2026 NFL DRAFT REVIEW: NFC PLAYOFF CONTENDERS

 AFC PLAYOFF CONTENDERS

These teams were either in the playoffs or just missed the playoff last season. All have established coaches and franchise quarterbacks. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (10 picks)

Round 2, pick 56: Nate Boerkircher-TE-Texas A&M

Round 3, pick 81: Albert Regis-DL1T-Texas A&M

Round 3, pick 88: Emmanuel Pregnon-IOL-Oregon

Round 3, pick 100: Jalen Huskey-S-Maryland

Round 4, pick 119: Wesley Williams-EDGE-Duke

Round 5, pick 164: Tanner Koziol-TE-Houston

Round 6, pick 191: Josh Cameron-WR-Baylor

Round 6, pick 203: CJ Williams-WR-Stanford

Round 7, pick 233: Zach Durfee-EDGE-Washington

Round 7, pick 240: Parker Hughes-LB-Middle Tennessee

Plug and Play Starters: NONE

Opportunity to Start: Emmanuel Pregnon-IOL

Best Value: Emmanuel Pregnon-IOL +40

Strategy and Trends: Value the unvalued positions, add physical players. 

Jacksonville took a blocking tight end, nose tackle, guard and safety with its first four picks. These are very specific positions and very specific needs. Pregnon has a chance to be a major steal with his physicality and toughness. Jacksonville GM James Gladstone has a clear vision of the players he wants. Physical players that offer value on special teams were drafted in every round. 

 

 

Houston Texans (8 picks)

Round 1, pick 26: Keylan Rutledge-G/C-Georgia Tech

Round 2, pick 36: Kayden McDonald-DL1T-Ohio St

Round 2, pick 59: Marlin Klein-TE-Michigan

Round 4, pick 106: Febechi Nwaiwu-IOL-Oklahoma

Round 4, pick 123: Wade Woodaz-LB-Clemson

Round 5, pick 141: Kamari Ramsey-S-USC

Round 6, pick 204: Lewis Bond-WR-Boston College

Round 7, pick 243: Aiden Fisher-LB-Indiana

Plug and Play Starters: Keylan Rutledge-G/C

Opportunity to Start: Kayden McDonald-DL1T, Kamari Ramsey-S

Best Value: Kamari Ramsey-S +57

Strategy and Trends: Upgrade the trenches

The Texans filled a huge need inside on the line with the selection of Rutledge. He played guard in college, but Houston may try him at center in the NFL. McDonald took on double teams as a nose tackle opening lanes for Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese. Houston will expect him to do the same to give more opportunities for Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter to wreak havoc on opposing backfields. Klein was a surprise selection in the second round. Klein has great athletic traits but limited production. Woodaz, Ramsey, and Fisher are all physical defenders that fit the culture.

New England Patriots (9 picks) 

Round 1, pick 28: Caleb Lomu-OT-Utah

Round 2, pick 55: Gabe Jacas-EDGE-Illinois

Round 3, pick 95: Eli Raridon-TE-Notre Dame

Round 5, pick 171: Karon Prunty-DB-Wake Forest

Round 6, pick 196: Dametrious Crownover-OT-Texas A&M

Round 6, pick 212: Namdi Obiazor-LB-TCU

Round 7, pick 234: Behren Morton-QB-Texas Tech

Round 7, pick 245: Jam Miller-RB-Alabama

Round 7, pick 247: Quintayvious Hutchins-EDGE-Boston College

Plug and Play Starters: NONE

Opportunity to Start: Caleb Lomu-OT/G, Dametrious Crownover-OT

Best Value: Dametrious Crownover-OT +80

Strategy and Trends: Add depth to eventually replace veterans

Harold Landry and Dre'Mont Jones are a good pass rush duo, Jacas is a great pick in the second round as a rotational pass rusher. The Patriots traded up three spots for Lomu. They clearly view him as the eventual replacement for Morgan Moses. Lomu and Crownover were drafted as insurance in Case Alijah Vera-Tucker gets injured again. Raridon is an excellent athlete that can be the successor to Hunter Henry. 

 

Cincinnati Bengals (7 picks)

Round 2, pick 41: Cashius Howell-EDGE-Texas A&M

Round 3, pick 72: Tacario Davis-CB-Washington

Round 4, pick 128: Connor Lew-C/G-Auburn

Round 4, pick 140: Colbie Young-WR-Georgia

Round 6, pick 189: Brian Parker II-G/C-Duke

Round 7, pick 221: Jack Endries-TE-Texas

Round 7, pick 226: Landon Robinson-DT-Navy

Plug and Play Starters: NONE

Opportunity to Start: Cashius Howell-EDGE, Tacario Davis-CB/S, Connor Lew-C/G, Brian Parker II-G/C

Best Value: Connor Lew-C/G +34

Strategy and Trends: Draft Production and Experience

In the 2025 draft, the Bengals first three picks were all guys with elite athletic tools and measurables. Edge Shemar Stewart, linebacker Demetrius Knight and guard Dylan Fairchild. None of those players had great rookie seasons. Give the Bengals credit for going the opposite route and prioritizing production this draft. Howell is the perfect example of this as he has historically short arms but was very productive with 11.5 sacks and won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Lew and Parker offer much needed depth to the interior of the offensive line. 

Denver Broncos (7 picks)

Round 3, pick 66: Tyler Onyedim-DL3T-Texas A&M

Round 4, pick 108: Jonah Coleman-RB-Washington

Round 4, pick 111: Kage Casey-G/RT-Boise St

Round 5, pick 152: Justin Joly-TE-NC St

Round 7, pick 246: Miles Scott-S-Illinois

Round 7, pick 256: Dallen Bentley-TE-Utah

Round 7, pick 257: Red Murdock-LB-Buffalo

Plug and Play Starters: NONE

Opportunity to Start: NONE

Best Value: Justin Joly-TE +25

Strategy and Trends: The Jaylen Waddle trade better work out, TE depth

The Broncos traded their first and third round picks for Waddle. Onyedim is an athletic 3 technique that should thrive in Vance Joseph’s odd front schemes.  Casey could develop into a good swing tackle. Joly should be a steal in the 5^th round. A lot of less skilled but more physical tight ends went on day two causing Joly to slip. They clearly felt the need to add depth at the skill positions with the selections of Joly, Coleman and Bentley.