NFL Draft grades 2026: Live results, analysis for every pick in Rounds 1-3

TL;DR

The 2026 NFL Draft is underway, with live results and grades for every pick in Rounds 1-3. The Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana's Fernando Mendoza as their new franchise quarterback.

Key points

2026 NFL Draft features live results and analysis
Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza as QB
Wide receivers, offensive linemen, and edge rushers dominated
Grades provided for every team and player fit
Draft spans from first through third rounds

Fernando MendozaLas Vegas Raiders

NFL Draft grades 2026: Live results, analysis for every pick in Rounds 1-3 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

How will your team fare on the first two nights of the 2026 NFL Draft, from the first through the third rounds? The Sporting News again has you covered, tracking all the selections and handing out grades in real time on Thursday and Friday nights.

This class won't be known for the quarterbacks or running backs beyond the top options, but wide receivers, offensive linemen and edge rushers were positioned to dominate early. That makes for some intriguing and surprising selections after another predictable No. 1 overall pick.

From the top, with the Las Vegas Raiders taking Indiana's Fernando Mendoza as their new franchise QB, through No. 100 overall, this is your hub for in-depth live reactions for Rounds 1-3, grading every team and player fit:

**JUMP TO GRADES:**Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3

NFL Draft grades 2026: Expert analysis for Rounds 1-3

Round 1

1. Las Vegas Raiders:

Grade:

2. New York Jets:

Grade:

3. Arizona Cardinals:

Grade:

Q&A

What were the top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft Rounds 1-3?

The top pick was Fernando Mendoza, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as their new franchise quarterback.

How did each team perform in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The article provides real-time grades and analysis for every team's selections during Rounds 1-3 of the draft.

Which positions dominated the 2026 NFL Draft?

Wide receivers, offensive linemen, and edge rushers were expected to dominate the early rounds of the draft.

When did the 2026 NFL Draft take place?

The 2026 NFL Draft took place over two nights, specifically on Thursday and Friday.

NFL Draft grades 2026: Live results, analysis for every pick in Rounds 1-3

TL;DR

Key points

NFL Draft grades 2026: Expert analysis for Rounds 1-3

Round 1

1. Las Vegas Raiders:

2. New York Jets:

3. Arizona Cardinals:

Q&A

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More from Sports

4. Tennessee Titans:

5. New York Giants:

6. Cleveland Browns:

7. Washington Commanders:

8. New Orleans Saints:

9. Kansas City Chiefs:

10. New York Giants (from Bengals):

11. Miami Dolphins:

12. Dallas Cowboys:

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons):

14. Baltimore Ravens:

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

16. New York Jets (from Colts):

17. Detroit Lions:

18. Minnesota Vikings:

19. Carolina Panthers:

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers):

21. Pittsburgh Steelers:

22. Los Angeles Chargers:

23. Philadelphia Eagles:

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars):

25. Chicago Bears:

26. Buffalo Bills:

27. San Francisco 49ers:

28. Houston Texans:

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams):

30. Miami Dolphins (from Broncos):

31. New England Patriots:

32. Seattle Seahawks:

Round 2

33. New York Jets

34. Arizona Cardinals

35. Tennessee Titans

36. Las Vegas Raiders

37. New York Giants

38. Houston Texans (from Commanders)x

39. Cleveland Browns

40. Kansas City Chiefs

41. Cincinnati Bengals

42. New Orleans Saints

43. Miami Dolphins

44. New York Jets (from Cowboys)

45. Baltimore Ravens

46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

47. Indianapolis Colts

48. Atlanta Falcons

49. Minnesota Vikings

50. Detroit Lions

51. Carolina Panthers

52. Green Bay Packers

53. Pittsburgh Steelers

54. Philadelphia Eagles

55. Los Angeles Chargers

56. Jacksonville Jaguars

57. Chicago Bears

58. San Francisco 49ers

59. Houston Texans

60. Chicago Bears (from Bills)

61. Los Angeles Rams

62. Denver Broncos

63. New England Patriots

64. Seattle Seahawks

Round 3