The Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The article provides grades for all 32 first-round picks, assessing their potential impact.
Key points
Las Vegas Raiders selected QB Fernando Mendoza first overall
Mendoza is a Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana
Grades are provided for all 32 first-round draft picks
The NFL draft is a three-day event
Las Vegas RaidersFernando MendozaNFL draft
QB or not QB? The Las Vegas Raiders answered that question quickly with the first overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday. They chose Heisman Trophy winner and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first of 32 picks on the evening. Some of the picks were predictable, others were surprising.
How did the teams that had first-round selections make out with the choice? Good? Bad? Bust? Time to dole out the grades after the first day of the three-day extravaganza known as the NFL draft.
Pick 1 of 2026 NFL draft: Las Vegas Raiders | QB Fernando Mendoza
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals at loanDepot Park.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza throws the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals at loanDepot Park.
Tom Brady chooses another Big Ten quarteback with the first pick in the draft. Will Mendoza's mercurial rise pay dividends or is this recency bias? Grade: B-
Pick 2 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Jets | EDGE David Bailey
Q&A
Who was the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft?
The first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft was Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders.
What grades were given for the 2026 NFL first-round draft picks?
The article provides grades for all 32 first-round draft picks, evaluating their selections and potential impact.
What position did the Las Vegas Raiders choose with their first pick?
The Las Vegas Raiders chose a quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, with their first pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
How can I follow the 2026 NFL draft picks?
You can follow all the picks of the 2026 NFL draft through the provided draft tracker link.
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Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL draft.
Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL draft.
The Jets went with Bailey of Texas Tech over Arvell Reese of Ohio State. He had a huge year in Lubbock with 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. The Jets need everything. They hope this is a start. Grade: B-
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love poses with his parents Jason and L'Tyona.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love poses with his parents Jason and L'Tyona.
The Notre Dame running back Love is arguably the most talented player at any position in the draft. Yes, the Cardinals have backs but Love has an incredibly high ceiling. Grade: A
Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Carnell Tate poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL draft.
Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Carnell Tate poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL draft.
The Titans get a pair of hands for Cam Ward. Robert Saleh is a defensive coach and he goes offensive for Brian Daboll. This might have been a spot to trade down and get the same player who never had a 1,000-yard season in college. Grade: C-
Pick 5 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Giants | EDGE Arvell Reese
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese.
The Giants get a player that many speculated could have gone as high as the second overall pick. He will fit nicely into John Harbaugh's scheme on defense. Pick: B+
The first huge move in the NFL draft saw the Kansas City Chiefs acquire this pick from the Cleveland Browns. How could this backfire on the AFC North team? The Chiefs are rebuilding their secondary after trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams. They grab LSU's Mansoor Delane, the best DB in the draft. Grade: B
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles poses on the red carpet.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles poses on the red carpet.
The third Ohio State Buckeye in the first seven picks goes to the Commanders. If Sonny Styles can match his athletic skills to talent on the field, this will be a stellar choice. That is always a big if. Grade: C+
Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jordyn Tyson poses with his parents John Tyson and Sandra Brown.
Arizona State Sun Devils receiver Jordyn Tyson poses with his parents John Tyson and Sandra Brown.
The Saints need a lot on offense. Will Tyson be able to stay on the field? That's the biggest issue with the Arizona State Sun Devil. Grade: C
Pick 9 of 2026 NFL draft: Cleveland Browns (from Kansas City Chiefs) | OT Spencer Fano
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano.
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano.
The Browns moved back and went big with the offensive tackle from Utah. They added a third- and fifth-rounder in the deal. Fano will protect whomever is the quarterback in Cleveland well. Grade: C+
Pick 10 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Giants | OT Francis Mauigoa
Miami Hurricanes lineman Francis Mauigoa is introduced before the 2026 NFL draft.
Miami Hurricanes lineman Francis Mauigoa is introduced before the 2026 NFL draft.
Have to wonder why Caleb Downs wasn't the pick here or before. The Giants grab a right tackle Mauigoa to fortify their offensive line and protect Jaxson Dart. Did they excel with two top 10 picks? Ehhhh. Grade: C
The Cowboys must have loved the way this draft was going as they moved up in a swap of 11 and 12 with the Dolphins. Were they afraid Miami was going to take Ohio State DB Caleb Downs? This could be a pick other teams rue not making. Downs was thought to be a higher pick, why did he drop out of Top 10? Grade: A
Pick 12 of 2026 NFL draft: Miami Dolphins (from Dallas Cowboys) | OT Kadyn Proctor
Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet.
Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor poses on the red carpet.
The Dolphins move back a slot and get the massive tackle from Alabama. The challenge will be reaching in and getting all that talent out of Proctor. Worth the risk? Time will tell. Grade: C
Pick 13 of 2026 NFL draft: Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) | QB Ty Simpson
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams.
Certainly feels like the Rams should have traded back here and still picked up the Alabama quarterback. Good thing he can watch Matthew Stafford because this at 13 feels like a huge reach. Grade: D-
Pick 14 of 2026 NFL draft: Baltimore Ravens | OT Olaivavega Ioane
Penn State Nittany Lions offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane is selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the number 14 pick.
