2026 NFL Rookie Report: How Every First-Round Pick Is Doing So Far

What’s Going On Right Now?

Before real games begin, NFL rookies go through practices without pads on—this is called the “offseason program.”
It’s not the real thing yet, but it helps coaches see:

• How quickly rookies learn the playbook
• How they look moving and playing
• What they need to work on

ESPN’s team of 32 NFL reporters checked in on every first-round pick from the 2026 draft. Here’s what they found.

Meet the 2026 First-Round Rookies

Each section below uses simple words and short ideas. You can use this like a big report card.

1. Fernando Mendoza – QB, Indiana (Raiders)

• Played mostly with backup teams (2nd and 3rd team) during spring practices
• Coaches like:
  • Work ethic (he works hard)
  • Leadership
  • Finding teammates fast for easy completions
• Still learning how to play from “under center” (when the QB starts with the ball snapped to him)
• Team has veteran QB Kirk Cousins, so Mendoza has time to grow

Important Point: The team won’t rush him. They’re letting him learn at a good speed.

2. David Bailey – Edge Rusher, Texas Tech (Jets)

• Very fast first step when the play starts
• Good at chasing the quarterback
• Needs to improve:
  • Playing against the run
  • Using more power when rushing the QB
• Coaches already expect him to play and help the team

Key Quote:
“He’s meant to be an edge rusher.” – Jets LT Olu Fashanu

3. Jeremiyah Love – Running Back, Notre Dame (Cardinals)

• Only practiced in shorts, no big hits yet
• Played with both 1st and 2nd team offenses
• Teammates are impressed:
  • Marvin Harrison Jr.: called him a “sweet new car”
  • Mack Wilson Sr.: said “he got game” and “he blessed”
  • Trey McBride: called him a “stud”
• Coaches and players love his patience and ability to wait for the right moment to run

4. Carnell Tate – Wide Receiver, Ohio State (Titans)

• Ran routes (paths to catch the ball) very well
• Catched the ball reliably
• Scored 3 touchdowns in practices the media could watch
• Veterans say he’s “polished,” which means he looks like he’s done this for a long time

Key Quote:
“For a rookie… what he’s doing is really, really exciting.” – CB Alontae Taylor

5. Arvell Reese – Linebacker/Edge, Ohio State (Giants)

• Very big for a linebacker: 6-foot-4, 241 pounds
• Stands out physically on the NFL field
• Good at covering running backs and keeping up with them
• Pro Bowl edge rusher Brian Burns was surprised by how well he covers
• Coaches like how he handles the mental side (learning plays, making smart decisions)

6. Mansoor Delane – Cornerback, LSU (Chiefs)

• Missed part of the spring with a shoulder injury
• When he did practice, he looked good
• Projected to be a starter right away
• Will work closely with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who thinks Delane was the best corner in the draft

Key Quote:
“We all felt like he was the top corner in this class.” – Steve Spagnuolo

7. Sonny Styles – Linebacker, Ohio State (Commanders)

• Very fast closing speed (he can speed up quickly)
• Good football brain—knows what’s going to happen
• Wore the green dot on his helmet (he gets play calls from the coach on a radio)
• Coaches say he really loves football

Key Quote:
“All he wants to talk about is football… size, speed, strength and brain and he loves ball? He’s got a lot going for him.” – LB coach Ken Norton Jr.

8. Jordyn Tyson – Wide Receiver, Arizona State (Saints)

• Coming back from college injuries
• Participated in only light work (walk-throughs only)
• Teammates are impressed with how smart he looks and how well he runs routes
• QB Tyler Shough is excited about him

Key Quote:
“He hasn’t messed a play up, missed a beat. He’s super smart… He’s going to be firing on all cylinders.” – Tyler Shough

9. Spencer Fano – Offensive Lineman, Utah (Browns)

• Started slowly while learning the playbook
• By minicamp, he was practicing with the starting offensive line at left tackle
• Coaches now count him as one of their five starters

Key Quote:
“He’s been outstanding… buying in… raising his game… I think he’s going to be a really good player for us.” – OL coach George Warhop

10. Francis Mauigoa – Offensive Tackle, Miami (Giars)

• Practiced with the first-team offense at right guard
• Known for:
  • Wanting to learn
  • Great physical talent
• Already looks strong enough to help the run game right away

