NFL draft prospects with a true Round 1 grade: 11 players who are clear first-rounders

"There's a difference between going in Round 1 and being graded in Round 1, and as we move closer to the opening of the 2026 draft on April 23 in Pittsburgh, I have identified the players who I feel are no-brainer Day 1 guys. The average draft class has roughly 15 players who are deemed "first-round talents," though the number varies by team and scouting department. These special evaluations are reserved for prospects who would be Round 1 selections regardless of the year, and my own guideline is whether a player would have been a first-rounder in each of the past five classes."

"I gave only 13 first-round grades in the 2025 class, the lowest number I've ever awarded. But the 2026 class comes in below that right now. For context, the final list in 2024 had 18 names on it, and the 2023 list had 20. Here are the players who deserve a first-round grade on my board. (Players' overall rankings are in parentheses after their names, and I will update this list a few times before the draft.)"

"One year after zero quarterbacks had a true first-round grade, there are two in this class. Mendoza is the headliner. He transferred to Indiana from Cal and developed into a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and potential No. 1 pick. Mendoza has outstanding pocket poise with expert-level touch to all areas of the field. My favorite trait is his ability to put the ball up for his receivers to make plays. And although his arm strength will never be elite, Mendoza protects the ball and is a ge"

The first round of the 2026 NFL draft will include 32 selections but fewer players currently hold true first-round grades. True first-round talent is defined as prospects who would have been first-rounders in each of the past five classes. The average draft class contains about 15 such players, yet 2025 had only 13 and the 2026 class is tracking even lower. By contrast, 2024 had 18 and 2023 had 20 first-round talents. Two quarterbacks in 2026 earned first-round grades, with Mendoza noted for pocket poise, touch and ball protection.

Read at ESPN.com