The 2026 NFL Draft is underway. Catch up on our analysis and instant grades for every pick made in Thursday's first round.
See more: Day 2 mock draft
Raiders select Fernando Mendoza
QB, Indiana - 1st overall
There was never going to be any drama with this one. The Raiders have been in quarterback purgatory for years. And while Mendoza may not be a generational prospect, he's absolutely worth the No. 1 overall pick. The Heisman Trophy winner was consistently at his best in the biggest moments of Indiana's perfect season. He's an excellent pre-snap processor with a good arm, accuracy to all levels of the field, and the athleticism to make plays out of the pocket. Those traits should make him an excellent fit in Klint Kubiak's offense. The Raiders may finally have a franchise quarterback.
Grade: A
Jets select David Bailey
EDGE, Texas Tech - 2nd overall
Bailey is a dynamic pass-rusher. His proven ability to get after the quarterback, highlighted by an elite get-off and a deep arsenal of rush moves, makes him an easy projection in that sense. Ultimately, that's probably what helped the Jets reach this decision. But I really think Arvell Reese should have been the pick here. That route probably would have required some patience, as the Ohio State star is less developed as a pass-rusher at this moment. Reese's rare explosiveness gives him a similarly high ceiling in that regard, though, and he's the much better run defender. Again, Bailey should have a long, productive career, but I don't love passing up the player with significantly more upside.
Grade: B-
Cardinals select Jeremiyah Love
RB, Notre Dame - 3rd overall
I can't believe the Cardinals are going to make me cross over to the other side of the position debate for a second. For the most part, I tend to think the idea that running backs simply shouldn't be drafted in the top 10 is over the top. A true superstar at the position can still be a game-changer, and Love certainly falls into that category. But at No. 3 overall? For a team that's this far away? Perhaps the Cardinals are simply opting for the best player on the board after trying, and failing, to trade down. It's a tough position, to be sure. But Arizona already had a crowded running back room featuring James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, and Trey Benson. Passing on a potential star pass-rusher like Arvell Reese, who would have filled an obvious need at a premium position, could prove costly in the long run.
Grade: C
Titans select Carnell Tate
WR, Ohio State - 4th overall
Surprise! I love seeing the Titans make a significant move to improve Cam Ward's supporting cast. Tate's ability to both create separation with his route-running and rise up and win over the top of defenders in contested situations gives him the potential to be a true No. 1 target at the next level. And while there was plenty of talk about the Titans targeting Jeremiyah Love, this was always going to be the best way to help their quarterback. It's not necessarily perfect value - Tate was my No. 10 overall player. With that in mind, I probably would have preferred to round out the defensive front with a falling Arvell Reese and then adding a receiver on Day 2. But none of that will matter if Tate has the impact I expect for this offense. The Titans should be in for a big jump this year.
Grade: B+
Giants select Arvell Reese
EDGE, Ohio State - 5th overall
I can't say I saw this one coming. Reese should have been the pick at No. 2 overall, so this feels like a massive steal for the Giants. An edge rusher admittedly wasn't the most glaring need for John Harbaugh as he sets out to build this roster, but at some point you have to simply take the elite talent at a premium position. Kayvon Thibodeaux can now be shopped. And who knows, maybe Reese sees quite a bit of work off the ball as a true linebacker, his original position at Ohio State. Either way, the Giants are getting another potential superstar with rare explosiveness in the front seven. His presence, however he ends up being used, should make for a fascinating fit alongside Brian Burns and 2025 No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter.
Grade: A-
🚨 TRADE: Chiefs move up for Mansoor Delane
CB, LSU - 6th overall
Trade details: Browns send No. 6 to Chiefs for No. 9, No. 74, and No. 141
The Chiefs evidently weren't about to sit back and risk missing out on the clear No. 1 cornerback in this draft. Parting with picks in the third and fifth rounds is a small price to pay to fill a massive need created by the offseason trade that sent Trent McDuffie to the Rams. Delane is an outstanding fit for Steve Spagnuolo's defense, demonstrating the speed, fluidity, and patience for lockdown man coverage. He's also instinctive in zone, and he's eager to contribute in run support. Crucially, keeping picks at the end of the first round (No. 29) and early on Day 2 (No. 40) will allow the Chiefs to fill some of their other pressing needs at receiver, edge rusher, and potentially offensive tackle.
