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?<\/p>\n
The Raiders got the one true franchise quarterback in this class after taking Fernando Mendoza<\/a> 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<\/a> in the second round and arguably the biggest steal of the class, Jermod McCoy<\/a> in the fourth round. Stukes is a great player at nickel, posting a stellar 90.4 PFF coverage<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Las Vegas also got a high-upside edge rusher in Keyron Crawford<\/a> in the third round. With Maxx Crosby<\/a> likely on the move sooner or later, boosting depth to the pass rush makes sense. Some had Mike Washington Jr.<\/a> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n They then doubled down at receiver, picking KC Concepcion<\/a> at 24th overall and Denzel Boston<\/a> 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<\/a>. Cleveland also got an absolute steal with Emmanuel McNeil-Warren<\/a> towards the end of the second round. A local prospect, McNeil-Warren is a physical and versatile playmaker at safety.<\/p>\n The Chiefs entered this draft in uncharted territory, making a top-ten pick for the first time since trading up for Patrick Mahomes<\/a> in 2017. They again traded up, acquiring the sixth overall pick to take Mansoor Delane<\/a>. 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<\/a> with their second first-rounder. Chris Jones<\/a> is getting up there in age, so reloading the interior defensive line with Woods maintains a strength Kansas City has had for years.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> in the second round, one of the better pure pass rushers available. Kansas City also picked up Emmett Johnson<\/a> in the fifth round, who should serve as a capable RB2 behind Kenneth Walker III<\/a>.<\/p>\n New York was the only team with two top-ten picks, and it used them wisely. Getting Arvell Reese<\/a> with the fifth pick was a surprise, including for Malik Nabers<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> in the second round to upgrade the secondary and added depth at wide receiver with Malachi Fields<\/a> in the third round.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> teaming up with his brother A.J. Terrell<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The Falcons also got another prospect a round later than they should, getting Zachariah Branch<\/a> 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.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, some teams had better classes than others. Which five teams stood out during draft weekend?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5581,"featured_media":281312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":true,"sfio_embed_code":"Cleveland Browns<\/a><\/h3>\n
Kansas City Chiefs<\/a><\/h3>\n
New York Giants<\/a><\/h3>\n
Atlanta Falcons<\/a><\/h3>\n