Following the draft, only two quarterbacks were chosen in the first round, alongside two running backs from the same university. Congratulations to all new professional football players. This concludes our real-time reporting on the opening evening of the 2026 NFL Draft. Thank you for joining us. From the entire Guardian staff, greetings to readers around the globe.
Pick 32: Seattle Seahawks select Jadarian Price, Running Back
The defending champions make their choice at the end of the first round. They opt for Jadarian Price, the second Notre Dame running back drafted tonight. While not as skilled in receiving passes as his counterpart, Price excels at spotting openings in defenses.
Pick 31: Tennessee Titans select Keldric Faulk, Edge Rusher
The commissioner notes a new attendance record of 320,000 for the first evening. The Titans choose Keldric Faulk from Auburn as an edge rusher. Though still developing, he demonstrates speed, agility, and strong team spirit.
Pick 30: New York Jets select Omar Cooper Jr., Wide Receiver
The Jets return for their third first-round selection after trading with the San Francisco 49ers. They pick Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana. After struggling offensively in recent seasons, the Jets have added two dynamic players. They may seek a quarterback in future drafts, holding three first-round picks next year. Highlight: His standout catch against Penn State.
Pick 29: Kansas City Chiefs select Peter Woods, Defensive Tackle
Earlier, Kansas City traded up for cornerback Mansoor Delane at the sixth pick. Now, they select Peter Woods from Clemson. ESPN mentions his singing talent as a fun fact.
Pick 28: New England Patriots select Caleb Lomu, Offensive Tackle
The Patriots traded with the Houston Texans for this position and choose Lomu. He requires development, especially in run blocking, but adding mass to his large build could lead to significant improvement.
Pick 27: Miami Dolphins select Chris Johnson, Defensive Back
After drafting offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, the Dolphins trade up with the San Francisco 49ers to pick Johnson from San Diego State.
Pick 26: Houston Texans select Keylan Rutledge, Guard
Rutledge from Georgia Tech overcame a severe injury from a car accident to reach this milestone. The Texans bolster their offensive line with this logical selection.
Trade Alert: Buffalo Bills trade back. Houston receives pick 26 and 91; Bills get picks 28, 69, and 167.
Pick 25: Chicago Bears select Dillon Thieneman, Safety
The Oregon safety arrives in style with aviator sunglasses, though Chicago’s weather may not suit them. Analyst Ollie Connolly praises his well-rounded skills: Initially viewed as intelligent and instinctive, Thieneman impressed at the Combine with elite athleticism. Dedicated to training, he adapted roles at Oregon and Purdue, making him a versatile asset for any defense.
Pick 24: Cleveland Browns select KC Concepcion, Wide Receiver
Concepcion from Texas A&M joins Cleveland. His speed makes him a primary receiving option and punt returner, earning versatility recognition.
Pick 23: Dallas Cowboys select Malachi Lawrence, Edge Rusher
After picking a top safety, Dallas adds Lawrence from the University of Central Florida. At 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds, he recorded seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss in his senior year, consistently achieving at least five sacks over three seasons.
Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers select Akheem Mesidor, Edge Rusher
The Miami product, originally from Ottawa, notched 5.5 sacks in playoffs. At 25 years old, he adds determination to the Chargers’ defense. Analyst Ollie Connolly notes concerns: Entering as a 25-year-old rookie with injury history raises flags in team evaluations, and Mesidor was overlooked by several squads.
