The NFC teams showcased significant moves during the 2026 NFL Draft, impacting the competitive landscape. Notably, the Philadelphia Eagles made a strategic jump for a top wide receiver, while the Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick.
Key points
NFC teams hold the last two Super Bowl titles
Philadelphia Eagles traded up for a wide receiver
Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson
Seattle Seahawks may have the steal of the draft
NFC divisions are becoming increasingly competitive
Philadelphia EaglesPittsburgh SteelersLos Angeles RamsSeattle Seahawks
Green Bay Packers v Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 28: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys embraces Micah Parsons #1 of the Green Bay Packers after a tie game in overtime at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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It is no secret that the NFC teams not only hold the past two Super Bowl winners, but that they may also be home to three of the most competitive divisions this year, and although the NFC South might look like the weakling of the bunch, is it? The 2026 NFL Draft may have shaken up the balance of power.
So, letās see how each division in the NFC did with their draft day picks.
NFC East
Q&A
What were the key highlights of the 2026 NFL Draft for NFC teams?
The key highlights included the Philadelphia Eagles trading up for a top wide receiver and the Los Angeles Rams selecting quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick.
Which NFC team is considered to have made the best draft pick in 2026?
The Seattle Seahawks are suggested to have made the best pick, with some analysts calling it the 'steal of the draft.'
How did the 2026 NFL Draft affect the balance of power in the NFC?
The draft is expected to shake up the balance of power in the NFC, particularly among its competitive divisions, including the NFC South.
Which NFC divisions are considered the most competitive after the 2026 Draft?
The NFC is home to three of the most competitive divisions, with particular emphasis on the NFC East and NFC West following the draft.
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The NFC East is home to draft day wizard Howie Roseman, new head coach John Harbaugh, and the unpredictability (although not so much this year) that is Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. The Washington Commanders will attempt to recreate the rookie magic of quarterback Jayden Daniels without the orchestration of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Philadelphia Eagles: Pre-Draft Day Needs: OL, Edge, TE, Safety, WR
The Eagles entered the draft with rumours of the eventual departure of wide receiver A.J. Brown, and their drafting did nothing to dispel the rumours. General Manager Howie Roseman continued to do Howie Roseman draft-manipulation-type things, including trading for Jonathan Greenard, filling areas of need, and doing so with eight draft picks.
Northwestern v USC
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Makai Lemon #6 of the Southern California Trojans jumps over the tackle of Ore Adeyi #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats during a 38-17 win over the Northwestern Wildcats at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 07, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
R7 P251, DT, Uar Bernard, International Player Pathway Program
R7 P252, OLB, Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico
GRADE A
Dallas Cowboys: Pre-Draft Day Needs: Edge, LB, CB
It is no secret that the Micah Parsons-less Cowboysā defense was not very good last season. The finished 31st in yards allowed per play (6.1), 32nd in points allowed per game (30.1), had the seventh fewest sacks (35) and the third fewest interceptions (6). So, the assignment going into the draft was to concentrate on the defensive side of the ball, and with five of their seven picks, the Cowboys did just that, including trading up in the first round for a pivotal piece to their secondary.
2026 NFL Draft - Red Carpet
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Caleb Downs (C) of Ohio State pose with Gary Downs (R) and Tanya Shorter Downs (L) prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Giants had seven picks in the draft, two of which were in the first round, the second came after getting the Bengalsā first-round selection in the Dexter Lawrence trade.
Coming into the 2026 season with a defense that last season allowed the seventh most points per game (25.8), the second most rushing yards per game (145.3), had the ninth fewest interceptions (9), and only collected 39 sacks, the Giants began the draft not with a pick of need but with the best player available, fortunately it was Ohio Stateās Arvell Reese. They then collected an offensive tackle to help second-year quarterback Jaxon Dart. In their remaining rounds, the Giants went about the yeoman work of filling in positions of need.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 15, 2025: Malachi Fields #0 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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R6 P186, DT, Bobby Jamison-Travis, Auburn
R6 P192, OT, J.C. Davis, Illinois
R6 P193, LB, Jack Kelly, BYU
GRADE B+
Washington Commanders: Pre-Draft Day Needs: WR, CB, Safety, C, Edge
Quarterback Jayden Daniels missed 10 games last season. The 5-12 Commanders did not recover. Although the team finished first in rushing yards per game (156.4), they were 21st in points per game (20.9) and 24th in passing yards per game (184.1). And then there was the defense, which only scooped up eight interceptions (26th), was 13th in sacks (42), and allowed the sixth most points per game (26.5).
The draft was a chance for the oldest roster in the league (average 28 years, seven months,s and four days) to not only get younger on the defensive side of the ball but to acquire talent. With only six picks in the draft, including none in the second or fourth round, it was a tall ask.
