The first round is where teams’ futures can be made or broken in the NFL Draft. Most teams have one chance in the first round. The Las Vegas Raiders now hold two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
How Will These Teams Use the Picks?
The move makes the Raiders the fifth team with multiple picks in the opening round. Some teams, though, have multiple first-rounders as  NFL Draft Analyst Field Yates said “Five teams now have two first round picks in 2026. Raiders: 1, 14 Jets: 2, 16 Browns: 6, 24 Chiefs: 9, 29 Cowboys: 12, 20”
While the Cleveland Browns may have a great defense that features players such as defensive player of the year Myles Garrett and highly regarded cornerback Denzel Ward, their offense needs help.
First off, on the offense is their offensive line. Their o-line ranked dead last for PFSN’s O Line impact metric, as graded out as an F. So, with both first-round picks, the Browns could look to go o-line. Using PFSN’s Mock Draft Simulator, at pick 6, players such as tackle Caleb Lomu or tackle Francis Mauigoa are available. At 24, players such as tackle Blake Miller or Max Iheanachor could be options for Cleveland to help rebuild their line.
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense ranked last according to PFSN’s Defense Impact metric. So, that side of the ball should be their main target. Going back to the mock draft simulator, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is available with the Cowboys’ first pick at number 12.
Downs has a great IQ and a high understanding of the game. If he goes to Dallas, he could be an excellent leader for that defense. At pick 20, the Cowboys could look to improve their defense by taking LSU Cornerback Mansoor Delane. Both players would be nice additions to improve Dallas’s defense.
All signs point to the Raiders choosing Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at number one. For number 14, the pick that the Raiders got for trading Maxx Crosby could be used on the best player available.
Using the mock draft simulator, players that the Raiders could take are USC wideout Makai Lemon, cornerback Avieon Terrell, guard Olaivavega Ioane, and defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The Raiders could use help on both sides of the ball, so whoever the new head coach, Klint Kubiak, thinks could make the biggest impact should be the choice.
For the New York Jets, their defense ranked second-lowest in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric. At pick 2, edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., linebacker Sonny Styles, or edge/linebacker hybrid Arvell Reese could be the choice.
At 16, other defensive players such as defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, linebacker CJ Allen, and cornerback Colton Hood could be good options for the Jets. The Kansas City Chiefs could very likely take running back Jeremiyah Love at pick 9. Love is a standout prospect, as he earned an A- grade on PFSN’s CFB running back impact metric. Pairing Love with Quarterback Patrick Mahomes could create a great duo.
At pick 29, the Chiefs could take edge Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor had a very nice season at Miami and could help boost Kansas City’s D-line. Overall, with all the trades in the NFL, it will be interesting to see how these teams use their picks to rebuild.
