2026 NFL Draft: Full Report Cards and Grades for All 32 Teams

2026 NFL Draft team grades are in: Full report cards for all 32 clubs

Now that all 257 picks are in, here's how Ryan Wilson assesses each team's draft class.

By Carter Bahns

May 2, 2026 at 2:31 pm ET • 40 min read

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The 2026 NFL Draft is complete. Months of scouting, planning and -- for some teams -- aggressive trading led to these three days. All 32 franchises put a bow on the process by adding rookies to their rosters throughout the seven-round event, and every one of the 257 selections was ripe for scrutiny.

All of those picks fell under our watchful eye as we analyzed the value, fit and talent caliber associated with each selection. A  whopping eight trades  further complicated the equation in Round 1, while a run on tight ends and a couple of eyebrow-raising quarterback picks defined the second and third rounds. The three-day event came to an end Saturday when the Broncos, with the No. 257 overall pick, made Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock "Mr. Irrelevant" as the final player drafted .

Using an internal formula based on our analysts' individual pick grades, we handed out team-by-team grades to assess how effectively each franchise used its draft capital. Early rounds carried more weight than later selections, and picks at the top of the board were valued more heavily than those at the back end of each round.

This page tracked in real time how each team built its class, with team grades updated after every selection.

Individual pick grades were determined by two CBS Sports NFL Draft analysts. Mike Renner handled the first three rounds, while Josh Edwards took over on Saturday for Rounds 4-7.

Here are our team-by-team grades for the 2026 NFL Draft.

2026 NFL Draft essentials

- Grades: Round 1 • Round 2 • Round 3 • Round 4 • Round 5 • Round 6 • Round 7 - Draft tracker: Filter every pick by round, team, position and more - Full draft order: All 257 picks by team

Arizona Cardinals: B-

Pick Player Grade R1 (3) Jeremiyah Love -- RB, Notre Dame C+ R2 (34) Chase Bisontis -- IOL, Texas A&M A R3 (65) Carson Beck -- QB, Miami D R4 (104) Kaleb Proctor -- DT, Southeastern Louisiana B R5 (143) Reggie Virgil -- WR, Texas Tech B R6 (183) Karson Sharar -- LB, Iowa C+ R7 (217) Jayden Williams -- OT, Ole Miss B

Arizona had a clear plan in this draft: Build a running game. The Cardinals went running back–interior lineman with their first two picks. But then they took a quarterback. That's not a shock, but what is questionable is taking Carson Beck rather than making a move for Ty Simpson in Round 1.

Beck's arm is a real concern following a senior year at Miami in which he struggled to hit some deep throws. His UCL injury at the end of his Georgia career also clouds his long-term future. That's not quite the sure thing a team would prefer when taking what it hopes is a franchise signal-caller.

Earlier, the Cardinals were about as aggressive as they could have been at No. 3. They made Jeremiyah Love the first running back selected in the top five since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. They are now heavily invested in the position even though they don't have a long-term quarterback, which makes this a "C+" pick, according to Renner. That is no knock on Love, though. Many analysts view him as the best player in the draft, and he has superstar potential.

Atlanta Falcons: B+

Pick Player Grade R2 (48) Avieon Terrell -- CB, Clemson A+ R3 (79) Zachariah Branch -- WR, Georgia A R4 (134) Kendal Daniels -- LB, Oklahoma D R6 (208) Anterio Thompson -- DL, Washington C+ R6 (215) Harold Perkins Jr. -- LB, LSU A- R7 (231) Ethan Onianwa -- OT, Ohio State C+

It took until the midway point of the second round, but the Falcons are finally on the board. And they are responsible for arguably the best feel-good story of the draft. In selecting Avieon Terrell, the cornerback group is now familial . Terrell joins brother A.J. in the unit and could share the starting lineup with him in very short order.

Also, Zachariah Branch won't have to go far to begin his pro career. He developed into a more well-rounded receiver at Georgia following an early breakout at USC, where he showcased incredible athleticism. He'll be a fun weapon in an offense already loaded with star power.

