2026 NFL Draft Results

Round 1 Picks 1-16

This draft features Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Miami FL defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: April 23, 2026.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana A+ Grade
   
   
   Las Vegas gets their quarterback in my first mock draft update on the website since August. Only one player in this draft scored a max grade of 99/99 for potential and ceiling after assessing this draft class. That player was Mendoza and largely because Indiana went 16-0 with Mendoza winning the Heisman. I do not believe Mendoza is in the same class of qbs that warrant a max grade coming out of college like John Elway, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Trevor Lawrence, or Caleb Williams. However, if the Las Vegas Raiders believe Fernando Mendoza can become that in 2-5 years, they have no reason to pass on him with the first overall pick. The asking price for this pick from the New York Jets was four first rounders and Garrett Wilson. Even with the signing of Kirk Cousins in Free Agency, Cousins is a bridge quarterback until Mendoza is ready to start. There is always the possibility Mendoza beats out Cousins in camp too.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 236 lb Fernando Mendoza had 3,535 passing yards, 276 rushing yards, 3,811 total yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 7 rushing touchdowns, 48 total touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Fernando Mendoza went 53/56 at Indiana's Pro Day with two of his three incompletions being drops by wide receivers. Fernando Mendoza had an amazing supporting cast on offense with Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. at wide receiver along with Carter Smith at left tackle and Pat Coogan at center. That supporting cast and Curt Cignetti's offense do mask some of his weaknesses. I don't think that will matter with Mendoza coming off a 16-0 season since he will be a stud if he reaches a max grade ceiling like Elway, Manning, and Luck did. There's also a chance Mendoza is a dud if the Raiders do not improve the offense around him.
   
   
   
   The Los Vegas Raiders offensive line has Kolton Miller back at left tackle, Spencer Burford at left guard, Tyler Linderbaum at center, and Jackson Powers-Johnson at right guard. I like Charles Grant as a backup left tackle and Caleb Rodgers as a backup right guard. Upgrading over DJ Glaze at right tackle is a must. You have Ashton Jeanty at running back, Brock Bowers as your main tight end, and Michael Mayer as your secondary tight end. You do not have a number one or number two wide receiver for Mendoza. Burford could be good, but he could alos be a disaster, but he's better than DJ Glaze. Mendoza could succeed in 2027 if the Raiders ease him in th way the Rams eased Jared Goff or the Chiefs eased Patrick Mahomes in. If he's thrown into the fire this season, I expect a ton of growing pains to the point where it may affect his confidence. That is why I feel like Mendoza is the first boom or bust prospect since Cam Newton in 2011. If Mendoza becomes as good as Cam Newton, the Raiders should return to a Super Bowl at some point in the future. We can explore that possibility in the 2030's if Mendoza ges a second contract since I do not believe it will happen right now in the 2020's decade. Right now Fernando Mendoza will likely strt out as a backup quarterback to veteran Kirk Cousins who signed a one year deal which is why the Raiders get a You Like That grade instead of an A+ grade.
   
   
   
   Fernando Mendoza is first on the Draft Utopia 2026 NFL Draft Simulator. Click that link to check out our six draft simulators at the Utopia Of Sports. We also have a 2026 MLS Draft Simulator, 2026 WNBA Draft Simulator, and a 2026 MLB Draft Simulator. I will try to make one for NBA and possibly NHL too.
   
   
   
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, RE, Texas Tech A Grade
   
   
   The 6-4 251 lb David Bailey had 32 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, 52 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, 3 deflections from pass breakups, and 3 forced fumbles in 2025. David Bailey can sack the quarterback, stop the run, and drop back into coverage. David Bailey also ran the fastest 40-yard dash among defensive ends at the 2026 NFL Combine. I have Rueben Bain Jr. graded above David Bailey, but Bailey is my third best overall pick as either one of those pass rushers would be a day 1 impact player on the New York Jets. David Bailey Jr. is probably a better scheme fit for the Arizona Cardinals 3-4 defense, but I got a 98/99 for potential on Rueben Bain Jr. and a 97/99 on David Bailey as I see Rueben Bain Jr. as a better scheme fit for a 4-3 defense, but I cannot fault the Jets as they actually got this pick right versus reaching for Arvel Reese. David Bailey will have Joseph Ossai complimenting him on the other side.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame A Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 212 lb Jeremyiah Love had 153 carries, 1,125 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 28 receptions, 237 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 181 touches, 1,362 total yards, and 19 total touchdowns in 2024. Jeremiyah Love had 190 carries, 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 27 receptions, 280 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 217 touches, 1,652 total yards, and 21 total touchdowns as a junior in 2025.
   
