A+ or F? Grading Every First-Round Pick at the NFL Midseason

First-Round Pick NFL Grades

 

1. Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders

Fernando Mendoza has yet to see meaningful regular-season action with the Las Vegas Raiders. As we mentioned in our initial grades, his playing time depends largely on Kirk Cousins performance, a potential injury or a trade as the deadline approaches. Barring a change in circumstances, we may have to wait until next season to see Mendoza take over as the Raiders starting quarterback.

First Grade: N/A | Mid-Season Grade: N/A

2. David Bailey, Edge, New York Jets

David Bailey has been one of the few bright spots on the New York Jets‘ defense. He leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss while also pacing all rookies in sacks, ranking ninth in the entire league. Bailey has made a strong case for himself through the first half of the season, and his three-sack performance against the Cleveland Browns earns him a slight bump in our midseason grades.

First Grade: B | Mid-Season Grade: B+

3. Jeremiyah Love, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals

It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Jeremiyah Love, who has struggled to stay healthy and make a consistent impact for the Arizona Cardinals. Another ankle injury has landed him on injured reserve, adding to an already disappointing rookie campaign. With injuries continuing to pile up, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Arizona shut him down for the remainder of the season.

First Grade: C+ | Mid-Season: D

4. Carnell Tate, Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans

Carnell Tate continues to build chemistry with quarterback Cam Ward and is becoming an increasingly important part of the Tennessee Titans‘ offense. He recently found the end zone for the first time against the Indianapolis Colts, giving his rookie campaign another positive moment. Tate still has plenty of room to grow, but the connection with Ward is encouraging as the Titans look toward the future.

First Grade: B- | Mid-Season Grade: B

5. Arvell Reese, Linebacker, New York Giants

Arvell Reese has continued to impress with the New York Giants, and his development as a pass rusher has been particularly encouraging. We previously mentioned that we wanted to see him get more opportunities rushing the quarterback following Brian Burns injury. Since then, Reese has recorded 1.5 sacks, showing some promise in that role. His versatility and ability to impact the game in different ways make him one of the more exciting rookies in this class.

First Grade: A | Mid-Season Grade: A+

6. Mansoor Delane, Cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs

Mansoor Delane has missed a couple of games with injuries, but his performance when healthy has been excellent. He’s putting up top-15 numbers among NFL cornerbacks as a rookie and has looked every bit like a player worthy of a top-six selection. The missed time is unfortunate, but Delane has done more than enough to maintain his original grade.

First Grade: A | Mid-Season Grade: A

7. Sonny Styles, Linebacker, Washington Commanders

Sonny Styles has been a do-it-all linebacker for the Washington Commanders, showing off his athleticism and ability to contribute in multiple areas. His pass coverage has been particularly impressive, while his run defense has gradually improved as the season has progressed. Styles is developing into a well-rounded defender, and his early performances have given Washington plenty of reasons to be excited.

First Grade: A-| Mid-Season Grade: A

8. Jordyn Tyson, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints

Jordan Tyson has yet to make his NFL debut as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury. The New Orleans Saints have been without their first-round receiver for the entire season so far, leaving little to evaluate at the halfway point. Tyson could have his 21-day practice window opened relatively soon, which would be an encouraging step toward getting him back on the field.

First Grade: N/A | Mid-Season Grade: N/A

9. Spencer Fano, Offensive Tackle, Cleveland Browns

Spencer Fano has been a steady presence along the Cleveland Browns offensive line, holding his own at both left and right tackle. There’s still a learning curve as he adjusts to the NFL, but his ability to handle multiple positions has been a major positive. Fano has shown enough through the first half of the season to earn an upgrade, and Cleveland should feel good about its investment.

First Grade: B | Mid-Season Grade: A

10. Francis Mauigoa, Offensive Tackle, New York Giants

Francis Mauigoa’s transition from college tackle to NFL guard has been a gradual process with the Giants. It’s not an easy position change, and there have naturally been some growing pains along the way. However, Mauigoa has been making progress and appears to be heading in the right direction. For now, we’ll keep his grade where it is and see how he develops over the second half of the season.

First Grade: B- | Mid-Season Grade: B-

11. Caleb Downs, Safety, Dallas Cowboys

 Caleb Downs looked like a potential generational talent early in the season, but his performance has taken a noticeable step back since then. The Dallas Cowboys defensive struggles certainly haven’t helped, as the unit has been a mess for much of the year. Still, Downs deserves some criticism of his own, particularly for his struggles in pass coverage, where opposing offenses have found ways to exploit him. His talent is obvious, but the early-season hype has cooled considerably.

First Grade: A | Mid-Season Grade: B-

12. Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Tackle, Miami Dolphins

Kadyn Proctor has openly acknowledged his struggles adjusting to playing guard in the NFL, and those issues have shown up on the field. His pass protection has been inconsistent, although his run blocking has been a more reliable part of his game. The transition to a new position was always going to take time, but Proctor will need to make strides in pass protection if he hopes to justify his first-round selection.

