The 2026 NFL Draft is here! And with that we are covering each and every pick in our 2026 NFL Draft Tracker - especially the one relevant for fantasy football. Our dynasty fantasy football rankings will be updated soon after the draft finishes on Saturday but you can use the information here to get a head start on your own dynasty fantasy football drafts and mock drafts. So settle in for the biggest night of “football” until the season actually starts in September!

NFL Draft Picks Live Tracker and Instant Analysis

#1 Fernando Mendoza - QB, Las Vegas Raiders

The worst kept secret is now official - Fernando Mendoza is a officially a Las Vegas Raider. And whether or not the rumors are true about Kirk Cousins starting for them for half the season or even the whole season, this is a good thing for fantasy football. Not only is the hit rate for quarterbacks taken at 1.01 much higher than any other spot but the Raiders could be a QB friendly team. Klint Kubiak worked magic recently with Sam Darnold but also ran decent scheme with Derek Carr and the Saints as well as the 49ers when he was their pass game coordinator. Mendoza might not be the 1.01 for us in Superflex but that doesn't mean he's not still a solid pick. 

#2 David Bailey - EDGE, New York Jets

The debate had been between Bailey, viewed as the safe pick, and Arvell Reese, viewed as the high risk, high reward pick. And Bailey was mocked to the Jets by nearly 90% of experts despite the sports books suggesting Reese was in the discussion. The Jets added fuel to that by canceling their top 30 visit with Bailey. But it turns out they didn't need to see or hear any more as Bailey was the pick all along.

#3 Jeremiyah Love - RB, Arizona Cardinals

There were rumors that the Cardinals could take Love here. But it didn't seem likely to many. They just brought back James Conner and brought in Tyler Allgeier. And three is obviously incredibly high for this position. But Love is a special player and the Cardinals confirmed that by taking him at three. The hit rate for running backs drafted this high is astronomically high in fantasy football so Love is confirmed as our 1.01 in all formats by this selection.

#4 Carnell Tate - WR, Tennessee Titans

This was not a pick that was on a lot of people's radars. The Titans spent big money to bring in Wan'Dale Robinson. And they also seemingly worked things out with Calvin Ridley. But that didn't stop them from making Tate the first WR off the board. Tate can play all of the formation, including split end in the X receiver role, so they should have no trouble finding work for him somewhere in the formation. He may start out as a part time guy but Calvin Ridley is likely not part of the long term plans for Tennessee so it should be Tate as the split end with Wan'Dale Robinson as slot/flanker sooner rather than later. 

#5 Arvell Reese - EDGE, New York Giants

Reese at two overall was a popular pick. So getting him at five must feel like a gift for the New York Giants. He only recently converted to a pass-rushing role but the sky is the limit for a guy many consider to be the most talented football player in the draft. Since the Giants traded Dexter Lawrence for the 10th overall pick, they have another very meaningful pick coming up shortly. 

#6 Mansoor Delane - CB Kansas City Chiefs via Cleveland Browns

The Chiefs made a trade here up to pick six to get their guy. And, after trading Trent McDuffie for a haul this offseason, they needed a cornerback. Delane was largely considered the top corner in the draft and the Chiefs put an exclamation point on that by trading up and taking him at 6 overall.

#7 Sonny Styles - LB Washington Commanders

This was an unusual draft class. In the NFL, some positions are considered “premium”. Quarterback, pass rusher, offensive line. But this class had a lot of the best players at non-premium positions, like running back, safety, and linebacker. Sonny Styles is an absolute machine and about as “can't miss” of a player as you are going to get. So hard to be upset with this pick even if it's generally higher than inside linebacker goes.

#8 Jordyn Tyson - WR New Orleans Saints

The Saints have Chris Olave, who can play both out wide and in the slot. After that, it gets dicey. Tight end Juwan Johnson is probably the second best pass-catcher on the team. They traded for DeVaughn Vele but they didn't give up much to get him. Tyson can line up all over the field which is great if you want to use Olave as a slot/flanker the way teams use Ja'Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb. Last year he had a number of games where he thrived in that role. So Tyson likely plays out wide which should leave plenty of targets for both players - assuming Tyler Shough can deliver them at a high level. 

#9 Spencer Fano - OL Cleveland Browns

At this stage everyone is just rooting for the Browns to do the right thing. Or at least just something normal. And I think that's exactly what they have done here. Spencer Fano was considered one of the top linemen by most pundents and THE top lineman by many. So they get a rock solid piece - which should be good news for Quinshon Judkins as well. 

#10 Francis Mauigoa - OL New York Giants

We actually had the Giants taking Mauigoa at pick five overall. So for them to get Arvell Reese and ALSO get Mauigoa here at pick 10 instantly makes them a big winner of the first round in our eyes. Many, like myself, had Mauigoa as the first offensive linemen off the board so it's not surprising to see him being picked immediately after Fano goes. The Giants brought in Isaiah Likely as well as fullback Patrick Ricard so John Harbaugh and company are gearing up for some smash mouth football. If they don't draft a running back along the way, that is good news for Cam Skattebo. 

