AAA Sports' NFL Draft 2026 Winners + Losers

Dallas Cowboys ~ America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys, came into the draft needing a ton on the defensive side of the ball. Well, they sure got what they needed. First off, if you would have asked us before the draft began, would Caleb Downs be available past pick 10? Our reply simply would have been 'Hell No'. That sure happened though as the Giants passed up on him twice, the perhaps the most NFL ready player in the entire draft fell right into Dallas' lap. Downs could've played pro after his first college season in our opinion. He's only getting better and some people are labelling him as 'Generational.'

Dallas didn't just get Downs though. It also went back-to-back edge rushers -- Malachi Lawrence + Jaishawn Barham (got another one later in draft , LT Overton). Lawrence has the name, coming in after Demarcus Lawrence dominated off the edge for so many years for the Cowboys. Both guys should have an impact and definitely play a role this season. We really like the value of Overton in the late fourth round.

Team Draft Grade ~ A+

Baltimore Ravens ~ Drafting towards the middle of the pack in the first round, Baltimore probably was just hoping that things would land in it's favor. We think that it happened just how the Ravens drew it up. Coming into the draft, we had offensive line as a big question mark for them, with the departure of Tyler Linderbaum. Even though they weren't able to draft a center, the Ravens did get Olaivavega 'Vega' Ioane with their first pick, who was clearly the best guard prospect of this year's class. He should start right away. 

We also like the depth pieces that Baltimore was able to get, receivers like Ja'Kobi Lane + Elijah Surratt should fight for opportunities to crack the NFL squad in week one and make an impact. The Ravens just did a very good job at filling the needs of the team, things like drafting two capable tight ends to perhaps replace Isaiah Likely and also getting a great edge rusher in round two -- Zion Young. Very good draft overall!

Team Draft Grade ~ A

San Francisco 49ers ~ We're not too sure what the 49ers were thinking when they drafted De'Zhuan Stribling with the first pick of the second round. Nobody really knows how these guys are going to develop. But, we definitely didn't see that one coming and we think that this selection was quite a reach as we saw him going in the 3rd round. San Fran could have traded back and gained more value in our eyes.

Looking at the rest of the draft, the Niners' second pick was a reach by us as well -- Romello Height . San Francisco did fill a few of its team needs, like adding a couple of tackles in the later rounds. But, it just didn't do enough at all to make us, or everyone talking about the draft, very impressed with the draft.

Team Draft Grade ~ D

Minnesota Vikings ~ Just like San Francisco, the Minnesota Vikings, didn't really do enough in our eyes. It doesn't just go with the draft though. The whole offseason has been pretty quiet for the Vikings, who's only made a few changes in adding guys to the roster over free agency. Minnesota should be just fine with the arrival of Kyler Murray -- if he can stay healthy of course. But, the Vikings are going to need to get the best out of their players this season to have any sort of success in perhaps the most stacked division in the NFL. 

In the draft, Minnesota went Caleb Banks, Defensive Tackle, in the first round. We like him when he's healthy, like most of the first round selections. But, he's broken his left foot twice now, last season and during the combine. Due to this, we just aren't sure how he's going to be able to recover from this.  Selecting a big player like this so early was definitely a reach because of the injury concerns. Nothing over the rest of their draft stands out too much other than maybe Charles Demmings or Jakobe Thomas (had four and five INT's last season.) Tiernan should be a solid Olineman too. But, overall, this just wasn't good enough for the Vikings. 

 
Team Draft Grade ~ D