The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived. Months of scouting, planning and — for some teams — aggressive trading led to these three days. All 32 franchises will add rookies to their rosters throughout the seven-round event, and every selection is ripe for scrutiny.

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

This page tracks how each team is building its class in real time, with team grades updating after every selection.

Individual pick grades are determined by two CBS Sports NFL Draft analysts. Mike Renner handles Rounds 1–3, while Josh Edwards takes over for Rounds 4–7.

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

2026 NFL Draft essentials

Arizona Cardinals — C+

Selecting a running back is about as aggressive as the Cardinals could have possibly 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 invested heavily into the position even though they don’t have their long-term quarterback, which makes this a “C+” pick, according to Renner. That is no knock against Love himself, though. Many analysts view him as the best player in the draft. He has superstar potential.

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Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders — A

It would have been the surprise of all surprises if the Raiders did anything with the No. 1 pick other than select Fernando Mendoza. There is no drama here, and as such, it’s an “A” for Las Vegas right out of the gate. Klint Kubiak has his quarterback of the future.

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets — C-

The debate between David Bailey and Arvell Reese at No. 2 is settled. New York went with the Texas Tech edge rusher, whose projected ability to step right in as a ready-made prospect makes him a big weapon for Aaron Glenn in what is a prove-it year for the Jets coach. The only problem, though, is that his run defense ability lags behind his pass-rushing skills. And because the Jets already have an inconsistent run defender on the edge in Will McDonald, Renner gives the pick a “C-.”

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans — B

It is no surprise to see Carnell Tate go in the top 10, but few would have thought the Titans would be the team to grab him. That does not make it a bad pick for Tennessee, though. With Jeremiyah Love off the board, the Titans switched their focus from running back to wide receiver in the search for weapons to pair with Cam Ward. That’s precisely what they got in Tate, who could be the second-year quarterback’s favorite target as a rookie.

Washington Commanders

James McClean admits his career is in jeopardy due to a long-standing hip injury and will explore the possibility of surgery to fix the problem.

The 37-year-old returned to Derry City this season, but says the Brandywell’s astroturf surface has acerbated the issue and received medical advice that he “has no business being on a football pitch”.

The Candystripes’ surface is in the process of being replaced with the grass surface at Derry GAA’s Celtic Park set to host at least five games until it is ready, beginning with Friday’s Premier Division clash against Shamrock Rovers [20:00 BST].

McClean, who was sent off for two yellows in the 2-2 draw against Dundalk on 10 April, is theoretically free to play, but is focused on what could be a “last chance for me to hopefully get a surgery”.

“I was told by a specialist 10 days ago that my body currently ‘has no business being on a football pitch’ due to the severity of the damage to my hip,” he posted on social media.

“I respect his honesty and his expert opinion, but I have never been one to lay down without a fight.

“Tomorrow’s appointment is a last chance for me to hopefully get a surgery – if it’s even a possibility – one which will allow me to do what I have dreamt of doing, and that’s being able to contribute while in an acceptable physical state to do so. That is playing for a club I love in Derry City.”

The former Republic of Ireland international, who spent 15 years at English and Welsh clubs after first leaving the Brandywell in 2011, said he wanted to set the record straight about the “hell” he has gone through due the hip problem.

“For the past few years, I have been playing through difficulties with my hip and though I have managed and played through the pain, the impact of training and playing on astro has sped up the damage much faster than I ever anticipated,” he explained.

“The past six weeks have been hell – pain is something I have been able to get on with and play with throughout my career, but it is the restriction and not being able to move which is what I am struggling with physically obviously, but also mentally.”

Enzo Fernandez is wanted by Manchester City, Aston Villa have identified James Trafford as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez, Manchester United are keen on Micky van de Ven and Carlos Baleba.

Manchester City are considering a move for 25-year-old Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Aston Villa are interested in Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford, 23, as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez if the 33-year-old Argentina goalkeeper decides to leave. (Times – subscription required), external

Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid are keeping tabs on AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leao, 26, who is valued at about £60m. (Mail), external

Manchester United are monitoring Tottenham and Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven, 25, along with Brighton‘s 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Manchester City are in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, despite interest from clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal. (Sky Sports, external)

Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has given his approval for a return to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, with both parties holding concrete talks over a deal. (Sky Sport – in German, external)

Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande’s agents have already held discussions with Liverpool and Paris St-Germain, but RB Leipzig are keen on keeping the 19-year-old at the club for at least one more season. (Bild – in German, external)

Brighton centre-back Igor Julio could be set for a return to Brazil with Cruzeiro exploring the situation of the 28-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan at West Ham. (ESPN – in Portuguese, external)

Athletic Club are set to appoint former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic as their manager to replace Ernesto Valverde. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish, external), external

Wolves, Bournemouth and Sunderland are among the clubs interested in signing 25-year-old Queens Park Rangers and Jamaica striker Rumarn Burrell. (Football Insider, external)

Brentford have taken a strong interest in Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine striker Matviy Ponomarenko, 20, as a potential replacement for 24-year-old Brazilian Igor Thiago, who could be a summer target for Chelsea and Tottenham. (Teamtalk, external)

Nottingham Forest will attempt to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the summer after having a bid of £25m for the 22-year-old Belgian rejected by the Scottish club in February. (Teamtalk, external)

Tottenham are in talks with Sebastian Kehl over becoming their new co-sporting director after the 46-year-old German left Borussia Dortmund last month. (Sun), external

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers made the designation on their high-scoring guard Thursday while the team flew to Houston. Los Angeles has a surprising 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3 on Friday night despite playing without Luka Doncic and Reaves, its top two scorers.

