2026 NFL Draft Franchise Post-Draft Review - AFC South

SNS takes a deep dive look into how every NFL team reloaded during the 2026 NFL Draft - every draft pick is evaluated and each UDFA class is assessed. Every NFL team is graded on how they addressed team needs and an early assessment is made about what to expect in the coming season. And for those who play fantasy football, consider this your first primer on the 2026 NFL rookie fantasy class as each rookie class is assessed and future stars are identified! The 2026 NFL Franchise Post-Draft Review is here to help you make sense of what every NFL team was trying to accomplish in Pittsburgh last month.

Rd (Pick #)

DRAFT PICKS

1 (26)

Keylan Rutledge 

OG

Georgia Tech

The Texans have no major needs and decide to draft the meanest and nastiest OL in this draft. Rutledge is strong, physical, and works until the echo of the whistle. Rutledge is equally adept at both run and pass blocking and is an instant starter in Houston.

2 (36)

Kayden McDonald

IDL

Ohio State

McDonald earned a first-round grade but fell to the second round and gets selected into a great situation in Houston. McDonald lacks desired experience but he excels as a run defender and is just starting to tap into his potential.

2 (59)

Marlin Klein 

TE

Michigan

Klein, a German citizen, really came on late in the scouting process by displaying an excellent level of athleticism while playing with prototypical size for an in-line Y-TE. Klein should compete to be the Texans second or third TE next fall.

4 (106)

Febechi Nwaiwu 

OG

Oklahoma

Extremely experienced at both guard and center, Nwaiwu displayed starter's traits after shifting to center last season after Troy Everett was lost for the season. Nwaiwu's versatility should allow him to earn a living as a backup IOL in the NFL. 

4 (123)

Wade Woodaz

LB

Clemson

Woodaz looks like the modern-era LB with the size (6030 / 236 lbs) and range to be developed into a starter. Woodaz is instinctive and reliable tackler who breaks down well in space.

5 (141)

Kamari Ramsey

S

USC

Ramsey joins former Trojan Calen Bullock in the Texans' secondary and will likely compete for playing time in the slot as a rookie. Ramsey has experience in the slot and as a free safety and that versatility should serve him well in Houston.

6 (204)

Lewis Bond

WR

Boston College

Bond is one of the best route runners available in the 2026 NFL Draft and is a reliable and highly productive WR - he finished fifth in the nation with 88 receptions last season. Bond is not an exceptional athlete but he is a technician who is quicker than fast, separates well, and has exceptional hands. Bond wil push for a roster spot this summer and could work his way into playing time over the next couple of seasons. Great value pick.

7 (243)

Aiden Fisher

LB

Indiana

Another prospect who surprisingly dropped in the draft was the talented MLB for the National Champions. Fisher has very good instincts and rarely is fooled or taking missteps. Very high football IQ. Good range but does not have great foot speed, which limits his ability to play on third down. Fisher is a little tight in the hips and struggles covering quick receivers in space. Quality read and react skills in the run game. Fills the alley and plays the run well. Good strength and fights through blocks with effort and tenacity. Needs to improve shedding ability to get off blocks quicker. Brings pads on contact and finishes the tackle – comes in balanced and brings pads on contact. Fisher has a great profile for special teams, which will be his ticket to earning a living in the NFL as a rookie.

