In this article, we will be grading each first round draft pick from this NFL draft last Thursday. This is based on our own opinion by using game film, and our own knowledge of the sport.

• Pick 1 (Raiders): Fernando Mendoza QB. I grade this a unanimous A+. The Raiders have been looking for a good play-caller ever since Derek Carr. Mendoza is THAT quarterback. And what makes it even better is that he gets to learn under The GOAT himself, as well as Kirk Cousins. Best pick they could’ve made.
• Pick 2 (Jets): David Bailey EDGE. I grade this an A+, they took what they needed and got the best available player, this dude is a beast. 
• Pick 3 (Cardinals) Jeremiyah Love HB. I grade this a C grade, I love the player, but this was not the move for the Cardinals. Personally, I would’ve taken a defensive player at this spot, or traded down to get more draft capital. 
• Pick 4 (Titans): Carnell Tate WR. I grade this B-, why do you draft a receiver this early? They needed to get Cam Ward weapons and they got one.
• Pick 5 (Giants) Arvell Reese LB/EDGE. I grade this a B. Although I believe Arvell Reese will end up being one of the top players in the NFL one day, I don’t see where he plays on this Giants D-Line. I see him being used more as a blitzing linebacker, with minimal reps in coverage. 
• Pick 6 (Browns)-> Traded to Chiefs: Mansoor Delane CB. I got this one at an A, the best CB in this class gets drafted where he can succeed. 
• Pick 7 (Commanders) Sonny Styles LB. I grade this pick at an A. Styles is a freak athlete who has the skills to play damn near any position on this Commanders’ Defense. He is going to be the Quarterback of this defense for many years to come.
• Pick 8 (Saints): Jordyn Tyson WR. I grade this an A-, I still think this is a little early for a receiver, and with Jordyn Tyson’s injury problems, it’s a little risky but they got their 
• Pick 9 (Chiefs)-> Traded to Browns- Spencer Fano OT. I grade this a B+. Spencer Fano is an amazing lineman who can help with the run game as well as protect whoever ends up as the Quarterback for Cleveland.
• Pick 10 (Giants): Francis Mauigoa OT. I grade this an A+. An O-lineman is never a bad pick and they took the best one available. He’s probably going to switch positions and become a guard. 
• Pick 11 (Dolphins)> Traded to Cowboys- Caleb Downs S. I grade this an A+. Honestly, I don’t understand how he managed to fall down this far in the draft. I saw him going top 5. As WR Malik Nabers said on a livestream during the 1st day of the draft.
• Pick 12 (Cowboys)> Traded to Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor OT. I got this one at a B-, they pass up on Caleb Downs and reach the 3rd best OT. I wanted the Lions to trade DOWN to get this guy, he’s still a beast but I didn’t expect him to go at 12. 
• Pick 13 (Rams) Ty Simpson QB. I grade this as a C+. Honestly, the Rams are in a Win-Now scenario, with reigning MVP Matt Stafford at the helm. He is already 37, and looking at possible retirement, you’d want to boost their team to help win a Superbowl before he calls it quits. However, I do understand that they are looking towards the future of the franchise so in that sense, it can be a good move for the Rams. This is a project for the Rams.
• Pick 14 (Ravens): Olaivavega Ioane OG. A+, how did this guy fall to 14? Best available Guard taken by a cold weather division team who needs to protect their QB and establish a running game. Great pick by Baltimore.
• Pick 15 (Buccaneers) Rueben Bain Jr.EDGE. I grade this an A. I saw him as a top-10 pick in this draft, so getting him outside of that range is a steal in my book. Many teams overlooked him because of his smaller sized arms, at only 30.5 inches long. This can be seen as a major downside going into the NFL, but his pure power and tenacity is what made him so phenomenal at getting into the backfield. I think he’ll do great things in Tampa.
• Pick 16 (Jets): Kenyon Sadiq TE. B+, taking the best available Tight End when the league is becoming more and more TE needy is a great idea. But, I think they should’ve filled other holes.
