Grading Every Pick in the NFL Draft First Round

by Zak Drapeau

Sportz Nation - 4/24/2026

Photo by Kirby Lee/ Imagn Imgaes via CNN

1. Fernando Mendoza - LV

Grade: A-

The right pick. Mendoza isn't the perfect QB prospect but he's very good and the best of the class. He'll be under no pressure to start until he's ready with Kirk Cousins on the roster and is already surrounded by Jeanty and Bowers.

2. David Bailey - NYJ

Grade: A

I had Bailey as the 2nd pick all along and a much better fit for the Jets than Reese so I love the pick. Bailey is a real threat to get 10+ sacks his rookie year and for a defense as horrible as the Jets' in 2025, this pick was necessary.

3. Jeremiyah Love - ARI

Grade: B-

There is no questioning Love's talent as a running back and that he'll be special in the league but the Cardinals had so many other needs they should've addressed. Add to that the expected 4 year- $50.5 Million FULLY guaranteed deal he'll sign and the Cardinals took a luxury pick when they really needed a pick in the trenches.

4. Carnell Tate - TEN

Grade: B+

This was a surprise pick for most everyone but one that makes a lot of sense. The Titans desperately needed another weapon for Cam Ward and Tate wouldn't have lasted much longer after #4.

5. Arvell Reese - NYG

Grade: A

Most of the draft process had Reese at #2 so grabbing him 5th is great value. A spectacular athlete, Reese's fit may be questioned but he will have the ability to learn and improve as an Edge Rusher under no pressure with Burns and Carter already in New York and be their Mike Linebacker in the mean time.

6. Mansoor Delane - CLE

Grade: B

I don't know if the Chiefs needed to trade up to #6 to get Delane but they got the (debatable) CB1 in the class as a huge positional need and only traded a 3rd and a 5th to get him.

TRADE

Chiefs - #6

Browns - #9, #74 and #148

7. Sonny Styles - WAS

Grade: A

Styles is probably the best athlete in this class and will now go to a defensive specialist like Dan Quinn who helped bring Bobby Wagner to superstardom. This wasn't a flashy pick but one I could see end up as the future of the defense in Washington.

Photo by Gene J. Puskar/ Associated Press

8. Jordyn Tyson - NO

Grade: A-

Tyson is a spectacular talent that's going to a team where he fits in the system and will give their 2nd-year QB another much needed weapon. If it wasn't for his injury history pairing with Olave who himself has a history, this pick would be an A or A+.

9. Spencer Fano - CLE

Grade: B

I'm glad to see Spencer Fano be the first lineman off the board and he should really help the Browns' running game when Judkins comes back but I'm not sure how he pans out as a pass blocking Tackle if that's how the Browns plan to use him.

10. Francis Mauigoa - NYG

Grade: A

The Giants didn't make any move like we all thought they might and still ended with my best Offensive lineman at #10. After taking Reese at #5, the Giants probably got the best duo of any team in the 1st round.

11. Caleb Downs - DAL

Grade: A+

TRADE

Cowboys - #11

Dolphins - #12, #177 and #180

In hind sight, this is the best pick of the 1st round. The Cowboys needed any position on defense and a leader moving forward and that's just what they got. I know he'll have a lot of expectations moving forward, but Downs may become the next great Dallas Cowboy and surpass all of those expectations.

12. Kadyn Proctor - MIA

Grade: C+

Proctor needed to go to a team where he could sit for a year and work on his footwork and slim down not go to the weakest roster in the NFL. He may be afforded to sit with the team having Paul and Jackson as their starters but I can't help feel that Proctor will have a LOT of pressure to perform earlier than he should have.

13. Ty Simpson - LAR

Grade: B-

This was the sensational pick of the 1st round. It's a good move for the future as I believe Simpson will become quite the Quarterback for the Rams 2 years down the road when Stafford retires but they really should've picked someone to help them win in 2026.

14. Olaivavega Ioane - BAL

Grade: A

This was a beautiful fit and one we all saw coming. Ioane makes sure the Ravens stay the run heavy juggernauts they have been for the better part of a decade.

15. Rueben Bain Jr. - TB

Grade: A

I don't think in their wildest dreams the Buccs thought they'd be able to stay at #15 and get Bain. A perfect fit in Tidd Bowles' defense, if Bain can overcome his length issues he could become DROY in 2026.

16. Kenyon Sadiq - NYJ

Grade: B

This pick will be hampered by the Jets draft Mason Taylor last year but we should all note how many weapons the Jets now have on offense including their later pick of Omar Cooper. Sadiq will be the slot in New Jersey.

