2026 NFL Draft First Round Recap: Tackles Dominate, Trades Fly and a Surprise at No.13

Seven tackles taken, four Ohio State players selected in the top 12 picks, a surprise pick for the Rams at No.13 and a run on offensive tackles. Numerous teams had two picks, while the Jets traded back into Round One to make three picks. This is the story of a memorable first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

320,000 fans looked on as Pittsburgh Steelers stars TJ Watt, Cam Heyward were joined by Steelers legends Ben Roethlisberger and Terry Bradshaw on stage in the Steel City, with the backdrop of Acrisure Stadium setting the scene. Teams had just eight minutes this year between picks, so the pace felt more like Day 3 of the NFL Draft as opposed to the first round. Here's how it unfolded.

1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

No surprise here. Las Vegas kicks off new coach Klint Kubiak's tenure by selecting the Heisman Trophy and national championship winner. Mendoza threw 3,535 yards and 71 pass touchdowns in 35 starts for the Hoosiers and becomes the first Indiana selected at No.1 since 1938.

2. New York Jets - David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

The 2025 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year led the FBS with 14.5 sacks. Bailey transferred from Stanford and cemented his reputation as an explosive pass rusher. At No.2, he is the highest drafted defensive player in Jets' history.

3. Arizona Cardinals - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Mike LaFleur's first pick as Cardinals head coach is the dynamic running back from South Bend. Love, arguably the most talented offensive player in the draft, is the first running back to be taken in the top five since 2018. He adds some desperately needed excitement to Arizona's offense. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry at Notre Dame, where he also excelled as a receiving option.

4. Tennessee Titans - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

The first shock of the night. An Ohio State player goes to the Titans but not the one expected to be picked. "We were in the right church, but the wrong pew" said NFL Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah as Tate beat team mates Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles to the podium and offers last year's No.1 pick Cam Ward a huge target on the perimeter.

5. New York Giants - Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Back to back selections from Ohio State. Reese joins Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns up front to beef up an already impressive defensive front. The 6'4" 241 lb was a one-year starter with huge upside and is a versatile defensive threat who can play off the edge or line up on the interior line.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (from Cleveland) - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

The first trade of the night as the Chiefs move up from No.9, swapping their first round pick in addition to their third and fifth round picks to Cleveland. Delane, the highly talented corner from LSU, slots in neatly to replace the departed Trent McDuffie. Delane, a 1st team All-SEC player, allowed just 165 yards on defense and had 11 pass break ups in the 2025 season.

7. Washington Commanders - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

The third Buckeye selected in the first seven picks. Washington can't believe their luck as Styles falls to No.7. Styles is a versatile player who excelled at the NFL Combine and has played at safety before making his mark at linebacker. He led Ohio State with 82 tackles last year and brings real leadership immediately to the Commanders.

8. New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

   
   

Tyson adds needed firepower to the New Orleans offense and a one-two punch with Chris Olave. The newest Saint, overcome with emotion by his selection, took a knee on the way to receive his jersey from commissioner Roger Goodell.

9. Cleveland Browns (from Kansas City) - Spencer Fano, T, Utah

The first tackle off the board lands in Cleveland. Fano started as a left tackle before switching to the right. He did not allow a sack in the last 23 games of his college football career in Utah.

10. New York Giants (from Cincinnati) - Francis Mauioga, T, Miami

The Giants, with their second pick in the top 10, choose to protect quarterback Jaxson Dart with the huge lineman from American Samoa. Mauioga could slot in at guard initially to give New York and new coach John Harbaugh some muscle in their run game.

11. Dallas Cowboys (from Miami) - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Dallas swaps picks with the Dolphins, giving up their two fifth round picks in the process and lands possibly the best player in the draft at No.11. Downs is a two-time All American who won the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. A steal for the Cowboys.

12. Miami Dolphins (from Dallas) - Kadyn Proctor, T, Alabama

Miami builds from the trenches by selecting the huge Alabama tackle. Proctor started 39 games in his college football career, all at left tackle and only allowed 2 sacks in 2025. He could play at guard or tackle to protect new quarterback Malik Willis.

13. L.A. Rams (from Atlanta) - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

A surprise pick this early in the draft. The Rams select Matthew Stafford's eventual successor. A great situation for the Alabama quarterback who had just 15 career starts. He can develop and learn from the reigning MVP and a great offensive mind in Sean McVay who runs a similar offense to the Crimson Tide. He is the fourth Alabama quarterback to be taken in the first round since 2020.