Grade: A
Commanders select Sonny Styles
LB, Ohio State - 7th overall
I love this fit for Washington. Styles is one of the most athletic linebacker prospects we've ever seen. After blowing up the combine with a 4.46 40 and absurd jump scores, there was talk that he'd be gone well before this point. Instead, the Commanders sit back and have a potential superstar fall into their lap. Styles' background as a safety shows up with his unique ability in coverage. The range in all phases of the defensive game should make him a game-changer in the middle of Dan Quinn's defense.
Grade: A
Saints select Jordyn Tyson
WR, Arizona State - 8th overall
How can you not love what the Saints are building on offense? Tyson's stock went on a bit of a wild ride throughout the pre-draft process, but the questions were effectively put to rest when a recent workout for teams showed that he has indeed put last year's hamstring issues behind him. The Arizona State star is a dynamic route-runner who is no stranger to making ridiculous highlight-reel plays at the catch point. Adding a player like this opposite Chris Olave should give Tyler Shough all the weapons he needs to take another step forward after a promising rookie season.
Grade: A-
Browns select Spencer Fano
OL, Utah - 9th overall
The Browns starting their draft by rounding out the offensive line felt like a lock. And there's a lot to like about the decision to trade down and add a few mid-round picks before making Fano the first big man off the board. I'm admittedly a little unsure on the fit here, as left tackle was the lone glaring need on Cleveland's remade offensive front. The move from right tackle could be a tough transition for Fano, particularly considering how much he was protected from island pass-pro duties in Utah's run-heavy offense. Georgia left tackle Monroe Freeling was the cleaner fit here. But it's tough to argue with taking another sensational athlete who will also provide versatility to kick inside if he doesn't end up at tackle.
Grade: B
Giants select Francis Mauigoa
OL, Miami - 10th overall
I can't say that I love this pick. It probably shouldn't be a surprise that John Harbaugh used one of his two first-round picks to bolster the offensive line for Jaxson Dart. And Mauigoa was seen by many as the best lineman in this draft. He was my fourth-ranked lineman, though, checking in at No. 17 overall. There also appears to be a bit of risk here, as recent reports indicate teams believe he's going to need back surgery at some point. Allowing Caleb Downs, my No. 1 overall player, to fall into the lap of a division rival seems like a mistake.
Grade: C+
🚨 TRADE: Cowboys move up for Caleb Downs
S, Ohio State - 11th overall
Trade details: Dolphins send No. 11 to Cowboys for No. 12, No. 177, and No. 180
We're only 11 picks in and I can safely say this is going to be my favorite pick of the entire draft. Say what you will about the value of safeties, but there is simply no world where Downs should have been available for Dallas. The way I see it, the Ohio State star is the clear top player in this class. After trading up one spot to make sure nobody else could beat them to the punch, the Cowboys come away with an exceedingly smart and versatile chess piece for the secondary. Downs' rare instincts should go a long way toward shoring up the back end of the defense in coverage, and his steady tackling skills will be a huge addition for the run game. Home run.
Grade: A+
Dolphins select Kadyn Proctor
OL, Alabama - 12th overall
The Dolphins starting their rebuild in the trenches seems wise. This is going to be a long, methodical process, and it's not going to work if they aren't strong up front. I'm just not sure I can get on board with the value here at No. 12. Proctor, an overwhelmingly powerful lineman who tips the scales at nearly 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds, indeed comes with sky-high ceiling. I'm not sure how well he'll handle speed at tackle, though. If the idea is to play him there, I think Monroe Freeling probably would have been the better move. If they intend to play him at guard, then passing on Olaivavega Ioane is a curious move. Proctor could be a star if it all clicks, but he may have a lower floor than others at the position.