17. Blake Miller - DET

Grade: B-

The Lions needed a Tackle and they got a good one. I think they could've traded down to get him but seeing as how many Tackles went between 17 and 27, this turns out to be a great pick for the Lions' future.

18. Caleb Banks - MIN

Grade: C+

I am MUCH higher on Banks than most and that's why I have this as a C+ instead of the lower grades I've seen on the pick. He'll fit beautifully in the middle of Brian Flores' defense as a run stuffer. The Vikings could've traded back and got him in the late 20's still so that hurts the pick a bit.

19. Monroe Freeling - CAR

Grade: B+

The Panthers are definitely upset they didn't get Sadiq but covered an even bigger need at Tackle with Freeling. Ekwonu is injured and won't start the year and Taylor Moton isn't getting any younger. This was a great pick and while Freeling is under no pressure to start, he should get his chances while he continues to get better.

Photo by Gene J. Puskar/ Associated Press

20. Makai Lemon - PHI

Grade: A+

Eagles - #20 and 2027 7th

Cowboys - #23, #114 and #137

Howie Roseman is really good at his job. With A.J. Brown all but guaranteed to be leaving, they take a sensational slot receiver in Makai Lemon to pair with Devonta Smith. In a steal of a draft pick and steal of a trade with the Cowboys, the Eagles are once again one of the Winners of the 1st round.

21. Max Iheanachor - PIT

Grade: B-

Whether the Steelers plan to use Iheanachor at Tackle or Guard with Fautanu in the other spot, this is a solid pick that should get better over time. The Steelers have spent a lot of draft capital over the past 3 years on their O-line and Max may complete it.

22. Akheem Mesidor - LAC

Grade: B

I've been clear that Mesidor isn't my favorite prospect but that he should go to a team that prioritizes defense and is in "win-now" mode. The Chargers fit the bill and Mesidor fits their 3-4 scheme beautifully.

23. Malachi Lawrence - DAL

Grade: B-

Lawrence was a very late riser in the draft for his freaky athleticism and in truth he is exactly the kind of edge rusher the Cowboys like. I think it was a bit early to take him but seeing as there was a lot of that in this draft, I won't knock them too much.

24. K.C. Concepcion - CLE

Grade: B+

This pick could've been Cooper or Boston but I like the fit of K.C. in Cleveland. With Jeudy holding the x-receiver, Concepcion will be a force as their slot alongside Harold Fannin in the middle to make a very versatile offense.

25. Dillon Thieneman - CHI

Grade: A-

This was a great pick for a Bears' defense that just let go of Jaquon Brisker. Thieneman was expected to go #18 and instead goes #25 to a team that should be a Super Bowl contender this year and will become a huge playmaker in their back end.

26. Keylan Rutledge - HOU

Grade: C-

TRADE

Texans - #26 and #69

Bills - #28, #90 and #167

To start, Rutledge is a good, run blocking Guard with a lot of power. The Texans needed line help in this draft but to take Rutledge in such a high pick and to trade up for him when I think he would be available around the 50's is way too much of a reach.

27. Chris Johnson - MIA

Grade: C

TRADE

Dolphins - #27 and #138

49ers - #30 and #90

This pick is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand I'm higher on Chris Johnson than most and I think he could be successful. On the other hand, going to an unproven team like the Dolphins could stall his progression and to use a 1st to get him along with giving up a 3rd to move up is A LOT for this draft.

28. Caleb Lomu - NE

Grade: B-

TRADE

Patriots - #28

Bills - #31 and #125

The Patriots were expected to take a Tackle in the 1st round and they made sure they did. Lomu was my OT5 of the class and all it took was a 4th rounder to make sure they got him. Not a flashy pick but very solid.

29. Peter Woods - KC

Grade: A-

Woods falling to #29 is great value but putting him on the Chiefs defensive front with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis is scary. Tremendous pick to help them win now and the future.

30. Omar Cooper Jr. - NYJ

Grade: B+

TRADE

Jets - #30

49ers - #33 and #179

The 3rd, 1st-round pick by the Jets and all it took was a 5th to move up. Cooper should be WR2 right away and along with Sadiq should give the Jets' offense a brand new look in 2026.

31. Keldric Faulk - TEN

Grade: B+

Trade

Titans - #31

BUF - #35 and #184

The Titans traded back into the 1st to grab Faulk and I'm all for it. After taking Tate at #4, they made sure to still get an edge rusher who I really like and should be a great fit as a 4-3 DE in Saleh's defense very well.

32. Jadarian Price - SEA

Grade: B-

The selection of Price makes a lot of sense and should be their #1 RB moving forward but I'm not sold on him just yet as an immediate talent and would have picked differently with the defensive players that were still on the board.