First & Jenn

The 2026 NFL Draft is in full swing. After a little over a dozen picks were named, teams are warming up for the three-day endeavor. So far, the biggest winner tonight might be the Giants, while the Rams just made an interesting pick.

Check out the 2026 NFL Draft first round thoughts below.

Las Vegas Raiders

Needs: QB, OG, OT, WR, DT

Pick: 1.1 – Fernando Mendoza, Indiana QB

Thoughts: I mean this has just made so much sense for months. Obviously Mendoza is going to be a breath of fresh air when he steps into the league. Mendoza is the ideal quarterback size at 6’5 and 225 lbs. He has a rifle of an arm to match his fearless play style, something minority owner Tom Brady will love.

Grade: A

New York Jets

Needs: WR, EDGE, QB, LB, OG

Pick: 1.2 – David Bailey, Texas Tech EDGE

Thoughts: Bailey is a great choice for the Jets. I’m truly not focused on their offensive needs, and neither do they need to in the first round. The Jets face real talent in the AFC East, and Bailey brings a tremendous pass-rush dynamic to extend plays. Bailey serves best as a pass-rush specialist, so he’ll need to fine-tune those skills before September to bring life to the Jets.

Grade: A-

Arizona Cardinals

Needs: OT, QB, EDGE, OG, RB

Pick: 1.3 – Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame RB

Thoughts: This is a good pick for the sake of getting one of the higher talents. Love follows the footsteps of Ashton Jeanty and Bijan Robinson. He is a lighter, leaner running back who’s going to be great to get around the big guys on defense. Love has a short-range quickness with a long-stride – a perfect recipe for a future legendary career.

Grade: B

Tennessee Titans

Needs: EDGE, LB, WR, OG, RB

Pick: 1.4 – Carnell Tate, Ohio State WR

Thoughts: Despite how you prioritize the talent, taking the No. 1 wide receiver in the draft can surely bolster your roster. Tate brings in a certain x-factor with advanced route running, body control, and stem IQ for his size. After losing A.J. Brown in the draft years ago, this seems like the perfect pick-me-up that the Titans need, and they’re surely not worried about finding the bigger guys later.

Grade: A+

New York Giants

Needs: WR, LB, OG, S, DT

Pick: 1.5 – Arvell Reese, Ohio State EDGE

Thoughts: I’m not going to lie. I don’t know why the Giants don’t go for Sonny Styles here, considering he’s relatively the same size as Reese. Despite that, being a one-year starter, Reese was a dynamic defender that utilized his strength consistently. He has an incredible range and fluidity that makes him a dangerous rusher – something that will wake up the rest of the NFC East.

Grade: A-

Kansas City Chiefs

Needs: EDGE, CB, OT, TE, WR

Pick: 1.6 – Mansoor Delane, LSU CB

Thoughts: I think I just trust that the Chiefs relocked in for the upcoming season. They’re almost unintentionally being proactive by beefing up the defense, and putting that at top priority alleviates tension until Mahomes is good to go. Delane is an ultra-solid defender with flexibility and a formidable presence. The Chiefs are going to have fun with this pick.

Grade: A

Washington Commanders

Needs: WR, OC, S, RB, EDGE

Pick: 1.7 – Sonny Styles, Ohio State LB

Thoughts: Styles is connected to the Commanders, so it really makes sense first of all how this pick comes together. His father won a Super Bowl and his brother is getting ready for his shot in the league, too. Styles will be a perfect weapon for his incredible speed and size, but also for the certain “it” quality he presents.

Grade: B+

New Orleans Saints

Needs: EDGE, WR, CB, OG, TE

Pick: 1.8 – Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State WR

Thoughts: Great pick by the Saints. Tyson possesses effortless speed with foot quickness and elasticity in the route running. Tyson’s speed is impeccable, and despite the injury, he continues to compete as a three-level threat. Seeing someone like that on the Saints I think will light a fire beneath them to get movement going.

