The Las Vegas Raiders opened the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, continuing a four-year streak of quarterbacks going No. 1.
Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to its first national title, was chosen as widely expected, though the pick carries added significance as Raiders minority owner Tom Brady seeks to mentor a successor during the franchise’s rebuild.
The Arizona Cardinals took Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, making him the first running back selected in the top three since Trent Richardson in 2012 and just the fourth since 2018 to go in the top ten.
Ohio State dominated the early round with four of the top 11 selections: wide receiver Carnell Tate (No. 4, Titans), edge rusher Arvell Reese (No. 5, Giants), linebacker Sonny Styles (No. 7, Commanders), and safety Caleb Downs (No. 11, Cowboys after a trade-up with Miami).
The New York Jets selected Texas A&M edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2, while the New Orleans Saints surprised many by taking Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 8, part of an early run on receivers that also saw Tate go fourth.
The Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13, signaling their intent to plan for life after Matthew Stafford, who remains in extension talks with the team.
Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., projected as a top-ten prospect, fell to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 15 after a report earlier this month revealed he was cited for careless driving in a deadly 2024 Florida crash, though no criminal charges were filed.
The Kansas City Chiefs executed the first major trade of the draft, moving up from No. 9 to No. 6 to select LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane in a swap with the Cleveland Browns.
The New York Giants, entering the draft with just four wins last year, secured two top-ten picks through a pre-draft trade, selecting Reese and Styles to bolster a defense seeking a reset under new head coach John Harbaugh.
The draft’s pace was accelerated this year, with the time between picks reduced from ten to eight minutes, making the first round approximately an hour faster than in recent years.
For more on this story, see Las Vegas Raiders select Fernando Mendoza first overall in 2026 NFL Draft per consensus projections.
Six teams entered the first round without a pick (Bengals, Packers, Jaguars, Falcons, Colts, Broncos), while six others held two selections each due to trades (Giants, Jets, Dolphins, Cowboys, Browns, Chiefs).
Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh hosted the event, drawing thousands of fans as the city adjusted to the influx — public schools shifted to remote learning and many businesses allowed remote operate to ease congestion.
A total of 257 players will be selected over the three-day draft, which began Thursday night and continues with Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday starting at 6 p.m. CT.
How Mendoza’s selection reflects the Raiders’ rebuild strategy
The Raiders’ choice of Mendoza aligns with a broader effort to reset after consecutive one-year tenures for head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith, bringing in a Heisman-winning quarterback to anchor a new era under the guidance of minority owner Tom Brady.
Why Love’s selection breaks a recent trend for running backs
Jeremiyah Love’s No. 3 end to the Cardinals ends an eight-year drought in which no running back was taken higher than fifth highlighting a rare premium placed on the position despite its devalued status in modern draft analytics.
What the early receiver run says about offensive priorities
The selection of Carnell Tate at No. 4 and Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 defied pre-draft expectations that teams would prioritize linemen in a class lacking elite front-seven talent, signaling a shift toward immediate playmaking ability at wide receiver.
How the Rams’ pick of Simpson fits their quarterback succession plan
By taking Ty Simpson at No. 13, the Rams are actively developing a successor to Matthew Stafford, whose contract situation remains unresolved, indicating the team is preparing for a transition regardless of Stafford’s immediate future.
Why did Rueben Bain Jr. Fall so far in the draft despite being projected as a top-ten pick?
Bain Jr. Dropped to No. 15 after a report emerged that he was cited for careless driving in a deadly 2024 Florida car crash, though he was not criminally charged, raising off-field concerns for teams evaluating his maturity and judgment.
How did the Cowboys move up to select Caleb Downs, and what did they give up?
The Dallas Cowboys traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to accept safety Caleb Downs at No. 11, surrendering their original No. 12 pick in the swap, though the Dolphins’ compensation was not detailed in the sources.
