Pittsburgh threw one heck of a party on Thursday night — and the 2026 NFL Draft delivered everything that makes this event the most unpredictable, exhilarating night in American sport.
Trades flew in from every direction. Ohio State dominated like no programme in recent memory. A running back went top three for the first time in eight years. A second quarterback snuck into the first round. And by the time the Seahawks wrapped things up with pick No. 32, the room had lived through enough drama for an entire season.
Here is how Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft unfolded — from the very first pick to the very last.
No. 1 — Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The only certainty heading into Thursday night was that Fernando Mendoza would go first overall — and the Las Vegas Raiders duly obliged. The Heisman Trophy winner, who led Indiana to its first-ever national championship, becomes the fourth consecutive quarterback taken at the top of the draft.
Raiders minority owner Tom Brady — the legendary QB who won seven Super Bowl rings — gets to mentor an heir apparent of sorts, giving Las Vegas a clean slate as it enters a major rebuild. Mendoza is a polished, accurate passer with the pedigree of a franchise cornerstone. The Raiders have been waiting a long time for a real answer at quarterback. They believe they have found one.
No. 2 — New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Many had projected Ohio State’s Arvell Reese to land here, but the Jets zigged when everyone expected them to zag, selecting Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey. He has drawn comparisons to Denver’s Nik Bonitto and is a far more NFL-ready product at this stage of his development. The Jets needed a legitimate edge presence and they went out and got one.
No. 3 — Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This was the moment that had the room buzzing. The Cardinals made Jeremiyah Love the first running back selected in the top five since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018. Love is widely considered the most athletically gifted player in the entire class — a dynamic runner and receiver with genuine superstar potential. Arizona is now invested heavily into the position even though they don’t have their long-term quarterback, which makes this an aggressive choice — but nobody is arguing with the talent.
No. 4 — Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The first curveball of the night from Tennessee, who bypassed the trenches to select Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. It signals the Titans’ desire to give their quarterback — whoever that ends up being — a genuine weapon to throw to. Tate is a fluid route runner with reliable hands and the kind of after-catch ability that translates immediately at the next level.
No. 5 — New York Giants: Arvell Reese, EDGE/LB, Ohio State
After a four-win season and a full franchise reset under new head coach John Harbaugh, the Giants used their first of two top-10 picks on Arvell Reese — one of the most versatile defensive players in the draft. A nightmare in pass rush situations and credible against the run, Reese gives New York’s defence an immediate upgrade off the edge.
No. 6 — Kansas City Chiefs (via Cleveland): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The first major in-draft trade of the night. The Browns traded the No. 6 pick to the Chiefs for picks 9, 74 and 148. Kansas City moved up aggressively to secure LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane — one of the most athletic linebackers — and in this case corners — in draft history, whose ability to cover ground in coverage at his size is nothing short of special. The Chiefs continue to find ways to add elite defensive talent.
No. 7 — Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Ohio State’s third player in the top seven. Sonny Styles — son of NFL veteran Mark Styles — is a rangy, instinctive linebacker with elite athleticism and football intelligence. Washington gets a defensive centrepiece who can grow with the team for years to come.
No. 8 — New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
The Saints surprised a few people here, going wide receiver with Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State. A dynamic playmaker with the ability to create separation at all three levels, Tyson gives New Orleans’ offence a genuine threat they have lacked for some time.
No. 9 — Cleveland Browns (via Kansas City): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
After trading down from No. 6 to No. 9, the Browns selected Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano — a physically imposing presence with 36 college starts under his belt. Some scouts have flagged his arm length as a potential concern, but Fano is a Day 1 starter regardless of where he lines up, and Cleveland’s offensive line needed exactly this kind of reinforcement.
No. 10 — New York Giants (via Cincinnati): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Giants’ second pick of the first round — and another investment in the trenches. Francis Mauigoa from Miami gives New York an athletic, powerful offensive tackle who can protect their quarterback while the entire organisation is rebuilt. Harbaugh clearly came into this draft with a plan and executed it.
