2026 NFL Draft - First Round
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
6. Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
9. Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
11. Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
12. Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
13. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
16. New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cowboys): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
23. Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
24. Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
26. Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
27. Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
28. New England Patriots (from Bills): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
30. New York Jets (from 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
31. Tennessee Titans (from Bills): Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
The first round had eight trades. None was a big leap as each was only a move of one to three spots. There were three repeat traders. The Dallas Cowboys traded twice. The San Francisco 49ers traded twice and out of the first round. The Buffalo Bills traded three times and out of the first round. The five 49ers and Bills trades were among the final seven picks of the first round. That’s a lot of dancing at the end of the draft’s first night. The only trade that didn’t involve the Cowboys, 49ers, or Bills was the first one of the night. The Browns and Chiefs swapped spots in the top 10.
One team selected three players in the first round:
New York Jets
2. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
16. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
30. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Six teams selected two players in the first round:
Cleveland Browns
9. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
24. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Dallas Cowboys
11. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
23. Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
Kansas City Chiefs
6. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
29. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Miami Dolphins
12. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
27. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
New York Giants
5. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
10. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Tennessee Titans
4. Carnell Tate. WR, Ohio State
31. Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Eight teams selected no players in the first round:
Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
San Francisco 49ers
The Minnesota Vikings surprised just about everyone with the selection of giant Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. It was a big swing at a big talent. There was a time shortly after the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine when Banks was real close to being my dream pick for the Vikings at 18. Defensive tackle is one of the team’s biggest needs and few players move the way he moves at 6’6” and 330 lbs. He didn’t play much his final season at Florida due to a broken foot. After he ripped up the Senior Bowl and took part in the Scouting Combine, it felt like those foot issues were behind him. Then it was revealed that he re-broke the foot during the Combine and needed another surgery to repair it. Looking back at his performance in Indianapolis, it’s actually remarkable that he did what he did with a broken foot. With those foot issues at his size, I started to focus on other players for the Vikings first round pick. It’s been since the Christian Ponder pick in 2011 that the Vikings surprised me in the first round. It’s been a while. The selection of Caleb Banks surprised me. But not in a bad way. The draft is all about potential. The foot injuries are a concern but the Vikings have better and more complete information on those injuries than anyone. If they’re fine with those feet, I’m fine with those feet. Few players in this draft have the potential of Banks. This giant defensive lineman has the potential to change the front of the Vikings defense. He has the potential to be a giant problem for offenses. The draft is all about potential and Caleb Banks is loaded with potential. Those feet of his must stay in one piece.
It’s on to the second round.
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