UDFA Signings

Noah Whittington

RB

Oregon

Josh Pitsenburger

RB

Yale

Jalen Walthall

WR

Incarnate Word

Daniel Sobkowicz

WR

Illinois State

Treyvhon Saunders

WR

Colgate

Sam Hagen

OT

South Dakota State

James Neal

OT

Iowa State

Sabastian Harsh

EDGE

North Carolina State

Dominic Bailey

IDL

Tennessee

Stephen Hall

CB

Missouri

Collin Wright

CB

Stanford

Chris Freeman

K

UCONN

Jack Stonehouse

P

Syracuse

Draft Needs - IDL, IOL, WR, OT, LB

Draft & UDFA Grade - B+

2026 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

The Texans entered the 2026 NFL Draft without any significant holes or needs and then proceeded to draft prospects that fit the Texans' system. Rutledge plays with the nasty disposition desired in an IOL and looks like a plug and play starter as a rookie. McDonald earned a first-round grade but fell out of round one due to his inexperience and perceived lack of pass rushing upside. McDonald will be a major contributor and possible starter as a rookie. Klein was taken a bit too early but he was a rapidly ascending talent with the size and upside to become an eventual starter. Nwaiwu has the versatility to be a valuable IOL backup with the ability to start in a pinch. Woodaz is a smart and instinctive LB with the experience, range, and tackling skill desired. Woodaz will push for a starting job within the next couple of seasons. Ramsey should be an immediate contributor in the secondary while Fisher will need to excel on special teams to earn a job on the 53-man roster. Bond is a fluid technician who has very good hands and is ultra-reliable. He will force his way into playing time before too long.

The Texans have a stacked and loaded roster which makes it very difficult for an UDFA to make the 53-man roster or practice squad. Whittington and Pitsenburger are competing for one practice squad spot. Walthall and Sobkowicz are two FCS WR prospects who are likely fighting for one practice squad spot over the summer. Neal earned a draftable grade and perhaps has the best chance of any UDFA to earn a 53-man roster spot. Neal may be destined to slide inside to guard in the NFL. Harsh and Bailey flash enough skill to be added to the practice squad but it is unlikely that both prospects make it so their competition should be fierce. Wright surprisingly went undrafted and the Texans' secondary is very deep so he may not make the 53-man roster but seems like a lock for the practice squad, at a minimum. Stonehouse has an NFL-caliber leg and will likely win a punting job somewhere in the NFL over the next couple of seasons.

Rookie Fantasy Football Impact

The Texans were primarily back filling at the 2026 NFL Draft and added only one skill position player to the roster - TE Marlin Klein, who will be primarily tasked with providing blocking on the line as a Y-TE and will seldom be used in the passing offense. In other words, there are no rookies that should factor into Houston's offense this fall.

Rd (Pick #)

DRAFT PICKS

2 (53)

CJ Allen

LB

Georgia

CJ Allen may have slipped down draft boards since the NFL Scouting Combine in February but he fell into a perfect situation where he can step into a starting role as a rookie after Zaire Franklin was traded to Green Bay in the off-season. Great pick by the Colts.

3 (78)

AJ Haulcy

S

LSU

Haulcy is one of the biggest safeties available in this draft class - 5115 / 215 lbs - and is an instinctive playmaker who always seems to be near the ball in space and displays fine ball skills with 10 career INTs and 17 passes defensed in his college career.

4 (113)

Jalen Farmer

OG

Kentucky

Farmer has a great combination of size (6047 / 322 lbs / 34 & 1/4" Arms) and athleticism (4.93 40 / 9'7" Broad) that are desired in a starting OL. Farmer is naturally powerful and has surprising agility to earn playing time as a rookie and become a starter by the beginning of his second season.

4 (135)

Bryce Boettcher

LB

Oregon

Boettcher is a highly-rated member of the Houston Astros farm system and MLB could be his professional destination as an outfielder, although Boettcher seems intent on playing in the NFL. Boettcher's instincts, intensity, and tackling ability should make him a great asset on special teams as he develops as a future starter at middle LB.

5 (156)

George Gumbs

EDGE

Florida

Gumbs flashes an elite skill set of twitch, ability to bend, flatten, and close with an impressive burst as a pass rusher. Gumbs needs to become more sturdy against the run but his pass rushing upside gives him an opportunity to contribute in sub-packages as a pass rusher as a rookie.

6 (214)

Caden Curry

EDGE

Ohio State

Curry is a one-year starter in Columbus who has tweener size (6030 / 257 lbs / 30 & 1/8" Arms) and skill set between a 4-3 and a 3-4 EDGE. Curry is a twitchy athlete who can bend, flatten, and close on the QB in the pocket but his lack of size and strength limits his effectiveness against the run. Curry will need to prove himself on special teams to earn a chance at playing time in the NFL as a rookie.

