Pick-by-pick takes on Round 1 of the NFL draft: How prospects fit with their new teams

NFL NationApr 23, 2026, 09:23 PM ETCloseNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.The 2026 NFL draft began Thursday night in Pittsburgh at 8 p.m. (on ESPN/ABC/ESPN App).We will be tracking all 257 picks for Rounds 1-7, and you also can check out all the best available draft prospects.The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET) and concludes with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).ESPN's team of reporters will submit pros and cons below for each of the 32 players selected in Thursday's first round.More coverage: Top prospects at every position Kiper's position rankingsRound 1 picks / order1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaWhy they picked him: With the Raiders in the midst of a rebuild, they needed a long-term answer at quarterback, and Mendoza has the potential to fill this need. His skill set is a natural fit for new coach Klint Kubiak's offense, and the two can develop into a strong pairing for years to come. Similar to most quarterbacks coming out of college, Mendoza will have to adjust to playing under center. But his decision-making and accuracy should carry him a long way.Biggest question: Even though general manager John Spytek and Kubiak prefer letting a young quarterback sit until ready, the best players will ultimately play. The Raiders signed Kirk Cousins ahead of the draft, giving the organization insurance at the position. The best-case scenario is that Cousins begins the season as the starter before Mendoza takes over for the rest of the way, similar to Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart with the New York Giants last year. -- Ryan McFaddenRead more on Raiders picks over all seven rounds2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas TechWhy they picked him: Did you see what opposing quarterbacks did to the Jets last season? We're talking 36 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. The Jets' pass rush was so benign (26 sacks) that the safest place in the stadium was the pocket behind center. Bailey should change that. In 2025, he led the FBS in sacks (14.5) and quarterback pressure percentage (20.4%). His outside speed is real and should attract double-teams, creating one-on-ones for the interior rushers. The Jets haven't had a consistent, double-digit sack threat in a decade. Bailey needs to be that guy.Biggest question: Did they blow it by passing on Arvell Reese? Most talent evaluators believe Reese has a higher ceiling than Bailey. Another question will be about Bailey's liability against the run. By his own admission, this is an area where he needs to improve. He had only eight run stops (tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage) in 14 games. The Jets will leave themselves vulnerable against the run if they roll with Bailey (251 pounds) and Will McDonald IV (245) as their two edge defenders. -- Rich CiminiRead more on Jets picks over all seven rounds3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameWhy they picked him: Love gives the Cardinals even more offensive skill talent for first-year head coach Mike LaFleur to utilize. Love is a dynamic back, who will slide into the RB1 role immediately. Arizona has a number of other needs that will help the Cardinals win in 2026 but Arizona can build around Love and will complement the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson and Trey McBride.Biggest question: Having a talent such as Love in the backfield could lead to offensive fireworks, if Arizona can both protect the quarterback -- whoever it might -- and block for Love. Arizona has a major need at right tackle, so addressing the offense from the outside in is a major risk for a general manager on the hot seat with a first-year head coach. -- Josh WeinfussRead more on Cardinals picks over all seven rounds4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateWhy they picked him: The Titans took Tate because they want to add playmakers for QB Cam Ward. Tate is a complete receiver who developed into a downfield threat last season. He averaged 32.5 yards per touchdown last season with five scores of 40 or more yards. It's a relatively safe pick for the Titans, who are banking on his continued development as a pass catcher. He'll get to work with wide receivers coach Greg Lewis and figures to settle in at the No.1 receiver for Ward. Tate is also a willing blocker.Biggest question: How will Tate adjust to being the No. 1 receiver? As the draft's fourth pick, Tate will be asked to immediately be the Titans' lead receiver. That's new territory for him after serving as the No. 2 wideout at Ohio State alongside Jeremiah Smith. The coverage is going to be rolled towards Tate now. He'll also face the opposing team's top cover corner when they see man defense. How Tate adjusts to the new defensive focus on him will be the key to his success. The good thing is he'll have an accomplished playcaller in Brian Daboll and veteran receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley to show him the way. -- Turron DavenportRead more on Titans picks over all seven rounds5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio StateWhy they picked him: Quite simply, he's one of the best prospects in this draft. The Giants didn't expect him to be available when they selected fifth. Reese projects primarily as an edge rusher but also has played inside linebacker at Ohio State. He can move around the field and is a unique athlete, having run the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at 241 pounds. As general manager Joe Schoen said back at the NFL scouting combine: "You can't have enough pass rushers." That applies here.Biggest question: How do the Giants fit Reese into the mix? They already have edge rushers Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the roster. This would seem to put Thibodeaux's future in further doubt. Thibodeaux is set to play this season on his fifth-year option. A trade could be on the horizon. Even with Burns, Carter and Reese it will be a challenge for new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to get the talented rookie on the field enough to justify this high pick. -- Jordan RaananRead more on Giants picks over all seven rounds6. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSUWhy they picked him: After trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams seven weeks ago, the Chiefs have found their new starter in Delane, who has the potential to be a star. One of Delane's best traits is his coverage ability, especially in press, man-to-man coverage. In 11 games last season, he recorded two interceptions and 13 pass breakups. Delane is also not afraid to be a physical tackle in the open space. With the Chiefs, Delane will be a starter who can help replace the lost production of McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, who are both with the Rams.Biggest question: Did the Chiefs really need to make this trade? By trading away three picks, the Chiefs made sure they took the top cornerback in the draft, becoming the first team to execute a trade to move up ahead of the Washington Commanders and New Orleans Saints. But were the Chiefs worried that one of those teams would select Delane? By executing this trade, the Chiefs went from nine picks to just seven. The trade will be successful if Delane turns out to be valuable enough to surrender the Nos. 9, 74 and 148. -- Nate TaylorRead more on Chiefs picks over all seven rounds7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateWhy they picked him: Styles offers terrific length, speed, leadership and versatility at linebacker. Styles ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and would give the Commanders the speed it has lacked at the position, pairing with Leo Chenal (4.53) to form a fast tandem alongside Frankie Luvu. Another potential starter, Jordan Magee (4.55) also offers speed and versatility. In new coordinator Daronte Jones' defense, Styles would provide flexibility in coverage -- at 6-foot-5, he covers ground -- and they can use him as a blitzer, something also Chenal can do. Also, Styles missed only two tackles last season and is considered a strong on-field communicator and leader.Biggest question: Does he keep ascending and can he impact the quarterback? Styles made a big leap in his second season at linebacker for Ohio State after transitioning from safety. The latter position has helped in some route recognitions but he'll also have to prove he can handle one-on-one coverage vs. backs or tight ends. Also, can he become an effective blitzer? OSU linebackers coach James Laurinaitis said they would have used him similarly to Arvell Reese this year -- if they didn't have Reese. In other words, yes they think he can blitz. -- John KeimRead more on Commanders picks over all seven rounds8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateWhy they picked him: The Saints were in need of wide receivers at the end of the 2025 season, and when they didn't sign one in free agency, the speculation about adding a pass catcher intensified. The Saints have a young quarterback in Tyler Shough and need to surround him with offensive players. The wide receiver room, which doesn't have much depth right now, gets an immediate upgrade with Tyson, who had 18 touchdown receptions in the past two seasons. He can become an immediate starter next to Chris Olave.Biggest question: Tyson's injury history is extensive, which could be a concern. Olave, the Saints' No. 1 wideout, suffered health issues of his own when he had several concussions in 2024. Tyson has had hamstring issues, knee issues, an ankle injury and a broken collarbone. Keeping him healthy will be a top priority for the Saints, who have admitted they are more risk averse when drafting then they might have been in the past. -- Katherine TerrellRead more on Saints picks over all seven rounds9. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, UtahWhy they picked him: The Browns' commitment to the trenches this offseason continues. After bringing in three outside offensive linemen in free agency, Cleveland adds its possible left tackle of the future. Fano played the past two seasons at right tackle but began his college career at left tackle. The Browns still have a big void at left tackle, a position group that allowed a league-worst 16.2% pressure rate and 36 quick pressures last season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Dawand Jones, a 2023 fourth-round pick, has suffered season-ending leg injuries in three straight seasons.Biggest question: Is Fano's future actually at LT? Throughout the draft process, there has been speculation Fano could move inside to guard or tackle because of his sub-33-inch arm length. Cleveland has added a pair of interior linemen this offseason (Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson) but only one offensive tackle (Tytus Howard) -- Daniel OyefusiRead more on Browns picks over all seven rounds12. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateWhy they picked him: Some people consider Downs the best player in the draft. Others have called him the safest pick in the draft. The Cowboys' defense needs all kinds of help and Downs can fill spots at safety, but most likely he will be their nickel defender, which is of huge importance for new coordinator Christian Parker. Downs can diagnose things quickly and is unafraid.Biggest question: There have been rumblings of a knee condition in the lead up to the draft, but he never missed a game in college. He didn't do any of the testing at the combine or at his pro day, so there is no 40-yard dash time, but on film there isn't much question about his speed. -- Todd ArcherRead more on Cowboys picks over all seven rounds10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiWhy they picked him: He was considered by many to be the top offensive lineman in this draft. He can start at the vacant right guard spot and potentially slide out to tackle in future years if Andrew Thomas struggles with injuries or when Jermaine Eluemunor's contract expires. Mauigoa had just 11 snaps as a guard at Miami and was a consensus All American this past season at right tackle. His 1.1% pressure percentage allowed was third- best in FBS. Mauigoa plays with the size and strength that should transition well to guard. Some NFL evaluators think his best fit is actually as a guard.Biggest question: He has a herniated disc in his back. It's possible that Mauigoa could eventually need surgery. That left questions about how high a team would take him in the draft because it could affect his rookie season. And then who knows how it would respond long term. There was never any doubt that Mauigoa would still be a high pick. Just would a team take the risk in the Top 10. -- Jordan RaananRead more on Giants picks over all seven rounds12. Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT, AlabamaWhy they picked him: Proctor brings massive size to the field at 6-foot-7, 352 pounds, and gives Miami two of the biggest tackles in the league alongside Patrick Paul. The Dolphins want to run the ball and Proctor is a mauler who can help them do so. With no set starter at right guard and Austin Jackson's expiring contract at right tackle, Proctor could play both positions over the next two years.Biggest question: Where will he play? Proctor played left tackle for the Crimson Tide but it's unlikely he takes Paul's job in Miami. Jackson has struggled to stay healthy over the past few seasons but is productive when he's on the field -- so right guard may be Proctor's clearest path to early playing time. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques -- Marcel Louis-JacquesRead more on Dolphins picks over all seven rounds12. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateWhy they picked him: Some people consider Downs the best player in the draft. Others have called him the safest pick in the draft. The Cowboys' defense needs all kinds of help and Downs can fill spots at safety, but most likely he will be their nickel defender, which is of huge importance for new coordinator Christian Parker. Downs can diagnose things quickly and is unafraid.Biggest question: There have been rumblings of a knee condition in the lead up to the draft, but he never missed a game in college. He didn't do any of the testing at the combine or at his pro day, so there is no 40-yard dash time, but on film there isn't much question about his speed. -- Todd ArcherRead more on Cowboys picks over all seven rounds13. Los Angeles Rams14. Baltimore Ravens15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers16. New York Jets17. Detroit Lions18. Minnesota Vikings19. Carolina Panthers20. Dallas Cowboys21. Pittsburgh Steelers22. Los Angeles Chargers23. Philadelphia Eagles24. Cleveland Browns25. Chicago Bears26. Buffalo Bills27. San Francisco 49ers28. Houston Texans29. Kansas City Chiefs30. Miami Dolphins31. New England Patriots32. 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