PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: (L-R) Kayden McDonald of Ohio State, Kadyn Proctor of Alabama, Arvell Reese of Ohio State, Ty Simpson of Alabama, Sonny Styles of Ohio State, Carnell Tate of Ohio State and Dillon Thieneman of Oregon pose on stage prior to Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is officially over. There were, as predicted, trades. There were also, as predicted, surprises. And yes, the Las Vegas Raiders did hold up their end of the deal and pick Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first pick. After that, a little bit of chaos happened.
We know that just getting their names announced makes each one of these gentlemen a winner. But we also know that the landing spot will determine how successful they become. And of course, our fantasy football fortunes depend on scheme fit matches.
So, here are three winners and three losers for the fantasy football world that happened in round one.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Jordyn Tyson (R) of Arizona State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) after being selected eighth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
It wasn’t just about the tears of relief and happiness Tyson shed as his name was called (although it helped solidify him as a winner); it was about the landing spot. Head coach Kellen Moore is also the offensive play caller. Moore is known for adapting his systems to his talent.
Last season, the Saints ranked 8th in passing attempts per game at 34.8 (up 2.4 from the previous year) but only 14th in passing yards per game at 219.3 (still an increase of 9.1 from the previous year).
Wide receiver Chris Olave led the team with 156 targets, 100 receptions, and 1,163 receiving yards. The next-best receiver, Rashid Shaheed, who played in only nine games before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks, had 66 targets, 77 receptions, and 499 yards in those nine games.
Tyson now finds himself as the WR2 in Moore’s system. WR2 in Moore’s systems remains relevant. In 2021, when Moore was offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, WR2, Amari Cooper had 104 targets, 68 receptions, and 865 receiving yards. In 2025 with the Philadelphia Eagles, WR2 Devonta Smith had 89 targets, 68 receptions, and 833 receiving yards.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami celebrates after being selected fifteenth overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Bain, after all the pre-draft talk about his short arms and about incidents that happened years ago, is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Early predictions had Bain as a top-10 draft selection. His “fall” to the Buccaneers at 15 is a steal. Bain is an aggressive, physical, constant motor-type player who plays with a mean streak.
Bain will now play in Todd Bowles blitz-heavy, aggressive defense that depends on players who are versatile and can apply pressure at different points along the line and on the edges. This will allow Bain to rely on his power and dispel the notions about his short arm length.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman (R) of Oregon poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Fully expected Thieneman to go to the Minnesota Vikings with the 18th pick. When that did not happen and the Dallas Cowboys went edge with their 23rd pick, Thieneman to the Bears was the next best option for him and the best option for the Bears.
The Bears’ defense led the league last year in interceptions with 23. Safety Kevin Byard led the team with seven. This year in free agency, the Bears not only lost Byard but also Joquan Brisker and cornerback Nahshon Wright.
Dillon is not only known for his football IQ but also for his ability to play up in the box, nickel, or deep safety. He is a day one starter in a secondary that has a reputation to live up to. Thieneman is up to the task.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Jeremiyah Love (C) of Notre Dame poses with Jason Love (R) and L'Tyona Love (L) prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Love is a generational talent. And his pick as the third person off the draft board further signifies his talent. It is not the talent that makes the loss, it’s the Arizona Cardinals' destination.
The Cardinals are in disarray. Their first-time head coach and brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur is Mike Lafleur. The offensive coordinator is Nathaniel Hackett. Their quarterbacks are veteran Jacoby Brissett, who wants to be paid, and Gardner Minshew, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered last December.
As for the run game, last season the Cardinals ran on a league low 34.08% of their offensive plays. They were 31st in rushing yards per game, 93.1, and 30th in rushing first downs, 5.4. Their depth chart includes Trey Benson, resigned James Conner, free agent acquisition Tyler Allgeier, and now Love, all cited to run behind ESPN’s 25th-ranked offensive line.