2026 NFL Draft First Round Review

The 2026 NFL draft came with many surprises and a number of trades, specifically in the later portions of the first round. From reaches to values, the draft was eventful; and with that, comes great picks as well as some head scratchers. With that in mind, we are going to review each pick and give initial thoughts on their landing spot. Below you will find a rough approach to how I grade NFL draft selections to give you an idea how to process my grades before getting into the article.

Grading Scale

A — A very strong addition to a roster that also likely was selected at value relative to where they should have been selected, filled a position of need, and was a scheme fit for what that team is trying to accomplish.

B — A good addition to a team that might address some combination of value, need, and scheme fit, but might not address all three.

C — This is a quality pick where I can understand the thought process, though it might have come with some areas of slight hesitations.

D — This is a selection that I could be wrong about, but struggle to get my head around personally.

F — This grade is reserved for draft picks that are complete reaches that I cannot find any credible reason for making the selection.

2026 NFL Draft: First Round Review

Round — 1 | Pick 1 | My Big Board 13

Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)

Draft Grade: A

This pick has been essentially locked in since the National Championship. There, a number of Raiders decision-makers, including Tom Brady, came to Miami to support Fernando Mendoza during his National Championship victory.

Mendoza offers an appealing blend of size, poise, and functional athleticism, with the ability to operate both in structure and when plays break down. What stands out most is his command of the offense, leadership, and toughness. Taking a quarterback at No. 1 always comes with pressure, and in this case, my prospect grade didn’t completely align with this draft slot. However, the quarterback tax is real.

The Raiders did, however, bring in Kirk Cousins to mentor Mendoza. This should allow him to acclimate to the NFL game, ensuring he is ready for NFL action prior to taking his first regular-season snap. If properly developed, this is the type of pick that can steady the ship in Las Vegas at the most important position in football.

Round — 1 | Pick 2 | My Big Board 15

New York Jets — David Bailey (Edge, Texas Tech)

Draft Grade: C

David Bailey is an explosive edge rusher who should add instant juice to the Jets pass rush. However, in my opinion, Arvell Reese was the better selection at this point in the draft. Bailey will be a good pass rusher, but Reese had the chance to be a blue-chip defensive centerpiece for the Jets for the next decade.

Bailey brings athleticism, an explosive first step, and relentless pursuit in the run game. However, his high pad level, slight stiffness in his game, and lack of difference-making in the run game will cap his ceiling if not refined at the next level. There is a chance that in five years Bailey is relegated to an explosive designated pass rusher with limited involvement on early downs.

Round — 1 | Pick 3 | My Big Board 1

Arizona Cardinals — Jeremiyah Love (Running back, Notre Dame)

Draft Grade: A-

There was smoke that this was the way this pick would play out if the Cardinals were not able to find a trade partner. However, I thought it was just that, smoke. Well, it wasn’t.

We live in the world where Jeremiyah Love is an Arizona Cardinal, and the 3-14 Cardinals now have the most expensive running back room in the NFL. Love was my highest-graded prospect in the 2026 class and was deserving to go at number three overall. My confusion is not a product of how early Love was selected, but rather the team selecting him this early.

Watching Cardinals games from last year, at no point did I find myself saying that they were a running back away from being a contender. That said, the Cardinals added an elite talent. And although I have questions about the roster building, if you add a blue-chip prospect to the roster it’s hard to question. You’re not drafting a running back in Jeremiyah Love; you’re drafting an offensive weapon who will serve as a catalyst to your offense for the next several years. For those reasons, I struggle to be too critical about it — especially if trading back obviously wasn’t in the cards here.

Round — 1 | Pick 4 | My Big Board 7

Tennessee Titans — Carnell Tate (Wide Receiver, Ohio State)

Draft Grade: B

Our first Buckeye of the first round, Carnell Tate, goes to Tennessee to help Cam Ward. Tate enters Tennessee ready to be Ward’s primary receiver, and adds a vertical dimension with elite ball skills to an offense lacking in that area pre-draft. He may not be the flashiest receiver in the class. However, the floor is extremely high, making this a safe and smart selection with long-term payoff for the development of their former first overall quarterback.

