The NFL Draft is about building for the future, but sometimes the future is now. Some teams really can change their short-term outlook with a few smart picks at the right positions, especially in the early rounds.<\/p>\n
So which teams succeeded and which ones failed in putting the final pieces together for their 2026 puzzle? And how did that affect the overall outlook of the league?<\/p>\n
Here are my post-draft Power Rankings, which set the stage for the 2026 season as the offseason comes to a close.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +40000<\/p>\n
Some believe RB Jeremiyah Love will be the best player out of this draft, but how much is he really going to help a team with so many issues \u2014 particularly along the offensive line? The Cardinals are still the favorite to get the first pick of the 2027 draft.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +30000<\/p>\n
Their two first-round picks were good (OT Kadyn Proctor at 12, CB Chris Johnson at 27) and will help, but they need to get QB Malik Willis some playmakers. Texas Tech WR Caleb Douglas was way too much of a reach in the third to fill the departed Jaylen Waddle\u2019s shoes.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +15000<\/p>\n
Let the offensive rebuild begin with a much-needed tackle (Spencer Fano at No. 9) and two talented receivers (KC Concepcion at No. 24 and Denzel Boston in Round 2). So, whoever their QB is will have help. Oh, and competition, since Cleveland took yet another QB \u2014 Arkansas’ Taylen Green in Round 6. That\u2019s three in two drafts!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Arkansas’ Taylen Green, drafted by the Browns, throws a pass during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +15000<\/p>\n
They had a terrific draft, especially on the first two days, and may have gotten a steal on Day 4 with Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy. And obviously they got their franchise QB in Fernando Mendoza. Their future is brighter, but there\u2019s still a long way to go.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +20000<\/p>\n
They had a great draft, too, adding three starters in the first round (edge David Bailey, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper) and their nickleback in Round 2 (D\u2019Angelo Ponds). QB Geno Smith has plenty of weapons now, but he\u2019s still a liability that\u2019s going to hold this team down.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +9000<\/p>\n
They desperately needed a WR to help Chris Olave, and they found one at No. 8 in Arizona State\u2019s explosive WR Jordyn Tyson. That could be huge for QB Tyler Shough and Kellen Moore\u2019s offense. The Saints’ defense still needs work, but second-round DT Christen Miller will help against the run.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +12000<\/p>\n
They pulled the first surprise of the draft, taking WR Carnell Tate at No. 4, and now QB Cam Ward has several dangerous weapons. Robert Saleh added another edge rusher in the first (Keldric Faulk) and a linebacker in the second (Anthony Hill). This team is a lot more talented than it was.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +6000<\/p>\n
No first-round pick, but they got two defensive starters in LB C.J. Allen and safety A.J. Haulcy on Day 2. Both should be solid players, but might not have a huge impact. The Colts could\u2019ve really used a receiver to replace Michael Pittman, whom they traded away.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +5000<\/p>\n
This draft would\u2019ve looked better if the Eagles hadn\u2019t stolen Makai Lemon from them in the first round. Guard Max Iheanachor, the consolation prize, might be a bit of a project, and second-round WR Germie Bernard was a bit of a reach. Taking QB Drew Allar in the third round was a headline pick, but he\u2019s no help to the Steelers this year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Alabama’s Germie Bernard, drafted by the Steelers, participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine \u00a0at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +6500<\/p>\n
Dan Quinn fell in love with Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, and that\u2019s great. But what this team needed most was offensive playmakers. They got Clemson WR Antonio Williams in the third, but they needed more, plus more help on the offensive line.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +5000<\/p>\n
The fall of edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to No. 15 could be great for Todd Bowles, and second-round LB Josaiah Trotter and fourth-round CB Keionte Scott will help a defense that needs it, too. And Georgia State WR Ted Hurst (6-3, 207) could eventually be a steal for a team that somehow has to replace Mike Evans.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +2500<\/p>\n