Things went a little sideways for the Falcons in Round 4, when their grade dipped from an "A+" to a "B+" with one pick. The Kendal Daniels selection is a tricky one because Josh Edwards described him as "a player without a position" and suggested he may have to start his career on special teams.

Baltimore Ravens: B+

Pick Player Grade R1 (14) Olaivavega Ioane -- IOL, Penn State A R2 (45) Zion Young -- EDGE, Missouri C+ R3 (80) Ja'Kobi Lane -- WR, USC B- R4 (115) Elijah Sarratt -- WR, Indiana B+ R4 (133) Matthew Hibner -- TE, SMU C R5 (162) Chandler Rivers -- CB, Duke A- R5 (173) Josh Cuevas -- TE, Alabama B R5 (174) Adam Randall -- RB, Clemson B- R6 (211) Ryan Eckley -- P, Michigan State B R7 (250) Rayshaun Benny -- DL, Michigan A- R7 (253) Evan Beerntsen -- IOL, Northwestern B

The interior of the Ravens' offensive line is in flux after Tyler Linderbaum departed in free agency. Bolstering the guard and center spots is paramount as Baltimore enters the Jesse Minter era, and it kicked off that new phase with a home-run pick that addresses the need. Olaivavega Ioane might be the best pure lineman in the class and will immediately help open lanes for Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in what should remain one of the NFL's premier rushing attacks.

Baltimore then continued to revamp its edge rusher group in Round 2. The nixed Maxx Crosby trade and successful Trey Hendrickson acquisition made the Ravens' defensive end group one of the most talked-about units in the NFL this offseason, and Zion Young is the latest addition. He is more of a run-stopper than a pass rusher, so the Ravens could move him inside. If not, it's a "C+" pick, according to Renner.

Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt went consecutively on Baltimore's board to provide an influx of weapons for Lamar Jackson. Renner called Lane a "project" receiver, but at 6-foot-4, he could force his way into the rotation as a rookie since he's such an imposing target. Sarratt is not a short receiver, either, at 6-foot-2. Another tall weapon arrived in Round 4 in the form of tight end Matthew Hibner, who will replace Isaiah Likely.

The Ravens also became the first team to take a specialist when they used the No. 211 pick on punter Ryan Eckley.

Buffalo Bills: B

Pick Player Grade R2 (36) T.J. Parker -- EDGE, Clemson B- R2 (62) Davison Igbinosun -- CB, Ohio State C+ R4 (102) Jude Bowry -- OT, Boston College A R4 (125) Skyler Bell -- WR, UConn B R4 (126) Kaleb Elarms-Orr -- LB, TCU C+ R5 (167) Jalon Kilgore -- S, South Carolina A- R5 (181) Zane Durant -- DT, Penn State B+ R7 (220) Toriano Pride Jr. -- CB, Missouri B- R7 (239) Tommy Doman -- P, Florida B R7 (241) Ar'maj Reed-Adams -- IOL, Texas A&M A-

The Bills finally got on the board in Round 2 after trading out of the first round. The expectation was that, once they went on the clock, they would select a defensive player. That played out with each of their first two picks. T.J. Parker bolsters the defensive front while Davison Igbinosun helps the secondary. Both units must improve if Buffalo wants to break through and get the most out of Josh Allen and its elite offense.

Buffalo then opened Day 3 by trading back one spot and using the second pick of the fourth round on an offensive lineman. Jude Bowry brings some depth to a group that lost David Edwards in free agency.

It also went back-to-back in the draft order in the fourth round. Picks 125 and 126 filled team needs at the right value, as Josh Edwards projected the Bills to select Skyler Bell at No. 126 in his fourth-round mock draft.

