The primary spherical of the 2026 NFL draft will see 32 gamers chosen. However what number of of these gamers have true first-round grades?
There is a distinction between getting into Spherical 1 and being graded in Spherical 1, and now that we’re simply over two months away from the opening of the 2026 draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh, I’ve recognized the gamers who I imagine are no-brainer Day 1 guys. The common draft class has roughly 15 gamers who’re deemed “first-round abilities,” although the quantity varies by group and scouting division. These particular evaluations are reserved for prospects who can be Spherical 1 picks whatever the yr, and my very own guideline is whether or not a participant would have been a first-rounder in every of the previous 5 lessons.
I gave solely 13 first-round grades within the 2025 class, the bottom quantity I’ve ever awarded. However the 2026 class really has fewer in the intervening time — solely 11. For context, the ultimate checklist in 2024 had 18 names on it, and the 2023 checklist had 20.
Listed here are the gamers who deserve a first-round grade on my board. (Gamers’ general rankings are in parentheses after their names, and I’ll have one final replace in April.)
Bounce to place:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | IOL
Edge | DT | LB | CB | S
Quarterback (1)
One yr after zero quarterbacks had a real first-round grade, there may be one on this class. Mendoza transferred to Indiana from Cal and developed right into a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and potential No. 1 decide. He has excellent pocket poise with expert-level contact to all areas of the sphere. My favourite trait is his skill to place the ball up for his receivers to make performs. And though his arm power won’t ever be elite, Mendoza protects the ball and is a good distributor. He threw for 41 touchdowns to 6 interceptions final season and has a recreation similar to Jared Goff.
Operating again (1)
My high general prospect, Love has three-down skill and quickness in house. The 6-foot, 214-pounder has runaway velocity that led to a number of rushes of greater than 90 yards in his faculty profession. He glided to 1,372 yards final season with a median of 6.9 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns.
With elite velocity and imaginative and prescient, plus a construct that may deal with constant carries, he is the best NFL operating again prospect. Love is on par with latest prospects resembling Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs by way of expertise and upside.
Vast receiver (2)
The 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner as the most effective receiver in faculty soccer, Lemon is a exact route runner with wonderful palms (solely three drops the previous two seasons), the quickness to generate yards after the catch and the power to create missed tackles in house. Lemon’s restricted measurement (5-foot-11, 195 kilos) is perhaps a difficulty for some groups, however he’s confirmed from the slot and has the toughness to play out broad towards press protection.
NFL groups that watched the play of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown ought to love the way in which Lemon competes on crossing and beneath routes and the way effectively he wins with leverage and fast breaks out and in of routes.
One other Ohio State first-round broad receiver? Yep. Tate exploded final season, at instances eclipsing celebrity sophomore teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate’s impression was apparent, with 51 catches for 875 yards and 9 touchdowns in 11 video games regardless of an absence of targets late in video games as a consequence of Ohio State’s domination.
On tape, Tate appears like a Justin Jefferson-level prospect when evaluating their faculty video games. Tate is a cultured, crisp route runner with the physique management to regulate midroute or assault the ball within the air. He had one drop on 67 targets final season and confirmed he can constantly win in contested-catch conditions.
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Carnell Tate rises over 2 Wisconsin defenders for an Ohio State TD
Julian Sayin lets it fly to Carnell Tate for a unbelievable Ohio State landing vs. Wisconsin.
Tight finish (1)
Even with eventual second-rounder Terrance Ferguson on the roster in 2024, scouts had been buzzing about Sadiq. He did not disappoint in his solely season as a starter in 2025, catching 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. The junior’s greatest trait is his skill to assault the ball within the air and contort his physique to make performs on it. Sadiq is a high-end mover with the velocity, power and leaping skill to be a matchup nightmare. He lacks elite measurement at 6-foot-3 and 245 kilos, and he had six drops on 70 targets final season, however he tasks as a difference-making transfer tight finish within the professionals.
Offensive sort out (1)
The 2026 offensive sort out class seemed sturdy earlier than the season started. Maybe it’ll show stronger after the mix, however for now there’s just one prospect with a real first-round grade. Mauigoa is a three-year starter at proper sort out, although some within the NFL imagine he can be higher at guard as a consequence of a squared-off, squatty body (6-foot-6, 315 kilos). His tape reveals a constant performer with superior power however restricted steadiness to regulate to hurry rushers.
Mauigoa allowed solely six pressures final season with non-mobile quarterback Carson Beck working behind him and gave up solely two sacks prior to now two seasons mixed.
