Mel Kiper Gives Cowboys, Jets A Grades in 2026 NFL Draft Report Card
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. released his grades for all 32 NFL teams after the 2026 draft. The Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets earned A grades for their picks, while the Los Angeles Rams received one of the lowest marks.
ESPN's top NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. handed out his annual report card for all 32 teams following the 2026 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets stood out with A grades, marking them as the biggest winners of the three-day event.
The Cowboys earned high marks partly for selecting Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick. Kiper called Downs "arguably the best pound for pound player in the class," making him a steal at that spot in the first round.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Rams received one of Kiper's most questionable grades. The veteran draft expert, who has been grading NFL drafts for decades, often focuses on how well teams fill their biggest needs and find good value with their picks.
Kiper's grades carry weight in the NFL world because of his long track record of evaluating college talent. Teams and fans pay close attention to his analysis, though the true test of any draft class won't be known for several years.
These grades help fans understand how well their team did in the draft. Good draft picks can turn a losing team into a winner, while bad picks waste years of chances to improve.
The drafted players will report to training camps this summer to compete for roster spots and playing time.
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