Carolina Panthers: A-

Pick Player Grade R1 (19) Monroe Freeling -- OT, Georgia B+ R2 (49) Lee Hunter -- DT, Texas Tech A+ R3 (83) Chris Brazzell II -- WR, Tennessee A- R4 (129) Will Lee III -- CB, Texas A&M B- R5 (144) Sam Hecht -- IOL, Kansas State A R5 (151) Zakee Wheatley -- S, Penn State A- R7 (227) Jackson Kuwatch -- LB, Miami (Ohio) B

Since the Panthers clearly want to see things through with Bryce Young, it makes sense to build the offense around him. Adding more protection with a first-round offensive tackle was a logical step in that direction, as was the Chris Brazzell II pick at No. 83.

Carolina had been strongly tied to tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 19, and while giving Young another receiving option in the first round rather than the third would have been splashier, there is nothing wrong with taking Monroe Freeling in that spot. He might be a bit of a project, though.

Lee Hunter, on the other hand, is no project. He was an absolute force at Texas Tech last year and at UCF the three seasons prior. The Panthers found an excellent run-stopper on Day 2 with what is their best pick of the draft.

Chicago Bears: B-

Pick Player Grade R1 (25) Dillon Thieneman -- S, Oregon B R2 (57) Logan Jones -- C, Iowa D+ R3 (69) Sam Roush -- TE, Stanford A R3 (89) Zavion Thomas -- WR, LSU C+ R4 (124) Malik Muhammad -- CB, Texas B+ R5 (166) Keyshaun Elliott -- LB, Arizona State B- R6 (213) Jordan Van den Berg -- DL, Georgia Tech C+

The Bears had not taken a defensive player in the first round since 2018, which was the longest stretch of any team. The expectation was that the streak would end, but the question was whether they would address the defensive front or continue to rebuild their secondary after a free-agent exodus. The latter came to fruition when Dillon Thieneman was available to them at No. 25. He is an immediate starter for a team with a hole at safety. The front, meanwhile, had to wait until Day 3 for help.

Logan Jones is a less conventional pick, to say the least. Renner gave it a "D+" because of Jones' weaknesses in pass protection. Yes, he will help Chicago maintain its imposing run game and will have time to develop behind Garrett Bradbury. But that makes it even more questionable: Why use second-round capital on a backup center, especially when better options were on the board?

At face value, the Sam Roush pick also looks strange considering Colston Loveland is already on board. But Roush is a blocker by trade and will not step on Loveland's toes. It's an excellent acquisition for a team looking to further flex its run-game ability and was the Bears' best pick of the first three rounds.

Cincinnati Bengals: A-

Pick Player Grade R2 (41) Cashius Howell -- EDGE, Texas A&M A+ R3 (72) Tacario Davis -- CB, Washington B- R4 (128) Connor Lew -- C, Auburn A R4 (140) Colbie Young -- WR, Georgia C+ R6 (189) Brian Parker II -- IOL, Duke A- R7 (221) Jack Endries -- TE, Texas A R7 (226) Landon Robinson -- DL, Navy B

Even though they traded out of the first round, the Bengals still secured an exciting replacement for Trey Hendrickson. No one is going to fully replicate the production Hendrickson provided off the edge over the last few years, but Cashius Howell dominated SEC offensive tackles during his Texas A&M career and could be in for a prolific pro career, even though his arms measured concerningly small.

Even more defensive help is on the way in the form of Tacario Davis, the other Day 2 pick, and seventh-rounder Landon Robinson. Cincinnati had to get better defensively in this draft and addressed both the front and secondary. Mission accomplished.

On Day 3, the Bengals found immense value in the middle of their offensive line. They first took center Connor Lew -- whom Josh Edwards called the best prospect available and his favorite center in the class (prior to his 2025 season-ending torn ACL at Auburn). He could be the team's long-term answer at the position, and finding that in the fourth round is a major win. Two rounds later, they grabbed another interior lineman in Brian Parker II. Edwards labeled it a savvy pick.

Cleveland Browns: A

Pick Player Grade R1 (9) S

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-2026-team-grades/)._