The NFL Draft starts in a little over an hour. A lot of the top college players we've been following for years get some cool new hats and jerseys. It starts at 8 p.m. Eastern, and we'll be there.
It's hard to believe another year has gone by and we're back at the draft. This time, it comes to you from the Steel City, home of Primanti Bros. and Super Mario (Lemieux that is, not the plumber) along with the Steel Curtain. Much like last year, we're not there but that doesn't mean that we're not tuned into what's going on.
The expectation is that the draft really starts in earnest at pick tw0. It's been pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Raiders will select Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Indiana, with the top overall selection.
My name is Chris Kubala and I'm happy to be here as part of Fantasy Index for night one of the NFL Draft. As for a little backstory about me personally, I grew up just outside Buffalo, New York. I remember the dark days when the franchise drafted Jim Kelly, only to watch him sign with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL. Everyone remembers the four straight Super Bowl defeats. I was at Rich Stadium when Frank Reich led the comeback against the Oilers. Of course, I also remember the Music City Miracle. There was the drought followed by a return to the postseason in the Josh Allen era.
Basically, to borrow from the old Wide World of Sports, I've seen the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, sometimes in the same contest. All in all, glad to be here and part of Fantasy Index, sharing my takes and knowledge with all of you.
2026 NFL DRAFT ROUND 1
1.01 Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza, Indiana: This one was a no-brainer. The Raiders and Mendoza were linked since the moment Las Vegas earned the first pick in the draft. He became Indiana's first Heisman winner and led the Hoosiers to their first title in school history. With Geno Smith gone and Kirk Cousins the lone addition, Mendoza is going to see plenty of action this season. The Raiders have young talent at the skill positions. He joins Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. Las Vegas hopes he's a better QB than their only other #1 overall pick, JaMarcus Russell.
1.02 New York Jets - David Bailey, Texas Tech: The first of what should be two first-round picks for the Jets. Throw a dart and you'll likely find a hole that needs to be patched. Bailey was an All-American after racking up 19.5 TFL and 14.5 sacks last season. The Jets were second-last in the league in scoring defense (29.6 ppg), finished with just 26 sacks and had NO interceptions in 2025. One has to think Bailey is a starter from jump and makes some impact on a weak front seven.
1.03 Arizona Cardinals, Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame: This one is confusing. Yes, Love is arguably the top player available in the draft and the Cardinals added a playmaker. The problem is, they were 29th in the league in scoring and total defense last season. They cut Kyler Murray loose and have Jacoby Brissett looking for more money. Love racked up 1,372 yards and 18 scores last season. He's a threat to go the distance on any play. Still, with James Conner, Tyler Allgeier and Trey Benson still on the depth chart, how big a piece of the time share will Love see in 2o26?
1.04 Tennessee Titans - Carnell Tate, Ohio State: Tennessee took Cam Ward first overall last season and the Titans did need some playmakers to help him in year two. After all, their leading pass catcher last season was the now departed Chig Okonkwo, who caught 56 balls. Tate should slot in as the Titans' de facto #1 receiver as there's not much in the way of depth in that receiver room. At worst, if you consider Calvin Ridley or Wan'Dale Robinson better, he's no worse than the second option. Robinson is a slot guy, so Tate will be starting on the outside sooner rather than later.
1.05 New York Giants - Arvell Reese, Ohio State: Reese had been bandied about to go at #2 to the Jets but slips to the Giants here at #5. Brian Burns had 16.5 sacks last season to lead the Giants while no other player had more than Abdul Carter's four. Reese is going to get his opportunities to make an impact for John Harbaugh's squad. He has the ability to get after the quarterback and will get his share of time.
1.06 Kansas City Chiefs (from Cleveland) - Mansoor Delane, LSU: Kansas City moved up three spots, dealing a pair of mid-round picks along with the ninth overall selection to get here. The Chiefs took Delane, which was obviously a move to fill a position of need. Kansas City traded Trent McDuffie to the Rams and lost Jaylen Watson in free agency, also to Los Angeles. Brett Veach made a bold move but Delane has the ability to step in and be a day one starter for Steve Spagnuolo's defense.
1.07 Washington Commanders - Sonny Styles, Ohio State: All offseason, there was talk that Washington was focusing on retooling and revamping their defense. Getting Styles, who had been projected as high as #4 to Tennessee, is a good get for the Commanders. Washington was dead last in total defense, 27th in scoring defense and has holes at the linebacker spot. Styles is going to be plugged in and be a contributor for Dan Quinn this season.
