Every NFL Team's Best Pick of the 2026 NFL Draft

May 11, 2026

Every NFL Team's Best Pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Read every NFL Team's Best Pick of the 2026 NFL Draft including Carnell Tate, Kenyon Sadiq, and more.

The 2026 NFL Draft is finally in the books. While some of the early selections went as expected, there were a handful of surprising picks later in the first round and throughout the weekend.

As a result, let's take a look at each team's best pick from the 2026 NFL Draft and determine which team has put itself in the best position to succeed early in the upcoming season.

Let's dive in!

Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love, RB (Round 1, Pick 3)

While running back was not a clear position of need on this roster, the Cardinals selected a much-needed impact player on offense. While their passing offense was above average, they could not generate consistent production in their backfield, which lost James Conner and Trey Benson to season-ending injuries.

Love is coming off two straight 1,000-yard campaigns with Notre Dame and finished third in Heisman voting in 2025. During this season, Love was a consensus All-American, scoring 18 rushing touchdowns and averaging 6.9 YPC.

Atlanta Falcons

Zachariah Branch, WR (Round 3, Pick 79)

While Drake London has emerged as a legit WR1 in this offense, they lack a proven No. 2 option. Last season, Darnell Mooney was inconsistent in this role, which prompted the Falcons to turn to Zachariah Branch in the third round of the draft. Branch spent his first two years of college at USC before joining the Bulldogs in 2025.

With Georgia, Branch emerged as one of the nation's top pass catchers, totaling 811 yards and leading the SEC with 81 receptions. He also found the back of the end zone six times.

Baltimore Ravens

Olaivavega Ioane, OL (Round 1, Pick 14)

The Ravens struggled to protect Lamar Jackson during the 2025 season, allowing a high 45 sacks and finishing 12th in the league. Fortunately, the Ravens addressed this weakness with their first selection by adding Olaivavega Ioane to the line with the 14th pick in the draft.

Ioane was a three-year starter at Penn State and will bring much-needed depth to this offensive line, which will continue to use a run-heavy scheme in 2026.

Buffalo Bills

Skyler Bell, WR (Round 4, Pick 125)

The Bills opted to trade down in the opening round, which netted them extra selections in Days 2 and 3. While they made a handful of solid picks on Day 2, their Day 3 WR will take the spot on this list. The Bills already addressed a need at wide receiver by trading for DJ Moore; the Bills still need more impact at this position.

Skyler Bell is coming off a dominant campaign and is in position to make an immediate impact in Buffalo. In 2025, Bell was named a consensus All-American when he tallied 1,278 yards on 101 receptions.

Carolina Panthers

Chris Brazzell, WR (Round 3, Pick 83)

Another wide receiver will hold the next spot on our list. The Panthers found their true WR1 in Tetairoa McMillan in last year's draft, but have been unable to find a reliable No. 2, as Jalen Coker has battled several injuries and Xavier Legette has yet to live up to his first-round draft pedigree.

Brazzell was a force in the red zone for Tennessee last season, scoring an SEC-leading nine touchdowns with 62 receptions and 1,017 receiving yards.

Chicago Bears

Malik Muhammad, DB (Round 4, Pick 124)

The Bears surpassed expectations last season, but a weakness on this emerging roster is their secondary. Last season, the Bears allowed a rather high 227.2 passing yards per game, placing them in the bottom half of the league. However, the Bears addressed this position buy selecting Malik Muhammad with the 124th pick of the draft.

Muhammad has served as a key contributor to the Texas secondary for each of the past three seasons. In 2025, Muhammad logged at least 21 solo tackles for the third straight season and added a season-high two interceptions.

Cincinnati Bengals

Connor Lew, C (Round 4, Pick 128)

The Bengals have major concerns about their offensive line, especially in protecting franchise QB Joe Burrow. This team is built to win in 2026, but they will need Burrow to stay on the field. However, he has battled several injuries over the past few seasons, and bolstering the offensive line will put him in the best position to succeed.

Lew served as a full-time option on the Auburn offensive line for all three seasons of his college career. Per scouting reports, Lew allowed just four total pressures in pass protection last season.

Cleveland Browns

KC Concepcion, WR (Round 1, Pick 24)

The Browns need playmakers in their wide receiver room, and targeting top prospect KC Concepcion in the opening round will provide a massive package to this passing attack. Last season, both Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman struggled to be consistent, which will give Concepcion the opportunity to claim the lead role.

Last season, Concepcion was named consensus All-American for Texas A&M as he led the SEC in receiving touchdowns (nine) and totaled a career-high 919 yards.

Dallas Cowboys

Caleb Downs, S (Round 1, Pick 11)

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. Downs may be the missing piece to this secondary.

Denver Broncos

Jonah Coleman, RB (Round 4, Pick 108)

The Broncos opted to bolster their running back in the fourth round. While on the surface, it may appear their running back room is one of the strongest with J.K. Dobbins returning and second-year RJ Harvey listed at the top of the room. However, Dobbins has rarely stayed healthy in his career, and Harvey struggled as a rusher in his debut season.

