Full Breakdown
2026 NFL Draft: Half of First-Round Picks Traded, Jets Secure Three Selections
4/24/2026, 9:02:32 PM
First-Round Trade Landscape
On draft night for the 2026 NFL draft, 16 of the 32 first-round selections changed hands before a player was chosen. The trades left eight franchises without a first-round pick, six franchises with two first-round picks each, and the New York Jets with three first-round selections.
Recent Trades Shaping the Draft
The Jets’ extra picks originated from prior transactions, most notably the trade that sent Sauce Gardner to the Dallas Cowboys and returned the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round slot to New York. The Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers also opted to trade out of the first round during the draft itself, further contributing to the reshaped pick distribution.
Teams Without a First-Round Pick
The eight teams that entered the draft without a first-round pick were:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Denver Broncos
- Green Bay Packers
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Buffalo Bills (traded out on draft night)
- San Francisco 49ers (traded out on draft night)
Teams with Two First-Round Picks
Six teams each possessed two first-round choices and selected the following players:
- Cleveland Browns – offensive lineman Spencer Fano and wide receiver KC Concepcion
- Tennessee Titans – wide receiver Carnell Tate and defensive end Keldric Faulk
- New York Giants – linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa
- Kansas City Chiefs – cornerback Mansoor Delane and defensive tackle Peter Woods
- Dallas Cowboys – safety Caleb Downs and defensive end Malachi Lawrence
- Miami Dolphins – offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson
All six of these franchises missed the playoffs in the previous season.
New York Jets’ Three First-Round Selections
The New York Jets capitalized on their three selections as follows:
1. David Bailey, linebacker – taken with the Jets’ own first-round slot.
2. Kenyon Sadiq, tight end – selected using the Colts’ pick acquired via the Sauce Gardner trade.
3. Omar Cooper, wide receiver – obtained after the Jets traded back up into the late first round.
Strategic Use of Draft Capital
The volume of first-round trades underscores how teams are actively reshaping their draft boards. By moving up, moving down, or swapping picks, franchises sought to align selections with positional priorities or to acquire additional assets. The Jets, for example, combined their own slot with the Colts’ pick from the Sauce Gardner trade and a subsequent trade-up to secure three distinct prospects, illustrating a multi-step approach to maximize draft value.
Key Draft Statistics
- Total first-round picks: 32
- Picks traded before selection: 16 (50 %)
- Teams without a first-round pick: 8
- Teams with two first-round picks: 6
- Team with three first-round picks: 1 (Jets)
Implications for Rebuilding
The six franchises holding multiple first-round selections share a common circumstance: each failed to qualify for the playoffs last season. Their front offices have signaled that the influx of drafted talent is intended to accelerate roster rebuilds and improve competitive prospects in the coming years.