No. 11 — Dallas Cowboys (via Miami): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Ohio State’s fourth player in the top 11 — a historic night for the programme. The Cowboys and Dolphins swapped picks just before Miami was about to select, with Dallas moving up and the Dolphins receiving picks 12, 177 and 180. Caleb Downs is a rangy, ball-hawking safety with outstanding instincts and the versatility to line up in multiple spots in the secondary.
No. 12 — Miami Dolphins (via Dallas): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Having traded their No. 11 pick to Dallas, the Dolphins received No. 12 in return and used it on Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. A sturdy, dependable protector with strong fundamentals, Proctor gives Miami’s offensive line an immediate upgrade at a position of need.
No. 13 — Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
The night’s biggest surprise. Almost nobody expected a second quarterback to go in Round 1, yet the Rams traded up from Atlanta’s slot to take Alabama’s Ty Simpson at No. 13. It is a bold move that signals the Rams are looking beyond their current setup at quarterback — and they were not prepared to wait until Friday to make their move.
No. 14 — Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The interior of the Ravens’ offensive line is in flux after Tyler Linderbaum departed in free agency. Olaivavega Ioane from Penn State is a powerful, technically refined interior lineman who can step in immediately and stabilise one of the league’s most important offensive units.
No. 15 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr., who had been projected to go in the top 10, fell all the way to No. 15. Whatever concerns caused teams to pass on him earlier, Tampa Bay clearly felt comfortable enough to pull the trigger — and they may have landed one of the draft’s best values in the process.
No. 16 — New York Jets (via Indianapolis): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Jets double up in Round 1, landing Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the pick they received from Indianapolis in the Sauce Gardner trade. New York now has a pair of pass-catchers from Thursday night — Bailey to rush the passer, Sadiq to give their new quarterback a reliable target in the middle of the field.
No. 17 — Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The Lions continue their commitment to building from the trenches out, selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller to bolster a unit that has been central to Detroit’s recent success. Miller is a technically sound, physical blocker who fits the Lions’ identity perfectly.
No. 18 — Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Minnesota reinforces its defensive line with Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks — an athletic, disruptive presence in the interior who gives the Vikings’ front seven another legitimate playmaker to work with.
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Picks 19–32: The Back Half Delivers
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Carolina Panthers | Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia |
| 20 | Dallas Cowboys (via GB) | Makai Lemon | WR | USC |
| 21 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Max Iheanachor | OT | Arizona State |
| 22 | Los Angeles Chargers | Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Miami |
| 23 | Philadelphia Eagles (via DAL) | Malachi Lawrence | EDGE | UCF |
| 24 | Cleveland Browns | KC Concepcion | WR | Texas A&M |
| 25 | Chicago Bears | Dillon Thieneman | S | Oregon |
| 26 | Houston Texans | Keylan Rutledge | OG | Georgia Tech |
| 27 | Miami Dolphins | Chris Johnson | CB | San Diego State |
| 28 | New England Patriots | Caleb Lomu | OT | Utah |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs | Peter Woods | DT | Clemson |
| 30 | New York Jets (via SF) | Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Indiana |
| 31 | Tennessee Titans (via BUF) | Keldric Faulk | EDGE | Auburn |
| 32 | Seattle Seahawks | Jadarian Price | RB | Notre Dame |
The Night’s Biggest Storylines
Ohio State makes history. Four Buckeyes in the top 11 picks — Tate, Reese, Styles and Downs — is a staggering performance for a single programme. Columbus, Ohio had a very good Thursday night.
Trades everywhere. Six teams entered the draft with two first-round picks after pre-draft moves, and the in-draft activity was equally frenetic. The Browns, Cowboys, Dolphins, Chiefs, Jets and Titans all made significant in-night deals. An astounding six teams entered the night with two first-round picks.
The Jets went shopping. New York ended up with three first-round selections on the night — Bailey at No. 2, Sadiq at No. 16, and Cooper Jr. at No. 30 after trading back into the round late. That is an extraordinary haul and suggests the Jets mean serious business this offseason.
The Seahawks close with a running back. Seattle stuck at No. 32 and took RB Jadarian Price after losing Kenneth Walker III in free agency — a straightforward, needs-based pick to close out a fascinating first round.
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