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2026 NFL Draft Round 1 grades: Analysis for every pick
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- 2026 NFL Draft Round 1 grades: Analysis for every pick
The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived, and the fallout from the first round was instantaneous.
The action in Pittsburgh got off to a predictable start with Fernando Mendoza's coronation as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders . It didn't take much longer, however, for the prevailing pre-draft wisdom to fall apart. The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love in one of the night's most scrutinized moves, and the Tennessee Titans surprised many by opting for Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate rather than a defensive player. And questions of whether Ty Simpson would make it into Day 1 found a quick and surprising answer, as the Los Angeles Rams nabbed the Alabama quarterback with the No. 13 overall pick.
Here are USA TODAY Sports' grades for each pick in the first round of this year's draft:
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2026 NFL Draft grades: Every pick in first round
1. Las Vegas Raiders : Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Grade: A
The Raiders didn't bother indulging in much misdirection about this pick, and with good reason. Mendoza is a remarkably complete and composed quarterback prospect and could help Las Vegas escape its unending cycle of resets. There could be some early turbulence, especially if an offensive line that surrendered a league-worst 64 sacks doesn't make significant strides. But the Heisman Trophy winner isn't merely a caretaker, as he's proven fully capable of pulling an offense out of deep holes on third down. And with Kirk Cousins in the fold, Las Vegas can prioritize Mendoza's development and not rush him into a potentially unfavorable situation for his long-term trajectory. There's considerable work to do to enact a proper support system, but between the arrival of Mendoza and first-time coach Klint Kubiak, there's finally some legitimate reason for excitement for the Silver and Black.
2. New York Jets : David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech - Grade: B
The mystery is over. After being tied to Arvell Reese for much of the pre-draft process, Gang Green seemed to be attached more closely to Bailey in recent weeks. On some level, taking a proven pass rusher makes sense for a regime that needs to show it deserves the chance to build this team from the ground up. And he provides a more clear projection to the pros than Reese, the linebacker who only dabbled at edge rushing at Ohio State. But Reese might be have more upside as the bigger overall game-wrecker, and Bailey's pairing with the similarly built Will McDonald IV might prompt some issues for the Jets' run defense. Still, the instant disruption Bailey can provide to a group that registered just 26 sacks last season is undeniable.
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3. Arizona Cardinals : Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame - Grade: C-
After all that speculation on a trade, Arizona stayed put and made Love the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Love can truly be a game-breaker in the right setting. But the Cardinals might have an extremely difficult time getting a return on investment in him that would justify this pic. Love shatters the guaranteed pay for running backs with more than $50 million, meaning that extracting any surplus value on what should be a cost-controlled rookie deal will be extremely difficult. And as other highly drafted running backs have demonstrated, there's only so much that even the most talented ball carriers can do to revolutionize a ground game that has troubles starting up front. With little certainty behind center and a significant weakness at right tackle, Love might find it hard to find any running space early in his career.
4. Tennessee Titans : Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State - Grade: B
Here's the first true surprise of the early order. In my final mock draft, I suspected that Robert Saleh and Mike Borgonzi would decide between two Buckeyes in hybrid defender Arvell Reese and linebacker Sonny Styles . Turns out, the duo had another Ohio State product in mind in Tate. It's entirely sensible for Tennessee to want to provide Cam Ward with a greater level of support, and giving him a wideout who can break free from coverage and haul in contested catches is an entirely reasonable route for leadership to pursue. And getting an elite pass catcher on the open market or via trade is never easy. Tate will face questions about whether he can be a true go-to target after never serving in that capacity in Columbus. But the skill set is there for him to be a high-end starter.
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5. New York Giants : Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State - Grade: A-
Quite the way to kick off the John Harbaugh era. Reese fell further than anyone could have expected, and he now joins a defense that already includes Brian Burns , Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux . The Giants have plenty of uncertainty at other spots throughout their defense, especially after dealing away Dexter Lawrence to the Giants. But Reese was the top-ranked overall player on many analysts' big boards (including ours). He can detonate blockers and ball carriers alike, which will surely come in handy for bolstering the league's 31st-ranked run defense. The pass-rush plan might take some time to coalesce, but the Micah Parsons comparisons - while lofty - are not unfounded.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (from Cleveland Browns ): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU - Grade: B-
This wasn't the seismic trade that many were expecting, but it's still meaningful. Kansas City moved up ahead of Washington to ensure it would land Delane, this class' unquestioned top cover man. In doing so, Brett Veach reloads his secondary after offloading Trent McDuffie . Despite the franchise's habit of developing younger corners, Kansas City now has a bit more confidence in its ability to answer for Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, whose passing attacks could take a step forward next year. But the Chiefs missed a prime opportunity to address their pass rush, and any coverage benefits might be moot if the team can't generate sufficient pressure.
