{"id":903924,"date":"2026-05-06T08:13:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T13:13:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/06\/2026-nfl-draft-round-1-grades-fernando-mendoza-pick-an-a-for-raiders-cardinals-get-a-b\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T08:13:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T13:13:41","slug":"2026-nfl-draft-round-1-grades-fernando-mendoza-pick-an-a-for-raiders-cardinals-get-a-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/06\/2026-nfl-draft-round-1-grades-fernando-mendoza-pick-an-a-for-raiders-cardinals-get-a-b\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL Draft Round 1 grades: Fernando Mendoza pick an A for Raiders; Cardinals get a B"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Welcome to\u00a0The Athletic<\/em>\u2019s pick-by-pick grades for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Which teams filled a need with a potential star? Which GMs might wind up regretting their decisions down the line?<\/p>\n

Because we won\u2019t know those full answers until the incoming rookie class has been in the league for a few seasons, our immediate grades take into account a number of factors: pick value, trade cost, how the draft board looked at the time of the selection and so on.<\/p>\n

The Round 1 grades:<\/p>\n

(Note: Scott Dochterman provided grades for odd-numbered picks, Nick Baumgardner for even-numbered picks.)<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana<\/h2>\n

Mendoza is the perfect player around which to build a franchise<\/a>. Nobody was bigger in the biggest moments last season, from late-game comebacks at Penn State and Iowa to historic wins against Ohio State and Miami. Mendoza has the arm strength, accuracy, toughness and character to lead a Las Vegas franchise desperately seeking a franchise quarterback.<\/p>\n

After transferring from California ahead of the 2025 season, Mendoza (6 feet 5 inches tall, 236 pounds) led Indiana \u2014 the losingest program in college football history \u2014 to its first national championship, while also winning the Heisman Trophy. He threw for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, six interceptions and completed 72 percent of his passes. He also rushed for one of the greatest touchdowns<\/a> in college football history, a play that ultimately sealed the Hoosiers\u2019 College Football Playoff championship.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n

2. New York Jets: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech<\/h2>\n

The best pure pass rusher in the draft, Bailey (6-3, 251, with 34-inch arms) has a deep array of pass-rush moves that is better than any other edge in this class. Long, lean and explosive, Bailey got better during every season of his college career and should be an immediate force rushing the QB.<\/p>\n

I do wonder if New York might\u2019ve gotten more value here from Ohio State edge\/LB Arvell Reese \u2014 I had Reese higher on my board<\/a> and believe he has a better long-term ceiling. But it\u2019s very hard to argue with Bailey, as he\u2019ll be a big-time factor quickly.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no disputing the talent \u2014 Love tops the entire draft in that area. There\u2019s also no doubting the need \u2014 Arizona ranked 31st in total rushing last year. Love would improve any team with his rare blend of speed, quickness and fight, but \u2026 do the Cardinals have the team around him that will let those abilities shine? Would Arizona have been better off grabbing an edge rusher or an offensive lineman? We\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n

Love rushed for a combined 35 touchdowns the past two seasons. In 2025, he was a unanimous first-team All-American, Heisman Trophy finalist and Doak Walker Award winner. Love (6-0, 212) rushed for 1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns and averaged 6.9 yards per carry last year, including 4.5 yards per carry after contact. He also wowed observers at the combine with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash time.<\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with this: I really like Carnell Tate. I believe he\u2019s WR1 in this class, and he\u2019s going to help Cam Ward. The Titans needed a wide receiver, and their young quarterback needed reliable targets. And I loved how much better Tate got playing opposite Jeremiah Smith last season, while pushing Smith along the way. He\u2019s a polished football player who will be ready to roll early. It\u2019s hard to hate on this pick.<\/p>\n

At the same time, there was more value on the board here. Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs are all players the Titans could have \u2014 and arguably should have \u2014 taken over the Ohio State receiver.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State<\/h2>\n

The Giants likely can\u2019t believe their luck. Reese has the most upside of any defensive player in this class, and he\u2019s versatile and explosive. When you combine him with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and perhaps Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants now have a ferocious pass rush. And, as we saw a generation ago, that recipe makes Super Bowl jambalaya.<\/p>\n

Reese (6-4, 241) conjures up comparisons with former Penn State (and current Green Bay Packers) pass rusher Micah Parsons \u2014 and rightly so. Both were lethal pass-rushing linebackers in college and projected as edge defenders in the NFL. In his first season as a starter at Ohio State, Reese was a consensus first-team All-American and racked up 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 69 total tackles.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

