2026 NFL Draft Franchise Post-Draft Review - AFC East

Rd (Pick #)

DRAFT PICKS

2 (35)

TJ Parker

EDGE

Clemson

The Bills trade out of the first-round and still get a top 20 talent in Parker. Parker is coming off a down year but he has displayed a great blend of quickness and power during his college career.

2 (62)

Davison Igbinosun

CB

Ohio State

Igbinosun drew 16 defensive penalties two seasons ago for the National Champions but significantly reduced those penalties last season, only being called for five defensive penalties. Igbinosun has premium length and excels in man coverage. He will push for a starting job this fall.

4 (102)

Jude Bowry

OT

Boston College

Bowry has a mix of very good film and some film where he is dominated by the EDGE. Bowry may be a better prospect as a guard but the Bills drafted him as an OT. If he irons out some issues, he has the upside to be a valuable swing backup OT.

4 (125)

Skyler Bell

WR

UCONN

Bell joins a team in desperate need of a big outside WR that the team can rely on - looking at you Keon Coleman - and Bell has the speed, hands, and explosiveness that may be unmatched on the Bills roster. Excellent pick by Buffalo.

4 (167)

Kaleb Elarms-Orr

LB

TCU

Elarms-Orr is a great athlete who will immediately make the special teams faster and better. KEO addresses the need for improved depth after injuries took a toll last season. 

5 (173)

Jalon Kilgore

S

South Carolina

Kilgore finally hears his name called late in the fifth-round and goes to a team with a need for improved slot coverage, something Kilgore excels at. The Gamecocks DB has a versatile skill set that allow him to be deployed throughout the secondary and he possesses the size (6007 / 210 lbs / 32 & 7/8" Arms) and athleticism (4.40 40 / 37" Vertical / 10'10" Broad) desired in a slot CB. Kilgore has a similar skill set to Detroit's Brian Branch and is a great value pick at this point in the draft.

5 (181)

Zane Durant

IDL

Penn State

Durant is an undersized (6010 / 290 lbs) but exceedingly quick and twitchy IDL who is stronger against the run than his body would seem to indicate. But Durant excels as an interior pass rusher and will team with Ed Oliver in giving the Bills one of the more potentially dangerous set of interior pass rushers in the NFL. Great pick to wrap up the fifth-round.

7 (220)

Toriano Pride

CB

Missouri

Pride possesses explosive speed (4.32 40) and displays excellent ball skills with 4 career INTs, including 2 returned for TDs, and 8 passes defensed over the last two seasons. Pride's size (5100 / 183 lbs / 30 & 3/4" Arms) will likely limit him to slot duties but his quickness and speed make him a great match-up piece with quick WRs in space.

7 (239)

Tommy Doman

P

Florida

The third specialist, second punter (and second Gator specialist drafted) off the board is Doman, a strong-legged, if inconsistent, punter who started his career at Michigan and then transferred to Gainesville prior to last season. Doman will compete with veteran Mitch Wishowsky for the Bills' punting job over training camp this summer.

7 (241)

Ar'maj Reed-Adams

OG

Texas A&M

Reed-Adams shockingly falls to the final round of the 2026 NFL Draft even though he is coming off the best season of his career and profiles as a potential starter a year or two down the road. Reed-Adams (6060 / 314 lbs / 34 & 3/4" Arms) has ideal size and very good twitch and first step quickness displayed at the snap. Reed-Adams is naturally powerful and can torque a DL around due to grip strength. He anchors well against the bull rush. Punches lack much pop but placement is excellent. Very good grip strength and can extend, lock out, and control the DL. Sometimes overextends and falls off some blocks. Reed-Adams should earn a backup job and push for a starting spot over the next couple of seasons in Orchard Park.