11. Caleb Downs – Safety, Ohio State (Cowboys)

• Adjusted very well to the NFL
• Veterans like his work on and off the field
• Coaches love how fast he learns
• Played multiple positions:
  • Slot defender (covers inside receivers)
  • Both safety spots
• Always looking for coaching and correction

Key Quote:
“He wants to be corrected. He wants more information… He’s been good to work with.” – DC Christian Parker

12. Kadyn Proctor – Offensive Tackle, Alabama (Dolphins)

• Teammates say he looks like a veteran
• Quickly learned a new position: moved to left guard
• On track to start as a rookie

13. Ty Simpson – QB, Alabama (Rams)

• It’s hard to tell how much QBs help in no-pad practices
• Coaches focused on basic fundamentals (footwork, throwing basics)
• Coaches like that Simpson is:
  • Coachable
  • Hardworking
  • Early to work, stays late

14. Olaivavega (Ola) Ioane – Guard, Penn State (Ravens)

• On the field with the first-team offense all spring
• Raven’s highest-drafted offensive lineman in 10 years
• Moved from left guard (college) to right guard (NFL), but it goes smoothly
• Feels like a veteran in how he communicates with teammates

Key Quote:
“You almost don’t notice him… he feels like a veteran.” – OC Declan Doyle

15. Rueben Bain Jr. – Edge Rusher, Miami (Buccaneers)

• Coaches love his:
  • Power, bend, leverage (how he bends and uses his body)
  • Violent hands (strong, active hands to fight blockers)
  • Instincts (smart play)
• On the first day of minicamp, he batted down a pass from Baker Mayfield

Key Quote:
“He does not learn like a normal rookie, and he does some things that a three- or four-year guy can do.” – Coach Todd Bowles

16. Kenyon Sadiq – Tight End, Oregon (Jets)

• Missed OTAs and minicamp due to hernia surgery from a college injury
• Team knew about this before drafting him
• Expected back for training camp, but behind others
• Coaches think his speed and explosiveness will make him a matchup problem for defenses

17. Blake Miller – Offensive Tackle, Clemson (Lions)

• Taking small steps forward every day
• Could start on Day 1 at right tackle while Detroit’s star lineman Penei Sewell moves to left tackle
• Uses veteran coaching staff and team resources to learn fast

Key Quote:
“There’s so many resources available to me, and everyone is willing to help and that means the world.” – Blake Miller

18. Caleb Banks – Defensive Tackle, Florida (Vikings)

• Coming back from a broken foot he suffered at the NFL Combine
• Did not participate much in practices, but watched and learned
• By the end of spring, he was rehearsing with other recovering players on the rehab field
• Coaches believe he will be fully ready when training camp starts

19. Monroe Freeling – Offensive Tackle, Georgia (Panthers)

• Practiced at left and right tackle
• Primarily at left tackle while starter Ikem Ekwonu recovers from injury
• Teammates praise his feet, hands, and ability to win blocks

Key Quote:
“The talent is there—the feet, the hands—he wins.” – LB Nic Scourton

20. Makai Lemon – Wide Receiver, USC (Eagles)

• Practiced with starters, especially in the slot (inside receiver)
• New offense plans to use a lot of motion before the snap; Lemon is a big part of this
• Quick in short areas (can change direction fast)
• Missed minicamp with a hamstring injury

21. Max Iheanachor – Offensive Tackle, Arizona State (Steelers)

• Started OTAs with the 2nd and 3rd teams
• Not expected to start right away—seen as a developmental player
• Only played football for less than 5 years, but has:
  • Great athleticism
  • High potential
• Coaches value his smart use of veteran players in front of him in the lineup

22. Akheem Mesidor – Edge Rusher, Miami (Chargers)

• Without pads, it’s hard to judge linemen, but teammates and coaches still rave
• Known for quickness and maturity

Key Quote:
“He’s a pro… he comes out early in practice, he gets his routine going and he hasn’t missed a routine yet.” – Tuli Tuipulotu

23. Malachi Lawrence – Edge Rusher, UCF (Cowboys)

• Often overshadowed by Caleb Downs, but coaches see him as an important part of the pass rush
• Took turns with the 1st team while Donovan Ezeiruaku recovers from hip surgery
• Coaches surprised by:
  • His power
  • His instincts in pass coverage. Lawrence dropped into coverage often this spring, which he rarely did in college, but handled it well

