Live 2026 NFL Draft Grades: Picks 17-32

2026 NFL Draft Grades for Picks 17-32:

17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson – B+ Grade
    The Lions desperately needed a tackle with Taylor Decker gone, and there was some discussion that they’d move up for Kadyn Proctor. Instead, they get Blake Miller, who fills an obvious need. I would have preferred Monroe Freeling over Miller, but I can see why Detroit would make this move. He’s a great athlete with lots of upside, but needs to get stronger for the pros, so he’s a project of sorts.
    
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18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida – C Grade
    Caleb Banks got hurt during the pre-draft process, so it’s nice to see that he wasn’t dinged for that. This still seems too early for Banks, but I don’t hate the pick. The Vikings had a major weakness on the defensive front that had to be addressed. Still, bigger defensive tackles tend to go later than this usually, so I think the Vikings could have gotten more value with this selection.
    
    
19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia – A- Grade
    Some thought that Monroe Freeling would be the first tackle off the board early in this process. That turned out to be nonsense, but Freeling seems like good value here. The Panthers suddenly need tackle help with Ikem Ekwonu dealing with a devastating injury and Taylor Moton heading into his contract year. Protecting Bryce Young is very important, so I like that the Panthers decided to make this decision.
    
    
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC – C Grade
    There are two sides to this pick. On one hand, the Eagles were able to land a dynamic weapon to help them deal with A.J. Brown’s departure. Lemon was good enough to go No. 13, so this value is great. On the other hand, Lemon had some seriously terrible and weird interviews at the combine. I don’t know if he’ll be welcome on an NFL team for the long term, so the Eagles may not even know how he conducted himself. This pick has great upside, but Lemon may not be around very long if he continues this behavior.
    
    
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State – A- Grade
    Max Iheanachor will move one of the incumbent tackles to guard. He’s a very talented offensive lineman who doesn’t have much experience. He’s a project of sorts, but he has very high upside and could give the Steelers two upgrades for the price of one. This is a solid pick for the host of the 2026 NFL Draft.
    
    
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami – C- Grade
    I’m not a fan of this pick. It fills a need, but Akheem Mesidor is an old prospect (25), so there’s not much upside. Mesidor was also able to ride Rueben Bain’s coattails, so there’s no way of knowing how he would have performed if opposing teams were able to focus on him.
    
    
23. Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Lawrence, DE, Central Florida – A- Grade
    I like that the Cowboys traded down three spots and were able to obtain a player they could have easily chosen at their natural selection. Malachi Lawrence is an explosive pass rusher who should be able to help Dallas get to the quarterback for a change. He’s a liability against the run, but Dallas needed a pass-rushing replacement for Micah Parsons.
    
    
24. Cleveland Browns: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M – A- Grade
    There was some concern that the Browns wouldn’t be able to get a viable receiver at No. 24 if they chose a tackle at No. 6 (or No. 9), but that turned out not to be the case. K.C. Concepcion is a terrific prospect with some great play-making ability. He should be able to give Pro Bowler Shedeur Sanders a great weapon, though it must be noted that he comes with some character concerns.
    
    
25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon – B Grade
    Keldric Faulk fell right into the Bears’ laps, but so did Dillon Thieneman. Sort of. Thieneman was expected to be drafted earlier, but safeties fall, so Thieneman being available isn’t a surprise. Thieneman will be a nice upgrade for the Bears at safety, but they should have considered other players for their dreadful pass rush. They’ll have an opportunity to do so in the second round.
    
    
26. Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech – C- Grade
    The Texans moved up for Keylan Rutledge? Why? They easily could have gotten him two picks later because he’s a second-round prospect. Rutledge is a monster in the running game, but pass protection could be an issue, which is not ideal with C.J. Stroud regressing each year. But hey, at least the Texans used draft capital to move up for someone who can help a 29-year-old running back get more yards.
    
    
27. Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State – D Grade
    Chris Johnson had gotten mid-round grades not too long ago, so this rise was unexpected. Still, it’s not a surprise that Chris Johnson went in the first round. I have two issues with this pick. First, there was no need to trade up for Johnson with several talented corners available. Second, Miami failed to address the weakest receiver room in the NFL in the first round, which is something they needed to do to make sure Malik Willis succeeds.
    
    
28. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah – A Grade
    We’ve seen some sketchy trade-ups, but this was a great one. Caleb Lomu was the final tackle available in the first round, and he easily could have gone to the 49ers or Chiefs. Drake Maye was sacked at least five times in every single playoff game, so New England had to obtain someone like Lomu.
    
    
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson – B+ Grade
    I didn’t like that the Chiefs traded up for Mansoor Delane, but I like this pick much more. Peter Woods is a talented, disruptive interior defensive lineman who easily could have gone in the 18-22 range. In fact, he would have made more sense at the 18th pick than Caleb Banks. The Chiefs are getting great value with Woods, who will be the successor for Chris Jones. We’ll have to see if Woods finally lives up to his potential, but there’s a ton of upside with this pick.
    
    
30. New York Jets: Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana – A Grade
    The Jets are giving Arch Manning quite the arsenal, selecting Omar Cooper after getting Kenyon Sadiq. They were starved for offensive firepower, and they may now have plenty of it. Cooper should be a big upgrade across from Garrett Wilson, and he provides with plenty of value because he easily could have gotten him in the 16-21 range.
    
    
31. Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn – A+ Grade
    The Titans began the night by screwing up our draft prop on Jordyn Tyson, but at least they ended the night on a high note. Keldric Faulk has superb talent and could have easily been chosen in the teens or maybe even No. 12. The Titans don’t have an edge rush, so the Titans are filling a huge need with a prospect with insane upside.
    
    
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame – B Grade
    It’s disappointing that the Seahawks weren’t able to trade down because they had just four picks heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. However, this is definitely not a bad pick, as the Seahawks are obviously a Super Bowl contender, so it makes sense for them to use a first-round selection on a running back. Jadarian Price is an explosive running back who fills a huge need in the wake of Kenneth Walker’s departure and Zach Charbonnet’s injury.