UDFA Signings

Desmond Reid

RB

Pittsburgh

Ja'Mori Maclin

WR

Kentucky

Max Tomczak

WR

Youngstown State

Josh Beetham*

TE

Georgia Tech

Da'Metrius Weatherspoon

OT

Syracuse

Prince Dorbah*

EDGE

Arizona State

Kody Huisman

IDL

Virginia Tech

Theron Gaines

LB

Tennessee Tech

Kani Walker

CB

Arkansas

Mark Langston

LS

Indiana

*Mini Camp Invitee

Draft Needs - LB, CB, IOL, S, K

Draft & UDFA Grade - B

2026 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

The Bills, the most dominating team in the AFC East over the last several seasons, were dethroned by the Patriots and although there are several reasons for it, the defense's inability to stop the run and get off the field on third down were major contributors. The Bills addressed the third down defensive issues with their two second-round picks - EDGE TJ Parker and CB Davison Igbinosun and their two fifth-round picks - slot CB Jalon Kilgore and IDL Zane Durant, as well as seventh-round pick CB Toriano Pride. The Bills reloaded up front and added a couple of quality slot CBs to improve the pass defense. Adding Kaleb Elarms-Orr improves the depth of the LB corps that took a hit from injuries last year. Buffalo is counting on continued improvement from second-year IDL TJ Sanders, Deone Walker, and Tommy Akingbesote to improve the Bills' porous run defense this fall.

Pittsburgh RB Desmond Reid is an interesting UDFA addition to the Bills' loaded offense. Reid has suffered injuries that have limited his availability over the last two seasons but is a dynamic third-down receiving back with the quickness, agility, and route-running chops to be productive in the NFL. Reid will likely begin his career on the practice squad. Kani Walker is a bigger CB (6020 / 203 lbs / 31 & 3/4" Arms) who may not have the movement skills to play outside in the NFL but his size and strength fits what Buffalo wants in their CBs.

Rookie Fantasy Football Impact

Only one rookie profiles as a significant weapon in Buffalo's attack this coming season but he profiles as a rookie you should seek out in your fantasy draft - UCONN WR Skyler Bell. Josh Allen has been looking for a true, number one WR on the outside for many seasons and he may have found one in Bell who has the size (5115 / 192 lbs / 31 & 1/8" Arms), speed (4.40 40). and athletic ability (41" Vertical / 11'1" Broad) to be developed into Buffalo's best WR before the end of his rookie season.

Rd (Pick #)

DRAFT PICKS

1 (12)

Kadyn Proctor

OT

Alabama

Proctor goes off the board earlier than expected but addresses a major need on the OL for the Dolphins. The Dolphins plan on playing Proctor at OLG, a position he has never played at Alabama. If Proctor keeps his pads down and refines his technique, he has Pro Bowl potential.

1 (27)

Chris Johnson

CB

San Diego State

Johnson was one of the fastest-rising prospects in this draft class over the past month and that ascent brings him up to the bottom of the first round as the Dolphins select him at number 27 overall. Johnson has the size, length, and ball skills to step into a starting role as a rookie.

2 (43)

Jacob Rodriguez

LB

Texas Tech

The Dolphins add a turnover machine in the ball magnet Rodriguez, who created 11 turnovers last season in Lubbock. Rodriguez's instincts and range make him an immediate starter in Miami.

3 (75)

Caleb Douglas

WR

Texas Tech

The Dolphins are reloading at WR after releasing Tyreek Hill and trading Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos and they draft their first WR in the long and fast Douglas, who is coming off the best season of his career last fall in Lubbock. Douglas' speed makes him a natural replacment for Waddle's game breaking explosiveness.

3 (87)

Will Kacmarek

TE

Ohio State

Kacmarek is one of the best blocking TEs available in this draft but displays little as a receiving option. This pick seems like a reach - he could have been available late in the day on Saturday but Miami decides to grab him now. Miami still needs a better option and should look to add another TE on Saturday.

3 (94)

Chris Bell

WR

Louisville

Bell looked like a first-round draft pick before tearing his ACL late last season. Bell is a physically dominating power forward of a WR who loves contact and has a receiving style reminiscent of Deebo Samuel. Once Bell is fully recovered, he is a starting WR in Miami.

4 (130)

Trey Moore

EDGE

Texas

Moore offers an interesting skill set to the Dolphins. He recorded 14 sacks at UTSA in 2023 and then transferred to Texas and played both as a EDGE and as an off-the-ball LB in space over the past two seasons. In fact, Moore played MLB late last season and his versatility and production make him a name to watch on the rebuilding Dolphins defense.