14. Baltimore Ravens - Olavavega Ioane, G, Penn State

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry will be happy men. Ioane is the best interior lineman in the draft, a ferocious blocker who drives the run.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami

The ACC Defensive Player of the Year slides down the first round but stays in Florida, switching coasts from Miami to Tampa. Bain is a dominant run defender who can add sacks off the edge. He led the FBS with 85 pressures in 2025 and added 9.5 sacks.

16. New York Jets - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Having stocked up the defense with their No.2 pick, the Jets use their second pick in the first round with the outstanding tight end from Oregon. Sadiq is an explosive athlete who loves to block and racks up yards after the catch. A great addition for the Jets.

17. Detroit Lions - Blake Miller, T, Clemson

A classic Lions pick. Miller started 54 games in college at Clemson, starting all 13 games in 2025 at right tackle. He is the first tackle out of Clemson selected in the first round and allows Penei Sewell to slide over and protect Jared Goff's blind side.

18. Minnesota Vikings - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

A behemoth at 6'6" and 327 lbs, Banks played just 3 games in 2025 with foot injury problems. If he plays to his significant potential, Banks could be a superstar, but this feels like a reach for Minnesota.

19. Carolina Panthers - Monroe Freeling, T, Georgia

Freeling can play either side at tackle and offers strength, flexibility and athleticism. The former Bulldog will add some valuable protection for quarterback Bryce Young.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Dallas) - Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Is A.J. Brown's time in Philadelphia up? The Eagles jump up three spots to take the USC receiver off the board. Lemon won the 2025 Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver. The last time Philadelphia traded up for the Cowboys' pick, they took receiver Devonta Smith. This could work out just as well.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Max Iheanachor, T, Arizona State

Former Steelers legend Jerome Bettis announces the pick of the Arizona State tackle, who allowed no sacks in 13 games this season. Iheanachor, the second Sun Devil taken in the first round, only started playing football in junior college.

22. Los Angeles Chargers - Akeem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

Rueben Bain's running buddy in Miami goes to the Chargers. Mesidor had 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025 and is a disruptive presence across the line. He played at defensive tackle for 2 seasons at West Virginia before transferring to the Hurricanes, where he moved to the edge rusher position.

23. Dallas Cowboys (from Philadelphia) - Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

With 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2025, Lawrence adds another piece to a growing Dallas defensive unit. The University of Central Florida standout is the second defensive player selected by the Cowboys in this first round.

24. Cleveland Browns - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Having added some beef on the offensive line, the Browns give Shedeur Sanders some help out wide. The dynamic Aggies receiver adds yards after the catch and runs great routes but is prone to the odd dropped pass. He can line up out wide or in the slot.

25. Chicago Bears - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Thieneman, linked to Minnesota in many mock drafts, ends up in the NFC North with division rivals Chicago. A defensive fixer and great tackler with smart instincts and a very good pick for the Bears.

26. Houston Texans (from Buffalo) - Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

Rutledge is a nasty, aggressive guard who allowed just one sack across the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined. Houston adds a solid piece of protection for C.J. Stroud.

27. Miami (from San Francisco) - Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

The Dolphins go defense with their second pick. Johnson is the second cornerback taken. He is a physical player with excellent ball skills who new coach Jeff Hafley will love.

28. New England Patriots (from Buffalo and Houston) - Caleb Lomu, T, Utah

The Patriots trade up to take the seventh tackle and ninth offensive lineman off the board in the first round. Lomu didn't allow a sack in 2025 and lined up across fellow first round pick Spencer Fano for Utah.

29. Kansas City Chiefs - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Woods will line up next to Chris Jones in Kansas City and will add value with his quick feet and strength. Good against the pass and run, he underachieved this season at Clemson but has real potential. Chiefs fans will hope he can return to his 2024 form.

30. New York Jets (from San Francisco) - Omar Cooper, Jr., WR, Indiana

The Jets trade back into Round One with a smart pick in Indiana's Cooper. The Hoosiers receiver is competitive and runs great routes. Along with their earlier pick in Kenyon Sadiq, the Jets have added real firepower for new(ish) quarterback Geno Smith.

31. Tennessee Titans (from Buffalo) - Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

The Titans also move back into the first round, courtesy of a third straight trade down from the Bills, to take the young pass rusher from Auburn. Faulk is just 21 years old but started 32 games for the War Eagles and has tremendous upside.

32. Seattle Seahawks - Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

The world champions replace the departed Kenneth Walker with Jeremiyah Love's team mate in Notre Dame. Price lines up next to Zach Charbonnet in the Seahawks' backfield.