2026 NFL Draft takeaways

The 2026 NFL draft is over, that mean new talent has entered the league. Every team had the opportunity to improve their team with the picks they had. But as we all know, every draft pick won't work out. I will look at every division and takeaways from a huge weekend.

AFC East

The New York Jets are actually competent- I believed the Jets are actually building something. I praised their free agency, and now they have a good draft. The highlight was three first-rounders who can contribute right away. The Jets have a better roster and defense that they can run with. The QB position remains in question. Wendy's Chief Tasting Officer Geno Smith and Cade Klubnik aren't exciting options. But it's all about 2027 for them anyway.

Miami Dolphins- Will have the number one overall pick next year. If there's one thing we learn is that Miami is rebuilding and not winning in 2026. From cutting veterans to trading receivers. The Dolphins had a draft, and it does not matter since they are going to lose a lot. 2027 is their chance to add their guy if Malik Willis is more interested in South Beach than playing quarterback.

New England Patriots- Woe is me, offseason. You know, for a team coming off one of the unexpected runs to the Super Bowl. They haven't added the type of talent needed to take a step forward. As I mentioned, they had a forgettable draft and free agency. Yes, we all know the current drama surrounding the team. But for them, it's going to take internal improvement in a tougher AFC

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens- Playing chess, not checkers. Once again, this is one of the models for building a football team. They did a good job of drafting talent, and now it's about winning a Super Bowl for them.

Pittsburgh Steelers- The standard ain't the standard. I have no idea what they are doing. It feels like every year they are adding offensive linemen to what end? They still have questions about the quarterback position. Waiting on Aaron Rodgers at this point in his career is a no. The more things change the more they stay the same.

AFC South

Houston Texans- Offensive line mayday. As a Houston Texans fan, we had a solid draft. The number one goal this offseason was to improve the offensive line; now, let's see how it plays out in the fall.

Tennessee Titans- Back to 4-13 we go. It's hard to see the Titans being anything other than a dumpster fire in 2026. They had no name free agency, and the draft was questionable. They setting Cam Ward up for another season of taking us nowhere.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs- We back y'all. The Chiefs were out of the playoffs a year ago and went out and improved their defense in the draft.

Las Vegas Raiders- Fernando Mendoza era. The most obvious pick in the draft. Raiders get their guy, and you know they remind me of the 2023 Houston Texans. Yet this team will lose plenty of games, and Mendonza will show promise. In a few years, they could run the AFC West, which is shaping up to be the premier division.

NFC North

Chicago Bears- Safety. I liked what the Bears did in the draft with taking Dillon Thienmann. For them, it's all about proving they are here to contend.

Detroit Lions- The Lions DNA. I heard the Lions were untouchable; they wanted toughness and got it. Blake Miller, Derrick Moore, and Jimmy Rolder lets call them ''The Lions Gang''. Good draft.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys- Stop the run. The Cowboys' defense was so bad that your auntie could score a touchdown on them. That's not the case this year through free agency and the draft. Adding Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence is how you win. Let's start the Super Bowl or bust talk now.

New York Giants- John Harbaugh team. John Harbaugh is building the Giants like, really. Getting Arvell Reese and Ferancis Mauigoa, to name a few. Play like a Giant is now the real thing, and could they take the New England Patriots route next season?

Philadelphia Eagles- Doing what we always do. The front office should write a book on how to build a team. They added Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers, to name a few. They are contender again.

Washington Commanders- Defense wins games. The Commanders have been spending money on defense to that end. They added Sonny Styles and Joshua Josephs, to name a few. Dan Quinn is on the hot seat, and they had a good offseason. Now, they can deliver with Jayden Daniels.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints- Tyler Shough era. The New Orleans Saints might have a quarterback. The Saints added offensive talent in Jordyn Tyson, Bryce Lance, and Barion Brown, to name a few. The Saints aren't playing around, but will they be good enough in a division up for grabs?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Finally acting. Tampa lost some key guys in free agency, but they did kind of bounce back in the draft. They added Rueben Bain Jr and then some. Gotta remain relevant, right?

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals- Don't you see the vision? In the free agency article I wrote, the Cardinals should offer their fans free tickets and food. But they should hold on, they added Jeremiyah Love, who could be electric. The Cardinals need to get one of those guys in 2027, so they will lose a lot, but if you get the quarterback right, they could contend easily. 60 minutes of Arizona Cardinals football might not be that bad, just saying.

LA Rams- Ty Simpson Era is coming. The Rams' drafting Ty Simpson tells us a few things. That Matthew Stafford era will be nearing, and this team has taken Ty Simpson says they all are in on him. So with that, in a few seasons, it could be Ty Simpson running the show.