2026 NFL Draft grades: Will Saints’ Gamble on Jordyn Tyson Pay Off?

What had been mocked everywhere for months became official Thursday night: The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And then draft day really began in Pitsburgh. Stick with us, as I’ll be analyzing and grading every selection in real time. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Rang: An ideal fit for the Raiders both from a physical and intangible perspective, Mendoza isn’t just the right pick, he’s the perfect one. His prototypical size, pre- and post-snap recognition and accuracy from both the pocket and on the move should make him a star in Klint Kubiak’s offense. Even better, Mendoza has composure on and off the field needed for a team based in a city with the many, varied distractions of Las Vegas. Grade: A 2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech Rang: Bailey: Finishing dead last in the AFC in sacks, the Jets made the right choice to add this year’s top pass-rusher. Bailey’s burst and bend off the edge is elite. He is a realistic Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate who projects as a 10-plus sack-a-year difference-maker. Grade: A 3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Rang: Throw out the narrative about positional value, Love’s ability to immediately boost Mike LaFleur’s offense justifies this selection. Frankly, GM Monti Ossenfort needed a slam dunk and Love should provide it. His creativity, elusiveness and breakaway speed have earned comparisons to NFL superstars like Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson from scouts traveling through South Bend for the past two years. Critics, of course, have a point about the fact that drafting a running back this year comes with zero salary relief — something that typically occurs with rookies. Love could be the best running back in the NFL next year, but the Cardinals will already be paying him close to that, regardless. Grade: B+ 4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Rang: It’s our first “upset” of the night, but two people certainly not upset with this selection are Titans quarterback Cam Ward and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Head coach Robert Saleh and Daboll were both fired from recent head-coaching positions because their respective offenses struggled to score. Tate isn’t an elite athlete, but his frame, speed and tracking skills help him project as a legitimate No. 1 candidate. Grade: B+ 5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State Rang: This is a fascinating selection for the Giants, as Reese gives the Giants as formidable a trio of edge rushers as there is in the NFL, teaming, of course, with recent top-10 selections Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Reese’s ability to play the off-ball linebacker position, as well as project as a dynamic pass-rusher gives head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson an awful lot of flexibility. And unlike some of the coaches who passed on Reese, Harbaugh has the security to give him time to develop. Grade: A- 6. Kansas City Chiefs (via Browns): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Rang: I love the Chiefs’ bold decision to trade up for Delane, who would not have lasted until No. 9 overall given the way the board changed once the Titans surprisingly took wideout Carnell Tate. While the gap between Delane and the No. 2 cornerback isn’t quite as big as it is at the QB and RB positions, he is unquestionably the best corner in this class and the Chiefs desperately needed to address this position. Grade: A 7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Rang: Both in Seattle and most recently in Washington, Dan Quinn was blessed to have future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner at middle linebacker. Remarkably, Quinn will now have an even better athlete in the middle of his Commanders defense in Styles. There are only a few linebackers in NFL history with Styles’ combination of size and speed — Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher comes to mind. Washington needed to find an alpha on defense and Styles should prove to be that immediately. Grade: A 8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints Rang: GM Mickey Loomis has never been one to shy from aggressive picks, and the selection of Tyson is certainly that. Critics will point out his struggles with durability, but his tape is excellent. This is a pick about potential, but also an affirmation of Tyler Shough and head coach Kellen Moore. If Tyson stays healthy, he’ll be a star — that’s a significant “if” though, capping this grade. Grade: B 9. Cleveland Browns (via Chiefs): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Rang: The Browns desperately needed to find a left tackle and a wide receiver from this draft, and with the top two wideouts already off the board, Cleveland’s choice was clear. It will be fascinating to see how well Fano plays in comparison to Tyson — who, of course, the Browns traded away the opportunity to draft. Fano’s size and agility should make him the Browns’ day one starter at left tackle. Grade: B 10. New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 11. Miami Dolphins 12. Dallas Cowboys 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) 14. Baltimore Ravens 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16. New York Jets (from Colts) 17. Detroit Lions 18: Minnesota Vikings 19: Carolina Panthers 20: Dallas Cowboys (from Packers) 21: Pittsburgh Steelers 22: Los Angeles Chargers 23: Philadelphia Eagles 24: Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) 25: Chicago Bears 26: Buffalo Bills 27: San Francisco 49ers 28: Houston Texans 29: Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) 30: Miami Dolphins (from Broncos) 31: New England Patriots 32: Seattle Seahawks