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Reaves hasn’t played since he strained his oblique muscles and Doncic strained his hamstring in a game at Oklahoma City on April 2, but Reaves returned to on-court basketball activities over the past few days. Before the Lakers’ flight, coach JJ Redick said he had no update on the schedule for his injured starters’ return to play.

Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds during an impressive regular season for the Lakers, although he played in only 51 games due to two lengthy injury absences. In his fifth season with Los Angeles, the former undrafted free agent cemented his status as a prolific secondary scorer and dependable offensive facilitator while the Lakers won 53 games and the Pacific Division.

But Reaves and NBA scoring champion Doncic were both injured during the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Thunder three weeks ago.

Doncic is still out for Game 3, but Redick said earlier this week that the Slovenian superstar is expected to begin initial on-court work soon. The Lakers haven’t publicly speculated on the date of either guard’s return.

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After losing three straight games following the injuries, the Lakers have regrouped and won five in a row. Los Angeles stunned the NBA by claiming the first two games of its first-round series at home over the Rockets, who were perceived as the strong favorites in the series due to the Lakers’ injury problems.

Although 41-year-old LeBron James is leading the way, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart also have stepped up impressively in the absence of the Lakers’ starting backcourt. Kennard scored 27 points in Game 1 and 23 in Game 2, and Smart scored 25 points with five 3-pointers in Game 2 while leading Los Angeles’ impressive defensive effort against Kevin Durant, who managed only three points after halftime.

Reaves will be eligible for a big new contract this summer if he declines his option for next season, as expected. Both Reaves and team officials have said they believe the guard will remain with the Lakers, his favorite team since childhood.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

The golf swing is a unique motion, but certain components do have similarities to motions from other sports. One such example is a baseball throwing motion.

When you throw a baseball, you load into your trail side, shift your weight forward as you finish your coil and then sling your arm around your body, much like the motion in a properly sequenced golf swing. You can also use the baseball throwing motion as a model for how the structure of your trail arm should look at the top of the backswing.

If you want to feel the proper position for your trail arm at the top of the backswing, try thinking of throwing a baseball. Take your arm back like you would to start your throwing motion, and then pause when you get to the top.

You should notice that it looks quite similar to the position your trail arm is in at the top of the backswing.

“When your trail arm works back and up and gets to the top of the backswing, the arm is in the correct throwing position,” says GOLF Top 100 Teacher Krista Dunton. “If I were throwing a ball overhand, my trail arm [throwing arm] is going to move downward towards the ball and then release around the body.”

Now, from the top of the backswing, your arm will work more down toward the ball and around your body, so the comparison is not exactly apples to apples, but you can see how the movements have certain similarities.

The release of your trail hand and wrist is also similar to the throwing motion. In both of them, you want your wrists to be somewhat soft in order to create that whip-like motion to generate maximal power.

“Feel like the trail arm works back and sets the club,” Dunton says. “Then on the downswing, feel that trail arm creating that same motion sending the clubhead working downward and around the body. If you keep the trail arm working down and around like you are throwing a ball to the left, that delivers the center of the clubface right down into the back of the ball.”

If you’re someone with a background in baseball — or any throwing sport — try incorporating this feel into your golf swing. Those baseball skills may end up helping your golf game, too.

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Manchester United could be close to finally saying goodbye for good to one of their biggest-ever transfers this summer

Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund has reportedly been given the green light by manager Niko Kovac which would spell the end of his torrid Manchester United career.

The winger, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa, hasn’t played for United since their 2024 Community Shield defeat to Manchester City and has failed to match expectations at Old Trafford since his £73million arrival in 2021.

Likely to end his United career with just 12 goals and six assists in 83 games across all competitions, the 26-year-old’s contract is set to expire this summer, with the club taking a colossal loss on a player who was once their fourth-biggest transfer ever. United do, though, have the option to extend Sancho’s deal by 12 more months.

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Despite the impressiveness of Aston Villa’s season as Unai Emery’s side look set to clinch Champions League football while being in the semi-finals of the Europa League, Sancho has played a bit-part role in their success.

Sancho has scored just one goal and contributed three assists in 33 games while going goalless in the Premier League, meaning he’s netted just three goals in England’s top-flight in the past three years.

Amid his uncertain future, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Sancho is set for a third stint at Dortmund with the ex-England ace agreeing to a return to Germany – seemingly on a free transfer.

Plettenberg reports that Sancho’s agreement has come despite fielding different offers and Dortmund boss Niko Kovac has already given his approval for the winger’s arrival. However, he did say the final decision to bring Sancho back to the Bundesliga rests with sporting director Ole Book and CEO Lars Ricken.

Ricken – who spent the entirety of his 15-year playing career with Dortmund – already confirmed the club’s interest in Sancho when speaking to Sport Bild. The executive recently revealed: “We are currently looking at a lot of players and analysing them. We check whether they can make us better. We are doing the same with Jadon.

“Of course, we are looking for an offensive player who brings quality, can help us immediately, and doesn’t require an unrealistic transfer fee. In defense, Niklas Süle is leaving us, and Emre Can will be out for a while. So we are thinking about that area as well.”

With 53 goals and 67 assists in 158 appearances for Dortmund in his two stints, Sancho’s best moments of his career came when wearing the black and yellow and was even told to represent the club again by former team-mate Marco Reus.

The ex-Germany international left Dortmund in 2024 after 12 years to sign for LA Galaxy and advised his former team-mate to reignite his career at the club while waxing lyrical about his footballing talent.

Speaking to Sport Bild, the 36-year-old said: “My main advice to Jadon is to look for a place where he feels at home again and can rediscover his form. And if that’s at BVB, then it would be good for both him and Dortmund! I have rarely played alongside a player who made such good decisions instinctively and in tight situations.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.