2026 NFL Draft: Best, worst and most interesting picks for each AFC team

Breaking down every draft class in the AFC

Jordan Dajani

Apr 27, 2026

9:25 am ET

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14 min read

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The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, and there is plenty to talk about when it comes to these classes. The Las Vegas Raiders had an impressive draft, headlined by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, plus Arizona defensive backs Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson. The New York Jets were another aggressive team, as they left the first round with a whopping three new starters, while Aaron Glenn added a player who potentially reminded him of himself in cornerback D'Angelo Ponds.

Let's break down the best, worst and most interesting picks for each AFC team.

Here's how it works: The "best" pick for a team does not necessarily mean the best player. It has to do with the franchise fit and where in the draft the player was taken. Same for the "worst" pick. We will be using CBS Sports' draft grades for best and worst picks, which were completed by NFL Draft experts Mike Renner and Josh Edwards. If multiple players were issued the same grade, Jordan Dajani will step in and determine the verdict. Dajani will also choose each team's most interesting pick, and use Renner's and Edwards' breakdown.

Ready? Let's jump into the best, worst and most interesting picks for all teams in the AFC.

Baltimore Ravens

Best pick (A): OL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State (Round 1, pick 14)

"The mock drafts finally nailed one. Ioane is an incredibly clean guard prospect. I've described his tape as 'boring' repeatedly which is exactly what you want form a guard. He ends pass pro reps before they start with his quick sets and strong anchor. He's exactly what the Ravens were missing up front." (Mike Renner)

Worst pick (C): TE Matthew Hibner, SMU (Round 4, pick 133)

"Hibner spent the early part of his collegiate career buried behind some really talented Michigan tight ends before transferring to SMU. He is built like an NFL tight end and has a really well-rounded skill set. Baltimore is likely envisioning him as a Charlie Kolar, Isaiah Likely replacement." (Josh Edwards)

Most interesting pick (B-): RB Adam Randall, Clemson (Round 5, pick 174)

"Derrick Henry and Randall are pushing about 290 pounds between the two of them. Opposing teams don't want to find themselves trailing against the Ravens late." (Josh Edwards)

Buffalo Bills

Best pick (A): OT Jude Bowry, Boston College (Round 4, pick 102)

"Bowry is a big, powerful offensive lineman who brings versatility to Buffalo's offensive line after the team lost David Edwards in free agency. His better tape may have been in 2024." (Josh Edwards)

Worst pick (C+): CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State (Round 2, pick 62)

"Igbinosun is a press-corner who is at his best in zone coverage. He's a reliable tackler with a big wingspan to continue to be one in the NFL. I just saw a limited coverage athlete who's going to struggle against speedier receivers at the next level." (Mike Renner)

Most interesting pick (A-): S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (Round 5, pick 167)

"I love the fit of Kilgore in Jim Leonhard's defense. He brings a lot versatility to the field for a team that has struggled to replace Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer." (Josh Edwards)

Cincinnati Bengals

Best pick (A+): EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (Round 2, pick 41)

"If you can do what Howell did this past season to SEC tackles, you can rush the passer in the NFL. Short arms be damned. He's a twitchy mover who sets up tackles with his pacing extremely well. He goes to the perfect spot in a Cincinnati team that needs edge-rushing help and can also afford to let him be a specialist." (Mike Renner)

Worst pick (C+): WR Colbie Young, Georgia (Round 4, pick 140)

"Cincinnati returns to the Georgia receiver well after recently selecting Jermaine Burton, who began his career with the Bulldogs. The hope is that this plan goes a bit more smoothly than it had for Burton. Young is a long athlete to play on the perimeter." (Josh Edwards)

Most interesting pick (B-): CB Tacario Davis, Washington (Round 3, pick 72)

"Davis is a long corner who's at his best shutting down routes before the start. He's a bit up and down on tape, but his length and speed gives him a lot of leeway. He's a true outside corner which means Dax Hill is likely to be kicked inside to the slot." (Mike Renner)

Cleveland Browns

Best pick (A+): S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo (Round 2, pick 58)

"McNeil-Warren is the best box safety prospect in the draft class. His violence as a hitter caused 11 forced fumbles over his career. I love how fluid he is tracking in space or in man coverage against tight ends. The Browns continue to rack up immediate impact starters in the draft." (Mike Renner)

Worst pick (B-): TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati (Round 5, pick 170)

"The Browns seemed to be caught off-guard by an early run on the tight end position. They eventually address the position, but options