The 2026 NFL Draft has concluded, impacting veteran players' prospects. Key additions and changes to rosters are now being evaluated as teams aim for the Super Bowl.
Key points
2026 NFL Draft has concluded
Assessment of roster changes is underway
Impact on veteran players is being evaluated
Focus on Super Bowl aspirations
New rookies and undrafted free agents added
Kansas City ChiefsLas Vegas RaidersTravis KelcePatrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs v Las Vegas Raiders
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 27: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, at Allegiant Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
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The 2026 NFL Draft is in our review mirrors. The undrafted free agents have been added, and the rookie camps are wrapping up. Now, it is time to assess just what the 2026 NFL Draft added to and subtracted from each team's hopes and path towards the Super Bowl.
It begins with what players were added (or not) to the rosters. Was a running back added that will impact the stable of running backs already on the roster? Did a quarterback get some much-needed help either with skill players or on the all-important offensive line?
There were players whose starting jobs may have been hanging in the balance before the draft. Some still are, and some, it feels like, are in for a potentially huge 2026. Letās look at five of them.
Top 5 Veteran Players Who Benefited From Their Teams' 2026 NFL Draft
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Los Angeles Chargers v New York Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrates a two-point conversion against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 28, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Who They Drafted:
The New York Giants had seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two in the top-10 of the first round.
Most noticeably, the Giants did not pick a running back. They did sign an undrafted free agent running back, Damon Bankston, out of New Mexico. But Bankston, a five-year player (four years at Weber State and his last year at New Mexico), is a utility signing that adds depth to both the running back room and the kick return team. He does not appear to be a threat to Skatteboās playing time.
How This Benefits Skattebo
Skattebo dislocated his ankle in Week 8 of last season. Before the injury, Skattebo had five rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns. On his 101 carries, he averaged 4.1 yards per carry, and on the receiving end, he had 24 receptions on 32 targets.
Per Ourlads, Skattebo is currently listed as RB1 in the Giants depth chart, with RB2 being Tyron Tracy, and Devin Singletary listed as RB3.
After talks of the Giants wanting Kenneth Walker and then Jeremiyah Love and getting neither, Skattebo is looking good.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 23: Davante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown pass against Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter in the game at SoFi Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The surprise in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft was the Rams picking quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick.
The 33-year-old Adams was a red-zone beast last season. Among all wide receivers, he was second in red zone targets (32), fourth in red zone target share (35.6%), and first in total touchdowns (14).
The consensus was that the Rams would look for a wide receiver, for depth, and to provide some on-field relief to the aging Adams. USCās Makai Lemon was still on the board. Lemon led the rookie wide receivers with a 53.8% red zone target share, which seemed like a good fit.
The Rams, in fact, did not draft a wide receiver until the sixth round. They then doubled down, and with their 18 undrafted free-agent signings, there was not a single wide receiver.
How This Benefits Adams
It appears the wide receiver room will remain status quo for the Rams. Adamsā 55.95% snap count was in 14 games, and yet he was second among the Ramsā wide receivers. Konata Mumpfield, again listed behind Adams, had a 33.04% snap count last season with a 3.7% red zone target share and one touchdown in 17 games.
Adams' position as the red zone threat for the Rams appears to be solid.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: Kenneth Murray Jr. #59 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a safety as Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium on November 17, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Who They Drafted:
The Jets had eight picks in the draft, including three in the first round.
Smith was horrible last season in Las Vegas. He was 10th in interceptable passes thrown (15), 31st in first-down rate (30%), and finished the season with a 34.2 quarterback rating, which ranked 26th. He also played behind the 32nd-ranked offensive line, per Pro Football Focus, and his premier receiver was a tight end who only played in 14 games.
Smith is better by addition. Smith will be playing behind a better offensive line, and with the haul on draft night, he will have better weapons.
There was a big disparity between 2024 Smith and 2025 Smith. Look for Smith to be closer to the 2024 production.
The Chiefs didnāt even pretend to draft a tight end. And although they did add two āathletic freaksā in their undrafted free agent signings, wide receiver Jeff Caldwell and tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, they arenāt looking to (currently) replace Kelce.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: AUG 28 Wyoming at Akron
AKRON, OH - AUGUST 28: Wyoming Cowboys tight end John Michael Gyllenborg (84) is ruled in-bounds as he makes a catch as Akron Zips defensive back Ben Kamara (14) defends during the second quarter of the college football game between the Wyoming Cowboys and Akron Zips on August 28, 2025, at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Kelce was low-key good last season. Among all tight ends, he was eighth in first read target share (21.5%), fourth in targets (108), ninth in target share (19.7% and 14.5% red zone targets), fifth in air yards (735), and second in deep targets (10).
In addition to the Chiefs not signing a reputable replacement for Kelce, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is back. When Bieniemy was last seen on the Chiefsā sideline, Kelce was first in targets (152), first in red zone targets (30), third in target share (24.9% and 28% red zone targets), and second in air yards (1053).
Kelce won by the Chiefs, electing not to participate in the tight end run portion of the draft, and with the return of Bieniemy. The only real question is Patrick Mahomes' return from injury.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 18: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints catches a 42 yard pass against CJ Henderson #23 of the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter in the game at Bank of America Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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Who They Drafted:
The Saints had eight draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
On the surface, it is hard to imagine how someone who was statistically in the top-10 among all wide receivers could benefit from another wide receiver being selected. Olave dominated last season; he was fifth in targets (156), fifth in first read targets (7.4p/g), fifth in receptions (100), and first in air yards (1840), and the Saints still finished last in the NFC South with a 6-11 record.
Mainly because Olave was the only weapon the Saints had. Now with Tyson in the fold, the Saints have multiple weapons for Kellen Moore to scheme up.
Last season, Olave accounted for a 29.4% target share and a 27.5% target rate. With Tyson, that number will likely decrease, but that doesnāt mean it will affect Olaveās effectiveness. With Tyson, teams will now have to account for two good wide receivers, which could also result in fewer injuries for Olave.
Which brings us to the Who Dat, both Tyson and Olave need to stay healthy. A healthy Olave, not being the object of every defense's attention, is not only good for Olave but great for the Saints.
Players Who Benefited From the 2026 NFL Draft
Carolina Panthers v Seattle Seahawks
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Frank Reich of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 24, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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The Giants, Chiefs, and Jets will have new offensive coordinators this year (so will the Rams, but we all know that Sean McVay will be making the decisions). It remains to be seen if the new offensive coordinators are a benefit or detriment to their teams (yes, we are looking at you, Frank Reich and Matt Nagy). But their drafts helped solidify the positions of key veterans in key positions.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
