- A, Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, quarterback, Indiana University — To absolutely no one’s surprise, the Raiders select the 2026 Heisman Trophy winner to be their signal-caller of the future. Incoming head coach Klint Kubiak has his offense set with Mendoza, tight end Brock Bowers, and running back Ashton Jeanty at the forefront.
- C, New York Jets: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech University — The Jets invest in one of the most productive defenders in this year’s class. However, concerns about Bailey’s stiffness, lackluster run defense, and late college breakout make him a bigger risk than some of the other players still on the board.
- B-, Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, running back, University of Notre Dame — Love joins an already-packed Arizona running back room, becoming the franchise’s most prominent offensive weapon upon arrival. Spending such a high pick on a running back is an ambitious move by the Cardinals, but Love’s proven talent is something that any team would be lucky to bet on.
- B+, Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, wide receiver, Ohio State University — The Titans provide Cameron Ward with much-needed receiver help after suffering through a year with Elic Ayomanor as his top pass catcher. Through the years, Ohio State wideouts have been some of the safest picks that teams can make. However, this is an incredibly high spot for a team to invest in a career WR2.
- A+, New York Giants: Arvell Reese, outside linebacker, Ohio State University — Reese miraculously falls into the Giants’ lap at pick five, joining Tremaine Edmunds to recreate a dominant linebacker duo reminiscent of his college years playing next to Sonny Styles. Reese will bring play finishing, run defense, and pass rush talent to John Harbaugh’s New York Giants.
- A, Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, cornerback, Louisiana State University — After trading Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs immediately replenish their secondary with a lockdown corner like Delane. Although the Chiefs traded up to make the pick, Delane’s talents far outweigh their lost draft capital.
- A+, Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, linebacker, Ohio State University — Even though linebacker wasn’t necessarily a position of need for the Commanders, Styles’ record-setting athleticism and extraordinary pass coverage ability make him too great of a prospect to pass up on.
- B, New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, wide receiver, Arizona State University — Dozens of draft analysts have Tyson as their best receiver in this year’s class, but the questions surrounding his injury history dock this draft grade down from an A+ to a B. Fans can only hope that Tyson and Saints wideout Chris Olave take the field together; the duo’s potential is limitless, but the pair’s injuries are beyond concerning.
- A+, Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, offensive lineman, University of Utah — The Browns trade back and get a versatile stud on the offensive line. The Outland Trophy winner can play anywhere along the Browns’ rebuilding line, protecting Shedeur Sanders and opening lanes for Quinshon Judkins.
- A-, New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, offensive lineman, University of Miami — The Giants fortify their offensive line at the expense of their defensive line. Although losing Dexter Lawrence will have a huge impact on their defense, taking Mauigoa will give Jaxson Dart ample time in the pocket against these ruthless NFC East defenses.
- A+, Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, safety, Ohio State University — The Cowboys trade up and steal one of the most talented prospects from this year’s class. With Downs’ tackling ability and football IQ, Dallas’ defense will be fiercesome.
- D-, Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, offensive lineman, University of Alabama — Miami disappoints at 12, reaching for Proctor despite superior talent still on the board. Proctor has some significant upsides because of his pure size, but critics have noted numerous issues with his athleticism and weight. Landing in sunny Miami is not the motivation that Proctor needs.
- C, Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, quarterback, University of Alabama — The Rams stay savvy and take Simpson to sit behind reigning MVP Matthew Stafford. The Crimson quarterback comes with his own set of risks, however, being an undersized one-year starter at Alabama.
- A+, Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, offensive guard, Penn State University — The Ravens do what the Ravens do: drafting yet another elite prospect. Ioane provides the Ravens’ two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson some essential interior protection after somehow surviving multiple seasons with Daniel Faalele.
- A+, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, University of Miami — Bain’s slide comes to an end as the Bucs finally take a swing on the young lineman. Critics have a lot to say about Bain’s short arms, but that never stopped him from being the type of player he was in college. The Bucs need pass rush, and they might have lucked out with the best pass rusher that this class has to offer.
- B, New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, tight end, University of Oregon — Tight end wasn’t exactly a “need” for the Jets, especially at pick 16. However, Sadiq’s upside as a freak-athlete offensive weapon might give Geno Smith the gas that he needs to reach “the promised land.”
