Sports

NFL: Every First Round Pick From 2026 Draft Has Been Ranked From Worst to Best

Published

2 months ago

May 1, 2026

admin

Following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, 257 college talents have achieved their dreams of reaching the NFL and now have the opportunity to show the world what they are capable of.

Every team who had a first round pick has made their selection and has given potential superstars a first opportunity in the NFL to impress and begin their careers. Some teams won’t be satisfied with their draft picks, while many teams will be extremely pleased with the talents they’ve managed to identify and sign, leaving fans jubilant and excited for the future.

Many picks in this year’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh have left some fans confused and bewildered, while some franchises’ smart scouting and recruitment process has led to a provisionally successful draft weekend.

Below is an AI ranking of every first round pick, going from worst to best.

Every first round pick from 2026 NFL Draft ranked (32-11)
Position	Player	Team
32.	Caleb Banks	Minnesota Vikings
31.	Ty Simpson	Los Angeles Rams
30.	Jeremiyah Love	Arizona Cardinals
29.	Keylan Rutledge	Houston Texans
28.	Jadarian Price	Seattle Seahawks
27.	Max Iheanachor	Pittsburgh Steelers
26.	Monroe Freeling	Carolina Panthers
25.	Jordyn Tyson	New Orleans Saints
24.	Keldric Faulk	Tennessee Titans
23.	Blake Miller	Detroit Lions
22.	Vega Ioane	Baltimore Ravens
21.	Kadyn Proctor	Miami Dolphins
20.	Caleb Lomu	New England Patriots
19.	KC Concepcion	Cleveland Browns
18.	Akheem Mesidor	Los Angeles Chargers
17.	Carnell Tate	Tennessee Titans
16.	Malachi Lawrence	Dallas Cowboys
15.	Omar Cooper Jr.	New York Jets
14.	Francis Mauigoa	New York Giants
13.	Spencer Fano	Cleveland Browns
12.	Chris Johnson	Miami Dolphins
11.	Kenyon Sadiq	New York Jets

10

Peter Woods

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs used the 29th overall pick and their second selection of the draft to select DT Peter Woods.

Woods joins a strong defensive tackle group that revolves around 31-year-old NFL superstar Chris Jones, supplying Woods with the opportunity to learn and develop his game alongside one of the game’s all-time interior pass rushers.

Every NFL Team’s 2026 Draft Has Been Ranked From Worst to Best – by AI

AI ranked every NFL team’s 2026 draft and here’s what they think.

According to the KC Sports Network Draft Guide, Woods is the no.2 defensive tackle following a dominant and successful 2024 season before a slightly underwhelming 2025 for the recently turned 21-year-old.

With a long and successful career potentially ahead of him, Woods can work with Jones and defensive line coach Joe Cullen to bring his impressive physical abilities to the NFL and the Kansas Chiefs.

9

Rueben Bain Jr

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Rueben Bain Jr in the 15th pick of the first round of the draft. Nicknamed the ‘Hurricane’, Bain was considered by many to be one of the best pass rushers in the draft class and helps improve the Buccaneers’ pressing needs after their defence struggled to generate pressure during the 2025 season.

During his college career, Bain became a well-known, decorated defender with high sack production. His addition to the Buccaneers could instantly improve and transform their pass rush rotation.

8

Makai Lemon

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to pick USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick of the draft. During his 2025 season, Makai Lemon impressed many scouts and coaches as he earned himself All-American honours with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.

During the full length of his college career, Lemon had 137 catches for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also recorded 150-plus receiving yards in four games last season, instantly making him a target in the NFL Draft.

7

Fernando Mendoza

Las Vegas Raiders

With the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders selected highly-rated quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza has been expected to be a top selection in the draft for months, following a strong season where he led the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff National Championship and a 16-0 unbeaten season.

‘I Was the No. 1 NFL Draft Pick – Here’s the One Thing Fernando Mendoza Needs to Know’

As expected, the 2025 Heismann trophy winner was taken first in the 2026 NFL Draft

Mendoza begins his rookie year in the NFL off the back of an award-winning season, where he was named a consensus first-team AP All-American, the Walter Camp Award winner as the Nation’s top player, the Davey O’Brien award winner (top QB), and the Maxwell award winner (Top player).

Mendoza led the FBS last season in passing touchdowns (41) and ranked third with a 72% completion rate.

