Every year, history is made in some way at the NFL Draft. Whether you’re a casual or a die-hard, it’s always enjoyable to see which team made the biggest mistake of the night on National Television or which team chose the “steal” of the Draft.
With that, I’ve listed my takeaways from the Top 15 players selected on Day 1 of the Draft. And Howie Roseman, how dare you steal a wide-out from the Pittsburgh Steelers? I will never stop hating on Philadelphia, but let’s stop the rage and start with the takeaways.
Let us slide into your dms 🥰
Get notified of top trending articles like this one every week! (we won't spam you)1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza
The Raiders have been searching for their QB1 since the departure of Derek Carr. Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders traded for 2022 Pro Bowler Geno Smith from Seattle in exchange for a third-round pick.
Smith’s one-year stay in Las Vegas didn’t end as planned, and was a contributor to the 2025 Raiders’ dysfunctional 3–14 record. This led to the Raiders clinching the number one overall pick after a Week 18 season finale victory over the 3–14 Kansas City Chiefs.
Which leads us to the present day, where the Las Vegas Raiders selected 2025 Heisman winner & National Champion Mendoza first overall. At Indiana, Mendoza was highly accurate as a passer, posting a 72.0% completion rating, passing for 41 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Mendoza in Las Vegas not only brings a “new face” at the quarterback position, but also a sense of both hope and rejuvenation. Las Vegas has surrounded the number one overall pick with talent. Tight end Brock Bowers, who has shown he is a “keeper” in the Raiders’ future, as well as former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Moreover, Las Vegas added protection at the guard position with the signing of Tyler Linderbaum from Baltimore and Jalen Nailor.
Whether or not Mendoza will sit behind Kirk Cousins this season is still in question, a new era has begun in Nevada.
Photo by Bruno Guerrero on Unsplash
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2. New York Jets: OLB David Bailey
Last year, New York struggled immensely on defense. For team defensive totals in 2025, New York was ranked №25 allowing 29.6 points per game. The will to trade Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis, and Quinnen Williams to Arlington, their defense lacked star power.
Drafting Linebacker David Bailey sets the tone for what’s to come in East Rutherford. With his late 80’s, early 90’s swagger on the field, he automatically becomes one of the best defenders for the Jets.
In his four-year collegiate career, Bailey accumulated 29.0 sacks, 42.0 tackles for loss (TFL), and 163 tackles all in 46 games. Bailey transferred to Texas Tech in his senior year, putting up career-high numbers, ultimately earning 2025 Consensus All-American.
3. Arizona Cardinals: RB Jerimiyah Love
The Arizona Cardinals, in many Mock Drafts, were projected to possibly select Miami OT Francis Mauigoa; however, that wasn’t the case. Am I the only one shocked at Arizona? I like this pursuit for offensive talent, especially with James Conner being 30-years-old with constant injuries.
With Love being taken third overall, this is the highest a back has ever been taken since Saquon Barkley in 2018 (2nd). Love has also earned a four-year, $50.5 million rookie contract, already putting him head-to-head with the league’s best.
Arizona certainly needed offensive weapons. Whether that was at offensive lineman or running back, and tonight we saw it.
4. Tennessee Titans: WR Carnell Tate
Cam Ward finally has a much needed number one receiving weapon in the Music City, in Carnell Tate.
Tate’s three-year collegiate career was defined by improvement. In Tate’s freshman year (2023), he appeared in 13 games, catching 18 receptions for 264 yards and one touchdown, averaging 14.7 yards from scrimmage. From that point on, Tate’s numbers improved immensely. Despite being the second receiving option in college for much of his career, in Nashville, he isn’t.
Tennessee scored a total of 28 total touchdowns throughout an eighteen week period, placing the roster fourth in the AFC South. Adding the presence of Tate helps Tennessee compete in what is to be a competitive division in 2026, with the Colts seeing a return from Daniel Jones, CJ Stroud’s expected bounce-back year, and Jacksonville seeking to reclaim the Division throne for the second-year in a row.
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash
5. New York Giants: LB Arvell Reese
Arvell Reese was the second Buckeye taken off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. It was highly probable that Reese or David Bailey would be selected by the New York Jets, but they took Bailey.
New York felt the need to upgrade their defense after trading away Dexter Lawrence, and with that they took Reese with the fifth pick. I honestly felt like if Reese went to the Jets his career would’ve went to die. However, Reese is playing in East Rutherford no matter what, and now he is paired alongside former Penn State Linebacker Abdul Carter & Brian Burns, who is arguably one of the best outside linebackers in the league.
6. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Mansoor Delane
A major pick-exchange regarding the Cleveland Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs. Cleveland traded three picks down to nine overall, while Kansas City traded up to number six.
LSU is highly regarded as “DB U,” producing year after year, countless first- round defensive backs in the NFL. Now, you can add Mansoor Delane to the company.
Delane is one of the first defensive backs since Derek Stingley Jr. in 2022 who went to Houston. Looking at Stingley’s NFL career up to this point, it has been undoubtedly substantial. It’s hard not to look at Delane the same.
Much like the other prospects in this draft, Delane transferred in his senior season. Delane transferred from Virginia Tech in the year of 2024 to LSU, where he earned the 2025 Consensus All-American. Delane’s best season came in the year of 2024, which was his last season with Virginia.
Throughout that season, he racked 54 combined tackles, 4 interceptions, and 34 solo-tackles.
Being a die-hard LSU fan, I’m quite excited for Delane’s professional career. I believe Arrowhead is one of the best situations for him, and with Steve Spagnuolo being a defensive mastermind, developing talented corners throughout the years. L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson have all come and gone, being the lead contributors in multiple Kansas City playoff & Super Bowl runs.
7. Washington Commanders: S/LB Sonny Styles
Washington and Sonny Styles is another move that is a “match made in heaven.”
Last season, the Commanders defense held an average age of 28.97 on defense. That was enough to put them second on the list behind Minnesota who held an average of 29.06. On top of that, Washington allowed a defensive average of 26.5 points per game and 318.8 yards per game, ranking 27th in the NFL, labeled as an old and scrawny defensive unit.
Styles makes Washington’s defensive exterior more powerful and younger. Many compare him to Bobby Wagner or Luke Keuchly, which is a great comp, however, I’d also compare the 21-year-old to Roquan Smith. Both are extremely muscular, possess speed, and an immense amount of Football IQ.
At the 2026 NFL Combine, Styles ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, ranking first among all linebackers in his class.
Sonny Styles in the DMV Area, should be exciting for years to come, and not only that, but if Washington can successfully build around Styles, we could see Washington become a Top-10 defense in the league.
8. New Orleans Saints: WR Jordyn Tyson
As a New Orleans Saints fan (as well as Baltimore), I’m quite excited for the new wide receiver core in The Bayou. The Duo of Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson will be very intriguing for years to come. However, one thing that scares me the most is Tyson’s injuries.
Tyson suffered a Multi Knee-Ligament with the Colorado Buffaloes in 2022, a broken collarbone in 2024 with Arizona State, and Hamstring Strains in 2025. Despite these unfortunate circumstances, Tyson bounced back and had the best season of his entire collegiate career in 2024 with ASU, gathering 75 receptions for 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
I’ll say it right now. Injuries are the only thing that is stopping Tyson from reaching his full potential. On paper, the Saints look ready to make a playoff push in 2026 and hopefully reclaim the throne of the NFC South, after missing the playoffs for five years.
9. Cleveland Browns: OL Spencer Fano
The №9 overall pick was originally Kansas City’s, Cleveland’s pick exchange with Kansas City led the Browns to move three spots down.
This led to Cleveland taking Utah Offensive Lineman Spencer Fano, adding protection for Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
Fano is a much needed selection for Cleveland, and his time at Utah screams “future All-Pro” in the NFL. With Utah, Fano earned 35 starts over his three-year epoch, both at left tackle and right tackle.
Fano also played in 822 offensive snaps during his Junior season, allowing five pressures under center, according to PFF.
10. New York Giants: OT Francis Mauigoa
Two offensive linemen taken back-to-back. You love to see it.
With New York recently trading Dexter Lawrence II to Cincinnati, in exchange for the №10 pick in this year’s draft, the Giants went on and selected Miami Hurricane’s star-studded offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.
Based off many Mock Drafts, Mauigoa was projected to be taken third overall to the Arizona Cardinals, and that wasn’t the case. But, it worked out for the better, for both sides.
Arizona drafted one of the best running backs available at №3, and New York took the best offensive to protect sophomore quarterback Jaxson Dart.
If you’ve seen the Dart play, you know he is not only accurate, but also a mobile quarterback. As some would call it a “Dual Threat.”
11. Dallas Cowboys: S Caleb Downs
Coincidentally enough, after finishing his final collegiate game at AT&T Stadium, Caleb Downs will now be playing in the exact stadium for years to come.