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7. Washington Commanders : Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State - Grade: B+
Adam Peters continues to give Dan Quinn and new coordinator Daronte Jones some major assets to overhaul the defense. Styles is not only hyperathletic but incredibly savvy and capable of cleaning up everything in front of him. Caleb Downs could have been a consideration here, but Styles can offer plenty as someone who can take control of the second level of this unit. With no second-round pick, however, Washington might have trouble finding a difference-maker at receiver or in the secondary later on in the draft.
8. New Orleans Saints : Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State - Grade: B
Tyler Shough exceeded all reasonable expectations of a second-round rookie quarterback. For him to take a leap forward in his development, however, New Orleans had to equip him with something beyond Chris Olave in a depleted receiving corps. Tyson could help the Saints' passing attack reach that next level, as he's a smooth and well-rounded pass catcher whose skill set aligns well with Kellen Moore's offensive scheme. The injury history looms large, and his route running requires some refinement. But the arrow is pointing up for New Orleans in the second year of Moore's tenure.
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9. Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah - Grade: B
Nice move by Andew Berry to pick up some additional draft capital while still securing his offensive tackle of choice. Fano isn't necessarily the clear-cut top blocker in this class, but he makes plenty of sense for a Browns front looking for a finishing touch to an expansive offseason reworking. Berry said ahead of the draft he wouldn't get hung up on what side a lineman had the most experience at, and Fano is a natural right tackle. But he's also fleet-footed and can help stabilize the pass protection in a division in which there will be plenty of hat coming off the edge. Getting ahead of the offensive line run is a wise move, as a receiver can wait.
10. Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals ): Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.) - B
John Harbaugh's first steps with Big Blue have been centered on achieving some semblance of stability, which has largely escaped the franchise for the better part of a decade. Taking Mauigoa certainly aligns with that effort. Mauigoa is a punishing force in the run game who won't get pushed around by pass rushers, either. He was announced as an offensive tackle, but he should slide in at right guard after veteran Jermaine Eluemunor was re-signed at right tackle. Olaivavega Ioane could have been a candidate for the same role, but Mauigoa is a high-floor prospect who can make life easier for Jaxson Dart on several fronts.
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11. Dallas Cowboys (from Miami Dolphins ): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State - Grade: A
After several years of earning some draft-night scorn, Jerry Jones finally hit it big. He capitalizes on a tumble for Downs, who has a solid case to be considered a top-three player in this class. The two-time unanimous All-American can be the force against the run that Jones covets, but he more importantly can help cut down on the meltdowns in the secondary that plagued Dallas throughout last year. New coordinator Christian Parker also has a major weapon to deploy from the slot as he likes after the Cowboys sorely missed Jourdan Lewis after the nickel's departure the previous offseason.
12. Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama - Grade: C+
A Miami team facing an extensive rebuild looked to be in prime position to address its front. Proctor, however, is a somewhat surprising target for the team. At his best, the 6-7, 352-pounder can be a devastating enforcer in the run game and engulf edge rushers to safeguard his quarterback. But weight management has been an issue, and he's one of the draft's more volatile prospects. High-risk, high-reward move for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
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13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons ): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama - Grade: C
There was widespread pre-draft skepticism that Simpson would crack Day 1 at all. Instead, he makes it into the top half of the order. Los Angeles is likely the ideal landing spot for the signal-caller, who's short on experience but can be brought along slowly behind Matthew Stafford . But the Rams really must have seen something in Simpson to pivot from their plan to go all in for the reigning NFL MVP. Les Snead and Sean McVay deserve the benefit of the doubt here, as they've been one of the best teams at identifying talent in the draft in recent years. And maybe it gives the franchise the smooth transition behind center that once seemed like it would be hard to enact. But Simpson has displayed some fairly significant shortcomings and limitations as an undersized and inexperienced passer, and this certainly feels like a sizable stretch.
