2026 NFL Draft Trade Grades: Chiefs, Cowboys, and Dolphins Come Out as Losers

The 2026 NFL Draft was a wild ride for front offices across the league, with several blockbuster trades and questionable moves shaping rosters for the coming season. Among the most scrutinized deals were the Kansas City Chiefs’ acquisition of CB Mansoor Delane from the Cleveland Browns, the Dallas Cowboys’ trade for S Caleb Downs from the Miami Dolphins, and the Dolphins’ later move for CB Chris Johnson from the San Francisco 49ers. Analyst Walter Cherepinsky graded each deal, and the results were as mixed as the trades themselves.

The Chiefs sent OT Spencer Fano and two mid-round picks to the Browns in exchange for Delane at No. 9. Cherepinsky called this a “clear loser” for Kansas City, noting that Delane wasn’t a top-tier corner and the Chiefs needed help at nearly every position. The Browns, on the other hand, received a high-value pick and two extra selections, earning a top grade for the trade. “The worst of it is that they probably could have taken Delane at No. 9,” Cherepinsky wrote. “I can promise you that the Redskins weren’t going to select him.”

The Cowboys also made a questionable move, acquiring Caleb Downs from the Dolphins for OT Kadyn Proctor and two fifth-round picks. Cherepinsky criticized the trade, calling it a “bluff” by Miami and a poor decision by Jerry Jones. “The Cowboys flushed two fifths down the toilet,” he said. The Dolphins, meanwhile, landed their target while securing valuable draft capital and received an A grade for the deal.

One of the more surprising trades came when the Eagles sent DE Malachi Lawrence and two fourth-round picks to the Cowboys in exchange for WR Makai Lemon and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Cherepinsky noted that Lemon had a “very sketchy personality” and teams had removed him from draft boards due to odd combine interviews. The Cowboys, who moved up to No. 20, earned an A for the trade while the Eagles barely squeaked a C.

The Texans also made a controversial move, trading up two spots from No. 28 to No. 26 for G Keylan Rutledge, giving up a third- and second-round pick. Cherepinsky said the move made no sense, and the Bills came out as the clear winners. The 49ers and Patriots also had notable trades, with the Patriots earning an A- for acquiring OT Caleb Lomu to protect QB Drake Maye.

With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, these draft decisions will be tested on the field. The real winners and losers may not be known for years, but for now, the Chiefs, Cowboys, and Dolphins are sitting with some of the lowest grades.