   
   
   Jeremiyah Love has the speed, pass catching, ball carrier vision, and pass blocking you want in an NFL running back. His predecessors Kyren Williams and Audric Estime checked off these boxes as well and Love looks like he should be better than Estime and has a shot to be just as good as Kyren Williams with potentialy more game speed. Drafting Jeremiyah Love gives the Arizona Cardinals a running back quadro of Jeremiyah Love, James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, and Trey Benson. I got a 97/99 potential grade on Jeremiyah Love.
   
   
   
   Here is film of Jeremiyah Love against Texas A&M. You can watch that video below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State A- Grade
   
   
   Tennessee goes and grabs their number one flanker wide receiver for Cam Ward. I got Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon ahead of Carnell Tate. Carnell Tate was sixteenth on my big board behind my fifteen blue chip players, but the Tennessee Titans needed to get a number one flanker wide receiver for Cam Ward.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 192 lb Carnell Tate had 52 receptions, 733 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns in 2024. With Emeka Egbuka now on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carnell Tate should see an increased role in his draft year this upcoming season. Carnell Tate had 51 receptions, 875 receiving yards, and 9 receiving touchdowns.
   
   
   
   Carnell Tate ran all thirty routes on the route tree from the 2024 tape I watched running 30/30 routes. Ohio State had three wide receivers that ran all thirty routes on the route tree in Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate which explains why they won the first 12 team College Football Playoff last year. Marvin Harrison Jr. also ran all 30 routes on the route tree before Arizona drafted him fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. I had a 94/99 potential grade on Carnell Tate. Calvin Ridley and Wan'Dale Robinson will compete for the secondary wide receiver job with the loser of that compettion moving to the slot. Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike become depth players now.
   
   
   
   
   
5. New York Giants: Arvel Reese, 3-4 MLB, Ohio State B- Grade
   
   
   New York needs a 3-4 middle linebacker. If Reese is drafted as a middle linebacker this is a decent pick. If he's drafted as a pass rusher this is a D grade. I'll give the Giants a B- grade.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 241 lb Arvel Reese had 34 solo tackles, 35 assisted tackles, 69 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries, and 2 deflectons from pass breakups in 2025. Only 15 players did well enough to earn a blue chip grade from me. Carnell Tate, Kenyon Sadiq, and Arvell Reese were my three best players that did not earn a blue chip grade from me.
   
   
   
   Arvel Reese does not have as high of a ceiling as Texas middle linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. whose still my top middle linebacker this year despite being an avid Ohio State fan. He did beat Anthony Hill Jr. with Ohio State's defense besting Texas 14-7 in the first week of the season. Arvel Reese made life hell for Arch Manning in the season opener. He also made life hell for Washington running back Jonah Coleman, my second best running back in this years draft. Reese has better size than Anthony Hill Jr. and he called plays for a former NFL defensive coordinator in Matt Patricia. These are the two biggest reasons he's being overhyped by NFL scouts in my opinion.
   
   
   
   I feel like Arvel Reese only excels as a pass rusher. His only two deflections came against the Ohio Bobcats. All of his sacks came from the season opener to November first before he struggled to get ot the quarterback in Ohio State's final two games. Arvel Reese is not the best pass rusher, run stuffer, or linebacker in coverage while I believe Anthony Hill Jr. excels in all three of those areas.
   
   
   
6. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansor Delane, CB, LSU A+ Grade
   
   
   Kansas City replaced a cornerback with Pro Bowl upside in Trent McDuffie with a blue chip cornerback to be their number one field cornerback. I heard the Chiefs were going to trade 6 and 29 to Cleveland earlier today, but they moved up to 6 and gave up a lot less. LSU cornerback Mansor Delane was my top cornerback in this draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 187 lb Mansor Delane had 26 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 45 total tackles, 11 deflections from pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and 1 quarterback hurry in 2025. I gave Mansor Delane an A+ grade in man coverage, a A grade in zone coverage, and an A+ in press coverage. Mansor Delane can play in a cover 0, cover 1, cover 2, a cover 3, an cover 4 defense. Mansor Delane is one of two cornerbacks that approaches being a blue chip prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft with the other cornerback being D'Angelo Ponds on Indiana despite his size.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, ROLB, Ohio State C+ Grade
   
   
   Sonny Styles was twenty sixth on my big board. He was one of Joey's three blue chip grades as I had fifteen blue chip grades. I'll give Washington a solid C+ grade here.
   
