NFL Draft instant grades for every 2026 first-round pick

Enough with mock drafts. It is time for the real thing. The first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft is here, and you can follow every selection with our pick tracker. Refresh this post often for live grades on every pick.

Soon enough, the Las Vegas Raiders will officially be on the clock to begin the 2026 NFL Draft, and minutes later we all expect Fernando Mendoza to be the first player to come off the board. Once the pick start rolling in, we will be grading each selection live.

A quick word on the grading criteria. While our evaluations of each player are a factor, we are also grading the process used to make each pick. Let’s use an example: While Miami slot cornerback Keionte Scott is one of our top-50 players on our big board, if a team moves up to draft him in the first round and gives up significant future draft capital to do, that will factor into our grade.

Conversely, while we might not be high on Keldric Faulk, if a team sees him slide to. them in a good spot, that will also factor into our grade.

Of course, the ultimate grades will come from the players themselves, over the next few years, as they acclimate to life in the NFL. That is when a lot of the grades tonight will be a look into the process, as well as the player.

Now that you know how this will work, let’s start handing out some grades.

Yes, the pick we all knew was coming is finally here.

There is a lot to love to Fernando Mendoza’s game, including his accuracy, but what continues to stand out is his competitive toughness. That matters so much at the position, and it certainly matters when you enter the NFL with the weight of a franchise on your shoulders.

Mendoza absolutely checks that box.

And to the Raiders’ credit, the franchise has put a plan in place. Adding Kirk Cousins means the coaching staff can wait until Mendoza is ready to take over, whether that is Week 1, Week 4, or whenever. Ian Rapoport reported moments ago that the plan, for now, is that Cousins plays this season and Mendoza takes over when he is ready. That only maximizes the odds that Mendoza is in a position to succeed, and is a bonus point when considering the entire process from Las Vegas.

This is a good pick all around for the Raiders. Now they need to keep adding around their new QB.

Grade: A

This is a solid pick.

Others are much lower on David Bailey than we are, because you see flashes where it clicks for him. While the majority of his 14 sacks this season came from a wide alignment where he was just able to win on pure athleticism and explosiveness, which will get tougher in the NFL, there were moments where you saw a true pass-rushing plan, where he won on a spin to the inside or used a counter move to get home.

The upside with Arvell Reese is hard to ignore, and might have been a better fit for a team that needs more than a year to truly turn things around, but this is a solid pick for a team that truly needed help on the EDGE

Grade: B

There are two ways to think about this pick.

Purely from a football standpoint, Love is worthy of an A grade. This is an offense that needed explosive plays, and he can contribute those in both the run game, and in the passing game.

But we have to consider the big picture here when looking at this selection. The run game is also dependent on the offensive line, and despite some additions, that group still needs some help. And by making Love the third-overall selection, he immediately becomes one of the top-ten highest-paid players at his position. So we need to take that into consideration. The process is more of a C given the financial implications here.

Grade: B

Carnell Tate is the first wide receiver off the board, as we all thought.

Tennessee was linked to several defensive players early in the process, but after some additions on that side of the ball via free agency, getting Cam Ward some help became a new focus, even as some thought Robert Saleh might look at Sonny Styles as perhaps his Fred Warner 2.0. Instead, the Titans do get Ward some help, with a smooth wide receiver and perhaps the next great Ohio State WR.

Grade: B+

In today’s NFL the most important spot on the field remains seven yards behind the center. You need a quarterback that can throw from there, linemen that can protect that spot, and defenders that can attack it.

The Giants now have some talent on their defense front with the addition of Arvell Reese.

There will be some refinement needed if he moves to the edge full-time, and he can still offer some athleticism on the second level if the Giants want to use him in an off-ball role, but they have given themselves some options here at No. 5, and I love when a team seems to have a plan.

And they still have a pick at No. 10, and with the way this board is falling, they might get one of the top offensive lineman, or even WR Jordyn Tyson, who they have been linked to this past week.

Grade: A-

We have our first trade of the night!

The Kansas City Chiefs sent the Cleveland Browns get No. 9, No. 74, and No. 141 overall. To move up three spots, and select Mansoor Delane, the cornerback from LSU and the top prospect at the position.

