NFL Draft 2026 Results: Every Pick from Round 1 – Raiders Snag Mendoza, Buckeyes Dominate Top 11

The 2026 NFL Draft officially kicked off with a bang on Thursday night in Green Bay, and the first round delivered exactly what the league loves: a blend of expected franchise-altering picks and jaw-dropping curveballs. As the dust settles on Round 1, the narrative is already shifting toward the future of several franchises. The Las Vegas Raiders kicked things off by selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, but the story of the night was the sheer dominance of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who saw four of their stars go in the top 11 selections.

From the surprising slide of certain offensive linemen to the explosive run on defensive playmakers, the first round of the 2026 draft has set the table for a thrilling weekend. Rounds 2 and 3 kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, but before we look ahead, let’s break down every single pick from an unforgettable opening night.

Top 10 Shocks and Buckeye Brilliance: Analyzing the Early Picks

The top of the draft was expected to be quarterback-heavy, but the order of the names called created immediate debate. The Las Vegas Raiders made the obvious choice at No. 1, grabbing Fernando Mendoza. The Indiana Hoosiers star is a polished pocket passer with elite arm talent, and he instantly becomes the face of a franchise desperate for stability under center. Raiders fans should be ecstatic—Mendoza has the poise to handle the bright lights of Vegas.

The real fireworks began at No. 4. The Tennessee Titans shocked many analysts by selecting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate over higher-ranked defensive prospects. Tate, a smooth route-runner with exceptional body control, gives Will Levis a true No. 1 target. This pick signals that Tennessee is all-in on building a dynamic passing attack, even if it meant passing on a blue-chip pass rusher.

Then came the Buckeye avalanche. Arvell Reese went to the New York Giants at No. 5, giving Brian Daboll a ferocious edge rusher who can set the tone. At No. 7, the Washington Commanders snagged Sonny Styles, a versatile linebacker who can drop into coverage or blitz off the edge. Finally, Caleb Downs landed with the Dallas Cowboys at No. 11, providing a rangy, ball-hawking safety that Dan Quinn’s defense desperately needed. Four Buckeyes in the top 11 is a testament to the program’s incredible talent pipeline.

Other notable picks in the top 10 included the New York Jets grabbing Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2—a freak athlete who pairs perfectly with Sauce Gardner. The Arizona Cardinals shocked the world at No. 3 by taking Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, a home-run hitter who immediately upgrades Kyler Murray’s supporting cast. The Kansas City Chiefs traded up to No. 6 to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, a move that screams “win-now” for a team looking to reload its secondary.

Quarterback Carousel and Offensive Line Frenzy: Picks 11-22

The middle of the first round was defined by teams aggressively addressing their offensive lines and a surprising run on signal-callers. After the Cowboys secured Caleb Downs at No. 11, the Miami Dolphins made a massive statement at No. 12, drafting Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. Proctor is a mauler in the run game and will help protect Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside for years.

The Los Angeles Rams threw a major curveball at No. 13 by selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. With Matthew Stafford entering the twilight of his career, this is a brilliant succession plan. Simpson has a rocket arm and the mobility to thrive in Sean McVay’s system. Expect him to sit for a year before taking the reins.

The Baltimore Ravens added to their elite offensive line at No. 14, grabbing Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane. This is a classic Ravens pick—a powerful, nasty interior lineman who will open holes for Derrick Henry. Meanwhile, the New York Jets double-dipped on offense at No. 16, selecting Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, a dynamic pass-catcher who gives Aaron Rodgers a versatile weapon over the middle.

Here is a quick look at the key picks from this section:

• No. 13, Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama – The heir apparent to Stafford.
• No. 15, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami – A relentless pass rusher who fills a huge need.
• No. 17, Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson – A plug-and-play right tackle for a Super Bowl contender.
• No. 18, Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida – A massive run-stuffer who clogs the middle.
• No. 20, Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC – A speedy slot receiver to complement A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
• No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State – A raw but athletic tackle with Pro Bowl potential.