Round — 1 | Pick 5 | My Big Board 2

New York Giants — Arvell Reese (Linebacker, Ohio State)

Draft Grade: A+

Arvell Reese is an off-ball linebacker who can moonlight at edge in sub packages. Reese sliding past the Jets, Cardinals, and Titans, who could all use edge rush help, tells me the NFL sees it the same. As a prospect, Reese is a cyborg with an elite blend of size, speed, strength, and stopping power in both his hands and when making tackles.

Let me be clear: Reese falling to fifth overall will age poorly.

Reese is a future superstar linebacker with versatility to contribute in run defense, coverage, and on the edge in pass rush situations, though both coverage and pass rush need continued refinement. He also brings the ability to contribute as a green dog blitzer and is instantly one of the best quarterback spies in the NFL. In a division with Jaxson Dart and Jayden Daniels, that will prove to be invaluable for this Giants defense.

Round — 1 | Pick 6 | My Big Board 8

Kansas City Chiefs (via Cleveland) — Mansoor Delane (Cornerback, LSU)

Draft Grade: A-

Not sure how I feel about the trade up. Yet, knowing Brandon Staley, Mansoor Delane was certainly on the Saints’ short list; so if he’s your guy, go get him. This is especially true after losing Trent McDuffie (Trade) and Jaylen Watson (Free Agency) to the LA Rams. And as fate would have it, McDuffie was actually my player comparison for Delane.

Delane is an outstanding corner who offers scheme versatility in both man and zone concepts. Some will criticize trading McDuffie just to trade up for his replacement. However, the cap saving of roughly $20 million is why it was done.

Round — 1 | Pick 7 | My Big Board 3

Washington Commanders — Sonny Styles (Linebacker, Ohio State)

Draft Grade: A

Yes, another off-ball linebacker in the top-10. The opportunity cost of taking off-ball linebacker in the top-10 is the only reason this isn’t an A+.

The converted safety broke out in 2025 with a near-unblemished missed tackle rate where he didn’t miss a tackle until the College Football Playoffs. Sonny Styles is a demon athlete who blew up the combine. His upside is a blend of Brian Urlacher and Fred Warner. Don’t be surprised when Styles quickly becomes one of the better off-ball linebackers in the NFL in short order. Dan Quinn, you have your defensive cornerstone for the next decade.

Round — 1 | Pick 8 | My Big Board 9

New Orleans Saints — Jordyn Tyson (Wide Receiver , Arizona State)

Draft Grade: A-

Jordyn Tyson is the best, most talented receiver in the class with shades of CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson in his game, and I don’t say that lightly. The only thing holding him back is the long injury history (knee, shoulder, and hamstring injuries in each of his last three seasons), which brought down his prospect grade for me. If the NFL were Madden, and injuries could be turned off, Tyson should have been the pick at fourth overall to the Tennessee Titans, and there is no convincing me otherwise.

Tyson is a talented athlete, elite route runner, and has flashed outstanding ball skills after early career drop issues. By all accounts, he is also an outstanding person. Stay healthy, young man, and become the player you know you’re capable of becoming.

Round — 1 | Pick 9 | My Big Board 10

Cleveland Browns (via Kansas City) — Spencer Fano (Offensive Tackle , Utah)

Grade: A-

After evaluating the landscape, the Browns elected to move back three spots in the first round to select Spencer Fano, who I believed was their pick at No. 6. Moving back, getting the same player you would have taken otherwise, and adding an additional third and fifth round pick is a masterclass by Andrew Berry. The trade gets an A+ for me; the selection of Spencer Fano is more interesting.

