Draft Picks Position Five NFL Teams for Potential Division Turnarounds in 2026

Sports Illustrated’s post-draft analysis identifies five clubs—Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, and New York Jets—as having the strongest case to move from the bottom of their divisions to the top in the upcoming season. Each team addressed a specific roster weakness through its 2026 selections, creating a clear pathway for competitive improvement.

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• Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 8-9, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and ranking 17th in sacks (37) while posting a 19.8 % pressure rate, the league’s 25th.

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• Tennessee Titans recorded only three wins, ranking near the bottom of the AFC South.

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• Kansas City Chiefs fell to 6-11, missed the postseason, and tied for 22nd in sacks with 35. Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL in Week 15.

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• New York Giants entered the offseason with a new head coach, John Harbaugh, and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, signaling a rebuild.

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• New York Jets concluded the year without a clear franchise quarterback, prompting a focus on defensive and offensive skill-position depth.

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• Buccaneers: Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. (No. 15, Florida) and linebacker Josiah Trotter (No. 46, Missouri) to bolster pass rush and second-level depth; receiver Ted Hurst (No. 84, Georgia State) adds size for quarterback Baker Mayfield.

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• Titans: Wideout Carnell Tate (No. 4, Ohio State) provides a primary target for second-year quarterback Cam Ward; defensive end Keldric Faulk (No. 31, Auburn) and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (No. 60, Texas) reinforce the front seven.

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• Chiefs: Cornerback Mansoor Delane (No. 6, LSU) and interior defensive tackle Peter Woods (No. 29, Clemson) address secondary and line deficiencies; edge rusher R Mason Thomas (No. 40, Oklahoma) adds pass-rush upside.

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• Giants: Edge rusher/linebacker Arvell Reese (No. 5, Ohio State) and versatile lineman Francis Mauigoa (No. 10, Miami) fortify both sides of the ball; cornerback Colton Hood (No. 37, Tennessee) and receiver Malachi Fields (No. 74, Notre Dame) add depth.

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• Jets: Edge rusher David Bailey (No. 2, Texas Tech) leads the draft class with a nation-best 14.5 sacks; tight end Kenyon Sadiq (No. 16, Oregon) and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (No. 30, Indiana) expand offensive weapons; cornerback D’Angelo Ponds (No. 50, Indiana) strengthens the secondary.

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• Pass rush: Buccaneers add two players with a combined 19.5 college sacks; Chiefs improve interior line play with Woods and Thomas, the latter posting 15.5 sacks at Oklahoma.

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• Defensive front: Titans’ Faulk, a 276-lb run defender, is projected as a “pet project” for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

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• Offensive skill positions: Giants’ Reese (6.5 sacks, 69 tackles) and Jets’ Bailey (14.5 sacks) represent top-tier college production at their positions.

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• Overall depth: Each team filled multiple rounds, indicating a strategy to address both immediate impact and developmental depth.

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If the drafted players meet projected contributions, the Buccaneers could reclaim the NFC South by improving sack production and pass protection. The Titans’ added perimeter threat and defensive line depth may translate into more wins, potentially elevating them within the AFC South. Kansas City’s enhanced front seven could close the gap with division rivals, while the Giants’ dual-position upgrades and the Jets’ defensive revamp position both New York clubs to challenge their respective division leaders in 2026.

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All five teams will convene for organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamps before the end of June, providing the first practical evaluation of the new draftees alongside returning veterans. These sessions will be critical for integrating the rookies into scheme-specific roles and for coaches to assess whether the draft-driven roster changes can translate into on-field performance.

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