Mel Kiper 2026 NFL Draft Grades Drop as Browns, Cowboys, Raiders, Eagles Top ESPN Expert's Rankings

The Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles all received high marks from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. for their work in the 2026 NFL draft.

Kiper gave the four teams an A grade. The New York Jets narrowly missed the cut, receiving an A-minus.

The Browns, who traded back from the No. 6 pick, doubled up on the wide receiver and offensive tackle positions in the first three rounds.

They strengthened the passing game by adding Texas A&M's KC Concepcion and Washington's Denzel Boston and fortified the line with Utah's Spencer Fano and Florida's Austin Barber.

"The Spencer Fano and Austin Barber picks could be the final touches on a complete offensive line rebuild this offseason," Kiper said. "… At receiver, the Browns landed two of my top eight guys in the class. I have concerns about KC Concepcion's drop issues (seven last season), but he has a nose for the end zone (25 career TDs) and averaged 15.1 yards per catch last season. I said Denzel Boston would have been the right pick in Round 1 … and Cleveland got him in Round 2."

The Cowboys moved up one spot to ensure they landed Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Dallas followed that by using its next two selections on edge-rushers: UCF's Malachi Lawrence and Michigan's Jaishawn Barham.

The need to address the defense was obvious after the team allowed the most points and third-most yards in 2025.

Full Caleb Downs Interview

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"Between trading for Rashan Gary and drafting Lawrence, third-rounder Jaishawn Barham and fourth-rounder LT Overton, the Cowboys are at least building that unit back up after dealing away Micah Parsons before last season," Kiper said. "And I thought the Barham and Overton picks were good value."

The Raiders kept it simple to lead off the draft by taking Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall. Kiper argued the franchise now "suddenly real promise under center."

He then posited that "Round 4 could define the rest of the Raiders' draft class." That's where Vegas got Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy and Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr.

McCoy was the No. 11 overall player on Bleacher Report's final big board, but teams were clearly wary of his long-term durability.

Washington could be a nice change of pace in the backfield to Ashton Jeanty. He ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

A lot hinges on how Mendoza fares in Sin City. Should McCoy and/or Washington hit as well, this could be a draft that sets the table for sustained success.

The Eagles all but tipped their hand with star wideout A.J. Brown a continued subject of trade rumors. They added USC pass-catcher Makai Lemon in the first round and traded up three slots to get him. Brown might as well start looking at real estate in the greater Boston area.

Kiper believes Philly may have gotten two more successors to key pieces of the offense. Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers might wind up replacing Dallas Goedert, while Miami tackle Markel Bell could fill the void Lane Johnson leaves when he eventually retires.

General manager Howie Roseman followed a clear vision in the draft this year.