Coleman may not only carve out a role as a change-of-pace back but also find a role in the second half of the season, especially if Dobbins misses time or Harvey continues to struggle on the ground. Coleman has averaged at least 5.0 YPC in three of his four college seasons and has produced double-digit rushing scores in back-to-back seasons.

Touchdown, Huskies!

Jonah Coleman adds another for @UW_Football! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VhF9Spu6ea

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2024

Detroit Lions

Keith Abney II, DB (Round 5, Pick 157)

The Lions have struggled to contain opposing QBs and turned to their secondary on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. In Round 5, they made a strong selection by taking Keith Abney II out of Arizona State. Abney has been a playmaking defensive back throughout his college career, tallying at least two interceptions in each of his last two seasons while logging at least 44 combined tackles.

In 2025, the Lions allowed a high 24.3 PPG with 217.4 passing yards per game. Detroit missed the postseason due to its defensive struggles, and adding Abney should help bring much-needed depth to this unit.

Green Bay Packers

Chris McClellan, DT (Round 3, Pick 77)

The Packers filled a need on their defensive line by selecting defensive tackle Chris McClellan out of Missouri. The defensive tackle spent two seasons in Florida before transferring to Missouri for his final two campaigns. With Missouri, McClellan emerged as one of the top interior linemen in this class.

In 2025, he logged a career-best 6.0 sacks with 48 combined tackles, which also set a career high. Given that the Packers allowed 117 total rushing yards per game last season, McClellan will be a welcome addition to a defense that projects to be one of the best in the league with a healthy Micah Parsons.

Houston Texans

Kayden McDonald, DT (Round 2, Pick 36)

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. While this was not a position of clear "need", he was the top player on the board, and the Houston defense is looking even more formidable in 2026.

Indianapolis Colts

C.J. Allen, LB (Round 2, Pick 53)

The Colts found a great value in Round 2 with C.J. Allen out of Georgia. The former Bulldog was a consensus All-American in 2025 and should find an immediate role on this defensive line in his debut campaign. During his final seasons with the Bulldogs, Allen logged 3.5 sacks with an impressive 47 solo tackles.

Allen tallied at least 47 solo tackles in each of his final two seasons, and even logged a career-high 8.0 tackles for loss last fall. Allen will provide some insight into the defense that struggled to contain opposing QBs, allowing a high 247.7 passing yards per game.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Emmanuel Pregnon, G (Round 3, Pick 88)

With Travis Etienne Jr. leaving in free agency, the Jaguars needed to strengthen their offensive line to provide a strong environment for second-year back Bhayshul Tuten and long-time backup Chris Rodriguez Jr. to find success in a starting role. In the third round, the Jaguars selected Emmanuel Pregnon out of Oregon.

The offensive hounds had had a lengthy college career in a part-time role and would immediately make an impact on this offense. Per scouting reports, Pregnon is known as a great run blocker and was credited with first-round talent in the pre-draft process, making him a potential Day 2 steal.

Kansas City Chiefs

Mansoor Delane, DB (Round 1, Pick 6)

The Chiefs traded up to the No. 6 spot to select one of the top coverage players in this year's class, Mansoor Delane out of LSU. After missing out on the postseason in 2025, the Chiefs wasted little time making a big splash to ensure they are competing for the Lombardi Trophy once again.

Delane began his college career with Virginia Tech before moving ot LSU in his final season. With the Tigers, Delane was nominated consensus All-American when he logged 45 combined tackles with 11 total pass deflections.

Las Vegas Raiders

Jermod McCoy, DB (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. McCoy could be an early sleeper for the 2026 DROY award.

Los Angeles Chargers

Akheem Mesidor, LB (Round 1, Pick 22)

The Chargers made one of the best selections in the bottom half of the first round by adding high-end pass rusher Akheem Mesidor to their defense. Mesidor is coming off one of the most dominant campaigns by an edge rusher among this year's class and should carve out a lead role on the defensive line on Day 1.

With Miami in 2205, Mesidor tallied an ACC-leading 12.5 sacks with an impressive 17.5 tackles for loss, both of which set career-highs. Mesidor will bolster one of the strongest defensive lines in football that tallied 43 sacks last season.

Los Angeles Rams

Keagen Trost, OT (Round 3, Pick 94)

The Rams made some questionable selections with their early picks, including quarterback Ty Simpson, who is expected to remain on the bench for his entire rookie season. However, the Rams may have found an impact player with Keagen Trost with the 94th selection in Round 3 of last week's draft.

Trost spent only two seasons playing college football, but flashed high-end raw upside. Scouts credit the lineman as a strong blocker with a strong burst.

Miami Dolphins

Chris Bell, WR (Round 3, Pick 94)

Among offensive skill players, Chris Bell may provide the most value relative to draft cost during this class's debut season. The Dolphins entered the draft with the league's own worst wide receiver 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. Bell could emerge as the team's No. 1 WR as early as training camp.

