After months upon months of mock drafts and various 2026 NFL Draft predictions, we're now approaching the real thing. The NFL Draft is being held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as hundreds of thousands of fans, media personnel, and everyone in between will converge into the Steel City for one of the most fun times of the year.
This year's NFL Draft sticks out for a couple of main reasons. First off, the quarterback class has largely been seen as below-average, and it's probably going to shake out that way. There's a chance that only Fernando Mendoza hears his name called in Round 1 at the position, but Alabama's Ty Simpson could be lurking as a fringe-Round 1 player.
But overall, this year's draft class does lack top-end talent, as there might not be more than 5-10 true blue-chip prospects, so there could be some chaos in the first round. Our first-ever NFL Draft tracker will keep all of the picks up to date and offer key analysis for notable selections as well.
2026 NFL Draft Tracker: Picks, analysis, and much more
Notable Prospects:
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The best quarterback in the draft and someone who profiles as a pure pocket passer with above-average accuracy, Mendoza may fall into a tier somewhere in or around players like Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, and Matt Ryan.
Arvell Reese, EDGE/ILB, Ohio State
Likely capable of playing both the EDGE and inside linebacker spots, Arvell Reese could hear his name as early as the second overall pick and head to the New York Jets.
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Simpson is a fringe-first-rounder and could emerge as a mid-level starter at best. There are a lot of limitations with the prospect, but we've seen some questionable quarterbacks go in Round 1 in previous drafts, so it's on the table for Simpson.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love is a weapon on offense, not just a running back. Perhaps going as early as the third overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals. Upside as a runner and pass-catcher, Love's ceiling could be near a Jahmyr Gibbs level.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Notable undersized for an EDGE, Rueben Bain Jr.'s draft slot is not something that many have agreed on. He does feel like he's a lock for the top-10, but the length is really what is tripping people up.
Teams with two first-round picks:
New York Jets
Thanks to the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades, the New York Jets have five first-round picks over the next two NFL Drafts, including two in the top-16 this year.
New York Giants
The New York Giants sent Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick in a major move that not many saw coming. Suddenly sporting two top-10 selections, the Giants could look to double-dip on defense or split the difference, perhaps targeting a duo of, let's say, Caleb Downs and Jordyn Tyson.
Cleveland Browns
Thanks to the Travis Hunter trade, the Cleveland Browns are in ownership of the Jacksonville Jaguars' first-round pick. Cleveland did well well in last year's NFL Draft, so General Manager Andrew Berry does have a ton of momentum here.
Kansas City Chiefs
Trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, the Kansas City Chiefs sport two first-round picks, but with how this front office has performed in the NFL Draft in recent years, it does feel like an uphill battle for these selections.
Miami Dolphins
Sending Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos for pick 30 and more, the Miami Dolphins now have a total of seven picks in the top-100 selections before any pick trades. Miami has a great shot to get a slew of long-term pieces on the roster for an obvious rebuild.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers and currently pick at slots 12 and 20 before any pick trades. The Cowboys are probably two impact additions away on defense from putting that unit together, but there does seem to be a bit of smoke developing for a first-round wide receiver.
Round 1 Tracker (return for updates as the first round pours in)
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This pick was always going to happen. The Raiders have now set the foundation for long-term success by taking Fernando Mendoza.
2. New York Jets - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
Arvell Reese was in play here, it seemed, but the Jets preferred a player in David Bailey who may have a higher floor than Reese, but a lower ceiling.
3. Arizona Cardinals - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
This was a slight shock. The Cardinals had interest in moving out of this pick but ended up sticking in place and taking Jeremiyah Love, who is not just a running back, but a flat-out offensive weapon.
4. Tennessee Titans - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Definitely on the shocking side, the Titans take Carnell Tate and give Cam Ward a major weapon on offense. Tate is a George Pickens-type of player with that kind of ceiling. This is a stellar pick.
5. New York Giants - Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
With Arvell Reese slipping out of the top-4 picks, the Giants add yet another explosive player along the defensive line. Sure, Dexter Lawrence exited, but this unit does have a ton of pass-rushers.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (via CLE) - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs traded up with the Cleveland Browns to take Mansoor Delane, a polished, day one starter at cornerback. After trading away Trent McDuffie, they bring in a new CB1 with this pick.
7. Washington Commanders - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Commanders bring in another new linebacker and grab Sonny Styles at pick seven. Dan Quinn is a defensive guy, so this pick is not a shock.