Grade: A

Cleveland Browns

Needs: OT, WR, QB, OC, OG

Pick: 1.9 – Spencer Fano, Utah T

Thoughts: We’ve all seen the memes of an unfortunate rookie having to go through a character development with a suffering Browns team, however, I think Fano is a really smart choice here. The man’s size is crazy. He’s a formidable athlete with a power profile nearly impossible to replicate. The Browns are almost going for an Eagles-type tackle for this situation, really trying to protect their quarterback.

Grade: A+

New York Giants

Needs: WR, LB, OG, S, DT

Pick: 1.10 – Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fl.) T

Thoughts: Back-to-back tackles with teams who need better QB protections is what I like to see. I’m excited to see Mauigoa fit into the Giants scheme. He is a little bigger than Fano, so the Giants really lucked out here. Also, Mauigoa possesses an incredibly balanced skillset as an attacker and adapter.

Grade: A++

Dallas Cowboys

Needs: CB, LB, S, EDGE, OT

Pick: 1.11 – Caleb Downs, Ohio State S

Thoughts: Ohio State to the NFC East. Downs is special in the box with combined mobility, speed, IQ and physicality with blocks. He’s about to be the Cowboys “Safety Swiss Army Knife” considering his ability to produce in different ways. The Cowboys picked up a future All-Pro, and hopefully they don’t lose him this time.

Grade: A

Miami Dolphins

Needs: WR, CB, OG, OT, EDGE

Pick: 1.12 – Kadyn Proctor, Alabama T

Thoughts: Another mammoth off the board as Proctor is a true outlier in his position with dominating power and size. He possesses hand power and torque, though he doesn’t have elite range or flexibility, Proctor is going to serve just fine on an offense that truly needs the protection.

Grade: A-

Los Angeles Rams

Needs: WR, LB, OT, QB, OC

Pick: 1.13 – Ty Simpson, Alabama QB

Thoughts: You know, I’m going to be real here. Matt Stafford is getting up there in age, sure. But he’s not out for the count yet? And getting rid of him would just be stupid. I’d get this decision if you wanted to get Simpson acquainted with the playbook, but he was bound to be taken off the board tonight. The Rams do know they have Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and Julian Sayin in 2027, right?

Grade: C

Baltimore Ravens

Needs: DT, OG, OC, WR, CB

Pick: 1.14 – Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State OG

Thoughts: Location bias is going to get me strong here, but I do like the decision to stick with the Ravens’ intimidation factor. This team goes out and finds these big guys, but somehow still find themselves in a Groundhog’s Day situation every year. I hope Ioane can bring the Penn State edge to wake this team up. At 6’4 and 330 lbs, we already know Ioane possesses the power, torque and two-phase awareness needed to bolster a defensive squad.

Grade: B+

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Needs: EDGE, LB, DT, CB, TE

Pick: 1.15 – Rueben Bain Jr., Miami EDGE

Thoughts: Bain is exactly the type of player Baker Mayfield is going to like playing with. Bain plays with such a nasty demeanor in a way that impacts both the pass and run game. Don’t let the shorter arms fool you, he’s a powerful edge rusher who will rip through offensive tackles. He possesses a similar game to Jared Verse, bolstering the Bucs just a little more.

Grade: A++

New York Jets

Needs: WR, EDGE, QB, LB, OG

Pick: 1.16 – Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon TE

Thoughts: Sadiq is one of the more interesting tight end prospects as he has explosive athleticism, fluidity, and seam-splitting speed. Sadiq possesses strong body control with ability to hold composed in contact situations, which might encourage the rest of the offense to do the same and “level up” essentially. I like this pick for the Jets, and Sadiq’s play style serves as an immediate two-phase asset to the team.