Minnesota Vikings

Demond Claiborne, RB (Round 6, Pick 198)

One of the few Day 3 picks on this list, running back Demond Claiborne, will represent the Vikings. While the Vikings have Aaron Jones on their roster, the veteran back has struggled with injury and is nearing the end of his career. Behind him is Jordan Mason, who has shown flashes at times but is unlikely to move from the No. 2 role.

As a result, Claiborne cannot only compete for a long-term job in this offense but also carve out a role as a rookie. The Wake Forest product is coming off a strong Year 4 campaign, where he averaged 5.1 YPC, totaled 907 rushing yards, and scored double-digit rushing touchdowns (for the second-straight season).

New England Patriots

Caleb Lomu, OT (Round 1, Pick 28)

Even though the Patriots represented the AFC in the Super Bowl, their offensive line was a major weakness. In 2025, the Patriots allowed the 10th most sacks in the sport, and they immediately addressed this weakness with the opening round selection. The Patriots selected Caleb Lomu out of Utah, who will likely start in Week 1.

In the pre-draft process, the three-year starter was credited as being a natural pass blocker despite his 6-foot-6 frame. In 2025, he was named All-Big 12.

New Orleans Saints

Jordyn Tyson, WR (Round 1, Pick 8)

While Jordyn Tyson has serious concerns regarding his extensive injury history, when not on the field, Tyson has the upside to become the top wide receiver in this rookie class. The Saints selected him wth their eighth overall pick in the draft to serve as the "1B" to Chris Olave in the passing attack.

In 2025, Tyson appeared in just nine games for Arizona State but found the back of the end zone eight times and totaled 711 yards. Tyson has the skill set to emerge as an every-down option in this offense and become one of the best No. 2 WRs in the sport. The Saints are putting young QB Tyler Shough in a great position to succeed as a sophomore.

New York Giants

Arvell Reese, DE (Round 1, Pick 5)

The Giants opted to strengthen one of the strongest parts of their rebuilding roster in the opening round. 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. Reese could be an immediate impact player on a team that may be in the Wild Card race.

New York Jets

Kenyon Sadiq, TE (Round 1, Pick 16)

The Jets needed playmakers on this offense and addressed this issue with Kenyon Sadiq in the middle of the first round. While the Jets still do not have a legit option under center, they are building a strong foundation for when they find their next QB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft. Sadiq entered the draft as the clear TE1 and has the skill set of a wide receiver.

At Oregon in his final season, Sadiq scored eight touchdowns while tallying a season-high 560 yards. Sadiq should provide a massive boost to this offense that scored just 17.6 PPG last season.

Philadelphia Eagles

Makai Lemon, WR (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.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Germie Bernard, WR (Round 2, Pick 47)

While the Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr. in the offseason, they still needed additional playmakers in the wide receiver room, especially if they're going to have their major question under center. Bernard spent his final two seasons with Alabama and put together a strong conclusion to his college career in 2025.

Last season, Bernard found the back of the end zone seven times and totaled a season-high 862 yards. Bernard should take on a starting role in this offense on Day 1 and spark an inconsistent passing game that averaged a low 202.6 passing yards per game.

San Francisco 49ers

Romello Height, DE (Round 3, Pick 70)

While the San Francisco defense is strong on paper, Nick Bosa has battled injuries throughout his career, and adding another high-end option was necessary in the draft. Fortunately for the 49ers, they may have struck gold with this Day 2 selection. He spent his college career with four schools, but turned in his best performance in 2025.

Last fall, Height tallied a dominant 10.0 sacks with a career-high 21 solo tackles. He logged an impressive 11.5 tackles for loss, which also set a career-high.

Seattle Seahawks

Jadarian Price, RB (Round 1, Pick 32)

The Seahawks entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a glaring need at running back. With Kenneth Walker III leaving the reigning Super Bowl Champions in free agency and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL, they lack any proven option to begin the campaign. However, Price was not only a great selection based on need, but he also has the potential to become the long-term option.

With Notre Dame, Price shared the backfield with Love but was still extremely effective with his opportunities. In 2025, Price averaged an elite 6.0 YPC (on 113 attempts) and scored 11 touchdowns and added 674 yards on the ground.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rueben Bain Jr., DE (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. This is one of the best picks in the middle of the opening round.

Tennessee Titans

Carnell Tate, WR (Round 1, Pick 4)

While this pick was surprising on Draft Day, the Titans found a massive spark in their offense in Carnell Tate. Tate was viewed as one of the top pass catchers in this year's class and will take on the WR1 for emerging quarterback Cam Ward. With Ohio State, Tate turned in two strong seasons (2024 and 2025) and even won a National Championship in 2024.

In 2025, Tate took on a much larger role and tallied a season-high 875 yards with nine receiving touchdowns. Among the rookie skill position players, Tate has the clear path to claiming the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Carnell Tate 51-catch, 875-yard, nine-touchdown season in 2025 🔥pic.twitter.com/PuCo54PYxW

— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) April 1, 2026

Washington Commanders

Kaytron Allen, RB (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. Like Bell in Miami, Allen has the path to not only emerge as an impact player but also claim the starting role in his debut season.

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