Sports
2026 NFL Draft Grades: Raiders, Browns score near perfect
Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (center) poses with jersey with general manager John Spytek (left) and head coach Klint Kubiak at introductory press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images With the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, we’re ready to check the work of all 32 teams.
The good news for the teams who paid the price to pick early in this year’s draft is many of them made of the most of the opportunity.
Our analysts break down the work of every team’s front office and assign a letter grade with rapid reaction to the draft class of every club.
As always with assessments based on projections of evolving talent and schemes, the curve can be steep. It typically takes at least two full seasons to grasp the why behind these selections, and not all planted seeds bear fruit.
Arizona Cardinals
Grade: B-
The selection of RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) at No. 3 inspires hand-wringing given the history of teams finding backs later in the draft. Our top need for Arizona was a quarterback, but none were worth the No. 3 pick with Fernando Mendoza gone. The No. 2 need was pass rusher. The only proven high-end edge in this draft was Texas Tech’s David Bailey, who went off the board one spot ahead of Love. We don’t argue the talent as a big-play running back but the wisdom of making the pick with offers to move back and fill multiple needs.
Atlanta Falcons
Grade: B+
With no first-round pick due to the 2025 draft-day trade to acquire pass rusher James Pearce Jr., the Falcons were able to find value with cornerback Avieon Terrell (Clemson) at No. 48 overall and electric Georgia WR Zachariah Branch (4.36 40) in the third round.
Baltimore Ravens
Grade: A-
There wasn’t an easier assignment to make pre-draft than the O-line hungry Ravens and Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane with the 14th overall pick. Second-rounder Zion Young (Missouri) is a player we thought Dallas might reach for earlier in the draft. He has all the tools to make an instant impact opposite Trey Hendrickson.
Buffalo Bills
Grade: B
Trading back served the Bills well. The picks that stand out today as stellar values are fifth-rounders — safety Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina) and DT Zane Durant (Penn State) — but the first two are likely to have the most immediate impact in No. 35 pick T.J. Parker, an edge rusher from Clemson, and 62nd pick Davison Igbinosun, a cornerback from Ohio State).
Carolina Panthers
Grade: B-
There would have been a serious shot at top-10 grades if OT Monroe Freeling had gone back to Georgia for his senior season. He’s a great pick at No. 19 and No. 49 pick Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) could be the ideal prospect at nose tackle because of his enormous frame and light feet. There is not a wide receiver around with more enticing size, ability and speed in combination than Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, the 83rd overall pick.
Chicago Bears
Grade: B-
Kudos to the Bears for the fortune of being in position to draft safety Dillon Thieneman 25th overall. The Oregon product can do a lot to stabilize a shaky secondary. Iowa C Logan Jones (57th) helps recalibrate the front five behind Garrett Bradbury, but if he’s not a starter, why not swing for a bigger need such as pass rusher?
Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: B+
If not for his decline in production last season with the Giants, we’d feel better about sacrificing the No. 10 pick to New York for nose tackle Dexter Lawrence. If he comes in motivated and one of the Bengals’ top picks learns to fly — No. 41 overall pick Cashius Howell is all energy but lacks perfect size — this looks a lot better.
Cleveland Browns
Grade: A-
Based on Field Level Media analysis of the prospects Andrew Berry called to welcome to Cleveland, the Browns’ draft is another home run. The first-round selection of offensive tackle Spencer Fano (Utah) and wide receiver KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) was only the start of a gold-star weekend for the Browns. No. 39 pick Denzel Boston (Washington) is a borderline No. 1 receiver most expected to be in the top 30 picks, and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) went 58th, about 40 spots lower than we projected based on his value and versatility.
Dallas Cowboys
Grade: A
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was one of the six “undisputed” blue-chip prospects by our count and Dallas was wise to sacrifice a couple mid-round picks to draft the versatile playmaker. We can’t argue with the traits of edge Malachi Lawrence (UCF). He’s not a ready-made pass rusher. We do expect him to win consistently. Acquiring LB Dee Winters (49ers) for a fifth-round pick and selecting Michigan edge Jaishawn Barham gives the Cowboys the makings of a seriously strong defense.
Denver Broncos
Grade: C+
A proven commodity in Jaylen Waddle is better than the Broncos would have been able to do with the 30th overall pick traded to the Dolphins.
Detroit Lions
Grade: B
Offensive tackle Blake Miller (Clemson) is a turnkey starter to replace Taylor Decker, and edge Derrick Moore (Michigan) was an on-brand selection in the second round.
