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This is honestly one of the toughest NFL drafts to mock that I have seen in recent memory. The class of 2026 has premium talent at what are considered “non-premium positions”, whereas the premium positions don’t really have any superstars. That makes this one difficult to project, as teams will be viewed as reaching by taking either, and there could be a ton of trades. Here is our final mock NFL draft:
MORE: 2026 NFL Draft’s biggest first-round reaches revealed
Not a whole lot of thought here – a QB-needy team takes the draft’s best QB. You could argue that he’s not the draft’s most talented player, but he’s well worth being taken #1 overall, and I think he’s a better prospect than any QB from 2025.
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) smiles as he celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
The internet seems to be split on whether this pick will be Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey, who are clearly the two best defensive prospects in this draft. Reese, with his younger age and positional versatility, fits the Jets a little better, in my opinion.
This is where the draft gets fun. The Cardinals NEED offensive line help. Do they stay at 3, and reach a bit for Mauigoa, or do they take the value with David Bailey? This combination makes the Cardinals a trade-back candidate.
I see this as being a binary draft for the Tennessee Titans — if David Bailey is on the board, you take him, and you instantly have a great edge rusher for Rob Saleh’s defense. If Bailey is gone, they take Jeremiyah Love (more on him in a minute).
If we know anything about John Harbaugh, it’s that he loves having a great middle linebacker to run his defense. Harbaugh gets his guy right here with Styles, who was not only the signal-caller for Ohio State last season, but is also a rare athlete.
It appears that the Browns, a team that has two picks in the first round, are content to wait until 2027 to draft their quarterback. They need to leave this draft with starting-caliber players at left tackle and wide receiver. This makes them a great candidate to trade down, as no players at that position would be considered a reach here. But I think they check off one of those boxes with 6’7” 350-pound athletic freak Kadyn Proctor, who should be their left tackle for the next decade.
I truly believe that this pick is the floor for where Jeremiyah Love can be drafted, and that is where I have him falling in this mock. He’s a true difference-maker at the running back position who churns out explosive plays at an inhuman rate, and should make a great offensive weapon to help Jayden Daniels.
Arguably, no team needs a wide receiver more than the New Orleans Saints. Their WR1, Chris Olave, has only been fully healthy for one season, and their depth behind him is very questionable. Tate is a dependable, solid option who should instantly slot as New Orleans’ WR2.
Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Mansoor Delane is the draft’s best cornerback prospect by a mile. He displayed the ability to play both man and zone, and won’t get out-athleted, and doesn’t lack technical proficiency. He’ll make a great replacement for Trent McDuffie as Kansas City looks to get back to contender status.
If we know anything about John Harbaugh, it’s that he loves having a great safety that can fly all around the field and make plays that cover up the 10 men in front of him. That’s exactly what he’ll get in Caleb Downs, who doesn’t have great athletic measurables, but is the best football player in this class when you turn on the tape.
MORE: 2026 NFL Draft top 10 tight ends ranked
The Miami Dolphins are a difficult team to make a mock draft for, as they have so many needs on their roster. One of those glaring needs is edge rusher, and there’s a great local prospect available in Rueben Bain Jr who should slot in nicely.
Jerry Jones has no issue drafting talented players with injury concerns. Based on his 2024 season, Jermond McCoy would have been the number one cornerback in this class. But he tore his ACL and missed the entirety of 2025, which will have a lot of teams concerned. I think Dallas is willing to take that gamble and get a super-talented player here at 12.
Jordyn Tyson is my WR1 in this class, and I think he makes for a great “Rams” wide receiver. The Rams value blocking ability and playmaking versatility more than most, and Tyson is a WR who has some “dog” in him and will fit this offense perfectly.
The Ravens’ draft philosophy has remained relatively unchanged over the last 20 years – they look to take the best player available, at a spot of value, regardless of team need or playing a premium position. This fits perfectly for “Vega” Ioane, who is by far the best interior lineman in this class, and can provide instant value as a starter on the offensive line for the Ravens.
The Buccaneers are a difficult team to mock, and Mesidor is a difficult player to project. He can play multiple spots on the defensive line, which should give him somewhere to slide in and provide value to a Bucs defense that struggled to get stops at key moments last season.