#11 Caleb Downs - S Dallas Cowboys via the Miami Dolphins

There must have been another suitor for Caleb Downs here - possibly the Minnesota Vikings? There's no other reason for the Cowboys to trade up one spot to make sure they get the guy they want unless there is a trade on the table. They do manage to get one of the best players in this draft, regardless of position, as they land the unanimous top safety. He now joins his brother, wide receiver Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts, in the NFL. 

#12 Kadyn Proctor - OT Miami Dolphins via the Dallas Cowboys

There are some folks that are a bit worried about what Proctor will be at the next level or what position he will be. Will he be a tackle, will he be a guard? In Miami, it doesn't matter - they have holes all over. You have to feel good as a Dolphins fan that you could pick up extra draft capital and still get a piece that will contribute right away for you. 

#13 Ty Simpson - QB Los Angeles Rams

This one is a bit of a shock. Though the rumblings were there. Matthew Stafford is obviously getting up their in age. And Jimmy Garoppolo is potentially considering retirement. Simpson is viewed as a bit of a project but he will have at least a year to work with the Rams staff and develop. Simpson has struggled a bit throwing on the run but the scheme the Rams use is great about moving around a Stafford who isn't particularly mobile so it is a good scheme fit. This should solidify him as the fantasy QB2. 

#14 Olaivavega Ioane - G Baltimore Ravens

The most consistently mocked pick for the Baltimore Ravens proves to be the right one. They get Vega Ioane who should immediately start for him on the interior. One of the safest picks in this draft despite not being a premium position player like potential offensive tackles. Good news for a team that likes to run the football. Nothing better than when the best player available also fits a position of need. 

#15 Reuben Bain - EDGE Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sometimes NFL Draft rumors do prove to be true. Insiders mentioned that Bain could slide coming into the draft - and he did. But the slide stops here as the Bucs decided to take a player many had projected for the first round. We had them set to take a cornerback but sometimes you have to take the risk when a guy like this falls into your lap. They pick next at 46 and can potentially look to the secondary there. 

#16 Kenyon Sadiq - TE New York Jets

This one might come as a shock to some, but not to us. Here's what we had to say in our “best best article” about this pick and the fit for fantasy.

"The Jets need pass-catchers. There is no doubt about that. After Garrett Wilson, there is no clear number two target on the team. As of now, it’s probably Breece Hall. Many have them taking a wide receiver, but I have a sneaking suspicion they go another way.

As we pointed out in our article on Best Tight End Landing Spots, the tide his shifted in the modern NFL. More teams than ever are using multiple tight end sets with an inline tight end and then another guy who is basically a big wide receiver. Frank Reich has a well-documented history of this exact setup with guys like Antonio Gates, Zach Ertz, and Eric Ebron (79% of his snaps were run from a WR spot while scoring 13 touchdowns for Reich in 2018). We could see multiple wide receivers going early, leaving Kenyon Sadiq as the best pass-catcher on the board. I know they took Mason Taylor in the second last year, but the Raiders took Michael Mayer in the second in 2023 before taking Brock Bowers in the first in 2024. At +2000, we are sprinkling something there."

#17 Blake Miller - OT Detroit Lions

The Lions once had one of the most formidable offensive lines in the league. But recently it's seen players retire - and also consider retirement. They bolster that unit immediately by taking Blake Miller, a guy with a mean streak who can start right away. In the fantasy football world, this team is loaded with weapons and we all love Jamhyr Gibbs so you can't go wrong with offensive line. 

#18 Caleb Banks - DT Minnesota Vikings

The entire world, including us, had the Vikings taking a safety here. But they not only shocked us by not taking one but they also shocked us by taking a player who wasn't necessarily predicting as a first round pick. The most we got from him was a “don't be surprised if he goes earlier than expected”. But defensive tackle is quickly becoming a more appreciated position after when teams like the Rams and Eagles have done. And we all saw what Milton Williams did for the Patriots. So not a crazy pick either. 

#19 Monroe Freeling - OT Carolina Panthers

The Panthers said there are “no rules against taking a wide receiver in the first round three years in a row”. That's especially true after Xavier Legette hasn't exactly panned out. But the Panthers play it safe by going with the big offensive lineman out of Georgia. Good news for Jalen Coker fans as well as fans of Chuba Hubbard and Bryce Young. 

#20 Makai Lemon - WR Philadelphia Eagles via Dallas Cowboys

Howie Roseman loves making big moves. And he does it again here, trading up to take a wide receiver. The Eagles added Marquise Brown in free agency and now they also add Makai Lemon here. He primary played slot in college but also played some flanker. If they keep AJ Brown, Lemon will likely be a part time player early on. But this pick likely signals that Brown is on the move near the June 2nd date and that could open the door for both Lemon and DeVonta Smith to have upside. 

#21 Max Iheanachor - OT Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the host of this draft so this pick was quite the spectacle. That said, the results didn't quite match up with the hype as some expected them to make a big splash, possibly take a wide receiver. Instead they take a tackle out of Arizona State which should help anchor the offensive line for Aaron Rodgers - assuming he actually signs. 