- A, Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, offensive tackle, Clemson University — Although Detroit reached above consensus by taking Miller, his vast starting experience makes him a perfect fit for the Motor City’s rebuilding offensive line.
- B-, Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, defensive tackle, University of Florida — The Vikings fill the Javon Hargrave-shaped hole in their defense with Banks, who can be a potential wrecking ball in the middle of their defensive front. Banks comes with a lengthy set of risks, though, with major lower body injuries including multiple injuries to the same foot.
- A+, Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, offensive tackle, University of Georgia — With Ickey Ekwonu out indefinitely, Carolina sures up Bryce Young’s protection with a fluid giant at the offensive tackle position. What Freeling lacks in starting experience, he more than makes up for in frame, strength, and agility.
- B+, Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, wide receiver, University of Southern California — Say goodbye to AJ Brown, Philadelphia. In a shocking rival-to-rival trade, the Eagles move up three spots to snag one of the top receivers that this draft has to offer. As a slot-demon that’s ready to block, Lemon fits the system well … but at what cost?
- A-, Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, offensive tackle, Arizona State University — The Steelers put an end to the Broderick Jones experiment by selecting the developmental Sun Devil. Iheanachor is the type of young athlete that Pittsburgh needs to stabilize its offense for the future.
- C+, Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, University of Miami — Although Mesidor is undoubtedly one of the most refined pass rushers in this year’s draft, the six-year college player’s age and injury issues stain his otherwise polished reputation. The Chargers need to maximize Mesidor’s impact within his short window, as he will be 30 years old by his first projected contract extension.
- B+, Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Lawrence, edge rusher, University of Central Florida — Dallas trades back with the Eagles and selects a solid edge piece to pair with Donovan Ezeiruaku. Now armed with Downs and Lawrence, the Cowboys defense has transformed into a force to be reckoned with.
- A, Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, wide receiver, Texas A&M University — The Browns get one of the most versatile skill players from this class, giving Sanders even more help to succeed.
- A+, Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, safety, University of Oregon — Last season, the Bears thrived on turnovers from their defense. After losing Kevin Byard to free agency, they select his replacement almost immediately.
- B+, Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, offensive guard, Georgia Tech University — The game of football is won and lost in the trenches, and the Texans seem to have gotten the message as they trade up with the Bills and finally invest some first round draft capital into the offensive line. Rutledge is one of the lesser-known prospects coming out this year, but any help that Houston can get is essential.
- B+, Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, cornerback, San Diego State University — The Dolphins continue to have one of the stranger first rounds in recent memory, this time reaching on a solid small-school player in Johnson. Incoming head coach Jeff Hafley does well with his defensive backs, but a Group of Six corner like Johnson doesn’t address the more dire offensive needs for this up-and-coming Miami squad.
- B, New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, offensive tackle, University of Utah — Caleb Lomu had his fair share of lowlights throughout last season, especially in his downtrodden game against Texas Tech. Lomu now has the chance to come in and sit behind Morgan Moses to ensure a better-protected future for Drake Maye.
- A+, Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, defensive tackle, Clemson University — Great teams stay great by making steals late in the first round. Peter Woods may be the best interior defensive lineman in this class, and now he gets to play alongside Chris Jones. The Chiefs can’t keep getting away with this.
- A+, New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., wide receiver, Indiana University — As one of the most reliable pass catchers coming out this year, Cooper was commonly mocked to the Jets at 16. For New York to trade up and take him at 30 makes him an undeniable steal.
- B+, Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn University — With Brian Daboll and Ward getting their guy in Tate at four, it’s only fair for Robert Saleh to get a defensive piece at 31. The athlete he is now, at 21 years old, has a lot of potential to be a defensive cornerstone on this new-and-improved roster.
- B-, Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, running back, University of Notre Dame — Letting Superbowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III leave in free agency — only to take his replacement at pick 32 — is a bit of a headscratcher for the Seahawks. Sure, Walker may have been expensive to keep, but it might have ultimately been cheaper than trusting the Emerald City offense to run through a career RB2.
The UCSD Guardian’s 2026 NFL draft grades
About the Contributor
Isaiah Benitez, Artist
Isaiah is an English/Literature major and a bold Philadelphia Eagles fan.
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