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QB or not QB? The Las Vegas Raiders answered that question quickly with the first overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday. They chose Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first of 32 picks on the evening. Some of the picks were predictable, others were surprising.
How did the teams that had first-round selections make out with the choice: Good? Bad? Bust?
Time to dole out the grades after the first day of the three-day extravaganza known as the NFL draft.
All the picks can be followed here.
Tom Brady chooses another Big Ten quarteback with the first pick in the draft. Will Mendoza's mercurial rise pay dividends or is this recency bias? Grade: B-
The Jets went with Bailey of Texas Tech over Arvell Reese of Ohio State. He had a huge year in Lubbock with 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. The Jets need everything. They hope this is a start. Grade: B-
The Notre Dame running back Love is arguably the most talented player at any position in the draft. Yes, the Cardinals have backs but Love has an incredibly high ceiling. Grade: A
The Titans get a pair of hands for Cam Ward. Robert Saleh is a defensive coach and he goes offensive for Brian Daboll. This might have been a spot to trade down and get the same player who never had a 1,000-yard season in college. Grade: C-
The Giants get a player that many speculated could have gone as high as the second overall pick. He will fit nicely into John Harbaugh's scheme on defense. Pick: B+
The first huge move in the NFL draft saw the Kansas City Chiefs acquire this pick from the Cleveland Browns. How could this backfire on the AFC North team? The Chiefs are rebuilding their secondary after trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams. They grab LSU's Mansoor Delane, the best DB in the draft. Grade: B
The third Ohio State Buckeye in the first seven picks goes to the Commanders. If Sonny Styles can match his athletic skills to talent on the field, this will be a stellar choice. That is always a big if. Grade: C+
The Saints need a lot on offense. Will Tyson be able to stay on the field? That's the biggest issue with the Arizona State Sun Devil. Grade: C
The Browns moved back and went big with the offensive tackle from Utah. They added a third- and fifth-rounder in the deal. Fano will protect whomever is the quarterback in Cleveland well. Grade: C+
Have to wonder why Caleb Downs wasn't the pick here or before. The Giants grab a right tackle Mauigoa to fortify their offensive line and protect Jaxson Dart. Did they excel with two top 10 picks? Ehhhh. Grade: C
The Cowboys must have loved the way this draft was going as they moved up in a swap of 11 and 12 with the Dolphins. Were they afraid Miami was going to take Ohio State DB Caleb Downs? This could be a pick other teams rue not making. Downs was thought to be a higher pick, why did he drop out of Top 10? Grade: A
The Dolphins move back a slot and get the massive tackle from Alabama. The challenge will be reaching in and getting all that talent out of Proctor. Worth the risk? Time will tell. Grade: C
Certainly feels like the Rams should have traded back here and still picked up the Alabama quarterback. Good thing he can watch Matthew Stafford because this at 13 feels like a huge reach. Grade: D-
Ronnie Stanley is getting older and Ioane feels like the perfect pick for this team. It will need another beastly OT and Ioane has the potential to be that. Grade: B
Bain drops to 15 and gets to stay in the Sunshine State. What could be better for the team and player as the Bucs get a fierce rusher. A nice choice Grade: B+
Geno Smith goes from having Brock Bowers at TE to Kenyon Sadiq with the Jets. Sadiq should not expect to spend too many years catching pass from the veteran. The Jets need so much. Not sure this will help in short run. Grade: C
Dan Campbell looks for the rough and rugged types and Miller fits the mold. Detroit needs players to stay healthy as it is always banged up. Expect a lot from Miller early. Pick: B-
Banks played in three games last season at Florida. The Vikings seem to love taking on those with risky injury pasts (see JJ McCarthy). This is a huge risk. Grade: D+
The Panthers get another body to make sure Bryce Young stays upright. They are building a strong team in Carolina and Freeling feels like another nice piece. Grade: B
Well, this pick certainly assures A.J. Brown moving somewhere outside of Philly. Weird that the Cowboys would help out their division rivals but the draft makes strange bedfellows. Grade: B
The Steelers grab a player with talent but not a lot of experience. He was a HS basketball player before taking up football at Arizona State. Not sure the AFC North is a place to learn on the job. Grade: C-
To the Chargers from Canada via West Virginia and Miami, Mesidor was one of the forces on the Hurricane defense that excelled for much of the season. Grade: C
The Cowboys moved back in a deal with the Eagles and added another defensive player to go with Caleb Downs. Building a bankrupt defense was a must and Dallas is doing it. Grade: B
The Browns get a big threat out of Texas A&M in the wideout/kick returner. He should provide excitement when used on special teams and hope that a quarterback can get him the ball. Grade: B
A rugged, physical athlete, this Oregon Duck brings a big attitude to Chicago. Feels like his nature and psyche will be a strong fit in the Windy City. Grade: B-
The Georgia Tech offensive lineman rallied from a near-tragic accident in 2023 to become a first-round NFL pick. One of the best stories in the draft and he should be a huge asset. Grade: B
The Dolphins go outside power conference to get a secondary player for Jeff Hafley, who is a defensive mind. Grade: C
Another big guy from Utah goes off the board and he will try and protect Drake Maye. When Nick Saban says he needs to increase strength it is a concern for a lineman Grade: C+
Andy Reid and company look to continue fortifying the defense with the tough tackle from Clemson. Grade: C
The Jets get a WR from Indiana. He caught passes from the No. 1 overall pick who is now Raider. In 2026, he will be expectec to catch passes from a former Raider QB. Grade: B+
Nick Saban had moderately nice stuff to say about an Auburn player. That says a lot about Faulk. Grade: B-
Both running backs in the first round came from the same school for the first time. Despite having no starts at Notre Dame, the Seahawks were impressed enough to think he can help fill the void left by Kennth Walker III's exit to KC. Grade: B-
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Grading every first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
How did the teams that had first-round selections make out with the choice: Good? Bad? Bust?
Time to dole out the grades after the first day of the three-day extravaganza known as the NFL draft.
All the picks can be followed here.
Pick 1 of 2026 NFL draft: Las Vegas Raiders | QB Fernando Mendoza
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Tom Brady chooses another Big Ten quarteback with the first pick in the draft. Will Mendoza's mercurial rise pay dividends or is this recency bias? Grade: B-
Pick 2 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Jets | EDGE David Bailey
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The Jets went with Bailey of Texas Tech over Arvell Reese of Ohio State. He had a huge year in Lubbock with 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. The Jets need everything. They hope this is a start. Grade: B-
Pick 3 of 2026 NFL draft: Arizona Cardinals | RB Jeremiyah Love
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The Notre Dame running back Love is arguably the most talented player at any position in the draft. Yes, the Cardinals have backs but Love has an incredibly high ceiling. Grade: A
Pick 4 of 2026 NFL draft: Tennessee Titans | WR Carnell Tate
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The Titans get a pair of hands for Cam Ward. Robert Saleh is a defensive coach and he goes offensive for Brian Daboll. This might have been a spot to trade down and get the same player who never had a 1,000-yard season in college. Grade: C-
Pick 5 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Giants | EDGE Arvell Reese
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The Giants get a player that many speculated could have gone as high as the second overall pick. He will fit nicely into John Harbaugh's scheme on defense. Pick: B+
Pick 6 of 2026 NFL draft: Kansas City Chiefs (from Cleveland Browns) | CB Mansoor Delane
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The first huge move in the NFL draft saw the Kansas City Chiefs acquire this pick from the Cleveland Browns. How could this backfire on the AFC North team? The Chiefs are rebuilding their secondary after trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams. They grab LSU's Mansoor Delane, the best DB in the draft. Grade: B
Pick 7 of 2026 NFL draft: Washington Commanders | LB Sonny Styles
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The third Ohio State Buckeye in the first seven picks goes to the Commanders. If Sonny Styles can match his athletic skills to talent on the field, this will be a stellar choice. That is always a big if. Grade: C+
Pick 8 of 2026 NFL draft: New Orleans Saints | WR Jordyn Tyson
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The Saints need a lot on offense. Will Tyson be able to stay on the field? That's the biggest issue with the Arizona State Sun Devil. Grade: C
Pick 9 of 2026 NFL draft: Cleveland Browns (from Kansas City Chiefs) | OT Spencer Fano
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The Browns moved back and went big with the offensive tackle from Utah. They added a third- and fifth-rounder in the deal. Fano will protect whomever is the quarterback in Cleveland well. Grade: C+
Pick 10 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Giants | OT Francis Mauigoa
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Have to wonder why Caleb Downs wasn't the pick here or before. The Giants grab a right tackle Mauigoa to fortify their offensive line and protect Jaxson Dart. Did they excel with two top 10 picks? Ehhhh. Grade: C
Pick 11 of 2026 NFL draft: Dallas Cowboys (from Miami Dolphins) | DB Caleb Downs
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The Cowboys must have loved the way this draft was going as they moved up in a swap of 11 and 12 with the Dolphins. Were they afraid Miami was going to take Ohio State DB Caleb Downs? This could be a pick other teams rue not making. Downs was thought to be a higher pick, why did he drop out of Top 10? Grade: A
Pick 12 of 2026 NFL draft: Miami Dolphins (from Dallas Cowboys) | OT Kadyn Proctor
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The Dolphins move back a slot and get the massive tackle from Alabama. The challenge will be reaching in and getting all that talent out of Proctor. Worth the risk? Time will tell. Grade: C
Pick 13 of 2026 NFL draft: Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) | QB Ty Simpson
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Certainly feels like the Rams should have traded back here and still picked up the Alabama quarterback. Good thing he can watch Matthew Stafford because this at 13 feels like a huge reach. Grade: D-
Pick 14 of 2026 NFL draft: Baltimore Ravens | OT Olaivavega Ioane
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Ronnie Stanley is getting older and Ioane feels like the perfect pick for this team. It will need another beastly OT and Ioane has the potential to be that. Grade: B
Pick 15 of 2026 NFL draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
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Bain drops to 15 and gets to stay in the Sunshine State. What could be better for the team and player as the Bucs get a fierce rusher. A nice choice Grade: B+
Pick 16 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) | TE Kenyon Sadiq