Yesterday, I was watching Pat McAfee’s broadcast of the NFL Draft on ESPN, and what he said about Downs is extremely true. Stating how Downs “plays like a veteran” and that Downs is a “reliable tackler/play saver.”
In 2026, Dallas will need Downs to play to expectations more often than not. With the Cowboys’ defense being a punching bag last season for their horrible performances every week, maybe Caleb Downs can change that.
From one Caleb to another, Downs is the top prospect I’m ecstatic to see touch the gridiron in that iconic grey, blue, and white jersey.
Welcome to the Dallas Cowboys!
12. Miami Dolphins: OT Kadyn Proctor
Kadyn Proctor was one of the first Crimson Tide’s to be drafted in 2026, and the third offensive protector selected. And, it’s for a good reason.
In his three-season collegiate run, he was utilized offensively and defensively. Having 16 rushing yards, 3.2 yards per carry, all in 5 carries. This occurred in just five games, and on defense, Proctor recorded 1 solo tackle, which is very unusual to see from an offensive tackle.
Proctor also played 875 snaps in 2025, 534 pass-blocking snaps, 344 run-blocking snaps, allowing 2 sacks and earning his first career achievement as a 2025 All-American.
Proctor in Miami should keep newly acquired quarterback Malik Willis and running back De’Von Achane neutralized from pressure.
Photo by César Hernández on Unsplash
13. Los Angeles Rams: QB Ty Simpson
It’s officially a new era in Los Angeles at the quarterback position, and ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky hit the nail on the coffin.
After countless weeks of claiming that Ty Simpson is an early first-round selection, many thought he was crazy. He even went as far as to say how Simpson would be a Pro-Bowler in a matter of years on The Pat McAfee Show, minutes after he was drafted. If you’re asking me, I’d believe that Simpson, with all the attention he was receiving, would be a mid-to-late second round pick, but the Rams had other plans.
Los Angeles’ Current QB Room:
- Matthew Stafford
- Ty Simpson
- Stetson Bennett IV
This selection gives Simpson time to develop behind future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford; however, in college, Simpson played 15 games at Alabama as a full-time starter, the lowest since 2023 with Anthony Richardson (2023, Pick 4).
All things considered, it’s just a matter of development for Simpson, and if he can adapt to the NFL at a high level. Alabama quarterbacks have been known for years to produce below-average to mediocre starters in the NFL. I don’t believe Simpson is like the others, especially since he will be learning from the best to ever play on the gridiron.
Only time will tell.
14. Baltimore Ravens: OL Olavavega Ioane
After the Ravens missed the NFL playoffs in 2025, they filled one of their biggest needs on Day 1. One that the team has struggled with all throughout last year: offensive protection.
When it comes to drafting, Baltimore has been notorious for selecting studs and future Pro-Bowlers. And with the loss of center Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore is eager to improve the current state of their offensive front.
Which makes so much sense as to why “The Flock” made the choice to add Penn State’s Olavavega Ioane to the roster, following the Free Agency signing of guard Jovaughn Gywn from Atlanta.
The last pick to end off today’s article, and we have a star in the making. Yes you heard right, a star.
Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, many had little to no idea of where Rueben Bain’s future team would be. The 21-year-old was listed with a arm length of 30 7/8-inches, which could’ve been the reason Bain fell to 15, if not lower had Tampa not choosen to select him.
Despite the uncertainty regarding Bain’s arm length, he is still a force to be reckoned with. With the Miami Hurricanes in 2025, Bain recorded 54 tackles, 30 solo tackles, 1 interception, a forced fumble, 5 QB hurries, 15.5 tackles for loss (TFL), and 9.5 sacks.
Tampa Bay took the risk many franchises wouldn’t have dared to take. Many contemplated, and the Buccaneers swung hard in pursuit.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
The last pick to end off today’s article, and we have a star in the making. Yes you heard right, a star.
Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, many had little to no idea of where Rueben Bain’s future team would be. The 21-year-old was listed with a arm length of 30 7/8-inches, which could’ve been the reason Bain fell to 15, if not lower had Tampa not choose to select him.
Despite the uncertainty regarding Bain’s arm length, he is still a force to be reckoned with. With the Miami Hurricanes in 2025, Bain recorded 54 tackles, 30 solo tackles, 1 interception, a forced fumble, 5 QB hurries, 15.5 tackles for loss (TFL), and 9.5 sacks.
Tampa Bay took the risk many franchises wouldn’t have dared to take. Many contemplated, and the Buccaneers swung hard in pursuit.