7 (237)

Seth McGowan

RB

Kentucky

McGowan ended up drafted despite being dismissed from the Oklahoma football team as a freshman after being arrested -has taken accountability for his arrest and has not had any legal issues since early in his college career. McGowan (5115 / 223 lbs)is a powerfully built RB with plenty of body armor possessing the height, frame, and mass desired for running between the tackles. Physical runner with great forward lean – falls forward consistently. Excellent contact balance and drives legs through contact. McGowan runs angry and physical. Although McGowan still needs reps to improve his route running, his skill set is ideally-suited to serve as a backup and short yardage specialist to All-Pro Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis.

7 (254)

Deion Burks

WR

Oklahoma

After trading Michael Pittman to the Steelers earlier this off-season, the perception entering the 2026 NFL Draft was that the Colts needed to add another WR. And after passing on the position through the first six rounds, the Colts finally select a WR in the undersized Burks. Burks lines up out wide for the Sooners but will most likely be a slot receiver in the NFL. Very physical despite lack of size. Quick with good lateral agility – difficult and risky to jam at the LOS. Dangerous runner on end arounds and has dangerous YAC ability with the ball in space. Burks has big, soft hands and he is a reliable and clutch receiver who shows up when the lights are brightest. Burks is an outstanding seventh-round pick with starting potential down the line. Burks should secure a spot on the 53-man roster this fall.

UDFA Signings

Raylen Sharpe

WR

Arkansas

Mitchell Melton

EDGE

Virginia

Cameron Ball

IDL

Arkansas

Tahj Chambers

LB

Ole Miss

West Weeks

LB

LSU

Austin Brown

S

Wisconsin

Draft Needs - LB, S, OT, WR, QB

Draft & UDFA Grade - B

2026 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

The Colts did not have a first-round pick, having traded that selection away to the Jets for Sauce Gardner, and did not make their first pick until pick number 53 in the second-round. And with that pick Indy selected a borderline first-round draft pick in Allen, a fast and instinctive off-the-ball LB with the range to upgrade the LB corps immediately. Boettcher will compete for a starting job and adds a potential demon on special teams. Haulcy is a big safety with LB size and quality ball skills in space. Farmer is an ascending talent with starting potential. Gumbs and Curry are very similar players and their training camp competition will be a fascinating subplot to watch develop this summer. McGowan provides a powerful running option as a substitute for Jonathan Taylor. Burks is a compactly-built WR with the quickness and speed to separate effectively.

Indy's 2026 UDFA class is small but several of these prospects could have NFL futures. Melton has a nice combination of size, length, and athleticism to possibly convert to off-the-ball LB. Melton will try to continue his career on the practice squad. Ball has NFL-size and power but lack of consistency has plagued him throughout his time in Fayetteville. Chambers has displayed the instincts, range, and agility to contribute on special teams. Brown is physical and tough but his lack of ball production limits his upside. He will need to excel on special teams to make the practice squad this fall.

Rookie Fantasy Football Impact

McGowan and Burks both have to secure an NFL job before either prospect can be talked about from a fantasy perspective but both players have potential to be productive fantasy options in your league. Monitor them as potential streaming options but neither prospect should be drafted over the summer.

Rd (Pick #)

DRAFT PICKS

2 (56)

Nate Boerkircher

TE

Texas A&M

Boerkircher teases with his raw athletic ability and premium size but the lack of production and average hands limit his upside. But Boerkircher is a quality blocker and a very hard worker. He looks to be the Jags' number two TE this season.

3 (81)

Albert Regis

IDL

Texas A&M

Although Regis lacks desired length, he is a physical mauler inside who is one of the best run stuffing DTs in his class. Regis should immediately be a contributor and push for a starting spot next fall.

3 (88)

Emmanuel Pregnon

OG

Oregon

Pregnon, who many analysts thought may sneak into the bottom of the first-round, falls to the end of the third-round due to balance concerns. But Pregnon is a beast of a run blocker who should compete for a starting job as a rookie.