This is well done all around by the Chiefs. They traded Trent McDuffie a few weeks ago and secured an additional first-round pick. Now they move up three spots — to get ahead of a few teams that might have been eying Delane ahead of them in both Washington and New Orleans — and get the top cornerback prospect. Delane moves well, handles man coverage well, and can even shine in press coverage situations.

Grade: A

An off-ball linebacker with a background as a safety might not seem like a need, but the Commanders needed some help with their front seven, and they get that with the super athletic Styles. He is one of the most athletic linebacker prospects we have ever seen, which will make him an asset on passing downs and give Dan Quinn’s defense some schematic flexibility.

Grade: A

Jordyn Tyson’s name has flown up draft boards in recent weeks, and based on his 2024 tape alone you might understand why. He shows good short-area quickness, and has been able to beat press-aligned defenders off the line of scrimmage. The injury history is a concern, but there is WR1 potential here.

Grade: B+

First, a word on the process.

Cleveland moves down a few spots and still drafts the first offensive tackle of the draft, picking up two additional picks in the process. That alone bumps this grade up a bit. The question will be picking Spencer Fano over Francis Mauigoa, and now one wonders about Mauigoa’s back injury. But Fano has seen time at both RT and LT, and for a team that simply needs to find their best five starting lineman in front of Shedeur Sanders for next year, this makes a great deal of sense.

Grade: A-

When the Giants swung last weekend’s trade with the Cincinnati Bengals to secure this selection, many thought one potential path for them was Mauigoa at No. 5, and perhaps Tyson at No. 10. Another option was Mauigoa at No. 5, and the best defender available at No. 10.

Now, the Giants get Arvell Reese at No. 5 — an elite upgrade to their defensive front — and a mauler in Mauigoa at No. 10. The process is commendable.

Mauigoa’s back history is something to watch, but we are not doctors. Sitting here right now, this seems like a job well done from New York.

Grade: A-

The Dallas Cowboys moved up one spot to get Caleb Downs, one of the most versatile players in this class. The price to do so? Picks at No. 12, No. 177, and No. 180.

In Downs, the Cowboys are getting an experienced defender who was a starter at Alabama under none other than Nick Saban, which is a massive bit of evidence to show you the kind of player he is. His awareness is off the charts, particularly in zone coverage, and he is a force against the run and as a blitzer. But Ohio State used him all over the field, and he’ll bring some much needed versatility and athleticism to this Dallas defense.

And even though Dallas had to make a trade to get him, it is worth it.

Grade: A+

So the Dolphins slide back one spot and take Kadyn Proctor, the offensive tackle from Alabama.

Nick Saban raised some concerns about Proctor in recent days, noting that he was not really a “self-starter” during the time he coached him at Alabama. Add in the concerns over him holding up in pass protection in the NFL, and the idea that he might kick inside to guard, and you can see the worry.

Grade: C+

Okay, here we go.

Throughout most of the pre-draft process, I loved the idea of Ty Simpson landing in Los Angeles to learn from Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford.

Back when they still had the pick at No. 29.

Now, perhaps Les Snead and company believe they have everything they need to make yet another run with Stafford in place. But with concerns about Puka Nacua arising over the past few months, Davante Adams getting another year older, and still needing some other pieces, the Rams could have added another premium talent at this spot. Instead, they’re drafting a QB that they hope will not see the field for a year or two, in a down year for quarterbacks, and ahead of what might be a better QB class next year. Perhaps the thinking is that the Rams might not be picking this high again anytime soon, but even still …

Again, I liked the idea of Simpson to the Rams at 29, I just do not like it as much at 13 given the talent still on the board.

Grade: C+

Without question one of my favorite players in the class. People wonder if he can handle zone blocking at the next level, but I saw more than enough footwork and athleticism in space that I think that will not be a problem for him. In the gap/power game he is an absolute mauler, and I think this is an absolute perfect pick for the Ravens.

Grade: A+

Early in the draft process, particularly as Miami made a run to the National Championship Game, it felt like Bain was a lock for the top five.

