NFL draft: Live analysis and insights from Day 3
theScore's football editors offer their insights from the most notable moves, emerging trends, and interesting picks throughout Rounds 4-7 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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The Chiefs' backfield is one to watch
The Chiefs traded up in the fifth round to select their first offensive player in Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson. It's incredible value to draft our No. 3-ranked back with the 161st pick. It also puts the finishing touches on a totally reimagined running back room.
The Chiefs signed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency. He's one of the best in the business at creating yards after contact. Johnson produces extra yardage his own way too: He forced 68 missed tackles as a rusher last year, more than any other running back in this draft, per PFF. It's been a while since Kansas City had a dynamic backfield, but this one-two combo has the potential to be a serious problem for opposing defenses. - Daniel Valente
Indiana's championship pedigree pays off
Through four rounds, five players have already been drafted from Indiana's national championship team: quarterback Fernando Mendoza, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, running back Kaelon Black, and wideout Elijah Sarratt. Only five Indiana players were drafted in total from 2020-25. If there's one thing NFL teams love, it's a winner. - Daniel Valente
Bills land All-American wideout
Giving Josh Allen more weapons has been a priority for the Bills. It'll be interesting to see how UConn wideout Skyler Bell - their newest fourth-round selection - fits. Bell was a consensus All-American in 2025 after catching 101 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. The 6-footer amassed 835 yards after catch and offers great contested-catch ability.
Bell was also a finalist for the 2025 Biletnikoff Award recognizing college football's most outstanding wide receiver. His fall to Day 3 was a relative surprise, but he could end up being a steal for the Bills, who also traded for receiver DJ Moore earlier in the offseason. - Caio Miari
Can Jets develop Klubnik?
New York's quarterback room welcomed another passer Saturday, with the Jets moving up in the fourth round to draft former Clemson starter Cade Klubnik 110th overall. Klubnik is coming off an underwhelming season with the Tigers. He threw for 16 touchdowns while averaging 245.3 passing yards per game, down from 36 touchdowns and 259.9 yards in 2024.
Klubnik was once considered a top quarterback prospect and made 40 starts during his Tigers tenure. He's never thrown double-digit interceptions in a season. The Jets will now try to develop him into a capable NFL quarterback. In a perfect world, Klubnik will play at least one or two seasons behind veteran Geno Smith before potentially getting a shot to become QB1. - Caio Miari
Chiefs can't stop adding defenders
The Chiefs needed to rejuvenate their defensive unit after losing key defensive backs this offseason. They traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, and Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook left in free agency. Kansas City's defensive front also regressed in 2025, ranking 18th in pressures after placing sixth in that category in '24, according to Pro Football Reference.
As a result, the Chiefs have built an all-defense draft class through four rounds in 2026. Kansas City traded up to land top cornerback prospect Mansoor Delane at No. 6 overall and used another first-round pick on defensive lineman Peter Woods. Andy Reid's outfit then spent a Round 2 selection on edge rusher R Mason Thomas before taking another corner, Jadon Canady, 109th overall in the fourth round. - Caio Miari
Chargers give McDaniel more speed
Los Angeles used a fourth-round pick to add a home-run hitter with blazing speed to an offense led by new coordinator Mike McDaniel. Wide receiver Brenen Thompson spent the 2025 season at Mississippi State and led the SEC with 1,054 receiving yards. He averaged a whopping 18.5 yards per catch. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder also ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine with an official time of 4.26 seconds.
During his time with the Miami Dolphins, McDaniel built the league's fastest and most dynamic offense with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Co. It's safe to say he'll enjoy the Thompson selection. - Caio Miari
β Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 25, 2026
Raiders end McCoy's fall in 4th round
Las Vegas made one of the draft's most interesting moves to start Round 4. The Raiders traded up one spot with the Bills to take Jermod McCoy 101st overall, ending the Tennessee cornerback's long fall. Talent-wise, McCoy is one of the premier corners in the 2026 class. However, some NFL teams are concerned that he has a degenerative knee issue. He's reportedly recovered from a torn ACL that sidelined him in 2025, but he could face another extended absence. Clubs believe a bone plug that was used to fix a cartilage defect in his knee may need to be replaced via another surgery.
Still, the Raiders decided to take the risk, which makes sense at this point in the draft. We'll get more clarity on McCoy's availability during the offseason. For now, Las Vegas landed a very promising corner who could become a quality NFL starter. He may not fix the Raiders' short-term cornerback problems, but he could eventually become the future of their secondary. - Caio Miari