3 (100) 

Jalen Huskey

S

Maryland

Huskey is a productive ball hawk who is a classic free safety with the range and speed to play as a single-high safety. Huskey should push for a starting job before the end of his rookie season.

4 (119)

Wesley Williams 

EDGE

Duke

The Jags add the explosive and twitchy Williams who  has been a solid and durable starter throughout his career in Durham. Williams has flashed but needs to get stronger to improve his ability to contain the outside run. Williams has starting potential with continued development.

5 (164)

Tanner Koziol

TE

Houston

The Jags add one of the best receiving options at the TE position in Koziol, having recorded 168 receptions over the last two seasons at Ball State and Houston. Koziol offers little as a blocker and has limited YAC ability but is a dangerous target on third down and near the end zone.

6 (191)

Josh Cameron

WR

Baylor

Cameron, a prospect that earned a third-round grade from SNS, surprisingly falls to the sixth-round despite being one of the best and most dangerous YAC ability of any WR in this draft class. Cameron has a similar game to Deebo Samuels where he grinds defenders under his gears. Cameron should earn a roster spot and push for playing time before the end of his rookie season.

6 (203)

CJ Williams

WR

Stanford

The Jags use two sixth-round picks on WRs. After adding Josh Cameron (#191), the Jaguars add Williams, another tall and fast WR. Williams was the best offensive weapon on an otherwise moribund Cardinal offense and he has very good leaping ability that should make him a good weapon to deploy near the end zone. Williams should push for a roster or practice squad spot over the summer.

7 (233)

Zach Durfee

EDGE

Washington

Durfee started his career at Sioux Falls and developed into an NFL quality EDGE at Washington. Durfee has a tweener build and skill set but flashes dynamic speed-to-power conversion and displays the ability to bend, flatten, and close with an impressive burst on the QB. Durfee will need to show out on special teams to get a chance to play EDGE in the NFL.

7 (240)

Parker Hughes

LB

MTSU

Hughes (6010 / 225 lbs) is a surprising selection since most scouting services did not give Hughes a draftable grade. Hughes is coming of his most productive season of his career when he finished with 100 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INTs, and 2 passses defensed last year in the Sun Belt. Hughes will need to excel on special teams to earn a roster spot and will likely start his career on the Jags' practice squad next season.

UDFA Signings

Joey Aguilar

QB

Tennessee

J'Mari Taylor

RB

Virginia

Ben Patterson

WR

Texas-Permian Basin

Alex Bullock

WR

South Dakota State

Trebor Pena

WR

Penn State

Brady Boyd

WR

Utah State

Michael Wortham

WR

Montana

Ethan Conner

TE

Troy

Jimto Obidegwu

OL

North Texas

Garrett DiGiorgio

OL

UCLA

Jordan White

OC

Vanderbilt

Bryan Thomas

EDGE

South Carolina

Quindarius Dunnigan

EDGE

Michigan State

TJ Bollers

IDL

California

Jalen Hunt

IDL

Cincinnati

Devon Marshall

CB

North Carolina State

Preston Hodge

CB

Colorado

Devin Neal

S

Virginia

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

Draft & UDFA Grade - C-

2026 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

The Jags' did not select until pick number 56 in the second-round, trading away their first-round pick in the deal at last year's draft for Travis Hunter and then appeared to reach for fast-rising TE prospect Boerkircher, whose combination of size and raw athleticism has many fans in the scouting community. But Boerkircher's lack of production and inconsistency is hard to ignore. Fifth-round pick Koziol is an extremely big and productive TE who offers little as a blocker but is a vacuum that catches every ball thrown near him. With their first two third-round picks, the Jags drafted two potential starters in Regis and Pregnon, who are physically strong and powerful and could become starters by mid-season. Huskey is a rangy ballhawk who addresses a major need in the secondary and he should start before the upcoming season concludes. Wesley Williams has flashed as an EDGE with the athleticism and twitch to contribute as a pass rush specialist as a rookie. Jacksonville used both of their sixth-round picks on WRs Cameron and Williams, only one of which is likely to contribute much this coming fall. The money here is on Cameron, a physical runner after the catch. Both seventh-round picks are head-scratchers. Neither Durfee or Hughes earned draftable grades from SNS and both prospects are likely to start their NFL careers on the practice squad.