As much as I do like the prospect, the fit is interesting in the fact that they will be moving him to left tackle. Fano did do it as a true freshman at Utah and is certainly capable of making the move back in his transition to the NFL. Fano is an outstanding athlete with true position flexibility along the offensive line, but will likely succeed and stick at left tackle in Cleveland. Solid selection to solidify your offensive line for whoever is throwing passes in Cleveland next year.

Round — 1 | Pick 10 | My Big Board 6

New York Giants (via Cincinnati) — Francis Mauigoa (Offensive Tackle , Miami)

Grade: A-

Mauigoa is a force along the offensive line. He offers true positional flexibility to play right tackle or move inside to guard. He is a mauler in the run game and has the temperament true trench play evaluators love. It’s been announced that he will likely start at guard for the Giants alongside Jermaine Eluemunor, and I am all for it.

Mauigoa has All-Pro potential at guard, but with Eluemunor’s age (31 years old) and his contract (3-year, 39 million with the first two years guaranteed), the Giants already have their succession plan at right tackle should they look to move on after the 2027 season. Great pick, great player; whether he plays guard or tackle, he will be a cornerstone for the Giants offensive line for years to come.

Round — 1 | Pick 11 | My Big Board 4

Dallas Cowboys (via Miami) — Caleb Downs (Safety, Ohio State)

Grade: A+

Yes, another Buckeye goes in the top of the first round, this time safety Caleb Downs. One of the best prospects in this entire class, and one of the safest pick in the draft.

In Downs, the Cowboys are getting a player who excels in zone, can play in the box, can matchup with tight ends, defends the run with violence, and has the football IQ to help coordinate a defense in live time. Truly, there is nothing this man can’t do. He’s not an elite athlete and he’s not a natural fit for single high responsibilities, but still capable. Those are the only aspects of Downs’ game that make him seem human. Downs with Christian Parker will transform this Dallas defense as early as this year. Can’t say enough good things about this pick, worth every bit of the trade up.

Round — 1 | Pick 12 | My Big Board 18

Miami Dolphins (via Dallas) — Kadyn Proctor (Offensive Tackle, Alabama)

Grade: C+

Proctor’s strengths start with his physical profile. He’s a large, strong human being with all the talent that you would want in a left tackle. The concerns are that he’s a large individual who plays at a heavy weight with slower feet, and appears to have a lack of motivation at times.

When the light is on and the energy and effort are there, he has the potential to become a franchise left tackle. Getting this level of commitment and shedding some weight to improve foot quickness to better mirror edge rushers will be paramount to his development and defending against inside counters. A move inside to guard would mitigate the foot quickness concerns and act as a parachute for Proctor where he could become a high-level interior offensive lineman if all else fails. However, given Miami’s offensive line and new regime, Proctor will be given a chance to succeed at tackle right out the gate.

Round — 1 | Pick 13 | My Big Board 41

LA Rams (via Atlanta) — Ty Simpson (Quarterback, Alabama)

Grade: C+

The biggest surprise of the night came at No. 13 to the LA Rams, where they elected to draft the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford in Ty Simpson. This pick has come under some scrutiny, and while I understand, allow me to be the voice of reason to some degree.

Yes, adding a player like Makai Lemon to Puka and Davante Adams would make this offense an absolute nightmare for defenses to plan for. And yes, Lemon is essentially the exact kind of receiver they covet. However, if the Rams have Super Bowl hopes like we all believe they do, this is their best chance to take their quarterback of the future. They (ideally) won’t be drafting this highly again next year unless something catastrophic happens. Also, the biggest knock against Simpson was the lack of experience, but this allows him to sit the entire year and maybe even two years and learn behind Matthew Stafford to prepare for his eventual starting opportunity.

Taking a quarterback with just one year of starting experience is certainly a risk, but this was calculated. It was early, but we already talked about the quarterback tax and how hefty it can be. Taken with context, I’m good with it. They seem to have a plan in place, and I have come to trust this front office to make the right decisions.