Grade: C+
Rams select Ty Simpson
QB, Alabama - 13th overall
What in the world is happening here? It was only a matter of time before the Rams had to plan for the future at quarterback - Matthew Stafford isn't going to play forever. But Simpson? At No. 13? I simply didn't see him as the kind of player worth taking at any point in the first round. He's got a solid arm, he works through progressions well, and he can make plays with his legs. Those traits could make him a strong fit for a Sean McVay offense. But Simpson started just one full season at Alabama, and his play really fell off after a hot start. As things currently stand, I have major concerns about the accuracy lapses and the way his process falls apart under pressure. Perhaps even more importantly, the Rams having the No. 13 overall pick afforded them the rare opportunity to add a player who could help them win a Super Bowl while Stafford is still around. This feels like an astonishing missed opportunity for what may not be all that much upside.
Grade: D
Ravens select Olaivavega Ioane
OL, Penn State - 14th overall
Ioane always seemed like such a natural fit with the Ravens. I just wasn't sure whether he'd get to them, as he was quite easily the best natural guard in this class. The Ravens had a glaring need on the interior offensive line after losing Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. Ioane, a Penn State product, should be an instant impact player to upgrade that unit. His unique combination of power and athleticism should bolster both the run game and the pass protection for Lamar Jackson.
Grade: A
Buccaneers select Rueben Bain Jr.
EDGE, Miami - 15th overall
This pick will be right up there with Downs among my favorites in the class. Bain's slide was presumably the result of teams shying away from outlier measurables - his 30 7/8-inch arms puts him in the first percentile among edge defenders since 1999. That would make it tough for other players to match up with NFL offensive linemen. In Bain's case, I just don't care. He was my top-ranked edge defender, and the No. 3 overall player in this class, because a dominant run at Miami proved that he has the power and technique to overcome the lack of length. His advanced pass-rush traits will be an excellent addition to fill a long-standing need on the edge for Tampa Bay, and he has the potential to be a dominant run defender, too.
Grade: A+
Jets select Kenyon Sadiq
TE, Oregon - 16th overall
Full disclosure: I initially had this pick graded at a C+ when it was first announced. I didn't love it. At the time, it looked like the Jets were leaving some exciting wide receivers - Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion, and Omar Cooper Jr. - on the board in favor of bolstering a position where they could've still found value later in the draft. But they eventually did take Cooper near the end of the round (more on that later) which changes the equation here on Sadiq. The Oregon product is one of the most athletic tight end prospects in NFL history. He offers incredible upside in the passing game, and he can also hold his own as a blocker. Considering the Jets' entire body of work Thursday, this pick, which gives 2025 second-rounder Mason Taylor a running mate, gets a nice bump.
Grade: B+
Lions select Blake Miller
OL, Clemson - 17th overall
The Lions going with an offensive tackle at No. 17 was the lock of all locks. I'm not a huge fan of the value here, as Miller was the No. 31 overall player on my board. With Monroe Freeling still available, this seems like quite the reach. That said, I do see the vision. With Penei Sewell shifting over to left tackle to replace Taylor Decker, the Lions needed a right tackle. Miller, a four-year starter at that spot for Clemson, is a natural fit. His athleticism and explosive movement skills offer plenty of upside as both a run blocker and in pass protection. With some continued development to get stronger and clean up his technique, Miller could be a solid long-term starter.
Grade: C
Vikings select Caleb Banks
DL, Florida - 18th overall
This has the potential to be a home-run pick for the Vikings. There's certainly some risk involved, as Banks didn't produce at the level of your typical top defensive line prospect in college. But his tape is loaded with the kind of quick wins that simply shouldn't be possible for a player who checks in at 6-foot-6, 327 pounds. He ended up as my No. 21 overall player after factoring for the foot surgery that could keep him out into the summer. After recently getting some positive news about his ongoing recovery though, there's a real case to be made that he should have been quite a bit higher. Brian Flores' defense will become even scarier if Banks begins to tap into his potential.
Grade: A-
Panthers select Monroe Freeling
OL, Georgia - 19th overall
Maybe I was too high on Freeling. Or maybe the Panthers just got one hell of a steal. The Georgia product was my top offensive lineman and the No. 12 overall player in this class on account of his unlimited upside. He may need some time to get stronger and further polish up his technique, but he's already shown some incredible flashes, and there are only so many 6-foot-7, 315-pound human beings who can move like this. I see Freeling as a franchise-caliber tackle.
