Mendoza Develop Quick Enough for Brady? What makes this situation so interesting is not whether Mendoza can eventually be a good quarterback, but rather how quickly he can accelerate the learning curve to a degree that he can survive what is ahead. Quarterbacks were never in a position whereby they had to master everything right away. Now if the growth is not evident on a week-by-week basis then a player can be looked past before they even really have a chance to get going. Mendoza has legitimate upside as a quarterback who throws the ball a ton. This is the kind of arm that will make coaches patient far longer than they should be. You cannot teach it; you can only work with it and hope everything else will catch up. At the same time, the league is not patient, and the Raiders are not about gradual progress. Mendoza is Not Being Groomed to Be the Next Tom Brady So, what do you actually have with the Tom Brady and Fernando Mendoza situation? You do not have a quarterback being groomed to be Brady, and anyone trying to tell you differently is missing the point. You have a quarterback that will have to execute at a higher level earlier than virtually any other young quarterback in the league. That means better footwork and quicker decision-making. It also means less freelancing when things break down, and the tiny details that separate talented from reliable. If Mendoza has it then the progression could be significant. If not, things could unravel quickly. Tom Brady and Fernando Mendoza: 2026 Will Be Interesting The reality is this. Surrounding yourself with talent increases the demands but it does not develop the talent in itself. It only decreases the buffer and that can force you to speed everything up or fail before you get a chance to adjust. Watching the new relationship between Tom Brady and Fernando Mendoza grow over the 2026 season will be interesting. Not because anybody is going to ask him to be Brady, but we will all see whether he is as close to ready as many people are assuming. The question is whether that pressure will fast forward his development or pull the whole thing apart.

As everyone expected, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Could he take his new team to the playoffs in 2026? Mendoza was a college superstar with the Indiana Hoosiers, and he could eventually turn out to be an elite NFL quarterback. However, leading a team to the playoffs as a rookie is an extremely difficult task. But it’s not impossible. Will Fernando Mendoza Lead the Raiders to the Playoffs in 2026?   Fernando Mendoza attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. During his career there, he passed for 1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 137 yards and a score. He originally committed to play college football at Yale University before choosing the University of California, Berkeley. Mendoza would play two seasons at Cal. In 2024, he was the third-leading passer in the ACC with 3,004 passing yards. He also accounted for 18 total touchdowns. In addition, he led the Bears to six wins and a bowl game in their first season as members of the ACC. Fernando Mendoza had several memorable performances in 2024. He threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-14 road win at Auburn. Plus, he had 285 passing yards and two scores in the Bears’ 39-38 loss to then-No. 8 Miami. In addition, Mendoza led a comeback and a 98-yard winning touchdown drive for a 24-21 victory over Stanford in his final game with the Bears. Mendoza transferred to Indiana during the 2025 offseason, replacing Kurtis Rourke. He would put together a spectacular debut season at Indiana, throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns while rushing for seven scores. Mendoza was named the Associated Press Player of the Year and won the Heisman Trophy. He also led an unbeaten and top-ranked Indiana to its first Big Ten championship since 1967 and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. In addition, Mendoza powered the Hoosiers to a national championship as they defeated Miami 27-21 in the title game. He was named the 2026 National Championship Offensive MVP. No. 1 Pick QB Rookies Who’ve Made the Playoffs There have been several legendary quarterbacks who were drafted No. 1 overall. Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman, and Peyton Manning are a few great examples. Yet, only two quarterbacks who were No. 1 overall picks (John Elway and Andrew Luck) have appeared in a playoff game as a rookie. During Elway’s rookie year (1983), he started 10 games and was briefly benched, but helped the 9-7 Denver Broncos reach the postseason. That year, Elway appeared in Denver’s lone playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, replacing starter Steve DeBerg in the second half. The Broncos lost to Seattle 31-7. Fast-forward to 2012. Luck immediately helped turn around the Indianapolis Colts, who posted a 2-14 record the previous year. As a rookie, the former Stanford star led the Colts to an 11-5 record and a trip to the postseason. Unlike Elway, Luck started a playoff game. Indianapolis lost, though, to the Baltimore Ravens 24-9 in the Wild Card round. Is It Realistic for Mendoza? Las Vegas finished with a horrible 3-14 record last season. Again, it isn’t impossible for Mendoza to transform the Raiders into a playoff team in 2026. But it’s highly unrealistic. Mendoza will be surrounded by exciting offensive weapons like tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty. And the Raiders’ defense still has star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who was traded this offseason before a failed physical sent him back to Las Vegas. Don’t expect Mendoza and Co. to be a playoff team in 2026, though. While they possess talented pieces, the Raiders just likely won’t be good enough. Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders have had multiple players slip through their fingers in the NFL Draft. But it seems like they are moving in the right direction. With defensive end Maxx Crosby and running back Ashton Jeanty, the team turned their attention to the draft. Rumors and speculation were put to bed when Hoosiers’ quarterback Fernando Mendoza went first overall. But who else did the Raiders select in the 2026 Draft? Las Vegas Raiders 2026 Draft Grades: The Air Raid to Come First Round  (1st Overall): Fernando Mendoza, QB First, Las Vegas has found their franchise quarterback. It is the first time that an Indiana Hoosier passer has been drafted first overall. The reigning national champion has the ability to make a name for himself with the organization. Mendoza will be the cornerstone of a franchise looking to end its recent quarterback carousel. The Raiders will reclaim their famous ‘Commitment to Excellence’ with Mendoza’s winning pedigree.  Standing at 6 ‘5 and 236 pounds, he has a traditional quarterback frame to withstand NFL pass rushers while operating in the pocket.  Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: A+ Second Round (38th Overall): Treydan Stukes, Safety The Las Vegas Raiders spent their 38th overall selection on safety Treydan Stukes. He ran a 4.33 at the 40-yard dash, which was the third fastest among safeties. He is considered an underdog story when he went from unrecruited to the 38th overall pick. Stukes has a high football I.Q. and is extremely versatile. He is a huge ballhawk and has an eye for any football that comes his way. This was missing in the secondary for Las Vegas in 2025. He can play nickel, outside corner, and both safety positions. Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: B- Third Round (67th Overall): Keyron Crawford, Edge Widely considered to have one of the highest ceilings in the defensive class, Keyron Crawford is relatively new to the sport of football. He did not start playing football until his senior year in high school. He has an explosive first step and has elite lateral agility. These moves helped him gather 43 quarterback pressures in 2025 with Auburn. He has the athleticism to play outside linebacker and the traditional defensive end.  The Raiders added him to gain speed and disruption. Crawford will add a high-energy pace and can learn behind the seasoned veterans. He is raw, but he has potential. Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: C Third Round (91st overall): Trey Zuhn III, OL Trey Zuhn III was a four-year starter at Texas A&M and served as the team captain. He brings to the Raiders a high-level of SEC experience and a 4.41 GPA to their locker room. He finished 2025 with a 96.8 PPF pass blocking grade, which was first in the nation among all tackles. He surrendered just two sacks and ten quarterback pressures all year long. At 6 ‘6 and 312 pounds, he is extremely versatile. He can play left tackle, left guard, and center. This will be a huge security blanket for Mendoza. The Raiders’ offensive line was inconsistent in 2025.  Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: B Fourth Round (101st Overall): Jermod McCoy, Cornerback The Raiders moved up to the first pick in Day 3 to grab Jermod McCoy from Tennessee. This is a player that many scouts and coaches had as a borderline first-round talent. Unfortunately, the injury bug hit him, and it sank his value.  Standing at 6 ‘1 with a huge 77-inch wingspan, he is a ‘natural press-man’ corner. He is physical at the line and has a high coverage knowledge of the game. Unfortunately, he missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL. But his tape from 2024 has been elite. If he returns to form, this is a steal. Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: B+ Fourth Round (122nd Overall): Mike Washington Jr., Running Back Mike Washington Jr. from Arkansas is a powerhouse runner who adds a different dimension to the Raiders’ backfield.  He is an explosive runner. Once he hits his high-end speed, he is very difficult to bring down. He runs with a violent, downhill style that scouts have compared to NFL running back Jay Ajayi. A home run threat, he never stops moving forward. This is perfect for short-yardage or closing out games. Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: B+ Fifth Round (150th Overall): Dalton Johnson, Safety The  Las Vegas Raiders ended up swapping Tyree Wilson to move up for safety Dalton Johnson. By doing this, it reunites him with his college teammate, Treydan Stukes. Despite being undersized (5 ‘11 and 192 pounds), he is a tackling machine. He racked up nearly 100 tackles in each of his last two seasons. He is a passionate ‘box safety’ who excels in run support. His chemistry with Stukes should make for a seamless transition in sub-packages that the Raiders love to run.  Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: B- Fifth Round (175th Overall): Hezekiah Masses, Cornerback Hezekiah Masses is another ballhawk for the secondary who led the nation in pass breakups (18) last season. He is a master manipulator. He thrives in taking the football away. A player with elite vision and anticipation, he can jump a route and grab an interception. He can be ‘grabby’, however. His eight penalties in 2025 were a concern to many scouts. But his ability to flip the field with interceptions is what the Raiders’ secondary lacked in 2025. Another solid pickup. Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: B- Sixth Round (195th Overall): Malik Benson, Wide Receiver Malik Benson is a vertical threat that provides pure ‘track speed’ to an offense. He clocked a 4.37 at the NFL combine and is a fluid runner in space. He averaged over 16 yards per catch during his time at Oregon. Although he is on the heavier side for a receiver (200 pounds), his wheels make up for it. He will likely start as a deep-threat specialist to keep safeties honest for quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade: B- Seventh Round (229th Overall): Brandon Cleveland, Defensive Line When the Las Vegas Raiders selected defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland, they got a massive player to round out the class. He is a four-year player with a low center of gravity. He is rarely moved off his spot and specializes in splitting double teams. This is a high-floor rotational player who will help solidify the interior run defense on early downs. This can also open holes for running back Ashton Jeanty. Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grade B- Reflection on the Las Vegas Raiders Draft Picks With this group of selections, the Las Vegas Raiders have effectively overhauled their defense. They also surrounded their new quarterback with versatile protection and good weapons.

The Cleveland Browns signed Jerry Jeudy to a massive $52.5 million extension in March of 2024, but the team could trade him before he plays out that deal. Selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Alabama product never quite lived up to his draft capital during his time in Mile High. However, he finally played up to his potential during his first season with the Browns, finishing the 2024 campaign with 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns. However, he came back to Earth in 2025, recording just 50 receptions for 602 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. Cleveland’s disastrous quarterback situation didn’t help anything, but it’s clear the Browns weren’t thrilled with Jeudy’s performance. After all, the team used their first-round pick on Texas A&M’s KC Conception and their second-round pick on Washington’s Denzel Boston. Cleveland could still keep Jerry Jeudy as a veteran mentor, but it’s safe to assume they’d be willing to trade him for the right price. It’s worth noting that a Jerry Jeudy trade probably won’t happen until after June 1st. The wide receiver currently carries a $10.37 million cap hit, but that number jumps to $22.32 milion if they trade him before June 1st. However, if they wait a few months, they can split the dead money over two years and reduce his 2026 cap hit to $6.47 million. Browns Could Trade Jerry Jeudy After Receiver-Heavy Draft Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills spent most of the first two days of the draft trading back and loading up on draft picks. While this strategy certainly has its merit in a league that requires 53 players on a roster, they should still look to add more support for quarterback Josh Allen. The D.J. Moore trade ensures he’ll have at least two reliable receivers (along with Khalil Shakir), but it wouldn’t hurt to add someone who can consistently play on the outside. Moore and Shakir are both at their best in the slot, but a Jerry Jeudy trade will give Buffalo someone with a more unique skillset. Las Vegas Raiders The Las Vegas Raiders have their quarterback of the future in Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Now, they must give him the necessary tools to succeed. While tight end Brock Bowers is already one of the game’s most exciting weapons, this team could use more help at the wide receiver position. Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, and Jack Bech form one of the most unproven wide receiver depth charts in football, and adding someone like Jeudy to the mix will bring some much-needed stability to this room. While he probably won’t put up another 1,200-yard season, he could be critical to Mendoza’s development. Los Angeles Chargers The Los Angeles Chargers only had two picks in the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, and they (rightfully) used one of them to fix the interior offensive line. However, they should do something about the state of the wide receiver position. Ladd McConkey is a fine starter, but Quentin Johnston is better in a depth role. Head coach Jim Harbaugh prefers to win games on the ground, but adding someone like Jerry Jeudy via trade would go a long way in making life easier for Justin Herbert. The Chargers play in a loaded division and need all the offensive firepower they can get to win the division.