The opening night of the Draft NFL 2026 delivered its verdict, much to the delight of NFL fans who had been counting down since mid-February and Super Bowl night.
Every team’s pick, the trades, the first look at each player taken. Here’s a rewind of a night that hinted at plenty of promise for the season ahead.
Pick n°1 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Las Vegas Raiders
With the first pick, the Las Vegas Raiders select Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana.
A compact, highly accurate quarterback, Mendoza stands out for his processing, consistency and calm when it matters most. He’s less comfortable when plays break down and he’s only average physically, so he’ll need good protection. But his brain and rapid development make him a seriously promising future starter.
Pick n° 2 Draft NFL 2026 : 
New York Jets
With the second pick, the New York Jets select David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech.
An electric, slippery pass rusher, Bailey gives offensive linemen headaches with his burst and his ability to bend around blocks. He still needs more power and better hand work, especially against the run, but the athletic traits and instincts are there for a potential elite sack artist and even a Pro Bowl ceiling.
Pick n° 3 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Arizona Cardinals
With the third pick, the Arizona Cardinals select Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame.
A complete, explosive running back, Love is a constant threat with his speed and his ability to pop off big plays. He can run it and catch it, and he can stay on the field on all three downs while creating mismatches. He’s not a pure power back and can be slow to diagnose at times, but he looks tailor-made for a modern offense.
Pick n° 4 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Tennessee Titans
With the fourth pick, the Tennessee Titans select Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State.
A receiver on the rise, Tate brings speed, sharp route running and the knack for separating all over the field. Reliable in the air with excellent hands and strong timing, he still needs a bit more pop, but the upside says he won’t be waiting long to become a top option.
Pick n° 5 Draft NFL 2026 : 
New York Giants
With the fifth pick, the New York Giants select Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State.
A versatile, explosive linebacker/edge hybrid, Reese can wreck plays against the run and in the pass rush. He’s still developing in terms of reads and technique, but his speed, aggression and knack for causing chaos do the rest. Give him time and a defined role, and there’s plenty to work with.
Pick n° 6 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Cleveland Browns←
→ 
Kansas City Chiefs
The Cleveland Browns agreed a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for multiple compensatory draft picks.
The Browns receive: the 9th overall pick (first round), the 74th overall pick (third round) and the 48th overall pick (fifth round).
The Chiefs receive: the 6th overall pick (first round).
With the sixth pick, the Kansas City Chiefs select Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU.
A well-rounded corner in a deep class at the position, Delane shines in press coverage thanks to his technique and smooth movement in coverage. Quick and smart in his reads, he can still improve when tracking the ball, but his level despite injury and his recent growth point to real starting corner potential.
With this move, the Chiefs clearly aimed to secure the exit of Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams!
Pick n° 7 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Washington Commanders
With the seventh pick, the Washington Commanders select Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State.
A former safety turned linebacker, Styles brings versatility, improving play recognition and the ability to handle both the run and the pass. Fast, physical and comfortable in coverage, he’s a complete prospect whose stock could rise fast before the draft.
Pick n° 8 Draft NFL 2026 : 
New Orleans Saints
With the eighth pick, the New Orleans Saints select Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State.
A versatile receiver who can line up anywhere, Tyson has taken a step forward with better routes and more physicality. Dependable in big moments and effective on contested catches, he lacks top-end speed and can be patchy as a blocker, but the upside and work ethic point to a WR1 profile.
Pick n° 9 Draft NFL 2026 : Cleveland Browns
With the ninth pick, the Cleveland Browns select Spencer Fano, OT, Utah.
An athletic, mobile lineman, Fano makes up for a less-than-ideal frame with smooth movement and quick feet to handle pass rushers. Still inconsistent with his technique and power, especially inside and in the run game, he should look better in a system built on movement and agility.
Pick n° 10 Draft NFL 2026 : New York Giants
With the tenth pick, the New York Giants select Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami.
An experienced, intelligent right tackle, Mauigoa combines power, balance and strong pass protection traits despite having more of a guard build. He can lean too far forward and gets docked for that, but he looks like an immediate starter and could kick inside down the line.
Pick n° 11 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Dallas Cowboys
With the eleventh pick, the Dallas Cowboys select Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State.
A busy, highly productive safety, Downs makes an impact all over the place with his aggression near the line and his ability to spark defensive plays. Solid in short coverage and rarely caught out, he doesn’t have elite physical traits, but the intensity and instincts are hard to ignore.
Pick n° 12 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Miami Dolphins
With the twelfth pick, the Miami Dolphins select Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama.
A massive lineman, Proctor brings brute force in the run game and can turn into a real road grader. He struggles more with speed and space in pass protection and remains inconsistent, but he has the tools to be a good right tackle or a very solid guard.
Pick n° 13 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Los Angeles Rams
With the thirteenth pick, the Los Angeles Rams select Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama.
