A mock draft might be enough, but the time has finally come for the real thing. The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is upon us, and you can monitor every selection with our tracker. Make sure to refresh this post regularly to catch the latest updates on all the picks.
Shortly, the Las Vegas Raiders will kick off the 2026 NFL Draft, and it’s widely expected that Fernando Mendoza will be the first player chosen shortly. Once the drafting begins, we’ll score every selection live.
Let me explain how we’ll score these picks. While assessing each player is critical, we also look at the method used for their selection. For example, Miami’s slot cornerback Keonte Scott is among the top 50 players on our board. If a team decides to draft him in the first round and gives up a lot of future draft picks, that situation will definitely influence our grading.
On the flip side, we might rate Keldrick Faulk lower, but if a team chooses him as he begins to slide, their decision-making could also factor into our evaluation.
Ultimately, the real success will depend on how these players adapt to NFL life over the coming years. Much of tonight’s assessment is based not only on the players but also on the drafting process itself.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into some grades.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
And here we are—the pick we all expected.
There’s a lot to appreciate about Fernando Mendoza’s game, especially his accuracy. But his competitiveness really stands out. That trait is crucial for a quarterback, particularly when stepping into the NFL carrying the expectations of an entire franchise.
Mendoza ticks that box without a doubt.
It’s also worth noting that the Raiders seem to have a clear plan in place. With Kirk Cousins joining the team, the coaching staff has the flexibility to wait until Mendoza is fully prepared, whether that’s in Week 1 or later. Ian Rapoport mentioned earlier that the plan is for Cousins to lead this season, allowing Mendoza to step in when he’s ready. This approach gives Mendoza a much better chance for success, adding bonus points for the Raiders considering the overall strategy.
This is a solid pick for the Raiders, who now need to continue building around their new quarterback.
2. New York Jets – David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Some have a less favorable view of David Bailey compared to us. Most of his 14 sacks this season resulted from wide alignments where he leveraged sheer athleticism and explosiveness, which might be tougher in the NFL. Nonetheless, there were also times he demonstrated a genuine pass rush strategy, employing spins or counter moves effectively.
Abel Reese’s potential can’t be overlooked, and while he might have been a better fit for a team needing more time to rebuild, he makes sense for a Jets squad that requires EDGE help urgently.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Jeremiah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This pick generates two different perspectives.
From a purely football angle, Love deserves an A grade. He has the ability to bring explosive plays to both the run and passing games, which this offense desperately needs.
However, looking at the broader context is important. The run game’s efficacy hinges on the offensive line, which still requires improvement despite recent additions. Selecting Love third overall means he becomes one of the top ten highest-paid players at his position, a factor that needs consideration. Taking finances into account, this choice is closer to a C grade.
4. Tennessee Titans – Colonel Tate, WR, Ohio State University
As expected, Colonel Tate was the first wide receiver selected.
This choice follows the Titans’ earlier focus on defense in free agency. After adding various defensive players, they shifted attention to bolstering support for Cam Ward, leading to speculation about Robert Saleh’s interest in Sonny Styles, potentially as a pivotal figure like Fred Warner. Instead, the Titans opted for a talented wide receiver from Ohio State, who could be their next standout.
5. New York Giants – Abel Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State University
In today’s NFL, the crucial position remains seven yards behind the center. A capable quarterback, a protective lineman, and a strong defender are essential components.
The Giants have beefed up their defense with Abel Reese’s addition.
If he transitions to the edge full-time, he’ll need development, but he can still add athleticism if used off-ball. This gives the Giants a solid fifth option, and it’s great to see they have a plan.
Plus, they still hold the tenth pick, which could allow them to snag one of their top offensive linemen or even WR Jordyn Tyson, who was mentioned as a possibility last week.
6. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansour Delaine, CB, LSU
We’ve got our first trade of the evening!
The Chiefs moved up to grab LSU cornerback Mansour Delaine, the top player at his position, trading away picks No. 9, No. 74, and No. 141 to the Cleveland Browns.
This move has been well-executed by the Chiefs. They traded Trent McDuffie for an additional first-round pick, allowing them to jump three spots and secure a key cornerback prospect before other teams had a chance to target him. Delaine has solid movement skills, excels in coverage, and handles press situations effectively.
7. Washington Commanders – Sonny Stiles, LB, Ohio State University
You might not see the need for an off-ball linebacker with a safety background, but the Commanders required reinforcement for their front seven, and they secured it with the highly athletic Stiles. He’s one of the most promising linebacker prospects seen lately and could provide significant value during passing downs, offering flexibility to Dan Quinn’s defensive plans.
8. New Orleans Saints – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Jordyn Tyson has been a popular name on draft boards recently, and his 2024 footage explains that well. He demonstrated impressive quickness in tight situations and effectively outperformed defenders pressed against him. While his injury history is a concern, he has the potential to become a WR1.
9. Cleveland Browns – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
First, let’s talk about the approach.
Even after dropping a few spots, Cleveland chose the first offensive tackle and gained two additional picks in the process. That alone improves their grade. The decision to select Spencer Fano over Francis Mauigoa raises some questions, especially given Mauigoa’s back injury risk. However, Fano has experience playing at both right and left tackle, which is valuable for a team hoping to find a starting lineman for Shedur Sanders next year.
10. New York Giants – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
When the Giants traded with the Bengals to secure this pick, many anticipated they might choose Mauigoa at No. 5 and possibly Tyson at No. 10. The other option was to take Mauigoa at No. 5, who was rated the best available defender at No. 10.
Now, with Arbel Reese at No. 5 enhancing their defense and Mauigoa at No. 10, the Giants executed their strategy well.
Despite Mauigoa’s past concerns, we aren’t medical professionals. Looking at it now, it appears this was a solid outcome for New York.