6. Kansas City Chiefs (from CLE): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU<\/h2>\n

The Chiefs do not plan to be drafting this high again any time soon. As a result, Kansas City traded up to No. 6 (sending Nos. 9, 74 and 148 to Cleveland) and replaced Trent McDuffie with the best \u2014 and safest \u2014 cornerback on the board. The most comfortable man-coverage defender in the draft, Delane is very difficult to stack and fool in coverage and should be a factor in Kansas City quickly.<\/p>\n

This is a great pick. Delane is a high-floor player who oozes confidence and will have no problems entering a serious, championship-level operation. Love the aggressiveness the Chiefs showed here.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State<\/h2>\n

Dan Quinn is a defensive coach at heart, and his defense was in dire need of a second-level playmaker. There\u2019s no better off-ball linebacker in this class than Styles, who can play in any subpackage and wreak havoc on an offense. He\u2019s also a high-character leader, something that\u2019s desperately needed in D.C., and he\u2019ll make for a great pairing with Leo Chenal.<\/p>\n

Styles (6-5, 244) began his career as a safety, then shifted to linebacker, where he started 42 games over three seasons (including all 16 during the Buckeyes\u2019 2024 national championship season). A first-team All-American last year, Styles put up a career 244 tackles, plus 22.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and nine passes defensed.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n

8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State<\/h2>\n

If Tyson is healthy and consistently available, this is a terrific pick. The problem? He was never consistently healthy and available throughout his time in college. At full strength, he\u2019s the best wide receiver in this class, but \u2014 as with Tate \u2014 it\u2019s not a slam dunk Tyson blossoms into a WR1 in the NFL. And with the No. 8, that\u2019s what you\u2019re shooting for.<\/p>\n

I like the player and think Tyson should help out New Orleans pretty quickly (so long as his medicals are clear), but, again, I question whether or not more value could\u2019ve been had.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

9. Cleveland Browns (from KC): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah<\/h2>\n

The Browns have plenty of tackles but none of them stood out \u2014 until now. Fano, whom Dane Brugler graded in \u201cThe Beast\u201d<\/a> as this draft\u2019s top offensive tackle, will step in as an immediate starter. The only question is: On which side of the O-line is he going to play?<\/p>\n

Fano (6-5 1\/2, 311) won the Outland Trophy last season as the nation\u2019s top interior lineman and was a unanimous first-team All-American. He largely played right tackle in college, where he made 25 of his 36 career starts. His arm length (32 1\/8 inches) is a concern, especially if he gets a look on the left side, but he\u2019s physical and will be a great asset as a blocker in front of Cleveland\u2019s running back duo of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. The Browns improved, for the right value, at a position of need.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

10. New York Giants (from CIN): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami<\/h2>\n

Was really curious to see if the Giants would take Downs here, but I cannot argue with this pick \u2014 especially considering that Mauigoa might be moving inside to play guard on an offensive line that already features young talent. Mauigoa is a terrific run blocker. He was the heart of Miami\u2019s offense and is as reliable as it gets up front.<\/p>\n

This has been a terrific start to the draft for the Giants. Reese at No. 5 was outstanding value, and there were some in the NFL who considered Mauigoa this draft\u2019s top offensive lineman. Whether he\u2019s a guard early or long-term tackle, Mauigoa will be a factor.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n

11. Dallas Cowboys (from MIA): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State<\/h2>\n

Pound for pound, Downs is the best player in the draft. Now, he\u2019s also the 2026 draft\u2019s best value in the draft. For Dallas, Downs marries need with best player available \u2014 it\u2019s not just a win-win, but a win-win-win. He can cover most receivers, he\u2019s a sure tackler, and he returns punts when needed (see his 92-yard touchdown return against Indiana in 2024).<\/p>\n

Downs (5-11 3\/4, 206) was a two-time unanimous first-team All-American as one of the top college safeties over the last decade. Downs did everything for the Buckeyes\u2019 defense, which was college football\u2019s top-ranked unit each of the past two seasons. Considering how much attrition the Buckeyes had after the 2024 season, the primary common element on those units was Downs.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

12. Miami Dolphins (from DAL): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama<\/h2>\n

This is tough. As an athlete, Proctor is one of the best prospects in this class, regardless of position. A mutant at 6-8, 350, Proctor could blossom into a dominant force in the NFL. Right now, however, he\u2019s a long way from it. He was very inconsistent on the field at Alabama and might have to move inside to guard in Miami. He\u2019s also had weight concerns in the past \u2014 he has pushed well north of 350 pounds in the past, so this might be messy for Miami if its new OT can\u2019t mature quickly.<\/p>\n

We could look back on this as a great pick, but there\u2019s bust potential, too.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama<\/h2>\n

