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With the NFL Scouting Combine done, it's less than a week until the start of free agency and we will get a much clearer understanding of what every NFL team's biggest NFL draft need is, but until then, we are going to go ahead and update our one-round mock draft for the 2026 NFL draft with some new faces thanks to huge combine performances.
We are confident Fernando Mendoza will be the top pick but we are not convinced it will be the Raiders making the pick if they can find a trade partner.
The Jets' secondary was dreadful last season, and Caleb Downs is the best defensive playmaker in the draft.
The Cardinals are a team we can see trading away Kyler Murray and then going up for Mendoza but if they stay put, they land the best receiver in the draft to pair up with Marvin Harrison Jr.
The Titans could easily go wide receiver here but they seem very interested in adding an edge rusher and right now, David Bailey is our favorite.
New head coach John Harbaugh wants to build an elite defense and Arvell Reese can be dominant at any linebacker spot.
There's no telling what the Browns will do at quarterback but either way they can get help with Jordyn Tyson who instantly becomes the best receiver on the team.
We love Bain, and he should break the mold in the NFL despite his less-than-ideal arm length. He lives and breathes football and has all the tools an elite edge defender needs.
The Saints seem to be all-in on Tyler Shough for now, so we opted for Makai Lemon here to give him one of the more explosive receivers in the draft and a guy who he will be able to rely on.
First surprise pick of the round. The Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes looked lost with a failing Travis Kelce so we opted for a guy who can be Mahomes' new favorite security blanket.
The Bengals need to rebuild their offensive line badly but we are counting on free agency for that and instead go with Keldric Faulk if Trey Hendrickson is traded away.
The Dolphins are another team who needs help on the offensive line but opts for a playmaker on defense instead.
Styles dominated the combine and has proven to be on par with his teammate Reese and would be a huge bargain here as a replacement for Micah Parsons.
Matthew Stafford says he's coming back so we go for a big offensive tackle to help keep him upright
Caleb Banks had a huge Senior Bowl week and really set himself apart from other defensive linemen in this draft with his burst and agility at 300 pounds.
The Bucs have plenty of needs and there are several players we considered here. If Tampa doesn't go with a receiver or linebacker, we love Peter Woods to add a big run stuffer to their defensive line.
We gave the Jets a defensive playmaker with their first pick in the round and now turn to offense for Kevin Concepcion. He's a slot in the NFL but is dynamite with the football in his hands.
The Lions don't care about a flashy first-round pick and so the big, powerful Vega Ioane makes perfect sense.
The Vikings need help for quarterback J.J. McCarthy and there isn't a better player to put in the backfield with him than Jeremiyah Love.
Carolina will need to sort out if Bryce Young is the answer at quarterback but for this pick, we decided to look at the defense and add a lock-down coverage cornerback.
By the time the draft gets here, Fano could easily be the first offensive tackle off the board thanks to his power and athleticism combo but at No. 20 he's a bargain.
It sounds like Aaron Rodgers is coming back for new head coach Mike McCarthy, so we go with Omar Cooper Jr, who can run every route, has elite hands and surprising speed.
Thieneman dominated the scouting combine and secured his spot in the first round.
The Eagles could look for a wide receiver here, but if A.J. Brown is traded, the move is to groom an offensive tackle to start in 2027.
We like Kadyn Proctor here to the Browns because he has the potential to start his career at guard and move to tackle at some point.
The Bears don't have many holes on their roster so we opted for the best player on our board in Kayden McDonald. He'll add some pass rush punch up the middle.
We hope the Bills bring in a veteran wide receiver for Josh Allen but the best guy here for their needs on defense is C.J. Allen who can work sideline to sideline.
Freeling is a fast riser thanks to some exceptional film and he might be a day one starter on the right team at right tackle.
The Texans are at a crossroads with quarterback C.J. Stroud but we expect them to stick with him and we give him a big, run blocking guard to help bolster an inconsistent run game. This is a team we could see trading up for Love as well.
Los Angeles is back on the clock and this time switch to defense for the polished and confident Avieon Terrell.
The Broncos probably need a tight end or linebacker more here, but none grade out as highly as Lee Hunter.
The Super Bowl really highlighted the lack of depth the Patriots have at wide receiver so they reach a little here to get Drake Maye a reliable target.
The rich get richer as the NFL's top defense adds another playmaker in Brandon Cisse.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Post-combine mock draft update
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1 - Las Vegas Raiders - QB Fernando Mendoza - Indiana
We are confident Fernando Mendoza will be the top pick but we are not convinced it will be the Raiders making the pick if they can find a trade partner.
2 - New York Jets - S Caleb Downs - Ohio State
The Jets' secondary was dreadful last season, and Caleb Downs is the best defensive playmaker in the draft.
3 - Arizona Cardinals - WR Carnell Tate - Ohio State
The Cardinals are a team we can see trading away Kyler Murray and then going up for Mendoza but if they stay put, they land the best receiver in the draft to pair up with Marvin Harrison Jr.
4 - Tennessee Titans - EDGE David Bailey - Texas Tech
The Titans could easily go wide receiver here but they seem very interested in adding an edge rusher and right now, David Bailey is our favorite.
5 - New York Giants - LB Arvell Reese - Ohio State
New head coach John Harbaugh wants to build an elite defense and Arvell Reese can be dominant at any linebacker spot.