1.08 New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State: The Saints needed a playmaker at the receiver spot. After all, they traded Rashid Shaheed to Seattle last season at the trade deadline. Chris Olave has had injury issues the last couple of years and is on the last year of his rookie deal. Enter Tyson, who has talent. He caught 61 balls for 711 yards and eight scores in nine games last season. His problem is staying healthy as well. If he avoids the injuries that nagged him in college, he could be an impact player for Tyler Shough.
1.09 Cleveland Browns - Spencer Fano, Utah: If there's a major problem for the Browns (and where isn't there one offensively), it's the offensive line. Fano is a road grader that is capable of protecting the passer or opening holes in the run game. He's likely to be a starter at either end of the line and hopefully is an anchor for the Browns like Joe Thomas was in the past.
1.10 New York Giants - Francis Mauigoa, Miami: The Giants, like the Browns, have some holes to patch on the offensive line. Mauigoa is experienced and has the size. He may have slid a bit based on reports that he has a herniated disc that may require surgery at some point. Mauigoa did a good job opening holes for the Hurricanes' run game. He should boost the Giants' offensive line and keep Jaxson Dart from getting hammered.
1.11 Dallas Cowboys (from Miami) - Caleb Downs, Ohio State: Dallas traded a pair of sixth-rounders to move up one spot and took Downs. He joins a Dallas defense that was dead last in scoring defense, third-worst in total defense and third-worst in takeaways last year. Apparently, Dallas was worried someone might try to jump in front of them, so they pulled the trigger to move one spot. Downs is going to be looked at as a player that might help jumpstart improved play from the secondary.
1.12 Miami Dolphins (from Dallas) -Kadyn Proctor, Alabama: Miami is a team that is in rebuild mode. Picking up a couple dart throw picks to drop back a spot doesn't hurt them at all. Proctor is a large human being at 6'7, 359 pounds and he is an effective blocker, be it in the run game or the passing attack. Miami's line was subpar last season. Devon Achane and Malik Willis have to be happy about seeing the front office adding to the trenches.
1.13 Los Angeles Rams - Ty Simpson, Alabama : This one was a bit of a surprise. On the one hand, the Rams need a QB of the future with Matthew Stafford being 38 and there being no succession plan in play. With that said, this is a team that narrowly fell in the NFC Championship and has aspirations at a Super Bowl run this year. They could have added an impact piece at other positions or traded down, add a pick or two in the process, and potentially get Simpson later in the round. As it stands, barring injury, we're not going to get much from him until 2027 and beyond.
1.14 Baltimore Ravens - Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State Baltimore needed to fix their offensive line after losing Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders in free agency. The Ravens added John Simpson to play one guard spot and Ioane is a plug and play guy that should help stabilize things in the interior at the other guard spot. Lamar Jackson needs some help in the trenches and this is a move that should make their offensive line better in 2o26.
1.15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Rueben Bain Jr., Miami: Tampa Bay managed just 37 sacks last season, led by YaYa Diaby's seven. Their only defensive lineman to pick up more than two sacks was defensive tackle Vita Vea, who finished with 4.5 on the year. Bain Jr. was dinged a bit at the combine because of his arm length but he had 54 tackles, 15.5 TFL and 9.5 sacks for the Hurricanes last season. He earned All-American honors for his efforts. With Tampa Bay in need of pass rushers, Bain Jr. is going to be in the mix, especially in passing situations, this season.
1.16 New York Jets - Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon: This one is a bit surprising. While no one is saying Sadiq isn't worth a first-round selection, the fact that the Jets took him is a reach. New York drafted Mason Taylor last season and he was solid as a rookie with 44 catches for 369 yards and a score. The Jets have plenty of spots to solidify, so adding another TE seems to be a reach. I was expecting someone like Makai Lemon or maybe an offensive lineman here.
1.17 Detroit Lions - Blake Miller, Clemson: Detroit needed help on the offensive line and they got it with the addition of Miller. He set a school record for most offensive snaps with 3,778 in 54 games, all starts, with the Tigers. He has good size at 6'7, 315 pounds and is capable of playing either tackle. Miller spent most of his career at RT in college. He and Penei Sewell as bookends on the offensive line will be helpful for Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and company.
1.18 Minnesota Vikings - Caleb Banks, Florida: Banks is a space eater in the middle of the defensive line. At 6'6 1/4 and 327 pounds, he was considered one of the top DTs in the draft. With that said, he played just three games this season and had surgery on a fractured bone in his foot. He's expected to be cleared to practice by June, so he'll be ready for training camp. If he's healthy, he can be disruptive and make things difficult for opposing offenses.
1.19 Carolina Panthers:
--Chris Kubala