This is the draft\u2019s most enigmatic selection, and it\u2019s not close. If a team drafted Simpson to start right away, the grade, at best, would have been a C-minus \u2014 he\u2019s not ready for the NFL in that capacity. But as a backup behind potential Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford? That\u2019s interesting. Can Simpson become a Jordan Love-style success story or will he go down the Jake Locker path? Check the magic eight-ball in three or four years.<\/p>\n

Simpson (6-1, 211) earned second-team All-SEC honors last season, while helping lead the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearance. He threw for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 64.5 completion percentage in 2025, but he only made 15 career starts. He needs an NFL redshirt season. This is a gutsy move for Sean McVay and Les Snead.<\/p>\n

Grade: C<\/strong><\/p>\n

14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn State<\/h2>\n

This might be my favorite pick of the first round, and it was the most obvious match in the draft \u2014 Ioane has felt like a Raven for a long time now. The best pure run blocker in the class, Ioane\u2019s presence over the ball will go a long way toward securing the interior O-line in front of Lamar Jackson, with Tyler Linderbaum now in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

This is classic Baltimore, landing a match of best player available and need. The Ravens are still going to be a physical force up front in the Jesse Minter era.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami<\/h2>\n

Tampa Bay got a steal here. Considered a top-10 talent, Bain fell to No. 15, where he aligned with the Buccaneers\u2019 positional needs. Tampa Bay largely has journeymen at that position group, so Bain immediately gives the group a weapon. How much will Todd Bowles adjust his defense to accommodate Bain, who\u2019s more of a 4-3 edge who can kick inside on passing downs? That remains to be seen.<\/p>\n

Bain (6-2 1\/2, 263) was a destructive force on the national runner-up defense (9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season). He was a consensus first-team All-American and boasts rare power and explosiveness, but his arm length (30 7\/8 inches) provides cause for concern.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n

16. New York Jets (from IND): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon<\/h2>\n

I love this pick. The Jets needed a pass catcher, and Sadiq was the best one left on the board. So what if he\u2019s a tight end? He can also line up as a gigantic X receiver, or maybe even as a Z. An outstanding blocker at the line of scrimmage and out in space, Sadiq runs a 4.39 at 250 pounds.<\/p>\n

He is a freakish athlete \u2014 arguably the best in this class \u2014 and the type of weapon who can always keep the math in the offense\u2019s favor. Sadiq is built for the modern game. I like this better than the Jets\u2019 selection of Bailey at No. 2, if I\u2019m honest.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n

17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson<\/h2>\n

Detroit needed an offensive tackle to replace stalwart Taylor Decker, and Miller (6-6 3\/4, 317) looks like a strong successor. He started 54 games along the offensive line for Clemson, 52 of those starts coming at right tackle. This selection seems to confirm Detroit will move Penei Sewell to left tackle (and start Miller on the right side).<\/p>\n

Miller, a two-time first-team All-ACC selection, does have left tackle dimensions (34 1\/4-inch arms, 83 7\/8 wingspan), but it would be a tough flip as a rookie. I\u2019m intrigued by why the Lions picked Miller over Caleb Lomu and Monroe Freeling, because they\u2019re all considered in the same pool of OT candidates.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida<\/h2>\n

This is bold (if that\u2019s the right word). When Banks is healthy and engaged with his technique, he\u2019s a serious problem \u2014 on talent alone, he\u2019s definitely DT1 in this class. However, he\u2019s not a very consistent player, and despite his athletic potential, he could bust. Banks (6-6, 330) has had two serious foot injuries in less than a year, and many teams dropped him out of the first round after he broke his foot at the combine.<\/p>\n

The Vikings could\u2019ve had a perfect fit to fill a need here, in Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Instead, they made a serious gamble on a recently injured, albeit very talented, athlete. It\u2019s too big a risk for my taste, though I could easily be proven wrong in a year. We\u2019ll see.<\/p>\n

Grade: C-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia<\/h2>\n

The Panthers are looking to protect themselves after Ikem Ekwonu\u2019s knee injury, and Freeling adds depth and competition right away. This appears to be a \u201cbest player available\u201d choice, but with an eye on the future, which is healthy. I\u2019m not sure Freeling will play right away, but he has long-term potential.<\/p>\n

Freeling (6-7 1\/2, 315) is built like a left tackle, with incredible length (34 3\/4-inch arms, 84 1\/2 wingspan) and great speed (4.93 40). He started a combined 18 games at left tackle the past two years for Georgia, but he\u2019s still raw and just 21 years old.<\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/strong><\/p>\n

