First round picks NFL draft 2026: Plenty of surprises after Raiders select quarterback Fernando Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders have placed their hopes on Fernando Mendoza, selecting him as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft and tasking him with revitalising the struggling franchise.

The 22-year-old quarterback arrives with a stellar collegiate record from Indiana, where he secured the Heisman Trophy and led the programme to its inaugural national title.

Mendoza’s meteoric rise saw him throw 41 touchdown passes against just six interceptions last season, completing 72 per cent of his throws en route to a perfect 16-0 season.

This remarkable turnaround came for a team that previously held the record for most losses in FBS history, with 715.

The Raiders, who finished the 2025 season with a dismal 3-14 record, had long been expected to target a franchise quarterback, making Mendoza’s selection unsurprising.

The immediate question now is whether he will step in as a starter straight away or serve as an understudy to veteran Kirk Cousins.

While the top pick offered little suspense, the remainder of the top 10 selections reportedly delivered several unexpected turns.

The New York Jets tapped Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 pick. Bailey racked up 14 1/2 sacks in 14 games last season, and he prompted the Jets to bypass highly touted Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese to select him instead.

At No. 3, the Arizona Cardinals added Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The Cardinals had needs at other positions but could not bypass taking a home-run hitter in Love, who averaged 6.9 yards per carry and rushed for 18 touchdowns last season.

The Titans added another twist at No. 4 when they bypassed high-end defenders to select wideout Carnell Tate from Ohio State. In 2025, Tate caught 51 passes and hauled in nine touchdowns.

Tate had a message for Cam Ward, his new quarterback with the Titans.

“I’m a reliable target for him,” Tate said. “Whenever he needs me, I’m there for him. I’m always open.”

The New York Giants pounced on Reese at No. 5, where he will join what could be one of the league’s more talented pass-rushing units.

“The Giants told me they’re going to get unique with me,” Reese said. “They said they’re going to use me in a bunch of unique ways. I’m looking forward to that.”

Next came the first trade of the evening, as the Kansas City Chiefs struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns to move up from No. 9 to No. 6. To jump three spots on the draft board, the Chiefs gave up a third-round pick (No. 74) overall and a fifth-round pick (No. 148 overall).

Kansas City then selected LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.

Delane said the Chiefs were not heavily involved in his pre-draft process, a tactic that appeared to be subterfuge as soon as they called his name.

“They said they just wanted to keep it quiet and make that sneak move,” Delane said. “And they made the best move in the draft. So I’m excited.”

The Washington Commanders followed at No. 7 by selecting linebacker Sonny Styles — the third Buckeye to go in the top seven picks.

At No. 8, the New Orleans drafted Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

A pair of offensive linemen rounded out the top 10.

Cleveland got first dibs as it used the No. 9 pick to select tackle Spencer Fano from Utah.

Moments later, the Giants took advantage of their second pick of the first round to take Miami Hurricanes tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10.

The Dallas Cowboys acted quickly once Ohio State safety Caleb Downs fall outside the top 10. They traded up one spot to No. 11 by sending the Miami Dolphins the No. 12 pick and two fifth-round picks (Nos. 177 and 180), and they drafted Downs to patrol their secondary.

The Dolphins took the third offensive lineman of the draft when they called Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor’s name at No. 12 overall.

Another surprise arrived at the No. 13 pick as the Los Angeles Rams selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The Rams saw an opportunity to select their quarterback of the future, who will learn under head coach Sean McVay and veteran starter Matthew Stafford.

“Two of the greatest minds in offense,” Simpson said. “… I’m looking forward to it.”

Baltimore gobbled up Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane at No. 14, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 15.

Bain Jr. did not hide his disappointment that he slid to the 15th pick, and he spoke forcefully about why he would prove that the Buccaneers made the right choice.

“I know I’m the best in the country, and I’m going to show it,” he said.

The Jets added the top-rated tight end in the draft when they selected Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon at No. 16.

The back half of the first round included five offensive linemen and two defensive tackles.

A few more playmakers also went off the board on the draft’s first night.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select Southern California wideout Makai Lemon at No. 20. Lemon gives the Eagles another pass-catching weapon as rumors swirl that A.J. Brown could be dealt away.

The Browns used the No. 24 pick to take wide receiver KC Concepcion out of Texas A&M. The final wideout selected Thursday was Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., whom the Jets drafted at No. 30 with their third pick of the first round.

The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks finished the first round by taking Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price at No. 32. Price will play in the NFC West along with Love, a fellow first-rounder and his former backfield mate with the Fighting Irish.