NFL Draft Grades 2026

2026 NFL Draft Grades for Picks 1-16:

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana – A Grade
   It’s great that the Raiders didn’t listen to Dan Orlovsky and his army of 15 NFL general managers he allegedly spoke to who agreed with him that Ty Simpson was a better prospect than Fernand Mendoza. This was complete nonsense, and the Raiders made the correct choice. One of Charlie Campbell’s sources compared Mendoza to Joe Flacco with mobility, so if that holds up, the Raiders will be very happy with this pick.
   
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2. New York Jets: David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech – A Grade
   David Bailey is the right pick. He is a proven edge rusher, while Arvell Reese is a one-year starter who happens to be a project because he has no natural position. Bailey will give the Jets a good chance to rattle Josh Allen and Drake Maye.
   
   
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame – D Grade
   We called this pick, and I made a lot of money from betting this selection, but I hate this decision. The Cardinals have a terrible roster and some OK running backs, so this seems like a waste. Love is undoubtedly an upgrade over the Arizona runners, but there’s nothing around him, so he’ll likely struggle to find any running room behind a pedestrian offensive line and no passing game.
   
   
4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State – B Grade
   Wow, this is a surprise! The Titans really wanted to help Cam Ward, so it makes sense with Jeremiyah Love off the board. Tate over Jordyn Tyson is very interesting because Tyson is considered more of a No. 1 than Tate. I would’ve gone with Tyson, but I can’t fault the Titans for drafting a receiver.
   
   
5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, DE/OLB, Ohio State – C- Grade
   I guess the Giants didn’t think Arvell Reese would be available, so they passed on Jordyn Tyson for him. Reese may be intriguing, but again, he has no set position and is just a one-year starter. Now, Tyson may not get to the Giants, so it’ll be difficult to find some help for Jaxson Dart. This pick has a ton of upside, but there’s a low floor as well, especially when considering that edge rush was not a need whatsoever.
   
   
6. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU – MILLEN Grade
   The Chiefs traded up three spots for a player they easily could have taken at No. 9. Wow. Mansoor Delane is considered the top cornerback in this class, but only because Jermod McCoy isn’t healthy. McCoy is a better corner, making this a very strange pick. It’s not like the Chiefs didn’t have any other needs.
   
   
7. Washington Redskins: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State – A Grade
   Sonny Styles doesn’t provide positional value, but that’s out the window in this lackluster draft class. The Redskins are getting the best player on the board who fills a huge need for them. They should be able to cover the middle of the field for once, and Styles will be very useful against the Eagles’ offense.
   
   
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints – A Grade
   The Saints were able to get the No. 1 receiver in this class at No. 8. Great job! It’s nice that they can help a young (sort of) quarterback with an additional weapon, especially with Chris Olave being such an injury risk. Speaking of injury risks, Tyson has some durability concerns, but nothing like a knee or anything. Mike Evans also has hamstring issues, and I doubt the Buccaneers regret drafting and paying him.
   
   
9. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah – A+ Grade
   We don’t get to say this often, but great drafting by the Browns. They easily could have drafted the top tackle in this class at No. 6, yet they fooled the Chiefs into thinking someone wanted Mansoor Delane at No. 7 or 8, picking up third- and fifth-round picks in the process. And yet, they still obtained the player they wanted at No. 6! This is an A+ pick for the Browns, who finally have a potential stud at left tackle.
   
   
10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami – D Grade
    What in the world are the Giants doing? They initially drafted a developmental player over an explosive receiver to potentially be an edge rusher, which they don’t need, and now they drafted a tackle, which they also don’t need, and yet that tackle may not be able to play this year because of a back injury. New York had loads of potential entering the 2026 NFL Draft and squandered it.
    
    
11. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State – B Grade
    I don’t know why the Cowboys would move up to No. 11 when they had their choice of Caleb Downs and Rueben Bain. They just wasted two fifth-round picks, which isn’t the end of the world, but is still a poor use of resources. That spoils what would otherwise be an “A” pick because Downs is one of the top players in this class. The Cowboys desperately needed to find play-makers for their defense, and they certainly obtained one.
    
    
12. Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama – A- Grade
    The Lions were really hoping Kadyn Proctor would fall to them, but the Dolphins would have none of that. Proctor is risky with his weight, but there’s a ton of upside with this pick for the Dolphins, who have needed offensive line help for years. On top of that, they also picked up two fifth-round picks for free. Nice job!
    
    
13. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama – WHAT BIG KIELBASAS MILLEN GRADE
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
    
    Sorry. This is one of the dumbest picks I’ve ever seen. The Rams are on the verge to win the Super Bowl right now. They needed the best player available to put them over the top. Instead, they selected a one-year starter who melted down in every big game. There’s a chance Simpson wouldn’t have been the starter at Alabama had he returned to school.
    
    Some will compare this to the Packers drafting Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, but the difference is that the Packers didn’t reach on them. They took those two quarterbacks, and Rodgers was a massive value. This is a huge reach. I can’t believe the Rams made what could be the dumbest selection in NFL history if it costs them a Super Bowl.
    
    
14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State – A Grade
    The Ravens, as usual, were able to get a great value. Vega Ioane may not be considered as such because he was projected to go in this area, but only because of his position. This is a poor draft class, so you can throw positional value out the window. There’s a good chance Ioane will be considered a top-five player from this class, and he’ll provide the Ravens with a big upgrade at guard. Baltimore, unlike Los Angeles, understood that it needed to use this pick to help it win a Super Bowl.
    
    
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain, DE, Miami – A Grade
    What an amazing value. Rueben Bain could have easily gone in the 7-10 range, and no one would have blinked an eye. Bain was dinged for short arms, but he’s a great player and should be able to be productive in the pros. The Buccaneers desperately needed an edge rusher, and they got the best one who’s been on the board since the fifth pick was made.
    
    
16. New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon – A Grade
    Multi-tight end formations have been en vogue lately, so this pick makes sense despite the Jets having a talented tight end in Mason Taylor. Kenyon Sadiq figures to be a great weapon for the Jets, who are starved for play-makers outside of Garrett Wilson. Arch Manning has to love this selection because he’s currently slotted to the Jets in our 2027 NFL Mock Draft.
    
    
2026 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 2025 NFL Draft Re-Grades | NFL Draft Team Grades