5 NFL Teams That Must Crush the 2026 Draft

From the Ravens to the Jets, these squads need to nail their picks to meet lofty expectations

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting various football elements like players, balls, and team logos, conveying the conceptual tension and complexity of the upcoming NFL Draft.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes 2026 NFL Draft captures the pressure facing several teams to build championship-caliber rosters.Denver Today

The 2026 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and several teams are under immense pressure to make the most of their picks. The Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets all face high expectations heading into the new season and must capitalize on their draft capital to address key needs and position themselves for success.

Why it matters

These five teams have all made significant offseason moves, from coaching changes to free agent acquisitions, that have raised the stakes for the 2026 campaign. How they perform in the draft will be crucial in determining whether they can meet lofty playoff and championship aspirations or risk falling short of expectations.

The details

The Ravens fired long-time head coach John Harbaugh and brought in Jesse Minter, who is tasked with finding the pieces to improve their passing game and defense. The Bills parted ways with Sean McDermott and promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who needs to find receiving help and shore up the secondary. The Chiefs are coming off a rare missed playoff appearance and must aid Patrick Mahomes' recovery from a torn ACL. The Raiders made a splash in free agency but still need wide receiver and offensive line help. And the Jets are trying to balance building for the future with making the 2026 season respectable under a new defensive-minded head coach.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23 at 6:00 pm mountain time.

The players

John Harbaugh

The former head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, who had 12 playoff appearances, six AFC North titles, and a Super Bowl XLVII victory during his 18-season tenure.

Jesse Minter

The new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, tasked with improving the team's passing game and defense.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who was fired after their divisional round playoff loss to the Denver Broncos.

Joe Brady

The new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, previously serving as their offensive coordinator.

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 of the 2025 season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“...this is a team that is expected to do more than just make the postseason. The Ravens are expected to make a real run at Super Bowl LXI.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These five teams have all made significant offseason moves that have raised expectations for the 2026 NFL season. How they perform in the upcoming draft will be crucial in determining whether they can meet those lofty goals or risk falling short.