2026 NFL Draft - Round One
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Sonny Styles (R) of Ohio State talks with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) after being selected seventh overall pick by the Washington Commanders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Home of the defending Super Bowl Champions and the current betting favorite to be the 2026 Super Bowl Champions, the West is formidable. The question is, did the draft help or hurt the teams in the West?
Seattle Seahawks: Pre-Draft Day Needs: RB, LB, Edge, G
By virtue of being the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Seahawks were relegated to picking last in every round, and they entered the draft with only four picks. Enter general manager and Executive of the Year, John Schneider. After four trades, none of which required the loss of the first or second round selections, the Seahawks walked out with eight total picks.
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 28: Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaren Hamilton (16) breaks up an interception by Arizona Wildcats defensive back Michael Dansby (25) during the college football game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 28, 2025 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
While commending the New York Giants for going best available instead of position of need, the same cannot be said for the rebuilding Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals went 3-14 last season. They released their quarterback, hired a first-time head coach (and Matt LaFleurās brother), Mike LaFleur, and added Green Bay Packersā defensive analyst and consultant Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator. So, while Jeremiyah Love may have been the best player available, was he the best player available for the rebuilding Cardinals? And while Love may be getting all the attention, their best pick and potential draft steal was getting Kaleb Proctor in the fourth round.
On a defense that last season gave up the sixth most yards per game (357.7), the fourth most points per game (28.7), the eighth most rushing yards per game (126.9), the ninth most passing yards per game (230.8), and with Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles still on the board, itās a valid question. The Cardinals were given seven picks to make it right, did they?
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 26: Kaleb Proctor #DL25 of Southeastern Louisiana participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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R5 P143, WR, Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech
R6 P183, LB, Karson Sharar, Iowa
R7 P217, OT, Jaydon Williams, Ole Miss
GRADE C
San Francisco Niners: Pre-Draft Needs: OT, G, Safety, Edge, TE, WR
Last season, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was a no-show, Ricky Pearsall missed eight games, tight end George Kittle missed six games, Nick Bosa missed 14 games, and perhaps the most devastating loss of all was Fred Warner missing 11 games. And while offensive tackle Trent Williams received the contract he wanted, he will be 38 years old at the beginning of the season. Quality depth was the priority for the Niners in their eight picks, especially after they traded out of the first round.
Super Bowl LVI - Los Angeles Rams v Cincinnati Bengals
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates with Rams General Manager Les Snead after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Letās just say questioning Les Snead is futile. He has proven to be the master at building teams and picking prospects (remember Puka Nucua in the fifth round of the 2023 draft?). And yet with only five picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Super Bowl now team used their first round pick on a (at best) developmental quarterback, when Makai Lemon, Kenyon Sadiq, Blake Miller, and or Monroe Freeling were still available, all capable of helping the Super Bowl now team, now.
R1 P13, QB, Ty Simpson, Alabama
R2 P61, TE, Max Klare, OSU
R3 P93, OT, Keagen Trost, Missouri
R6 P197, WR, CJ Daniels, University of Miami
R7 P232, DT, Tim Keenan III, Alabama
GRADE C-
NFC North
The NFC North has the best last-place team in the Detroit Lions, the emerging powerhouse in the Chicago Bears, the team that was the loss of two players away from being a contender in the Green Bay Packers, and what could end up being the surprise of the division with Brian Floresā defense and newly acquired Kyler Murray behind center.
All that remains for the Lions is fortifying their trenches, the Bears replacing a surprising retirement at center and a substantial loss in the secondary via free agency, the Packers staying healthy and adding quality depth, and the Vikings giving Flores more weapons.
Green Bay Packers: Pre-Draft Day Needs: CB, Edge, DT, OL
The Packers entered the draft with six total picks and none in the first, because of the Micah Parsons trade. Their needs included finding help opposite Parsons (kind of a theme in the NFC North) and patching up a secondary that allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 65.6% of their passes while only grabbing seven interceptions (28th ranked).
2026 NFL Scouting Combine
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: Brandon Cisse #DB04 of South Carolina participates in the vertical jump during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions: Pre-Draft Day Needs: OT, G, Edge, CB, Safety
The Lions were 31st in pass block win rate last season (55.5%) then after the season ended productive offensive lineman Taylor Decker asked for a release. And then there is the perennial search for an edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Last season that was Al-QuadinMuhammad, who had 11 sacks, but he has since moved onto Tampa Bay. The Lions entered the search with seven picks.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 29 Clemson at South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 29: Blake Miller #78 of the Clemson Tigers blocks during a college football game against the South Carolina Gamecocks on November 29, 2025 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Vikings losses during free agency and beyond slightly overshadow their acquisition of quarterback Kyler Murray for the veterans minimum. Gone are defensive linemen Javon Hargrove and Jonathan Allen, wide receiver Jalen Nailor and during the draft edge Jonathan Greenard. The Vikings walked into the draft with nine picks to offset cap hit losses.
