The first round of the 2026 NFL draft will see 32 players selected. But how many of those players have true first-round grades?
There’s a difference between going in Round 1 and being graded in Round 1, and now that we’re just over two months away from the opening of the 2026 draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh, I have identified the players who I believe are no-brainer Day 1 guys. The average draft class has roughly 15 players who are deemed “first-round talents,” though the number varies by team and scouting department. These special evaluations are reserved for prospects who would be Round 1 selections regardless of the year, and my own guideline is whether a player would have been a first-rounder in each of the past five classes.
I gave only 13 first-round grades in the 2025 class, the lowest number I’ve ever awarded. But the 2026 class actually has fewer at the moment — only 11. For context, the final list in 2024 had 18 names on it, and the 2023 list had 20.
Here are the players who deserve a first-round grade on my board. (Players’ overall rankings are in parentheses after their names, and I will have one last update in April.)
Jump to position:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | IOL
Edge | DT | LB | CB | S
Quarterback (1)
One year after zero quarterbacks had a true first-round grade, there is one in this class. Mendoza transferred to Indiana from Cal and developed into a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and potential No. 1 pick. He has outstanding pocket poise with expert-level touch to all areas of the field. My favorite trait is his ability to put the ball up for his receivers to make plays. And although his arm strength will never be elite, Mendoza protects the ball and is a great distributor. He threw for 41 touchdowns to six interceptions last season and has a game very similar to Jared Goff.
Running back (1)
My top overall prospect, Love has three-down ability and quickness in space. The 6-foot, 214-pounder has runaway speed that led to multiple rushes of more than 90 yards in his college career. He glided to 1,372 yards last season with an average of 6.9 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns.
With elite speed and vision, plus a build that can handle consistent carries, he’s the ideal NFL running back prospect. Love is on par with recent prospects such as Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs in terms of talent and upside.
Wide receiver (2)
The 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner as the best receiver in college football, Lemon is a precise route runner with excellent hands (only three drops the past two seasons), the quickness to generate yards after the catch and the ability to create missed tackles in space. Lemon’s limited size (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) might be an issue for some teams, but he is proven from the slot and has the toughness to play out wide against press coverage.
NFL teams that watched the play of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown should love the way Lemon competes on crossing and underneath routes and how well he wins with leverage and quick breaks in and out of routes.
Another Ohio State first-round wide receiver? Yep. Tate exploded last season, at times eclipsing superstar sophomore teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate’s impact was obvious, with 51 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games despite a lack of targets late in games due to Ohio State’s domination.
On tape, Tate looks like a Justin Jefferson-level prospect when comparing their college games. Tate is a polished, crisp route runner with the body control to adjust midroute or attack the ball in the air. He had one drop on 67 targets last season and showed he can consistently win in contested-catch situations.
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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 fantastic Ohio State touchdown vs. Wisconsin.
Tight end (1)
Even with eventual second-rounder Terrance Ferguson on the roster in 2024, scouts were buzzing about Sadiq. He didn’t disappoint in his only season as a starter in 2025, catching 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. The junior’s best trait is his ability to attack the ball in the air and contort his body to make plays on it. Sadiq is a high-end mover with the speed, strength and leaping ability to be a matchup nightmare. He lacks elite size at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, and he had six drops on 70 targets last season, but he projects as a difference-making move tight end in the pros.
Offensive tackle (1)
The 2026 offensive tackle class looked strong before the season began. Perhaps it will prove stronger after the combine, but for now there’s only one prospect with a true first-round grade. Mauigoa is a three-year starter at right tackle, though some in the NFL believe he would be better at guard due to a squared-off, squatty frame (6-foot-6, 315 pounds). His tape shows a consistent performer with awesome strength but limited balance to adjust to speed rushers.
Mauigoa allowed only six pressures last season with non-mobile quarterback Carson Beck working behind him and gave up only two sacks in the past two seasons combined.
