PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: A screen shows Fernando Mendoza of Indiana after being selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
The 2026 NFL Draft is complete. There were winners and losers. Heisman finalist Diego Pavia became the first finalist since 2014 who was not drafted. Quarterback Ty Simpson vaulted his consensus status and was drafted 13th by the Los Angeles Rams.
Some teams drafted with a win-now mentality, while other teams were building a foundation for 2027 and beyond. But how did the teams within their respective divisions fare? Let’s begin by looking at the runner-ups AFC.
Home of the runner-up to the Super Bowl Champions, the AFC East has two teams in rebuild and two teams that are Super Bowl or bust for the upcoming season.
The Jets finished the draft with eight total picks, three of which were first-round picks. And while the landing spots did not do much for fantasy football. The picks will provide an upgrade to a team that was 31st in sacks (26), 32nd in interceptions (0), 29th in total points scored per game (17.6), and whose tight ends had the second-fewest receiving yards (593) and tied for the fewest touchdown catches (2).
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: David Bailey of Texas Tech poses after being selected second overall pick by the New York Jets during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
R1 P16, TE, Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon (pick acquired from Sauce Gardner trade with Indianapolis)
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 28: Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) looks to throws as offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) blocks in the second quarter of a Big 12 football game between the Utah Utes and Kansas Jayhawks on November 28, 2025 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Patriots finish the draft with nine total picks. The Super Bowl runner-ups needed help on the offensive line, a replacement for Stefon Diggs, and help to correct their 31.1% pressure rate, which was 21st in the league last season.
The Bills, after trading back three times, finished the draft with 10 picks, although none in the first round. The Bills are in a Super Bowl or Bust season. Their free agent acquisition of wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears was a start, but they still entered the receiver-heavy draft needing a bit more help for 30-year-old quarterback Josh Allen.
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Florida Gators kicker Tommy Doman (19) punts during the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers on November 22, 2025 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Dolphins entered the draft with 13 picks, including two in the first round. After releasing receiver Tyreek Hill and trading receiver Jaylen Waddle, they needed receiver help for newly signed quarterback Malik Willis. Their defense finished last season 27th in rushing yards allowed per game (132.4), 16th in sacks (39), and 23rd in interceptions (9), making secondary and defensive line help also a need.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Alabama defensive lineman Kadyn Proctor reacts after being chosen 12th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the green room during the the first round NFL football draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Jets may have propelled themselves ahead of Miami, and the Patriots look to maintain the status quo. The draft in the AFC East was about two teams rebuilding, looking towards the future,e one team trying to maintain 2025 momentum, and one team desperately trying to get over the playoff hump. Look for the Jets to be the surprise in the East, which could just mean surpassing expectations.
The AFC West looks to be the fight of the 2026 season. The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to regain dominance, the Denver Broncos are looking to retain the title, and the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to shock the world. Will the Los Angeles Chargers be the team outside looking in?
The Raiders were abysmal in every way last season. From their 5.0 yards per dropback (28th), to their last place in the NFL in points per game (14.2), yards per game (247), and plays per game (55.8). Their defense allowed 25.8 points per game (25th) while collecting only eight interceptions (27th) and 37 sacks (19th). So, the Raiders entered the draft with 10 total picks and the first pick of the draft.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 12: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders is introduced to the NFL 2025 game at Allegiant Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Titans 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Bold prediction: Maxx Crosby will be Defensive Player of the Year 2026.
Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback #10 Justin Herbert scores during the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers at the Neo Quimica Arena Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 5, 2025. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP via Getty Images)
The main goal for the Chargers is to keep quarterback Justin Herbert safe. Last season, he was sacked 54 times. The offensive line (which was without its two premier offensive linemen for most of the season) had a league low 53.9% pass block win rate. Depth at the offensive line position would be nice. The Chargers went into the draft with eight picks.