Grade: A
🚨 TRADE: Eagles move up for Makai Lemon
WR, USC - 20th overall
Trade details: Cowboys send No. 20, 7th-round pick to Eagles for No. 23, No. 114, and No. 137
Howie Roseman does it again. Offensive line was a popular pick for the Eagles in industry mock drafts, but wide receiver always lingered as another realistic possibility with A.J. Brown seemingly on the way out the door. Lemon was my No. 1 overall receiver in this class, so it goes without saying that I see this pick as incredible value. He creates separation as well as anyone in this class, he's a dynamic playmaker after the catch, and his competitiveness goes a long way toward compensating for any lack of size. Lemon's superstar potential out of the slot should be an outstanding fit alongside DeVonta Smith in a new-look Eagles offense.
Grade: A
Steelers select Max Iheanachor
OL, Arizona State - 21st overall
And so continues the tradition of the Steelers ending up with some of my favorite prospects. Iheanachor is a special athlete who demonstrates great foot speed in pass pro and explosiveness off the ball in the run game. He's also plenty strong, and his technique is in a great spot for someone who didn't find football until arriving at a JUCO and only got two years of FBS experience. Given the time to develop, there's no reason he can't be a high-level starter at either tackle spot. This is exactly the type of player the Steelers needed up front after Broderick Jones reportedly suffered a setback in his recovery from a neck injury.
Grade: A-
Chargers select Akheem Mesidor
EDGE, Miami - 22nd overall
The Chargers were bound to bolster their defensive front at some point early in the draft. And if we're focusing only on the way Mesidor dominated for Miami last year, this pick makes plenty of sense. He's a polished pass-rusher with a deep arsenal of rush moves and an excellent motor. But I have questions about the value he provides in the run game, and I just can't get on board with spending first-round draft capital on a player who is already 25 years old. Even if the Chargers are in a position to compete right now, there were other options both on the edge and the interior offensive front - another obvious need - with more developmental upside.
Grade: C-
Cowboys select Malachi Lawrence
EDGE, UCF - 23rd overall
I'm a fan of Lawrence's game, and I think he was absolutely worth a first-round pick in this class. The UCF product is an excellent athlete with an extensive repertoire of go-to moves as a pass-rusher, and he also brings a ton of energy with a great motor. He'll have to improve his strength and discipline to become a steady contributor in the run game, though. With that in mind, I would have preferred the Cowboys taking Keldric Faulk here. But Lawrence should still be a valuable addition up front, joining fellow first-rounder Caleb Downs in helping Dallas turn things around on defense.
Grade: B
Browns select KC Concepcion
WR, Texas A&M - 24th overall
The Browns' first-round to-do list couldn't have been more obvious. No matter the order, they had to leave Day 1 with additions on the offensive line and in the receiving corps. Spencer Fano may not have been my preferred option where he was selected in the top 10, but this one is a home run. In my view, Concepcion is one of the more underrated players in this entire class. His short-area quickness and route nuance allow him to create easy separation at the top of his routes, and he's an explosive playmaker with great vision after the catch. And he's not just a slot receiver who does good work underneath. Were it not for some missed opportunities as a result of rough quarterback play, he'd be widely seen as a dangerous deep threat, too. This is an exciting move to help lay the foundation for when Cleveland can get a potential franchise quarterback in next year's draft.
Grade: A
Bears select Dillon Thieneman
S, Oregon - 25th overall
It sure is nice when the best player available also happens to fill a glaring need. I never considered Thieneman as an option for the Bears because I didn't think there was any chance he'd be available this late in the first round. The Oregon safety is a freak athlete who put on a show at the combine. He's got sideline-to-sideline range from the deep middle, great instincts in zone coverage, and the versatility to rotate down into the box. Wherever he's aligned, Thieneman should be an incredibly valuable weapon for Dennis Allen's defense.
