2026 NFL Draft First Round: Winners, Losers, and Value Picks

April 24, 2026 — The first round of the 2026 NFL draft delivered a mix of expected selections and surprising turns, with several teams making bold moves that could shape their franchises for years to arrive. From early quarterback surprises to defensive standouts finding latest homes, Mel Kiper Jr. Broke down the night’s biggest winners, losers, and value picks in his analysis for TSN and ESPN.

Early Surprises Set the Tone

The draft kicked off largely as anticipated, with Fernando Mendoza going first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders and David Bailey selected second by the New York Jets — both picks aligning with pre-draft expectations. However, the real drama began at No. 3, when the Arizona Cardinals selected running back Jeremiyah Love, a move that stunned many analysts given the team’s other pressing needs.

“The Cardinals put a jolt into Round 1 with Jeremiyah Love at No. 3,” Kiper noted in his post-draft analysis. “It didn’t take long for the shockers to start rolling.”

Trades and Tactical Moves

Following Arizona’s pick, the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to No. 6 to secure defensive back Mansoor Delane, signaling their continued focus on bolstering the secondary. Shortly after, the Dallas Cowboys moved up one spot to take safety Caleb Downs at No. 11, addressing a key need in their defensive backfield.

But the most talked-about move came at No. 13, when the Los Angeles Rams selected edge rusher Ty Simpson — a pick Kiper described as a genuine head-scratcher.

“I can’t wrap my brain around that one,” Kiper said of the Rams’ selection. “The real stunner came halfway through the first round, with the Rams taking Ty Simpson at No. 13.”

Winners of the Night

Despite some controversial picks, several teams emerged as clear winners based on value, need fulfillment, and long-term impact:

• Los Angeles Chargers: Kiper praised the Chargers’ selection of defensive end Aliou Mesidor, calling it a strong fit for their defensive scheme and a potential steal given where he was projected on many boards.
• New York Jets: While taking David Bailey at No. 2 was expected, Kiper highlighted how the Jets addressed a critical need without overreaching, setting a solid foundation for their rebuild.
• Dallas Cowboys: Moving up just one spot to land Caleb Downs was viewed as a smart, low-cost maneuver that added a versatile defensive back without sacrificing future capital.

Losers and Questionable Decisions

On the flip side, some selections drew criticism for either reaching or ignoring more urgent roster needs:

• Arizona Cardinals: Selecting Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 raised eyebrows, especially with the team needing offensive line help and defensive upgrades. Kiper questioned whether Love’s value justified such a high pick.
• Arizona Cardinals (again): Kiper specifically called out the fit of Love with the Cardinals, stating he “hates the fit for Love with Cardinals,” suggesting the pick didn’t align with the team’s immediate priorities.
• Los Angeles Rams: The Ty Simpson selection at No. 13 was labeled a reach by many analysts, with Kiper admitting he struggled to understand the logic behind the pick given Simpson’s projected draft range.

Value Picks and Steals

Kipert emphasized that value wasn’t just about where players were taken, but how well they addressed team needs relative to their talent level:

• The Chargers’ pick of Mesidor was repeatedly highlighted as a potential steal — a player who could contribute immediately while fitting a positional need.
• Other value-oriented selections mentioned throughout the first round included late-first-round defensive backs and versatile offensive linemen who slipped due to positional depth.

Looking Ahead

With only two players from Kiper’s top 25 remaining after the first round, the stage is set for an intriguing second and third round. Teams that traded up will need to justify those moves with immediate impact, while those who stood pat or traded down look to accumulate additional draft capital.

As Kiper concluded: “We’ll be back for Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET on TSN). Only two players from my top 25 are left on the board… I’ll be sizing up the decent, the bad and everything in between.”

The full impact of Thursday night’s selections won’t be known for seasons, but the first round of the 2026 NFL draft has already provided plenty of storylines to follow as franchises start to reshape their rosters.