6 - Cleveland Browns - WR Jordyn Tyson - Arizona State
There's no telling what the Browns will do at quarterback but either way they can get help with Jordyn Tyson who instantly becomes the best receiver on the team.
7 - Washington Commanders - EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. - Miami
We love Bain, and he should break the mold in the NFL despite his less-than-ideal arm length. He lives and breathes football and has all the tools an elite edge defender needs.
8 - New Orleans Saints - WR Makai Lemon - USC
The Saints seem to be all-in on Tyler Shough for now, so we opted for Makai Lemon here to give him one of the more explosive receivers in the draft and a guy who he will be able to rely on.
9 - Kansas City Chiefs - TE Kenyon Sadiq - Oregon
First surprise pick of the round. The Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes looked lost with a failing Travis Kelce so we opted for a guy who can be Mahomes' new favorite security blanket.
10 - Cincinnati Bengals - EDGE Keldric Faulk - Auburn
The Bengals need to rebuild their offensive line badly but we are counting on free agency for that and instead go with Keldric Faulk if Trey Hendrickson is traded away.
11 - Miami Dolphins - CB Mansoor Delane - LSU
The Dolphins are another team who needs help on the offensive line but opts for a playmaker on defense instead.
12 - Dallas Cowboys - LB Sonny Styles - Ohio State
Styles dominated the combine and has proven to be on par with his teammate Reese and would be a huge bargain here as a replacement for Micah Parsons.
13 - Los Angeles Rams - OT Caleb Lomu - Utah
Matthew Stafford says he's coming back so we go for a big offensive tackle to help keep him upright
14 - Baltimore Ravens - DT Caleb Banks - Florida
Caleb Banks had a huge Senior Bowl week and really set himself apart from other defensive linemen in this draft with his burst and agility at 300 pounds.
15 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DT Peter Woods - Clemson
The Bucs have plenty of needs and there are several players we considered here. If Tampa doesn't go with a receiver or linebacker, we love Peter Woods to add a big run stuffer to their defensive line.
16 - New York Jets - WR Kevin Concepcion - Texas A&M
We gave the Jets a defensive playmaker with their first pick in the round and now turn to offense for Kevin Concepcion. He's a slot in the NFL but is dynamite with the football in his hands.
17 - Detroit Lions - G Vega Ioane - Penn State
The Lions don't care about a flashy first-round pick and so the big, powerful Vega Ioane makes perfect sense.
18 - Minnesota Vikings - RB Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame
The Vikings need help for quarterback J.J. McCarthy and there isn't a better player to put in the backfield with him than Jeremiyah Love.
19 - Carolina Panthers - CB Jermond McCoy - Tennessee
Carolina will need to sort out if Bryce Young is the answer at quarterback but for this pick, we decided to look at the defense and add a lock-down coverage cornerback.
20 - Dallas Cowboys - OT Spencer Fano - Utah
By the time the draft gets here, Fano could easily be the first offensive tackle off the board thanks to his power and athleticism combo but at No. 20 he's a bargain.
21 - Pittsburgh Steelers - WR Omar Cooper Jr. - Indiana
It sounds like Aaron Rodgers is coming back for new head coach Mike McCarthy, so we go with Omar Cooper Jr, who can run every route, has elite hands and surprising speed.
22 - Los Angeles Chargers - S Dillon Thieneman - Oregon
Thieneman dominated the scouting combine and secured his spot in the first round.
23 - Philadelphia Eagles - OT Francis Mauigoa - Miami
The Eagles could look for a wide receiver here, but if A.J. Brown is traded, the move is to groom an offensive tackle to start in 2027.
24 - Cleveland Browns - OL Kadyn Proctor - Alabama
We like Kadyn Proctor here to the Browns because he has the potential to start his career at guard and move to tackle at some point.
25 - Chicago Bears - DT Kayden McDonald - Ohio State
The Bears don't have many holes on their roster so we opted for the best player on our board in Kayden McDonald. He'll add some pass rush punch up the middle.
26 - Buffalo Bills - LB C.J. Allen - Georgia
We hope the Bills bring in a veteran wide receiver for Josh Allen but the best guy here for their needs on defense is C.J. Allen who can work sideline to sideline.
27 - San Francisco 49ers - OT Monroe Freeling - Georgia
Freeling is a fast riser thanks to some exceptional film and he might be a day one starter on the right team at right tackle.
28 - Houston Texans - G Chase Bisontis - Texas A&M
The Texans are at a crossroads with quarterback C.J. Stroud but we expect them to stick with him and we give him a big, run blocking guard to help bolster an inconsistent run game. This is a team we could see trading up for Love as well.
29 - Los Angeles Rams - CB Avieon Terrell - Clemson
Los Angeles is back on the clock and this time switch to defense for the polished and confident Avieon Terrell.
30 - Denver Broncos - DT Lee Hunter - Texas Tech
The Broncos probably need a tight end or linebacker more here, but none grade out as highly as Lee Hunter.
31 - New England Patriots - WR Denzel Boston - Washington
The Super Bowl really highlighted the lack of depth the Patriots have at wide receiver so they reach a little here to get Drake Maye a reliable target.
32 - Seattle Seahawks - CB Brandon Cisse - South Carolina
The rich get richer as the NFL's top defense adds another playmaker in Brandon Cisse.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Post-combine mock draft update
Continue reading...
