The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Welcome to The Athletic’s pick-by-pick grades for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Which teams filled a need with a potential star? Which GMs might wind up regretting their decisions down the line?
Because we won’t know those full answers until the incoming rookie class has been in the league for a few seasons, our immediate grades take into account a number of factors: pick value, trade cost, how the draft board looked at the time of the selection and so on.
The Round 1 grades:
(Note: Scott Dochterman provided grades for odd-numbered picks, Nick Baumgardner for even-numbered picks.)
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Mendoza is the perfect player around which to build a franchise. Nobody was bigger in the biggest moments last season, from late-game comebacks at Penn State and Iowa to historic wins against Ohio State and Miami. Mendoza has the arm strength, accuracy, toughness and character to lead a Las Vegas franchise desperately seeking a franchise quarterback.
After transferring from California ahead of the 2025 season, Mendoza (6 feet 5 inches tall, 236 pounds) led Indiana — the losingest program in college football history — to its first national championship, while also winning the Heisman Trophy. He threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, six interceptions and completed 72 percent of his passes. He also rushed for one of the greatest touchdowns in college football history, a play that ultimately sealed the Hoosiers’ College Football Playoff championship.
Grade: A
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech
The best pure pass rusher in the draft, Bailey (6-3, 251, with 34-inch arms) has a deep array of pass-rush moves that is better than any other edge in this class. Long, lean and explosive, Bailey got better during every season of his college career and should be an immediate force rushing the QB.
I do wonder if New York might’ve gotten more value here from Ohio State edge/LB Arvell Reese — I had Reese higher on my board and believe he has a better long-term ceiling. But it’s very hard to argue with Bailey, as he’ll be a big-time factor quickly.
Grade: A-minus
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
There’s no disputing the talent — Love tops the entire draft in that area. There’s also no doubting the need — Arizona ranked 31st in total rushing last year. Love would improve any team with his rare blend of speed, quickness and fight, but … do the Cardinals have the team around him that will let those abilities shine? Would Arizona have been better off grabbing an edge rusher or an offensive lineman? We’ll see.
Love rushed for a combined 35 touchdowns the past two seasons. In 2025, he was a unanimous first-team All-American, Heisman Trophy finalist and Doak Walker Award winner. Love (6-0, 212) rushed for 1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns and averaged 6.9 yards per carry last year, including 4.5 yards per carry after contact. He also wowed observers at the combine with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash time.
Grade: B
4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Let’s start with this: I really like Carnell Tate. I believe he’s WR1 in this class, and he’s going to help Cam Ward. The Titans needed a wide receiver, and their young quarterback needed reliable targets. And I loved how much better Tate got playing opposite Jeremiah Smith last season, while pushing Smith along the way. He’s a polished football player who will be ready to roll early. It’s hard to hate on this pick.
At the same time, there was more value on the board here. Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs are all players the Titans could have — and arguably should have — taken over the Ohio State receiver.
Grade: B-plus
5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State
The Giants likely can’t believe their luck. Reese has the most upside of any defensive player in this class, and he’s versatile and explosive. When you combine him with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and perhaps Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants now have a ferocious pass rush. And, as we saw a generation ago, that recipe makes Super Bowl jambalaya.
Reese (6-4, 241) conjures up comparisons with former Penn State (and current Green Bay Packers) pass rusher Micah Parsons — and rightly so. Both were lethal pass-rushing linebackers in college and projected as edge defenders in the NFL. In his first season as a starter at Ohio State, Reese was a consensus first-team All-American and racked up 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 69 total tackles.
Grade: A-plus
6. Kansas City Chiefs (from CLE): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs do not plan to be drafting this high again any time soon. As a result, Kansas City traded up to No. 6 (sending Nos. 9, 74 and 148 to Cleveland) and replaced Trent McDuffie with the best — and safest — cornerback on the board. The most comfortable man-coverage defender in the draft, Delane is very difficult to stack and fool in coverage and should be a factor in Kansas City quickly.
This is a great pick. Delane is a high-floor player who oozes confidence and will have no problems entering a serious, championship-level operation. Love the aggressiveness the Chiefs showed here.
Grade: A
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Dan Quinn is a defensive coach at heart, and his defense was in dire need of a second-level playmaker. There’s no better off-ball linebacker in this class than Styles, who can play in any subpackage and wreak havoc on an offense. He’s also a high-character leader, something that’s desperately needed in D.C., and he’ll make for a great pairing with Leo Chenal.
Styles (6-5, 244) began his career as a safety, then shifted to linebacker, where he started 42 games over three seasons (including all 16 during the Buckeyes’ 2024 national championship season). A first-team All-American last year, Styles put up a career 244 tackles, plus 22.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and nine passes defensed.
Grade: A
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
If Tyson is healthy and consistently available, this is a terrific pick. The problem? He was never consistently healthy and available throughout his time in college. At full strength, he’s the best wide receiver in this class, but — as with Tate — it’s not a slam dunk Tyson blossoms into a WR1 in the NFL. And with the No. 8, that’s what you’re shooting for.
I like the player and think Tyson should help out New Orleans pretty quickly (so long as his medicals are clear), but, again, I question whether or not more value could’ve been had.
Grade: B-plus
9. Cleveland Browns (from KC): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns have plenty of tackles but none of them stood out — until now. Fano, whom Dane Brugler graded in “The Beast” as this draft’s top offensive tackle, will step in as an immediate starter. The only question is: On which side of the O-line is he going to play?
Fano (6-5 1/2, 311) won the Outland Trophy last season as the nation’s top interior lineman and was a unanimous first-team All-American. He largely played right tackle in college, where he made 25 of his 36 career starts. His arm length (32 1/8 inches) is a concern, especially if he gets a look on the left side, but he’s physical and will be a great asset as a blocker in front of Cleveland’s running back duo of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. The Browns improved, for the right value, at a position of need.
Grade: B-plus
10. New York Giants (from CIN): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Was really curious to see if the Giants would take Downs here, but I cannot argue with this pick — especially considering that Mauigoa might be moving inside to play guard on an offensive line that already features young talent. Mauigoa is a terrific run blocker. He was the heart of Miami’s offense and is as reliable as it gets up front.
This has been a terrific start to the draft for the Giants. Reese at No. 5 was outstanding value, and there were some in the NFL who considered Mauigoa this draft’s top offensive lineman. Whether he’s a guard early or long-term tackle, Mauigoa will be a factor.
Grade: A