Let’s get one thing straight – Makai Lemon was the Biletnikoff Award winner last season, as the nation’s top wide receiver. But he did that by playing the way Makai Lemon plays. He operates out of the slot and excels in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He needs to go to an offense that will allow him to play the way Makai Lemon plays, and the Jets should be a great fit, as he can complement Garrett Wilson.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California wideout Makai Lemon (WO29) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
The offensive line is one of the obvious positions where the Lions can improve and get younger. Monroe Freeling was a productive player at Georgia and can be a franchise cornerstone player at left tackle.
The star safety out of Oregon saw his stock increase after he wowed with his athleticism at the combine. I think he’s a great fit for the Brian Flores defense, as he can play both man and zone and excels as a deep safety in cover 4.
The Panthers need to do everything they can to make an honest effort to see if Bryce Young can be a franchise quarterback this year, his fourth as a pro. One way they can do that is by getting him another weapon. Kenyon Sadiq is a matchup nightmare as a tight end who will likely play more in the slot than in line, and would give Bryce a versatile chess piece to attack defenses with.
MORE: Top 10 running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Cowboys are changing up their defensive scheme this season, and I think Faulk makes a perfect fit. His large frame and young age give them the ability to mold him into whatever position they choose, and he was already a productive pass-rusher in the SEC.
The Steelers do have a bit of a connection with Cooper, as Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti’s brother is on staff in Pittsburgh. But also, Cooper is a perfect fit to complement Pittsburgh’s two incumbent starting wide receivers. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr are big-bodied wideouts who will operate out wide and on deep routes, and Cooper is a guy who will play in the slot and operate in the short area of the field – and he is lethal after the catch once the ball is in his hands.
Jim Harbaugh wants to run the ball and stop the run. One great way to stop the run would be by adding a 300+ pound, immovable wall to the middle of your defense. That’s exactly what Kayden McDonald would provide.
The Eagles might be one of the most unpredictable teams in this draft, largely because of the uncertainty surrounding the status of WR AJ Brown. One position that you can never have enough of is offensive line, and Fano is the best OL prospect available as this mock has played out.
I really like Concepcion as a prospect. I think he’s an explosive athlete who showcased the ability to get open on any route, and was often let down by his offensive scheme and quarterback play. This should cause him to be valued highly as a prospect, but I worry that the same thing may happen to him again in Cleveland.
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion (WO16) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Bears struggled to stop both the run and pass last season, and I highly expect this pick to come on the defensive side of the ball. McNeil-Warren is a long, tall, fast athlete whose range in deep coverage should be able to hide a lot of issues from the rest of the defense.
MORE: 2026 NFL mock draft board has never been this wild
The Bills could really use a playmaker who could disrupt the opposing offense in multiple ways. That’s what they would be getting in Rodriguez. The best linebacker in college football last season isn’t huge, but he’s incredibly fast and has great play recognition. He can be a true three-down linebacker in the NFL.
The 49ers are a team that could go multiple directions with this pick. I think they could easily opt to go younger and cheaper at their edge positions, and Howell is an explosive rusher who would instantly be a factor on 3rd down and grow into an every-down role.
Simply put, the Houston Texans have to get better in the trenches if they want to contend for a Super Bowl. Peter Woods would have been a top-10 pick if he could have been in the draft after his 2024 season. But a lackluster 2025 has him here in the late-first-round range. I think he makes a lot of sense for Houston as a positional need with upside.
Kansas City doesn’t urgently need a starter on the offensive line, but their injury-prone unit could use a utility player who could back up multiple positions and give starter-worthy snaps protecting Patrick Mahomes. That’s exactly what they could get in Lomu, a guy who can honestly excel at all 5 positions on the line.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils with Utah Utes offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Point blank: the Dolphins are not a team that is aiming to win football games in 2026. Their target is 2027 and beyond. Johnson is a developmental project at a position of need for them (their secondary is the league’s worst), who has the physical tools to be great at the position years down the road.
I regard New England as a prime candidate to trade down, with no glaring needs, rumors of an AJ Brown trade, and the potential for a team to rise up and take a QB in the first round (so that they get the 5th year option). If the Pats stay put, I love the fit of Anthony Hill Jr, an athletic playmaker who can help both the run and pass defense.
I regard the Seahawks as a prime candidate to trade down (see the Patriots above). But if they stay put, or move down a few spots, I think Jadarian Price is the perfect fit for them. He can replace what they lost when Kenneth Walker III left in free agency and be a long-term committee-mate with Zach Charbonnet.
