Mel Kiper's 2026 Draft Winners and Losers: Eagles and Cowboys Found Value, But What Are the Rams Even Doing

The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and Mel Kiper Jr. has his verdicts ready. Some teams absolutely nailed their Round 1 strategy. Others? Well, let's just say they've got some explaining to do.

The Winners Who Actually Understood Assignment

The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys both came out of Round 1 looking like the smartest guys in the room. The Eagles traded up to land wide receiver Lemon, a move that shows they weren't going to wait around for value to find them. The Cowboys, meanwhile, completely changed the face of their defense by using their pick on Downs and Lawrence. That's the kind of statement-making move that gets your fan base fired up.

Over in New York, the Giants are thrilled with how their Round 1 shook out. According to their own brass, they couldn't have done any better with the picks they had. The Kansas City Chiefs got aggressive too, moving up to No. 6 to grab cornerback Delane. When you're a team that's won it all, you're still hunting for upgrades.

The Head-Scratchers That Have Everyone Talking

Then there's the Los Angeles Rams. They took Simpson and made a very specific note: "This is Matthew's team." Sure, okay. But evaluators everywhere are asking the same question: what exactly are they doing? It's the kind of pick that makes you wonder if the front office and the coach are on the same page.

The Las Vegas Raiders made Mel Kiper's winners list with their Round 1 haul, while other teams didn't fare as well. The Vikings picked defensive tackle Banks at 18 despite a foot injury concern. The Jets loaded up on talent from the College Football Playoff teams, selecting three CFP products in Round 1. And the Buccaneers took Bain, expressing confidence in the former Miami star.

The Deep Cuts That Matter

The Steelers addressed their offensive line with Iheanachor, a move that signals they're serious about protecting their QB. The Cardinals went all in on Jeremiyah Love at running back, marking the highest-drafted RB since Saquon. Love himself is ready to get to work in Arizona.

First-round picks this year carry real fantasy football implications too. Guys like Love and Tate are going to matter in multiple leagues this season.

The Raiders grabbed Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick, and now the real question begins: what can they do to set their new QB up for success in Year 1? That's where the offseason work actually starts.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.