2026 NFL DRAFT ROUND 1 GRADES & ANALYSIS: Winners, Losers, Steals and Value Picks

The guys discuss the latest developments in the scandal surrounding New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL Insider for ESPN and The Athletic Dianna Russini. Vrabel will not be with the Patriots for Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to attend counseling and be with his family. Have his recent public statements done more harm than good in the wake of more photos from TMZ and the New York Post?

Burg and Manish move on to discuss a wild first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on Thursday night that featured eight trades with five of the final seven picks being dealt. The guys give their winners, losers, surprises, steals and value picks in Round 1.

Six teams drafted two players (Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins). The New York Jets traded back into the first round to give them three first-rounders (Texas Tech edge David Bailey, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper, Jr.).

Eight teams did not have a first-round pick, including the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals (after trading for Giants DL Dexter Lawrence), Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonsville Jaguars. The Buffalo Bills (traded down three times) and San Francisco 49ers traded out of the first round on Thursday night.

How will prospects like Jeremiyah Love, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Monroe Freeling, Omar Cooper Jr., Francis Mauigoa, Reuben Bain, Akheem Mesidor, Spencer Fano, Mansoor Delane, Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu, T.J. Parker, Keldric Faulk, Max Iheanachor, Kadyen Proctor, , Dillon Thieneman, Blake Miller, Olaivavega Ioane, Ty Simpson, Jadarian Price, Peter Woods (Clemson), OG Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech), KC Concepcion, Malachi Lawrence, Caleb Banks and Keldric Faulk do at the next level?

The guys discuss a pair of value picks before jumping into five winners. Then, it’s time to talk about five losers in the draft. Finally, Burg and Manish give grades for each pick of the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Along the way, they discuss the reality that Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown will likely be traded (to the New England Patriots) after Howie Roseman traded up for USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. And they dive into why the Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams drafted Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson when they could have given reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford some immediate help to make another Super Bowl run.

There are also plenty of talented players left for Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft like Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood, Denzel Boston, Cashius Howell, Zion Young, C.J. Allen, CB Avieon Terrell, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, DT Kayden McDonald, Edge T.J. Parker, G Emmanuel Pregnon, LB Jake Golday, DT Christian Miller and others.

Highlights:

(2:00) Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini updates

(15:30): Value Picks

(19:00) Winners of the first round

(33:20) Losers of the first round

(47:00) Grades for every pick and every team

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