   
   
   The 6-5 244 lb Sonny Styles had 46 solo tackles, 36 assisted tackles, 82 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 4 quarterback hurries, 3 defletions from pass breakups, and 1 sack i 2025. Sonny Styles is the best 4-3 right outside linebacker on the weak side in the 2026 NFL Draft in terms of athletic traits, but Jacob Rodriguez is the best outside linebacker in terms of potential and I'd have taken Rodriguez over Styles.
   
   
   
8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State A+ Grade
   
   
   Tyler Shough did better than expected this past season as a rookie. I mocked Luther Burden III to New Orleans last year as he entered the draft as my number one wide receiver. This year my top wide receiver prospect is Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. I know he hasn't worked out for teams, but he's expected to work out on April 17th. I think the durability concerns with Tyson are being overblown to a degree.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 203 lb Jordyn Tyson had 75 receptions, 1,101 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns as a sophomore in 2024. I got a 94/99 for potential on Jordyn Tyson. New Orleans will probably draft a number two wide receiver next to Chris Olave whose had trouble staying healthy the past few seasons. Chris Olave did not get injured until the final week of the regular season.
   
   
   
   Jordyn Tyson ran 14/30 routes on the route tree. That is slightly below average, but if he can build on his spectacular sophomore season and improve his route tree, he could go even higher than where he is currently projected. On the flip side, if he regresses he could fall in the draft. Jordyn Tyson showed the ability to run all 30 routes in the early part of the season. After the Texas Tech game where Arizona State beat Texas Tech, he missed most of the season only playing in Arizona State's final two games looking rusty in those games as starting quarterback Sam Leavitt who transferred to LSU also had a season ending injury.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, LT, Utah A Grade
   
   
   Cleveland needs a left tackle. Dawand Jones can still work at right tackle, but getting a quality blindside for whoever plays quarterback on the Cleveland Browns in 2026, which will most likely be Shedeur Sanders has to be the goal for the Cleveland Browns. Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano makes a lot of sense here. That would give Cleveland an offensive line with Spencer Fano at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard, and Tytus Howard at right tackle.
   
   
   
   The 6-5 311 lb Spencer Fano has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, run blocking footwork, zone blocking, pancake blocking, pull blocking, and cut blocking you want in an offensive tackle. Having the versatility to play both offensive tackle roles starting at left tackle as a true freshman before moving to right tackle as a true sophomore shows he is versatile enough to plug into either offensive tackle role. The only offensive tackles that have higher ceilings than Fano are Francis Mauigoa and Brian Parker II out of Duke who may move inside to center which is why Fano gets the nod here for Cleveland at 9.
   
   
   
10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, RG, Miami FL A Grade
    
    
    The 6-6 335 lb Francis Mauigoa has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, and run blocking footwork you want in a right tackle. His zone blocking, pancake blocking, pull blocking, and cut blocking need to improve in 2025, but he did enough as a pass blocker with top draft pick Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez to assert himself as a first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He got Miami FL to the championship game in 2026 where they lost to Indiana. Francis Mauigoa projects better as a right guard than a right tackle in the NFL and that is the position the New York Giants are going to move him to.
    
    
    
    Kadyn Proctor and Francis Mauigoa were the two five star offensive tackles that were day 1 starters in college in the 2023 recruiting class with Proctor playing left tackle at Alabama and Mauigoa playing right tackle at Miami FL. The New York Giants now hve Andrew Thomas at left tackle, Jon Runyan Jr. at left guard, John Michael Schmitz, Francis Mauigoa at right guard, and Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, FS, Ohio State A+ Grade
    
    
    Dallas got my second best player and second top five player at 11. It only cost them two fifth round compensation picks too.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 205 lb Caleb Downs had 70 solo tackles, 37 assisted tackles, 107 total tackles, 4 deflections from pass breakups, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 2 interceptions, 4 returns for 87 yards on punt returns, and 1 special teams touchdown as a true freshman after being a five star recruit in High School in 2023. Caleb Downs had 49 solo tackles, 33 assisted tackles, 82 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 6 deflections from pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 1 quarterback hurry, 0.5 sack, 6 returns for 98 yards, and 1 touchdown on special teams leading Ohio State to a National Championship as the top true sophomore in the nation in 2024. Caleb Downs had 45 solo tackles, 23 assisted tackles, 68 total tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2 deflections from pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 2 force fumbles, 1 sack, and 1 quarterback hurry in 2025.
    
