Las Vegas Raiders: A-

First Pick: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 1 overall)

The Raiders entered the draft with the No. 1 pick for the first time since 2007—and they didn’t overthink it. Harrison Jr., the Ohio State standout, was the consensus top prospect, and his arrival gives Las Vegas a true No. 1 receiver for the first time since Davante Adams’ departure. NFL.com’s analysis notes that Harrison’s route-running and contested-catch ability “instantly upgrades an offense that ranked 28th in passing yards per game in 2025.” The Raiders also addressed their secondary with CB Kamari Lassiter (No. 34) and added depth at linebacker with Georgia’s Smael Mondon (No. 65). The only knock? They traded away their 2027 first-round pick to move up for Lassiter, a gamble that could backfire if the rookie doesn’t pan out.

Kansas City Chiefs: A

First Pick: OT Jordan Morgan (No. 32 overall)

The Chiefs didn’t have a first-round pick after trading it to acquire edge rusher Montez Sweat last season, but they made the most of their Day 2 haul. Morgan, a tackle from Arizona, was widely regarded as a first-round talent and could start immediately at right tackle, protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. Kansas City also added QB J.J. Nussmeier (No. 249) in the seventh round—a developmental project with upside. NFL.com’s grades praised the Chiefs for “addressing needs without reaching,” a hallmark of Andy Reid’s draft strategy. The only question: Can Morgan hold up against AFC West pass rushers like Trey Hendrickson and Khalil Mack?

Dallas Cowboys: A

First Pick: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 24 overall)

The Cowboys entered the draft with a clear mission: fix a defense that allowed the fifth-most points in the NFL last season. They delivered. McKinstry, a physical corner from Alabama, was the highest-graded defensive back on NFL.com’s Huge Board and should start opposite Trevon Diggs. Dallas also added DT Maason Smith (No. 56) and LB Edgerrin Cooper (No. 87) to bolster their front seven. “We’ve changed this defense,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said after the draft, and the grades back him up. The only lingering concern? The team’s lack of a second-round pick, traded away in the CeeDee Lamb extension.

New York Jets: B+

First Pick: OT Olu Fashanu (No. 10 overall)

The Jets made a bold move in Round 4, trading up to select Clemson QB Cade Klubnik (No. 110), a project with Aaron Rodgers-like upside. But the real story was their offensive line overhaul. Fashanu, a Penn State product, was the second tackle off the board and should start at left tackle immediately, protecting Rodgers’ blind side. The Jets also added WR Brian Thomas Jr. (No. 41) to provide Rodgers a big-bodied target opposite Garrett Wilson. The grade would’ve been higher if not for the Klubnik pick—a gamble that could pay off or set the franchise back years.

Denver Broncos: B

First Pick: QB Jayden Daniels (No. 12 overall)

The Broncos’ selection of Daniels, the Heisman-winning QB from LSU, was the biggest surprise of the first round. Denver traded up from No. 17 to secure him, signaling a clear commitment to moving on from Russell Wilson. Daniels’ mobility and arm talent make him an exciting fit in Sean Payton’s offense, but his pocket presence remains a work in progress. The Broncos also addressed their secondary with CB Quinyon Mitchell (No. 45) and added depth at running back with Texas’ Jonathon Brooks (No. 76). NFL.com’s grades praised the Daniels pick but noted that Denver “still lacks a true No. 1 receiver” after passing on Marvin Harrison Jr.

Baltimore Ravens: B

First Pick: WR Rome Odunze (No. 30 overall)

The Ravens entered the draft with a glaring need at wide receiver after trading away Marquise Brown last season. They addressed it with Odunze, a polished route-runner from Washington who should start opposite Zay Flowers. Baltimore also added a punter in Round 6 (Braden Mann, No. 201) after losing All-Pro Sam Koch to retirement. The Ravens’ grade would’ve been higher if not for their lack of a second-round pick, traded away in the Lamar Jackson extension. Still, Odunze gives Jackson a reliable target, and the Ravens’ defense remains one of the league’s best.

Chicago Bears: B-

First Pick: OT Joe Alt (No. 9 overall)

The Bears had two first-round picks and used them on Alt, a mammoth tackle from Notre Dame, and DT Byron Murphy II (No. 11). Alt should start immediately at right tackle, protecting Caleb Williams’ blind side, while Murphy adds interior pass rush to a defense that ranked 29th in sacks last season. The Bears also added WR Keon Coleman (No. 40) to give Williams another weapon. The grade would’ve been higher if not for the team’s decision to pass on Marvin Harrison Jr. At No. 1—a move that could haunt them if Williams struggles as a rookie.

New York Giants: C+

First Pick: WR Malik Nabers (No. 6 overall)

The Giants’ selection of Nabers, a dynamic playmaker from LSU, was met with mixed reactions. While Nabers is a generational talent, the Giants’ offensive line remains a glaring weakness, and they passed on OT Joe Alt to take him. New York added OL Tyler Guyton (No. 39) in the second round, but he’s a raw prospect who may not start immediately. The Giants also traded away their 2025 first-round pick to move up for Nabers, a risky move for a team that finished 4-13 last season. NFL.com’s grades noted that “Nabers is a star, but the Giants didn’t address their biggest need.”

New England Patriots: C

First Pick: QB Drake Maye (No. 3 overall)

The Patriots’ selection of Maye, the North Carolina QB, was the most debated pick of the first round. Maye has all the physical tools but struggled with consistency in college, and the Patriots’ offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. New England also added WR Ja’Lynn Polk (No. 37) and OT Kingsley Suamataia (No. 68) to support Maye, but the grade reflects the uncertainty surrounding the pick. NFL.com’s analysis called Maye “a boom-or-bust prospect” and noted that “the Patriots’ roster isn’t built to protect him.”

Washington Commanders: C-

First Pick: QB Jayden Daniels (No. 2 overall)

The Commanders traded up to select Daniels, the Heisman-winning QB from LSU, but the move feels premature. Washington’s offensive line is a mess, and Daniels’ mobility won’t be enough to mask its deficiencies. The Commanders also added OT Roger Rosengarten (No. 36) and WR Luke McCaffrey (No. 67), but the grade reflects the risk of drafting a QB into a bad situation. NFL.com’s grades noted that “Daniels is a high-upside pick, but the Commanders’ roster isn’t ready to support him.”

Carolina Panthers: D+

First Pick: QB Xavier Legette (No. 33 overall)

The Panthers’ draft was headlined by their decision to pass on a quarterback in the first round, instead selecting Legette, a raw but athletic wide receiver from South Carolina. Carolina added QB Michael Penix Jr. (No. 50) in the second round, but the grade reflects the team’s lack of a clear plan at the game’s most important position. The Panthers also traded away their 2025 first-round pick to move up for Legette, a move that could set the franchise back years if Bryce Young continues to struggle.

Mr. Irrelevant: Broncos Select LB Murdock at No. 257

The Broncos closed out the draft by selecting LB Ryan Murdock from Utah State, the traditional “Mr. Irrelevant” pick. Murdock, a special teams contributor in college, will have to earn a roster spot in training camp. The Broncos’ draft was otherwise unremarkable, with their highest pick (No. 12) spent on Jayden Daniels.