With the 2026 NFL Draft set to begin in Pittsburgh, teams are finalizing their boards and shifting full focus to roster building for the future. 

This year’s class is loaded on the defensive side of the ball, particularly at the edge and cornerback positions. On the offensive side of the ball, the linemen stand out as a major strength throughout the first round. 

Although the quarterback group lacks a clear headliner, there is high-end talent at wide receiver and running back that could shape the early picks. That combination sets up a first round where defense and the trenches could dominate, with playmakers on offense sprinkled throughout. With that in mind, here is how the first round could unfold. 

1. Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
   Mendoza has been the clear pick here for the Raiders at one. He’s got a great mind attached to a body that can make tough throws in the pocket and can use his legs to get mobile and physical with the ball in his hands.
2. New York Jets – EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
   Bailey adds explosive pass-rush juice to a defense in need of some pressure after trading away Jermaine Johnson to the Titans. The Jets can rely on him on all three downs as he is a good run defender to pair with his pass rush.
3. Arizona Cardinals – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
   Love is a superstar and brings burst and big-play ability to an offense still finding its identity after moving on from Kyler Murray. Arizona benefits from adding a dynamic runner who can ease pressure on whatever quarterback is in and create chunk plays.
4. Tennessee Titans – LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
   Reese is a fast, physical linebacker who fits Tennessee’s need for range and tackling reliability, while also being a great edge as well. He can step into a defense that values physicality while improving coverage or rushing the passer.
5. New York Giants – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
   A healthy Tyson gives the Giants an elite playmaker with great ball skills. New York continues building its receiver room, and Tyson’s speed and separation skills help stretch defenses and support Jaxson Dart. With the Giants viewing Tyson as their best receiver in this draft, they grab him before anyone else can.
6. Cleveland Browns – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
   Tate is a polished route runner with strong hands and has the highest floor out of any receiver in this draft. He will be the main weapon in Cleveland and provides a consistent option in the intermediate to deep passing game.
7. Washington Commanders – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
   Styles offers versatility as a hybrid defender who can cover, tackle and blitz. Washington needs some help in the linebackers’ room, and adding the best of his class, will give this defense a major upgrade.
8. New Orleans Saints – EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)
   Bain Jr. adds power and pass-rush upside to a Saints defense that needs youth on the edge. He can rotate early and develop into a run-stuffing edge on early downs while making an impact on passing downs, rushing the quarterback.
9. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
   Delane fits Kansas City’s trend of adding long, physical corners. He brings SEC-tested experience and upside in man coverage. He can cover a team’s biggest threat all game long, making him a valuable piece for a team that faces some great passing attacks.
10. New York Giants (via Cincinnati) – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
    Downs is a high-IQ, versatile safety who immediately upgrades the back end while being able to cover in man and zone, line up anywhere on the field and blitz. The Giants steal a playmaker capable of being an anchor for this defense for many seasons.
11. Miami Dolphins – WR Makai Lemon, USC
    Lemon adds speed and route-running polish to Miami’s lifeless offense. He fits perfectly in a system that values separation and yards after catch, giving the Dolphins another weapon to stress defenses and filling a need after trading Jaylen Waddle to Denver this offseason.
12. Dallas Cowboys – LB CJ Allen, Georgia
    Allen brings physicality and discipline from a pro-style defense, calling Georgia’s defense from the field. Dallas needs an inside linebacker who is smart and plays hard, and Allen’s instincts and tackling will help turn this bottom-five defense into a solid unit.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta) – OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
    The Rams steal Mauigoa, giving the Rams a cornerstone tackle for the future. 
14. Baltimore Ravens – WR Denzel Boston, Washington
    The Ravens could go a couple of different ways here. Boston offers size and catch radius, fitting Baltimore’s need for a physical receiver. He complements their offense by providing a reliable outside target in contested situations down the field.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (FL)
    Besides his age, Mesidor is a great pick-up for the Bucs and adds pass-rush depth and versatility.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
    Cooper Jr. gives the Jets another young receiver with upside. Pairing him with Garrett Wilson helps diversify the offense and provides long-term depth at a key position.
17. Detroit Lions – OT Spencer Fano, Utah
    Fano fits Detroit’s identity of “biting kneecaps.” He adds toughness and versatility, ensuring the Lions maintain one of the league’s strongest offensive lines during their Super Bowl window.
18. Minnesota Vikings – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
    This is where the slide stops for McCoy. The injury and the vagueness behind it are red flags, but he might be the best corner in this draft when it’s all said and done.
19. Carolina Panthers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
    Sadiq gives Carolina a modern tight end who can stretch the field. The Panthers need a receiver, too, which he can also be. He doesn’t have much blocking skills and is developmental, but he still is a nightmare for defenses to match up against.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay) – EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
    Faulk needs to be a better pass rusher; he could not generate pressure this last season at Auburn. However, he adds length and can be moved inside for Dallas’ new 3-4 defense. This will allow him to continue to be a monster in the run game while developing his pass rush.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
    Freeling aligns with Pittsburgh’s emphasis on physical offensive line play. He’s huge at 6’7 and over 300 pounds. Freeling will dominate the player in front of him. If he can get some good coaching and improve his technique, then he’ll be a great player in Pittsburgh for a long time.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
    Herbert does not need to not be sacked as much if the Chargers want to go far in the postseason. Ioane strengthens the interior offensive line in the run game while also being a solid pass protector.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
    Lomu continues to get his name in a bunch of draft buzz as he continues to draw interest from teams. Philadelphia, one of those teams interested in Lomu, grabs him at 23. They will be getting a developmental piece to replace one of their two aging, but great, tackles.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville) – OT Blake Miller, Clemson
    Miller adds depth and future stability to Cleveland’s offensive line, that need improvements pretty badly. His experience and technique make him a strong developmental option.
25. Chicago Bears – S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
    Thieneman brings instincts and playmaking ability to the secondary, which is also aging. Chicago can get a guy with a lot of range and the ability to make plays on the ball in the air.
26. Buffalo Bills – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
    Concepcion has great hands; his contested catch ability is amazing. He gives Buffalo another reliable target to support its passing attack.
27. San Francisco 49ers – CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
    Terrell fits San Francisco’s need for depth at corner who can play inside and outside. His ability to tackle and willingness to tackle make him stand out among other corners in this class.
28. Houston Texans – OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
    Proctor provides high upside protection for CJ Stroud. Houston continues investing in the offensive line to secure its future.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF
    Lawrence adds real upside as an edge piece in a defense that is desperate for some pressure on the quarterback. He’s a great speed rusher and rotational piece that will see more and more action as he develops.
30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver) – CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
    Hood gives Miami additional speed and coverage ability in the secondary. He filled in for McCoy last season and stepped up big time as an SEC corner.
31. New England Patriots – OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
    Iheanachor strengthens New England’s offensive line after a disastrous Super Bowl performance. His size and talent will serve him well for a team like the Patriots.
32. Seattle Seahawks – RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame Price adds explosiveness to Seattle’s backfield. After moving on from Kenneth Walker III and winning the Super Bowl, the Seahawks will look to add an experimental piece to bolster their roster.