Grade: A

Detroit Lions

Needs: OT, EDGE, OG, DT, S

Pick: 1.17 – Blake Miller, Clemson OT

Thoughts: Miller is a fantastic pick here. He enters the draft as a decorated athlete with the prototypical tackle build ready to deliver speed, power and promise. Considering this is one of the Lions’ top needs, Miller is one of the most natural movers in the OL class, giving the Lions a steal. He’s an uber-explosive attacker with light footwork, something the Lions are going to have a lot of fun experimenting with. Miller has more development to go but he’s definitely a great option in Detroit.

Grade: A

Minnesota Vikings

Needs: S, OC, CB, DT, RB

Pick: 1.18 – Caleb Banks, Florida DT

Thoughts: Minnesota doesn’t always make the flashy pick, and this one is no exception – but it’s the right kind of boring. Banks fills a genuine need up front and brings the interior disruption the Vikings have been missing. He’s not going to light up a highlight reel on draft night, but come Week 4, you’ll understand why they did it. Solid, need-based, no drama. Very Vikings of them.

Grade: B+

Carolina Panthers

Needs: OT, S, DT, WR, TE

Pick: 1.19 – Monroe Freeling, Georgia OT

Thoughts: Bryce Young needs protection more than he needs prayers at this point, so the Panthers going offensive line here is the only logical move. Freeling is one of the cleaner prospects in this class – technically sound, strong base, and he doesn’t panic under pressure. If Carolina is serious about giving Young a real shot, this is how you start showing it. Build the wall first.

Grade: A-

Philadelphia Eagles

Needs: EDGE, OT, WR, TE, S

Pick: 1.20 – Makai Lemon, USC WR

Thoughts: On the 10th anniversary of Beyonce’s Lemonade, the Eagles traded up from 23 to snag Makai Lemon from the Cowboys – and yes, I’m choosing to believe the universe planned this. Lemon is everything the Eagles need in a post-A.J. Brown era: elite slot production, Biletnikoff Award winner, 79 catches, 1,156 yards and 11 TDs last season. He draws comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown, which should terrify the rest of the NFC East. Howie Roseman gave up two fourth-round picks and traded with Dallas to do it. That’s commitment. That’s drama. That’s very Philadelphia. When life gives you lemons, apparently you trade up for one.

Grade: A+

Pittsburgh Steelers

Needs: QB, OG, LB, WR, S

Pick: 1.21 – Max Iheanachor, Arizona State OT

Thoughts: Pittsburgh’s offensive line has been an ongoing concern, so grabbing a tackle here makes sense on paper. Iheanachor is raw but has the frame to develop into a solid starter. The Steelers clearly decided the QB situation gets addressed later – or maybe they’re protecting whoever it ends up being. Either way, this is a foundation pick, not a flashy one. We’ll see if it pays off when the pressure starts.

Grade: B+

Los Angeles Chargers

Needs: OG, EDGE, DT, S, CB

Pick: 1.22 – Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fl.) EDGE

Thoughts: The Chargers needed an edge rusher badly, and Mesidor is a legitimate one. He plays with a relentless motor and has a pass-rush repertoire that translates immediately at the next level. Justin Herbert now has someone making life harder for opposing quarterbacks while he does his thing on offense. Good value, good fit, no complaints here.

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys

Needs: CB, LB, S, EDGE, OT

Pick: 1.23 – Malachi Lawrence, UCF EDGE

Thoughts: The Cowboys just traded away their pick to give the Eagles Makai Lemon, collected their compensation, and came right back at 23 to grab an edge rusher they clearly had their eye on. Lawrence is an interesting prospect out of UCF – high motor, good size, still developing technically but plenty of upside. Dallas clearly ran the board they wanted to run tonight. Efficient if nothing else.

Grade: B+

Cleveland Browns

Needs: OT, WR, QB, OC, OG

Pick: 1.24 – KC Concepcion, Texas A&M WR

Thoughts: Cleveland finally gave their quarterback someone to throw to. Concepcion is a dynamic receiver with legitimate big-play ability – exactly what the Browns have been missing on the outside. The fit makes sense, the need was obvious, and getting him at 24 feels like solid value. Whether the Browns can build enough around him to actually win games is a different question entirely, but at least the weapons room just got a real upgrade.

