It’s over. Already.
After three days, a record-setting 805,000 fans in attendance and 257 picks, the 2026 NFL Draft class is settled.
A few teams did better than others. Everyone did better than the Jaguars.
As we wait for Dane Brugler’s 32-team ranking, below is how I stack the hauls. This is based on player quality (and quantity), positional values and needs met. For example, the Cowboys got better top-end talent and value from their picks, but I slightly prefer the Dolphins’ 13-player class.
Yes, it’s too early for this. Yes, I did it anyways.
This article is from The Athletic’s NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox.
Ranking draft classes
We have to start with the Raiders, of course. In hindsight, a draft class’ best quarterback will almost always be its most valuable player, and Fernando Mendoza has the best shot of becoming that guy.
In my book, that alone is reason enough for the Raiders to lead any post-draft ranking. But they also picked up plenty of value afterward, including top-20 prospect Jermod McCoy, a strong press cornerback whom they drafted in the fourth round. If healthy, he counts as the biggest value of the entire draft, and this video explains the injury that led to his fall.
Back to quarterbacks for a minute: The first one drafted in each class has a better pro career than his QB classmates 40 percent of the time, historically. That drops to 13 percent for the second and third quarterbacks drafted, in this case the Rams’ Ty Simpson and Cardinals’ Carson Beck. Here’s where passers landed:
Then there’s the Eagles. Their No. 7 ranking on my list doesn’t take into account their savvy trade for Jonathan Greenard, the former Vikings edge rusher who had 24.5 sacks from 2023 to 2024 before an injury-plagued 2025. He’s just 29. Even the 6-foot-3 Cole Payton is a promising backup quarterback. What a haul. We all wish our GM was Howie Roseman. Again.
It’s not all bad for the 49ers, No. 31 in my rankings. Drafting receiver De’Zhaun Stribling with the 33rd pick felt like a reach. He was the 77th player in composite rankings and 67th in “The Beast,” after all.
But closer inspection reveals a sensible choice. On the livestream of “The Athletic Football Show,” Dane explained Stribling had been quietly jumping up draft boards. Teams loved his 4.36 speed at 207 pounds, plus his dependable hands and run blocking. And as our film guru Ted Nguyen explains, Stribling’s a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense as “a supercharged version of Jauan Jennings.”
We’ll have so much more over the rest of the week. For today, let’s look at the top UDFAs. You’ll recognize the most notable. (But first, a Jeff T. update.)
Could Jeff T. do it again
Last week, I noticed a reader named Jeff T. correctly predicted the Bears’ first-round surprise. They landed Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, and Jeff T. became the only reader to correctly predict a bold(ish) pick.
60 percent of you then considered him a genius according to our followup poll. He disagreed. So humble of you, Jeff T.
He also shared with me his predictions for the Bears on Day 2. That included this:
“They will trade number 60 for picks 68 and 133.”
Chicago then traded pick No. 60 … for picks 68 and 144. That’s unbelievable, Jeff T. But he’s not alone.
A reader named Brady had also nailed the Cowboys trading up for Caleb Downs. That means readers predicted two first-round safeties ending up with teams who’d seemingly been out of range for each.
That also means there are two beautiful minds among us. Jeff T. and Brady: Who wins the 2026 Super Bowl? Any stock tips? My door is always open for you both. These are some specific questions for you two.
I assume Jeff T. and Brady also knew the following players would go undrafted …
UDFA Watch: Diego Pavia among leftovers
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia is now the first Heisman runner-up to go undrafted since Iowa’s Brad Banks in 2003 and the first such Heisman finalist since NIU’s Jordan Lynch in 2014. They both landed in the Canadian Football League.
A few of my friends are happy about Pavia’s tumble. Some found the ascendant underdog’s outspoken nature distasteful. Him naming Johnny Manziel as his mentor couldn’t have helped, and Tom Pelissero reported NFL teams weren’t sure Pavia would be willing to function as a backup.
What’s next for Pavia?
A 5-foot-10 passer with questionable arm strength, he is the most notable among the top undrafted free agents. But he wasn’t the best player to go undrafted. Not even close.
Of that list, only McCutchin, Ball and Caldwell remain unsigned. The others were quickly picked up. Except Pavia, actually. I’m not sure that changes. (Maybe Barstool is hiring?)
Extra Points
👀 Untouchable. Jeff Howe explains why teams were unwilling to move 2027 first-round picks this year. It starts with Arch Manning.
📓 Best fits. Ted shares the 10 best scheme fits of the draft, starting with Arvell Reese with the Giants and Downs in Dallas. Love it.
📈 Fantasy fallout. Now that we know landing spots for players like Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate, Jake Ciely shares the fantasy risers and fallers. Big win for Cam Skattebo.
▶️ Friday’s most-clicked: Mike Jones’ look at the winners and losers from Round 1.
📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic’s free NFL newsletter in your inbox.