6

Sonny Styles

Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders selected linebacker Sonny Styles with the seventh overall pick of the draft.

Styles stands tall at 6ft 5 and weighs 244 pounds. The linebacker played a key role in the Buckeyes’ defence, where he earned himself first-team All-America honours and led the team with 82 tackles during his senior college season.

He has impressed with his elite athleticism, having recorded a 43.5-inch vertical jump score at the NFL combine, and he is expected to instantly make an impact at Washington.

5

Mansoor Delane

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs had the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft and selected cornerback Mansoor Delane.

Delane is just 22 years old, and he was amongst the top corners in college football during the 2025 season, tallying 13 passes defended and two interceptions, while he allowed just 14 catches on 357 coverage snaps. Pro Football Focus ranked Delane as the second-best coverage cornerback in the FBS. Delane’s impressive 2025 season can also be backed up by the fact that he allowed zero touchdowns and committed zero penalties.

During his college career, the cornerback proved his reliability and durability as he started 40 games over four seasons.

4

David Bailey

New York Jets

The New York Jets used the second overall pick of the 2026 draft to select edge rusher David Bailey.

Bailey is 6ft 3 and weighs 254 pounds. He started his college career at Stanford, where he racked up 14.5 sacks in 32 games over two years (2022-2024). In 2025, he transferred to Texas Tech and experienced a huge uptick in sack production, where he recorded a nation-high 14.5 in 14 games to earn himself All-American honours, partnered with the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the year award.

AI Ranks the 11 Best Picks in the 2026 Draft By How Well They’ll Perform in the NFL

AI has had its say on the Class of 2026…

The Jets are now banking on Bailey to continue his form and serve as a disruptive force in the pros, and he will now act as a key figure in the centrepiece of the Jets’ defence.

3

Dillon Thieneman

Chicago Bears

In the 25th pick of the first round, the Chicago Bears selected safety Dillon Thieneman.

Thieneman stands at 6ft 1 and weighs in at 201 pounds. During three seasons at the college level, he played 39 times at Purdue (2023-2024) and Oregon (2025). During his college career, he registered 306 tackles, eight interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles. His tremendous speed, versatility, and football character instantly made him stand out and appealed to the interest of many scouts and coaches in the league.

He recorded a 4.35 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and his ability to play strong, free safety, and nickel back made him an instant attraction for the Bears.

2

Caleb Downs

Dallas Cowboys

In the first round of the NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected safety Caleb Downs.

Caleb Downs is one of the most complete and NFL-ready players in the 2026 draft class. He made 68 tackles and two interceptions during his 2025 season at the college level, catching the eyes of scouts across the country. During his college career, Downs proved he doesn’t have many weaknesses in his personal game and performance. He’s an elite run defender and is also excellent in pass coverage, allowing just a 53.4 passer rating when targeted in 2025.

The 11 Worst Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft Have Been Named and Ranked

257 picks were made in total and some were just baffling…

With Malik Hooker entering the final year of his deal at the Cowboys, the introduction of Downs could potentially prove to be a high-level replacement and upgrade. The Cowboys’ defence needs a game-changer, and Downs might just be that man for Christian Parker’s defensive unit.

1

Arvell Reese

New York Giants

In the fifth overall pick of the NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected linebacker Arvell Reese.

Reese is expected to play a crucial role in the Giants’ defence and roster for the 2026 season and beyond. His performance at Ohio State was impressive, with 69 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, and 6.5 sacks. His performance during the college season meant he was awarded with the Big Ten’s Linebacker of the Year.

Alongside his impressive college performances, his versatility and athleticism have made the linebacker a highly sought-after prospect in the NFL Draft.

Sports

Leeds United Pushing To Sign Another Free Agent After Harry Wilson Deal

Published

18 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

admin

Leeds United are closing in on their first deal of the summer, as Harry Wilson is set to join the club, but they are quickly looking to back that up with another free agent arrival.

Daniel Farke has been pushing for some arrivals this summer to help back up a successful campaign where Premier League survival was confirmed.

Given the history of the club and the success of clubs elsewhere, the Whites will be dreaming of securing European football, and a move for Wilson could get them one step closer to that goal.

However, there’s another potential bargain deal on the horizon for Leeds, as the club eye up another potential free agent signing.