Whether it was truly his lack of length, or the reports that surfaced about a car accident back in 2024, he falls to Tampa Bay here at 15.

They will be happy he did.

Bain is a disruptor off the edge, and when you see an entire offense take note of where he lines up on the field — as Ohio State did during their playoff game — you should take note as well.

Grade: A

This is a fascinating pick.

Many believed the Jets would go wide receiver with their second pick here in the first round, with Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. a popular selection for them in mock drafts. Instead they go with the athletic tight end in Sadiq, who has the potential to be a mismatch nightmare for NFL defenses. Adjusting to life in the NFL is often tough for young tight ends, but his athleticism will serve him well, and you can find moments where he handles the in-line blocking responsibilities fairly well.

Watch him on the right side here against Indiana in the run game:

While the Jets added Mason Taylor last year, you can start thinking of a 12 personnel package with him and Sadiq on the field. This could work nicely for New York.

Grade: A

This is a solid pick for the Lions, who did have a need at tackle. Blake Miller started a ton of games at Clemson, and brings a wealth of experience to the NFC North with him. He will need to improve his pad level, as he plays extremely high and on the two sacks he was credited with giving up this year — one against Louisville and another against SMU — you can see that pad level become an issue for him. If he tightens up his technique, the Lions will be glad they made this pick.

Grade: B

The Caleb Banks we saw in 2024 was every bit a first-round prospect. Go back and watch his film from that year, find his strip-sack against LSU for example, and you will see what teams want in an interior defender. Explosiveness off the ball, tremendous hand usage and quickness, and an ability to make plays.

This pick is a bet that Banks will get back to that form after missing the majority of 2025 with a foot injury. That injury history is scary, and this might be a reach based on the consensus board and the fact that the Vikings could have gotten him at No. 49 when they are on the clock next. We’ll nudge the grade up a tiny bit based on what we saw from him during 2024.

Grade: C+

Monroe Freeling needs to fill out a bit and add some mass to his big frame. He might get some time to do that given the roster in Carolina, but the athleticism is already in place for him. This pick has an eye towards the future, and that future could be very bright.

Grade: B+

We have a rare trade between division rivals, as the Eagles come up to 20 in a trade with Dallas, sending No. 23, No. 114, and No. 137 to the Cowboys in exchange for No. 20 and a seventh-round pick.

And the Eagles pick Makai Lemon, a USC receiver who has drawn comparisons to another USC wideout, Amon-Ra St. Brown. But you watch plays like this one and you see why:

Play strength and competitive toughness boxes absolutely checked. He can be a monster after the catch and if, as we all expect, A.J. Brown is on his way out of town, he can be a phenomenal WR2 next to DeVonta Smith.

Grade: A

This is an intriguing developmental pick by the Steelers, with a side of hedge to it. Broderick Jones is recovering from neck surgery, and while the Steelers are hopeful he will be back for the start of training camp, Max Iheanachor gives them an option.

If Jones is back then Iheanachor — who just started playing football a few years ago — gets more time to refine his game. The foundation is there, thanks to his footwork and athleticism. Add in some refined technique and you have a potential cornerstone tackle.

Also … one does wonder if Ty Simpson coming off the board made this decision a little easier, but I digress.

Grade: B+

The Chargers going EDGE here is not a surprise, but there are some questions with Mesidor. Age and injury history is one, and how will he fare without Reuben Bain Jr. across from him? The Chargers could placed a bet on Keldric Faulk’s upside in this spot, and instead went with Mesidor.

At his best, he plays with a high motor and has some refined moves that he uses off the edge (try and find his dip-and-rip sack against Indiana in the title game for example) so there are things to like, but this feels like a solid pick, and not a home run.

Grade: B-

Credit where it is due.

The Dallas Cowboys trade down three spots and add Malachi Lawrence, the UCF pass rusher who was viewed by some as the top EDGE in the class. This is after moving up just one spot and getting Caleb Downs, the safety viewed as perhaps one of the best overall prospects in the class. Run defense might be a question Lawrence will have to answer eventually, but as a pure pass rusher the burst, athleticism, and even hand technique are there.