8. New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Well, the slide didn’t last long for Jordyn Tyson, who now pairs up with Chris Olave in New Orleans to give Tyler Shough a potentially lethal wide receiver duo.
9. Cleveland Browns (via KC) - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Potentially having the ability to play guard, tackle, and center, Spencer Fano is a true specimen along the offensive line.
10. New York Giants - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
This was a bit of a surprising pick, as the Giants take Francis Mauigoa. Sure, offensive linemen are always important, but this was less of a need than you think. It would make sense, though, if Mauigoa moved inside to guard, as the Giants could use another interior starter.
11. Dallas Cowboys (via MIA) - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
This was a slam-dunk pick by the Cowboys, landing a true field general in the middle of the defense and someone who can help sort everything out on the backend of the unit for years to come.
12. Miami Dolphins (via DAL) - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor wasn’t a consensus player in the NFL Draft this year. Some look at him as a tackle, while others view him as a guard. Either way, the Dolphins get more stout in the trenches.
13. Los Angeles Rams - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
This pick originally belonged to the Atlanta Falcons. Ty Simpson is obviously going to sit behind Matthew Stafford for a year or two, but this could pay off big-time in the long-term. Simpson may have landed in the most ideal situation possible.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Vega Ioane is one of the safest players in the NFL Draft and is someone who is going to be an elite run blocker and Pro Bowl-caliber player for years.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Rueben Bain Jr.’s slide stops with the 15th overall pick. Bain wins with bend and power, and those are two qualities that translate into the NFL.
16. New York Jets - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Suddenly, the Jets have a ton of young talent on the offensive side of the ball, and this includes the offensive line. New York snags Kenyon Sadiq and continues to build this roster up with key talent.
17. Detroit Lions - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
A slam-dunk pick for the Lions, Blake Miller is a pure right tackle prospect who has over 50 games of experience in college.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Caleb Banks has an injury history, but he has top-10 upside and insane measurables. This is a solid pick if Banks can get and stay on the field.
19. Carolina Panthers - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The ability to play both tackle spots, the Panthers do some future planning with a great Monroe Freeling pick.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (via DAL) - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
If it’s not obvious that the Eagles plan on trading Makai Lemon, I don’t know what would make it such. Lemon is a slot fiend and could become a 100-reception guy for the team sooner than you think.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
A developmental tackle prospect with insane upside, the Steelers make a huge gamble at pick 21 that could pay off big-time.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
Akheem Mesidor is already 25 years old, but he’s a first-round prospect for a reason. The Chargers supercharge their defensive line.
23. Dallas Cowboys (via PHI) - Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
With high-end traits and athleticism, the Cowboys take a gamble with Malachi Lawrence, who will need patience to develop.
24. Cleveland Browns - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Browns add some offensive help and take a wide receiver in KC Concepcion, who can be hugely dangerous with the ball in his hands.
25. Chicago Bears - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
A do-it-all safety, Dillon Thieneman is a day one starter for a revamped Bears secondary.
26. Houston Texans (via BUF) - Keylan Rutledge, OG, Georgia Tech
The Texans continue to vastly improve the offensive line, taking Keylan Rutledge in a move that could bear fruit down the line, but perhaps not immediately.
27. Miami Dolphins (via SF) - Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Miami continues to stack talent and come out of Round 1 with Proctor and Chris Johnson, two hopeful building blocks on both sides of the ball.
28. New England Patriots (via HOU and BUF) - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
This is a great pick for the Patriots, as they keep adding talent to the offensive line. Does Will Campbell now kick inside to guard with Caleb Lomu in the picture?
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
This is a great pick for the Chiefs, who double-dip on the defensive side of the ball and snag Peter Woods, a versatile defender.
30. New York Jets (via MIA) - Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Jets continue to add offensive talent and lay the groundwork for an eventual young quarterback, perhaps in the 2027 NFL Draft, and take Omar Cooper Jr.
31. Tennessee Titans (via BUF) - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Titans took Tate earlier in Round 1 and dip back into the first round to take Keldric Faulk, giving Robert Saleh another weapon to use along the defensive line.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Unsurprisingly, the Seahawks take Jadarian Price from Notre Dame, essentially replacing the vacancy left by Kenneth Walker III. Price is a pure runner and should be able to assume RB1 duties immediately.