The 2026 NFL Draft has ended, and although nobody will truly know how each team did for a few years, draft grades still exist, and every class from each team will be judged against one another. Questions like who got the best values when they picked, who was the steal of the draft, and who filled their needs with quality prospects. Answers to these questions help decide the best draft classes of the year.
The Dallas Cowboys definitely had a top-tier draft class. They had two different players who were terrific values and could’ve been the steal of the class, plus they absolutely filled needs on a rebuilding defense with quality prospects. The Cowboys made the top five, but where did they land on a list of the best draft classes of 2026?
1: New York Jets
The New York Jets have the advantage of three first-round picks and four selections in the top 50. The Jets took edge David Bailey with pick No. 2, tight end Kenyon Sadiq with pick No.16, and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at pick No. 30. All three of those players are in the top 25 of both Dane Brugler and Fran Duffy’s top 25. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds was 22nd on Duffy’s top 100. Darrell Jackson Jr. was on the top five defensive tackle list, and the Jets picked him at No. 103.
2: Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs selected a cornerback, defensive tackle, running back, and quarterback who all made the top five at their position. They traded up to pick No. 6 to select cornerback Mansoor Delane from LSU and then took Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with their other first-round pick. Brugler had edge R Mason Thomas from Oklahoma as his 44th prospect and was the pick at No. 40. Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson and LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier were a great value as well. Nussmeier was picked No. 249 and was 28th on Duffy’s top 100 ranking.
3: Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns chose five prospects at or past their ranking on both Brugler and Duffy’s top 100 boards and five players in the top five at each position, including two receivers. Texas A&M slot receiver, KC Concepcion, and Washington Huskies Denzel Boston. Spencer Fano was in the top 10 of both top 100 boards, and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was in the top 25. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green was a top-five quarterback prospect, and the Browns took him at pick No. 182.
4: Dallas Cowboys
Technically, the Dallas Cowboys could be first on this list if Quinnen Williams, George Pickens, and Dee Winters were added as second, third, and fifth-round picks. Still, they make the list because they landed the top safety and most scouts’ top prospect in the class, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, with a pick outside the top-10. UCF edge rusher, Malachi Lawrence, was a top-10 prospect on CBS Sports draft analyst, Chris Trapasso’s board and a top-five edge prospect in the class. Jaishawn Barham was the 100th player on Brugler’s top 100, and Dallas selected him at pick No.92. Florida cornerback Devin Moore was one of Duffy’s biggest steals as his 38th overall prospect, selected at pick No. 114. LT Overton, edge out of Alabama, was taken 13 picks over his ranking on Brugler’s list as well. The Cowboys even landed a top-five tight end prospect as an undrafted free agent.
5: Miami Dolphins
The New York Giants could’ve made it to the top five, but were beaten out because they passed up on Downs twice in the Top 10. The Miami Dolphins take the fifth spot by drafting four prospects from Brugler’s Top 50, and Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis, ranked 75th, at No. 138. Ohio State offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor was in the top five at his position. San Diego State corner Chris Johnson was Top 25 on Brugler’s list and the third corner on the top five cornerbacks list. Texas Tech Linebacker, Jacob Rodriguez, and Louisville receiver, Chris Bell, were both top 50 on Duffy and Brugler’s board, with Rodriguez being a top-five linebacker.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or on YouTube at Across the Cowboys podcast
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Top 5 draft classes flooded by teams with multiple first-round picks
Reporting by Mike Crum, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