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MORE: 2026 NFL Draft’s biggest first-round reaches revealed
1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Not a whole lot of thought here – a QB-needy team takes the draft’s best QB. You could argue that he’s not the draft’s most talented player, but he’s well worth being taken #1 overall, and I think he’s a better prospect than any QB from 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) smiles as he celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
The internet seems to be split on whether this pick will be Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey, who are clearly the two best defensive prospects in this draft. Reese, with his younger age and positional versatility, fits the Jets a little better, in my opinion.
3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
This is where the draft gets fun. The Cardinals NEED offensive line help. Do they stay at 3, and reach a bit for Mauigoa, or do they take the value with David Bailey? This combination makes the Cardinals a trade-back candidate.
4. Tennessee Titans – David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
I see this as being a binary draft for the Tennessee Titans — if David Bailey is on the board, you take him, and you instantly have a great edge rusher for Rob Saleh’s defense. If Bailey is gone, they take Jeremiyah Love (more on him in a minute).
5. New York Giants – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
If we know anything about John Harbaugh, it’s that he loves having a great middle linebacker to run his defense. Harbaugh gets his guy right here with Styles, who was not only the signal-caller for Ohio State last season, but is also a rare athlete.
6. Cleveland Browns – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
It appears that the Browns, a team that has two picks in the first round, are content to wait until 2027 to draft their quarterback. They need to leave this draft with starting-caliber players at left tackle and wide receiver. This makes them a great candidate to trade down, as no players at that position would be considered a reach here. But I think they check off one of those boxes with 6’7” 350-pound athletic freak Kadyn Proctor, who should be their left tackle for the next decade.
7. Washington Commanders – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
I truly believe that this pick is the floor for where Jeremiyah Love can be drafted, and that is where I have him falling in this mock. He’s a true difference-maker at the running back position who churns out explosive plays at an inhuman rate, and should make a great offensive weapon to help Jayden Daniels.
8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Arguably, no team needs a wide receiver more than the New Orleans Saints. Their WR1, Chris Olave, has only been fully healthy for one season, and their depth behind him is very questionable. Tate is a dependable, solid option who should instantly slot as New Orleans’ WR2.
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Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
9. Kansas City Chiefs – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Mansoor Delane is the draft’s best cornerback prospect by a mile. He displayed the ability to play both man and zone, and won’t get out-athleted, and doesn’t lack technical proficiency. He’ll make a great replacement for Trent McDuffie as Kansas City looks to get back to contender status.
10. New York Giants – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
If we know anything about John Harbaugh, it’s that he loves having a great safety that can fly all around the field and make plays that cover up the 10 men in front of him. That’s exactly what he’ll get in Caleb Downs, who doesn’t have great athletic measurables, but is the best football player in this class when you turn on the tape.
MORE: 2026 NFL Draft top 10 tight ends ranked
11. Miami Dolphins – Rueben Bain Jr, DE, Miami
The Miami Dolphins are a difficult team to make a mock draft for, as they have so many needs on their roster. One of those glaring needs is edge rusher, and there’s a great local prospect available in Rueben Bain Jr who should slot in nicely.
12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermond McCoy, Tennessee
Jerry Jones has no issue drafting talented players with injury concerns. Based on his 2024 season, Jermond McCoy would have been the number one cornerback in this class. But he tore his ACL and missed the entirety of 2025, which will have a lot of teams concerned. I think Dallas is willing to take that gamble and get a super-talented player here at 12.
13. Los Angeles Rams – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Jordyn Tyson is my WR1 in this class, and I think he makes for a great “Rams” wide receiver. The Rams value blocking ability and playmaking versatility more than most, and Tyson is a WR who has some “dog” in him and will fit this offense perfectly.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
The Ravens’ draft philosophy has remained relatively unchanged over the last 20 years – they look to take the best player available, at a spot of value, regardless of team need or playing a premium position. This fits perfectly for “Vega” Ioane, who is by far the best interior lineman in this class, and can provide instant value as a starter on the offensive line for the Ravens.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
The Buccaneers are a difficult team to mock, and Mesidor is a difficult player to project. He can play multiple spots on the defensive line, which should give him somewhere to slide in and provide value to a Bucs defense that struggled to get stops at key moments last season.
16. New York Jets – Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Let’s get one thing straight – Makai Lemon was the Biletnikoff Award winner last season, as the nation’s top wide receiver. But he did that by playing the way Makai Lemon plays. He operates out of the slot and excels in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He needs to go to an offense that will allow him to play the way Makai Lemon plays, and the Jets should be a great fit, as he can complement Garrett Wilson.
