With the 2026 draft complete, theScore's senior NFL writer Dan Wilkins hands out his initial grades for each team's incoming rookies.
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Grade: C+
Avieon Terrell ending up in Atlanta with his older brother, A.J., is one of the best stories of the week. Once thought to be a likely first-rounder, the Clemson cornerback tumbled after a disappointing pro day 40-time. But that shouldn't be much of a concern in the slot, where his instincts, quickness, and physicality could make him a high-end contributor. A Day 2 receiver always made sense to boost the team's playmaking alongside Drake London. Zachariah Branch is an incredibly fun option with the ball in his hands, but there are questions about whether his explosive athleticism can translate to anything more than the gadget-receiver role he played at Georgia. With that in mind, and the rest of the picks representing depth additions, it's fair to wonder how much better the Falcons actually got this week. Trading the No. 13 pick to move up for James Pearce Jr. last year really hurts.
Grade: B+
I like what the Panthers did here. Monroe Freeling, my No. 1 offensive lineman and No. 12 overall player in this class, was great value at No. 19. With left tackle Ickey Ekwonu coming off a major knee injury and right tackle Taylor Moton turning 32 in August, Carolina couldn't pass up this opportunity to shore up a premium position. Lee Hunter is a powerful, playmaking nose tackle who could be a nice addition to round out a new-look front seven after big-money deals for Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd in free agency. I also really like the move to add a field-stretcher like Chris Brazzell II at receiver. All in all, Carolina found some really nice value while addressing critical needs at premium positions.
Grade: A
The Saints might be in the process of building a contender. They're probably still a year away from making a playoff run, if we're being realistic, but how can you not be excited about the way this roster is coming together? Jordyn Tyson satisfied questions about his lingering hamstring injuries with an impressive pro day performance the week before the draft. Adding a player with his combination of route-running and contested-catch upside opposite Chris Olave will be huge for Tyler Shough's ongoing development. Christen Miller is an extremely underrated defensive tackle who has the heavy hands and knockback power to make an impact in all phases of the game. And I've probably said this one too many times by now, but I think Oscar Delp might end up being one of the steals of this draft. A lack of college production doesn't matter to me when a tight end has these explosive movement skills. Delp's ability to contribute as an in-line blocker should earn him the opportunity to tap into that upside early on. The young core of playmakers becomes even more exciting when you add a size-speed burner with true field-stretching traits like Bryce Lance on Day 3, and what's not to like about the pick swap with the Raiders to take a swing on Tyree Wilson? The former No. 7 overall pick can still be a valuable run defender with the versatility to kick inside as a pass-rusher.
Grade: A+
The Bucs knocked this draft out of the park. Rueben Bain Jr. is a dream addition to address Tampa Bay's long-standing need on the edge. Having ranked him as the top pass-rusher in this draft and my No. 3 overall player, I obviously don't expect his outlier arm length to be a problem at the next level. Josiah Trotter is an incredible run defender whose blitzing abilities are an excellent fit for this particular system, and Ted Hurst is an exciting size-speed prospect who I think can be the long-term replacement for Mike Evans on the outside. And I don't have enough space to explain how much I love the idea of adding Keionte Scott to a Todd Bowles defense. The way I see it, his age was the only thing keeping him from being a first-round pick. Scott is an electric presence in the slot whose athleticism, physicality, and aggressiveness make him a contributor in all phases of the game, particularly as a blitzer. Home run after home run in another great draft for Jason Licht and his staff.