A quarterback still very much in the works, Simpson leans on clean mechanics and solid processing, but he still needs more timing, anticipation and arm strength. He can pick up yards on the ground, though, and he’ll have to get better under pressure. This is a guy who needs time before he reaches his ceiling.
With this pick, the Rams are clearly planning for the future and life after Matthew Stafford!
Pick n° 14 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Baltimore Ravens
With the fourteenth pick, the Baltimore Ravens select Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State.
A powerful, polished guard, Ioane thrives in bruising run schemes thanks to his strength, balance and ability to move bodies. He’s less comfortable on the move and against quicker defenders, but he offers a high floor and could start quickly in the right system.
Pick n° 15 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With the fifteenth pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Rueben Bain Jr, EDGE, Miami.
A powerful, aggressive defender, Bain stands out for his physical edge, violent hands and ability to blow blocks apart. He may not have ideal size, but he makes up for it with explosiveness and pass-rush versatility, with a solid floor and clear NFL starting potential.
Pick n° 16 Draft NFL 2026 : New York Jets
With the sixteenth pick, the New York Jets select Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon.
An athletic, versatile tight end, Sadiq brings real juice as a primary target thanks to his route running and what he does after the catch. He’s reliable in the air even if the odd drop creeps in, and he can hold his own as a blocker without exactly blowing anyone away. Still, he’s the sort of player who can lift a passing game.
Pick n° 17 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Detroit Lions
With the seventeenth pick, the Detroit Lions select Blake Miller, OT, Clemson.
A very experienced right tackle, Miller stands out for his mobility and his ability to recover, even if the technique is still a work in progress. He can get popped for playing too high and losing with sloppy hands, so there’s work to do physically and technically before he sticks. But the foundation is there for him to become a solid NFL starter.
Pick n° 18 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Minnesota Vikings
With the eighteenth pick, the Minnesota Vikings select Caleb Banks, DT, Florida.
An interior defender with eye-catching size, Banks has the physical tools and a quick first step, but he’s still pretty raw technically. He can flash, no doubt, yet he still has to sharpen his finishing and handle double teams better. There’s plenty to like, even with a few injury red flags hanging around.
Pick n° 19 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Carolina Panthers
With the nineteenth pick, the Carolina Panthers select Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia.
A long, athletic right tackle, Freeling has some intriguing natural traits but is still very much a raw prospect with limited experience. He needs to add strength and clean up the technique, especially in pass protection. Even so, the upside is real if he can iron out the rough edges.
Pick n° 20 Draft NFL 2026 : Dallas Cowboys←
→ 
Philadelphia Eagles
The Dallas Cowboys have agreed a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for multiple compensatory draft picks.
The Cowboys receive: the 23rd overall pick (1st round).
The Eagles receive: the 20th overall pick (1st round). For now, the other compensatory picks are still unknown.
With the twentieth pick, the Philadelphia Eagles select Makai Lemon, WR, USC.
A highly productive slot receiver with polished technique, Lemon stands out for his route running, football IQ and outstanding hands. He’s more quick than powerful, so he’ll need to get stronger against press coverage, but his reliability and knack for creating separation make him a natural target with Pro Bowl upside.
Pick n° 21 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Pittsburgh Steelers
With the twenty-first pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State.
An athletic tackle on the rise, Iheanachor has the physical tools and the kind of power that fits any run scheme. He’s still raw technically, especially in pass protection, but the signs are encouraging and he could climb fast thanks to the upside.
Tackles are having their moment in this 2026 class, with no fewer than six selections at the position in the last twelve picks!
Pick n° 22 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Los Angeles Chargers
With the twenty-second pick, the Los Angeles Chargers select Akheem Mesidor, LB, Miami.
An instinctive, busy pass rusher, Mesidor stands out for his fluidity, his variety of moves and his ability to adjust on the fly. He’s effective against the run and can also cause problems inside, but he could use a bit more power and length. Even so, his talent and motor make him a very intriguing prospect despite age and injury concerns.
Pick n° 23 Draft NFL 2026 : Dallas Cowboys
With the twenty-third pick, the Dallas Cowboys select Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF.
An NFL-shaped edge rusher with ideal size and length, Lawrence blends burst and a varied pass-rush toolbox to get after the quarterback. He can win inside or outside, but he still needs to add strength and become more consistent against the run. His upside, and the polish in his pass rush, make him a very appealing target.
Pick n° 24 Draft NFL 2026 : Cleveland Browns
With the twenty-fourth pick, the Cleveland Browns select KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M.
A quick, slippery receiver, Concepcion stands out for his ability to create separation and beat coverage with pure quickness. He’s dangerous on short routes and after the catch, and he should be especially useful in an offense with shaky protection or a young quarterback.
Pick n° 25 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Chicago Bears
With the twenty-fifth pick, the Chicago Bears select Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon.