Jacksonville signed a large class of UDFAs, most of which will push for a job on the practice squad, but a couple of these prospects have displayed the skills and have the experience to contribute in the NFL. Aguilar has displayed the arm strength and experience to be developed into a quality NFL backup QB but he needs to take care of the ball better - he has a propensity for the ill-timed INT. Taylor earned a draftable grade but fell out of the draft and his combination of size and instincts give him a chance to earn a job on the 53-man roster. Wortham has flashed as a returner and that could be his ticket to a roster spot. DiGiorgio has lined up all over the OL and his size and versatility give him a chance to make the final roster in September. Thomas has displayed the pass rushing ability to make the roster. Thomas is sort of a tweener between EDGE and OLB and will need to shine on special teams to make the team. Hunt played out of place at 5T in Cincinnati's odd man front but has displayed the strength and two-gap ability to make the team at the end of summer. Marshall is perhaps the best UDFA signed by the Jags. Although he lacks desired size and length, he displays great coverage ability with the confident swagger desired in CBs. Expect Marshall to start a game or two his rookie season.

Rookie Fantasy Football Impact

Although Boerkircher was drafted first, Koziol grades out as a far superior fantasy option as a rooke. In fact, Koziol grades out as a potential fantasy starter within the next couple of years. Using a late round flyer on Koziol could pay dividends later this fall. If Cameron or Williams earns playing time, they could be useful streaming options later this season but otherwise, no need to draft either rookie WR later this summer.

Rd (Pick #)

DRAFT PICKS

1 (4)

Carnell Tate

WR

Ohio State

The first surprise selection of the first-round, Tate profiles as the number one WR in Nashville as a rookie. Tate is much faster in real life than he ran at the Combine (4.53 40) and gives Cam Ward a dangerous WR with size and body control to excel as the top WR as a rookie.

1 (31)

Keldric Faulk 

EDGE

Auburn

The Titans trade back into the first-round to pick the young and talented EDGE, Faulk. Faulk is young (he will only be 20 this next season) but has good college experience and is an improving talent. Faulk is an excellent run stuffer who can unpack a powerful bull rush to generate pressure on the QB.

2 (60)

Anthony Hill

LB

Texas

Hill has excellent speed and range and is one of the best coverage LBs available in this draft. Hill is an experienced and durable leader with the size and agility to match-up well with TEs in space.

5 (142)

Fernando Carmona

OG

Arkansas

Carmona profiles as a valuable, long-term backup who can play OG or OT in the NFL. Carmona started for two-years at OLT at San Jose State and then slid inside to guard after transferring to Fayetteville. Carmona is strong, steady, durable, and versatile. He could have a long NFL career.

5 (165) 

Nicholas Singleton

RB

Penn State

The Titans add a big and speedy RB to the RB room in Singleton, a former 5-star recruit with excellent speed not normally found in a large RB. Singleton has soft hands and is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. Singleton will push Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears for playing time and could earn the starting job before the end of his rookie season.

6 (184)

Jackie Marshall

IDL

Baylor

Marshall is a somewhat undersized and underpowered IDL (6024 / 300 / 31 & 7/8" Arms) who relies on his twitch, burst, and quickness to win at the snap but can get washed out at the LOS by a powerful IOL. Marshall has impressive range and when his motor is on, he has some impressive film. But he disappears too often and is too ineffective against the run. Marshall will likely start his career on the practice squad next fall.

6 (194)

Pat Coogan

OC

Indiana

Coogan is a big, powerful center who is naturally strong and powerful run blocker. Strength makes him difficult to bull rush – extremely strong anchor. Possesses enough lateral agility to be effective blocking in the screen game or out front, although he struggles the farther he has to move. Balance is sometimes an issue and he tends to grab when falling, making him susceptible to holding calls. Limited athletic ability and lateral agility and is best used in the box. Coogan may never be a starter but he provides a durable and intelligent backup IOL who improves the character of any team he is on.