4 (138)

Kyle Louis 

LB

Pittsburgh

Louis falls to the end of the fourth-round despite his reliability, durability, and consistent production. Some NFL teams view Louis as a safety but the Dolphins announced him as a LB when they drafted him. Louis speed and range should make him a special teams stud with the upside to become a starter in the next couple of years.

5 (158)

Michael Taaffe

S

Texas 

A former walk-on, Taaffe has surprisingly good speed and range (4.52 40) and has an incredibly high football IQ and instincts. Taaffe's ball skills are solid with 7 INTs and 13 passes defensed over the last three seasons in Austin. Taaffe should excel as a core special teams player in the NFL.

5 (177)

Kevin Coleman

WR

Missouri

The Dolphins add their third WR so far this weekend in Coleman, an experienced, durable, and exceedingly quick slot receiver who is too quick for safeties to handle in man coverage. Coleman lacks the size (5100 / 179 lbs / 30" Arms) and strength to beat the press at the LOS and can be pushed off routes by physical CBs. But Coleman is a sound route runner with very reliable hands who understands how to leverage coverage and find seams in zone coverage. Coleman should be Miami's primary slot WR before the end of his rookie season.

5 (180)

Seydou Traore 

TE

Mississippi State

Traore, a British citizen, is a rare International Pathway Program (IPP) participant to get drafted after a productive career at Mississippi State. Traore is very athletic and quick in space for a TE – often lines up in the slot for the Bulldogs. Twitchy and quick and separates easily against man coverage. Excellent speed and quickness for his size – has the athletic profile of a game breaker in the passing game. Excellent YAC ability after the catch due to acceleration, speed, and power. Not much of a blocker and it is uncertain what role he can play on special teams but his athletic ability makes him a third down threat in the NFL.

6 (200)

DJ Campbell

OG

Texas

Campbell has yet to consistently become a reliable blocker but flashes moments of dominance like the 2024 game against Michigan where he out-dueled NFL first-round picks Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. If you grade Campbell based on his best film, he's a top 50 pick. But other times he looks lost and totally overwhelmed. But with the 200th pick, this is a risk worth taking by the Dolphins.

7 (218)

Max Llewellyn

EDGE

Iowa

Sometimes a future starter just falls to you in the NFL Draft. And such is the case is Max Llewellyn, a sturdy, productive, and durable even front EDGE who looks like a ten-year starter in the NFL. Llewellyn (6060 / 258 lbs / 32 & 1/4" Arms) inexplicably fell to the seventh-round and into the lap of the Dolphins. Llewellyn has very good twitch and first step quickness – burst allows him to initiate contact and reset the LOS in the run game. Athletic with light feet and very good agility – can get skinny and slice through gaps at the LOS. Llewellyn displays the ability to bend, flatten, and finish on QB pressures. He displays an impressive closing burst but lacks some desired strength. Uses wingspan well to knock down passes at the LOS. Displays the ability to set a strong edge in the run game and force the RB back inside. Flashes quality hand fighting ability but gets glued on blocks too much. Needs to add some pass rushing moves to improve efficiency in completing the sack. All in all, a steal of a pick this late in the draft.

UDFA SIGNINGS

Mark Gronowski

QB

Iowa

Anthony Hankerson

RB

Oregon State

Le'Veon Moss

RB

Texas A&M

Romello Brinson

WR

SMU

Donaven McCulley

WR

Michigan

Jim Bonifas

OC

Iowa State

Mason Reiger

EDGE

Wisconsin

Rene Konga

IDL

Louisville

Louis Moore

S

Indiana

Draft Needs - WR, OT, S, IOL, TE

Draft & UDFA Grade - A-

2026 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

Miami has decided to rebuild on the fly, jettisoning Tua Tagovailoa, signing free agent QB Malik Willis, and getting rid of WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as the Dolphins try to get younger and tougher. And this draft should be considered a success in laying the ground work for what Miami is trying to accomplish. The first three picks (Proctor, Johnson, and Rodriguez) are all instant starters who should improve the team significantly. Douglas, Bell, and Coleman should all be immediate contributors and significant offensive options. Bell, when healthy, is the best of the trio and is a YAC monster after the catch. Moore, Louis, and Taaffe should all push for starting jobs as rookies. The TEs - Kacmarek and Traore - are complementary players who together should help fill a void in Miami's offense. 