#22 Akheem Mesidor - EDGE Los Angeles Chargers

Not every team would be a good fit for Mesidor because of his age. When you draft a guy like this who is already 25, you probably need to be in “win now” mode. And that's exactly where the Chargers are. On offense they are loaded with more weapons than they probably need for Mike McDaniels's scheme. This is exactly who we had them taking in our mock so we're happy with the landing spot. 

#23 Malachi Lawrence - EDGE Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have now drafted two defenders in this draft after taking safety Caleb Downs earlier in the draft. And that's what they needed, quite honestly, as the offense is loaded up with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Jake Ferguson, and Javonte Williams. This guy is a physical monster and he actually has connections to the Cowboys coaching staff via Demeitre Brim already so he should fit right in. 

#24 KC Concepcion - WR Cleveland Browns

Our “KC Concepcion under pick 24.5 bet” from our Bets and Predictions article got in just under the wire on this one. The first actually isn't perfect as Concepcion largely plays slot and that's what Harold Fannin Jr and Jerry Jeudy do. But Jeudy likely isn't going to be around for the long haul and Concepcion is a player you can get creative with. He also adds special teams work though players drafted in the first round that go on to be special teams, like Jalen Reagor, are still busts in our eyes. We like the player so we won't shy away from him in dynasty leagues.

#25 Dillon Thieneman - S Chicago Bears

Like most of the world, we had Dillon Thieneman going to the Minnesota Vikings. So we had Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to the Bears here as the third safety drafted. Instead, the Vikings throw out the curveball pick and the Bears get Thieneman instead with this pick. Bears fans have to be pumped at the value that they are getting here at a position of need. 

#26 Keylan Rutledge - G Houston Texans via Buffalo Bills

Nick Caserio loves his trades. So it's not shock to see the Texans on the move here, this time moving up a couple spots. They grab the stout Rutledge who is a force along the interior offensive line. They loaded up on wide receivers last year, extended Dalton Schultz, and traded for David Montgomery so focusing on the trenches here is a smart play. 

#27 Chris Johnson - CB Miami Dolphins via San Francisco 49ers

The Dolphins move up slightly here to make sure they get their guy. After taking an offensive lineman earlier on, we had hoped they would take a pass-catcher of any kind here given the targets available. Omar Cooper Jr, Denzel Boston, maybe even Eli Stowers. Instead they decided to take a cornerback. Not that it's a bad pick but we love fantasy football around here so it's a bit disappointing. 

#28 Caleb Lomu - OT New England Patriots via Buffalo Bills

The Patriots trade pick 31 and 125 to the Buffalo Bills to move up to pick 28. And part of us considered that maybe THEY would take the wide receiver here. Instead they take the tackle out of Utah who should start for them right away on the right side, opposite Will Campbell. He also offers insurance for Campbell if he ends up being moved to guard. The Pats did not want to take any chances with the 49ers taking their guy at 30 when they need offensive line as well. In fact, we originally had the 49ers mocked to take Lomu at pick 27 before they traded out.  

#29 Peter Woods - DT Kansas City Chiefs

These picks had a lot of fantasy football potential. We are talking about high end offenses here with the Bills, Patriots, and Chiefs. So we can't help but be disappointed here at Fantasy Alarm that the Chiefs opted not to take a wide receiver or a tight end of the future like Eli Stowers. That said, it's hard to argue with the value they got on Woods and the fit for this defense. We had them taking a corner here in our mock but they already traded up and took corner Mansoor Delane earlier. 

#30 Omar Cooper Jr - WR New York Jets via San Francisco

The 49ers moved down then moved down again, not liking what was on the board. And the Jets moved up from pick 33, the first of the second round, to get their guy here. We like the player, no doubt. But we really do not love this situation here. Garrett Wilson is under contract through 2030. They just took Sadiq who is a “big slot” guy. Really loading up on weapons for Geno Smith, I guess? Really just do not like or understand the pick. But what we have come to expect from the Jets. 

#31 Keldric Faulk - WR Tennessee Titans via Buffalo Bills

I like this pick here. This was always a high risk, high reward play. He's 21 years old and needs to develop. But the Titans are still growing things and Robert Saleh knows how to use these exact guys as the LEO or Elephant in his scheme. He can start early being a pure pass-rusher and probably a part time guy. This is what a smart pick looks like to me and a good move trading back in and getting that fifth year option if it pans out. 

#32 Jadarian Price - RB Seattle Seahawks

You know what? For all the complaining we've done about certain teams not taking the fantasy relevant guys, the Seahawks close us out here with a fun one. We watched Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker leave in free agency to join the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving a big hole in this depth chart. That's especially true with Zach Charbonnet coming off a torn ACL. Now we get Jadarian Price to the Seattle Seahawks in the first round, solidifying his value in fantasy football land. That doesn't guarantee he is our RB2 when all is said and done but it's a good start.