Green Bay Packers
Grade: B
This year’s top pick — and the 2027 selection in the first round — went to Dallas in the Micah Parsons deal. Parsons flashed Defensive Player of the Year production before a season-ending injury at Denver. As he works his way back, the Packers should be a legitimate contender. South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse (52nd overall) was worthy of first-round attention.
Houston Texans
Grade: C
Question that pick of OG Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech) in the first round? We do, too. Not because Rutledge was an unreasonable pick. But there was no queue forming to take him — or any interior offensive lineman — at this point in the draft and trading up to get him was an overpay. GM Nick Caserio did acquit himself nicely in the second round, adding Ohio State NT Kayden McDonald.
Indianapolis Colts
Grade: C
Sauce Gardner said himself, he’s the first-rounder for the Colts in 2026. Acquired at the trade deadline last season, Gardner’s season imploded due to a calf injury. Will he be back in 2026 to the All-Pro cover corner he was in 2022 and 2023?
Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: C-
There wasn’t a lot of wow in the Jaguars’ draft, especially after the move up to take Travis Hunter second overall in 2025. When you weigh the cost of the 2026 first-rounder against Hunter’s value to the franchise so far, this is a dud.
Kansas City Chiefs
Grade: A
Doubt Andy Reid at your own peril. We’re flag-waving fans of the move up to snag LSU CB Mansoor Delane at No. 6, and 29th pick DT Peter Woods (Clemson) has top-15 talent and tools. Edge R Mason Thomas has the chance to be a huge hit in this defense.
Las Vegas Raiders
Grade: A
QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) was the no-brainer No. 1 pick but less-heralded picks could be the difference in the franchise’s turnaround. Multi-positional OL Trey Zuhn III and CB Jermod McCoy — a first-round talent who missed last season because of a January 2025 ACL injury — at pick No 101 are the type of selections that build a foundation for a turnaround if they click.
Los Angeles Chargers
Grade: B-
Edge Akheem Mesidor (Miami) can breathe new life into the Chargers’ pass rush. Odafe Oweh is gone and Khalil Mack is closing in on retirement. The best work was done later in the draft, particularly with their four picks invested in the offensive line.
Los Angeles Rams
Grade: D+
We don’t like to fail anyone around here. The Rams went with QB Ty Simpson from Alabama at a point where at least three consensus first-round level players were still on the board. Simpson’s grade was closer to No. 44 overall, and our reaction was pretty similar to Sean McVay’s. But if you look at this as a “bonus pick” and view offseason trade acquisition Trent McDuffie as the first-round score, we can understand those who are applauding GM Les Snead for the overreach.
Miami Dolphins
Grade: C
This draft was always going to be about volume for the Dolphins, who exited the first round with two likely starters who could just as easily be first-year projects: 12th pick OT Kadyn Proctor (Alabama) and 27th overall pick CB Chris Johnson (San Diego State). LB Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech) has the makings of a second-round gem. Nobody had WR Caleb Douglas anywhere near the top 100 when the Red Raiders’ wideout was selected 75th overall.
Minnesota Vikings
Grade: C-
We stand to be corrected on the investment of the 18th pick in the draft on massive Florida DL Caleb Banks, but the Vikings could’ve moved back or found a reasonable facsimile in the second or third round. We’re fully on board with second-round LB Jake Golday (Cincinnati) and big fans of fourth-round pick Jakobe Thomas (Miami).
New England Patriots
Grade: C+
The 28th pick in the draft was Utah OT Caleb Lomu, who is flexible and has guard experience. GM Eliot Wolf moved up in the draft for Lomu and then traded to get Gabe Jacas (Illinois) in the second round.
New Orleans Saints
Grade: B
Maybe Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson proves us wrong and he’s the perfect fit. But at No. 8 overall, Tyson still feels like a risk considering his durability concerns and the similar knock on current Saints No. 1 WR Chris Olave. Georgia TE Oscar Delp stands out of a potential steal in the third round.
New York Giants
Grade: A-
Most believed Arvell Reese of Ohio State would be long gone before the No. 5 pick, where the Giants landed him, five picks before selecting Francis Mauigoa, a powerful tackle at Miami. Based solely on upside and fit, the Giants aced the first round. As the draft chugged along, we kept waiting for anything close to a replacement for DT Dexter Lawrence — traded to the Bengals for the No. 10 pick last week — to be on the radar.
