NFL Draft 2026 Highlights: Rising Stars & Surprises
The 2026 NFL Draft delivered exactly what football fans wanted: franchise-changing talent, bold trades, early surprises, rising stars, and several picks that immediately changed the direction of major teams. Held in Pittsburgh, the draft opened with the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall, setting the tone for a fascinating class built around quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen, and explosive skill players.
This year’s draft was not just about one superstar prospect. It was about how teams valued premium positions, how aggressively they attacked roster weaknesses, and how several franchises made picks that could define their next three to five years.
From Mendoza’s rise to the top, to the New York Giants landing two top-10 picks, to the Dallas Cowboys adding elite defensive talent, the 2026 NFL Draft gave fans plenty to debate.
Fernando Mendoza Goes No. 1 to the Raiders
The biggest headline came immediately: the Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza, quarterback from Indiana, with the first overall pick.
Mendoza was widely viewed as one of the cleanest quarterback prospects in the class because of his accuracy, poise, and ability to operate from the pocket. NFL.com’s scouting profile described him as a precision-based pocket passer with rare accuracy, strong command in high-pressure situations, and the potential to become a very good starter within his first three seasons.
For the Raiders, this pick is about more than talent. It is about identity.
Las Vegas needed a long-term quarterback answer, and Mendoza gives the franchise a player it can build around. He may not be the flashiest improviser, but he fits the mold of a timing-based passer who can run a structured offense, protect the football, and grow with the right protection.
The key question now is whether the Raiders can surround him with enough offensive line help and receiving consistency. Mendoza’s scouting profile makes one thing clear: he can make life easier for receivers and play-callers, but strong pass protection will be critical to his development.
Edge Rushers Were Premium Assets Again
The second pick showed how highly teams still value pass rushers. The New York Jets selected David Bailey, edge rusher from Texas Tech, at No. 2 overall.
Bailey was one of the most explosive defensive players in the draft. NFL.com’s scouting report praised his suddenness, bend, athleticism, and Pro Bowl upside as an odd-front rush linebacker.
That pick made sense for a Jets team trying to strengthen its defensive identity. In today’s NFL, quarterbacks dominate the conversation, but teams that can consistently pressure the passer without blitzing still have a major advantage.
Bailey’s rise also showed that the 2026 draft was not only a quarterback story. Defensive disruptors remained at the center of team-building strategy.
Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 Was One of the Biggest Talking Points
One of the first major surprises came at No. 3, when the Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Running backs rarely go this high in the modern NFL unless a team believes the player is truly special. Love’s talent is clear. NFL.com described him as a three-phase running back with big-play speed, pass-catching value, and the ability to stress defenses in multiple ways.
Still, the positional value debate will follow this pick for years. Some analysts viewed the Cardinals’ selection as a reach because teams usually prioritize quarterbacks, tackles, edge rushers, and cornerbacks at the top of the draft. SB Nation specifically called Arizona’s choice of a running back at No. 3 one of the first-round’s major talking points.
But if Love becomes a true offensive centerpiece, the pick could age beautifully. He has the speed, receiving ability, and explosive profile to become more than a traditional running back. The Cardinals are betting he can be a full-field weapon.
Ohio State Dominated the Top 10
Ohio State had a massive opening night.
The first round saw Carnell Tate go No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans, Arvell Reese go No. 5 to the New York Giants, and Sonny Styles go No. 7 to the Washington Commanders.
That is a remarkable run for one college program. It also shows how NFL-ready Ohio State’s top talent looked to front offices.
Tate gives Tennessee a high-upside receiver. Reese gives the Giants a defensive building block. Styles gives Washington a versatile linebacker with the physical profile modern defenses love.
When one school sends three players into the top seven, it says something about both talent development and scheme translation. Ohio State was one of the clear winners of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Giants Made a Huge Statement
The New York Giants were one of the most aggressive and interesting teams in the first round. They selected Arvell Reese at No. 5 and then used the No. 10 pick, acquired from Cincinnati, on Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.
That is exactly how a rebuilding or retooling team should use premium draft capital: one pick on defensive impact, one pick on offensive foundation.
SB Nation described the Giants as one of the teams that “crushed” their top-10 picks. That may be a strong reaction, but it is easy to understand why. Reese gives them speed and defensive range, while Mauigoa gives them size and protection up front.
For Giants fans, the draft felt like a serious attempt to rebuild the trenches and add high-end physical talent.