First Grade: B+| Mid-Season Grade: B-

13. Ty Simpson, Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams

Ty Simpson remains the third-string quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, sitting behind Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett. Much like Mendoza in Las Vegas, Simpson would need a combination of poor play, injuries or an unexpected change at quarterback to get a meaningful opportunity this season. Unless something changes, the Los Angeles Rams first-round pick will likely have to wait until next year for his chance to compete for a larger role.

First Grade: N/A | Mid-Season Grade: N/A

14. Olaivavega Ioane, Offensive Guard, Baltimore Ravens

Olaivavega Ioane has been a rock along the Baltimore Ravens offensive line, showing the ability to handle both guard and center. He recently suffered an MCL sprain, although he is expected to return to action. Ioane has been one of the more reliable rookies in this class, and his importance to Baltimore’s offensive line will only grow as the team continues trying to sort out its quarterback situation.

First Grade: A | Mid-Season Grade: A

15. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge Rusher, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After dealing with injuries early in the season, Rueben Bain Jr has finally started getting opportunities to show what he can do for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His performances have gradually improved, and he’s beginning to show why the team invested a first-round pick in him. There’s still work to do, but simply getting back on the field and building momentum is a positive step after such a frustrating start.

First Grade: F | Mid-Season Grade: C

16. Kenyon Sadiq, Tight End, New York Jets

Kenyon Sadiq‘s role with the Jets has changed as the team’s receiving corps has gotten healthier. Once viewed as a potential receiving mismatch who could create problems for opposing defenses, Sadiq has spent more time working as an inline blocker. It’s not the role many expected when he was drafted, but he’s been doing the job well. Given the change in responsibilities, we’ll leave his grade alone for now.

First Grade: C+| Mid-Season Grade: C+

17. Blake Miller, Offensive Tackle, Detroit Lions

Blake Miller has been impressive as a pass blocker for the Detroit Lions, giving the team some encouraging production from its first-round offensive tackle. His run blocking remains an area that needs work, however, and consistency will be important as he continues adjusting to the NFL. Miller has shown enough to maintain his current grade, but there’s still room for improvement.

First Grade: B- | Mid-Season Grade: B-

18. Caleb Banks, Defensive Tackle, Minnesota Vikings

Caleb Banks hasn’t played many snaps as the Minnesota Vikings continue to ease him into their defensive plans. That limited role makes it difficult to judge his performance, but the selection itself remains an interesting one. Banks was projected by some to potentially fall into the second round, yet Minnesota decided to take a chance on his upside at No. 18. The Vikings will need to see more from him before that decision can be properly evaluated.

First Grade: D | Mid-Season Grade: D-

19. Monroe Freeling, Offensive Tackle, Carolina Panthers

Monroe Freeling wasn’t expected to be a full-time starter this season, but injuries along the Carolina Panthers offensive line pushed him into the starting lineup at right tackle, a position he didn’t play in college. He’s been relatively average given the circumstances, although a knee injury has added another challenge to his rookie campaign. Freeling deserves some credit for stepping into a difficult situation, but the results have been mixed so far.

First Grade: D+ | Mid-Season Grade: C-

20. Makai Lemon, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

Makai Lemon has finally started to make his presence felt with the Philadelphia Eagles after injuries opened up more opportunities in the receiving corps. His recent performances have been encouraging, and he’s beginning to show what made him an intriguing first-round selection. The challenge now is maintaining that production once DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks return and the competition for targets increases.

First Grade: D | Mid-Season Grade: B-

21. Max Iheanachor, Offensive Tackle, Pittsburgh Steelers

Max Iheanachor has been a steady presence at right tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers He’s had his share of rough outings, as most rookie offensive linemen do, but overall, he’s been a welcome addition to the unit. Iheanachor has shown enough to earn a significant bump from his initial grade, and his continued development could make him an important piece of Pittsburgh’s offensive line moving forward.

First Grade: C- | Mid-Season Grade: B-

22. Akheem Mesidor, Edge Rusher, Los Angeles Chargers

Akheem Mesidor has started to find his footing with the Los Angeles Chargers and is playing with more confidence as the season progresses. Given the Chargers struggles, there haven’t been many opportunities to consistently pin their ears back and attack opposing quarterbacks late in games. That makes Mesidor’s recent production even more encouraging. He’s showing signs of becoming a useful pass rusher, and his midseason grade reflects that progress.

First Grade: C+| Mid-Season Grade: B

23. Malachi Lawrence, Edge Rusher, Dallas Cowboys

Malachi Lawrence remains a work in progress for the Cowboys, who have struggled defensively for much of the season. It’s difficult for any young pass rusher to thrive when the defense around him isn’t getting the job done, and Lawrence has yet to make a consistent impact. There’s still time for him to develop, but he’ll need to show more in the second half of the season to move beyond his current grade.

