The 2026 draft was very unpredictable outside of the first and last picks. There were a few trades, but nothing that was too shocking. The Jets did get back into the late first round, giving them 3 picks. I think the Cardinals made the biggest splash by drafting RB Jeremiyah Love with the third pick. I didn’t see that coming. I think the Browns may have been the winners. They were able to fill needs with top prospects while adding a third-round pick. Here was how the draft went down, my initial reactions, and what I think some of the offensive players’ fantasy values will be.
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- Las Vegas Raiders
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
We all knew that Mendoza would be the pick. He holds the keys to the Raiders’ bright future. The sky is the limit after 2026, especially if the Raiders can continue to add to the offensive line and find a big-play, go-to receiver. Fortunately, he will not be rushed and has the luxury to sit behind veteran QB Kirk Cousins until the organization feels he is ready. I am expecting that to be mid-season. His fantasy value is for Dynasty and Keeper leagues, and he could be a third QB in Super Flex leagues. In redraft, I have no interest, and he should be considered a waiver-wire pickup.
- New York Jets
David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
The Jets did not record a single interception, in part because they had no pass rush. Bailey should get after the passer and force some early and errant throws. I would have preferred them to draft LB Arvell Reese out of Ohio St. but Bailey should be solid with star potential.
- Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love the player but not the pick. I think the Cardinals have bigger needs on the offensive line and defense. On the flip side, they get an explosive back who can do it all from day one. They do have both James Conner and Trey Benson, who can’t stay on the field, and signed Tyler Allgeier. I expect Love to surpass them all on day 1, and he could score double-digit touchdowns in that improved offense. He is the number 1 Dynasty pick without question. He has been drafted early to mid-second round in best ball leagues, which means I will have zero shares.
- Tennessee Titans
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio St.
Another player whom I like, but don’t like the landing spot. The Titans are another team with many holes on defense. I would have preferred a defensive player. Tate joins a crowded receiver room that added free agent Wan’Dale Robinson. Tate remains a top 3 Dynasty player, but I think this landing spot diminishes his value in a redraft league. I will be drafting QB Cam Ward with confidence, as they will become a throwing team needing to come back because their defense won’t be very good.
- New York Giants
Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio St.
My favorite pick of the draft so far. Reese can play sideline to sideline, and he can create havoc in the backfield. Quarterbacks will have their eyes on him at all times, especially on third down. I think he makes an immediate impact.
- Kansas City Chiefs
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Chiefs traded up with the Browns and got a player considered to be the best corner in the draft. I don’t know if they needed to trade a third-round pick to get him, but they did. He should step in and be effective right away and fill the void left after the Chiefs traded CB Trent McDuffie this past offseason.
- Washington Commanders
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio St.
Styles has Pro-Bowl-type ability, and I love the pick. He can cover a lot of ground and do it all. He can run down elusive running backs and should be excellent in coverage against tight ends. There was chatter of them taking an offensive player, which I think would have been a mistake.
- New Orleans Saints
Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints desperately needed a receiver opposite Chris Olave. Tyson probably has the best WR skills in this draft. Injuries have held him back, and he would have been the top receiver picked if he had a healthy college career. He has decent size, but his agility will leave defenders in their tracks. I think he has the biggest fantasy upside of all the receivers. Look for him to be an 8-9th round pick in redraft. Top 5 maybe in Dynasty, depending on how you view the mix of receivers.
- Cleveland Browns
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
Browns fans should be ecstatic. They gain a third-round pick by trading down and nab the first offensive lineman off the board. They were desperate to fill this need, and Fano could be a staple for 10 years. He should be able to create holes in the running game and protect the passer—a solid all-around lineman.
- New York Giants
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
The Giants needed to fix their offensive line, and they got a tackle who will most likely play guard. He excels in run blocking, which should boost RB Cam Skattebo, especially at the goal line. The Giants have to be happy with their first two picks.
- Dallas Cowboys
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio St.
The third Ohio St. defensive player to come off the board. The Cowboys flipped picks with Miami and got the best Safety prospect. He is solid in coverage and can come up and play the run. He was an easy pick once LB Sonny Styles came off the board, but did they have to give up 2 picks to get him?
- Miami Dolphins
Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Proctor is a huge human being, but very athletic for his size. He has raw power that will move defenders and create big holes for running backs. He also has a chance to be elite in pass protection. He should give the Dolphins offensive line stability for years.
- Los Angeles Rams
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
I was wondering when Simpson would be drafted; I was a little surprised he went to the Rams. It makes sense because Matt Stafford’s career is winding down, but I thought a Super Bowl contender would draft a player who could help them win now. Regardless, they get a talented QB who can learn behind one of the best. I consider him a second-round dynasty pick, but I am sure he will be drafted before that in many leagues.
- Baltimore Ravens
Olaivavega Loane, G, Penn St.
Loane should be solid for many years. He will open holes for RB Derrick Henry and be solid in pass protection for QB Lamar Jackson. Offensive line was their biggest need, and they did well here.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rueben Bain Jr., Edge Miami
I love this pick as the Bucs desperately need to improve their pass rush. He was also solid vs. the run and has shown no weaknesses. Another reason why I love this pick is that many had them taking a tight end, which I think would have been a mistake.
