1. QB Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas Raiders)
The former Indiana quarterback was the overwhelming favourite to be the first overall pick and becomes the third player to be chosen first and win the Heisman Trophy – for the best player in college football – and national championship in the same year.
A similar quarterback to Tom Brady, although a little more athletic, Mendoza now gets to develop under veteran Kirk Cousins and his idol Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders.
2. LB David Bailey (New York Jets)
Several pass rushers were rated highly in this year’s draft class and linebacker Bailey was the first off the board.
The Jets had the second-fewest number of sacks last season while Bailey registered 14.5 at Texas Tech – tied for the most in the top level of college football.
3. RB Jeremiyah Love (Arizona Cardinals)
There were rumours the Cardinals might go for quarterback Ty Simpson, but they opted for this year’s top running back.
Love is explosive, elusive and also provides a receiving threat, scoring a combined 40 touchdowns over the past two seasons at Notre Dame.
4. WR Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans)
Many tipped the Titans to make a defensive move, but instead they chose to get some firepower for quarterback Cam Ward, who struggled for most of his rookie season after being the first overall pick of last year’s draft.
Tate helped Ohio State win the national championship in 2024 before posting career-high figures for receiving yards and touchdowns in 2025.
5. LB Arvell Reese (New York Giants)
There was some surprise to see pass rusher Reese still on the board at five, and the Giants could not let Tate’s former Ohio State team-mate slip by.
After trading Dexter Lawrence last week, they have immediately restored depth to their defensive front with Reese joining Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.
6. CB Mansoor Delane (Kansas City Chiefs, trade with Cleveland Browns)
The Chiefs traded cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams last month and used a total of three picks to get into position for his potential replacement.
Delane was the top-rated cornerback in the draft having shown he has the speed, awareness and physicality to shut down receivers, as well as helping to stop the run game.
7. LB Sonny Styles (Washington Commanders)
The Commanders gave up the most yards per game last season and gave their defence a boost with the addition of Styles, who has been likened to San Francisco’s Fred Warner.
He is another of Ohio State’s national title winners from 2024 and has good pedigree with his father Lorenzo having spent six years in the NFL, winning the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2000.
8. WR Jordyn Tyson (New Orleans Saints)
Tyson’s early college years were restricted by injuries, but he proved himself last season at Arizona State.
The Saints finished last season strongly with Tyler Shough at quarterback and Tyson now offers him a deep threat while easing the burden on fellow receiver Chris Olave.
9. OT Spencer Fano (Cleveland Browns)
The Browns got this and two extra picks from the Chiefs and were still able to get the first tackle off the board, which will give greater protection for whoever becomes next season’s starting quarterback.
Fano is 6ft 5in and 311lb (141kg), and has played across the offensive line but has spent the past two seasons playing right tackle.
10. OT Francis Mauigoa (New York Giants)
Mauigoa is slightly bigger than Fano at 6ft 5in and 329lb (149 kg), and his selection means the Giants gained reinforcements on both sides of the ball inside the top 10 picks.
The right tackle from American Samoa will offer Jaxson Dart pass protection and even told the Giants’ second-year quarterback “I’m ready to die for you bro”.