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Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California wideout Makai Lemon (WO29) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
17. Detroit Lions – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
The offensive line is one of the obvious positions where the Lions can improve and get younger. Monroe Freeling was a productive player at Georgia and can be a franchise cornerstone player at left tackle.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The star safety out of Oregon saw his stock increase after he wowed with his athleticism at the combine. I think he’s a great fit for the Brian Flores defense, as he can play both man and zone and excels as a deep safety in cover 4.
19. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Panthers need to do everything they can to make an honest effort to see if Bryce Young can be a franchise quarterback this year, his fourth as a pro. One way they can do that is by getting him another weapon. Kenyon Sadiq is a matchup nightmare as a tight end who will likely play more in the slot than in line, and would give Bryce a versatile chess piece to attack defenses with.
MORE: Top 10 running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft
20. Dallas Cowboys – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
The Cowboys are changing up their defensive scheme this season, and I think Faulk makes a perfect fit. His large frame and young age give them the ability to mold him into whatever position they choose, and he was already a productive pass-rusher in the SEC.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Omar Cooper Jr, WR, Indiana
The Steelers do have a bit of a connection with Cooper, as Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti’s brother is on staff in Pittsburgh. But also, Cooper is a perfect fit to complement Pittsburgh’s two incumbent starting wide receivers. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr are big-bodied wideouts who will operate out wide and on deep routes, and Cooper is a guy who will play in the slot and operate in the short area of the field – and he is lethal after the catch once the ball is in his hands.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Jim Harbaugh wants to run the ball and stop the run. One great way to stop the run would be by adding a 300+ pound, immovable wall to the middle of your defense. That’s exactly what Kayden McDonald would provide.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Eagles might be one of the most unpredictable teams in this draft, largely because of the uncertainty surrounding the status of WR AJ Brown. One position that you can never have enough of is offensive line, and Fano is the best OL prospect available as this mock has played out.
24. Cleveland Browns – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
I really like Concepcion as a prospect. I think he’s an explosive athlete who showcased the ability to get open on any route, and was often let down by his offensive scheme and quarterback play. This should cause him to be valued highly as a prospect, but I worry that the same thing may happen to him again in Cleveland.
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Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion (WO16) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
The Bears struggled to stop both the run and pass last season, and I highly expect this pick to come on the defensive side of the ball. McNeil-Warren is a long, tall, fast athlete whose range in deep coverage should be able to hide a lot of issues from the rest of the defense.
MORE: 2026 NFL mock draft board has never been this wild
26. Buffalo Bills – Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
The Bills could really use a playmaker who could disrupt the opposing offense in multiple ways. That’s what they would be getting in Rodriguez. The best linebacker in college football last season isn’t huge, but he’s incredibly fast and has great play recognition. He can be a true three-down linebacker in the NFL.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Cashius Howell, DE, Texas A&M
The 49ers are a team that could go multiple directions with this pick. I think they could easily opt to go younger and cheaper at their edge positions, and Howell is an explosive rusher who would instantly be a factor on 3rd down and grow into an every-down role.
28. Houston Texans – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Simply put, the Houston Texans have to get better in the trenches if they want to contend for a Super Bowl. Peter Woods would have been a top-10 pick if he could have been in the draft after his 2024 season. But a lackluster 2025 has him here in the late-first-round range. I think he makes a lot of sense for Houston as a positional need with upside.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Kansas City doesn’t urgently need a starter on the offensive line, but their injury-prone unit could use a utility player who could back up multiple positions and give starter-worthy snaps protecting Patrick Mahomes. That’s exactly what they could get in Lomu, a guy who can honestly excel at all 5 positions on the line.
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Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils with Utah Utes offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
30. Miami Dolphins – Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Point blank: the Dolphins are not a team that is aiming to win football games in 2026. Their target is 2027 and beyond. Johnson is a developmental project at a position of need for them (their secondary is the league’s worst), who has the physical tools to be great at the position years down the road.
31. New England Patriots – Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas
I regard New England as a prime candidate to trade down, with no glaring needs, rumors of an AJ Brown trade, and the potential for a team to rise up and take a QB in the first round (so that they get the 5th year option). If the Pats stay put, I love the fit of Anthony Hill Jr, an athletic playmaker who can help both the run and pass defense.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
I regard the Seahawks as a prime candidate to trade down (see the Patriots above). But if they stay put, or move down a few spots, I think Jadarian Price is the perfect fit for them. He can replace what they lost when Kenneth Walker III left in free agency and be a long-term committee-mate with Zach Charbonnet.
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