First Grade: C- | Mid-Season Grade: C-

24. K.C. Concepcion, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns

K.C Concepcion and Denzel Boston have been two bright spots for the Browns, giving the offense some much-needed life. Concepcion has been particularly effective working out of the slot, where his ability to create separation has made him a valuable target. His performances have exceeded our initial expectations, and the Browns should be pleased with what they’ve seen from their first-round receiver so far.

First Grade: B- | Mid-Season Grade: B+

25. Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Chicago Bears

Dillon Thieneman early-season performances were so impressive that raising his original A+ grade was always going to be difficult. Unfortunately, his play has dipped since then, with opposing offenses finding success attacking him in downfield coverage. The Chicago Bears still have an exciting young safety on their hands, but the recent struggles are worth acknowledging. For now, Thieneman takes a step back in our midseason report card.

First Grade: A+ | Mid-Season Grade: B+

26. Keylan Rutledge, Offensive Guard, Houston Texans

Keylan Rutledge has had a difficult start to his NFL career, particularly in pass protection. His run blocking has been somewhat better, but there is still plenty of work to do before he becomes a reliable presence along the Houston Texans offensive line. Rutledge was also tasked with learning all three interior offensive line positions during the offseason, which deserves some consideration. We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt for now and see whether he can make progress over the second half of the season.

First Grade: D | Mid-Season Grade: D+

27. Chris Johnson, Cornerback, Miami Dolphins

Chris Johnson has been a welcome addition to the Dolphins defense, splitting his time between the outside and the slot. His performances have been somewhat inconsistent, but he’s continued to show that he can contribute in different roles. Looking back, we may have been a little generous with his initial grade, although his play hasn’t been poor enough to warrant a significant drop. For now, we’ll keep him in the same range and see how he finishes the season.

First Grade: B- | Mid-Season Grade: B-

28. Caleb Lomu, Offensive Tackle, New England Patriots

Caleb Lomu has seen an increase in playing time recently due to injuries, but he still hasn’t played enough snaps to receive a proper midseason grade. His performance in Week 6 was encouraging, which is a positive sign for the New England Patriots. However, we’ll need a larger sample size before making a fair assessment of his rookie campaign.

First Grade: N/A | Mid-Season Grade: N/A

29. Peter Woods, Defensive Tackle, Kansas City Chiefs

Peter Woods continues to struggle to make an impact as a pass rusher for the Chiefs. The team’s defensive line has had trouble generating pressure as a whole, which certainly hasn’t made his job any easier. On the bright side, Woods has been solid against the run, giving the Chiefs something to build on. His pass-rushing development remains the biggest concern, and he’ll need to make strides in that area moving forward.

First Grade: C | Mid-Season Grade: C

30. Omar Cooper Jr., Wide Receiver, New York Jets

Omar Cooper Jr. returned from injury in impressive fashion, recording back-to-back 100-yard games with a touchdown in each contest. Unfortunately, he followed those performances with a quiet outing against the Raiders. With the Jets receiving corps finally getting healthier, Cooper will have more competition for targets, much like Sadiq. The talent is there, but he’ll need to prove he can produce consistently to maintain a meaningful role in the offense.

First Grade: N/A | Mid-Season Grade: B+

31. Keldric Faulk, Edge Rusher, Tennessee Titans

Keldric Faulk was always viewed as more of a developmental prospect who would need time to adjust to the NFL. The physical tools are certainly there, but he hasn’t shown much through the first half of the season. That doesn’t necessarily mean the pick will turn out poorly, as some defensive prospects take longer to put everything together. Still, the Titans will be hoping to see more progress from their first-round selection as the season continues.

First Grade: C+ | Mid-Season Grade: C

32. Jadarian Price, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks

Jadarian Price had an opportunity to take control of the Seattle Seahawks backfield while Zach Charbonnet was recovering from ACL surgery, but he didn’t fully capitalize on it. Injuries certainly didn’t help his cause, although the return of Charbonet has made an already crowded situation even more difficult. Price will need to make the most of his opportunities moving forward if he hopes to carve out a consistent role in Seattle’s offense.

First Grade: D | Mid-Season Grade: D+

The Last Word

The first half of the season has given us a much better idea of what to expect from the 2026 first-round class. Some rookies, like Reese and Bailey, have exceeded expectations, while others are still adjusting to the NFL or waiting for their opportunities. Injuries and inconsistent performances have also made it difficult to properly evaluate a few players. Of course, there’s still plenty of football left to play, and these grades could look very different by the end of the season. We’ll be back with our final grades after Week 18 to see which first-round picks finished strong and who still has something to prove.

Main Image: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images