We’re only 32 picks into the 2026 NFL Draft, which has 225 yet to come off the board over the course of Friday’s second and third rounds plus the final four on Saturday. Yet what occurred April 23 in Pittsburgh during Round 1 will go a long way toward shaping the legacy of this draft – one that isn’t necessarily expected to have a seismic impact on the league this year and perhaps not in the long run, either.
That will be up to the players, and time will determine whether it’s a pedestrian group, maybe one that winds up exceeding expectations … or even falling short of what already seems set as a low bar. Regardless, it’s never too early to give a microwaved assessment of something that probably can’t be fairly judged until at least 2029 – so let’s (prematurely) label the winners and losers of the 2026 draft’s first round:
2026 NFL Draft Round 1 grades: Analysis for every pick
1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, IndianaThe first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State