Grade: A-

According to every analyst under the sun, the Browns needed to leave the first round with a new offensive tackle, and a new wide receiver.

Earlier in the night they added Spencer Fano, and now they bring in KC Concepcion, the Texas A&M WR who was rising up boards as the draft approached.

Concepcion is an explosive play waiting to happen, thanks to his suddenness as a route-runner, his ball-tracking skills in the vertical passing game, and his ability after the catch. Just watch his game against South Carolina, where you might see him splitting a pair of defenders downfield to a make a tough, diving catch in traffic on a go route and then come back to burn almost the entire secondary on a simple slant route.

He’ll make life easier for Shedeur Sanders.

Grade: A-

Dillon Thieneman’s incredible Combine performance vaulted him into the first-round discussion, and landing in Chicago he fills a massive need for the Bears. Chicago saw Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all depart, and Thieneman can slot in alongside Coby Bryant. He’s more of a traditional post safety who can play single-high or in two-deep structures, and has a nose for the football given the eight interceptions over his collegiate career.

Grade: B+

This is much earlier than expected if you look solely at consensus big boards, where Rutledge was often in the 50-60 range. But he might be a very good fit for this Texans offense, given his ability to mash in the run game and work combination blocks, something Houston loves to dial up in the duo game.

Pass protection is a question mark — and keeping C.J. Stroud clean needs to be a priority next season for the Texans — but this is a fun fit in the run game.

Grade: B

We have another trade, between the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins. Miami comes up to No. 27 and also gets No. 138, while the 49ers slide back to No. 30 and also get No. 90.

And I love what the Dolphins did with this pick.

Miami did need to address its secondary, and Chris Johnson is a very fun player to watch. He has tremendous eyes and awareness in zone coverage, and moves extremely well when either changing leverage, breaking downhill, or switching from one responsibility to another in zone coverage. I love this pick for Miami.

Grade: A

Another trade between division rivals! What is happening!

The Buffalo Bills trade out of No. 29 and the New England Patriots come up from No. 31 to take Caleb Lomu, one of the intriguing offensive tackle prospects in this class. Lomu is very athletic and uses his feet well in pass protection, even in Utah’s offense which tasked the tackles with lots of quick sets and downhill blocks even in pass protection.

The plan is probably for Lomu to sit for a year behind Morgan Moses and develop, and take over at RT across from last year’s No. 4 pick Will Campbell next year. Intriguing pick for sure.

Grade: B+

At his best, Peter Woods is a fearsome pass rusher on the interior. Some of his 2024 is the best you will see at the position.

Now he gets to learn from Chris Jones.

Grade: B

And we have another trade, with the 49ers moving out of No. 30 — which they acquired in an earlier trade with the Miami Dolphins — and sliding back to No. 33 while the Jets come up.

Now, before I dive into the analysis, scroll up to No. 16 when the Jets drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq and see what name was mentioned there.

Omar Cooper Jr.

The Jets work their board, come back into the first round when they need to, and draft a receiver many thought they would take at 16. He will be a perfect compliment to Garrett Wilson, and between Wilson, Sadiq, and now Cooper, suddenly this Jets passing game looks much better.

And again, I love how New York worked their board here.

Grade: A

Another trade!

The Titans have traded back into the first round in a deal with the Buffalo Bills — who moved down to No. 31 in a deal with the Patriots — and take a swing on Keldric Faulk, the pass rusher from Auburn. This is a bet on his ceiling and potential, as Faulk could benefit from adding some strength and physicality to his hands, particularly against the run. But this is a prospect who was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, started 32 games, was a team captain, and will still be 20 when his first NFL training camp begins.

Getting him at this point in the draft — when many thought he might come off the board much earlier — is a great bit of work from Tennessee.

Grade: A-

Not one, but two Notre Dame running backs in the first round.

When Kenneth Walker III departed for the Chiefs, this became a popular pick in mock drafts. Again, the reservations about picking a running back in the first round apply here, but there is a caveat to mention: The dropoff from Price to RB3 is massive, and this pick needs that context. And, there are things to like about Price’s game, who might have been a true RB1 at any other program were he not playing behind Jeremiyah Love.

Grade: B