NFL Draft 2026 team grades: Live Round 1 results, team-by-team grades

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