The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and while some teams walked away with blue-chip hauls, others left Mel Kiper Jr. scratching his head. The ESPN draft guru released his official team grades on Sunday, and three franchises earned the dubious distinction of having the worst performances: the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans. All three received a 'C'—the lowest marks in Kiper's book.
Kiper's grades are always a lightning rod for debate, and this year's crop didn't disappoint. From the Rams grabbing quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round to the Cowboys loading up on defense, the draft was packed with drama. But for these three teams, the story was about missed opportunities and questionable value.
49ers: The Biggest Head-Scratchers
No team drew Kiper's ire more than the 49ers. He was “really confused” by several of general manager John Lynch's decisions, particularly the team's willingness to reach for players well above their projected value. San Francisco traded out of Day 1, and while Kiper liked some individual picks—like De'Zhaun Stribling and Kaelon Black—he felt the overall approach was misguided.
“It seemed like general manager John Lynch went off the board to get the guys he wanted, often way ahead of where they were valued,” Kiper wrote. The 49ers entered the draft needing to rebuild depth after an injury-ravaged 2025 campaign. Nick Bosa missed 14 games with a knee injury, Fred Warner sat out 11 with an ankle issue, and Mykel Williams was sidelined for the second half of his rookie year. George Kittle also missed six games, and the receiver room took hits with Brandon Aiyuk not returning and likely heading elsewhere.
Instead of addressing those gaps with value picks, San Francisco reached. Kiper argued that the team's 12-5 record and divisional-round exit masked deeper roster flaws that the draft didn't fix. For a franchise that's been knocking on the Super Bowl door, this draft class might set them back.
Jaguars and Titans: Also-Rans
The Jaguars and Titans didn't escape Kiper's criticism either. Both teams earned 'C' grades for drafts that lacked impact. Jacksonville, still searching for consistency after years of rebuilding, failed to land any game-changers. Tennessee, meanwhile, made a few solid selections but missed on key opportunities to address glaring needs, particularly on offense.
Kiper's full breakdown highlights a pattern: these teams either reached for players, ignored positional value, or failed to fill critical holes. In a draft where fans complained about the lightning-fast pace, these three franchises seemed to lose their composure.
The Bigger Picture
Kiper's grades are just one opinion, but they carry weight in the NFL community. The 49ers, Jaguars, and Titans now face an uphill battle to prove their picks were smarter than the experts think. Meanwhile, the teams that earned top marks—like those in Kiper's exclusive A+ club—are already being hailed as winners.
For San Francisco, the pressure is especially high. With an aging core and injury concerns, every draft pick matters. If these reaches don't pan out, the 49ers could find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture sooner than later. As for the Jaguars and Titans, they'll need to hope their late-round fliers or overlooked gems develop into stars. Otherwise, this draft will be remembered as a missed chance to build for the future.
In the end, Kiper's 'C' grades are a warning: these teams didn't just have a bad weekend—they may have compromised their rosters for years to come. And as NIL continues to reshape the draft landscape, getting it right has never been more critical.
