The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh delivered big talent and some head-scratching choices. From franchise quarterbacks to game-changing defenders, teams filled key needs while others took calculated risks. Here’s a breakdown of the top grades, standout picks, and the ones that raised eyebrows, factoring in value, fit, and board position.
Top Performers and Elite Picks
New York Giants Picks: Arvell Reese (No. 5, Edge, Ohio State) — A-plus Francis Mauigoa (No. 10, OT, Miami) — A New York hit the jackpot. Reese, with his Micah Parsons-like upside, instantly upgrades a ferocious pass rush alongside Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. Mauigoa adds reliable trench power that could shift inside to guard. This was one of the strongest opening nights in the league.
Baltimore Ravens Pick: Olaivavega Ioane (No. 14, G, Penn State) — A-plus A perfect marriage of best player available and massive need. Ioane is a nasty, run-blocking mauler who shores up the interior line in front of Lamar Jackson. Classic Ravens drafting at its finest.
Las Vegas Raiders Pick: Fernando Mendoza (No. 1, QB, Indiana) — A The franchise quarterback they’ve been waiting for. Mendoza’s arm talent, accuracy, leadership, and championship pedigree make him the ideal centerpiece in Las Vegas.
Dallas Cowboys Pick: Caleb Downs (No. 11, S, Ohio State) — A-plus Pound-for-pound one of the draft’s best players sliding to them? Pure value. Downs brings elite tackling, coverage, and playmaking to a defense that desperately needed it.
New York Jets Multiple picks including David Bailey (No. 2, Edge) — A-minus, Kenyon Sadiq (No. 16, TE) — A, and Omar Cooper Jr. (No. 30, WR) — A Gang Green stacked foundational pieces around their future quarterback with an elite pass rusher, a freakish tight end weapon, and a reliable receiver. Impressive haul.
Other strong marks went to the Chiefs for aggressively landing Mansoor Delane, the Commanders with Sonny Styles, and the Bears stealing Dillon Thieneman late in the round.
Mixed or Questionable Calls
Los Angeles Rams Pick: Ty Simpson (No. 13, QB, Alabama) — C The most debated selection of the night. Simpson has promise as a developmental prospect behind Matthew Stafford, but using a top-15 pick on a quarterback with limited starts in win-now mode felt risky and left immediate needs unaddressed.
Minnesota Vikings Pick: Caleb Banks (No. 18, DT, Florida) — C-plus High-upside talent when healthy, but the injury history and risk made this a bold gamble over safer options like Dillon Thieneman.
Pittsburgh Steelers Pick: Max Iheanachor (No. 21, OT, Arizona State) — B-minus Their third first-round tackle in four years. Raw but with potential — yet it came after missing out on Makai Lemon, leaving fans wanting more.
Other Notable Grades
- Arizona Cardinals (Jeremiyah Love, No. 3) — B
- Tennessee Titans (Carnell Tate, No. 4) — B-plus
- Philadelphia Eagles (Makai Lemon, No. 20) — A-minus
Rounds 2 and 3 resume Friday night with plenty of talent still on the board. The 2026 class may not be the deepest ever, but several teams positioned themselves for long-term success with smart, high-upside selections.