NFL DRAFT 2026: OHIO STATE AND MIAMI DOMINATE, A HISTORIC POLYNESIAN WAVE AND THE ARRIVAL OF CANADIAN AKHEEM MESIDOR
Updated: Oct 31
PITTSBURGH — The first round of the NFL Draft 2026, held Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium, confirmed several major trends in modern football: the central value of line play, the dominance of elite programs, and an increasingly diverse range of player profiles. A star quarterback taken first overall, an omnipresent Ohio State, a record Polynesian presence, and a Canadian joining the very exclusive first-round club — here’s what you need to know.
Mendoza opens the night, as expected
Unsurprisingly, the Las Vegas Raiders kicked off the evening by selecting Fernando Mendoza, quarterback from Indiana, with the first overall pick. The Heisman Trophy winner, who led the Hoosiers to their first national title in January (a 27–21 win over Miami), enters a very exclusive group: he joins names like Cam Newton and Joe Burrow, among the rare players to win the Heisman, a national championship, and be selected first overall in the same year. In Las Vegas, he will join Kirk Cousins, signed in free agency to manage the transition, under the watch of minority owner Tom Brady.
The second pick went to defensive end David Bailey (Texas Tech), selected by the New York Jets. The Arizona Cardinals then made a big move by drafting running back Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) third overall, making him the highest-selected running back since Saquon Barkley (2nd overall in 2018). A surprise came at pick thirteen: the Los Angeles Rams traded up to select quarterback Ty Simpson (Alabama), clearly identified as the long-term successor to Matthew Stafford.
The trenches at the heart of the first round
From the very first picks, the priority placed on line players was clear. Nine offensive linemen were selected in the first round, tying the record since 2000, along with several defensive ends and interior linemen. Proof, if any was needed, that building an NFL team still starts with dominance in the trenches.
On the pass-rush side, profiles like David Bailey (Texas Tech), Arvell Reese (Ohio State) and Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) were rewarded early. On the protection side, Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Spencer Fano (Utah), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama) and Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State) quickly joined their future quarterbacks. This trend reflects a constant reality: in an NFL dominated by the passing game, controlling the line of scrimmage remains the foundation of any competitive team.
Ohio State and Miami lead the way
Two universities stood out in particular. The Ohio State Buckeyes flooded the top 11 with four players: Carnell Tate (#4 to the Titans), Arvell Reese (#5 to the Giants), Sonny Styles (#7 to the Commanders) and Caleb Downs (#11 to the Cowboys). A statement performance confirming their status as an NFL-ready talent factory.
The University of Miami followed with three selections — Francis Mauigoa (#10), Rueben Bain Jr. (#15) and Akheem Mesidor (#22), an outstanding result for the recent NCAA runner-up program, whose defensive resurgence is now undeniable. Several other schools placed two players each: Alabama, Indiana, Notre Dame, Oregon, Clemson, Utah, and Arizona State. Notre Dame even achieved a rare feat: two running backs from the same school selected in the first round in the same year — Jeremiyah Love (3rd overall) and Jadarian Price (32nd), something not seen since Darren McFadden and Felix Jones at Arkansas in 2008.
A historic Polynesian wave
Another major highlight: five players of Polynesian descent were selected in the first round, an all-time record, representing 16% of the round, a staggering figure considering Polynesians make up only about 0.3% of the U.S. population.
Spencer Fano (Utah, #9, Browns), Francis Mauigoa (Miami, #10, Giants) and Olaivavega “Vega” Ioane (Penn State, #14, Ravens) notably dominated the mid-top range, forming a rare Samoan trio of elite blockers in the NFL.
They were joined by wide receiver Makai Lemon (USC, #20, Eagles), following a quick trade with the Steelers, and by offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (Utah, #28), selected by the Patriots after a rare intra-division trade with Buffalo. A night that reinforces a legacy built by legends like Junior Seau, Troy Polamalu, and Haloti Ngata, continuing a trend where Samoan, Tongan, and Hawaiian communities are playing an increasingly important role in the NCAA → NFL pipeline.
Skill players still matter
While the trenches dominated, offensive playmakers remained essential. Five wide receivers were selected in the first round: Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Makai Lemon (USC), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) and Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana). Add to that the early selection of Jeremiyah Love at #3 overall, signaling that the running back position is regaining real value at the top of the draft. Speed, explosiveness, and yards after contact — offensive needs were not overlooked.
Akheem Mesidor: Canada makes its mark
One of the standout moments for Canadian fans came at pick 22, when the Los Angeles Chargers selected defensive end Akheem Mesidor, a native of Ottawa, who developed at the University of Miami after beginning his career at West Virginia.
At 25, Mesidor becomes the sixth Canadian-born player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and notably the first defensive player to achieve this feat. His selection also extends a remarkable streak: since 2011, at least one Canadian has been drafted every year in the NFL.
His 2025 season fully explains this status. At 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, the Hurricanes product recorded 63 tackles (including 17.5 for loss), 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 15 starts. A First-Team All-ACC selection and Second-Team All-American, he finished his college career with 35.5 sacks. In Los Angeles, he joins an ambitious defense alongside veteran Khalil Mack, returning for a 13th season, and embodies the continued rise of Canadian football on the NCAA stage.
A draft in continuity
This 2026 first round confirms a clear trend: build through the trenches, secure the quarterback, and add playmakers capable of making an immediate impact. With Ohio State and Miami leading the way, a historic Polynesian presence, and a Canadian in the first round, this draft reflects both the current structure of football and its ongoing evolution. The rest of the draft, on Friday and Saturday, will reveal the depth of this class — but one thing is already certain: the talent pool continues to expand.
