2026 NFL DRAFT REVIEW: COMPLETE REBUILD TEAMS

COMPLETE REBUILD

Every one of these teams other than the Jets has a new coaching staff. Every team will start a new or second year quarterback. One of these teams COULD make a playoff run but the odds are that these teams will struggle and be picking high in the 2027 NFL Draft.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (10 picks)

Round 1, pick 1: Fernando Mendoza-QB-Indiana

Round 2, pick 38: Treydan Stukes-S/CB-Arizona

Round 3, pick 67: Keyron Crawford-EDGE-Auburn

Round 3, pick 91: Trey Zuhn III-IOL-Texas A&M

Round 4, pick 101: Jermod McCoy-CB-Tennessee

Round 4, pick 122: Mike Washington Jr-RB-Arkansas

Round 5, pick 150: Dalton Johnson-S-Arizona

Round 5, pick 175: Hezekiah Masses-CB-California

Round 6, pick 195: Malik Benson-WR-Oregon

Round 7, pick 229: Brandon Cleveland-DT-NC St

Plug and Play Starters:  Fernando Mendoza-QB (by mid-season)

Opportunity to Start: Treydan Stukes-S/CB, Keyron Crawford-EDGE-Auburn, Mike Washington Jr-RB-Arkansas, Trey Zuhn III-IOL-Texas A&M, Jermod McCoy-CB in 2027

Best Value: Jermod McCoy-CB-Tennessee +83 from CONSENSUS BIG BOARD

Strategy and Trends: Mendoza Mania then stack defensive backs

Mendoza was the pick the minute the Raiders knew they would have the first overall pick. They clearly saw the need to add defensive backs as they use four selections on the secondary. McCoy will be a steal if he can stay healthy, Stukes is versatile and Massas is a ball hawk. Edge rusher Crawford will have time to develop playing behind Maxx Crosby and Kwity Paye. Zuhn will have opportunity to play early on as a backup guard. 

New York Jets (8 picks)

Round 1, pick 2: David Bailey-EDGE-Texas Tech

Round 1, pick 16: Kenyon Sadiq-TE-Oregon

Round 1, pick 30: Omar Cooper Jr.-WR-Indiana

Round 2, pick 50: D'Angelo Ponds-CB-Indiana

Round 4, pick 103: Darrell Jackson Jr.-DL-FSU

Round 4, pick 110: Cade Klubnik-QB-Clemson

Round 6, pick 188: Anez Cooper-G-Miami

Round 7, pick 228: VJ Payne-S-Kansas St

Plug and Play Starters: David Bailey-EDGE, Kenyon Sadiq-TE, Omar Cooper Jr.-WR, D'Angelo Ponds-CB

Opportunity to Start: Cade Klubnik-QB-Clemson, Darrell Jackson Jr.-DL-FSU

Best Value: Omar Cooper Jr.-WR +11

Strategy and Trends: Get guys that can make an instant impact and winners

The Jets had an amazing draft. Their top four picks are all likely day one starters. All of their top four picks played in the college football playoff. They clearly prioritize guys from winning cultures. Klubnick played in it in 2024 and Cooper also played in the playoff this season. Bailey and Ponds should have an instant impact on defense. Cooper has a chance to be the number two receiver while Sadiq’s role is more uncertain. Next year they will likely draft a young franchise quarterback.

 

Arizona Cardinals (7 picks)

Round 1, pick 3: Jeremiyah Love-RB-Notre Dame

Round 2, pick 34: Chase Bisontis-IOL-Texas A&M

Round 3, pick 65: Carson Beck–QB-Miami

Round 4, pick 104: Kaleb Proctor-DL-SE Louisiana

Round 5, pick 143: Reggie Virgil–WR-Texas Tech

Round 6, pick 183: Karson Sharar-LB-Iowa

Round 7, pick 217: Jayden Williams–OT-Ole Miss

Plug and Play Starters: Jeremiyah Love-RB, Chase Bisontis-RG

Opportunity to Start: Carson Beck–QB

Best Value: No one based on draft boards

Strategy and Trends: Best player available and valued college production

With no quarterback available at pick 3, Arizona didn’t overthink it and simply went with the best player on their board. Love should be the focal point of their offense now. They got a run blocking guard in the second and drafted a potential starting quarterback on the board. Many pundits are critiquing the pick of Love, but he was clearly the best player. 