Round — 1 | Pick 14 | My Big Board 11

Baltimore Ravens — Olaivavega Ioane (Guard, Penn State)

Grade: A

Olaivavega (Vega) Ioane to the Ravens was one of the easiest picks to see coming. This pick was the essence of a chalk selection. The Ravens have a need along their offensive line, especially on the interior. Vega was one of the best in class, and Ioane’s temperament fits Ravens culture. He’s a physical, mauling presence who dominates in power and gap schemes. This was one of, if not my favorite prospect/team fits in the first round.

Round — 1 | Pick 15 | My Big Board 5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Rueben Bain Jr. (Edge, Miami)

Grade: A+

What was one of the biggest needs for the Bucs heading into the draft? Edge rusher? Oh, well, how about the best pure edge rusher falling to you at No. 15 overall! My fifth overall prospect on my big board goes to a team desperately needing pass rush juice. This is right there in contention for best player-team fit with Vega to Baltimore. Bain is one of the strongest pound-for-pound players in this class and is going to be a menace in the run game while also consistently earning double-digit sacks year over year. Great pick, incredible value.

Round — 1 | Pick 16 | My Big Board 17

New York Jets — Kenyon Sadiq (Tight End, Oregon)

Grade: C+

Another surprise selection here. Sadiq is an absolute freak athlete in all regards and continued to refine his route running throughout his junior season with Oregon. However, the Jets’ landing spot is something that I’m lukewarm on. I think this is Aaron Glenn going and getting the Jets version of Sam LaPorta. Yet, I would have rather seen them add Makai Lemon and get their Amon Ra St. Brown.

Round — 1 | Pick 17 | My Big Board 28

Detroit Lions — Blake Miller (Offensive Tackle, Clemson)

Grade: B

Blake Miller is a freak athlete and violent blocker who has also been an iron man at Clemson at the right tackle position, and he will man that same spot in Detroit, allowing Penei Sewell to bounce to left tackle. This is a guy that Dan Campbell has got to be fired up about adding to their offensive line. Solid selection.

Round — 1 | Pick 18 | My Big Board 55

Minnesota Vikings — Caleb Banks (Defensive Tackle, Florida)

Grade: D+

Caleb Banks in the first round is something that I was out on personally, And, I understand that in three years we could look back and I’m totally wrong.

Like those taken before him, Banks is a freak athlete with flashes of greatness, but between those flashes were inconsistencies. And that’s when he was on the field. A 6-foot-6 and nearly 330-pound defensive lineman with foot problems is not necessarily someone I am looking to hitch my wagon to, especially not in the first round. There is a chance I am wrong about this player as the upside is immense and I hope I am wrong. However, this is a player I would be comfortable with another team taking the gamble on.

Round — 1 | Pick 19 | My Big Board 19

Carolina Panthers — Monroe Freeling (Offensive Tackle, Georgia)

Grade: B

The elite size, length, and speed athlete that Monroe Freeling is, isn’t someone I necessarily thought would be here at this pick. And, the fit with Carolina is interesting. Ikem Ekwonu is recovering from injury though and has the versatility to play guard. Freeling is an NFL tackle, so if he goes to left tackle, view Ekwonu sliding inside and forming a strong offensive line unit for Bryce Young. Good pick overall, but if we were able to take a peek behind the curtain, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a Kenyon Sadiq location and they needed to pivot.

Round — 1 | Pick 20 | My Big Board 12

Philadelphia Eagles (via Dallas) — Makia Lemon (Wide Receiver, USC)

Grade: A-

An inter-division trade between rivals Dallas and Philadelphia might be one of the biggest surprises on draft night. Philly moves up to take their AJ Brown replacement in Makai Lemon, and it couldn’t have worked out better for the Eagles. And yes, this should absolutely signal that the Eagles are trading AJ Brown in June (June due to contractual reasons).