24. KC Concepcion – Wide Receiver, Texas A&M (Browns)

• Made lots of plays in a passing-style offense
• Showed:
  • Elusiveness (hard to catch)
  • Ability to make tough catches
• Had some drops (missed catches), which were a concern in college
• Not a big worry; came in ready to work on it

Key Quote:
“KC came in with the right mindset. He was ready to work on what he thought was an issue… his drops.” – WR coach Christian Jones

25. Dillon Thieneman – Safety, Oregon (Bears)

• Earned 1st-team reps during minicamp
• Learning new defensive schemes quickly
• Veterans say he’s like a “sponge” who absorbs knowledge
• Like Caleb Downs, played multiple safety spots

Key Quote:
“Once he sees something he recognizes, he makes a play right away.” – Coby Bryant

26. Keylan Rutledge – Guard, Georgia Tech (Texans)

• Practicing with the 2nd-team offense
• Training at left guard and center so he can compete for a starting job
• Texans play their best 5 linemen, so versatility helps

27. Chris Johnson – Cornerback, San Diego State (Dolphins)

• One of the coach’s favorite rookies
• Cross-trained at multiple positions in the secondary
• Dolphins need new starters at all three cornerback spots, and Johnson is expected to claim one of them
• Known for good football instincts

28. Caleb Lomu – Offensive Tackle, Utah (Patriots)

• Very big: 6-foot-6, 313 pounds
• Already the #1 backup at both left and right tackle
• Also practiced at guard
• Known for:
  • Versatility (playing many spots)
  • Learning quickly and not repeating mistakes

Key Quote:
“I love the versatility… He learns quickly [and] usually doesn’t make the same mistake twice.” – Coach Mike Vrabel

29. Peter Woods – Defensive Tackle, Clemson (Chiefs)

• Not expected to start right away
• Will be used in rotations with veteran star Chris Jones
• Veterans noticed his athleticism in practice and the weight room

Key Quote:
“I’ve been really, really impressed with Pete… not only on the field but in the classroom.” – Steve Spagnuolo

30. Omar Cooper Jr. – Wide Receiver, Indiana (Jets)

• Jets’ most impressive rookie in the spring
• Locked himself into a spot in 3-receiver packages
• Smooth route runner
• Plays very physically and is expected to do even better once full pads arrive

31. Keldric Faulk – Edge Rusher, Auburn (Titans)

• Has been pushed hard by defensive coaches, and he appreciates it
• Improved his technique on getting off the line quickly, working with teammates before practice
• Ended minicamp with multiple sacks on the final day

32. Jadarian Price – Running Back, Notre Dame (Seahawks)

• Practiced with the No. 1 offense
• Not expected to be the main starter right way, but to share carries with others while Zach Charbonnet recovers
• Showed promising ability as a pass-catcher, despite only 15 college career receptions

Summary: What We’ve Learned So Far

• No pads = limited info, but teams can still judge speed, route running, leadership, and learning speed.
• Several rookies are on track to start young, including:
  • Mansoor Delane
  • Spencer Fano
  • Kadyn Proctor
  • Blake Miller
  • Chris Johnson
  • Dillon Thieneman
• Several others are backups or slowly developing, but still very important for the future.
• Teams are mainly focused on learning, habits, and fundamentals right now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can we tell how good rookies are without pads?
Not fully. Coaches can see athleticism, smarts, and effort, but hitting, blocking, and tackling in real speed are different. Training camp with full pads gives a clearer picture.

2. What are OTAs and minicamp?

• OTAs = Organized Team Activities (voluntary spring practices)
• Minicamp = Required short camp for all players
  They’re supposed to help players learn plays and build teamwork.

3. What does “green dot” mean?
The green dot on the helmet means that player has a speaker in the helmet to hear play calls from the coach. It’s a sign of responsibility and trust.

4. Why are some rookies already backups?
Teams often have older, more experienced players in those spots. The rookies can learn and be ready if they’re needed or become starters later.

5. What happens at training camp in late July?
Training camp is when:

• Practices get harder
• Pads come on
• Roster cuts happen
• Starting jobs are really decided

This is when we’ll see who will actually play on Sundays when the season begins.