Leeds Continue Pursuits of Brandt and Charles

As Leeds close in on an announcement for Wilson to become the first signing of the summer, having become a free agent after leaving Fulham at the end of his contract, focus shifts to the next set of transfer targets.

Among them is Julian Brandt, as BBC journalist Adam Pope reports that the Elland Road outfit are continuing to explore a deal to sign the 30-year-old this summer.

The playmaker is a free agent after leaving Borussia Dortmund, and has drawn interest from Leeds to complete a potential switch to the Premier League.

The Whites face competition for his signature, with plenty of other teams also being linked with a deal to sign the attacking midfielder for a bargain.

It would add even more experience on top of Wilson, with two players who are now in the peak of their career and capable of competing at the highest level.

It remains to be seen whether Leeds can get a move over the line for Brandt, as the club look to kick on and climb up the table with experience.

You scored

out of 20

Leeds United Transfer Balance

Leeds have departed from previous transfer strategies in going for two players around 30, but the pair will bring plenty of quality and experience, while the lack of a transfer fee will also help justify the moves.

However, there is still a balance to be had, and the club will be keen to avoid loading up the squad full of players in the latter peak of their career.

Leeds Now Open to Selling £40m Star as Contract Talks Stall

Leeds might be forced to cash in.

That’s where a move for Shea Charles comes into play, with the club recently having a £20 million bid rejected for the Southampton ace, with the 22-year-old having plenty of potential to grow further.

It remains to be seen whether any other targets will come under the umbrella of being a signing for the future, but the balance should stand the team in good stead for the future.

Sports

Jon Jones Names UFC Opponent Who Hit Him the Hardest

Published

38 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

admin

Jon Jones has come across many of the hardest hitters in UFC history. However, there is one man whose power bothered ‘Bones‘ more than the rest.

The 37-year-old, recognised as one of MMA’s all-time greats, built an illustrious career. After dominating the record books with UFC title wins (16) and being one of only a handful of fighters in history to hold world championships in two different weight classes, Jones has proven himself against some of the sport’s biggest names in their respective eras, including Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic, and Rampage Jackson.

Following two spells as the light heavyweight champion – from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2020 – Jones moved up to the heavyweight division in 2023, claiming the gold with a victory over Ciryl Gane and later defending the title against Miocic.

Jones’ only UFC loss came via a controversial disqualification loss – and he has never been knocked out in his career. According to the man himself, though, that almost wasn’t the case.

Jon Jones Admits He Was Almost Knocked Out By Overhand Right

“The hardest punch I ever received was from a guy named Suga Rashad Evans,” he said via talkSPORT.

“He caught me with an overhand right, the same exact punch he hit Chuck Liddell with and dropped him, he caught me with that same punch.

Dustin Poirier Named Hardest Hitter He Faced During UFC Career

Dustin Poirier once revealed who punched him the hardest during his UFC career, which came to an end at UFC 318.

“It wasn’t that he hit me so hard, it was the speed of the punch. It was almost like, you can tighten up, or you can just let your arm be loose and let it swing. It’s kind of like an overhand slap, bro, he hit me so fast, and I had no clue what it was.

“He just caught me right at the edge of my chin and I remember my feet were to a point where I couldn’t control my legs. Then I refocused, and I was able to stand again, but, bro, that was by far the fastest I’ve ever been hit. And thank God I didn’t become unconscious because I probably should have been.”

Before the pair clashed for Jones’ light heavyweight title at UFC 145 in April 2012, the champion and Evans had shared a close relationship as training partners at Jackson Wink MMA. Evans even mentored a young Jones as he broke into the UFC limelight. However, tensions arose after Evans had left the gym in pursuit of establishing his own Blackzilians training centre in Florida in 2011.

The bitterness between the two further developed a year later as they would battle it out in the Octagon just a few short months later. Despite being staggered by Evans’ thunderous overhand right swing, Jones went on to dominate the rest of the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory and retaining his title.

Sports

Jon Jones Names UFC Opponent Who Hit Him the Hardest

Published

38 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

admin

Jon Jones has come across many of the hardest hitters in UFC history. However, there is one man whose power bothered ‘Bones‘ more than the rest.

Jones’ only UFC loss came via a controversial disqualification loss – and he has never been knocked out in his career. According to the man himself, though, that almost wasn’t the case.