2026 NFL Draft First-Round Grades: Raiders Nail No. 1 Pick as Rams Shock with QB Selection

By Sports Desk | April 24, 2026

PITTSBURGH — The 2026 NFL Draft kicked off with fireworks Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium, as the Las Vegas Raiders secured Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, a selection widely anticipated and praised across the league.[1][2][4][5][10] What followed was a chaotic first round filled with trades, surprises, and standout value picks, including the Los Angeles Rams’ bold selection of Alabama QB Ty Simpson at No. 13 and the Kansas City Chiefs grabbing LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6.[2][3]

Raiders Ace the Top Spot with Mendoza

The Raiders wasted no time addressing their quarterback woes, selecting Mendoza after a stellar 2025 season where he led the FBS in P Wins Above Average (WAA) with the Hoosiers.[5] Analysts from ESPN, CBS Sports, PFF, and WalterFootball handed the pick high marks, with grades ranging from “Very Good” to an A.[2][5][10] “Mendoza had an outstanding 2025 season,” PFF noted, highlighting his potential to revitalize an offense that ranked 31st in expected points added (EPA) per play last year.[5] WalterFootball dismissed pre-draft hype favoring Simpson, calling the Raiders’ choice the correct one and comparing Mendoza to a mobile Joe Flacco.[10]

Early Standouts: Jets, Cardinals Shine Bright

The New York Jets followed at No. 2, drafting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, the class’s premier pass rusher with a nation-high 14.5 sacks in 2025.[3] Sports Illustrated awarded an A grade, praising his elite athleticism despite questions about run defense.[3] Bailey’s transfer from Stanford to Texas Tech propelled the Red Raiders to the College Football Playoff, making him an instant impact player for a Jets defense seeking menace off the edge.

Arizona Cardinals landed an A+ with Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, a physical freak who rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, finishing third in Heisman voting.[3] His 4.36 40-yard dash at 212 pounds drew comparisons to Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson, signaling a home-run pick for Arizona’s backfield.[3]

Surprises and Value Picks Dominate Mid-Round

Nine offensive linemen flew off the board, a testament to the class’s trench depth, while cornerbacks were scarce—only one went in the first round.[3] The Chiefs, via the Browns at No. 6, snagged LSU’s Mansoor Delane, the top corner in the draft, earning an A from SI for his All-American pedigree, physicality, and SEC-tested coverage skills.[2][3] CBS gave a B-, but his potential as an immediate starter and Pro Bowl candidate was undisputed.[2]

The Dallas Cowboys found gem at No. 11 (actual pick varied in reports) with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who surprisingly fell amid the frenzy.[2] Meanwhile, the Rams stunned at No. 13 with Ty Simpson, Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent, earning high marks from CBS’s Mike Renner despite the reach.[2][3] Buffalo Bills fans endured agony as their team traded down repeatedly, exiting Round 1 entirely.[2]

Elite Picks and Overall Class Assessment

PFF identified just two “Elite” selections: Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ edge Rueben Bain Jr. and Chicago Bears’ safety Dillon Thieneman, underscoring a draft lacking overwhelming top-end talent but rich in fits.[5] Pre-draft intel from EssentiallySports noted no team graded more than 12 players as first-rounders, contributing to the unpredictability.[11]

Selected First-Round Grades Highlights

Pick	Team	Player	Position/School	Top Grade
1	Raiders	Fernando Mendoza	QB, Indiana	A[10]
2	Jets	David Bailey	Edge, Texas Tech	A[3]
3	Cardinals	Jeremiyah Love	RB, Notre Dame	A+[3]
6	Chiefs (via Browns)	Mansoor Delane	CB, LSU	A[3]
13	Rams	Ty Simpson	QB, Alabama	High Mark[2]

Trade Frenzy and Day 2 Anticipation

Trades defined the night, with the Chiefs acquiring No. 6 and the Bills maneuvering out of the round.[2][7] ESPN’s Mel Kiper highlighted winners like the Cowboys for Downs and losers in the chaos.[6] As Rounds 2-7 unfold Friday and Saturday, all eyes remain on how these picks translate—especially Mendoza in Vegas and Simpson in L.A.[1][12]

The draft order featured the Raiders at No. 1, Jets at 2, Cardinals at 3, and Chiefs holding multiple late picks up to No. 29.[8][9] With 257 total selections, Pittsburgh’s event continues to deliver drama befitting the Steel City.

“The 2026 draft might be the most difficult to predict in a long time, but it won’t start that way.”
— ESPN on the Raiders’ No. 1 pick[1]

Teams like the Steelers (12 picks) and Broncos (last in Round 7) gear up for deeper value, while Seahawks (fewest picks) maximized their slim opportunities.[9] Stay tuned for live updates as the next rounds promise more upheaval.