Kiper's Top Draft Picks: Who Came Out on Top in 2026?

Introduction

The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, and if there's one name that consistently rings out among the chatter, it's Mel Kiper Jr. For decades, Kiper has been the beacon of draft analysis, offering insights that resonate from front offices to living rooms across America. In his latest breakdown, four teams—the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, and Philadelphia Eagles—stood out as the clear winners. But what exactly made them shine, and how can we measure their success in the ruthless arena of professional football?

The Draft Landscape

This year's draft unfolded amidst swirling expectations and heavy scrutiny, and with Kiper predicting both potential steals and disastrous picks, every choice mattered more than ever.

In recent years, teams have been aggressive, seeking trades and leveraging their draft capital to ensure they secure the players they desire. The draft became a chess game where each move could shift the entire season's trajectory. From the outset, it was clear that this draft would be no different.

Winning Teams

Cleveland Browns: A Grade

The Browns made the most noise early on with their draft strategy. Armed with a solid mix of offensive and defensive selections, they undoubtedly caught Kiper's attention. Here's how their picks played out:

• Round 1, pick 9: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
  
• Round 1, pick 24: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
  
• Round 2, pick 39: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
  
• Round 2, pick 58: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
  
• Round 3, pick 86: Austin Barber, OT, Florida
  
• Round 5, pick 146: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
  
• Round 5, pick 149: Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama
  
• Round 5, pick 170: Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
  
• Round 6, pick 182: Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
  
• Round 7, pick 248: Carsen Ryan, TE, BYU
  

“The Browns struck gold by picking up McNeil-Warren in Round 2. His fall from first-round expectations demonstrates sheer value,” Kiper noted.

Dallas Cowboys: A Grade

The Cowboys also proved their mettle, selecting key players that may revitalise their defense:

• Round 1, pick 11: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
  
• Round 1, pick 23: Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
  
• Round 3, pick 92: Jaishawn Barham, DE, Michigan
  
• Round 4, pick 112: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
  
• Round 4, pick 114: Devin Moore, CB, Florida
  
• Round 4, pick 137: LT Overton, DE, Alabama
  
• Round 7, pick 218: Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina
  

Kiper applauded their aggressive strategy, particularly with the selection of Downs, who was seen by many as the draft's top defensive talent.

Las Vegas Raiders: A Grade

With the first pick in the draft, the Raiders took on the challenge of finding their quarterback of the future, among other solid selections:

• Round 1, pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
  
• Round 2, pick 38: Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona
  
• Round 3, pick 67: Keyron Crawford, DE, Auburn
  
• Round 3, pick 91: Trey Zuhn III, C, Texas A&M
  
• Round 4, pick 101: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
  
• Round 4, pick 122: Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
  
• Round 5, pick 150: Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
  
• Round 5, pick 175: Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
  
• Round 6, pick 195: Malik Benson, WR, Oregon
  
• Round 7, pick 229: Brandon Cleveland, DT, NC State
  

“Mendoza was an obvious choice, but Kiper favored the later rounds where Vegas snatched Jermod McCoy and Mike Washington Jr., both seen as steals,” shared Kiper.

Philadelphia Eagles: A Grade

The Eagles continued their tradition of building a high-caliber team through smart draft maneuvers:

• Round 1, pick 20: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
  
• Round 2, pick 54: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
  
• Round 3, pick 68: Markel Bell, OT, Miami
  
• Round 5, pick 178: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
  
• Round 6, pick 207: Micah Morris, OG, Georgia
  
• Round 7, pick 244: Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
  
• Round 7, pick 251: Uar Bernard, DT, Nigeria
  
• Round 7, pick 252: Keyshawn James-Newby, DE, New Mexico State
  

Kiper hailed their aggressive trade-up for Lemon, praising his strong hands and standout performance, predicting he could become a vital part of their receiving core.

Conclusion

Fans now look ahead, eagerly anticipating how these young talents will impact their respective teams. The strategies employed by the winners demonstrate foresight, a keen eye for talent, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. As we prepare for the upcoming season, each of these franchises carries the hope that their draft class will propel them to success on the field.