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NE had the best draft, in my eyes. Their top four picks could all be starters, and I see impact there through the fifth round for them. Will Campbell should start at LT. Jared Wilson, I think, puts Bradberry on the bench at OC. Williams pushes that WR corps. While I think Boutte should start next to Diggs with Douglas in the slot this year, and Williams learning as the #4 for a year behind Diggs, Williams does actually fit best in the slot where Douglas is entrenched. It'll be interesting. What's more interesting is what they'll do with both of their picks at WR last year in Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Moving on, Henderson is likely to get a significant load at RB and might start over Stevenson. It doesn't matter, though, he's going to get a ton of work in the passing game. Farmer was a steal in the 4th at DT, and Woodson was good value at S. I think Swinson, even as a 5th rounder, has the opportunity to move up their poor OLB depth chart and have some impact.
The NYJ had a good draft. Their top two picks will start in Membou at RT and Taylor at TE, and I like the depth pieces they added all the way through, sans Arian Smith. Azareye'h Thomas might start on most teams but provides outstanding depth behind Sauce Gardner and Brandon Stephens, who might be the best tandem in the NFL now. Malachi Moore will get to learn behind Tony Adams (on a 1 year deal) and might be a starter in 2026. Mauigoa is a great depth pick behind Williams and Sherwood at LB. I thought Tyler Baron could be a nice depth pickup in the 5th at DE.
It's difficult to ignore the competence with which LV drafted this year. Jeanty, Bech, and Porter should all be immediate starters. Thornton is a nice depth piece at WR. Rogers might start at LG, and Grant is a nice developmental player behind Miller and might even push Glaze at RT. I'm not going to sleep on their 6th round conversion project to WR in Tommy Mellott, who has great size, speed, and agility to make that switch from QB. He's going to be an immediate factor on special teams.
I quietly loved what the Giants did. Top pass rusher with Carter, good QB prospect in Dart, then added Skattebo to pair with Tracy. Alexander will be a nice rotational DT that could end up a starter sooner rather than later if he can push Nunez-Roches. Mbow was an absolute steal at OG in the 5th.
CHI had to have a quality draft with all those 2nds, and they did. Loveland and Burden make that offense insane. Trapilo could push Braxton Jones at LT. Shemar Turner behind Grady Jarrett for a year is going to be good for him. I won't put it in the top 5, but they had a good draft.
People are squawking about the Falcons, but I liked their aggressiveness. They got their QB last year, and they had an offense largely ready to rock. They needed defense, especially the pass rush, and they went out and attacked it. Sure, they gave up next year's #1, but they got two of the best 3-4 ER prospects in this entire draft. Then they went on to get a ballhawk at FS in Watts in the 3rd and an outstanding NB in Bowman in the 4th, who was a steal. Adding those DBs to a great SS in Bates and CB in Terrell, plus having two guys that can scream off the edge, is going to pay off.
I liked what New Orleans did a bunch. Banks fixes LT and lets Fuaga move to his natural RT spot. Penning moves to depth. Sanker will get a year to learn from Mathieu, and he was a great pick. Stutsman, I think, learns for a year behind Demario Davis (who better) and can start in 2026, plus he's great depth. Riley was a great depth play at CB and might push Yiadom. Broughton will be an immediate pass-rush factor in the DT rotation next to Breese. RB Devin Neal and TE Moliki Matavao were steals in the 6th and 7th rounds. I only really question Shough in the 2nd round. I don't think he's a multiplier. He might carry you through a Carr injury, but future starter?
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