Grade: A
🚨 TRADE: Texans move up for Keylan Rutledge
OL, Georgia Tech - 26th overall
Trade details: Bills send No. 26, No. 91 to Texans for No. 28, No. 69, and No. 167
Give the Texans credit. They're dead set on addressing their most obvious need. After what we've seen over the last two years, it certainly makes sense. I'm admittedly not sure where Rutledge fits in with Wyatt Teller signed to take the guard spot opposite Ed Ingram - maybe he slides over to center. And I don't love the value here. But it's tough to argue with any move designed to get C.J. Stroud back on track. Rutledge's power and aggressiveness will be a welcome addition in that regard.
Grade: B
🚨 TRADE: Dolphins move up for Chris Johnson
CB, San Diego State - 27th overall
Trade details: 49ers send No. 27, No. 138 to Dolphins for No. 30, and No. 90
Johnson is one of my favorite players in this draft. I imagine the relative lack of buzz was due to concerns about his level of competition at San Diego State, but I really don't know what else he could have put on tape to establish himself as a top corner. He's a fast and fluid athlete in coverage who has the instincts to jump routes and does his part in run support. Adding Johnson is a great start as new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley begins to implement his vision on defense.
Grade: B+
🚨 TRADE: Patriots move up for Caleb Lomu
OL, Utah - 28th overall
Trade details: Bills send No. 28 to Patriots for No. 31, and No. 125
How could the offensive line not be a focus for New England after what we saw in the playoffs last season? Whether it's at right tackle, or perhaps eventually on the left side, with Will Campbell shifting to guard, Lomu should provide a significant upgrade in pass protection for Drake Maye. He's a great athlete who is also good on the move and climbs to the second level in the run game. The play strength and lack of aggressiveness made him a second-round prospect for me, but the ceiling is quite high if NFL coaching can lead to growth in those areas.
Grade: B+
Chiefs select Peter Woods
DL, Clemson - 29th overall
Make it two impact additions for the Kansas City defense on the first night of the draft. Woods was a bit of a polarizing prospect during this draft process. Once considered a potential top-five talent in the class, a disappointing junior season led to some questions from evaluators. Given the unique combination of power and quickness, though, I was inclined to trust that his previous production was more indicative of his potential in the NFL. Woods joining Chris Jones on Kansas City's interior defensive line could be a problem for opponents.
Grade: A-
🚨 TRADE: Jets move up for Omar Cooper Jr.
WR, Indiana - 30th overall
Trade details: 49ers send No. 30 to Jets for No. 33, and No. 179
I'm suddenly a little higher on the Sadiq pick than I was about an hour ago. My initial concern - that the Jets were passing up the opportunity to add a potential game-changer at receiver - has all but subsided now that they still ended up with a wideout I considered to be among the options at that No. 16 pick. Cooper's explosiveness and physicality make him an electric playmaker after the catch. He forced 27 missed tackles in the passing game, six clear of Makai Lemon for tops in this receiver class. Adding that kind of player alongside Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, and Sadiq provides an excellent cast of pass-catchers for Geno Smith and New York's eventual quarterback of the future.
Grade: A
🚨 TRADE: Titans move up for Keldric Faulk
EDGE, Auburn - 31st overall
Trade details: Bills send No. 31, No. 69, No. 165 to Titans for No. 35, No. 66, and No. 101
This feels like incredible value to me. I understand that there were some evaluators who had concerns about Faulk's pass-rush upside, and that's fair. He may never be a double-digit sack guy off the edge. But the Auburn product is one of the best run defenders in this class, regardless of position, and he's an excellent athlete for his size. There's upside for more when he gets into a system that can put him in more advantageous positions to get after the quarterback. And who does that better than Robert Saleh? Getting a top receiver for Cam Ward at No. 4 and then trading back into the first round to finish off a new-look defensive front is a great start to rebuilding this roster.
Grade: A
Seahawks select Jadarian Price
RB, Notre Dame - 32nd overall
Price deserves more attention than he got playing second fiddle to Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame. Vision and contact balance go a long way toward compensating for anything he may lack in terms of speed and explosiveness. The Seahawks are definitely reaching to fill a need created by the free-agent departure of Kenneth Walker, though. I would have preferred to see them add a cornerback or edge rusher before circling back on running back at the end of the second round. And Price may still have been an option with a trade up on Day 2 of the draft. The grade will have to reflect the value, but I do think Price could be a great addition to Seattle's offense.
Grade: C
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.
