Kiper's 2026 NFL Draft Report Card: Cowboys and Jets Get A's, Rams Fail the Test
Mel Kiper Jr. graded all 32 NFL draft classes and the verdict is in — the Cowboys and Jets aced it while the Rams raised major questions at No. 13.
The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and Mel Kiper Jr. has handed out his grades to all 32 teams. The verdict? The Cowboys and Jets are walking away as the clear winners of draft weekend, while the Rams are left wondering what happened at the No. 13 spot.
This was a draft full of smart moves and bold swings — and a few head-scratchers that teams will be second-guessing before training camp even starts.
The Winners: Cowboys and Jets
Dallas entered the draft with a plan and executed it. Kiper awarded the Cowboys one of the top grades in his annual evaluation, crediting their front office for landing Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the first round. ESPN's Ryan Clark called the Cowboys' haul "an absolute home run," and the metrics back him up — both picks addressed genuine positional needs at premium value.
The Jets, long criticized for their inability to properly address the quarterback position, also impressed. Kiper gave New York strong marks for their approach to building around young talent and making strategic moves in the later rounds.
The Questionable: Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles raised eyebrows when they selected QB Ty Simpson at pick No. 13 — a move that many analysts immediately questioned given where Simpson was projected to go and what was available on the board. Kiper gave the Rams one of the draft's lowest grades, and the reaction across the league was swift.
Was Simpson the right pick at that price? The Rams will have to prove it on the field. Taking a quarterback in the teens is always a gamble when blue-chip prospects at premium positions are still available.
Other Notable Moves
The Kansas City Chiefs used their final pick of the draft — a seventh-rounder — to select former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. Nussmeier was upbeat about landing in Kansas City, calling it a "great spot," and the Chiefs apparently agreed that adding a developmental arm in the late rounds never hurts when you're playing championship-or-bust every season.
The Cleveland Browns took Arkansas QB Taylen Green in the sixth round at No. 182, deciding to proceed with what will now be a four-quarterback room. It's an unusual roster decision, but competition at every position has been a philosophical cornerstone of Cleveland's rebuild.
The Raiders picked up Jermod McCoy in Round 4 despite a torn ACL that cost him all of 2025. McCoy insists his knee is fine and left it up to Las Vegas to decide whether he needs a follow-up surgery.
Mr. Irrelevant
Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock became "Mr. Irrelevant" — the final pick of the entire 2026 draft — going to the Denver Broncos. It's a designation that's become its own kind of honor over the years, and Murdock joins a long list of players who've used the last pick as motivation.
The Bottom Line
Every team believes they won their draft class on paper. The Cowboys and Jets have legitimate reasons for optimism. The Rams have legitimate reasons for scrutiny. The real evaluation starts when these players step onto an NFL field in September.