The Carolina Panthers continued their offensive line rebuild at No. 19 by selecting Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling, while the Los Angeles Chargers added a disruptive force in Miami edge rusher Akeem Mesidor at No. 22. This was a night where general managers prioritized protecting the quarterback and hunting him in equal measure.

Late-Round Steals and Surprises: Picks 23-32

The final ten picks of the first round featured several teams trading down to accumulate capital, and a few clubs finding absolute gems. The Dallas Cowboys doubled down on defense at No. 23, selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. Lawrence is a high-motor player who will rotate in immediately and could be a steal if he develops his pass-rush moves.

The Cleveland Browns made a splash at No. 24 by grabbing Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. Concepcion is a yards-after-catch monster who will thrive in Cleveland’s offense, giving Deshaun Watson a reliable chain-mover. The Chicago Bears addressed their secondary at No. 25, taking Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, a ball-hawking centerfielder who led the nation in interceptions last season.

One of the most intriguing picks came at No. 28, where the New England Patriots selected Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu. Lomu is a massive human being with surprising athleticism, and he fills a critical hole on the Patriots’ offensive line. This is exactly the kind of blue-collar pick that Bill Belichick (or his successor) would love.

The Kansas City Chiefs made their second pick of the first round at No. 29, selecting Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. Woods is a disruptive interior presence who will learn from Chris Jones before eventually taking over. The New York Jets closed out their impressive draft night by taking Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30, giving them a deep threat to pair with Garrett Wilson.

The final two picks saw the Tennessee Titans add Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk at No. 31—a high-upside pass rusher who could have gone higher—and the Seattle Seahawks wrapped up Round 1 by taking Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price at No. 32. Price is a home-run hitter who will split carries with Kenneth Walker III, giving Seattle a dynamic one-two punch.

Expert Analysis: Winners, Losers, and What to Watch in Round 2

Looking at the first round as a whole, several teams clearly won the night. The New York Jets were masterful, landing a top-tier edge rusher in David Bailey, a dynamic tight end in Kenyon Sadiq, and a speedster in Omar Cooper Jr. That’s three impact players who fill immediate needs. The Las Vegas Raiders got their franchise quarterback, and the Dallas Cowboys walked away with two defensive starters in Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence.

On the flip side, the New Orleans Saints (No. 8, Jordyn Tyson) and Miami Dolphins (No. 27, Chris Johnson) reached for players who likely would have been available later. The Houston Texans (No. 26, Keylan Rutledge) also raised eyebrows by taking a guard in the first round when more talented receivers were on the board.

Prediction for Friday: Expect a run on running backs and cornerbacks early in Round 2. Players like Notre Dame safety Adon Shuler and Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond are still on the board and could be gone within the first five picks of the second round. The Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots have multiple picks early on Day 2 and could be aggressive in trading up.

Full 2026 NFL Draft Round 1 Results Recap

For your reference, here is the complete list of every pick from Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft:

• No. 1, Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
• No. 2, New York Jets: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
• No. 3, Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
• No. 4, Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
• No. 5, New York Giants: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
• No. 6, Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
• No. 7, Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
• No. 8, New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
• No. 9, Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
• No. 10, New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
• No. 11, Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
• No. 12, Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
• No. 13, Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
• No. 14, Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
• No. 15, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
• No. 16, New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
• No. 17, Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
• No. 18, Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
• No. 19, Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
• No. 20, Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
• No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
• No. 22, Los Angeles Chargers: Akeem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
• No. 23, Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
• No. 24, Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
• No. 25, Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
• No. 26, Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
• No. 27, Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
• No. 28, New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
• No. 29, Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
• No. 30, New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
• No. 31, Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
• No. 32, Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Final Verdict: A Night of Bold Moves and Buckeye Dominance

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft was a masterclass in franchise building. The Raiders got their quarterback. The Jets remade their offense. The Cowboys fortified their defense. And the Ohio State Buckeyes proved that they are still the gold standard for producing NFL-ready talent. As we turn the page to Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, the depth of this draft class will be tested. But for now, the story of Round 1 is clear: the future of the NFL is bright, and it starts with Fernando Mendoza in Las Vegas. Buckle up—this draft weekend is far from over.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.