2026 NFL Draft Review: Day 1 Winners & Losers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

• Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

One of the shocking slides in the first round was Bain falling to Tampa Bay with the 15th overall pick. Bain was expected to go late in the top 10 or early teens, but he made it all the way to 15. Bain fills a big need as the Buccaneers were lacking a pass rush last season, and Bain could immediately contribute. Bain will improve their physcality at the point of attack and contribute to setting a tough edge in the ground game. In the 2026 NFL Draft, Bain was one of the best value picks in the first round.

New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Saints got lucky that the Titans and Giants screwed up their picks (see below), letting Tyson fall right into the lap of New Orleans. Tyson has the potential to be a true No. 1 receiver with quality size, speed, and tremendous burst out of his break to create separation from cornerbacks. Tyson is a dynamic route-runner and is a tough receiver willing to play through injury. With Chris Olave having issues with concussions, Tyson could be the long-term No. 1 receiver for Tyler Shough. With the eighth pick in the draft, Tyson was a good value and could prove to be a core piece in the Saints’ rebuild.

Miami Dolphins:

• Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
• Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

The Dolphins had one of the best drafts in the NFL, and it started with a good combo of picks on the opening night. Miami was poised to take Kadyn Proctor with the 11th pick in the first round before the Cowboys gave them two free picks at 177 and 180 in order to move down one spot at still land the player they were going to take. Proctor can immediately step in as the starting left or right tackle for Miami, and the massive Proctor has the upside to be one of the best left tackles in the NFL. At 6-foot-7, 355 pounds, Proctor is a powerful run blocker and a physical force at the point of attack. He can blast open holes for Devon Achane while improving the pass protection for Malik Willis. Proctor fits Miami’s stated desire to get bigger and more physical. The offensive line has been a problem for the Dolphins the past few years, and Proctor is a huge step forward in fixing it.

After trading down, Miami moved up from pick 30 to take Johnson. Johnson offers size, speed, and athletic upside. Corner was a huge problem for the Dolphins last season, and Johnson has the potential to be a No. 1 corner for Miami. Landing that possibility late in the first round is an excellent value. Losing Jaylen Waddle is probably going to be short-term pain, but getting an outside corner with No. 1 potential will make it a long-term gain. Miami hit premium positions with big upside players to start their rebuilding process with an excellent opening night of the draft.

Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The Titans made the first surprising pick in the 2026 NFL Draft when they selected Tate with the fourth-overall pick. While Tate had a fine 2025 season, he was a backup in previous seasons and was never the No. 1 receiver on his own team. For the NFL, Tate lacks a dominant trait to regularly beat pro corners. He lacks elite speed, does not have mismatch size, or special explosiveness. Tate should be a solid No. 2 wideout as a pro, but teams can find those on the second day of the draft, and taking a receiver in the top-10 should be a receiver with an elite and rare skill set. Tate does not fit that bill, and Tennessee overdrafted him.

New York Giants:

• Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
• Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

The Giants turned two picks in the top 10 into an off-ball linebacker and a guard, and that is terrible positional value for New York. Arvell Reese is a great physical talent, but he is very raw and needs to be taught a lot. It would not shock me if he turned into an excellent pro or if he was a bust similar to other hybrid linebackers like Isaiah Simmons or Haason Reddick. I think taking Reese over Jordyn Tyson was a huge mistake. Tyson would have been a co-No. 1 receiver with Malik Nabers, and that duo could have turned the Giants into one of the most potent and dangerous young passing attacks in the NFL. Nabers is coming off an ACL injury, and he could have a down season, as is common for many players returning from that injury. Plus, he will be facing a ton of double teams when he does get back on the field. Hence, it would make a lot of sense to have a skilled separation receiver for Jaxson Dart to work with in year two.

Mauigoa is a solid pick to be a quality starter, but he might only be a guard, and taking a guard in the top 10 is poor value. They could have had a better prospect in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and then landed a guard in the second round.

In the course of NFL history, no coach has won a Super Bowl with a second franchise. I think this draft laid the foundation for John Harbaugh to extend that streak with his second head coaching job.