20. Philadelphia Eagles (from DAL via GB): Makai Lemon, WR, USC<\/h2>\n

Lemon has some size limitations and isn\u2019t a burner, but he might be the most quarterback-friendly receiver in the class. He\u2019s always open, finishes in the air despite that relative lack of size, never rounds off routes, runs back to the football, blocks \u2014 you get everything Lemon has, all the time. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if he out-performs this slot.<\/p>\n

He reminds me of a smaller version of former USC star Amon-Ra St. Brown and could be a huge asset for Jalen Hurts as the Eagles look to make their QB more comfortable. I\u2019m not sure I\u2019d have traded up, but I like the player.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State<\/h2>\n

For the third time in four years, the Steelers have used a first-round pick on an offensive tackle. Is this an admission that they whiffed on Broderick Jones in 2023? You have to read it that way to some degree, although Jones\u2019 neck injury<\/a> was an unforeseen issue.\u00a0Iheanachor has plenty of talent, but he\u2019s really raw. He could be a real find here, if the Steelers are patient, although I\u2019m not sure how much he helps right away.<\/p>\n

Born in Nigeria, Iheanachor (6-6, 321) moved to the United States at age 13 and first started playing football after graduating from high school in 2021. He spent two seasons at East Los Angeles College before earning a scholarship to Arizona State, where he started 31 games as a right tackle. He was a second-team All-Big 12 offensive lineman last year.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami<\/h2>\n

A self-made, high-motor, physical hammer up front with experience rushing both inside and off the edge, Mesidor is exactly the type of player Jim Harbaugh loves. He\u2019s up there with Bain, his former Miami teammate, among the most violent defenders in this draft class. He\u2019s a powerhouse against the run, and despite some length concerns, his physicality shows up in pass rush.<\/p>\n

Mesidor is an older player (age 25) and has dealt with some injuries, but he\u2019s also ready to contribute right now. He should be on the field quickly.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

23. Dallas Cowboys (from PHI): Malachi Lawrence, edge, UCF<\/h2>\n

The Cowboys gave up the most passing yards in the NFL last year, so it makes sense they would allocate resources in the draft to make improvements. And there\u2019s no problem in taking an edge rusher \u2014 Dallas had only 35 sacks in 2025. But is Lawrence the right pick or a reach?<\/p>\n

Brugler rated Lawrence as the No. 37 prospect in this class, so it does seem like a bit of a reach right now, but Lawrence (6-4 1\/2, 253) has every physical quality required to become a high-level pass rusher. He boasts long arms (81 5\/8 inches) and produced a 4.52 40 time and 40-inch vertical at the combine. As a first-team All-Big 12 performer, Lawrence had seven sacks last year and finished with 20 career sacks.<\/p>\n

Grade: C-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M<\/h2>\n

Concepcion\u2019s ability to go from 0 to 60 in a hiccup is unmatched in this class. He moves like a jet ski on smooth water, whether in a straight line or in and out of breaks. A terrific athlete in space who can make tacklers look silly after a catch or on a kick return, Concepcion is one of the most electric playmakers this draft had to offer.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also small (5-11, 196) and had major issues with drops throughout his college career. His role is going to be limited offensively in the NFL. Though the Browns should be able to get some special teams juice here, their quarterback play is going to need to be much better than it currently stacks up to make this pick really sing.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon<\/h2>\n

The Bears completely turned over their safety corps this offseason, then one of the position\u2019s top prospects plopped in their laps. Thieneman can do it all for the Bears \u2014 he\u2019s a hitter, can cover anyone \u2026 and he\u2019s from Indiana (perhaps the Bears\u2019 new home<\/a>?). This is a big-time win for GM Ryan Poles, and it\u2019s my favorite pick of the first round.<\/p>\n

Thieneman (6-0, 201) had a productive three-year career (two seasons at Purdue, one at Oregon). He was a freshman All-American in 2023 after intercepting six passes. Last year, he earned second-team All-American honors, with seven breakups and two interceptions. He was uber-productive, securing a combined 306 tackles in his three seasons. Plus, he ran a 4.35 40, benched 225 pounds 18 times and posted a 41-inch vertical jump at the combine.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n

26. Houston Texans (from BUF): Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech<\/h2>\n

This is interesting. Rutledge is a pretty high-floor interior offensive lineman who played guard in college and could be a center in the NFL, in the right situation. At 6-4, 318, with good length and quick feet, Rutledge is a good athlete and plays with a nasty streak in the run game. He\u2019s an elite leader and offers elite toughness.<\/p>\n

