NFL Draft 2026 winners and losers: Browns, Ravens, Eagles score; Panthers, 49ers reach

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterDraft Winners and LosersGradesFinal PicksThe Beast2026 NFL Draft The Browns' impressive draft haul includes first-round picks Spencer Fano (left) and KC Concepcion. Ken Blaze / Imagn Images Share articleThe 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and the next 16 to 24 hours will see teams scramble to further fill out their rosters with the signing of undrafted rookies. Naturally, it will take time to learn how all of the moves made over the last three days will pan out. Teams will have swung and missed on some prospects, will have discovered gems overlooked by others, and will see some undrafted players outplay those acquired with premium draft picks. Most NFL executives will tell you that it takes several seasons to truly learn exactly how well they did on a draft class. But for now, we’re reviewing some of the brightest moves made, and some of the more perplexing approaches. Here’s a look at what appears to be the biggest winners and losers of the 2026 draft. General manager Andrew Berry and his staff took an aggressive approach to wheeling, dealing and stockpiling picks while filling multiple needs. They got a Day 1 starter in Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano (No. 9 pick) and two potential difference-making wide receivers in KC Concepcion (24th) and Denzel Boston (39th), who should complement each other nicely. From there, they added pieces that can help in their secondary, additional offensive line reinforcements, a tight end and an intriguing quarterback prospect in Arkansas’ Taylen Green. After missing the playoffs and replacing John Harbaugh with rookie head coach Jesse Minter, the Ravens hope to quickly get back on track. A bountiful 2026 draft class (11 picks in all) could help them do just that. From plugging a big hole on their offensive line by drafting Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, to adding a promising pass rusher in Missouri’s Zion Young, two talented wide receivers (USX’s Ja’Kobi Lane and Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt) and seven other players to improve depth on both sides of the ball, the Ravens checked off a lot of boxes. Lamar Jackson now has plenty of weapons at his disposal and has an improved line. Baltimore’s defense received reinforcements both in the trenches and in the secondary. If this draft class can develop quickly, Baltimore has a real chance to rebound in 2026. Howie Roseman does it again. An active and aggressive draft weekend saw the Eagles GM deal leapfrog the cross-state rival Pittsburgh Steelers to draft a highly coveted and dangerous wide receiver in Makai Lemon, later swing a trade for a Pro Bowl pass rusher in Jonathan Greenard, and then upgrade depth at multiple positions. There’s a reason why the Eagles have ranked among the best in the NFC for the better part of the decade. It all starts with the crafty architect. Signed in free agency to lead the Dolphins into a new era, Willis had to wonder what exactly he would have to work with following Miami’s trading of Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos five days after they signed the quarterback. However, draft weekend provided clarity. Putting a dozen draft picks to use, Miami’s mission seemed to center on surrounding Willis with as much support as possible. Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan drafted two offensive linemen and five targets (three wide receivers and two tight ends). The Dolphins also acquired some key pieces on the defensive side of the ball in the form of two pass rushers, two linebackers, and two defensive backs. Patience will be key this season, but the roster now features many intriguing building blocks. At first blush, the decision to take Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick seemed like a curious decision given both the pre-existing talent at running back and the other needs the team had. However, coupling Love with the second-round selection of guard Chase Bisontis and the free-agent signing of veteran guard Matt Pryor, it’s clear that new head coach Mike LaFleur wants a potent rushing attack because the Shanahan disciple understands that a strong run game is a rookie quarterback’s best friend. Beck slipped to Arizona in the third round, and the former Georgia Bulldog and Miami Hurricane now enters a winnable quarterback competition. Jacoby Brissett is viewed as a solid veteran, but he was 1-11 as a starter for Arizona. Gardner Minshew is also on the roster, but he is 2-8 in the last two seasons combined. Unlike the other rookie quarterbacks drafted, Beck could wind up starting very early in his career, if not immediately. A cerebral, experienced pocket passer, but may struggle playing out of structure. Two products of the NFL’s International Pathways Program were drafted this weekend. First, the Miami Dolphins used a fifth-round pick on tight end Seydou Traore, who was born in France but raised in London and attended the NFL Academy there before moving to Clearwater, Fla., and eventually playing for Arkansas State and Mississippi State. And then, the Eagles used a seventh-round pick on Uar Bernard, a native of Nigeria who is a product of the International Pathway Program. Roseman and the Eagles plan on turning the 6-4, 306-pound physical specimen with 6 percent body fat into a defensive tackle. Then, Roseman signed Kenyan rugby player Joshua Weru with plans on developing him as a pass rusher. The Eagles, of course, have experience in this area, having turned Australian rugby player Jordan Mailata into an All-Pro left tackle. Now their roster will take on an even stronger international flair. NFL officials have been on a mission to turn American football into a global game, and the international pipeline is gradually developing. They spent a first-round pick on an offensive tackle (Georgia’s Monroe Freeling) who has just 17 starts under his belt and may not be ready to start this year, considering he is still developing. And they took a defensive tackle (Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter) in the second round, even though this wasn’t considered a strong year for that position and Hunter was projected as a third-rounder. The Panthers seemingly would have been better served by taking an impact player at another position. Hunter could work his way into the DT rotation, but Carolina may have to wait a while to receive a return for these investments. The 49ers need to find ways to extend their window of contention, but curious approaches to the draft seemingly will make that goal a challenge. After trading down (twice) and out of the first round, they appeared to reach on Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. Then they reached again in the third round, taking running back Kaelon Black, who would have likely been available on Day 3 of the draft. GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan defended their decisions, and they have had success with late-round picks. So, maybe it doesn’t matter where they take players? Time will tell. We saw GM James Gladstone make the splash move last season by trading up for Travis Hunter, whose quest to become a full-time two-way player is off to a shaky start. This year’s draft saw Gladstone deliver several head-scratching reaches. Tight end Nate Boerkircher (56th), defensive tackle Albert Regis (81st), safety Jalen Huskey (100th) and defensive end Wesley Williams (119th) all were projected to go anywhere from one to three rounds later than where the Jaguars selected them, which raises questions as to whether Gladwell and the Jags could have gotten more bang for their buck. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms