NFL draft picks tracker: Analysis for every 2026 first-round selection

Here. We. Go. Or … “here we go,” words often changed in Pittsburgh, site of the 2026 NFL Draft, which kicks off with the first round on April 23. It’s the first time the “annual player selection meeting” has been staged in the Steel City in 78 years – and safe to say this one might be more consequential than the 1948 draft, when Harry Gilmer was selected first overall by Washington. (Oops. Future Hall of Famers Bobby Layne and Y.A. Tittle went late in that draft’s top 10.)

The 2026 draft is not viewed as one with much, if any, Hall of Fame-caliber talent – certainly when juxtaposed with the expectations that are already coalescing around the 2027 draft. But there should be quite a few players entering the league this year that make significant – and maybe even immediate – impacts.

USA TODAY Sports analyzed each pick, one through 32, as it was made Thursday night:

2026 NFL draft tracker: First-round picks

1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

In a shocker – to no one – the Silver and Black select the man they’re hoping can lead them to their first playoff victory since … the 2002 AFC championship game. Of course, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner is fresh off leading the long downtrodden Hoosiers to an undefeated season and their first national title. Mendoza (6-5, 236) doesn’t necessarily have a dominant athletic trait, but he’s highly accurate – completing 72% of his passes last season, 41 of those going for an FBS-leading touchdown total (against 6 INTs). Not necessarily a fear-inducing runner, he nevertheless scored seven TDs on the ground last season, frequently using his legs in the red zone – though the Raiders may be far more reluctant to use him that way than IU was. However his 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the CFP national championship game against Miami was among the greatest plays in Indiana history and helped them secure the title. It was also a stark example of Mendoza, who’s also renowned for his toughness in the pocket and taking a shot when need be, playing at his best in the biggest games (see Miami, Penn State and Oregon – twice). Quite a journey for a guy who was once a 2-star football prospect, ranked 2,149th nationally and 140th among quarterbacks by 247Sports.

The Raiders almost certainly aren’t ready to compete for a playoff spot in 2026, but GM John Spytek significantly rebuilt the infrastructure Mendoza will step into during free agency – including the acquisition of veteran QB Kirk Cousins, who will mentor Mendoza and, given his familiarity with new head coach Klint Kubiak’s offense, might start at the outset of the 2026 season. Beloved by his teammates in Bloomington and known for his even-keeled approach and drive, though, Mendoza will get his shot to play here soon enough.

2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

The NYJ, widely perceived to be torn between Bailey and Ohio State LB Arvell Reese, opt for the more proven Red Raiders star – Bailey projecting as this year’s most pro-ready pass-rushing prospect and one with estimable upside and athleticism, including a 4.5 40 at this year's scouting combine, even if he might not have Reese’s ceiling. At some point soon, the Jets themselves need to convert potential into production, and Bailey could be a bellwether on that front. A Stanford grad who also wrecked shop for most of his three seasons in Palo Alto, he came into his own with the Big 12 champion Red Raiders in 2025, tying for first in the FBS with 14½ sacks while leading the field with a 20.2% pressure rate and mixing in 19½ tackles for losses. He also had 71 pressures. Though scheme-diverse, Bailey (6-4, 251) will probably have to improve his run defense. But he’s coming to New York to help Will McDonald IV rush quarterbacks after the Jets finished with an AFC-low 26 sacks last season.

3. Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

A rebuilding team, buried deep in the NFC West's basement, signals how bereft of high-end talent this draft is by drafting a running back third overall. Love, who becomes the first runner to go in the top five since Saquon Barkley in 2018, in many ways compares to the Eagles star as a dynamic, do-it-all type. An every-down back, Love has averaged 6.9 yards per carry and caught 55 passes over the past two seasons. (Yes, he could probably survive as a pure receiver in the league.) He joins an Arizona backfield that already has James Conner and Tyler Allgeier but no long-term QB. But credit GM Monti Ossenfort for going best player available, regardless of position, something he didn't do three years ago when he moved out of the third spot and forfeited the opportunity to take DE Will Anderson Jr.

4. Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Perhaps they coveted Love? We'll never know. But the Titans do eschew more defensive help for a player who can immediately help accelerate the development of second-year QB Cam Ward ... and maybe sell a few of those beautiful new jerseys a year before the club moves into its new Nashville stadium. Tate is the latest ready-made wideout product emerging from the Buckeyes' pipeline. His 51 catches in 2025 averaged 17.2 yards, nearly three more than former teammate Jeremiah Smith, even though he didn't blaze a fast 40 at the combine. And while Tate (6-2, 192) might have been Robin to Smith’s Batman, he should immediately become Ward's primary target, recently signed Wan'Dale Robinson in a supporting role.

