Ben Solak — Apr 16, 2026, 06:35 AM ET
This is a simple A+ rubric for each team: the picks listed and the clearest draft actions to address immediate and near-term needs.
Dallas Cowboys
Picks: Nos. 12, 20, 92, 112, 152, 177, 180, 218
Action: Prioritize defense. Trade flexibility with 12/20 to add an edge or off‑ball linebacker; target nickel/outside CB with remaining early capital.
New York Giants
Picks: Nos. 5, 37, 105, 145, 186, 192, 193
Action: Plug right guard early and add a run-defending DT (or two). Otherwise take BPA and add depth at CB/LB.
Philadelphia Eagles
Picks: Nos. 23, 54, 68, 98, 114, 137, 178, 197
Action: Balance 2026 needs (safety, edge, WR) with looming 2027 O-line/tight-end voids. Invest in offensive line and one immediate defensive starter.
Washington Commanders
Picks: Nos. 7, 71, 147, 187, 209, 223
Action: Trade back from 7 if top targets gone to recoup picks; shore up center, add a starting safety and a WR to pair with McLaurin.
Chicago Bears
Picks: Nos. 25, 57, 60, 89, 129, 239, 241
Action: Let the board fall. Swing for a splash defensive tackle/edge at 25 if available; otherwise pick developmental starters (CB, safety, OL).
Detroit Lions
Picks: Nos. 17, 50, 118, 128, 157, 181, 205, 213, 222
Action: Restore the offensive line across multiple picks. Then address CB and edge depth; add a strong safety in the middle rounds.
Green Bay Packers
Picks: Nos. 52, 84, 120, 153, 160, 201, 236, 255
Action: Defensive line and interior O-line are priorities. Must draft a cornerback early or mid rounds. Add EDGE/LB depth on Day 3.
Minnesota Vikings
Picks: Nos. 18, 49, 82, 97, 163, 196, 234, 235, 244
Action: Rebuild the defensive front with several picks. Consider safety or tackle at 18 but mostly accumulate DL/OL/CB depth across many selections.
Atlanta Falcons
Picks: Nos. 48, 79, 122, 215, 231
Action: Beef up pass rush and address RT/depth on the O-line. Add a shifty WR/TE if value appears, but don’t mortgage 2027 capital.
Carolina Panthers
Picks: Nos. 19, 51, 83, 119, 158, 159, 200
Action: Attack WR, pass rush and DB aggressively. Use Day 1/2 to add playmakers around Bryce Young’s contract window.
New Orleans Saints
Picks: Nos. 8, 42, 73, 132, 136, 150, 172, 190
Action: Spend early on receiver help and pair that with multiple defensive tackles. Two-WR or WR+DT approach fits their board.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Picks: Nos. 15, 46, 77, 116, 155, 195, 229
Action: Solve the pass-rush hole at 15 (trade if needed) and then load defensive depth. Use middle rounds on LB/DT and interior O-line if available.
Arizona Cardinals
Picks: Nos. 3, 34, 65, 104, 143, 132, 217
Action: Either take a QB of the future or invest heavily in the offensive line. Add an edge rusher and interior lineman as needed.
Los Angeles Rams
Picks: Nos. 13, 61, 93, 207, 232, 251, 252
Action: Win now—draft pro-ready tackle, a receiver and a linebacker. Trade up if it nets a starter-level piece for a Super Bowl push.
San Francisco 49ers
Picks: Nos. 27, 58, 127, 133, 138, 139
Action: Continue defensive reload: add an outside rusher and starting safety. Grab OL depth rather than chasing a flashy WR early.
Seattle Seahawks
Picks: Nos. 32, 64, 96, 168
Action: Trade back unless great value on a DB/S corner falls. Prioritize running back, guard/tackle, and add an edge rusher in middle rounds.
Buffalo Bills
Picks: Nos. 26, 91, 126, 165, 168, 182, 220
Action: Trade down from 26 to accumulate picks. Priorities: linebacker, CB, and a WR with immediate contribution potential.
