NFL · 1 hour ago

FOX Sports Unveils 2026 NFL Draft Winners and Losers

John Canady

Host · Writer

Loser: Jacksonville Jaguars
FOX Sports Take: "Some of you may question why the Jaguars are not included among the bottom three on this list, even though they selected the most controversial player on the board, Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher, with their first selection (No. 56 overall). It is hard to attach significant expectations to a bottom of the second round pick when the value is that of a key contributor."

SportsGrid Take: There's no other way to put the Jaguars' draft other than feeling like general manager James Gladstone was trying to outsmart the rest of the league. Almost every single pick from Jacksonville was a head-scratcher, which adds to the already questionable offseason the Jags have put together.

Notable Draft Picks:

TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M
DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M
OL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Winner: New York Jets
FOX Sports Take: "After a disappointing debut season, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is intent on changing the culture by bringing a collection of ' winners' into the locker room. With their first four picks, the Jets took College Football Playoff participants from last season: Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey (Round 1), Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq (Round 1), Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Round 1), and Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds (Round 2). These players will raise the standards and expectations around the building as well as fill pressing needs for playmakers at marquee positions. " - Brooks

SportsGrid Take: The Jets arguably had one of the best drafts of any team in the league, so it doesn't come as a shock to see FOX have them listed as a winner. New York found value in every pick they made, and in that value, they landed prospects who could help them win immediately and fill massive voids for years to come. One name not mentioned is former five-star Cade Klubnik, who may not seem flashy to some, but if the Jets can tap into his potential, there's enough there to work out.

Notable Draft Picks:

EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Winner: New York Giants
FOX Sports Take: "There is no disputing new head coach John Harbaugh’s impact on the Giants’ draft philosophy, with the team prioritizing 'ballers' in their early-round selections. The drafting of linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa with the team’s first two picks reflects the Giants’ commitment to dominating the trenches with physicality and toughness." - Brooks

SportsGrid Take: It's easy to see the draft difference for the Giants WITH John Harbaugh helping to make decisions, compared to previous drafts when he wasn't around. The G-Men took the best player available at No. 5 in Arvell Reese, and although their selection at No. 10 with Francis Mauigoa may have turned some heads, protecting their QB is a philosophy that their new head coach won't leave behind.

Notable Draft Picks:

EDGE/LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami
CB Caleb Hood, Tennessee
WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
FOX Sports Take: "It is apparent that the Buccaneers look to reclaim their crown as NFC South champs, with the acquisitions aimed at upgrading their toughness and physicality on defense. Miami Edge Rueben Bain, Missouri LB Josiah Trotter, and Miami DB Keionte Scott bring energy and edginess whenever they step inside the lines. They not only fill immediate needs at their respective positions, but they will also rekindle the hard-nosed approach that helped the Buccaneers claim four straight division titles before last season." - Brooks

SportsGrid Take: Tampa Bay embraced defense in the draft and handpicked players they believe can help them reestablish the dominant defense they had in past years. The Bucs' offense has many fewer questions to worry about, which makes a defensive-minded draft class an ideal offseason for the Bucs.

Notable Draft Picks:

EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
DB Keionte Scott, Miami
Loser: Los Angeles Rams
FOX Sports Take: "Time will tell if Les Snead was the smartest guy in the room when he handpicked Ty Simpson to be the Rams’ franchise quarterback of the future in a surprise selection at No. 13 overall. While the Super Bowl-winning general manager deserves credit for his conviction, the Rams’ 2026 class hinges on the success of an undersized, inexperienced quarterback with durability concerns. Despite his polished mechanics and spectacular flashes, Simpson must defy the odds to emerge as an elite quarterback in a league that chews up and spits out novices at the position." - Brooks

SportsGrid Take: The Rams draft class will hinge on the future of Ty Simpson, who many are already labeling as a wasted pick, and considering head coach Sean McVay's reaction, it seems he feels the same way. Los Angeles has had plenty of opportunities to take swings on the QB position to develop behind Matthew Stafford, but why they felt this year's draft was the right time is beyond me. The Rams missed out on the opportunity to add an explosive offensive weapon or a defensive playmaker after the draft seemingly fell in their favor.

Notable Draft Picks:

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
TE Max Klare, Ohio State
OT Keagen Trost, Missouri
WR CJ Daniels, Miami
Loser: San Francisco 49ers
FOX Sports Take: "The outrage of the 49ers’ faithful reached a fever pitch when the draft concluded on Saturday night. The puzzling Day 2 selections of Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Texas Tech EDGE Romello Height, and Indiana RB Kaelon Black have drawn the ire of couch scouts who wanted brand names at those selections. Although Kyle Shanahan’s track record for coaxing production out of hidden gems should afford more grace from critics, the outrage continues the ongoing debate over the team’s ability to draft and develop effectively over the past decade." - Brooks

SportsGrid Take: John Lynch seemingly went out of his way to select his my-guys rather than following the trends of the draft board. The majority of the 49ers' selections will likely be viewed as reaches, but given San Francisco's track record of development, they may work out in their favor.

Notable Draft Picks:

WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
EDGE Romello Height, Texas Tech
RB Kaelon Black, Indiana
Loser: Tennessee Titans
FOX Sports Take: "The 2026 draft pivoted when the Titans shocked the world with the Carnell Tate pick at No. 4 overall. Although most observers viewed the Ohio State star as the No. 1 wideout in the class, the decision to take a collegiate WR2 over a freakishly athletic pass rusher (Arvell Reese) and off-ball linebacker (Sonny Styles) has put Robert Saleh’s debut class under the microscope. Perhaps Tate will silence the critics by playing at a superstar level, but he will need to adapt to a new role and more responsibility as the WR1 for a team that lacks an elite supporting cast around him. " - Brooks

SportsGrid Take: Tennessee's draft class won't get as much heat as it probably should, all because of the noteworthy names they selected. Still, the Titans passed on several ideal fits that could fill a bigger need at No. 4 when they swung high on Carnell Tate, and after that, it seemed like Tennessee chose to bet on upside rather than production.

Notable Draft Picks:

WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Loser: Jacksonville Jaguars
FOX Sports Take: "Some of you may question why the Jaguars are not included among the bottom three on this list, even though they selected the most controversial player on the board, Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher, with their first selection (No. 56 overall). It is hard to attach significant expectations to a bottom of the second round pick when the value is that of a key contributor."

SportsGrid Take: There's no other way to put the Jaguars' draft other than feeling like general manager James Gladstone was trying to outsmart the rest of the league. Almost every single pick from Jacksonville was a head-scratcher, which adds to the already questionable offseason the Jags have put together.

Notable Draft Picks:

TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M
DT Albert Regis, Texas A&M
OL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Winner: New York Jets
FOX Sports Take: "After a disappointing debut season, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is intent on changing the culture by bringing a collection of ' winners' into the locker room. With their first four picks, the Jets took College Football Playoff participants from last season: Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey (Round 1), Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq (Round 1), Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Round 1), and Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds (Round 2). These players will raise the standards and expectations around the building as well as fill pressing needs for playmakers at marquee positions. " - Brooks

SportsGrid Take: The Jets arguably had one of the best drafts of any team in the league, so it doesn't come as a shock to see FOX have them listed as a winner. New York found value in every pick they made, and in that value, they landed prospects who could help them win immediately and fill massive voids for years to come. One name not mentioned is former five-star Cade Klubnik, who may not seem flashy to some, but if the Jets can tap into his potential, there's enough there to work out.

Notable Draft Picks:

EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
CB D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana

FOX Sports Unveils 2026 NFL Draft Winners and Losers

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