Lemon is a perfect fit next to DeVonta Smith with good enough athleticism. However, he is an outstanding short and intermediate threat and elite ball skills to match. He will become a Jalen Hurts favorite almost immediately.

Round — 1 | Pick 21 | My Big Board 34

Pittsburgh Steelers — Max Iheanachor (Offensive Tackle, Arizona State)

Grade: B-

The 2026 NFL draft hometown Steelers selected Max Iheanachor as a developmental tackle prospect for the future. It has been reported a number of times that Makai Lemon was the target here. The Steelers had even called him just before their pick, but the Eagles jumped in front at the last minute. Iheanachor was their pivot, which makes sense given recent news regarding Broderick Jones’ injury setback, which may cost him time into the regular season.

Iheanachor is a highly athletic tackle prospect with a bright future should he stay healthy. However, he is new to football and will need to receive the right coaching and development to reach his full potential. I like the prospect, and the upside is impossible not to see, but in this situation, a move to left tackle may also be in his cards, a position he has yet to play at any level.

Round — 1 | Pick 22 | My Big Board 31

LA Chargers — Akheem Mesidor (Edge, Miami)

Grade: B-

With Khalil Mack aging, the Chargers addressed edge rusher opposite Tuli Tuipulotu by taking an older, but highly productive pass rusher in Akheem Mesidor. While the run defense isn’t quite up to the caliber of his pass rush arsenal, Mesidor is ready to get after the passer day one for a Chargers defense that will face the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Bo Nix, and now Fernando Mendoza multiple times per year.

Round — 1 | Pick 23 | My Big Board 42

Dallas Cowboys — Malachi Lawrence (Edge, UCF)

Grade: B

How the Cowboys ended up with Lawrence in their sights, I believe, goes back to February, where they hired Demeitre Brit from UCF, the same school Lawrence attended. The Cowboys have been looking for edge help, and they get it in Malachi Lawrence, a hyper-athletic edge that fits their 3-4 scheme. Athleticism is his calling card, but especially his 10-yard split, which demonstrates his get-off. Historically, sub-4.60 10-yard splits translate to elite ball get-off, and Lawrence’s 1.59 is no exception. The run game can use some more development, but pass rush is going to be the name of the game for Lawrence early in his career.

Round — 1 | Pick 24 | My Big Board 27

Cleveland Browns — KC Concepcion (Wide Receiver, Texas A&M)

Grade: B-

After addressing their tackle need in the early portion of the draft, the Browns add a playmaker in KC Concepcion. Concepcion is a dynamic weapon who can contribute both on offense and in the return game. The Browns needed playmakers to complement their new running back, Quinshon Judkins, while also helping to develop Shedeur Sanders. Concepcion has a chance to develop into a versatile weapon for the Browns while making his presence felt in a number of different situations.

Round — 1 | Pick 25 | My Big Board 14

Chicago Bears — Dillon Thieneman (Safety, Oregon)

Grade: A+

Dillon Thieneman was my 14th highest-rated player on my big board. Somehow, he found a way to fall down the board to the Chicago Bears, who had just lost both of their starting safeties this past off-season. This was a steal in terms of draft value but also addressed a huge need on the Bears’ defense.

Thieneman will pair well with Coby Bryant in the Bears’ secondary. He has the versatility to operate in single high, split safety looks, and is a solid tackler. He will be a big piece in solidifying the Bears’ defense moving forward.

Round — 1 | Pick 26 | My Big Board 60

Houston Texans (via Buffalo) — Keylan Rutledge (Guard, Georgia Tech)

Grade: C+

The Houston Texans address a big need, and that is with their offensive line, where they add Keylan Rutledge, a violent guard with a finishers’ mentality. Positional value typically doesn’t allow for many guards to go in the first round. However, we have seen them start to sneak into the back half of the first round in recent years. While I didn’t view Rutledge’s value to be that of a first-rounder, he’s violent as a blocker and brings the right mentality to an offense like that. Due to his mentality, he is a force in power and gap schemes where he shows the joy he gets from moving another man from point A to point B against their will.