Miami Dolphins
Picks: Nos. 11, 30, 43, 75, 87, 90, 94, 130, 151, 227, 238
Action: Make lots of picks, trade down for 2027 capital, and take high-risk/high-ceiling players. Double-dip at CB and edge, plus DB depth.
New England Patriots
Picks: Nos. 31, 63, 95, 125, 131, 171, 191, 198, 202, 212, 247
Action: Invest in long-term O-line starters, add a developmental TE and a WR on Day 2, and target safety depth for 2027.
New York Jets
Picks: Nos. 2, 16, 33, 44, 103, 140, 179, 228, 242
Action: No. 2 likely DL/OL/WPA pick—take BPA or trade back. Use 16/33 to add receivers; otherwise draft best defensive players available.
Baltimore Ravens
Picks: Nos. 14, 45, 80, 115, 154, 162, 173, 174, 211, 250, 253
Action: Interior O-line and a pass catcher are priorities. If Ioane is available at 14, take him; otherwise remain flexible and add BPA on defense.
Cleveland Browns
Picks: Nos. 6, 24, 39, 70, 107, 146, 149, 206, 248
Action: Skip QB and prepare for 2027—double up on offensive line and WR early; add DT and blocking TE in mid rounds.
Cincinnati Bengals
Picks: Nos. 10, 41, 72, 110, 189, 199, 221, 226
Action: No. 10: take the best defensive playmaker (LB/S/CB/edge). Then add interior D-line and depth at center while maintaining offensive health.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Picks: Nos. 21, 53, 76, 85, 99, 121, 135, 161, 216, 224, 230, 237
Action: With 12 picks, get younger across D-line and secondary, add a developmental QB, and prioritize OL and WR to replace aging veterans.
Houston Texans
Picks: Nos. 28, 38, 59, 69, 106, 141, 167, 243
Action: Continue OL investment (versatile interior/tackle) and then take high-impact gambles at TE/WR/edge. Caleb Banks at 38 would be a home run.
Indianapolis Colts
Picks: Nos. 47, 78, 113, 156, 214, 249, 254
Action: Precision draft to fill immediate gaps: EDGE, LB, safety. Use Day 3 picks to trade up for pro-ready help if needed.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Picks: Nos. 56, 81, 88, 100, 124, 164, 166, 203, 233, 240, 245
Action: Load the roster with developmental starters. Must-get: defensive tackle and linebacker; target safety depth and RB/WR depth mid rounds.
Tennessee Titans
Picks: Nos. 4, 35, 66, 101, 142, 144, 184, 194, 225
Action: Build around Cam Ward—prioritize edge rusher or a WR if a top talent slips, and shore up interior O-line in the middle rounds.
Denver Broncos
Picks: Nos. 62, 108, 111, 170, 246, 256, 257
Action: Chill draft—roster is in good shape. Add developmental OL and LB/CB depth and anticipate future departures at LT/LG.
Kansas City Chiefs
Picks: Nos. 9, 29, 40, 74, 109, 148, 169, 176, 210
Action: Reload a thin defense: speed rusher, DT depth to spell Chris Jones, and early/mid-round corners. Add size at WR only if value appears.
Las Vegas Raiders
Picks: Nos. 1, 36, 67, 102, 117, 134, 175, 185, 208, 219
Action: Support QB1—add a big-bodied WR and OL. Also target a three-down interior DT and a starting-caliber corner in middle rounds.
Los Angeles Chargers
Picks: Nos. 22, 55, 86, 123, 204
Action: Solve interior O-line issues—draft a guard early or trade back to get one. Then add defensive pieces (LB, safety, edge) and pass protector depth.
Conclusion: Every team’s ideal A+ class balances immediate starters with controlled long-term roster building. Trade flexibility and attention to positional windows (offensive line, defensive front, DBs, pass catchers) will separate great drafts from good ones.