They have been laser-focused on the defense all offseason long, as they should be. Getting safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 was a steal, since some thought he was the best player in the draft. And adding two edge rushers (UCF\u2019s Malachi Lawrence in Round 1, Michigan\u2019s Jaishawn Barham in Round 2) helps rebuild their post-Micah Parsons pass rush.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Newly drafted Dallas Cowboys defensive player Caleb Downs (left) and Malachi Lawrence pose with their first-round jerseys following their introductory press conferences at The Star in Frisco, April 24, 2026. The Cowboys 5 Super Bowl trophies are pictured as well. (Tom Fox\/The Dallas Morning News via Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +12000<\/p>\n
Drafting CB Aveion Terrell into the same defensive backfield as his brother A.J. was a nice story with the Falcons\u2019 first pick (second round). But that forced them to wait around to address their glaring need at WR. And they took a risk with the speedy Zachariah Branch, who\u2019s only 5-foot-8, 176 pounds.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +9000<\/p>\n
They prioritized the trenches and got Georgia OT Monroe Freeling in the first, which is good. Their real prize, though, could be Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell in the third round. He\u2019s a 6-4, 198-pounder with 4.3 speed. QB Bryce Young needed a big-play, down-field threat to take some pressure off Tetairoa McMillan.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +7000<\/p>\n
Armed with two top-10 picks, they came away with arguably the draft\u2019s best LB (Arvell Reese) and best offensive lineman (Francis Mauigoa). Then they landed one of the best corners in Round 2 (Colton Hood) and a top-10 WR in Round 3 (Malachi Fields). John Harbaugh\u2019s first draft was fantastic.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +5500<\/p>\n
Trading away edge rusher Jonathan Greenard hurts their defense, especially their pass rush. But at least they stacked the middle with Florida DT Caleb Banks (6-6, 327) and Iowa State DT Domonique Orange (6-2, 322) in Rounds 1 and 3.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1600<\/p>\n
The Packers said they needed a corner and a nose tackle, and they got both with their picks in Rounds 2 and 3. But CB Brandon Cisse and DT Chris McClellan might be more about depth than immediate impact. They also still need a wideout to replace the two they lost.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse, drafted by the Packers, looks on during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine \u00a0at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1700<\/p>\n
Dan Campbell is all about the trenches, and he got help on both sides with OT Blake Miller (Round 1) and edge rusher Derrick Moore (Round 2). Moore taking some pressure off Aidan Hutchinson could really help the Lions\u2019 defense.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1600<\/p>\n
They got an underrated edge rusher (Akheem Mesidor) in Round 1, but what they really needed was O-line help. Florida C Jake Slaughter (Round 2) and Memphis T Travis Burke (Round 4) may have to play a lot right away.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +2200<\/p>\n
They used their first-round pick in a high-upside trade for DT Dexter Lawrence, then drafted underrated Texas A&M edge Cashius Howell in Round 2. Add in big (6-4) corner Tacario Davis in the third and the Bengals may finally have a defense that can keep up with their offense.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1800<\/p>\n
They desperately needed OL help and took big guards in the first and fourth rounds, including Georgia Tech\u2019s Keylan Rutledge No. 26 overall. They also traded up for one of the draft\u2019s best defensive tackles, Ohio State\u2019s Kayden McDonald, in Round 2. The Texans are stronger in the trenches now.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +2500<\/p>\n
They didn’t have a first-round pick and reached for a blocking tight end who caught just 36 passes in five years in college (Texas A&M\u2019s Nate Boerkircher). They\u2019ve got a lot of holes, and their offseason overall hasn\u2019t been good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1600<\/p>\n
They had already acquired a big-play receiver in Mike Evans, but they added a deep threat who could pull coverage away in the draft when they took the big, speedy De\u2019Zhaun Stribling with the first pick of Round 2. They should have the most explosive offense they\u2019ve had in years.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ole Miss’ De’Zhaun Stribling, drafted by the 49ers, participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +2500<\/p>\n