Round — 1 | Pick 27 | My Big Board 60

Miami (via San Francisco) — Chris Johnson (Corner, San Diego St)

Grade: B-

Chris Johnson was a steady riser throughout the pre-draft process, That translated to the 2026 NFL draft night, where he was the sermon corner off the board. Johnson is a great off-man pattern-matching corner with the ability to bait quarterbacks into turnover-worthy plays. Miami was in desperate need of a corner, and Johnson will fit in as their top corner right away.

Round — 1 | Pick 28 | My Big Board 29

New England Patriots (via Houston) — Caleb Lomu (Offensive Tackle, Utah)

Grade: C+

The Patriots moved back for Caleb Lomu, who is an exceptional pass-protecting left tackle. The only problem is this team has already committed to Will Campbell at left tackle. Morgan Moses is older, and Lomu could be viewed as the long-term replacement. However, this was not a pick to advance their Super Bowl chances this year; this was a future move.

Anticipate that Lomu will take a year off before slotting in at right tackle. That is, unless the Patriots have a change of heart after the 2026 season and elect to move Campbell inside to guard – which is unlikely. The Patriots’ big acquisition of the off-season is likely to be AJ Brown in June.

Round — 1 | Pick 29 | My Big Board 23

Kansas City Chiefs (via LA Rams) — Peter Woods (Interior Defensive Line, Clemson)

Grade: B

The Kansas City Chiefs selected the draft’s second interior offensive lineman in the first round behind Caleb Banks. But to me, Peter Woods was the best in class at his position.

Woods is a gap-shooting interior pass rusher who can hold his own in the run game as well. He is a little undersized and has a high missed tackle rate. However, if he is able to clean up his game in those areas, he will be a potential force inside for Kansas City who is seeing their premier defensive lineman, Chris Jones, begin to age — though he remains highly productive.

Round — 1 | Pick 30 | My Big Board 24

New York Jets (via Denver Broncos) — Omar Cooper Jr. (Wide Receiver, Indiana)

Grade: B-

The Jets traded back into the first round for their third selection of the 2026 NFL draft. This time, they continue to add weapons for Geno Smith in Omar Cooper Jr. the National Championship-winning receiver from Indiana, to complement Garrett Wilson and Kenyon Sadiq. Omar Cooper Jr. is a solid receiver who prides his game on ball skills and yards after the catch and will be a good target for Geno Smith. 

Round — 1 | Pick 31 | My Big Board 20

Tennessee Titans (via New England Patriots) — Keldric Faulk (Edge, Auburn)

Grade: B

The Tennessee Titans continue to add the waves of pass rushers that head coach Robert Saleh wants to subscribe to. Keldric Faulk is a good addition who is a stout run defender and developing pass rusher. Most of his sack production has come from pursuit and relentless effort rather than a pass rush plan to this point. That is going to be the biggest point of emphasis in his early development. Yet, he is one of the youngest prospects in the draft at 20 years old and has the developmental runway to grow into a three-down impact player.

Round — 1 | Pick 32 | My Big Board 51

Seattle Seahawks — Jadarian Price (Running back, Notre Dame)

Grade: C+

The Seattle Seahawks had a burning need coming into the draft, but 32nd overall feels a bit rich. Price is a really strong zone scheme runner, but sneaking into the first round is a bit of a reach. While I understand the need for a running back, especially in this offense, I would have loved to see them trade out if Price was their target. However, that may not have been an option.

Price in Seattle is a natural fit, with Kenneth Walker moving on to Kansas City and Zach Charbonnet on the shelf until at least mid-season. An alternative option that I still believe would be a good fit is trading a Day 3 pick for Kaleb Johnson from Pittsburgh. After a rough rookie season and adding other running backs this off-season, I could see Kaleb Johnson being had for a cheap price and adding a one-two punch at running back until Charbonnet is able to return.