The 2026 NFL Draft has long-since come and gone in the long-ago era that was last week. In the days since, approximately all the words ever have been written about the fantasy prospects of the 300-plus players who have entered the NFL this year, either as draft picks or undrafted free agents.

Of course, the NFL draft doesn't just impact the youngsters embarking on their NFL careers. It can also have a significant impact on players already in the league. More than a few veteran players watch the draft with equal parts anticipation and trepidation—because a rookie joining a team can be as much a replacement as a teammate.

Some veterans dodged the proverbial bullet in that regard and still appear to have a clear path to starting for their respective teams in 2026. Others weren't so lucky—they watched as someone stepped to the podium and announced the name of a prospect who may well bump them to the bench—or even beyond.

The Turk spares no one, be they 22 or 32.

Just like with the rookies, from an IDP perspective, there were winners and losers among the NFL's veterans from the 2026 NFL Draft.

Care to guess where things are headed from here?

Winner: EDGE Rashan Gary, Dallas Cowboys

After a 2025 campaign in which the Dallas defense was absolutely atrocious, the Cowboys have taken a buzzsaw to their defense in 2026, including a trade with the Green Bay Packers (again) that brought veteran edge rusher Rashan Gary to Dallas back in March. The question was how much (if any) help the Cowboys were going to give Gary in this year's draft.

Dallas didn't waste any time bringing in that help, using the second of their first-round picks to select UCF's Malachi Lawrence. Lawrence joins a line that already featured Gary, end Donovan Ezeiruaku, and tackle Quinnen Williams. That combination of talent should keep opponents from focusing a whole lot of attention on Gary in 2026, giving the eighth-year veteran a real chance at DL2 production this season.

Loser: EDGE Nolan Smith Jr., Philadelphia Eagles

Back in 2023, the Eagles spent the 30th overall pick on Smith out of Georgia, and in 2024, it appeared that the lightbulb was coming on—the 6'2", 238-pounder topped 40 total tackles and added 6.5 sacks. Last year, however, Smith missed five games and managed just three sacks across 451 snaps. And now, despite having his fifth-year option picked up, Smith's chances of rebounding in 2026 took a hit during the draft.

That hit didn't come from a rookie. No, the problem is the arrival of veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who the Eagles gave up a Day 2 pick to obtain from the Minnesota Vikings in a draft-day trade. Greenard had a miserable 2025 season, but in both 2023 and 2024, the 28-year-old had at least a dozen sacks. His arrival won't do Smith's snap count any favors, and news flash—snaps equal opportunities for IDP production.

Winner: EDGE DeMarcus Lawrence, Seattle