2026 NFL Draft Grades: AFC West
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.
Denver Broncos
This is a solid, if unspectacular, class that avoids major mistakes while adding a number of useful pieces. Tyler Onyedim at No. 66 comes off the board a little earlier than expected relative to the consensus, but it is not a move that significantly impacts the overall evaluation.
The strength of this group lies in the middle and later rounds. Jonah Coleman at No. 108 represents good value while filling a clear need, and Kage Casey stands out as one of the more appealing additions, bringing experience, versatility, and a skill set that should translate across multiple roles on the offensive line.
The tight end additions are also intriguing. Justin Joly fits neatly into Sean Payton’s offense, while Dallen Bentley in the seventh round offers developmental upside. There may not be a headline-grabbing pick here, but this is a class that adds depth and value across the board.
Grade: B
Draft in full
66 (R3) – Tyler Onyedim (IDL, Texas A&M)
108 (R4) – Jonah Coleman (RB, Washington)
111 (R4) – Kage Casey (OT, Boise State)
152 (R5) – Justin Joly (TE, NC State)
246 (R7) – Miles Scott (S, Illinois)
256 (R7) – Dallen Bentley (TE, Utah)
257 (R7) – Red Murdock (LB, Buffalo)
Kansas City Chiefs
This is a well-rounded class that reflects a clear plan, particularly at the top of the draft. While the trade up for Delane looked a little aggressive in the moment, it has already aged well given the subsequent news surrounding Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns.
Peter Woods is a solid addition with long-term upside, even if he requires further development, while R. Mason Thomas brings a more immediate impact as a pass rusher with the ability to add real juice off the edge.
Day three is where the class really stands out. Cyrus Allen at No. 176 represents one of the better value picks in that range, giving the Chiefs a true man coverage beater who can win at all three levels of the field. Taken as a whole, this is a class that balances need, value, and upside effectively.
Grade: B+
Draft in full
6 (R1) – Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
29 (R1) – Peter Woods (IDL, Clemson)
40 (R2) – R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
109 (R4) – Jadon Canady (CB, Oregon)
161 (R5) – Emmett Johnson (RB, Nebraska)
176 (R6) – Cyrus Allen (WR, Cincinnati)
249 (R7) – Garrett Nussmeier (QB, LSU)
Las Vegas Raiders
This class will ultimately be judged on one decision. If Mendoza develops into a long-term answer at quarterback, the rest of the class becomes secondary. He has the tools to become a very good NFL quarterback, and Raiders fans will no doubt be excited for 2026.
Beyond that, there is a consistent theme of solid value. Treydan Stukes at No. 38 stands out as a particularly strong addition, landing well below his expected range, while Jermod McCoy has the potential to be one of the steals of the draft if he can overcome the injury concerns that contributed to his slide.
The selections of Trey Zuhn at No. 91 and Dalton Johnson at No. 150 both felt a little rich, but they do not significantly detract from the overall class. This is a well-balanced group that pairs a high-upside quarterback with a number of solid value additions.
Grade: B+
Draft in full
1 (R1) – Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
38 (R2) – Treydan Stukes (CB, Arizona)
67 (R3) – Keyron Crawford (EDGE, Auburn)
91 (R3) – Trey Zuhn III (IOL, Texas A&M)
101 (R4) – Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
122 (R4) – Mike Washington Jr. (RB, Arkansas)
150 (R5) – Dalton Johnson (S, Arizona)
175 (R5) – Hezekiah Masses (CB, California)
195 (R6) – Malik Benson (WR, Oregon)
229 (R7) – Brandon Cleveland (IDL, NC State)
Los Angeles Chargers
This is a class defined by a sharp contrast between its early and later selections. Mesidor comes off the board earlier than ideal from my perspective, even if it aligns more closely with the consensus. I still have some serious questions about whether he has the power profile to be a consistent difference maker at the NFL level.
The concerns continue with Jake Slaughter, who was selected well ahead of where I would have been comfortable taking him. While there is some projection involved with a potential move inside to guard, his limitations in play strength and displacement ability raise real questions about how that transition will translate at the next level, where those issues are likely to be even more pronounced.
From that point on, however, the class improves significantly. Brenan Thompson is a strong schematic fit with Mike McDaniel, while Genesis Smith at No. 131 and Nick Barrett both represent good value relative to the board. Logan Taylor in the sixth round stands out as one of the more appealing late-round selections.
Taken as a whole, this is a difficult class to fully settle on. The early selections create some tension from a value standpoint, but the strength of the later additions prevents it from falling into a lower tier.
Grade: B-
Draft in full
22 (R1) – Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
63 (R2) – Jake Slaughter (IOL, Florida)
105 (R4) – Brenen Thompson (WR, Mississippi State)
117 (R4) – Travis Burke (OT, Memphis)
131 (R4) – Genesis Smith (S, Arizona)
145 (R5) – Nick Barrett (IDL, South Carolina)
202 (R6) – Logan Taylor (IOL, Boston College)
206 (R6) – Alex Harkey (IOL, Oregon)
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.