The NFC draft rankings highlight the Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles as top teams following the 2026 NFL draft. Each team made significant additions, with the Eagles trading up for Makai Lemon, signaling changes in their roster.
Key points
Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles excelled in the 2026 NFL draft.
Eagles traded up to draft Makai Lemon.
Five offensive players added to the Eagles' roster.
Teams positioned for short- and long-term success.
Draft classes could influence NFC hierarchy.
New York GiantsDallas CowboysPhiladelphia EaglesTampa Bay Buccaneers
TheĀ Philadelphia Eagles completed their 2026 NFL draft,Ā making slight overhauls to Sean Mannion's unit by adding five talented, versatile offensive players to the roster. The first two picks are future stars and likely 2025 starters, while all five players offer elite skill sets and the potential to develop into critical starters. Further signifying a change is coming at wide receiver,Ā Philadelphia traded up to add Makai Lemon, all but officially signaling the end of the A.J. Brown era.
That wasn't the only really good draft class. Whether it's the immediate impact talent added by the New York Giants, the balanced approach from the Dallas Cowboys, or the long-term roster building of the Philadelphia Eagles, this year's NFC draft cycle delivered intrigue across the board, with several teams excelling. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints also positioned themselves for both short- and long-term success, rounding out a group that could shape the conference hierarchy for years to come.
In no particular order, we're examining the five best draft classes in the NFC.
Giants
Q&A
What teams are ranked highest in the NFC draft rankings for 2026?
The New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles are ranked as the top teams in the NFC draft rankings for 2026.
Who did the Philadelphia Eagles draft in 2026?
The Philadelphia Eagles added five versatile offensive players, including Makai Lemon, who is expected to play a significant role in the future.
What impact will the 2026 NFL draft have on the NFC teams?
The 2026 NFL draft is expected to shape the conference hierarchy for years, with teams like the Buccaneers and Saints also making strategic picks.
What does the Eagles' trade for Makai Lemon signify?
The Eagles' trade for Makai Lemon indicates a shift in their wide receiver strategy, likely marking the end of the A.J. Brown era.
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Apr 24, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants draft pick Arvell Reese addresses the media during the introductory press conference at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images
Apr 24, 2026; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants draft pick Arvell Reese addresses the media during the introductory press conference at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images
A re-energized John Harbaugh traded Dexter Lawrence and landed pass rusher Arvell Reese at No. 5 overall, and the best offensive tackle in the draft in Miami Hurricanes stud, Francis Mauigoa, at No. 10 overall, giving the Giants two immediate starters. On Day 2 of the draft, the team selected Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood (No. 37) before making a trade to move into the third round in order to select Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields (No. 74).
The Giants wrapped up their draft class on Day 3 with three selections in the sixth round. The team first boosted the trenches, landing Auburn defensive lineman Bobby Jamison-Travis (No. 186) and Illinois offensive lineman J.C. Davis (No. 192) before adding BYU linebacker Jack Kelly (No. 193) with their final pick.
Cowboys
May 1, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Caleb Downs (18) is coached through a drill with defensive coordinator Christian Parker at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
May 1, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Caleb Downs (18) is coached through a drill with defensive coordinator Christian Parker at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
The Cowboys landed the player every team on the board coveted, Ohio State's stud safety, Caleb Downs. After trading Micah Parsons, Dallas added two more prominent big-name pass rushers, adding Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, and LT Overton. Lawrence brings immediate rotational value after posting an 89.5 PFF pass-rush grade last season. Fourth-round pick Devin Moore earned an 83.0 PFF grade in 2025 and offers the length and speed required for press-man coverage.
Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Rueben Bain Jr. (R) of Miami poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) after being selected fifteenth overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Rueben Bain Jr. (R) of Miami poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) after being selected fifteenth overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Rueben Bain Jr.'s arm length caused a notable slide, and the professional pass rusher slid into Todd Bowles hands. The Bucs added Bain Jr. in the first round, inside linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second round, receiver Ted Hurst in the third, defensive back Keionte Scott in the fourth, defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart with the 155th pick in the fifth round, guard Billy Schrauth with the 160th pick in the fifth, and Sharp in the sixth. Scott has the versatility to play nickel, safety, or line up at outside corner. Hurst dominated the Senior Bowl and may have been a first-round prospect had he starred in the SEC rather than at Georgia State in college.
Eagles
May 1, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eli Stowers (87) runs drills during rookie minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
May 1, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Eli Stowers (87) runs drills during rookie minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The first two picks are future stars and likely 2025 starters, while all five players offer elite skill sets and the potential to develop into critical starters. Further signifying a change is coming at wide receiver, Philadelphia traded up to add Makai Lemon, all but officially signaling the end of the A.J. Brown era. Considered one of the top pass catchers in the draft, Lemon was the third wide receiver selected and went eight picks later than he was ranked. Lemon is a gritty running back who plays receiver and utilizes his 5-11, 192-pound frame to dominate in yards after catch. His positional versatility will allow Lemon to mesh well with DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Hollywood Brown. The PhiladelphiaEagles added Eli Stowers as a running mate for Dallas Goedert, and the NFL world is already buzzing about the potential impact of the move. The pick gives the Eagles an eventual replacement for Goedert, but for 2026, it adds another elite weapon to an offense set to lose A.J. Brown after June 1. Bell brings size, length, and developmental upside to a unit that has long been the foundation of Philadelphia's roster-building philosophy, but has seen a change with Sean Mannion as offensive coordinator and Jeff Stoutland out as offensive line coach. Bell allowed zero sacks in 558 pass pro snaps for Markel Bell in 2025.
Saints
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jordyn Tyson is selected by the New Orleans Saints as the number eight pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jordyn Tyson is selected by the New Orleans Saints as the number eight pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Saints picked stud wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the No. 8 pick. Tyson has an extensive injury history (hamstring, ankle, and knee injuries, and a broken collarbone). The 6-foot-4, 321-pound Miller can provide run support for a team that finished 19th against the run in 2025, and also an interior pass rush. Delp had a total of 70 catches over four seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs, but he's athletic and could see an uptick as a professional.
