2026 NFL Draft Impact, Value Picks & UDFAs To Watch

All Access Football examines the impact that each draft class could have for all 32 NFL teams.

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ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL 2026 NFL DRAFT RECAP

Every NFL general manager and front office member for each organization departs the war room feeling optimistic about their incoming rookie class upon the conclusion of the draft. They have identified each prospect based on specific traits they desire and how each player fits into their specific scheme.

The 2026 NFL Draft Class had less of a consensus than typical, due to the shortage of talent. Many observers point towards the evolution of NIL, as more players would rather stay in school and collect the ‘guaranteed’ money, rather than taking their chances by entering the draft. The premier underclassmen continue to declare early but this could be a trend of things to come at an even larger scale in future drafts, something worth keeping an eye on.

The NFL Draft is such an odyssey, there is no way to truly determine who had the ‘best draft,’ or ‘worst draft’ and we will not be able to determine the results until several years down the road. Instead, we will take a different approach of examining who stands to benefit the most with their selections by breaking it down into several categories.

Below, we have assigned a score (1-10) to gauge the impact of various aspects of the draft. When selecting first round picks, these players are expected to make an immediate impact, so we have assigned an isolated round one score. Next, will be an overall draft impact score, to assess how the entire group will impact each team. It weighs elements such as immediate and long-term impact, how many starters are expected to emerge, along with round/positional value. In essence, how does it correlate to the win column.

In addition, we have highlighted one prospect from each draft class that should prove valuable, plus one undrafted free agent player to keep an eye for every team. For more post-draft analysis, be sure to tune-in to the AAF Draft Watch Show this Saturday at 9:00am eastern time.

*Thank you to all those who tuned-in and all of our great guests for our epic NFL Draft three-day livestream, you can re-live all the moments on our archives: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

2026 NFL DRAFT IMPACT, VALUE PICKS & UDFAs TO WATCH

For each NFL team, we have rated the impact of first round players, chosen the best value picks and have highlighted one undrafted free agent to keep an eye on, plus the overall impact for every franchise.

In terms of greatest impact, some teams that stood out include the Miami Dolphins, who took a big first step in changing the culture with a total 13 swings to connect on draft selections. Tremendous value selections such as linebacker Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech (second round), wideout Chris Bell of Louisville (third round) and linebacker Kyle Louis of Pittsburgh (fourth round), all stand a strong shot to emerge as eventual starters, alongside first round selection, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor of Alabama. New general manager Jon Eric-Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley seem to have the organization headed in the right direction.

The Pittsburgh Steelers also added some heavy ammunition, adding offensive tackle Max Iheanachor of Arizona State in round one and wideout Germie Bernard of Alabama in round two. They identified some high impact players in the middle rounds such as cornerback Daylen Everette of Georgia, along with Iowa teammates in offensive lineman Gennings Dunker and return extraordinaire Kaden Wetjen, plus do-it-all fullback Riley Nowakowski, then added the dynamic Eli Heindenreich of Navy with their final selection in the seventh round. Pittsburgh is geared up for a potential deep run in the playoffs should new head coach Mike McCarthy be able to sway quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return for one more shot at a Lombardi Trophy.

Lookout for the Chiefs, whose rookie class should help fuel a return to playoff contention. Plugging in two new starters with their first round selections of cornerback Mansoor Delane of LSU and defensive tackle Peter Woods of Clemson, plus adding another pass-rusher in R Mason Thomas of Oklahoma in the second round, is bound to help the Steve Spagnuolo-led defense get back on track. However, one of the biggest Day 3 values of the entire draft may reside in touchdown machine Cyrus Allen of Cincinnati who brings the speed element to blow the top off the defense that Kansas City has been trying to replace since the departure of Tyreek Hill.

Possibly the biggest ‘boom or bust’ draft class may belong to the Minnesota Vikings. With the team expected to name a permanent general manager shortly, head coach Kevin O’Connell enters the year on the hot seat. It will be vital for the team to receive contributions from first round pick, defensive tackle Caleb Downs of Florida. With teams questioning his work ethic and durability, it certainly comes with a potential bust factor. Considering only one guard was chosen in the second and third rounds each, offensive guard Keylan Rutledge of Georgia Tech may have been viewed as a ‘reach’ in round one. Meanwhile, the analytical front office department of the Jacksonville Jaguars appear to have a complete different method of evaluating players, as several members of the scouting community felt the Jaguars tended to ‘over-draft’ many of their selections.

Here are the breakdowns for all 32 NFL teams. For an in-depth synopsis of the Philadelphia Eagles, be sure to check out our segment on the ‘Birds 365 Show,’ from earlier today.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Round One Impact (RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame) — 9.5

Overall Impact — 6

Value Pick — DT Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana (Rd.4 No.104)

UDFA To Watch — WR Harrison Wallace III, Ole Miss

ATLANTA FALCONS

Round One Impact — 0 (No Picks)

Overall Impact — 5.5

Value Pick — WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia

UDFA To Watch — QB Jack Strand, Minnesota State-Mankato

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Round One Impact — 9 (OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State)

Overall Impact — 8.5

Value Pick — WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana (Rd.4 No.115)

UDFA To Watch — OT Diego Pounds, Ole Miss