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Geno Smith goes from having Brock Bowers at TE to Kenyon Sadiq with the Jets. Sadiq should not expect to spend too many years catching pass from the veteran. The Jets need so much. Not sure this will help in short run. Grade: C
Pick 17 of 2026 NFL draft: Detroit Lions | OT Blake Miller
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Dan Campbell looks for the rough and rugged types and Miller fits the mold. Detroit needs players to stay healthy as it is always banged up. Expect a lot from Miller early. Pick: B-
Pick 18 of 2026 NFL draft: Minnesota Vikings | DT Caleb Banks
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Banks played in three games last season at Florida. The Vikings seem to love taking on those with risky injury pasts (see JJ McCarthy). This is a huge risk. Grade: D+
Pick 19 of 2026 NFL draft: Carolina Panthers | OT Monroe Freeling
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The Panthers get another body to make sure Bryce Young stays upright. They are building a strong team in Carolina and Freeling feels like another nice piece. Grade: B
Pick 20 of 2026 NFL draft: Philadelphia Eagles (from Dallas Cowboys from Green Bay Packers) | WR Makai Lemon
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Well, this pick certainly assures A.J. Brown moving somewhere outside of Philly. Weird that the Cowboys would help out their division rivals but the draft makes strange bedfellows. Grade: B
Pick 21 of 2026 NFL draft: Pittsburgh Steelers | OT Max Iheanachor
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The Steelers grab a player with talent but not a lot of experience. He was a HS basketball player before taking up football at Arizona State. Not sure the AFC North is a place to learn on the job. Grade: C-
Pick 22 of 2026 NFL draft: Los Angeles Chargers | EDGE Akheem Mesidor
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To the Chargers from Canada via West Virginia and Miami, Mesidor was one of the forces on the Hurricane defense that excelled for much of the season. Grade: C
Pick 23 of 2026 NFL draft: Dallas Cowboys (from Philadelphia Eagles) | DE Malachi Lawrence
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The Cowboys moved back in a deal with the Eagles and added another defensive player to go with Caleb Downs. Building a bankrupt defense was a must and Dallas is doing it. Grade: B
Pick 24 of 2026 NFL draft: Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) | WR KC Concepcion
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The Browns get a big threat out of Texas A&M in the wideout/kick returner. He should provide excitement when used on special teams and hope that a quarterback can get him the ball. Grade: B
Pick 25 of 2026 NFL draft: Chicago Bears | DB Dillon Thieneman
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A rugged, physical athlete, this Oregon Duck brings a big attitude to Chicago. Feels like his nature and psyche will be a strong fit in the Windy City. Grade: B-
Pick 26 of 2026 NFL draft: Houston Texans (from Buffalo Bills) | G Keylan Rutledge
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The Georgia Tech offensive lineman rallied from a near-tragic accident in 2023 to become a first-round NFL pick. One of the best stories in the draft and he should be a huge asset. Grade: B
Pick 27 of 2026 NFL draft: Miami Dolphins from (San Francisco 49ers) | CB Chris Johnson
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The Dolphins go outside power conference to get a secondary player for Jeff Hafley, who is a defensive mind. Grade: C
Pick 28 of 2026 NFL draft: New England Patriots (from Houston Texans) | OT Caleb Lomu
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Another big guy from Utah goes off the board and he will try and protect Drake Maye. When Nick Saban says he needs to increase strength it is a concern for a lineman Grade: C+
Pick 29 of 2026 NFL draft: Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) | DT Peter Woods
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Andy Reid and company look to continue fortifying the defense with the tough tackle from Clemson. Grade: C
Pick 30 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Jets (from Miami Dolphins from Denver Broncos) | WR Omar Cooper Jr.
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The Jets get a WR from Indiana. He caught passes from the No. 1 overall pick who is now Raider. In 2026, he will be expectec to catch passes from a former Raider QB. Grade: B+
Pick 31 of 2026 NFL draft: Tennessee Titans (from New England Patriots) | EDGE Keldric Faulk
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Nick Saban had moderately nice stuff to say about an Auburn player. That says a lot about Faulk. Grade: B-
Pick 32 of 2026 NFL draft: Seattle Seahawks | RB Jadarian Price
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Both running backs in the first round came from the same school for the first time. Despite having no starts at Notre Dame, the Seahawks were impressed enough to think he can help fill the void left by Kennth Walker III's exit to KC. Grade: B-
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Grading every first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