5. New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Arguably the player with the most unrealized upside in this draft. Reese split time playing off the ball and rushing the passer for the Buckeyes, hence the inevitable Micah Parsons comparisons he constantly garners. Reese, who turns 21 in August, has plenty of time to develop into a full-time pass rusher and maybe justify the comp one day. He had 6½ sacks last season in a part-time role coming off the edge. It will be interesting to see if the Giants opt for a mixed-use division of his responsibilities or allow him to focus on hunting quarterbacks. With OLB Brian Burns (NFC-high 16½ sasks in 2025) already in house and Abdul Carter arriving via the No. 3 pick last year, worth wondering if New York will soon ship Kayvon Thibodeaux elsewhere.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

K.C. surrenders two mid-round selections (one in Round 3, one in Round 5) in order to jump up three spots and secure the man who seemed to be the draft's clear-cut No. 1 corner. A secondary that was raided during free agency needed reinforcements, and the 6-foot, 187-pound All-America has lockdown ability and might even be able to eat up some of some of the snaps departed Trent McDuffie used to provide in the slot – though Delane was rarely used there at Virginia Tech and LSU. Delane truly blossomed in Baton Rouge last year, allowing a 31.3 passer rating and zero TD passes when he was targeted by quarterbacks.

7. Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

He’s been widely compared to Fred Warner, whom GM Adam Peters helped bring to San Francisco. Yet, in addition to being a cerebral player, Styles is a luminary athlete who could assume the role in the middle of Washington’s defense given ILB Bobby Wagner has not re-signed – and neither recently signed Leo Chenal nor Frankie Luvu, who’s under contract for one more year, seem like ideal fits to fill his void. A converted safety, the 6-foot-5, 244-pound Styles destroyed the combine with a 4.46 40-yard dash and 43½-inch vertical leap. He should be quite a weapon given his experience in coverage, ability to rush the passer and all-around tendency to lay the wood to ball carriers.

8. New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Tyson’s injury history (knee, hamstring, collarbone) is certainly problematic and prevented him from working out for scouts until last week, but he’s also widely considered this draft’s best receiver otherwise − even drawing comparisons to Odell Beckham Jr. And what a win it is to get this kind of support for second-year QB Tyler Shough. Tyson and Chris Olave should complement one another nicely as WR1 and WR1A – Tyson better suited to work on the boundary, while Olave can do a lot of damage from the slot. Tyson had 18 TD grabs over his past 21 games for the Sun Devils − suggestive how dangerous he is and the kind of separation he generates when healthy.

9. Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah

He played both tackle spots for the Utes but almost exclusively on the right side the past two years. Yet his arm length (32⅛ inches) might necessitate a move inside – something he seemed open to at the combine, where he even worked out at center. Regardless, he’ll be an immediate starter given his position flexibility and almost surely will man one of the tackle spots as the final piece of a line Cleveland almost completely overhauled this offseason.

10. Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

While the mauling Mauigoa was purely a right tackle the past three seasons for the Hurricanes, he’s the kind of tone-setter any offense would want – and the Giants will probably want him to play guard initially with veterans Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor projected to be the starting tackles in New York. Mauigoa comes in the wake of the Giants' weekend trade of Pro Bowl DT Dexter Lawrence and should help safeguard second-year QB Jaxson Dart, who was hurt too often as a rookie ... though his blocking wasn't always the devil-may-care passer's issue. And Mauigoa will most surely clear his share of running lanes with RB Cam Skattebo in tow in 2026.

11. Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

America's Team gives up two fifth-rounders in order to jump up one spot for Downs, who's arguably the best defender in this draft. Arguably. Can he play exceptionally in the slot, box or center field? Yep – though don’t confuse Downs for the type of imposing physical specimen Kyle Hamilton or Derwin James are. Yet Downs' ability to anticipate and read the field and ability to play chess in real time could really render him a professional game changer at a position that normally isn't drafted this highly. He and recently signed Jalen Thompson should form a heckuva backline for new Dallas coordinator Christian Parker a year after owner Jerry Jones said the team didn't play "a lick of defense."

12. Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

His performance at the Tide’s pro day, when he was clearly in optimal shape, helped showcase the kind of player and athlete he can be – which is to say one who could very nicely safeguard newly signed QB Malik Willis … and maybe catch a pass or two on a red-zone screen given Proctor's history at Alabama. Purely a left tackle in college, Proctor would have to displace either veteran LT Patrick Paul or RT Austin Jackson if he doesn't want to kick inside to guard to start his career.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

After acquiring this selection from Atlanta a year ago, the Rams lay the groundwork for their future at quarterback rather than take another win-now player ahead of a season when they will clearly be among the Super Bowl favorites. Now, Simpson is clearly positioned as league MVP Matthew Stafford's successor − even as he comes off a season littered with incandescent play ... and injuries and inconsistency amid an atypically weak Crimson Tide roster. With only 15 college starts − Simpson graduated before playing in Tuscaloosa − landing in a spot where he could sit and watch for a year or two (or three) while absorbing first-class tutelage would be hugely beneficial. And while the 6-foot-1, 211-pound Simpson lacks physical traits that set him apart, he throws with great anticipation and accuracy. The son of a coach, he's also a football junkie ... and one, despite his lack of game experience, who cut his teeth in practice for years against some good Alabama defenses.

14. Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Reloading the middle of the offensive line following C Tyler Linderbaum's departure to Las Vegas – especially with a guy who truly “plays like a Raven,” the ever-important mantra to this organization – makes so much sense as Baltimore tries to get QB Lamar Jackson back on an MVP trajectory. And the thought of RB Derrick Henry running behind Ioane? Truly terrifying. Perhaps even more terrifying is the notion of Ioane on the move, and the Nittany Lions occasionally lined him up at tight end and got him on the move. He's perfect for the AFC North.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

His T-rex limbs didn’t stop him from being extremely productive – often against NFL-caliber offensive tackles – for the ‘Canes. He bulled his way to 9½ sacks and 15½ TFLs last season and was a menace during the College Football Playoff. Bain's ability to rush from the interior on passing downs is another useful trait for a team that might want to regulate NT Vita Vea's snaps on passing downs. YaYa Diaby was the lone Buc with more than 4½ sacks last season, and recently signed Al-Quadin Muhammad is only under contract for 2026.

16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

With the pick obtained in last year’s trade of CB Sauce Gardner, New York continues to build an infrastructure and talent base with which to surround its next potential franchise quarterback – who probably won’t arrive before 2027. The first tight end in combine history to record a sub-4.4 40, Sadiq, who also had a 43½-inch vert, certainly made some money in Indianapolis. Now he joins an offense that welcomed TE Mason Taylor in the second round a year ago. A 6-foot-3, 241-pounder who's also a willing blocker, Sadiq caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight TDs in 2025 − but does need to minimize his drops a bit better.

17. Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson

An All-ACC right tackle with a wresting background, he'll complete the offensive line here following the departure of LT Taylor Decker − and likely necessitating All-Pro OT Penei Sewell's switch to the left side. Miller played 54 games in college and only gave up roughly one sack per season.

18. Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida

After importing starting DTs Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen a year ago, both are now ex-Vikes. Banks (6-6, 327), who missed much of last fall with a broken foot and reinjured it at the combine, is monstrously huge and talented with freaky movement skills but also a bit raw. Still, he is the kind of player who could suck up blocks but also penetrate in coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive defense. According to reports, he could be fully ready physically by training camp.

19. Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Only 21, he may be the best pure left tackle prospect in this draft, and his potential was evident during the combine’s on-field drills. But with only 16 college starts, Freeling still has a lot to learn as he heads up the road. And yet there may not be inordinate pressure on him to play immediately with Rasheed Walker under contract for 2026 while LT Ickey Ekwonu recovers from a ruptured right patellar tendon suffered in the playoffs.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC

He might have been worthy of consideration here even if WR1 A.J. Brown wasn't likely on his way out of town. Lemon caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs during his final college season. A slot machine extraordinaire, he should immediately become a high-volume target – he's widely compared to fellow former Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown − and one who allows wispy DeVonta Smith to do most of his work on the outside.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State

A spectacular, strong, promising prospect − if one who’s fairly new to football the past few years after growing up in Nigeria − Iheanachor might be immediately asked to protect Aaron Rodgers given Steelers LT Broderick Jones' neck injury could jeopardize his availability in 2026. Expect to see Iheanachor on the right side with 2024 first-rounder Troy Fautanu headed to Rodgers' blind side. Presumably.

22. Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)

OLBs Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu aren’t under contract beyond 2026, and Mack, 35, played the second-fewest snaps of his illustrious career last season. Yes, Mesidor turned 25 earlier this month, but he can also provide instant production and snap relief – for a team that should be an instant contender and is in win-now mode – after leading the ACC with 12½ sacks in 2025, including 5½ in the CFP. Like his former Hurricanes teammate Bain, Mesidor can do a lot of damage working from the interior on passing downs.

23. Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida

Dallas trades down a few spots but continues to load its new-look 3-4 defense. Lawrence had 19½ sacks over the past three years and could be even more productive as a pro. He could play extensively opposite recently acquired Rashan Gary while potentially allowing Donovan Ezeiruaku’s snaps to be more focused on passing downs. Lawrence (6-4, 253) has 4.5 speed indicative of his athleticism − and predictive of a size/speed combo that could vex any blocker, but especially those who might seem him come up the middle.

24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

With the pick obtained as part of last year's Travis Hunter trade, Cleveland tabs Concepcion. He should nicely thread the needle of being an immediately helpful asset to presumed QB1 Shedeur Sanders while also being a long-term building block for this organization. Concepcion would nicely complement WR1 Jerry Jeudy while providing plenty of juice both as a run-after-catch demon and a punt returner. He does need to reduce his drop rate and has vowed to improve his concentration in that area.

25. Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

One of the combine's standouts, the Ducks All-American is a rangy player who can be weaponized all over the field − and surely will be by a defense that lost starters Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard during free agency. Thieneman, who started his college career at Purdue, intercepted eight passes over the past three seasons while splitting his time between the box, slot and center field.

26. Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge

He should be an immediate starter inside for a team that's long been lacking in terms of its ability to run the ball. Rutledge (6-4, 316) is a sneaky good athlete who was an accomplished high school hoopster. He also knows how to deal with adversity after nearly losing his foot in a car accident a few years ago.

27. Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

A team in need of corner help opts for Johnson, the Mountain West Conference’s co-Defensive Player of the Year, whose stock has been surging in recent months. Johnson, who's also a possibility at safety, immediately bolsters a secondary that's lost the likes of Jalen Ramsey and Minkah Fitzpatrick over the past year.

28. New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

The obvious issue for the AFC champs during the playoffs was protecting QB Drake Maye, who was sacked 21 times in four postseason games, including six times by Seattle in Super Bowl 60. RT Morgan Moses is under contract for two more years but just turned 35. A two-year starter at left tackle for the Utes, Lomu will need to get a little stronger in the NFL. But he might not need very long to displace Moses opposite LT Will Campbell.

29. Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson

A gifted lineman who has yet to approach his maximum potential, the All-ACC performer should and could flourish as he gets to apprentice alongside veteran Pro Bowler Chris Jones before likely taking on a more prominent role on the K.C. D.

30. Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana

Gang Green comes back into Round 1 for Mendoza's favorite target with the Hoosiers. The Jets didn't have a proven wide receiver beyond Garrett Wilson and got very little production from the wideout position in 2025 for a variety of reasons, including Wilson missing 10 games. Cooper, a run-after-catch dynamo who typically requires multiple tacklers to bring him down, is shifty, sure-handed and can do extensive damage from the slot.

31. Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

An intriguing gem in need of some polish, Faulk will further bolster Tennessee's numbers on the line − and first-year coach Robert Saleh wants to roll deep there. Faulk (6-6, 276) should be a three-down player who can kick inside on passing downs. He also has a reputation as being an excellent locker-room presence, always a huge bonus.

32. Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame

While they would have liked to retain Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, other priorities – like re-signing WR/KR Rashid Shaheed – took precedence. But Seattle didn't have the luxury of standing pat in the run game, either, given RB2 Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in January. Price is a slasher who starred in a timeshare with Love at Notre Dame and could nicely fill Walker’s role – maybe one of Shaheed’s, too, if the Seahawks opt to make him a bigger part of the offense in 2026. And it does make sense to get a back in Round 1 and the option of a fifth year of contractual control if he pans out.

First-round draft grades

With little consensus as to how things could shake out when the selections start rolling in on Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh, the evening is sure to provoke some strong reactions once the event finally starts to take shape. And each choice figures to have a ripple effect on the rest of the order.

USA TODAY Sports handed out instant grades for every pick from the first round.

Best available players

Check to see who still remains from our big board that now extends to 200 players (listed with their original rankings).

How to watch the NFL draft:

The 2026 draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC and streamed on NFL+ and ESPN+ over the next three days:

• Friday, April 24 (Rounds 2-3 start 7 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, April 25 (Rounds 4-7 start 12 p.m. ET)

50* biggest NFL draft busts of last 50 years

The asterisk because I couldn't limit this list of names, which will take you down memory lane, to just 50. One reason? Rewind four years to the 2021 draft, supposedly chock full of quarterback talent ... that mostly has yet to materialize. Yet one of the league's prominent QBs also escaped the list this year.

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