14. Baltimore Ravens : Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State - Grade: B+
Ioane had been linked to Baltimore dating all the way back to the combine and free agency. It's easy to see why, as he was nearly flawless last season for Penn State amid his team's wider turbulence. He's more stout than spectacular, particularly on the move. But Baltimore should covet that profile as it seeks to get the most out of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry once again under new coach Jesse Minter and first-time coordinator Declan Doyle.
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.) - Grade: A
Bain lasted longer than many might have thought, and the Buccaneers pulled off what might go down as one of the draft's best value moves. Tampa Bay hasn't been able to sort out its edge rush for some time, so bringing aboard the most disruptive force in college football should be a clear win for Jason Licht and Todd Bowles. The arm length debate might have cost Bain on draft night, but here's betting he can navigate it to remain a persistent pest with the Bucs. This could become the defensive equivalent of the Emeka Egbuka pick with a rapid payoff.
16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts ): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon - Grade: B
Gang Green couldn't afford to keep pinning so much on Garrett Wilson in the passing game. That dynamic led many to believe that the Jets would target a pass catcher here. Rather than go for a wideout such as Makai Lemon or Omar Cooper Jr., however, New York rolls the dice on Sadiq. An instant mismatch due to his field-stretching speed, Sadiq has significant untapped potential as a seam threat, which he could unlock with Geno Smith attacking vertically. He's still somewhat of an unfinished product, though, so his acclimation period could be an extended one.
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17. Detroit Lions : Blake Miller , OT, Clemson - Grade: B
The Lions' need and desire to address the void at offensive tackle after Taylor Decker 's release was obvious. Less clear, however, was just whom Brad Holmes would zero in on. Perhaps more people should have seen this one coming, though. Miller is experienced, astute and athletic with an optimal frame for handling NFL edge rushers. With the bulk of his experience coming at right tackle, however, this signals that Penei Sewell should be making the switch to the left side.
18. Minnesota Vikings : Caleb Banks, DT, Florida - Grade: C
It's easy to see the appeal of Banks, a 6-6, 327-pound interior force with unparalleled explosion off the ball. Yet Banks has been waylaid by multiple foot injuries in the last year, and staying healthy could be a considerable concern. Banks also struggles to finish plays as a tackler once he gets in range of a ball carrier. There's massive upside here for him to thrive in Brian Flores' scheme, but this could also go awry if Banks can't become a consistent performer.
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19. Carolina Panthers : Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia - Grade: B
Ikem Ekwonu is officially on notice. One month after signing Rasheed Walker as a contingency plan as Ekwonu recovers fron a torn patellar tendon, the Panthers add another top tackle in Freeling. The ascendant blocker can boost Carolina's long-term protection profile without being rushed into action. Not bad for an offense still searching for ways to help Bryce Young take a leap.
20. Eagles (from Packers via Cowboys): Makai Lemon, WR, USC - Grade: A-
Well, there's clearly a post-A.J Brown plan being enacted in Philadelphia. No one will confuse Lemon with the bulky Brown, but he could help an Eagles offense facing plenty of uncertainty on firmer ground. The Biletnikoff Award winner can provide Jalen Hurts with instant solutions in the underneath to intermediate area while allowing DeVonta Smith to become the attack's featured player. If June wasn't already circled for an expected deal, it should be now.
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers : Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State - Grade: B
Omar Khan didn't have too many pressing concerns with his roster, but the outlook at offensive tackle was a little shaky amid Broderick Jones ' recovery from a neck injury. Enter Iheanachor, who's short on refinement but long on athleticism as a latecomer to football. He provides flexibility in the short and long term, with Troy Fautanu potentially able to slide over to the left side and allow Iheanachor to step in at right tackle if required.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor , DE, Miami (Fla.) - Grade: B
Looks like a Jim Harbaugh player. Plays like a Jim Harbaugh player. And now, he is a Jim Harbaugh player. The 25-year-old Mesidor touted himself a "seasoned rookie" as he prepared to enter the league as an older and more experienced entity than his peers. Harbaugh, however, surely relished the non-stop motor Mesidor deployed to chase down opposing quarterbacks. The Bolts' pass rush worked best when it had three legitimate threats to rotate at edge, and Mesidor can round out that group while serving as the long-term successor to Khalil Mack.
