The Chiefs reload is well underway
First Five Selections: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU (1.6), DT Peter Woods, Clemson (1.29), ED R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma (2.40), DB Jadon Canady, Oregon (4.109), RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska (5.161)
The Chiefs moved up for Delane in the first round to make up for the loss of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams. They added Woods with the pick acquired from the McDuffie selection, who was thought to be a potential top ten pick as recently as February. Thomas was injured last season but is an excellent pass rusher and Canady adds a versatile defensive back to the fold. Nussmeier could develop into Mahomes’ backup in the long term and in the event of an injury to Justin Fields, he has an outside chance to play. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs end up with a top five defense next season.
Grade: A+
The Rams have an out of character draft
First Five Selections: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama (1.13), TE Max Klare, Ohio State (2.61), OT Keagan Trost, Missouri (3.93), WR CJ Daniels, Miami (6.197), DT Tim Keenan, Alabama (7.232)
The Rams have had excellent drafts almost every season with Sean McVay at the helm. From draft weekend until the end of their rookie contracts, each pick always seems to be respected as a solid addition to their squad, be it for star power or depth. This draft weekend, however, they seemed to make out of character selections. Rather than selecting USC’s Makai Lemon with the 13th pick, they instead opted to find Matt Stafford’s successor, which McVay didn’t seem thrilled about in his presser. While preparing for the future would seem wise, 2027 is thought to be an incredible quarterback draft, and one where Simpson would not have been a first round pick. Klare is a solid player, but the Rams invested a second-round pick at the position last year, while both Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee are under contract. Daniels and Keenan could turn out to be Day 3 contributors.
Grade: D-
Robert Saleh and Co. support Cam Ward in Tennessee
First Five Selections: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State (1.4), ED Keldric Faulk, Auburn (1.31), LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (2.60), OG Fernando Carmona, Arkansas (5.142), RB Nick Singleton, Penn State (5.165)
The Titans may have had the best overall offseason of any team. I always felt Robert Saleh ran out of New York too fast, and now he’s back in a head coaching role down south. The Titans need to give Cam Ward weapons, and selecting Tate at No. 4 was a great way to do just that. They moved back into the first round for Faulk, who I noted as a potential bust in a recent article, but there’s no coach I’d trust to work with him more than Saleh. Hill and Cedric Gray are a dynamic linebacker duo, and the depth of the offensive line was upgraded down the board. Jaren Kanak was one of my favorite late round gems: after 102 career tackles with a scoop and score in 2024, he made the move to tight end and totaled 533 yards from 44 catches.
Grade: A-
The Browns build around their quarterbacks
First Five Selections: OT Spencer Fano, Ohio State (1.9), WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M (1.24), WR Denzel Boston (2.39), SAF Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (2.58), OT Austin Barber, Florida (3.86)
The Browns now have four with the addition of Arkansas’ Green. While they work out who their best option is for the future, they’ve done an excellent job surrounding their mystery signal called with talent. After a tremendous draft last season, the Browns added a pair of top 100 linemen, two first-round quality receivers, and a safety I had mocked in the first round with the 58th pick. It’s hard to tell whether they opted for talent or need, because this draft hit both nails on the head. Todd Monken’s squad could make a jump if one of their quarterbacks can find consistency.
Grade: A
Aaron Glenn may have saved his job following excellent Jets draft
First Five Selections: ED David Bailey, Texas Tech (1.2), TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (1.16), WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana (1.30), CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana (2.40), Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State (4.103)
After what I found to be an underwhelming free agency, the Jets needed a home run draft if they wanted any chance of real improvement in 2026. While Geno Smith remains the team’s quarterback, his supporting cast got significantly better. Sadiq is an incredible athlete, and Cooper was a sure-handed slot option for Fernando Mendoza as Indiana won the National Championship. I was pleasantly surprised to see Ponds not fall nearly as far as I thought he would, and it’s been reported he will be cross trained as both a slot and outside cornerback. The defensive interior got bigger this offseason with the addition of T’Vondre Sweat, but FSU’s Jackson is another huge frame to add to the mix. Cade Klubnik is a very worthy flier to take in the fourth round: he was once a five-star recruit ranked only behind Drew Allar. Of course, kicking off your draft by adding an edge rusher who led the FBS in sacks isn’t too shabby either.
Grade: A+