2026 NFL Draft First Round: Grades and Reactions

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books, concluding months of scouting and front-office strategy. Teams have made their critical selections, securing the prospects they expect to anchor their rosters for years to come. Here is the comprehensive breakdown of the entire first-round board, with each pick evaluated and graded based on overall prospect value, schematic fit, and draft night execution.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
He wasn’t there. But hey, the draft continued without him. As long as he shows up in Vegas!
Grade: B

2. New York Jets – David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
Whether it was Arvell Reese or David Bailey, the Jets picked production.
Grade: A

3. Arizona Cardinals – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Who is playing quarterback again? Regardless, Love has the potential to be the next Jahmyr Gibbs.
Grade: B+

4. Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Can he be a true number-one receiver? It looks like they are low-key sabotaging Cam Ward.
Grade: C-

5. New York Giants – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The Giants add a hard-hitting presence to the second level of the defense.
Grade: B

6. Kansas City Chiefs (from Cleveland) – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs aren’t paying any corners. He will be traded four years from now.
Grade: B-

7. Washington Commanders – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Washington secures a versatile, modern defensive piece.
Grade: B

8. New Orleans Saints – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
He cried when he was selected. I love the passion.
Grade: A

9. Cleveland Browns (from Kansas City) – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Cleveland reinforces the offensive trenches. Who’s playing QB here again?
Grade: B

10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati) – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Uce said he’d die about this pick. I love this draft class.
Grade: A+

11. Dallas Cowboys (from Miami) – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Jerry Jones sneaks in and takes the best value as usual. It still won’t win them a title, though.
Grade: A-

12. Miami Dolphins (from Dallas) – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
He was my number-one prospect if he could have kept his head on straight. I am not sure if Miami is the right city for him.
Grade: C+

13. Los Angeles Rams – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Matthew Stafford will play one or two more years. I called for them to draft Shedeur Sanders, so I am not surprised by the move for a quarterback.
Grade: B

14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, OL, Penn State
Baltimore adds wide-bodied power to the interior line.
Grade: B

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
Here is another player who is about his business. I love this class, and he gets to stay in Florida.
Grade: A

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis) – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Why did they need this player again? He is a good player, but Geno Smith is your quarterback.
Grade: C-

17. Detroit Lions – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Detroit adds a tough, physical blocker to the perimeter.
Grade: B

18. Minnesota Vikings – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Minnesota beefs up the interior defensive line.
Grade: B

19. Carolina Panthers – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Carolina invests in offensive tackle depth. Panthers fans are not feeling this selection but it may grade out as the right move.
Grade: B

20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay via Dallas) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
So A.J. Brown is gone gone?
Grade: B+

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Pittsburgh continues to prioritize offensive line stability.  Who’s playing QB here?! And why is that a question that keeps occurring?
Grade: B

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
The Chargers add disruptive edge-rushing depth.
Grade: B

23. Dallas Cowboys (from Philadelphia) – Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
Dallas doubles down on the defensive front.
Grade: B

24. Cleveland Browns – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
He is my favorite player in the class and reminds me of Deebo Samuel. It is too bad his quarterback will be Shedeur Sanders, and his cult-like fanbase will sabotage KC.
Grade: A for talent, C for fit

25. Chicago Bears – Dillon Theineman, S, Oregon
Chicago adds range and intelligence to the secondary.
Grade: B

26. Houston Texans (via Buffalo) – Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Houston reinforces the interior offensive line.
Grade: B

27. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco) – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Miami adds secondary depth for the AFC East.
Grade: B

28. New England Patriots (from Houston via Buffalo) – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
New England secures reliable pass protection.
Grade: B

29. Kansas City Chiefs – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Kansas City adds raw power to the defensive interior.
Grade: B

30. New York Jets (from Denver, via Miami and San Francisco) – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
I am still not understanding what the Jets are doing. Your quarterback of the future is Geno Smith, and he is 35 years old.
Grade: D

31. Tennessee Titans (from New England via Buffalo) – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
I once had him number one overall, but the production never came. Again, what are they doing to Cam Ward?
Grade: C

32. Seattle Seahawks – Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
I predicted this for the second round, but they probably figured they should lock him in and get him now.
Grade: B+