Grade: A-

Chicago Bears

Needs: DT, EDGE, S, OC, WR

Pick: 1.25 – Dillon Thieneman, Oregon S

Thoughts: Chicago going safety here is a calculated move for a defense that needs playmakers in the secondary. Thieneman is a smart, instinctive player who reads the field well and can cover ground quickly. He’s not the flashiest name in the class but he’s the kind of player that makes a defense better without needing a headline. Bears fans should feel good about this – the back end just got smarter.

Grade: B+

Houston Texans

Needs: OG, DT, OC, LB, TE

Pick: 1.26 – Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech OG

Thoughts: Houston protecting C.J. Stroud is priority number one, full stop. Rutledge is an interior lineman who can come in and contribute quickly – Georgia Tech’s offensive line program doesn’t produce soft players. This isn’t a pick that’s going to trend on social media, but it’s the kind of move that keeps your franchise quarterback healthy and comfortable. Smart football.

Grade: A-

Miami Dolphins

Needs: WR, CB, OG, OT, EDGE

Pick: 1.27 – Chris Johnson, San Diego State CB

Thoughts: Miami moved up to get their guy and came away with a cornerback who has the length and athleticism to cover in a modern NFL offense. The Dolphins have been patchworking their secondary for a couple of seasons now – Johnson gives them a real answer on the outside. San Diego State has quietly been producing NFL-ready DBs, and Johnson fits the mold. Good pickup late in round one.

Grade: A-

New England Patriots

Needs: WR, EDGE, LB, TE, S

Pick: 1.28 – Caleb Lomu, Utah OT

Thoughts: New England continues the night’s offensive line theme – and honestly? Good. Whoever is quarterbacking this team next season is going to need protection, and Lomu is a physically gifted tackle with the kind of size that doesn’t get overlooked. The Patriots are building a foundation before they build a star. It’s not exciting, but it’s exactly what a rebuild looks like.

Grade: B+

Kansas City Chiefs

Needs: EDGE, CB, OT, TE, WR

Pick: 1.29 – Peter Woods, Clemson DT

Thoughts: The Chiefs are just doing Chiefs things – finding pieces that fill gaps on a defense that’s already good and making it harder to deal with. Woods is a disruptive interior presence from Clemson who plays with a relentless energy. Kansas City now has even more ways to make your life miserable up front while Mahomes runs the show on the other side. The dynasty is not going anywhere, and picks like this are exactly why.

Grade: A

New York Jets

Needs: WR, EDGE, QB, LB, OG

Pick: 1.30 – Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana WR

Thoughts: Three picks for the Jets tonight and they finally address the wide receiver need. Cooper was Mendoza’s go-to target at Indiana – and now they’re reunited in New York. That familiarity and chemistry is real and it matters. The Jets’ offensive rebuild just got a serious boost. If they can hold it together and actually develop a quarterback situation, this receiving corps is going to be dangerous.

Grade: A

Tennessee Titans

Needs: EDGE, LB, WR, OG, RB

Pick: 1.31 – Keldric Faulk, Auburn EDGE

Thoughts: Tennessee had a great night. Carnell Tate at 4, and now Faulk – a long, explosive edge rusher from Auburn – to close out the round. Faulk has the kind of first-step quickness that offensive tackles hate dealing with. The Titans needed a pass-rush presence badly and now they have one. Two strong picks bookending a first round is a really good story heading into Day 2.

Grade: A-

Seattle Seahawks

Needs: EDGE, RB, OG, OC, CB

Pick: 1.32 – Jadarian Price, Notre Dame RB

Thoughts: Seattle closing out the first round with a running back is a statement about what they want their offense to look like. Price is a Notre Dame product with patience, vision, and the ability to break tackles after contact. He’s not the most explosive back in this class but he’s a complete one. The Seahawks want to run the ball and control games – Price is built for that system. Solid end to a night dominated by linemen and skill players in equal measure.

Grade: B+