Interior offensive line (0)
The interior offensive line class doesn’t feature a first-round grade, but there are strong contenders to be selected late in the first round. Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane ranks as a top-40 player on my board and has the consistent run game and pass protection skills at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds to be a starter in the NFL. Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon and Auburn center Connor Lew could push into that range, too.
Edge rusher (2)
When Bailey transferred from Stanford, he was expected to become a force for the Red Raiders’ defensive line. He did that with 69 pressures, 14.5 sacks and an edge pressure rate of 21.3% that was the best in the FBS. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, Bailey’s speed around the corner is evident on tape, and his production matches it. There might be size concerns, but Bailey is among the nation’s most improved players and has become a top-10 prospect.
Arguably the best player in college football last season, Bain was a consistent, frustrating presence for opposing quarterbacks. With 71 pressures and 9.5 sacks, Bain has elevated from the middle-to-late first round to a certified top-10 pick. There are rumblings that his arms will measure shorter than 32 inches, but Bain has proved that he can excel against top competition — as evidenced by the 23 pressures and five sacks he recorded during Miami’s playoff run.
Defensive tackle (0)
The 2026 defensive tackle class has depth but no real first-round talents after a quiet season from Peter Woods (Clemson) and the failure of the rest of the class to produce pass-rushing talents worthy of a top pick. Though the class doesn’t have a standout talent, there are impressive nose tackle and 1-technique prospects such as Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), Caleb Banks (Florida) and Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) who will push to be top-32 selections.
Linebacker (2)
Reese wasn’t on the NFL radar entering last season, as he had limited starting reps entering 2025. But he might be the first defensive player picked in April. Reese’s production exploded in new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s scheme. Working as both a linebacker and a pass rusher, Reese posted 69 tackles, 18 pressures and 6.5 sacks while showing speed and power around the edge reminiscent of Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter in their transformations from linebacker to edge rusher.
Reese is still a work in progress, but his production and impact last season point to a player with the talent to quickly be an NFL difference-maker at linebacker or on the edge. His pro position is a subject of debate among NFL scouts, with most telling me he’ll likely begin his career at linebacker with reps as an edge rusher in order to fully learn that position — which is what Parsons did in his rookie season.
Ohio State might take the “Linebacker U” label this year to go along with the “WRU” tag it has earned in recent years. Styles is a Fred Warner-like linebacker who has elite range and tracking ability while tipping the scales at 6-4, 243 pounds. His size and athletic ability are rare and are backed up by production (83 tackles, one interception, one sack last season) that points to his NFL-readiness.
Styles’ player profile and consistent production over the past three seasons make him one of the easiest evaluations in this class. He’s a rookie starter and has the tools of a future All-Pro.
Cornerback (0)
No cornerback currently has a true first-round grade, but there are two players on the radar who should be considered top-15 picks and could work their way into a 90-plus rating on my board by late April.
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy looked like a future top-10 pick during his sophomore season in 2024. He has an all-around NFL game at 6-foot and 193 pounds, but an ACL injury suffered in January kept him out last season. McCoy’s six interceptions the previous two seasons show his ball skills and instincts, but questions remain about his pro readiness after missing a year. There will be some rust that NFL teams must be comfortable with if they are going to use an early pick on him.
And then there is LSU’s Mansoor Delane, who emerged as the best cornerback in the FBS. The Virginia Tech transfer was a lockdown presence, allowing just 10 completions last season and grabbing two picks. Delane lacks ideal NFL size with shorter arms on a 5-foot-11 frame, but his play has been outstanding.
Safety (1)
If you could create the ideal safety prospect, it would look like Downs. The 6-foot, 205-pound junior is an elite open-field tackler with the closing speed to run down ball carriers and dominate angles in space. Downs can do it all, often lining up in multiple assignments depending on where the defense needs him. His four interceptions the past two seasons speak to his ball skills but also to the fact that offenses avoid him.
One rival offensive coach told me that they identify Downs on pre-snaps over a linebacker or key pass rusher — he’s that impactful. Safeties are rarely drafted in the top five, but Downs should not be overlooked. He could have a Kyle Hamilton-like role immediately as a rookie starter.