The Las Vegas Raiders kicked off the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner addressed the Raiders' quarterback woes after a disappointing 2025 season.

The New York Jets followed by drafting Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey at No. 2, bolstering their defense. The Arizona Cardinals took Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, the 2025 Doak Walker Award winner, at No. 3. The Tennessee Titans added Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4, sparking a run on Buckeyes talent.

Ohio State dominated the night with four first-round selections: Tate (Titans), linebacker Arvell Reese (Giants, No. 5), linebacker Sonny Styles (Commanders, No. 7), and safety Caleb Downs (Cowboys, No. 11). The Giants also picked Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 after acquiring the selection from Cincinnati in exchange for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

A flurry of trades reshaped the board. Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns swapped picks 6 and 9, with the Chiefs taking LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and the Browns selecting Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, the 2025 Outland Trophy winner. The Dallas Cowboys traded up from No. 12 with Miami for No. 11 to grab Downs, then later acquired No. 23 from Philadelphia for defensive end Malachi Lawrence.

The Jets emerged with three first-round picks, including No. 16 (from Indianapolis for cornerback Sauce Gardner) for Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and No. 30 (via multiple trades) for Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper. The Los Angeles Rams moved up to No. 13 for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, while the Philadelphia Eagles traded into No. 20 for USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner.

Offensive linemen flew off the board with nine selections, including Fano (9), Mauigoa (10), Alabama's Kadyn Proctor (12 to Dolphins), Penn State's Vega Ioane (14 to Ravens), and Utah's Caleb Lomu (28 to Patriots). Other notable picks included Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. (15, Buccaneers), Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller (17, Lions), and Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods (29, Chiefs).

The first round featured 16 trades, keeping fans on edge until the final pick: Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 32. Analysts highlighted the Raiders' coup at quarterback and the Cowboys' defensive reinforcements as wins, while noting reaches like the Steelers' selection of Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at 21.