The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, but the debate over who nailed it—and who flopped—is just heating up. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. released his official grades on Sunday morning, and he didn't hand out many gold stars. In fact, only four teams walked away with an 'A' grade: the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Kiper, known for his meticulous evaluations, called this draft class one of the most exciting in recent memory. “The 2026 NFL draft wasn’t short on excitement,” he wrote. “Quarterback Ty Simpson to the Rams midway through the first round? Big defensive additions for the Cowboys? A dynamic running back to the Cardinals? Two brothers going to the same secondary? Eight trades on Day 1 and 41 across all three days? That was fun.”
But fun doesn't always equal success. Kiper dug into each team's haul to separate the winners from the pack. Only the Browns, Cowboys, Raiders, and Eagles earned the coveted 'A' mark. For a deeper look at which teams completely missed the mark, check out our breakdown of Three NFL Teams Flunk the 2026 Draft: Who Earned an F?
Cleveland Browns: The Clear Winner
The Browns didn't just get an 'A'—they got Kiper's highest praise. Cleveland entered the draft with two first-round picks thanks to a previous trade with the Jaguars, and they used them to address two glaring needs: offensive tackle and wide receiver. They took Spencer Fano at No. 6 and Austin Barber at No. 24, then doubled down on both positions on Day 2.
“The Spencer Fano and Austin Barber picks could be the final touches on a complete offensive line rebuild this offseason,” Kiper wrote. He highlighted how the Browns had 14 different offensive line combinations last season—third most in the NFL—and then lost key players like Wyatt Teller (signed with Houston) while others like Cam Robinson, Jack Conklin, Joel Bitonio, and Ethan Pocic remain unsigned. Cleveland responded by trading for Tytus Howard, re-signing Teven Jenkins, and bringing in Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson, plus getting Dawand Jones back from injury.
That kind of aggressive roster overhaul impressed Kiper, who sees the Browns as a team that actively got better from start to finish. The Cowboys, Raiders, and Eagles also earned top marks, though Kiper didn't detail their picks in the same depth.
Not Everyone Got an 'A'
While four teams celebrated, others were left wondering what could have been. The draft saw 41 trades across three days, a sign that many teams were scrambling to adjust. Some found steals; others made head-scratching moves. For a look at the flip side, see our article on Three NFL Teams Flunk the 2026 Draft: Who Earned an F? to find out which teams missed big opportunities.
The draft also sparked off-field conversations, from fashion to controversy. One ESPN model predicted which 10 teams will dominate 2026—read that in ESPN Model Drops Bombshell: These 10 NFL Teams Will Dominate 2026. And if you missed the drama around draft-day attire, check out CBS Sports Reporter Claudia Bellofatto Under Fire for 'Inappropriate' NFL Draft Dress.
Kiper's grades are just one opinion, but they carry weight. For the Browns, Cowboys, Raiders, and Eagles, that 'A' is a sign they're on the right track. For everyone else, the work is just beginning.
