NFL Draft 2026: Mendoza leads, Chiefs trade for CB, Rams land Simpson

Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey holds his new jersey after being picked by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans) and his former Buckeyes teammate, edge rusher Arvell Reese (New York Giants), rounded out the Top-5 selections.

"You know, even before the draft I always said that nothing was guaranteed," Reese told reporters when asked if he thought he'd be picked earlier. "It was all just speculation and mocks and stuff.

LSU defensive back Mansoor Delane celebrates after being picked by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

"Whatever happened was God's plan. I wasn't questioning anything, I wouldn't say I was surprised or not. I'm just blessed to be here."

Love was the earliest running back selected since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 overall in 2018. His Notre Dame teammate, Jadarian Price, went with the final pick (No. 32) to the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. With that selection, Price and Love became the first teammates to be the first running backs picked in an NFL Draft.

Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is joined by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the Washington Commanders in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

The Los Angeles Rams made arguably the most surprising pick of the night when they selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13.

The Jets, who picked three times, were among seven teams with multiple first-round selections, while eight teams did not pick a player. The Jets landed Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16 and Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30, in addition to Texas Tech's Bailey.

Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

The Titans picked up Auburn edge Keldric Faulk at No. 31, in addition to Tate. The Giants, who acquired the No. 10 selection when they traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, landed Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with that pick.

The Kansas City Chiefs traded up for the Cleveland Browns' No. 6 pick to acquire LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and snagged Clemson Peter Woods at No. 29. The Browns picked Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano at No. 9 and Texans A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion at No. 24.

The Dallas Cowboys acquired Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (No. 11) and UCF edge Malachi Lawrence (No. 23). The Miami Dolphins picked up Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor (No. 12) and San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson (No. 27).

The full list of first-round selections is below. Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, which will feature the second and third rounds, will air at 7 p.m. EDT Friday on NFL Network, ABC and ESPN. The final day, which will include rounds four through seven, will air at noon Saturday on the same platforms.

2026 NFL Draft

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2. New York Jets

David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech

3. Arizona Cardinals

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

4. Tennessee Titans

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

5. New York Giants

Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State

6. Kansas City Chiefs (traded from Cleveland Browns)

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

7. Washington Commanders

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

8. New Orleans Saints

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

9. Cleveland Browns (traded from Kansas City Chiefs)

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

10. New York Giants

Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami

11. Dallas Cowboys (traded from Miami Dolphins)

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

12. Miami Dolphins (traded from Dallas Cowboys)

Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

13. Los Angeles Rams

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

14. Baltimore Ravens

Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rueben Bain, Edge, Miami

16. New York Jets

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

17. Detroit Lions

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

18. Minnesota Vikings

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

19. Carolina Panthers

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

20. Philadelphia Eagles (traded from Dallas Cowboys)

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami

23. Dallas Cowboys (traded from Philadelphia Eagles)

Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF

24. Cleveland Browns

K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

25. Chicago Bears

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

26. Houston Texans (traded from Buffalo Bills)

Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech

27. Miami Dolphins (traded from San Francisco 49ers)

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

28. New England Patriots (traded from Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans)

Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

29. Kansas City Chiefs

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

30. New York Jets (traded from San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins)

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

31. Tennessee Titans (traded from Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots)

Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

32. Seattle Seahawks

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame