Every year, the NFL Draft brings a unanimous feeling around every fanbase and organization around the league: hope. We see teams make leaps and bounds to change their fortunes and future team success, while others swing for the fences and come up short. Let’s dive into my three biggest winners of the 2026 NFL Draft!
3. Cleveland Browns
I love everything the Browns addressed with their draft picks. Cleveland has been one of the worst rosters in the NFL in recent memory. With the franchise appearing to turn the page to Shedeur Sanders as the team’s next franchise quarterback, it’s time to accumulate as much talent on this roster as possible.
With their first four picks, they addressed a plethora of their weaknesses. Drafting Spencer Fano with their first pick should be a home run. It never does any harm to invest draft capital in your O-Line. He has experience in playing both sides of the line, left tackle and right tackle. It’s rare to find a tackle at his size with the athleticism he possesses.
They ranked 31st, 27th, and 32nd in passing yards per game, rushing yards per game, and yards per play last season. Lastly, they gave up the 7th most sacks in the NFL last season, 51. If the Browns want to start an upward trajectory, let’s start by keeping their quarterback upright.
With their next two picks, they addressed offensive playmakers. Cleveland drafted KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to beef up their receiving core. KC will provide a different spark for the Browns, who were 21st in the NFL in YAC (yards after catch). They haven’t had someone this explosive in a long time. As for the Boston pick, the 6’3 receiver will lead to chunk plays if he can put his large frame to use, like he did last season when he averaged a career best 14.2 yards per catch.
The Browns picked up one of the steals of the entire NFL Draft, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. He’s rangy at 6’3 and has a nose for the football. EMW tallied 77 tackles last season, which ranked 2nd on Toledo. The team’s defensive numbers are actually solid, but when you have a chance to steal the 2nd or 3rd best safety in the draft, you make that pick every day of the week
NFL Draft Grade: A-
2. New York Jets
With their first four picks, the Jets attacked both sides of the ball. Grabbing the best pass rusher, the best tight end in the class, and one of the most explosive receivers in the draft in the bottom of the first round is great value. Last season, the team ranked 32nd in passing yards per game, 29th in points per game, 29th in offensive touchdowns, and 29th in yards per play. This offense needs firepower, and they got it with Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr.
Let’s discuss their defensive draft picks. Not only did the Jets need to add studs to rush the passer, but they added the best in the draft to do that. David Bailey had a monster season last year with 14.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Bailey’s superpower is also in the running game. He has all the makings of a dominant edge setter. We saw him lead the nation in tackles for loss with 19.5 TFLs.
In the second round, New York picked up Cooper’s collegiate teammate D’Angelo Ponds. Despite being undersized at 5’8, he plays taller than that. His short-range quickness and ability to break on the ball will translate smoothly in the NFL. His only issue is that he might not be physical enough to be an outside corner in the league, but he could be dominant in the slot.
Grade: A
1. NFL Draft Winners: Las Vegas Raiders
If there were a winner of the NFL Draft Award, I’d hand-deliver it to John Spytek and the Las Vegas Raiders. I love every single draft pick this franchise made. For an organization that needed to shake their etches-ketch, this draft class could be the turning point to compete with the rest of the AFC West.
It wasn’t a surprise that Vegas drafted Fernando Mendoza number one overall. In a weak quarterback draft, he was the best. It was a position of need, and when you bring in Klint Kubiak as your head coach, select someone with whom he will grow. Mendoza will be an above-average starting QB in the NFL and will change the franchise’s trajectory.
Their next two picks went to the defensive side of the ball. Treydan Stukes, a safety out of Arizona, will be a day-one starter for Vegas. When he sees the ball, he’s all over it. Whether it’s at safety or nickel corner, put him on the field and he’ll dominate. Stukes’ high character and play on the field will earn him team captain honors sooner than even the most ardent Raider fans will believe.
Here is where I believe they stole the draft. If Jermond McCoy can stay healthy, that pick is the steal of the draft. He’s the definition of those giant erasers you get for your kid who makes plenty of mistakes. Put McCoy on a side of the field, and he will erase it. I will not be surprised if he is considered an A- corner within his first two years, if he can stay healthy. I believe they aced every pick they made.
Grade: A+
Final Thoughts
With training camp around the corner, the NFL season is upon us. Now it’s time for fans to daydream over our team’s selections and how that will fit with the rest of the roster. Who do you think won the NFL Draft, and who was the steal of the draft?
As always, thank you so much for checking out my thoughts on the three NFL teams that had the best draft! Be sure to check out our other amazing content here at New Leaf News! We hope you’re enjoying your day and look forward to seeing you again soon.