New York Jets
Grade: A
Jets GM Darren Mougey came away with three potential Pro Bowl players in the first round. It’s a haul the franchise can celebrate knowing there are more premium picks coming next season. Edge David Bailey of Texas Tech was the best pure pass rusher in the draft; TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) is the only elite player at his position in the draft and we liked Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana), the 30th pick overall, as much or more than a few of the receivers drafted in the first half of the round. Cooper’s Hoosiers teammate D’Angelo Ponds is a speed merchant with a nose for the ball and represents a serious value as the 50th overall pick.
Philadelphia Eagles
Grade: B
We’re not in position to sling arrows at Howie Roseman’s roster-building technique, but moving up for a slot receiver — Makai Lemon — in the first round was more difficult to understand with multiple talented receivers still available late in the first round.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: C-
Round of applause for landing one of the best finishers in the draft class, Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor. Since we don’t have anything nice to say about the QB pick, we’re not going to say anything at all on the Drew Allar selection. Fine, we will. Tools are there. Upside is really difficult to see unless the plan is to park him for two years and hope it all comes together.
San Francisco 49ers
Grade: B-
After multiple trades back, the 49ers stood pat with the first pick in the second round and selected Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling. He’s a big-bodied receiver to pair with Mike Evans, signed in free agency, and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall.
Seattle Seahawks
B
Leave it to GM John Schneider to pump his tried and true approach of trading out of the first round in the buildup to the draft only to confiscate our No. 2-ranked ballcarrier, Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price with the final pick in the first round. Price can be the Kenneth Walker III replacement immediately if necessary.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: A
All the Warren Sapp feels around the selection of falling edge Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) at No. 15 sparked a run of winning selections. Missouri LB Josiah Trotter (46th) and Bain’s college teammates, CB Keionte Scott (116th), enter the NFL with starter-plus ability.
Tennessee Titans
Grade: A-
Suddenly QB Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, has an arsenal of weapons. Round 1 picks WR Carnell Tate from Ohio State (No. 4) and 31st overall pick, edge Keldric Faulk of Auburn, are tempo-setters and check boxes at need positions.
Washington Commanders
Grade: B
Most felt Ohio State LB Sonny Styles (No. 7) was a top-five talent after his NFL Scouting Combine showcase. In the heart of every great Dan Quinn defense there is a linebacker with coach-on-the-field tendencies. Clemson slot WR Antonio Williams (No. 71) is better than advertised.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Evander's hat trick, late PK boost Cincinnati over Fire
May 2, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) scores a goal during the first half against the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images Evander converted a penalty kick seven minutes into second-half stoppage time to secure a hat trick and lift FC Cincinnati to a 3-2 road win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
Evander collected a brace in the first half and then added his third goal for the late winner. A yellow card was issued to Chicago’s Dje D’Avilla for a foul in the box on Pavel Bucha, leading to the deciding penalty kick.
The winning goal came six minutes after Chicago striker Hugo Cuypers missed his own chance to complete a hat trick with a penalty-kick strike. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano (eight saves) made a huge save to deny Cuypers and preserve the 2-2 score.
FC Cincinnati (4-4-3, 15 points) won despite playing with only 10 men for most of the second half. Defender Kyle Smith was issued a straight red card in the 56th minute for an accidental kick to the face of the Fire’s Robin Lod.
Cincinnati is unbeaten in its last five (2-0-3) matches, including a 3-3 draw with the Fire two weeks prior.
The victory was Cincinnati’s first win in six road matches this season (1-3-2). FC Cincinnati are 5-0-1 in their last six trips to Chicago.
The Fire (5-3-2, 17 points) have held leads in all three of their losses this season. Saturday’s defeat ended a five-match (4-0-1) unbeaten streak for the home side.
After going scoreless in his first six regular-season matches, Evander now has five goals in his last four matches.
Cuypers has 10 goals in seven league matches this season, scoring at least once in every appearance. Cuypers’ three straight matches with multiple goals ties the second-longest brace streak in MLS history.
The forward started early Saturday, as Cuypers converted a shot that deflected off Smith and into the net in the 16th minute.
Shaky defending also aided in Evander’s equalizer in the 24th minute. During a scramble in front of the Fire’s net, Chicago center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi made a poor touch on a clearance attempt that put the ball right at Evander’s feet for the finish.
