2026 NFL Draft Grades: AFC East
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.
Buffalo Bills
This is a steady class that prioritises depth over high-end impact. Buffalo did a good job of trading back to accumulate additional capital, allowing them to take multiple swings across the draft.
TJ Parker at No. 41 is a predictable fit and represents solid value, even if there were other edge rushers available who may have offered more schematic versatility. Davison Igbinosun at the back end of the second round also comes off the board slightly earlier than ideal, while Jude Bowry at No. 102 follows a similar pattern.
The strength of the class comes later on. Skyler Bell at No. 125 is a good value addition, even if his skill set overlaps somewhat with Khalil Shakir, and Jalon Kilgore at No. 167 stands out as a particularly appealing pick.
There are no major missteps here, but equally, there are no clear difference-makers. It’s a solid class that adds useful pieces without significantly moving the needle.
Grade: B
Draft in full
35 (R2) – TJ Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
62 (R2) – Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
102 (R4) – Jude Bowry (OT, Boston College)
125 (R4) – Skyler Bell (WR, UConn)
126 (R4) – Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
167 (R5) – Jalon Kilgore (CB, South Carolina)
181 (R5) – Zane Durant (IDL, Penn State)
220 (R7) – Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri)
239 (R7) – Tommy Doman (P, Florida)
241 (R7) – Ar’Maj Reed-Adams (IOL, Texas A&M)
Miami Dolphins
This is one of the more volatile classes in the division, combining some excellent value picks with several difficult decisions to justify. Kadyn Proctor at No. 11 stands out as the most questionable move, coming off the board earlier than expected given both his developmental profile and the alternatives available at the position.
There are clear positives. Chris Johnson at No. 27 is a strong addition and gives the defense a true alpha corner, while Chris Bell at No. 94 represents one of the better value picks on day two. Even accounting for his injury, the upside is evident.
The inconsistency shows up elsewhere. Caleb Douglas at No. 75 is one of the more perplexing selections in that range, coming significantly earlier than expected (he was No. 219 on the consensus board). Day three continues that mixed theme, with strong value in Kyle Louis at No. 138 offset by a number of aggressive selections.
Taken as a whole, this is a class that offers upside but lacks the consistency needed to be viewed as a clear success.
Grade: C+
Draft in full
12 (R1) – Kadyn Proctor (OT, Alabama)
27 (R1) – Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
43 (R2) – Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
75 (R3) – Caleb Douglas (WR, Texas Tech)
87 (R3) – Will Kacmarek (TE, Ohio State)
130 (R4) – Trey Moore (EDGE, Texas)
138 (R4) – Kyle Louis (LB, Pitt)
158 (R5) – Michael Taaffe (S, Texas)
177 (R5) – Kevin Coleman Jr. (WR, Missouri)
180 (R5) – Seydou Traore (TE, Mississippi State)
200 (R6) – DJ Campbell (I0L, Texas)
238 (R7) – Max Llewellyn (EDGE, Iowa)
New England Patriots
This is a solid, functional class that addresses key needs without taking major risks. The Caleb Lomu selection is a strong piece of value, particularly if it allows the Patriots to move Will Campbell inside to guard, where his skill set may be better utilised.
Day two continues in a similar vein. Gabe Jacas adds much-needed pass rush presence, while Eli Raridon brings genuine upside at tight end if he can stay healthy, particularly as a potential Y option.
Day three is more uneven, with a mix of reaches and value selections. Jam Miller and Quintayvious Hutchins stand out as worthwhile additions late in the draft, helping to balance out some of the earlier inconsistencies.
Overall, this is a prototypical B-level class – solid, sensible, and without major flaws, but lacking the impact to push it higher.
Grade: B
Draft in full
28 (R1) – Caleb Lomu (OT, Utah)
55 (R2) – Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
95 (R3) – Eli Raridon (TE, Notre Dame)
171 (R5) – Karon Prunty (CB, Wake Forest)
196 (R6) – Dametrious Crownover (OT, Texas A&M)
212 (R6) – Namdi Obiazor (LB, TCU)
234 (R7) – Behren Morton (QB, Texas Tech)
245 (R7) – Jam Miller (RB, Alabama)
247 (R7) – Quintayvious Hutchins (EDGE, Boston College)
New York Jets
This is a class defined by a somewhat underwhelming first round, even if the overall structure remains sound. David Bailey at No. 2 is a solid selection, but the subsequent picks lack the same level of impact.
Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16 felt like a significant reach for me, even if it was much more in line with the consensus. Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30 was a solid pick, although there are questions about how his skillset fits alongside Sadiq, with both players projecting best out of the slot.
There are brighter moments later on. D’Angelo Ponds in the second round stands out as one of the better picks in the class, bringing high-end ability despite size concerns, while Darrell Jackson at No. 103 is another strong addition.
The Cade Klubnik selection in the fourth round is more difficult to justify, particularly given the decision to trade up to secure him.
Taken as a whole, this is a solid but unspectacular class. The first round lacks the value you’d ideally want at those spots, which keeps the overall grade in that B- range.
Grade: B-
Draft in full
2 (R1) – David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
16 (R1) – Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
30 (R1) – Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
50 (R2) – D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
103 (R4) – Darrell Jackson Jr. (IDL, Florida State)
110 (R4) – Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson)
188 (R6) – Anez Cooper (IOL, Miami)
228 (R7) – VJ Payne (S, Kansas State)
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.