Offensive Linemen Were the Draft’s Big Winners
One of the clearest trends of the 2026 NFL Draft was the rush on offensive linemen.
NFL.com noted that nine offensive linemen were selected in Round 1, making them one of the biggest winners of the opening night.
That tells us a lot about the current NFL. Teams are desperate for pass protection. Quarterbacks are expensive, defensive fronts are faster than ever, and offensive line depth is difficult to find. If a team believes a tackle or guard can start early, it will not wait.
Some of the major first-round offensive line picks included:
Spencer Fano to the Browns at No. 9
Francis Mauigoa to the Giants at No. 10
Kadyn Proctor to the Dolphins at No. 12
Olaivavega Ioane to the Ravens at No. 14
Blake Miller to the Lions at No. 17
Monroe Freeling to the Panthers at No. 19
Max Iheanachor to the Steelers at No. 21
Keylan Rutledge to the Texans at No. 26
Caleb Lomu to the Patriots at No. 28
The message is simple: NFL teams are tired of watching young quarterbacks get hit. The 2026 draft became a major investment in protection.
Jordyn Tyson Was One of the Most Fascinating Rising Stars
The New Orleans Saints selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson at No. 8, and that pick quickly became one of the most interesting stories of the first round.
NFL.com listed Tyson as one of the first-round winners, noting that he entered the draft process with injury questions but also major talent. According to NFL.com, teams became more comfortable with him as coaches got involved in the evaluation process, and his grade rose during the pre-draft process.
That makes Tyson a classic high-upside pick. If he stays healthy, he could become one of the best offensive weapons in the class. The Saints are betting on talent, ceiling, and fit.
For a team that needed offensive juice, Tyson gives New Orleans a receiver who can change the shape of the passing game.
The Rams Shocked Everyone With Ty Simpson
One of the boldest quarterback moves came at No. 13, when the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson after acquiring the pick from Atlanta.
This was one of the first round’s biggest surprises. SB Nation called the Rams’ selection of Simpson “shocking,” noting that Sean McVay did not appear thrilled in the moment.
Quarterback picks always create drama, but this one was especially interesting because of team context. The Rams were not necessarily expected to make this kind of first-round QB swing. But if they believe Simpson can become their future starter, the move could be a smart long-term play.
The risk is obvious: first-round quarterbacks carry pressure, especially when selected by teams with high offensive expectations. Simpson may not need to start immediately, but the spotlight is already on him.
Caleb Downs to the Cowboys Could Be a Steal
The Dallas Cowboys selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11, and that pick immediately stood out as one of the most talented player-team fits in the first round.
Downs was widely viewed as one of the best all-around players in the class. SB Nation suggested the Cowboys might have landed the best overall player in the draft at that spot.
Dallas later signed Downs to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie deal worth $28.95 million, including a $17.5 million signing bonus, according to Reuters.
For the Cowboys, this pick could transform the back end of the defense. Downs has the profile of a modern safety: range, instincts, tackling, ball skills, and versatility. If he adjusts quickly, he could become one of the most impactful defensive rookies in the league.
The Cowboys Doubled Down on Defense
Dallas did not stop with Caleb Downs. The Cowboys also selected Malachi Lawrence, edge rusher from UCF, at No. 23 after acquiring the pick from Green Bay.
That gave the Cowboys two first-round defensive additions: one in the secondary and one on the edge.
This is an aggressive strategy, and it makes sense. Dallas has often had high-end defensive talent, but adding Downs and Lawrence gives the unit more range, more pressure potential, and more flexibility.
If both players develop quickly, the Cowboys may look back at the 2026 draft as the year they rebuilt their defensive ceiling.
The Jets Had a Busy First Round
The New York Jets were one of the most active teams in Round 1. They selected David Bailey at No. 2, Kenyon Sadiq at No. 16, and Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 30.
That is a major first-round haul: edge rusher, tight end, and wide receiver.
Bailey gives the defense a pass-rushing centerpiece. Sadiq gives the offense a tight end weapon. Cooper adds receiving depth and explosiveness.
The Jets clearly entered the draft wanting impact players, not just depth. Whether this class changes the team’s direction will depend on how quickly those offensive additions help stabilize the passing game.
Quarterback Surprises Continued on Day 2
The quarterback story did not end with Mendoza and Simpson.
On Day 2, Carson Beck became the third quarterback selected when the Arizona Cardinals took him at No. 65, and Drew Allar became the fourth quarterback selected when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted him at No. 76.
