Nate Tice·Charles McDonaldSun, April 26, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTCThe 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books. We graded each pick in the first round, and then again in the second and third rounds, and we also declared winners and losers for each day of the draft.

Now it’ time to grade the teams as a whole. How did yours fare?

In these grades, Nate Tice does the NFC and Charles McDonald does the AFC.

Jump to a division or team section by clicking on the links below

NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers

Grade: B-Here's why: The Caleb Downs selection was a no-brainer and a home run. He’s talented and a leader who will solidify the back end of a defense that desperately needs it. I’m a little cooler on Malachi Lawrence, whom I was more comfortable taking later than in the first round. But Lawrence has speed and can get after the quarterback, a skill set that’s always valued. Drew Shelton has talent but was inconsistent, so he gives offensive coordinator Klayton Adams an interesting project to work with. LT Overton had a disappointing season, but he’s heavy-handed and can move along the defensive line. His inside-outside ability will make him useful.

Most interesting pick: Jaishawn Barham, Edge/LB, Michigan

Barham is a twitchy athlete who is relentless in getting after the ball carrier. He had experience as an edge defender and lining up off-ball in college. While he had flashes at both spots, he can work himself out of plays when aligned off the ball at linebacker and lacks ideal size on the edge. That might not make him a player for everybody. He does both well enough that there’s potential if he’s able to continue to hone his talent. And he’s actually a cleaner fit in Christian Parker’s defensive scheme than you’d think if used like how Zack Baun was in Philadelphia, another tweener-type moved off-ball with forays on the edge.

Here's why: What a weekend for Big Blue. Arvell Reese, my top non-quarterback in this year’s class, was there for the picking at No. 5. And the Giants ended up solidifying their offensive line with Francis Mauigoa, who will start at right guard before potentially becoming their long-term option at right tackle. Mauigoa should be an instant strong starter with his technique, strength and awareness whose right tackle flexibility made him an ideal fit.

Colton Hood, a cornerback I would have been comfortable with going in the first round, was available for the Giants at 37. He is a frisky competitive defender. Hood’s size, balance and athleticism make him a fit in any scheme, but his feistiness and willingness to tackle make him a clean fit in Dennard Wilson’s zone-heavy scheme. Jack Kelly was a nice depth selection at LB in the sixth round. He should be a solid special teamer who can have a chance of playing because of his athleticism and physicality.

Most interesting pick: Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

The Giants absolutely needed to add more talent to their wide receiver room to surround Malik Nabers. Fields is a big athlete who can win on the ball and also kick inside as a power slot willing to do the dirty work as a blocker. His big frame and downfield ball skills make him a fit with Jaxson Dart, and that skill set complements Nabers’ game perfectly. It makes Fields a great fit as a secondary pass catcher who helps contribute to winning football for the Giants.

Here's why: Bracing for a post-A.J. Brown world (reportedly), the Eagles traded with the Cowboys and moved up to take Makai Lemon out of USC. Lemon’s fit is interesting in Philadelphia, mostly because I see him doing his best work out of the slot and Jalen Hurts prefers to do his work to the outside. Having said that, Lemon’s yards-after-catch ability is a welcome new element for an Eagles offense that felt stagnant last season.

Eli Stowers might have a ways to go as a blocker, but he is an outright ridiculous athlete who plays that way on the field. He is such a fluid mover in a big frame and he can quickly move forward with the ball in his hands after the catch. Stowers will have to work into a role and might take some time, but he is a potential power slot type who could have one of the highest ceilings at his position in the NFL if his blocking hits just average. I’m a big fan and I’m excited to watch his development, and the Eagles took him in a proper spot.

The Markel Bell selection had me double-checking to see if Jeff Stoutland was still coaching in Philadelphia. Bell has monster size and could (finally) be the Lane Johnson succession plan the Eagles have needed.

Cole Payton is a great athlete who is still unrefined on the real quarterback things at this point. He can create with his legs and has the size to take hits and work between the tackles. There’s a chance at a Taysom Hill-like career for him, with maybe more if he continues to get more comfortable as a thrower and progressing from the pocket. His addition makes me very curious about what happens with Tanner McKee.

Another selection for the Eagles out of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, Bernard made a statement during his workout for NFL teams when he tested like a truly rare athlete (his clocked 4.63-second 40-yard-dash time was a record for players over 300 pounds). Bernard is a long way away from being a contributor — he has never played a snap of American football — but he’s a ball of clay I’m sure Vic Fangio and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt can’t wait to work with.

Here's why: For years, Dan Quinn has tried to find a new Bobby Wagner to man the middle of his defense and meet the tough asks of running down with receivers in coverage. He even tried an older version of Wagner, albeit with an adjusted role with his advanced age and slower speed. He may have finally found his guy in Sonny Styles, a tremendous talent with length, range and an intelligence that makes him an excellent two-way defender against the run and pass.

While I thought Washington needed to add to its wide receiver room, I thought it would go with a receiver who does more of his work on the outside. Instead, the Commanders went with the smooth moving Antonio Williams. A productive and reliable player who is a great fit for a Commanders receiving corps that doesn’t have players with Williams’ skills.

Joshua Josephs is also an interesting pass rusher with good hands to add to the collection of edge defenders the Commanders assembled this offseason.