    
    
    Caleb Downs got an A+ in man coverage, zone coverage, and press coverage. Caleb Downs can play in a cover 0, cover 1, cover 2, cover 3, or cover 4 defense. Eric Berry and Kyle Hamilton were the only two safeties to begin and end their draft years with an A+ in all three coverage categories. Caleb Downs ran a 4.43 40-yard dash this Spring and is closer to Eric Berry than Kyle Hamilton in terms of game speed, but without the versatility to play all three defensive back roles at nickel cornerback, strong safety, and free safety that you want a defensive back that plays safety in the NFL to play. Caleb Downs is a pure free safety, but he fills a need and is arguably the best overall player in the entire 2026 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    Dallas now has Da'Ron Bland at field cornerback, Caelen Carson at boundary cornerback, Shavon Revel Jr. at nickel cornerback, Malik Hooker at strong safety, and Caleb Downs at free safety. This secondary will be tough to throw against.
    
    
    
    Here is film of Caleb Downs against Texas. You can watch that video below.
    
    
    
    
    
    
12. Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, LG, Alabama B- Grade
    
    
    Kadyn Proctor was a reach here. I had five offensive tackles graded ahead of him. Miami had much bigger needs and they reached for Kadyn Proctor whose not even guaranteed to beat out Patrick Paul at left tackle or Austin Jackson at right tackle for a starting left tackle job on the Miami Dolphins as the blindside to Malik Willis.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 352 lb Kadyn Proctor has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, and pancake blocking you want. His run blocking footwork is abysmal as Proctor is a liability as a run blocker when he doesn't get his hands on a defender. He is not a great zone blocker and does not seem like someone who excels as a pull blocker or a cut blocker despite his massive size.
    
    
    
    Miami is playing Kadyn Proctor at left guard. Miami's offensive line will have Patrick Paul at left tackle, Kadyn Proctor at left guard, Aaron Brewer at center, Jonah Savaiinaea at right guard, and Austin Jackson at right tackle. Jamaree Salyer will be the swing tackle for depth. I originally had a C grade on Kadyn Proctor if he was going to play left tackle. With him moving to left guard you could bump this up to an B+ grade, but I'll give Miami a B- grade here.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama C- Grade
    
    
    I gave the Rams a C- here. Ty Simpson was my fifth best quarterback, but the second best quarterback on my board.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 211 lb Ty Simpson had 3,567 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 93 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 3,660 total yards, 30 total touchdowns, and 5 interceptons in 2025. Ty Simpson only has one year of experience as a starter and is my fifth best quarterback.
    
    
    
14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, LG, Penn State A- Grade
    
    
    Olaivavega Ioane was my top ranked guard. I think Baltimore had a bigger need at center than left guard. That is why I gave the Ravens an A- grade.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 320 lb Olaivavega Ioane has the pass blocking, pass blocking strength, pass blocking footwork, run blocking, run blocking strength, and run blocking footwork you want in a left guard. His zone blocking, pancake blocking, pull blocking, and cut blocking need work. He's the top guard in the 2026 NFL Draft despite these weaknesses as he is a day 1 starter with upside to develop into a Pro Bowl left guard if he fixes his weaknesses.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., 3-4 ROLB, Miami FL A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 263 lb Rueben Bain Jr. had 30 solo tackles, 24 assisted tackles, 54 total tackles, 83 quarterback pressures, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries, 1 deflection from a pass breakup, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble in 2025. Rueben Bain Jr. showecased the ability to win double teams in Miami FL's season opener even winning a triple team on one play. When Miami FL barely edged out Notre Dame for the last spot in the 2025-2026 College Football Playoff, Miami made the National Title before losing to Indiana this past season. Rueben Bain Jr. can line up at 4-3 right end, 4-3 left end, 3-4 right outside linebacker, 3-4 left outside linebacker, 3-4 right end, and 3-4 left end with his versatility.
    
    
    
    Tampa Bay needed a sack artist. They got my second best player in the entire draft at 15.
    
    
    
16. New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon C+ Grade
    
    
    New York had bigger needs than tight end. Kenyon Sadiq isn't a great route runner. He's a heck of a blocker though. His ceiling is higher than Mason Taylor's, but I'm not sure he beats him out for the starting tight end job i training camp. I had seven players graded higher than Kenyon Sadiq with blue chip grades still available. I mocked him to the Ravens at 14, so I will give the Jets a C+ grade here.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 241 lb Kenyon Sadiq had 51 receptions, 560 passing yards, and 8 receiving touchdowns. Kenyon Sadiq is a great blocker, but he's not the route runner previous tight ends in the last few drafts are. Kenyon Sadiq ran 15/30 routes on the route tree. He does have enough of a ceiling to develop into a blue chip tight end if he fixes his route running, but he's raw. Kenyon Sadiq could have success on a team like New York as the secondary tight end and could eventually become the primary tight end.