Top schematic fits from each round of the 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft has officially wrapped up. Teams prioritized needs, versatile defenders, scheme-friendly players and trench maulers. Here is one schematic fit per round that highlights how each aligns with their new team's systems. 

ROUND ONE

Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback (1st Overall - Las Vegas Raiders)

Mendoza’s prototypical size (6-foot-5, 236 pounds), accuracy and poise fit the Raiders' rebuilding team. As mentioned before, new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak runs a scheme heavily influenced by the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay tree, which includes wide-zone runs, heavy play-action, layered timing routes, etc. 

Mendoza brings experience from a similar offense at Indiana and has the ability to process quickly and deliver from the pocket, which suits the scheme's emphasis on play-action and intermediate accuracy, allowing him to grow behind a veteran in Kirk Cousins and providing long-term stability.

ROUND TWO

Kayden McDonald, Defensive Tackle (36 Overall - Houston Texans)

McDonald’s disruptive interior presence fits the Texans’ stout, physical approach under DeMeco Ryans. He displays good lower-body strength and anchor ability to be stout at the point of attack and clog running lanes in the interior. 

In this defense, McDonald can play the 0-tech/1-tech, known as the nose tackle or shade to the 2/3-tech. His quickness to slip blocks and recover fits the aggressive, movement-oriented elements of the scheme without sacrificing his stoutness. 

ROUND THREE

Ted Hurst, Wide Receiver (84 Overall - Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

This addition addresses the departure of future Hall of Famer and franchise legend Mike Evans. He brings ideal size, speed and vertical ability to an offense under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. 

Hurst’s combination of size, radius, 4.42 speed and ball-tracking makes him ideal for deep shots and fade/back-shoulder throws that Baker Mayfield excels at. He fills the big-bodied boundary role vacated by Evans, providing a red zone mismatch and stretching safeties to open underneath windows for Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka.

ROUND FOUR

Drew Shelton, Offensive Tackle (112 Overall - Dallas Cowboys)

Shelton was the first offensive selection in a defense-heavy class for the Cowboys, adding depth and competition at tackle while addressing the need behind Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele, who have been injured.

Shelton’s good athletic ability, which is aided by his lateral quickness and ability to reach any angle, makes him a natural fit for the Cowboys’ outside zone-heavy approach. He excels as a mover in space who can get to the second level and create running lanes without needing to overpower defenders. A true developmental prospect who could potentially be a starter down the road. 

ROUND FIVE

Beau Stephens, Offensive Guard (148 Overall - Seattle Seahawks)

The Seahawks selected Stephens by trading up, sending a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns. He adds a tough, experienced interior presence to an offensive line that has shown improvement in 2025 but still seeks depth and competition, particularly at guard.

Stephens ranks among the top zone blockers in his class, displaying solid angles off the snap, dominating combo blocks and sustaining through contact at the point of attack. He can win off the snap with solid initial quickness, active feet and the ability to climb to the second level, helping establish the run while setting up play-action. 

ROUND SIX

Jordan Van Den Berg, Defensive Tackle (213 Overall - Chicago Bears)

Van Den Berg was another pick who was traded up for in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bears sent their two seventh-round picks to the Buffalo Bills to acquire the pick. This late-round addition brings good athletic ability and run-stopping potential to a defensive line that needed depth and explosiveness.

He's a one-gap penetrator who consistently improved each season during his college career. He has a quick get-off, which aligns perfectly with Dennis Allen’s preference for upfield, disruptive interior players. He can slant into gaps, slip blocks and create negative plays, which will complement Grady Jarrett and others by freeing edges and linebackers.

ROUND SEVEN

Cole Wisniewski, Safety (244 Overall - Philadelphia Eagles)

Wisniewski was an underrated selection who could've gone higher in the draft. He brings size, physicality and run-support ability to a veteran secondary under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. 

Wisniewski’s best football comes near the line of scrimmage, playing inside the box where Fangio’s light-box philosophy occasionally requires a safety to step up as an extra run defender or C-gap player. His size, instincts and tackling ability make him a tone-setter in run support, helping the Eagles stay stout against the run.