NFL Draft Picks So Far: Live Grades on Every First-Round Pick in 2026

The 2026 NFL Draft has finally arrived, and we've got you covered with live updates as every pick happens throughout the first round Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

As each pick is confirmed, I'll have live grades and instant analysis for every first-round selection.

How does each pick fill the team's most pressing needs? Does the selection represent strong value based on my predraft evaluations and rankings of this year's top prospects? What will each player bring to their new team, and how will they fit in their schemes?

Catch it all right here in real time:

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza | QB | Indiana

We've all known this pick was coming for months now, and it's the right one. Even though Mendoza is ranked 10th overall on my board, he's the only first-round talent in this year's weak quarterback class, and he's worthy of this spot. He may not have the high-end traits we saw from the 2024 trio (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye), but he's an accurate passer who makes sound decisions with the football, with the intangibles and toughness his teammates love. If the Raiders can build a better roster around him, Mendoza has the tools to eventually develop into a successful starter.

GRADE: B+

2. New York Jets

David Bailey | Edge | Texas Tech

Aaron Glenn's defense needs a ton of help, but it has to start in the trenches. Bailey has the most explosive first step in this year's deep class of edge rushers, and he racked up 14.5 sacks for the Red Raiders last season (tied for the most in the FBS). Ohio State's Arvell Reese may have brought more upside and versatility to the table, but Bailey is the more proven player who can make an immediate impact as a pass rusher. There's still a ton of work left to be done with this roster, but adding Bailey is a huge step in the right direction.

GRADE: B+

3. Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love | RB | Notre Dame

For all the talk of the modern NFL "devaluing" the position, recent history says that when you take a special running back prospect early, they usually pan out (Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs). Love is absolutely that level of prospect, and brings a three-down skill set that can instantly transform Arizona's entire offense. He's a big-play machine as both a runner and a receiver, and arguably the best overall prospect in this draft, regardless of position. It might seem like a luxury pick for a team that needs a ton of help on both sides of the ball before they're ready to be a playoff contender, but you can't go wrong taking the best player available.

GRADE: B+

4. Tennessee Titans

Carnell Tate | WR | Ohio State

The first surprise of the night, the Titans passed on the top defenders available to give Cam Ward a new No. 1 receiver. Tate is the best receiver in this year's class, and you know what you're getting with pass-catchers who come out of Columbus. He instantly gives Ward a three-level receiver with a high floor, and helping out your young franchise quarterback is never a bad idea. Passing on Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese is an intriguing decision as they start the Robert Saleh era in Tennessee, though, both of whom are top-10 talents on my board, while I ranked Tate at the No. 11 spot.

GRADE: B

5. New York Giants

Arvell Reese | LB | Ohio State

It wouldn't have been surprising to see Reese go at No. 2 overall to the Jets, so the Giants getting him here is a win. He's more pro-ready as an off-ball linebacker, but Reese has limitless potential as an edge rusher at the next level. One of the youngest prospects in this draft, Reese has as much upside as any prospect in the class, and brings immediate juice to the Giant's defense as they kick off John Harbaugh's tenure as head coach. Passing on his Ohio State teammate, Sonny Styles, might cost them some immediate success and a higher floor, but banking on the versatility, athleticism and potential Reese can deliver makes plenty of sense. We'll see if the Jets regret letting him fall to their local rival.

GRADE: B+

6. Kansas City Chiefs (from CLE)

Mansoor Delane | CB | LSU

After trading away Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs had a clear need for a new shutdown corner. Delane is the perfect fit, and easily the top corner prospect in this year's class. He's a smart, athletic player with elite ball skills and awareness, with the ability to completely erase an opposing team's top receiver. The move up the board wasn't terribly costly, and with both the Saints and Commanders with a huge need of their own at corner, this was a smart move by the Chiefs to make sure they landed the top cover man in this class. Delane was the No. 6 overall player on my board, and that's exactly where he goes.

GRADE: A

7. Washington Commanders

8. New Orleans Saints

9. Kansas City Chiefs

10. New York Giants (from CIN)

11. Miami Dolphins

12. Dallas Cowboys

13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL)

14. Baltimore Ravens

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

16. New York Jets (from IND)

17. Detroit Lions

18. Minnesota Vikings

19. Carolina Panthers

20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB)

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

22. Los Angeles Chargers

23. Philadelphia Eagles

24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX)

25. Chicago Bears

26. Buffalo Bills

27. San Francisco 49ers

28. Houston Texans

29. Kansas City Chiefs

30. Miami Dolphins (from DEN)

31. New England Patriots

32. Seattle Seahawks