They did what they had to do in the draft, finding a starting safety (Oregon\u2019s Dillon Thieneman) and offensive line help (Iowa C Logan Jones). Everything else just adds to the depth of a team ready to rise.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1500<\/p>\n
They used the draft to reload on defense, taking the best corner (LSU\u2019s Mansoor Delane) and one of the best DTs (Clemson\u2019s Peter Woods) in Round 1. They made sure that when Patrick Mahomes returns, he\u2019ll have a top-10 defense behind him again.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1000<\/p>\n
They traded out of the first round and focused on defense. Clemson\u2019s T.J. Parker makes them deep off the edge, and Ohio State\u2019s Davison Igbinosun strengthens them at CB. Fourth-round OT Jude Bowry could be an instant starter on their line, and he might have to be.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1600<\/p>\n
Their most important job was improving the O-line, which they did with Utah tackle Caleb Lomu (6-6, 313) in Round 1. Second-rounder Gabe Jacas will help them off the edge, too, after losing K\u2019Lavon Chaisson in free agency.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1000<\/p>\n
They hit all their weak spots, finding a road-grading guard (Olaivavega Ioane), an edge rusher to pair with Trey Hendrickson (Zion Young) and a couple of big receivers for Lamar Jackson (Elijah Sarratt, Ja\u2019Kobi Lane). They\u2019re a team that has it all.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1600<\/p>\n
Their wizard GM did it again, coming out of the first two days of the draft with two dangerous weapons (WR Makai Lemon, TE Eli Stowers to replace likely trade piece A.J. Brown) and a huge O-lineman (6-9, 346-pound Markel Bell), and he traded for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. They are so back.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
USC’s Makai Lemon celebrates after being selected 20th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. \u00a0(Photo by Emilee Chinn\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1000<\/p>\n
Replacing the Super Bowl MVP (Kenneth Walker) with Notre Dame\u2019s backup RB (Jadarian Price) in the first round is interesting. They also restocked their secondary on Day 2. The reigning champs are a team without many holes, though.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +1800<\/p>\n
Hard to argue the draft helped them when they had just one pick in the first two days. They didn\u2019t need a lot, though. The offseason addition of WR Jaylen Waddle made them clearly the class of the AFC.<\/p>\n
Super Bowl odds: +800<\/p>\n
They\u2019re still the most talented team in the NFL, but they could\u2019ve locked that in by picking an actual impact player at No. 13. Instead, they took QB Ty Simpson, who won\u2019t help them until 2027 or 2028. This is still the team to beat, though.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NFL Draft is about building for the future, but sometimes the future is now. Some teams really…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21831,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[320,485,331,12198,340,335,339,327,323,329,343,333,11639,488,8,342,486,487,326,318,337,330,328,334,2979,344,325,322,319,9,338,336,341,345,332,321,7,324],"class_list":{"0":"post-21830","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-stories","8":"tag-arizona-cardinals","9":"tag-atlanta-falcons","10":"tag-baltimore-ravens","11":"tag-betting","12":"tag-buffalo-bills","13":"tag-carolina-panthers","14":"tag-chicago-bears","15":"tag-cincinnati-bengals","16":"tag-cleveland-browns","17":"tag-dallas-cowboys","18":"tag-denver-broncos","19":"tag-detroit-lions","20":"tag-gambling","21":"tag-green-bay-packers","22":"tag-headlines","23":"tag-houston-texans","24":"tag-indianapolis-colts","25":"tag-jacksonville-jaguars","26":"tag-kansas-city-chiefs","27":"tag-las-vegas-raiders","28":"tag-los-angeles-chargers","29":"tag-los-angeles-rams","30":"tag-miami-dolphins","31":"tag-minnesota-vikings","32":"tag-national-football-league","33":"tag-new-england-patriots","34":"tag-new-orleans-saints","35":"tag-new-york-giants","36":"tag-new-york-jets","37":"tag-news","38":"tag-philadelphia-eagles","39":"tag-pittsburgh-steelers","40":"tag-san-francisco-49ers","41":"tag-seattle-seahawks","42":"tag-tampa-bay-buccaneers","43":"tag-tennessee-titans","44":"tag-top-stories","45":"tag-washington-commanders"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21830","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21830\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}