• Pick 17 (Lions) Blake Miller OT. I give this pick a B+. Honestly I’m not too familiar with Blake Miller, but I think he could be pretty good for the Lions O-Line. He played the maximum amount of snaps in college football and has a huge frame built for protecting Jared Goff. I need to see how he plays for us this season to give him a higher grade.
• Pick 18 (Vikings): Caleb Banks DT. I got this pick at a B, he’s just too injury prone. He’s a talented player, but he came into this draft as the 3rd ranked DT. The Vikings might have only watched his 2024 film.
• Pick 19 (Panthers) Monroe Freeling OT. I give this pick an A. the biggest concern with the Panthers was their O-line, so getting another protector for Bryce young was pretty good.
• Pick 20 (Cowboys)>Traded to Eagles: Makai Lemon WR. I am giving this draft pick two grades, C+ if they don’t trade AJ Brown, A- if they do trade AJ Brown. I can see this draft pick going well because of the AJ Brown dilemma in Philly. They knew that something was wrong with AJ Brown and got their guy. 
• Pick 21 (Steelers) Max Iheanachor OT. I give this a B-. The Steelers lost most of their lineman in free agency, so any O-lineman would be a good pick. 
• Pick 22 (Chargers): Akheem Mesidor EDGE. B+, good pick, this reason this guy fell so far was because of his age. He’s 25, but he was still dominating the competition at Miami. Him and Rueben Bain jr were carrying the Hurricane to the natty. 
• Pick 23 (Eagles)>Traded to Cowboys- Malachi Lawrence EDGE. In this draft, the Cowboys were able bolster their defense, which is very good for Dallas. I give this an A grade.
• Pick 24 (Browns): KC Concepcion WR. I got this at an A-, good pick by the Browns. They needed a new WR1 because Jerry Jeudy has been a little disappointing. They got a very talented receiver that should get the job done.
• Pick 25 (Bears)- Dillon Thieneman S. I give this an A grade. Dillon Thieneman deserved to be top 16, so getting him at 25 is a massive steal. He is going to play great for the Bears.
• Pick 26 (Bills)> Traded to Texans: Keylan Rutledge OG. A, probably the most pro-ready run blocking Guard in the draft. The Texans are so desperately needing line support and they got their guy. 
• Pick 27 (49ers)> Traded to Dolphins- Chris Johnson CB. I don’t have much knowledge on Chris Johnson, but I believe any pick could be a good pick for the Dolphins, they are lacking a lot of players on both sides of the ball. I give this a B.
• Pick 28 (Texans)> Traded to Patriots: Caleb Lomu OT. A-, This proves that they aren’t confident in Will Campbell working out at LT. As I said earlier, a lineman is never a bad pick and they got a guy that can help their team.
• Pick 29 (Chiefs)- Peter Woods DT. I give this an A. The Chiefs getting Peter Woods in the end of the 1st round is a massive steal as he is arguably the best DT in the draft. He gets to play alongside Chris Jones and be his successor for the Red Kingdom.
• Pick 30 (Dolphins)> Traded to Jets: Omar Cooper Jr WR. B+, They needed help at most positions and they opted to go heavily offensive this draft. Omar was the best WR available, I like this pick.
• Pick 31 (Patriots)> Traded to Titans- Keldric Faulk EDGE. I give this pick an A for the Titans. They were in desperate need of some edge pressure on their D-Line and after trading for Jermaine Johnson II and drafting Faulk, I think the Titans will have that this season. Overall good pick for Tennessee.
• Pick 32 (Seahawks): Jadarian Price RB. I got this at an A-, the 2nd Notre Dame RB taken in the first round. With losing MSU Legend, Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker in free agency they needed to fill that hole. Price is a great back and he will show that in his rookie year. 

Overall, the 2026 NFL Draft was pretty interesting, but we liked how unexpected it was. We cannot wait for next year. We wish good health and success to all these rookies, and hope they turn out good for their teams.