2026 NFL Draft Grades: AFC South
By Jack Brentnall
With the 2026 NFL Draft complete, it’s time to assess how each team navigated the board. These grades weigh my own evaluations against the consensus, with a focus on value, decision-making, and how effectively teams maximised their draft capital.
Houston Texans
This is a class that is difficult to fully buy into, with a number of selections coming earlier than expected and limited impact beyond a few standout additions. Keylan Rutledge is a player I like, but taking him in the first round feels aggressive.
The highlight of the class is Kayden McDonald, who stands out as one of the better picks of the second round and a perfect fit in Houston, adding another high-end talent to an already exciting defense. Beyond that, however, the class lacks consistency. Marlin Klein coming off the board as the fourth tight end at No. 59 feels particularly early given the alternatives available, while both Nwaiwu and Woodaz also represent major reaches relative to the consensus board.
There are some smaller positives, with Lewis Bond offering value in the sixth round, but overall this is an underwhelming group that fails to consistently maximise the board.
Grade: C-
Draft in full
26 (R1) – Keylan Rutledge (IOL, Georgia Tech)
36 (R2) – Kayden McDonald (IDL, Ohio State)
59 (R2) – Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
106 (R4) – Febechi Nwaiwu (IOL, Oklahoma)
123 (R4) – Wade Woodaz (LB, Clemson)
141 (R5) – Kamari Ramsey (S, USC)
204 (R6) – Lewis Bond (WR, Boston College)
243 (R7) – Aiden Fisher (LB, Indiana)
Indianapolis Colts
This is a very well-executed class that makes the most of limited draft capital. Without a selection until the middle of the second round, the Colts were still able to consistently find value and add players who fit their overall direction.
CJ Allen is a strong opening selection and profiles as a natural fit within Lou Anarumo’s defense, while AJ Haulcy adds another talented piece. The value becomes even clearer on day day three, with Jalen Farmer standing out as one of the better picks in that range after falling well beyond his expected slot.
Bryce Boettcher is another solid addition, and there is real upside in the later rounds. Seth McGowan and Deion Burks both have the potential to outperform their draft position, with Burks in particular representing strong value relative to the consensus.
Taken as a whole, this is a class that consistently finds players in favourable ranges and maximises the resources available.
Grade: A-
Draft in full
53 (R2) – CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
78 (R3) – AJ Haulcy (S, LSU)
113 (R4) – Jalen Farmer (IOL, Kentucky)
135 (R4) – Bryce Boettcher (LB, Oregon)
156 (R5) – George Gumbs Jr. (EDGE, Florida)
214 (R6) – Caden Curry (EDGE, Ohio State)
237 (R7) – Seth McGowan (RB, Kentucky)
254 (R7) – Deion Burks (WR, Oklahoma)
Jacksonville Jaguars
This is one of the most difficult classes to justify from a process standpoint. With their first selection not coming until No. 56, Jacksonville still had opportunities to extract value, but repeatedly took players well ahead of their expected range.
The selection of Nate Boerkircher is particularly perplexing. He was ranked No. 163 on the consensus board and No. 199 on my board, with Jacksonville making him their first selection of the draft. Albert Regis at No. 81 follows a similar pattern, marking another clear reach relative to the board.
There is a notable exception. Emmanuel Pregnon at No. 88 stands out as one of the better value picks of day two and has the potential to develop into a starting-calibre guard. However, that single addition is not enough to offset the broader trend.
Day three only reinforces the concern, with multiple selections falling outside the consensus top 300. While teams should trust their own evaluations, history suggests that consistent divergence from the consensus board carries significant risk.
This is a class defined by aggressive decision-making that fails to deliver value, making it one of the weaker groups across the league. While Jacksonville may ultimately be proven right on some of these evaluations, the weight of history suggests otherwise.
Grade: D
Draft in full
56 (R2) – Nate Boerkircher (TE, Texas A&M)
81 (R3) – Albert Regis (IDL, Texas A&M)
88 (R3) – Emmanuel Pregnon (IOL, Oregon)
100 (R3) – Jalen Huskey (S, Maryland)
119 (R4) – Wesley Williams (EDGE, Duke)
164 (R5) – Tanner Koziol (TE, Houston)
191 (R6) – Josh Cameron (WR, Baylor)
203 (R6) – CJ Williams (WR, Stanford)
233 (R7) – Zach Durfee (EDGE, Washington)
240 (R7) – Parker Hughes (LB, Middle Tennessee)
Tennessee Titans
This is a class that shows a clear intent to build around Cam Ward, but does so with inconsistent value execution. Carnell Tate at No. 4 is a strong addition and an important step in supporting the development of a young quarterback.
There are more questions elsewhere. Keldric Faulk fits from a schematic standpoint, but the value feels steep relative to the board, while the Anthony Hill selection is another move that does not fully align with expected ranges. Fernando Carmona also stands out as a significant reach based on the consensus.
There are some steadier additions. Nick Singleton provides a different element to the backfield and adds useful depth, but the class lacks a true standout beyond its opening pick.
Overall, this is a mixed group that combines a clear strategic direction with uneven value throughout.
Grade: C+
Draft in full
4 (R1) – Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
31 (R1) – Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn)
60 (R2) – Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
142 (R5) – Fernando Carmona (IOL, Arkansas)
165 (R5) – Nick Singleton (RB, Penn State)
184 (R6) – Jackie Marshall (IDL, Baylor)
194 (R6) – Pat Coogan (IOL, Indiana)
225 (R7) – Jaren Kanak (TE, Oklahoma)
JACK BRENTNALL
HEAD OF NFL DRAFT CONTENT
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.