7 (225)

Jaren Kanak

TE-FB

Oklahoma

The second-consecutive Sooner draft pick who should excel on special teams in the NFL, Kanak is a former LB with over 100 career tackles at OU (2022-2024) who is very agile and athletic with outstanding foot speed – is a dangerous runner after the catch. Kanak possesses rare speed for the position. and is used as a FB in some sets – gets a good fit but does not generate much movement. Will need to improve power and blocking form to generate more movement at the POA. FB may be his long-term NFL position but he needs to prove his worth on special teams first. 

UDFA Signings

Kaidon Salter

QB

Colorado

Tyren Montgomery

WR

John Carroll

Hank Beatty

WR

Illinois

Aamil Wagner

OT

Notre Dame

Rasheed Miller

OT

Louisville

Kobe Barnes

OG

Kansas

Shad Banks

LB

UTSA

Sean Brown

LB

North Carolina State

Mani Powell

LB

Purdue

Jalen McMurray

CB

Tennessee

Latrell McCutchin

CB

Houston

Bishop Fitzgerald

S

USC

Draft Needs - CB, IOL, S, EDGE, IDL

Draft & UDFA Grade - B+

2026 NFL Draft & UDFA Analysis

The Titans left Pittsburgh a much more competitive and deeper team then when they entered after using two first-round picks to address two areas of need in WR and EDGE with the drafting of Tate and Faulk. Both players should be immediate starters this fall. Hill was a great value pick at number 60 and should step-in and be an immediate starter as an off-the-ball LB in Nashville. Carmona provides versatile depth with experience at both OT and guard in college and should be a high-end backup OL. Singleton steps into a solid backfield but is the most talented RB on the Titans - he will likely be the top RB on the team by the end of the season. Marshall is very twitchy and quick but has only flashed and was not been a reliable starter in Waco. Seems like a bit of a reach at pick 184. Coogan is a big and powerful center with the experience and character to play in the NFL for a decade. Kanak is very fast and displayed promising receiving ability last season in Norman. How Kanak performs on special teams will effect his future with the Titans.

Several UDFAs signed by the Titans have an excellent chance to make the Titans' roster over the summer. Montgomery and Beatty both have opportunities to make the 53-man roster or practice squad. Montgomery is quick and displays great vertical speed while Beatty is a physical, possession receiver. Both WR prospects are likely to make the team or practice squad. Wagner and Miller both earned draftable grades but the depth of the OT class caused both prospects to fall through the cracks. Both Wagner and Miller have the desired size, length, and lateral agility to earn a spot on the 53-man roster with the loser of the competition likely starting his career on the practice squad. Banks and Brown are both undersized off-the-ball LBs with excellent range and foot speed. Special teams will be their ticket to the regular season roster. McCutchin and McMurray both earned draftable grades but both fell out of the draft. McCutchin has desired size and length but is tight in the hips while McMurray is a quality slot CB. Both prospects could earn a job on either the 53-man roster or practice squad. Fitzgerald ran a slower than anticipated 40 time at the combine but has the range and the instincts to compete for a job on the practice squad this summer.

Rookie Fantasy Football Impact

Tate and Singleton both have a lot of fantasy value and both should be targeted in the middle rounds of your fantasy draft this summer. Tate profiles as Tennessee's number one WR immediately and that makes him one of the best rookie WRs available in fantasy football. The Titans need to improve the offensive line and that may limit his ceiling as a rookie, but Tate seems likely to exceed 1,000 yards receiving this season. Singleton does not have as much initial value as Tate since he has significant competition to earn playing time with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Sharpe, but Singleton is a home run threat anytime he touches the ball and he has the strength and contact balance to flourish carrying the ball between the tackles. Singleton should win the starting job before the conclusion of his rookie season.