R1 P18, DT, Caleb Banks, Florida
R2 P51, LB, Jake Golday, Cincinnati
R3 P82, DT, Domonique Orange, Iowa State
R3 P97, OT, Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
R3 P98, S, Jakobe Thomas, Miami
R5 P159, TE, Max Bredeson, Michigan
R5 P163, CB, Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
R6 P198, RB, Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
R7 P235, C, Gavin Gerhardt, Cincinnati
GRADE B
Chicago Bears: Pre-Draft Day Needs: Edge, DT, Safety, C, WR
The Bears defense led the NFL in creating turnovers (33) last season where 23 of those turnovers were interceptions. And then in free agency their secondary was gutted. The Bears lost safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III along with cornerbacks Nashon Wright and CJ Gardner-Johnson. Their defensive line which only produced 33 sacks (22nd) lost Andrew Billings, Dominque Robinson and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. And on the other side of the ball wide receiver D.J. Moore got traded to the Buffalo Bills.
But for the first time in six years it was time for the Bears to go defense in the first round of the draft as one of their seven picks.
2026 NFL Draft - Portraits
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 23: Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses for a studio portrait during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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R1 P25, S, Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
R2 P57, C, Logan Jones, Iowa
R3 P69, TE, Sam Roush, Stanford
R3 P89, WR, Zavion Thomas, LSU
R4 P124, CB, Malik Muhammad, Texas
R5 P166, LB, Keyshaun Elliott, ASU
R6 P213, DT, Jordan van den Berg, Georgia Tech
GRADE C
NFC South
Last but certainly not least are the teams in the South. Last season three of the teams finished with a 8-9 record while the last place teamās record was 6-11. Whether for good or bad the South is competitive. What team utilized the draft to get a step up on its divisional opponents?
For the first time since 2011 there will be no Lavonte David lining up on the defensive side for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And for the first time since 2013 there will be no Mike Evans destroying Buccaneers opponents. This is a new era for the Bucanners and they had seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft to make their stamp on it.
R1 P15, Edge, Rueben Bain Jr., University of Miami
With their seven picks the Panthers used rounds one and two to draft best player available. For the team that made the playoffs in their division, the Panthers showed up. Off-season was a time to solidify their playoff run.
R1 P19, OT, Monroe Freeling, Georgia
R2 P49, DT, Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
R3 P83, WR, Chris Brazzell, Tennessee
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 27 Tennessee at Mississippi State
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 27: Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) catches a pass for a touchdown during the college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Mississippi State Bulldogs on September 27, 2025, at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi.(Photo by Jason Homan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Even though rookie quarterback Tyler Shough appeared to have a breakout season last year with a 67.6% completion percentage, 7.3 yards per attempt, 2384 passing yards with 10 passing touchdowns and 186 rushing yards with three rushing touchdowns all in just 11 games, he did so with only wide receiver Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson making notable contributions. Shoughās antics also gleamed over the fact that the offensive line was 29th in pass block win rate last season (56%). So, the Saints had eight picks to get offensive weapons and add to free agent acquisition David Edwards along the offensive line.
TCU v Arizona State
TEMPE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson #0 of the Arizona State Sun Devils attempts to make a catch in the endzone during the second half of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs versus the Arizona State Sun Devils football game at Mountain America Stadium on September 26, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Yeung/Getty Images)
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R1 P8, WR, Jordyn Tyson, ASU
R2 P42, DT, Christen Miller, Georgia
R3 P73, TE, Oscar Delp, Georgia
R4 P132, G, Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
R5 P172, S, Lorenzo Styles Jr., OSU
R6 P190, WR, Baron Brown, LSU
R7 P219, CB, TJ Hall, Iowa
GRADE B
Atlanta Falcons: Pre-Draft Day Needs: WR, OT, DL, CB, LB
The Falcons were picking with one hand tied behind their back because of the last regime. They had no first round pick, six total picks with their first pick coming halfway through the second round at number 48.
R2 P48, CB, Avieon Terrell, Clemson
R3 P79, WR, Zachariah Branch, Georgia
R4 P134, LB, Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma
R6 P208, DT, Anterio Thompson, Washington
R6 P215, LB, Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
R7 P231, OT, Ethan Onianwa, OSU
GRADE C
2026 Draft Grades For Each NFL NFC Team By Division
2026 NFL Draft - Round One
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
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Of course the value for each draft pick will not be established until they get on the field. Kellen Mooreās Saints in the South look to be disruptive and upset the traditional balance of power. The East may be a three-way brawl with the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants all making draft day moves that have the maximum potential. The Packers with the least amount of picks in the North may have made the biggest gains and the West for the most part remained status quo with the Cardinals selling jerseys and the Rams looking to the future with their first round picks.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