A versatile, intelligent safety, Thieneman stands out for his read of the game, his pre-snap adjustments and his volume of tackles. He’s less comfortable in man coverage and he isn’t a big hitter, but he’s a dependable, well-rounded piece for an NFL secondary.
Pick n° 26 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Buffalo Bills←
→ 
Houston Texans
The Buffalo Bills have agreed a trade with the Houston Texans for multiple compensatory draft picks.
The Bills receive: the 28th overall pick (1st round).
The Texans receive: the 26th overall pick (1st round). For now, the other compensatory picks are still unknown.
With the twenty-sixth pick, the Buffalo Bills select Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech.
A powerful, experienced guard, Rutledge stands out for his physical impact and his effectiveness in the run game. His technique is solid enough, but his balance can be hit and miss and he’s limited in pass protection. Still, his toughness gives him the look of a useful backup with starter potential.
Pick n° 27 Draft NFL 2026 : 
San Francisco 49ers←
→ Miami Dolphins
The San Francisco 49ers won’t be making a first-round pick on opening night!
They have agreed a trade with the Miami Dolphins for multiple compensatory draft picks.
The 49ers receive: the 33rd overall pick (2nd round).
The Dolphins receive: the 27th overall pick (1st round). For now, the other compensatory picks are still unknown.
With the twenty-seventh pick, the Miami Dolphins select Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State.
A versatile cornerback who can play inside or outside, Johnson stands out for his discipline, technique and ability to stick to receivers without drawing flags. Strong in the tackle and effective at the catch point, he has the makings of a starter in a coverage-heavy defense.
Pick n° 28 Draft NFL 2026 : Buffalo Bills←
→ 
New England Patriots
The Buffalo Bills have agreed another straight swap, this time with the New England Patriots for multiple compensatory draft picks.
The Bills receive: the 31st overall pick (1st round).
The Texans receive: the 28th overall pick (1st round). For now, the other compensatory picks are still unknown.
With the twenty-eighth pick, the New England Patriots select Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah.
A left tackle still coming along, Lomu shows some encouraging basics in pass protection, with good balance and decent hand timing. He’s less of a factor in the run game and still needs more power and edge, but there’s real room for growth with coaching and repetition.
Pick n° 29 Draft NFL 2026 : Kansas City Chiefs
With the twenty-ninth pick, the Kansas City Chiefs select Peter Wooods, DT, Clemson.
A young interior defender, Woods wins with burst and nonstop activity, grinding out plays snap after snap. He is less of a pure power rusher and not a dominant one-on-one threat, but he can still wreck pockets in the right group. There’s real starter upside if the fit is right.
Pick n° 30 Draft NFL 2026 : Miami Dolphins←
→ New York Jets
The Miami Dolphins have agreed a trade with the New York Jets in exchange for multiple compensatory draft picks.
The Dolphins receive: the -ème overall pick (1st round), the -ème overall pick (2nd round), the -ème overall pick (4th round) and the 2026 first-round pick.
The Jets receive: the 30th overall pick (1st round). For now, the other compensatory picks are not known.
With the thirtieth pick, the New York Jets select Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana.
Pick n° 31 Draft NFL 2026 : Buffalo Bills←
→ Tennessee Titans
The Buffalo Bills will not be on the clock on night one!
They have agreed a third straight trade with the Tennessee Titans in exchange for multiple compensatory draft picks.
The Bills receive: the 35th overall pick (2nd round).
The Titans receive: the 31st overall pick (1st round). For now, the other compensatory picks are not known.
With the thirty-first pick, the Buffalo Bills select Keldrick Faulk, EDGE, Auburn.
A long, athletic defender, Faulk brings a promising frame, good movement and a decent bag of pass-rush moves. He is still developing physically and technically and needs to add power, but the upside is obvious. It may not take long for it to show at NFL level.
Pick n° 32 Draft NFL 2026 : 
Seattle Seahawks
With the thirty-second pick, the Seattle Seahawks select Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame.
An instinctive running back with excellent vision, Price stands out for his ability to spot lanes and find the end zone. He is less explosive and offers less as a receiver than some others in the class, but he is a natural, efficient runner who fits neatly as part of a committee.
Kenneth Walker III, the MVP of the last Super Bowl, is off to Kansas City. Seattle needed a replacement. Job done.
Une Draft NFL 2026 pleine d’échanges
19 offensive players (2 QB, 2RB, 5WR, 1TE, 7OT, 2OG) against 13 defenders (2DT, 6EDGE, 1LB, 2CB, 2S) — so yes, this 2026 NFL Draft was clearly offense-heavy. More than that, it showed teams are happy to shore up the lines before chasing playmakers. This opening night suggests the next few years will be fought in the trenches.
And then there were the seven trades (including five in the final seven picks), which kept things moving, with a special mention for the Buffalo Bills for stockpiling future draft capital. Will it pay off as early as next season?
Stay tuned. We are putting together a full roundup of the 2026 NFL Draft in our next articles.
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