Inside offensive line (0)
The inside offensive line class does not function a first-round grade, however there are sturdy contenders to be chosen late within the first spherical. Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane ranks as a top-40 participant on my board and has the constant run recreation and move safety expertise at 6-foot-4, 330 kilos to be a starter within the NFL. Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon and Auburn heart Connor Lew may push into that vary, too.
Edge rusher (2)
When Bailey transferred from Stanford, he was anticipated to turn out to be a power for the Purple Raiders’ defensive position. He did that with 69 pressures, 14.5 sacks and an edge stress price of 21.3% that was the most effective within the FBS. At 6-foot-3 and 250 kilos, Bailey’s velocity across the nook is obvious on tape, and his manufacturing matches it. There is perhaps measurement issues, however Bailey is among the many nation’s most improved gamers and has turn out to be a top-10 prospect.
Arguably the most effective participant in faculty soccer final season, Bain was a constant, irritating presence for opposing quarterbacks. With 71 pressures and 9.5 sacks, Bain has elevated from the middle-to-late first spherical to an authorized top-10 decide. There are rumblings that his arms will measure shorter than 32 inches, however Bain has proved that he can excel towards high competitors — as evidenced by the 23 pressures and 5 sacks he recorded throughout Miami’s playoff run.
Defensive sort out (0)
The 2026 defensive sort out class has depth however no actual first-round abilities after a quiet season from Peter Woods (Clemson) and the failure of the remainder of the category to supply pass-rushing abilities worthy of a high decide. Although the category does not have a standout expertise, there are spectacular nostril sort out and 1-technique prospects resembling Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), Caleb Banks (Florida) and Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) who will push to be top-32 picks.
Linebacker (2)
Reese wasn’t on the NFL radar coming into final season, as he had restricted beginning reps coming into 2025. However he is perhaps the primary defensive participant picked in April. Reese’s manufacturing exploded in new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s scheme. Working as each a linebacker and a move rusher, Reese posted 69 tackles, 18 pressures and 6.5 sacks whereas exhibiting velocity and energy across the edge paying homage to Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter of their transformations from linebacker to edge rusher.
Reese remains to be a piece in progress, however his manufacturing and impression final season level to a participant with the expertise to shortly be an NFL difference-maker at linebacker or on the sting. His professional place is a topic of debate amongst NFL scouts, with most telling me he’ll possible start his profession at linebacker with reps as an edge rusher to be able to totally be taught that place — which is what Parsons did in his rookie season.
Ohio State would possibly take the “Linebacker U” label this yr to associate with the “WRU” tag it has earned in recent times. Types is a Fred Warner-like linebacker who has elite vary and monitoring skill whereas tipping the scales at 6-4, 243 kilos. His measurement and athletic skill are uncommon and are backed up by manufacturing (83 tackles, one interception, one sack final season) that factors to his NFL-readiness.
Types’ participant profile and constant manufacturing over the previous three seasons make him one of many best evaluations on this class. He is a rookie starter and has the instruments of a future All-Professional.
Cornerback (0)
No cornerback presently has a real first-round grade, however there are two gamers on the radar who needs to be thought of top-15 picks and will work their means right into a 90-plus ranking on my board by late April.
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy seemed like a future top-10 decide throughout his sophomore season in 2024. He has an all-around NFL recreation at 6-foot and 193 kilos, however an ACL damage suffered in January saved him out final season. McCoy’s six interceptions the earlier two seasons present his ball expertise and instincts, however questions stay about his professional readiness after lacking a yr. There will probably be some rust that NFL groups have to be comfy with if they’re going to use an early decide on him.
After which there may be LSU’s Mansoor Delane, who emerged as the most effective cornerback within the FBS. The Virginia Tech switch was a lockdown presence, permitting simply 10 completions final season and grabbing two picks. Delane lacks ultimate NFL measurement with shorter arms on a 5-foot-11 body, however his play has been excellent.
Security (1)
In case you may create the best security prospect, it will appear like Downs. The 6-foot, 205-pound junior is an elite open-field tackler with the closing velocity to run down ball carriers and dominate angles in house. Downs can do all of it, usually lining up in a number of assignments relying on the place the protection wants him. His 4 interceptions the previous two seasons communicate to his ball expertise but additionally to the truth that offenses keep away from him.
One rival offensive coach instructed me that they establish Downs on pre-snaps over a linebacker or key move rusher — he is that impactful. Safeties are hardly ever drafted within the high 5, however Downs shouldn’t be missed. He may have a Kyle Hamilton-like function instantly as a rookie starter.
