Rookie Readiness: 2026 First-Rounders See Varied Preseason Returns
A comprehensive preseason gradebook for all 2026 first-round picks shows a wide range of readiness. Some rookies flashed immediately (Jeremiyah Love, Monroe Freeling, Ty Simpson with solid B-range grades; Kadyn Proctor at B+ and Caleb Downs at B signal strong starts), while others struggled with separation or saw limited action (Carnell Tate C, Blake Miller D+). Several players were sidelined or incomplete (Jordyn Tyson, Kenyon Sadiq, Jadarian Price). The snap counts accompanying the grades underscore uneven early impact, and while the data hints at Week 1 roles, it also highlights that many players still have development time ahead.