This might be a bit of a stretch based on medicals, though, as Rutledge has battled through foot injuries \u2014 he nearly lost a toe after a car accident in 2023 and wound up playing through the pain. But Houston needed interior OL help badly, and Rutledge could be a rookie starter. Was trading up for him the move? We\u2019ll see how this works out.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

27. Miami Dolphins (from SF): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State<\/h2>\n

The Dolphins have a crater-like hole in their secondary and needed to grab a cornerback or safety. New coach Jeff Hafley saw his chance here at a physical corner with terrific ball skills, so they traded up to grab Johnson. It\u2019s strange to see the No. 2 cornerback going this late in Round 1, but Johnson (6-0, 193) was a good value at this point.<\/p>\n

He broke up eight passes and picked off four last year for the Aztecs, bringing back two for touchdowns. He was named a second-team All-American and Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.<\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/strong><\/p>\n

28. New England Patriots (from BUF via HOU): Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah<\/h2>\n

Really good value here. I had Lomu graded about even with Miller and maybe a tick higher than Iheanachor, as Lomu should be ready to start at right tackle immediately opposite Will Campbell. This gives the Patriots two very athletic tackles who are plus run blockers.<\/p>\n

Lomu isn\u2019t a flashy player, but he gets the job done. He\u2019s very versatile, and he could play right or left tackle, and maybe even guard. The 49ers (who traded down from 27 to 30) also might\u2019ve been looking to select an offensive tackle, so I don\u2019t hate the trade-up. Nice pick.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): Peter Woods, DT, Clemson<\/h2>\n

Kansas City needed to overhaul its defense, and adding Woods is a smart, safe move. Chris Jones won\u2019t be around forever, so getting a physical, powerful interior defender to work alongside him was critical. The Chiefs now have fortified the middle of their defensive line and have a quality rotation.<\/p>\n

Woods (6-2 1\/2, 298) was a mainstay on the Clemson defensive line and earned first-team All-ACC honors. He finished last season with 30 tackles (3.5 for loss) and two sacks, and he also scored two touchdowns as a short-yardage running back.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

30. New York Jets (from SF via MIA and DEN): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana<\/h2>\n

The Jets clearly had guys they wanted in Round 1 \u2014 and it looks like they\u2019ve got them all. After adding a pass rusher (Bailey) and a unicorn playmaker (Sadiq), the Jets selected one of the draft\u2019s most QB-friendly receivers. Cooper was Fernando Mendoza\u2019s favorite target at Indiana and should make life easier on whoever winds up being the Jets\u2019 QB of the future.<\/p>\n

New York also holds so many picks over the next two years that I don\u2019t mind the aggressiveness here at all. Cooper is a first-round player in this class, and New York didn\u2019t want to wait until Round 2 to grab him. This franchise added three foundational pieces Thursday night.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n

31. Tennessee Titans (from BUF via NE): Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn<\/h2>\n

Tennessee traded up and bet on upside with Faulk, who absolutely looks the part. Faulk is a better fit for a true four-down defense, and that\u2019s what the Titans will employ under Robert Saleh. Edge was a need position for the Titans, and the value matches up here.<\/p>\n

Big, long (34 3\/8-inch arms) and physical, Faulk (6-6, 276) finished with 10 career sacks over three seasons at Auburn \u2014 and just two last fall. He looks the part physically but has boom-or-bust characteristics, so this trade bears scrutiny.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-minus<\/strong><\/p>\n

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame<\/h2>\n

This is how good teams stay good. As hard as it probably was to see Kenneth Walker III leave in free agency, the Seahawks knew they could do plenty to replace his production via the draft, at a much cheaper price. Some might see this as a bit of a reach, but I\u2019m fine with it. Seattle doesn\u2019t have a ton of room on the roster right now \u2014 it\u2019s a young and talented championship squad.<\/p>\n

The Seahawks did<\/em> have a pretty clear hole at running back, though, and Price \u2014 Love\u2019s backup at Notre Dame \u2014 clearly stood out as RB2 in this draft. A three-down player who can block, catch and run any call an offensive coordinator can think of, Price makes for a logical selection here. It\u2019s another example of how Seattle does business: with confidence.<\/p>\n

Grade: B-plus<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bong Mischke
Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft. Welcome to\u00a0The Athletic\u2019s pick-by-pick grades for Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Which teams filled a need with a potential star? Which GMs might wind up regretting their decisions down the line? Because we won\u2019t know those full answers until the incoming rookie class<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":903925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23483,3774],"tags":[16387,8561],"class_list":{"0":"post-903924","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-round","8":"category-draft","9":"tag-draft","10":"tag-round"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/903924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=903924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/903924\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/903925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=903924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=903924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=903924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}