Those picks were fascinating for different reasons. Beck gives Arizona another quarterback option after already making a splash with Jeremiyah Love. Allar going to Pittsburgh was especially spicy because he comes from a family of Cleveland Browns fans, adding a fun AFC North storyline.
Day 2 quarterbacks often become some of the most intriguing players in a draft class. They do not carry the same immediate pressure as top-five picks, but they can become future starters if developed properly.
Avieon Terrell Joining His Brother Was a Feel-Good Moment
One of the best family moments of the draft came when the Atlanta Falcons selected Avieon Terrell, pairing him with his older brother A.J. Terrell. SB Nation called it an incredible moment.
Draft night is often dominated by analytics, value charts, and roster debates, but moments like this remind fans why the event is special. Families wait years for these dreams, and sometimes football creates storylines that feel almost scripted.
For Atlanta, the pick also adds another defensive back with a familiar football bloodline and a natural connection inside the locker room.
Detroit Found a Strong Fit in Derrick Moore
The Detroit Lions selected Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore at No. 44, one of the cleanest regional and scheme fits of the draft.
Moore brings proven college production and now joins a defense that already features former Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson. A Maize n Brew report noted that Moore was voted by fans as the best NFL Draft fit among Michigan players, after recording 21 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles across 53 games at Michigan.
That kind of pick can energize both a fan base and a locker room. Detroit added a familiar, productive, physical pass rusher who fits the city’s football identity perfectly.
Mr. Irrelevant: Red Murdock to the Broncos
The 2026 NFL Draft ended with the Denver Broncos selecting Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock at No. 257, making him this year’s Mr. Irrelevant. NFL.com confirmed that Murdock closed out the draft as the final pick.
The Mr. Irrelevant title is always fun, but recent NFL history has shown that late-round picks can become real contributors. Murdock will now enter camp with attention, a chip on his shoulder, and a chance to turn a novelty label into an actual roster opportunity.
Biggest Draft Themes From 2026
The 2026 NFL Draft had several major themes.
First, quarterback need still drives the top of the board. Mendoza went No. 1, Simpson landed in Round 1, and Beck and Allar followed on Day 2.
Second, offensive linemen were extremely valuable. Nine went in the first round, proving that teams are prioritizing protection and trench stability.
Third, edge rushers remained premium assets. Bailey, Reese, Bain, Mesidor, Lawrence, Faulk, and others showed that pass rush is still one of the safest investments in football.
Fourth, teams were willing to take bold swings. Arizona taking a running back at No. 3, the Rams drafting Simpson at No. 13, and the Jets making three first-round picks all created instant debate.
Fifth, the draft had strong defensive back and weapon talent, from Mansoor Delane and Caleb Downs to Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and KC Concepcion.
Best Rising Stars to Watch
Several rookies stand out as must-watch names heading into training camp.
Fernando Mendoza will be the face of the Raiders’ rebuild. His accuracy and command make him the most important rookie in the class.
David Bailey could become an immediate pass-rush problem for opposing tackles. His burst and bend make him one of the top defensive rookies to watch.
Jeremiyah Love has the highest offensive ceiling among non-quarterbacks. If Arizona uses him creatively, he could become a fantasy football and highlight-reel favorite.
Jordyn Tyson may become the steal of the top 10 if he stays healthy. His talent was never the question.
Caleb Downs has Defensive Rookie of the Year potential because of his instincts and versatility.
Derrick Moore could make early noise in Detroit if he earns snaps alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
Makai Lemon, drafted by the Eagles at No. 20, lands in a strong offensive environment and could develop into a dangerous weapon.
Final Verdict
The 2026 NFL Draft gave fans a little bit of everything: a No. 1 quarterback, a top-three running back shocker, an offensive line run, major defensive additions, bold quarterback bets, and several emotional storylines.
The Raiders made Fernando Mendoza the new face of their franchise. The Jets loaded up with three first-rounders. The Giants attacked both sides of the line with premium talent. The Cowboys may have landed one of the best players in the class in Caleb Downs. The Rams surprised everyone with Ty Simpson. And the Cardinals created one of the draft’s biggest debates by taking Jeremiyah Love at No. 3.
The draft is over, but the real evaluation is just beginning. Rookie minicamps, training camp battles, preseason flashes, and early regular-season snaps will tell us which teams truly got it right.
For now, the 2026 NFL Draft feels like a class defined by bold decisions, trench investment, and several rising stars who could reshape the league sooner than expected.
