The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft had more than a few surprises. Thursday night was buzzing with trades—eight deals occurred, resulting in six teams walking away with multiple first-round selections.
It turned out to be quite the rollercoaster. Some teams scored fantastic values, turning the draft process on its head in a good way, while others were left wondering what could have been.
Winner: Everyone in the NFC East.
Initially, the spotlight was on the Giants and their impressive performance, but as the night unfolded, it became clear that every team in the division was thriving.
New York Giants: Having two top-10 picks doesn’t guarantee success, but the Giants excelled. They snagged Arbel Reese, the top-ranked player on our board, at No. 5 after a first-half flurry, then secured the highest-rated offensive tackle at No. 10. Their strategy balanced addressing needs on both sides of the ball, enhancing the value of the Dexter Lawrence trade.
Dallas Cowboys: My only quibble with the Cowboys is that they could have hit Philadelphia harder with their trade. Still, they had a stellar draft, picking Caleb Downs, my personal favorite, who looks like a potential game-changer. I’m not as thrilled about Malachi Lawrence at No. 23, but I see the vision. These picks bolster the defense, plus they nabbed extra fourth-rounders from the Eagles.
Philadelphia Eagles: Selecting Makaylemon at No. 20 feels a bit sneaky. While they could use a pass rusher more urgently, this selection gives them immediate insurance if they trade away AJ Brown. Lemon will complement DeVonta Smith nicely, and drafting ahead of the Steelers certainly adds some flair.
Washington Commanders: Not the flashiest pick, but taking Sonny Styles at No. 7 was solid. His length and athleticism can make him one of the league’s top box linebackers in pass coverage, and the team needed a reliable tackler. I thought he would go sooner, honestly; this feels like a win.
The Browns, with their two first-round picks, I think did pretty well. Sure, the Kansas City trade didn’t pay off much, but it’s clear that getting something in this draft is better than getting nothing. Picking Spencer Fano at No. 9 suits him, even if he doesn’t possess the versatility of Francis Mauigoa.
Getting KC Concepcion at No. 24 was a nice find. He may not become a No. 1 receiver, but I honestly believe he could be the top No. 2 in the league down the line. Pairing him with a true No. 1 via future drafts or trades could make for an exciting offense.
Ty Simpson was a bit of an enigma in this draft. Most thought he’d either go early in the second round or see someone trade back up to grab him. If it had been the Cardinals or Jets, he’d likely have faced a rough road ahead.
Instead, he landed with the Los Angeles Rams at pick No. 13. This gives him a solid shot at development behind Matthew Stafford. The Rams, despite trading their earlier pick, have a reputation for nurturing quarterbacks, which is a big bonus for Simpson.
This might be the ideal scenario for a first-round quarterback. There’s a case for Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, but neither had the comfort of being mentored. Stafford’s backing is a game changer, and I feel optimistic about Simpson’s prospects.
Winner: Peter Woods’ Draft Party
Honestly, we should all aim to be as cool as those who attended Peter Woods’ draft gathering.
I recognize it’s easy to criticize the Jets, but I found their three first-round picks puzzling. Sure, bringing in David Bailey at No. 2 is good for EDGE stability, but I question whether he’s truly worthy of that pick. His finesse style might not translate well to the league.
I’m lukewarm about Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16. He fits nicely as a secondary offensive threat in a stable team structure but may not deliver as a primary target. His blocking is lacking and he plays more like a big slot receiver rather than a traditional tight end. It feels like a reach.
While acquiring Omar Cooper Jr. seemed reasonable, I’m uncertain how he fits among the other receivers. The Jets claim to focus on a “winning culture,” but, well, have they really succeeded with that strategy?
Ultimately, the team got Bailey, Saddiq, and Cooper Jr. They could have selected much better options like Arbel Reese or someone to strengthen their secondary.
I do like Jeremiah Love, but I struggle with the value of this selection. Did the Raiders learn nothing from last year’s disastrous plays? Without a solid offensive line, Love might not make an impact in Arizona, and their line is, frankly, a mess.
The safer choice would have been to wait on a running back and address more pressing needs. Abel Reese or Sonny Styles could have made immediate impacts.
As it stands, the Cardinals seem poised for a rebuild while still lacking a robust offensive line.
The Dolphins, despite their multiple first-round picks, didn’t impress me. Kadin Proctor seems to fit the stereotype of unpolished Alabama tackles. Their history suggests physical talent doesn’t always equate to success.
Chris Johnson may have risen late in the process, but Jermod McCoy’s knee issues raise red flags. There doesn’t seem to be a clear vision here. Johnson might have potential, but I question whether he’ll succeed at cornerback.
Investing money to make Malik Willis a free agent felt smart at first, but then the draft left him with few options. This needs to have purpose.
Quick Picks
- Titans select WR Carnell Tate with No. 4 pick
- Buccaneers select DE Reuben Bain Jr. with the 15th pick
- Vikings select DT Caleb Banks with No. 18 pick
- Bears select S Dillon Thieneman 25th overall
- Chiefs select DT Peter Woods with pick 29th