 

Tennessee Titans (8 picks)

Round 1, pick 4: Carnell Tate-WR-Ohio St

Round1, pick 31: Keldic Faulk-DL5T/LDE-Auburn

Round 2, pick 60: Anthony Hill Jr.-LB-Texas

Round 5, pick 142: Fernando Carmona-IOL-Arkansas

Round 5, pick 165: Nicholas Singleton-RB-Penn St

Round 6, pick 184: Jackie Marshall-DL-Baylor

Round 6, pick 194: Pat Coogan-C-Indiana

Round 7, pick 225: Jaren Kanak-TE-Oklahoma

Plug and Play Starters: Carnell Tate-WR

Opportunity to Start: Keldic Faulk-DL5T/LDE, Anthony Hill Jr.-LB

Best Value: Keldic Faulk-DL5T/LDE +11

Strategy and Trends: Talented younger players with star potential  

In an era where players are staying longer in college, the Titans took three underclassmen with their first three picks. Tate, Faulk and Hill were all very young players for the draft class. All three though were productive in college and all should be very good pros. Tate is instantly the most talented receiver on the roster. Faulk and Hill will start off as more rotational players. The later rounds were filled with adding depth on offense. 

 

Cleveland Browns (10 picks)

Round 1, pick 9: Spencer Fano-OT-Utah

Round 1, pick 24: KC Concepcion-WR-Texas A&M 

Round 2, pick 39: Denzel Boston-WR-Washington

Round 2, pick 58: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren-S-Toledo

Round 3, pick 86: Austin Barber-OT-Florida

Round 5, pick 146: Parker Brailsford-IOL-Alabama

Round 5, pick 149: Justin Jefferson-LB-Alabama

Round 5, pick 170: Joe Royer-TE-Cincinnati

Round 6, pick 182: Taylen Green- QB-Arkansas

Round 7, pick 248: Carsen Ryan- TE-BYU

Plug and Play Starters: Spencer Fano-OT, KC Concepcion-WR, Denzel Boston-WR

Opportunity to Start: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren-S, Austin Barber-OT

Best Value: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren-S +37

Strategy and Trends: Improve the offense.    

The Browns were big winners on draft night. However, it may not translate on the field immediately. They traded down and still got the offensive tackle they wanted in Fano. They then doubled up at wide receiver, getting the versatile playmaker in Concepcion and the big bodied redzone target in Boston. McNeil-Warren was great value and has a chance to be a starter as a big nickel safety. They went heavy on offense using eight picks on that side of the ball. 

Miami Dolphins (13 picks)

Round 1, pick 12: Kadyn Proctor-OT-Alabama 

Round 1, pick 27: Chris Johnson-CB-San Diego St

Round 2, pick 43: Jacob Rodriguez-ILB-Texas Tech 

Round 3, pick 75: Caleb Douglas-WR-Texas Tech

Round 3, pick 87: Will Kacmarek-TE-Ohio St

Round 3, pick 94: Chris Bell-WR-Louisville

Round 4, pick 130: Trey Moore-EDGE/SLB, Texas

Round 4, pick 138: Kyle Louis-WLB-Pittsburgh

Round 5, pick 158: Michael Taaffe-S-Texas

Round 5, pick 177: Kevin Coleman Jr.-WR-Missouri

Round 5, pick 180: Seydou Traore-TE-Mississippi St

Round 6, pick 200: DJ Campbell-G-Texas

Round 7, pick 238: Max Llewellyn-EDGE-Iowa

Plug and Play Starters: Kadyn Proctor-OT, Chris Johnson-CB

Opportunity to Start: Chris Bell-WR, Caleb Douglas-WR, Jacob Rodriguez-ILB, Will Kacmarek-TE, Kyle Louis-WLB, Michael Taaffe-S

Best Value: Kyle Louis-WLB +60 Michael Taaffe

Strategy and Trends: Quality and Quantity, High IQ/Intangible Leaders

The Dolphins had the most picks of any team with 13. They took a very balanced approach (7 offensive players and 6 defensive players). The Dolphins looked to add many high intangible players that are culture guys. Rodriguez was a 2x team captain and won 4 awards. Taaffe was also a 2x team captain and won the Wuerffel Trophy given to the player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement." Proctor, Johnson, Bell and Louis were also leaders on their respective teams. The Dolphins future looks bright with type of players they brought in.