The Dolphins signed an intriguing class of UDFAs whobring a talentede crop of prospects, many of whom look like solid NFL contributors. Gronowski has a great profile for an NFL high-end backup QB and will push for the QB3 job. Hankerson and Moss both graded out as draftable but as is the norm for their caliber of RB, went undrafted. Miami has a good RB room and likely only one of these rookies will make the roster or practice squad. Brinson and McCulley both have good size with Brinson being more explosive and McCulley having a huge catch radius. Both players are likely competing for one practice squad spot. Reiger surprisingly went undrafted but should push for a roster spot - he flashes as a pass rusher. Konga is strong and powerful and as the only IDL in this class, has a great opportunity to push for a practice squad spot. Moore is a ball hawk who will need to excel on special teams to make the team.

Rookie Fantasy Football Impact

Although several of these rookies have fantasy potential, none should be a priority as you prepare your fantasy strategy. Bell has the most potential of any rookie but he will be recovering from his ACL injury, which likely limits his rookie potential. Douglas has very good speed and could prove to be a vertical threat worth monitoring but is not worth a draft pick in your fantasy draft. Traore is both fast and quick and creates mismatches in space. If he develops as a blocker, he could have fantasy value in the next couple of years.

Rd (Pick #)

DRAFT PICKS

1 (28)

Caleb Lomu 

OT

Utah

The run on elite OTs is now complete as the seventh OT is drafted in round one when Lomu goes number 28 overall to the Patriots. Lomu was Utah's starting OLT the last two seasons and will likely become the Patriots' starting ORT with Will Campbell entrenched at OLT in Foxborough.

2 (55)

Gabe Jacas 

EDGE

Illinois

The Patriots' lack of an outside pass rush was evident in their inability to pressure Seattle QB Sam Darnold in last February's Super Bowl. Jacas is a complete EDGE who forces the run back inside, chases hard in pursuit, and is able to bend, flatten, and close on the QB in the pocket. Great value pick.

3 (95)

Eli Raridon

TE

Notre Dame

Raridon has teased with his enticing combination of size, power, and athleticism but needs to refine his technique as a blocker and become a more reliable receiver - he suffers from concentration drops and disappears for long stretches of time. If Raridon can iron out these issues, he has starting potential.

5 (171)

Karon Prunty

CB

Wake Forest

Prunty has the size and length (6012 / 187 lbs / 31 & 3/4") desired in an outside CB and flashes as a shutdown CB with the short area reaction skills and ball skills desired on an island. Prunty lacks some strength and has difficulty with big and strong WRs down field but can flip his hips and cut well at the break point to maintain coverage. Prunty looks to add valuable depth to the defending AFC Champions' secondary this fall.

6 (196)

Dametrious Crownover

OT

Texas A&M

Crownover is one of the most divisive prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft - some scouts think he is a future starter who rave about his athletic ability and potential. For those of us who are more skeptical, there are too many red flags to ignore. Crownover is massive (6070 / 319 lbs / 35 & 3/8" Arms) and flashes elite twitch and movement skills but he lacks some core strength and power and has as much bad film as good. Crownover is a project but he is worth the 196th pick in this draft.

6 (212)

Namdi Obiazor

LB

TCU

The Patriots select the fast (4.53 40) and extremely athletic (37" Vertical / 9'11" Broad) Horned Frogs MLB who has fantastic range and chases hard in pursuit. Obiazor's read and react skills are excellent but he lacks desired strength and shedding ability and tightness in his hips (7.24 3-Cone Drill) limit his man coverage ability. Obiazor has a great physical profile to be a core special teamer and that is where he is likely to impact the NFL as a rookie.

7 (234)

Behren Morton

QB

Texas Tech

Morton has a lot of fans amongst the scouting commuity and is an excellent leader who elevates his and his teammates' performance in the clutch. Morton (6013 / 221 lbs) has adequate size, an NFL-quality arm, and a quick, consistent release point. Morton is generally accurate but needs to throw with better touch and anticipation. Footwork needs development – needs to step into his throws when under duress. Morton is an average athlete who is not a true running threat outside the pocket but can gain what the defense gives him. Good field vision – looks off receivers to allow them to get open. Morton's decision-making needs improvement – will predetermine his read and force the ball into coverage. Suffers from poor decision-making when under duress – too easily rattled. Morton will be given every opportunity to win the third QB job over the summer.

7 (245)

Jam Miller

RB

Alabama

Miller (5100 / 209 lbs) has always teased with his fantastic upside and explosive speed - recorded a 4.42 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine - but injuries and time-share in a RB-by-committee system in Tuscaloosa have limited his impact in college football. Miller possesses good vision and run instincts – seeks out cutback lanes. Miller flashes very good burst through the hole or to the corner. He flashes very good lateral agility and cutting ability including a nice jump cut. Very good contact balance and can drive through arm tackles and is a tough and physical inside  runner. Miller enters a deep and talented RB room and will likely begin his NFL career on the practice squad.

7 (247)

Quintayvious Hutchins

EDGE

Boston College

Hutchins (6024 / 233 lbs / 32 & 5/8" Arms) lacks desired size and strength for setting an EDGE as a 4-3 DE and is tighter in the hips and inexperienced in pass coverage to project to OLB. But Hutchins has the agility, bend, and burst desired in an EDGE rusher and he has a proven track record of production in college. Great value by the Patriots at pick 247.

UDFA SIGNINGS

Kyle Dixon

WR

Culver-Stockton College

Tanner Arkin

TE

Illinois

Michael Heldman

EDGE

Central Michigan

David Blay

IDL

Miami, Fl

Channing Canada

CB

TCU

Draft Needs - WR, EDGE, IOL, LB, TE

Draft & UDFA Grade - C

2026 NFL Draft  & UDFA Analysis

The Patriots had difficulty keeping QB Drake Maye off the turf in last February's Super Bowl and decide to improve the OL with the drafting of Caleb Lomu. Lomu played OLT at Utah but is destined to play ORT for the Patriots. Jacas gives the Patriots a well-rounded EDGE with the pass rushing upside to start as a rookie. Jacas, a high school wrestler, has steadily improved throughout his college career and gives New England an underrated weapon to generate pressure on the QB. The rest of the draft class brings the Pats a TE with starting potential, a CB with the size and length to contribute immediately, a LB who should excel on special teams, a developmental OT with a high ceiling, and finished off the draft selecting a pass rushing specialist whose athleticism and burst could make him a surprise contributor to the AFC East Champions this fall.

The Patriots signed a small UDFA class of prospects who will push for a roster spot or practice squad spot this fall but otherwise do not appear to have much impact at the NFL level. Dixon is a small school WR with agility and speed but the NFL is a significant step-up in competition so little should be expected from the rookie. Arkin will try to earn a job as a blocking specialist and how he performs on special teams will effect his NFL future. The most upside of any of the UDFAs, Heldman displayed the ability to provide containment and has the ability to bend, flatten, and close with an impressive burst on the QB. Heldman will likely begin his career on the practice squad but looks like a contributor in the NFL within the next few seasons in the NFL. Blay is a solid IDL without any special traits and Canada has the size and length the Patriots want in their CBs. Both players should start their careers on the practice squad.

Rookie Fantasy Football Impact

Don't expect too much from the Patriots' rookie class from a fantasy stand point. Raridon should get playing time but it is doubtful he has much of a fantasy impact. One eye to keep an eye on is Miller, an injury-prone but explosive and sudden RB who is a home run threat whenever he touches the ball. If Miller gains significant playing time, he could be worth adding to a team. But for now, no Pats rookies should be expected to be fantasy contributors this season.

Rd (Pick #)

DRAFT PICKS

1 (2)

David Bailey 

EDGE

Texas Tech

The Jets produced zero INTs last season and that is due to poor coverage and an ineffective pass rush. Coach Aaron Glenn emulates the Lions' strategy of taking a well-rounded EDGE with fantastic character to lead the re-loaded defense this fall.

1 (16)

Kenyon Sadiq

TE

Oregon

The Jets pass on WRs Makai Lemon and Omar Cooper to select the freakishly athletic Oregon TE. Sadiq has game breaking speed and can sky for the contested catch. Sadiq is also a quality in-line blocker who can play on every offensive down and will help both the passing and running game for the Jets.

1 (30)

Omar Cooper

WR

Indiana

The Jets' third first-round pick brings the team the talented Indiana WR who has the versatility to line up out wide or in the slot. Cooper should start on the outside opposite Garrett Wilson and team up with TE Kenyon Sadiq to make the Jets' offense much more dangerous now than last season.

2 (50)

D'Angelo Ponds

CB

Indiana

One of the best and most productive ball hawks in college football, Ponds plays best in the clutch and profiles as an elite slot CB in the NFL.

4 (103)

Darrell Jackson

IDL

Florida State

After trading for IDL T'Vondre Sweat, the Jets add another big, strong, and sturdy interior run defender in the Florida State DT. Jackson offers little as a pass rusher, other than a powerful bull rush, but is durable and a force against the run. Jackson will push for a starting job over the summer.

4 (110)

Cade Klubnik

QB

Clemson

Mauigoa transferred to South Florida from Oregon State to have a chance to play for a contender. Mauigoa plays with his hair on fire and his temperament seems perfect for special teams.

6 (188)

Anez Cooper

OG

Miami, Fl

The Jets add a powerful depth piece that will improve the selection of IOL the team can choose from when injuries invariably take a toll. Cooper is extremely strong and plays with a nasty disposition desired in OL. Cooper is not overly quick or twitchy and is best used in a confined area to take advantage of his power. Cooper will push for a roster spot this fall.

7 (228)

VJ Payne

S

Kansas State

The Jets wrap-up their productive 2026 draft with the selection of the big (6031 / 206 lbs / 33 & 3/4" Arms), fast (4.40 40), and athletic (35" Vertical / 10'7" Broad) Wildcats safety. Payne has sideline-to-sideline range and can also drop into the slot and pick up TEs in man coverage but he needs to improve his tackling in space to earn playing time in the NFL.

UDFA SIGNINGS

Sam Scott

RB

Wyoming

Chip Trayanum

RB

Toledo

Caullin Lacy

WR

Louisville

DT Sherffield

WR

Rutgers

Chase Curtis

TE

TCU

Kendrick Blackshire

LB

Alabama

Will Ferrin

K

BYU

Draft Needs - CB, WR, QB, IOL, EDGE

Draft & UDFA Grade - A

2026 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

The Jets clearly entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a plan and then set out and executed it. Expectations should remain tempered about their immediate future with one of the worst QB rooms in the NFL and a defense that did not intercept the ball last season, but a talent infusion was needed and the draft results are encouraging. The Jets entered the draft with two first-round picks and left night one with the best EDGE and TE in this draft and one of the fastest-rising WRs in this draft. D'Angelo Ponds was selected in the second-round and immediately adds a dynamic ball hawk to the secondary. Fourth-round pick Darrell Jackson looks like a potential starter as a rookie, also. Cade Klubnik will battle Brady Cook for the backup QB job and will probably start the year as QB3. But it would not be surprising if Klubnik finds himself in the starting lineup before the end of the season. Cooper and Payne should find roles as important depth pieces for the Jets this year.

The UDFA class is small but two of the players have intriguing upsides to be developed - RB Chip Trayanum / Toledo and WR Caullin Lacy / Louisville. Trayanum is a well-traveled (stops at Arizona State, Ohio State, and Kentucky before Toledo) and powerful RB who is difficult to stop in short yardage and goal line situations. Lacy recorded a slower than anticipated time at the combine (4.55 40) and that undoubtedly hurt his draft status. But Lacy is explosive and could make his mark as an elite kick returner in the NFL.

Rookie Fantasy Football Impact

Sadiq and Cooper both profile as potential difference makers as rookies, although the poor QB situation in NY should lower expectations. Sadiq in particular has tremendous potential to pull off a Brock Bowers-like season since he is an absolute freak - 6031 / 241 lbs who recorded a 4.39 40 / 43.5" Vertical / 11'1" Broad / 26 reps (225 lbs). Sadiq is worth a late round flyer in your fantasy draft. Cooper could operate out of the slot or out wide and will prove to a valuable addition to the Jets offense. But unless you are in a dynasty league, pass on Cooper on draft day.