The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft went chalk for exactly two picks.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was earmarked for the Las Vegas Raiders since they clinched the No. 1 pick, and the New York Jets’ selection of Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey made sense. But the Arizona Cardinals bucked convention with the selection of running back Jeremiyah Love third, making the former Notre Dame star the highest-drafted player at the position since Saquon Barkley went second in 2018.

That was just the appetizer. Ten selections after Love went to Arizona, the Los Angeles Rams — a legitimate Super Bowl contender that seemed poised to add a player who could help them win now — made a bold move for the future by taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13. A one-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Simpson entered the draft process as a fringe first-rounder (The Athletic’s Dane Brugler projected him as a “low-level NFL starter”) and left it as Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent in L.A.

By the time the Seattle Seahawks ended the first round with the selection of running back Jadarian Price, Love’s backup at Notre Dame, we saw a slew of trades, surprising slides and some interesting fits. NFL writers Ted Nguyen, Dan Pompei and Mike Sando weigh in with their thoughts.

1. What was your favorite fit from Round 1?

Ted Nguyen: Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs falling out of the top 10 wasn’t a complete surprise, but the Dallas Cowboys pounced with a trade up. Coaches from the Vic Fangio tree covet nickels as much as outside corners, and new Dallas defensive coordinator Christian Parker — a Fangio disciple — saw firsthand the impact that Cooper DeJean made for the Eagles. Downs, a different type of player than DeJean, will move around, but I’d imagine he’ll play a lot of nickel.

Dan Pompei: If the Detroit Lions were going to replace Taylor Decker by moving Penei Sewell from right tackle to left, they needed a right tackle. They found a good one in Clemson’s Blake Miller, a player who fits the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell profile as well as anyone. He’s plenty talented, but Miller stood out because of his toughness and aggressiveness. He started four years in high school and college. Miller should be a starter when the season begins and has the potential to be one for the next decade.

Mike Sando: Ohio State’s Sonny Styles should fit well at linebacker with Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders, who inject badly needed young leadership into their defense. “The closest thing to Fred Warner” was how one exec described Styles. That’s what Washington needs as Bobby Wagner nears the end.

2. Other than Ty Simpson, what was the biggest surprise?

Nguyen: Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. falling to the Buccaneers at pick No. 15 was surprising, but I think he’s in an excellent scheme. Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles is creative with his fronts, so Bain will move into different positions and do a lot of slanting when they blitz, which will alleviate some of the concerns about Bain’s short arms.

Pompei: The Titans were in position to make a significant defensive upgrade with either Ohio State edge Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles, but they chose Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate instead. Most believe Tate will be a high-level NFL player, and Tennessee needs someone to catch passes from Cam Ward, last year’s No. 1 pick, but many thought Tate would be available later. The Titans very well could have been hoping for Jeremiyah Love, who was chosen one pick ahead of them. Tate was the next-best offensive weapon.

Sando: Bain lasting until No. 15, where the Buccaneers selected him. An exec I spoke with at the combine said he could have seen Bain going as early as No. 2 to the Jets. There could be good reasons that did not happen, including Bain’s short arms. But this looks like a solid selection from where Tampa Bay was selecting.

3. Which pick left you with more questions than answers?

Nguyen: I didn’t love the fit with the Eagles and USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Philadelphia is reportedly trading away A.J. Brown, and I thought GM Howie Roseman would replace him with another vertical receiver. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts doesn’t throw to the intermediate middle of the field, where Lemon thrives.

Pompei: Choosing Arvell Reese at No. 5 was smart by the Giants because he was the highest-rated non-quarterback on their board. But the Giants have more edge talent than any team, with Reese joining Abdul Carter, last year’s No. 3 pick, along with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson could play them in waves and use Reese and Carter in varied roles, or the Giants could trade one of their rushers, with Thibodeaux being a rumored candidate. It’s going to be interesting to see how New York handles an abundance of talent at a position where most teams have a deficit.

Sando: The Rams going quarterback instead of wide receiver at No. 13 makes me wonder what happens at wideout if Puka Nacua’s off-field troubles sideline him.

4. Which contender got better Thursday night?

Nguyen: The Bears, who made the divisional round in coach Ben Johnson’s first year, needed plenty of help on defense, especially up front, but Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman was one of my favorite prospects, and he’ll give Chicago defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a versatile chess piece to play.

Pompei: ​​The draft broke well for the Bucs, who needed help at edge more than anything to reverse the downward trend that began last November and resulted in one of their most disappointing seasons in a long time. Rueben Bain Jr. was supposed to be gone by the time the Bucs had a chance to select at 15. If the Bucs had traded up for Bain, they wouldn’t have been criticized. He doesn’t have the skill set or body that fits the profile of an elite pass rusher, but he has the tape. Bain can give the Bucs something they haven’t had since Shaquil Barrett was humming five years ago.

Sando: The Chiefs adding two first-rounders on defense after trading away cornerback Trent McDuffie lets Kansas City bounce back to some degree on that side of the ball. We can now see why the Chiefs were willing to spend on running back Kenneth Walker in free agency. They wanted to scratch that major need from their list before fortifying the defense with LSU corner Mansoor Delane at No. 6 and Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 29.

5. Give us one prediction for Day 2

Nguyen: Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes, who some thought might have gone in the first round, will be the first defensive back drafted on Day 2. He can play nickel or free safety, and some teams think he can play outside corner. He’s an ideal versatile defensive back for modern defenses.

Pompei: Before Round 2 goes far, there should be a run on cornerbacks. Some good values remain at the position, and teams are always looking for more corners. The most interesting name still available is Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy, who may be the most gifted corner in the draft. He didn’t play last season because of a torn ACL, and he reportedly may miss more time in 2026 because of additional knee problems. Other corners who should be off the board quickly include Clemson’s Avieon Terrell, Tennessee’s Colton Hood, Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds and South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse.

Sando: Seattle, with only four picks entering the draft, almost has to trade down after using the 32nd pick for running back Jadarian Price. Seahawks general manager John Schneider made no secret of the obvious: He was more than open to moving down from No. 32. Now, with only three picks remaining, the priority has to be adding more selections. Seattle currently has picks in the second, third and sixth rounds.