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23. Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence, DE/OLB, UCF - Grade: B-
After trading up to secure Downs, the Cowboys move back with their second selection and still secure a player who can further change the complexion of their defense. Lawrence went from potential sleeper during the pre-draft process to a main attraction. He offers the length and persistence to make a mark right away, though he can be somewhat boom-or-bust as a pass rusher. But this was a sensible step to bolster an edge group that still wasn't up to par.
24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars ): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M - Grade: B+
The future of Cleveland's aerial attack remains unresolved as the team prepares to head into next season with either Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson behind center. At least next year's starter - and any potential 2027 quarterback pick - will have a major asset at his disposal in Concepcion. The Paul Hornung Award winner can do a little bit of everything, but his calling card is pulling away from coverage and would-be tacklers. The immediate gains might be incremental, but Concepcion should nudge the Browns toward more big plays, including in the return game.
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25. Chicago Bears : Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon - Grade: A-
Takeaways and a dynamic secondary were at the center of the Bears' defensive push last season. Yet after signing Coby Bryant and now drafting Thieneman, Chicago now looks even more formidable at safety. Thieneman flew under the radar a bit until a breakout performance at the combine, but he can handle a variety of coverage assignments. The interceptions might not trickle in as easily as they did during his freshman season at Purdue, but Thieneman shouldn't take long to establish his playmaker credentials.
26. Houston Texans (from Buffalo Bills ): Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech - Grade: B-
Nick Caserio looked to the trade market once again to add yet another piece to Houston's ever-evolving front. Rutledge is an absolute pest in the run game with jarring power when he latches onto a defender. His aggressive mindset can work against him at times, but Houston clearly can weaponize his skill set as it looks to pave open holes for new lead running back David Montgomery.
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27. Dolphins (from San Francisco 49ers ): Chris Johnson , CB, San Diego State - Grade: B
This feels like a move straight out of the Packers playbook for Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley, who both came over from Green Bay . In the pre-draft process, Johnson carved out a place as one of this class' most polished cornerbacks. His composure is sure to come in handy for a Miami defense that has been in trouble at the position since moving on from Jalen Ramsey.
28. New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah - Grade: B-
For the second year in a row, the Patriots prioritized protection for Drake Maye in the first round. After things got dicey for Will Campbell down the stretch, New England has to be cognizant with how it deploys Lomu, who's a promising pass protector but has plenty of work to do on the finer points of his position. He's a natural left tackle, so there's some question as to fit here after Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf insisted Will Campbell would stay put. The most reasonable route to the lineup could be eventually taking over for Morgan Moses at right tackle.
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29. Chiefs (from Rams): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson - Grade: C
Kansas City simply couldn't afford to stand pat in its pass rush, which has too long relied on Chris Jones to prop it up. But can Woods be entrusted with returning the front to its previous standard? Touted as a potential top-five pick coming into the season, he didn't come close to living up to expectations. Maybe he'll find his form working alongside Jones, but his underwhelming trajectory shouldn't give the Chiefs much confidence.
30. Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana - Grade: A-
If Gang Green had taken Cooper at No. 16 overall, the move likely would have been lauded. Instead, the Jets managed to secure Kenyon Sadiq and still circle back to Cooper with a trade toward the end of the first. The slippery run-after-catch threat pairs well with Sadiq and Garrett Wilson, as he can own the underneath area and serve as a safety valve in the passing game. With a solid offensive line, Breece Hall and an upgraded receiving corps, things sure are setting up nicely for Geno Smith ... or a 2027 quarterback pick.
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31. Titans (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn - Grade: B
There might not be a more Robert Saleh-coded player in the draft than Faulk. Length? Check. Run defense? Check. Motor? Check. Faulk is hardly a finished product as a pass rusher, but he's one Saleh will gladly take on. He might have been overvalued had he landed in the mid first, but this seems like the right range for him.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame, Grade: B-
He won't be known primarily as Jeremiyah Love's backup for much longer. The defending champions just made Price an essential part of their backfield after Kenneth Walker III 's departure. It's fair to question the positional value here, especially for a back who's an unproven commodity in the passing game. But Seattle had few options to find someone who could at least share the load with Zach Charbonnet, and the defending champs are in a better position than most teams to make this kind of move.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL Draft grades: Analysis for every first-round pick
