The 2026 NFL Draft got underway last night in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the 32 teams made their first round picks.
Here are five storylines to keep an eye on:
Cardinal Love
When the New York Jets selected David Bailey with the second pick, many expected the Arizona Cardinals to take a player like Ohio State's Arvell Reese.
What happened next was a surprise. Arizona went for the generational talent in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, handing the rookie a fully guaranteed four-year, $50.5 million (€43.2m) deal – the richest ever given to a running back in NFL history.
This is a gem of a pick for the Cardinals. Love racked up 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season, producing standout performances against top college programmes while losing just one fumble all year.
A dynamic playmaker, Love will elevate an offence that already features Marvin Harrison Jr and Trey McBride. That said, the Cardinals still have significant needs – which is why they were picking inside the top three on Thursday night.
The full picture for Arizona will become clearer after the weekend once we see their complete haul. They are still searching for a long-term answer at quarterback following Kyler Murray’s departure, along with help on both lines.
None of that will matter right now to Irish Cardinals fans. If Love delivers as expected, this could prove a major step in their rebuild.
Simpson in Hollywood
There is always one moment on NFL Draft night that catches everyone off guard. This year it came early, with the Los Angeles Rams selecting Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson at No 13 overall.
Many analysts expected Simpson to last until Friday, but the Rams clearly disagreed. The pick immediately puts Matthew Stafford’s longevity back in the spotlight. Simpson arrives as the clear back-up and understudy to the reigning NFL MVP, but the conversation has already begun: Is he the franchise quarterback of the future in LA?
Multiple reports suggest Stafford was informed in advance and that the team views Simpson as his long-term successor.
Simpson becomes the fourth Alabama quarterback taken in the first round since 2020. In his lone full season with the Crimson Tide, he completed 305 of 473 passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions.
It is a golden opportunity for the young quarterback to learn from one of the best of the modern era for however long Stafford chooses to play. The Rams believe they have their future signal-caller. Time will tell.
A Big Night for the Cowboys
It is never dull when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones.
Entering the night with two picks inside the top 20, Dallas traded up one spot to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. One of the most talked-about players in the pre-draft process, Downs slipped outside the top 10 despite having to quash recent rumours of a degenerative ACL and partially torn meniscus.
In the end, the noise did not matter. The Cowboys have their new star safety – a player capable of game-changing plays for the newly installed defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Later, Dallas traded down from 20 to 23 in a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and selected UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence. Remember, this is a Cowboys team that lost Micah Parsons last year. Jones has now secured the pass-rush replacement he clearly coveted.
New Day in New York
It was a productive night for both New York teams.
The Jets opened strongly by taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No 2 overall before adding high-upside tight end Kenyon Sadiq later in the round. In an obvious rebuild, the additions of Bailey and Sadiq give them immediate help. Bailey is widely regarded as the most NFL-ready pass rusher in the class – a plug-and-play option who dominated in college.
Sadiq, the standout tight end in this draft, is an athletic freak capable of creating big plays. They also made a splash at the end, picking up Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr, who won the College Football National Championship in January.
The Giants also had an impressive evening, adding Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa inside the top 10. Reese is explosive and versatile, capable of playing off the ball or on the edge – a perfect fit for new head coach John Harbaugh. Mauigoa, meanwhile, addresses a clear need on the offensive line and gives them a building block on day one.
Whisper it, but the Giants could take a bigger step forward in 2026 than many expect.
Best of the Rest
With 32 picks on night one, it is impossible to cover them all, but here are some other selections that stood out in Pittsburgh.
The Chiefs added LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, a clean, reliable prospect with a near spotless injury record. This is exactly the type of player Steve Spagnuolo will relish coaching as Kansas City looks to regain its mojo.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, a strong signal they intend to move on from AJ Brown after 1 June (most likely to New England). Lemon is one of the best inside receivers in the class and, crucially, wants to be in Philadelphia, unlike Brown.
The Cleveland Browns took Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. Cleveland’s offence desperately needs a spark, and Concepcion’s raw speed could provide it – provided he sharpens his fundamentals.
We’re 32 picks down and 225 still to go, folks.