- New York Jets
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Sadiq is an athletic tight end who can give defenses fits. He will be difficult to scheme against and can split them down the middle. I think he’s going to be a solid player, but I don’t like this landing spot. The Jets have many more pressing needs than tight end. For me, this pick hurts Sadiq’s fantasy value rather significantly because the Jets have not had a franchise QB in my lifetime.
- Detroit Lions
Blake Miller, OT Clemson
The Lions needed to address their offensive line, and Miller will most likely start at right tackle. He is a steady player who should provide stability. I think defense was a more pressing need.
- Minnesota Vikings
Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
Banks was not on my radar. When healthy, they say he is a beast and impossible to move. Unfortunately, he has had foot issues and just had surgery after injuring his foot during the combine. The Vikings feel that his size, strength, and athleticism were worth the risk. I thought they would have gone defensive back or at least picked a healthy DT.
- Carolina Panthers
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The Panthers don’t have pressing issues to address. Their biggest needs were on the offensive and defensive lines. Freeling gives them depth and is more of a developmental player who should be starting after mid-season and beyond.
- Philadelphia Eagles
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Eagles traded up with division rival Dallas for this pick. Lemon will step right in and play on day 1. He is a must-need with AJ Brown most likely being traded after June 1. I think we have to make Lemon a top 5 Dynasty pick just because of his landing spot. I would expect that he has 60-plus catches in his first year.
- Pittsburgh Steelers
Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona St.
I’m a little shocked that the Steelers would go this route, since Iheanachor will back up in year one. I thought that they would draft defense since they are aging and have difficulty stopping good offenses. At the same time, the Steelers should look more to the future with a developmental player because they aren’t a win-now team, in my opinion.
- Los Angeles Chargers
Akheem Masidor, Edge, Miami
The Chargers needed an interior offensive lineman and a pass rusher. Masidor was the best player available at either position. He should fit in right away, especially on third down to get the offense back on the field. He is older, but this team may be a pass rusher away from the Super Bowl. He fills that need now.
- Dallas Cowboys
Malachi Lawrence, LB, UCF
Lawrence is an explosive player who should be able to get after the QB. He is going to be tough for opposing linemen to pick up on third downs. He struggles with the run at times, but the Cowboys can deal with that later. Adding Lawrence and Downs should immensely improve the defense’s talent.
- Cleveland Browns
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
I love this player, and the Browns absolutely needed to add a first-round receiver. Concepcion should see plenty of snaps as he has a knack for getting open anywhere on the field. The only problem is the landing spot. The Browns are struggling at QB, and we don’t know if it will be Shedeur Sanders or Deshaun Watson. Either QB could stunt his progress, but he is a first-round dynasty pick on ability alone.
- Chicago Bears
Dillion Thieneman, S, Oregon
Thieneman should start right away. He has tremendous speed and ball skills. Should be a solid player with a chance to be great. He bolsters a defense that is on the rise and could be a defense to draft last.
- Houston Texans
Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech
Rutledge was a must-have, as the Texans were terrible running the ball, especially in short-yardage situations. How many times did we see RB Woody Marks get hit in the backfield? Look for RB David Montgomery to run his way into the end zone behind Rutledge. Houston can be a Super Bowl team with an improved offensive line.
- Miami Dolphins
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego St.
The Dolphins had so many needs that it was difficult to predict who they would pick. I had them taking a receiver here, but the corner is fine. Johnson had a great Senior Bowl performance and is expected to start immediately.
- New England Patriots
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The Patriots struggled in pass protection against the good teams. Most of their flaws were hidden until the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Lomu has great size and quickness and should develop nicely.
- Kansas City Chiefs
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The Chiefs need to improve up the middle. I know they have Chris Jones, but he is getting older. Woods will get to develop with a great defensive coordinator and learn from Jones.
- New York Jets
Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
The Jets traded to get back into the first round. Adding Cooper was a no-brainer. He makes tough catches and is not afraid to go over the middle. He should see many opportunities as teams will have their hands full with WR Garrett Wilson and TE Sadiq. I’m not as disappointed with the Sadiq pick now. They have a chance to be special, but maybe not in 2026 with QB Geno Smith, but the future can be bright. I think Cooper is a solid 7 or 8 Dynasty pick and a very late redraft pick.
- Tennessee Titans
Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
The Titans traded to get back into the first round to address a big need at edge. Faulk is long and athletic, with the ability to develop into a stud. A boom or bust type of talent, but his upside is Pro Bowl caliber.
- Seattle Seahawks
Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
Besides the Mendoza pick, Price to Seattle was the easiest to predict. Seattle was desperate for a running back, and he has a great chance at starting right away. He’s in a great spot and could score a ton of touchdowns. His fantasy value just went up tremendously. I think he becomes a 6th-round redraft pick and could be steamed into the third round once we know his exact role. If I needed a back, I would take him at pick 2 in Dynasty, assuming Love is gone.
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