NFL Power Rankings: 10 Best Picks of the 2026 NFL Draft

April 30, 2026

NFL Power Rankings: 10 Best Picks of the 2026 NFL Draft. Ranking the top-10 picks from the 2026 NFL Draft. Read the top selections from the 2026 NFL Draft including Makai Lemon, Omar Cooper Jr., and more.

With the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, it's time to spotlight the top-10 picks that were made across the three days.

While some teams may have struck gold with their first selection, some teams may have hit the jackpot with their Day 3 selection.

What were the top-10 section from the 2026 NFL Draft? Let's dive in!

Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1, Pick 20

The Eagles moved up to the No. 20 spot to secure one of the top wide receivers in the class. Prior to the draft, Lemon was viewed in the same tier as both Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson. Both Tate and Tyson went in the top-10, giving the Eagles great value at this selection.

Lemon was a unanimous All-American in his final college season with USC, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. From a roster standpoint, the Eagles likely secure their new No. 2 WR, as A.J. Brown appears all but certain to be traded. The Eagles' offense will remain just as potent with an elite secondary option alongside DeVonta Smith.

Malachi Lawrence, DE - Dallas Cowboys

Round 1, Pick 23

The Cowboys will have two selections on our list. They made a second pick in Round 1 after selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at the No. 11 spot. The Cowboys opted to bolster their defensive line with Malachi Lawrence out of UCF. Lawrence has totaled at least 7.0 sacks in two of his final three college seasons and will bring an enhanced package to this defense.

Last season, the Cowboys totaled just 35.0 sacks, which placed them near the bottom of the league. Their secondary struggled as well, given the lack of pressure they put on opposing QBs. This was the definition of a "draft by need" and a great selection by the Cowboys at the price tag.

For the fans saying the Cowboys reached for Malachi Lawrence, Will McClay told me “we’ll see when we turn on the lights”

McClay added he got calls from four other teams after saying the Cowboys got their guy.

He says Chris Vaughn, his assistant director of college scouting,…

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) April 24, 2026

Arvell Reese, DE - New York Giants

Round 1, Pick 5

While the Eagles and Cowboys drafted for needs as discussed above, the Giants drafted for value. The one position on their team that they did not need much help with was the defensive line, as they already have Kayvon Thibodeaux and recently drafted Abdul Carter with a top-5 selection last spring. However, Reese was projected to be a top-3 pick and fell down the board.

Reese won a National Championship with Ohio State in 2025 and had a dominant campaign, earning consensus All-America honors and totaling 6.95 sacks and a season-high 69 combined tackles.

Kayden McDonald, DT - Houston Texans

Round 2, Pick 36

Like the Giants, the Texans selected the best player on the board, even though their defense is always well-regarded as the best in the sport. In Round 2, the Texans selected Kayden McDonald out of Ohio State to join Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. McDonald was named an Offensive All-American last season for the Buckeyes and put together his most complete season.

He logged a career-high 65 combined tackles with 9.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. While their offense remains inconsistent, this Houston defense will remain as elite as it was last season and will single-handedly win games once again.

Omar Cooper Jr., WR - New York Jets

Round 1, Pick 30

One of the final selections in the opening round that stood out was the Jets bolstering their wide receiver room with Omar Cooper Jr. The Jets have lacked proven pass catchers outside of Garrett Wilson and now may have finally paired him with a competent No. 2 option. Cooper flashed upside during his sophomore season at Indiana but emerged as a top wide receiver in 2025.

During that season, Cooper tallied 937 yards and 13 touchdowns on 69 receptions. He consistently showed elite footwork (especially near the red zone), hands, and upside after the catch. The Jets drastically improved their offensive surroundings in the draft and should put their potential QB of the future (who will be drafted in 2027) in a great position to find immediate success.

The only P4 WR prospects since 2018 with a passer rating when targeted > 140.00 and a missed tackle rate > 1/3 in their 'best' college season..

🔘 Omar Cooper Jr, Indiana
🔘 Malik Nabers, LSU
🔘 CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

Jets WR Omar Cooper Jr. should be an immediate impact type of… pic.twitter.com/R0z8owUTUo

— Adam Carter (@impactfbdata) April 24, 2026

Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1, Pick 15

Another top value in the opening round was defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., joining the Buccaneers. Bain is the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year and has been one of the nation's top pass rushers throughout this time in Miami. During his three seasons in college, Bain tallied at least 7.5 sacks in two seasons.

In 2025, he totaled a career-high 9.5 sacks with 15.5 TFL and 54 combined tackles. Bain has the profile to make an immediate impact in his debate campaign.

Chris Bell, WR - Miami Dolphins

Round 3, Pick 94

Among offensive skill players, Chris Bell may provide the most value relative to draft cost. The Dolphins netted the draft with the league's own worst ever room after trading Jaylen Waddle during free agency to the Denver Broncos, opting not to re-sign long-time superstar Tyreek Hill.

However, Chris Bell has the potential to grow into a lead role on this roster. Bell emerged as a top wideout in the Louisville offense over his last two seasons, totaling at least 700 yards in each season and a career-high 917 yards and six scores in 2025.

Jermod McCoy, DB - Las Vegas Raiders

Round 4, Pick 101

One of the biggest fallers in this year's class was Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy. Due to concerns regarding a previous knee injury, the first-round talent fell to the opening pick in Day 3 to the Las Vegas Raiders. While there is some risk in his profile, selecting him with a Round 4 pick was a great value and does not carry much risk at this price tag.

With the Volunteers (2024), McCoy was considered one of the nation's top defensive backs, totaling 44 combined tackles with four interceptions. Even though he missed the entire 2025 NFL season, McCoy could quickly find his footing on a rebuilding Raiders roster.

Kaytron Allen, RB - Washington Commanders

Round 6, Pick 187

The Commanders were linked to several of the top running backs in this year's class, but they opted to wait until Day 3 to address this position, with Kaytron Allen out of Penn State. Last spring, they selected Jacory Croskey-Merritt in Round 7 and found success, and could have very well hit on this pick once again.

Allen posted back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns for the Nittany Lions. Over his four seasons, he totaled double-digit rushing scores in two of them and is coming off a career-best 6.2 YPC campaign.

Caleb Downs, S - Dallas Cowboys

Round 1, Pick 11

Rounding out our list will be the second Cowboys selection. The Cowboys may have struck gold on both of their first-round selections this year, but their first pick (at the No. 11 spot) was their best. The Cowboys traded up to this selection to take the top safety in this year's class, Caleb Downs.

Downs is a two-time consensus All-American (over three collegiate seasons) and finished in the top 9 in Heisman voting in 2025. He has logged at least two interceptions in each of his three seasons and totaled more than 80 tackles in two of the three.

Spoke with a few NFL GMs in attendance for Ohio State vs Texas. Unanimous agreement that #Buckeyes' safety Caleb Downs is a sensational prospect:

• "Flawless instincts"
• "Highly intelligent"
• "Scary closing speed"

But maybe my favorite quote: "There's some Earl Thomas and… pic.twitter.com/czZwjsQqXo

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 30, 2025

More Fantasy Football Analysis