Cuypers completed the brace four minutes later, but Evander provided another quick response in the 31st minute.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Royals' Maikel Garcia's sacrifice fly beats Mariners in 10th
May 2, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) hits an RBI-sacrifice fly against the Seattle Mariners during the tenth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images Maikel Garcia’s sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as the Kansas City Royals rallied to defeat the host Seattle Mariners 3-2 Saturday night.
Automatic runner Michael Massey stole third base in the top of the 10th and scored an out later as Garcia flew out to center field off Cooper Criswell (1-1).
Royals reliever Matt Strahm (1-0) got the victory and Lucas Erceg retired the side in order in the 10th to earn his ninth save of the season.
The Royals tied it at 2-2 in the ninth off Mariners closer Andres Munoz. Salvador Perez lined a leadoff single to right and was replaced by pinch runner Lane Thomas, who advanced to second on a balk. With one out, Jac Caglianone lined a single to left-center, with the ball bouncing between the legs of outfielder Julio Rodriguez and rolling all the way to the wall, allowing Thomas to score and Caglianone to take third.
Seattle starter Emerson Hancock didn’t get a decision despite striking out a career-high 14 batters on the night the Mariners retired former ace Randy Johnson’s jersey No. 51.
Hancock went seven innings and allowed one run on six hits. The right-hander didn’t walk a batter and eclipsed his previous best of nine strikeouts set March 29 against Cleveland in his first start of the season.
Kansas City right-hander Seth Lugo also put up a quality start. Lugo pitched six innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, with two walks and six strikeouts.
The Mariners took the lead in the first inning as, with one out, Rodriguez hit a ground-rule double to right-center and Josh Naylor followed by lining a run-scoring single to center.
The Royals tied it in the third as Kyle Isbel doubled to right with one out and Garcia doubled to left.
The Mariners broke a 1-all tie in the fifth inning. With one out, No. 9 hitter Leo Rivas lined a single to right field, J.P. Crawford grounded a single to left and Rodriguez reached on an infield single up the middle to load the bases.
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. made a diving stop on Rodriguez’s hit but had trouble getting the ball out of his mitt and was unable to get a forceout at second. With Naylor at the plate, Lugo threw a breaking pitch in the dirt that got away from catcher Carter Jensen, allowing Rivas to score standing up. Lugo struck out Naylor before walking Randy Arozarena to reload the bases. Cole Young worked the count to 2-2 before Lugo threw a slider that was way outside. Arozarena apparently thought it was ball four and was picked off first base to end the inning.
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh was a late scratch due to undisclosed reasons.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Angels walk off Mets in 10th, halt 7-game skid
May 2, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Vaughn Grissom (5) forces out New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto (22) at second base in the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Oswald Peraza hit an RBI single with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning as the Los Angeles Angels snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday night in Anaheim, Calif.
Pereza, who finished with three hits, lined an 0-2 curveball from New York reliever Austin Warren (0-1) into the gap in left-center to easily drive in automatic runner Adam Frazier from third base.
Jo Adell went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI, Mike Trout had two hits and a walk and Vaughn Grissom drove in two runs for Los Angeles, which won for just the second time in 13 games. Ryan Zeferjahn (2-1) threw two innings of hitless relief.
Austin Slater doubled among his two hits and scored and Mark Vientos doubled and scored for New York, which lost for the 18th time in its last 22 games. Rookie starter Nolan McLean left after four innings, the shortest start of his major league career, after allowing three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six on 78 pitches.
Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead in the first inning with three consecutive two-out singles by Nolan Schanuel, Jorge Soler and Adell, the final one a single to right that drove in Schanuel. Slater threw out Soler attempting to advance to third for the final out, and replays showed Soler was tagged out before Schanuel crossed home plate, but the Mets didn’t challenge the play.
New York tied it in the third on an RBI single by Bo Bichette, driving in Slater, who had doubled down the left field line.
The Angels took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on a two-run single by Grissom with two outs. The Mets rallied to tie it in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Andy Ibanez and an RBI single by Tyrone Taylor, then loaded the bases with one out. Replacing starter Reid Detmers, Sam Bachman escaped the jam by getting Bichette on a force play at the plate and striking out Juan Soto.
Detmers gave up three runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, with eight strikeouts and no walks.
–Field Level Media
Evander's hat trick, late PK boost Cincinnati over Fire
Royals' Maikel Garcia's sacrifice fly beats Mariners in 10th
