2026 NFL Draft Winners and Losers: The Rookie Class Breakdown

The results are in! The 2026 NFL draft has concluded, and now we get to comb over the results and hash it out as to who the winners and losers are. The impact of the draft is not only on the rookies but also on veteran players. For the purpose of this article, the rookie class will be given a “once over” based on their potential this season and their landing spot. Also, guys like Carnell Tate and Jeremiyah Love won’t be mentioned. To be fair, those two were the top prospects of their draft class. Of course, you can argue that there could have been better landing spots for both players, but their respective outlooks are on the up and up.

Draft Winners

Jordyn Tyson, WR, NO

The Saints desperately needed another offensive weapon in their offense to pair with Chris Olave, and hit paydirt when they drafted one of the top wide receiver prospects out of Arizona State. Tyson brings big-play ability to the Saints in a similar way that Rashid Shaheed did during his time there. Being selected with the eighth-overall selection, Tyson looks to have an immediate impact during his rookie season in an offense that loves to throw the ball. Tyson’s versatility allows him to be used in nearly all areas of the field. And with the needs the Saints have on offense, expect Tyson to emerge as the number two man in the passing game this season.

Makai Lemon, WR, PHI

The Philadelphia Eagles addressed their wide receiver position by moving up via trade with division rival Dallas Cowboys to add one of the best receivers in the draft class. Makai Lemon out of USC was the third wide receiver drafted with the Eagles’ 20th overall selection, but don’t sleep on his game. Lemon’s ability to win routes early off the line of scrimmage with his quickness is an asset to have at the NFL level. With the Eagles’ offense expected to see some major scheme changes, Lemon should slot right in with what new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has cooking. Unafraid to go over the middle of the field, Lemon is a dangerous wide receiver whose skill set he likens to Amon Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions. With the Eagles expected to move on from AJ Brown, Lemon will be joined at the hip of Devonta Smith as the Eagles’ new tandem going forward.

Jadarian Price, RB, SEA

The Seattle Seahawks may have hit the jackpot with this ball of thunder. Jadarian Price was the backup to stud prospect Jeremiyah Love, but don’t sell Price short. Price was over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back seasons with the Fighting Irish and rushed for over five yards per attempt or better over his time at the collegiate level. Now Price lands with a team that finished 10th in rushing yards last season. Not only that, but Price could end up being the lead back for the Seahawks with Kenneth Walker landing with the Kansas City Chiefs during free agency and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a late-season knee injury.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, NYJ

Honestly, this move was a bit of a head-scratcher when the Jets took the top tight end prospect, Kenyon Sadiq, with the 16th overall selection, but it makes sense. Frank Reich is the new offensive coordinator, brought in after last season’s debacle on offense. Reich has worked well with tight end talent at nearly every stop and now gets a tight end that could be a wide receiver in Sadiq. The Jets didn’t let the cat out of the bag with this move, but Sadiq should be a featured piece in an offense that looks to revamp itself from last season. Sadiq’s 4.39 40 speed and big-play ability should be on display under new Jets quarterback Geno Smith.

Denzel Boston, WR, CLE

The Cleveland Browns are another team looking to revamp their wide receiver room. This time, they added some serious size by drafting Denzel Boston out of Washington in the second-round. Boston brings in a bigger frame with his 6’4″, 212 lb size. The Browns have lacked size in the red zone, as the Browns’ receiving corps lacked touchdown strength due to being on the smaller side. Being a “contested ball-catching specialist”, Boston will be a great addition to a team needed to add some offensive punch in the red zone. Boston has strong hands, and he’s tough to bring down once he has the ball in his hands.

Three Honorable Mentions

Ted Hurst, WR, TB

This kid has been getting a lot of attention this offseason despite being in a situation where he’s lower on the depth chart. But even that might not be enough to keep him off the field. Hurst was drafted in the third round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it seems that they have a type. With Mike Evans leaving Tampa to join the San Francisco 49ers, Hurst brings the size to the receiver position that the Bucs were missing. At 6’4″, 206 lbs, Hurst could fill the size void on offense, which still has Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan. If he can make his presence felt in training camp with Baker Mayfield, or an injury should pop up to claim one of the other receivers, expect Hurst to make the leap to the starting lineup.

KC Concepcion, WR, CLE

“I was not familiar with your game”. KC Concepcion is a wide receiver who should be higher on everyone’s list (including my own). But here is where we make things right. The major piece that jumps off the page when you talk about KC Concepcion is his ability to separate from defenders. He’s so good at it, it almost looks like he’s running free most of the time. But that’s not the only thing that makes this kid so good. He’s not afraid of contact. He can be surrounded by three defenders and still come down with the ball. Concepcion is explosive and looks to be a definite weapon in Todd Monken’s offense with the Browns this season.

Antonio Williams, WR, WAS

The Washington Commanders needed to add some help at wide receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin, and Antonio Williams was their answer. Drafted in the third round with the 71st overall selection, the Clemson product will look to add his crispy route-running skills to the slot position of the Commanders. There aren’t many other players on the Commanders’ roster that can challenge for more playing time, so Williams could see the field much sooner this season. Williams best season at the college level was in 2024 where he finished with just over 900 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. The Commanders will need some of that juice to help their offense in 2026 and beyond.