Penn State Nittany Lions offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane is selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the number 14 pick.
Ronnie Stanley is getting older and Ioane feels like the perfect pick for this team. It will need another beastly OT and Ioane has the potential to be that. Grade: B
Miami Hurricanes defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. is selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the number 15 pick.
Miami Hurricanes defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. is selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the number 15 pick.
Bain drops to 15 and gets to stay in the Sunshine State. What could be better for the team and player as the Bucs get a fierce rusher. A nice choice Grade: B+
Pick 16 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) | TE Kenyon Sadiq
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq is selected by the New York Jets as the number 16 pick.
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq is selected by the New York Jets as the number 16 pick.
Geno Smith goes from having Brock Bowers at TE to Kenyon Sadiq with the Jets. Sadiq should not expect to spend too many years catching pass from the veteran. The Jets need so much. Not sure this will help in short run. Grade: C
Clemson Tigers offensive lineman Blake Miller is selected by the Detroit Lions as the number 17 pick.
Clemson Tigers offensive lineman Blake Miller is selected by the Detroit Lions as the number 17 pick.
Dan Campbell looks for the rough and rugged types and Miller fits the mold. Detroit needs players to stay healthy as it is always banged up. Expect a lot from Miller early. Pick: B-
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks speaks to the media during Pro Day.
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks speaks to the media during Pro Day.
Banks played in three games last season at Florida. The Vikings seem to love taking on those with risky injury pasts (see JJ McCarthy). This is a huge risk. Grade: D+
The Panthers get another body to make sure Bryce Young stays upright. They are building a strong team in Carolina and Freeling feels like another nice piece. Grade: B
Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is introduced before the 2026 NFL draft.
Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is introduced before the 2026 NFL draft.
Well, this pick certainly assures A.J. Brown moving somewhere outside of Philly. Weird that the Cowboys would help out their division rivals but the draft makes strange bedfellows. Grade: B
The Steelers grab a player with talent but not a lot of experience. He was a HS basketball player before taking up football at Arizona State. Not sure the AFC North is a place to learn on the job. Grade: C-
Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) celebrates after a sack against the Indiana Hoosiers.
Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) celebrates after a sack against the Indiana Hoosiers.
To the Chargers from Canada via West Virginia and Miami, Mesidor was one of the forces on the Hurricane defense that excelled for much of the season. Grade: C
Pick 23 of 2026 NFL draft: Dallas Cowboys (from Philadelphia Eagles) | DE Malachi Lawrence
UCF defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence during the NFL combine.
UCF defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence during the NFL combine.
The Cowboys moved back in a deal with the Eagles and added another defensive player to go with Caleb Downs. Building a bankrupt defense was a must and Dallas is doing it. Grade: B
The Browns get a big threat out of Texas A&M in the wideout/kick returner. He should provide excitement when used on special teams and hope that a quarterback can get him the ball. Grade: B
Pick 25 of 2026 NFL draft: Chicago Bears | DB Dillon Thieneman
Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses with his parents Ken and Shannon Thieneman.
Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses with his parents Ken and Shannon Thieneman.
A rugged, physical athlete, this Oregon Duck brings a big attitude to Chicago. Feels like his nature and psyche will be a strong fit in the Windy City. Grade: B-
The Georgia Tech offensive lineman rallied from a near-tragic accident in 2023 to become a first-round NFL pick. One of the best stories in the draft and he should be a huge asset. Grade: B
The Dolphins go outside power conference to get a secondary player for Jeff Hafley, who is a defensive mind. Grade: C
Pick 28 of 2026 NFL draft: New England Patriots (from Houston Texans) | OT Caleb Lomu
Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu.
Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu.
Another big guy from Utah goes off the board and he will try and protect Drake Maye. When Nick Saban says he needs to increase strength it is a concern for a lineman Grade: C+
Pick 29 of 2026 NFL draft: Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) | DT Peter Woods
Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods is selected by the Kansas City Chiefs as the number 29 pick.
Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods is selected by the Kansas City Chiefs as the number 29 pick.
Andy Reid and company look to continue fortifying the defense with the tough tackle from Clemson. Grade: C
Pick 30 of 2026 NFL draft: New York Jets (from Miami Dolphins from Denver Broncos) | WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) makes a catch for a touchdown.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) makes a catch for a touchdown.
The Jets get a WR from Indiana. He caught passes from the No. 1 overall pick who is now Raider. In 2026, he will be expectec to catch passes from a former Raider QB. Grade: B+
Pick 31 of 2026 NFL draft: Tennessee Titans (from New England Patriots) | EDGE Keldric Faulk
Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk poses with his mother Lakendral Barnes and brother J.J. Faulk.
Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk poses with his mother Lakendral Barnes and brother J.J. Faulk.
Nick Saban had moderately nice stuff to say about an Auburn player. That says a lot about Faulk. Grade: B-
Running back Jadarian Price during Notre Dame football's Pro Day.
Running back Jadarian Price during Notre Dame football's Pro Day.
Both running backs in the first round came from the same school for the first time. Despite having no starts at Notre Dame, the Seahawks were impressed enough to think he can help fill the void left by Kennth Walker III's exit to KC. Grade: B-
