2026 NFL Draft grades for every first-round pick: How did Fernando Mendoza do?

Yahoo Sports NFL draft analyst Charles McDonald is grading every pick of Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft as the selections are made.

Here's how he rated teams in the 2025 draft if you're scoring at home.

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

Grade: B+

The Raiders got their franchise quarterback here following the rocket ship level ascension of Mendoza. They’re in store for yet another rebuild and now have a chance to start that process with a new quarterback. This was the only sensible pick at the top of the draft, and Mendoza is good enough to be the first pick. Now they can focus on trying to get back into the AFC West race with new head coach Klint Kubiak and their new quarterback.

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

Grade: C-

The Jets got their pass rusher in this class, but he’s not a complete player like Arvell Reese in terms of physicality and run defense. The Jets adding T’Vondre Sweat via trade makes this a bit more palatable, but Bailey might be a one-trick pony early on. Whether or not he can develop as a run defender may end up defining his rookie year because there’s still a lot of work here. Still, the Jets defense got a talent that they needed off the edge.

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

Grade: D

This is not the player that the Cardinals needed at this time. Love is an explosive running back that will make plays in space when he gets there, but this team just signed and has many holes to fill as they try to rebuild in the toughest division in the NFL. This just doesn’t seem like the right team for a luxury pick. Look at what just happened with last year, even though he played well. This is a tough spot to take a running back.