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The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is behind us. Now it's NFL Draft subterfuge season.
The offseason stretch that lingers from early March to the start of the draft is dominated by two things; free agent deals and draft-based smokescreens. Anonymous sources emerge to whisper rumors into the ether. Teams locked out of the top 10 selections try to find ways for their preferred prospects to slip down the pecking order and onto their rosters. Some concerns will pan out; others will be ignored for the bait they are, left to drive-time AM radio debates.
That leaves plenty of room for movement between our latest mock draft at the actual one, which begins April 23. Team needs will shrink as hundreds of millions of dollars in contract value are handed out. Players who didn't work out or tested poorly at the combine will bolster their stock with strong pro day performances. Vibes will fluctuate around certain players and picks, sometimes for legitimate reasons and other times as a result of ill intentions.
Where does that leave the first 32 picks today? Let's start with the obvious.
Needs: QB, WR, OL, LB, CB, EDGE
Mendoza's elite downfield accuracy means he'll dazzle when it comes to advanced stats like completion percentage over expected (CPOE). He balances pinpoint throws with strong, quick decision making and enough athleticism to keep defenses wary of his run game. He needs wideouts who can turn his sideline throws into first downs, but the Raiders have a boatload to spend this offseason in hopes of putting him in position to thrive.
While he lacks elite physical traits, you can't argue with his outcomes. Las Vegas needs a winner -- ideally immediately given how quickly it's cycled through head coaches. Mendoza has been wrecking shop at INDIANA.
Needs: QB, WR, IOL, S, LB, EDGE
Swapping out Jermaine Johnson for T'Vondre Sweat was a savvy move -- and one that may have tipped New York's plans for the second overall pick. Reese won't fix everything that ails the Jets, but he's a high ceiling outside linebacker who can solve a lot of problems if Aaron Glenn turns out to be the coach we assumed he was back with the Detroit Lions.
Reese's versatility can help him plug holes in a few places along the defense but most notably as a pass rusher. He had 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his All-American 2025. But his work against the run will make him a three-down presence for a team in search of new stars around which it can build.
Needs: OT, WR, LB, RB, EDGE
Bailey's stock has been soaring in the pre-draft process as evaluators realize, yep, he's got the chops to bring his double-digit sack production to Sundays. He led the FBS with 14.5 sacks last fall, earning every bit of his NIL payday at Texas Tech and helping transform the Red Raiders into a College Football Playoff winner.
His explosive get-off and devastating closing speed means he can man the second level, but at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he's not so small he can't handle edge duties in Arizona. He's a dazzling blend of potential and production who grew explosively when presented with his last change of scenery. Now the Cardinals hope he's got another leap in him.
Needs: EDGE, WR, CB, LB, IOL
Bailey's rise means the Titans get one of the shiniest stars from this year's College Football Playoff. Bain's historically short arms could push him out of the top five, 10 or somehow out of the first round altogether. That seems excessive, considering none of that stopped him from 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in an All-American 2025.
Needs: DT, LB, OT, IOL, WR
What's the better boost for Jaxson Dart? A high profile bookend who can pair with Andrew Thomas and protect his edges or a wideout to team with Malik Nabers to devastate secondaries? In this case, protection takes precedence even with a solid crop of second round tackles likely to languish into Day 2.
Fano combines absurd power and athleticism at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds. That athleticism boosts his recovery when beaten, which will be an asset when squaring up with rookie mistakes and elite edge rushers.
Needs: QB, IOL, WR, CB, S
Tate isn't a burner, but his ability to create separation makes him a viable WR1. It would also make Jerry Jeudy's volatility a bit easier to handle.
His precise routes and timing give whomever is winging passes for the Browns this fall a trustworthy "throw it before he's open" target who can help smooth over the rough patches endemic to the last three-plus decades of Cleveland football. He'd also help reduce the number of stacked boxes Quinshon Judkins faces, creating space for the offense to thrive even when not throwing the ball.
Needs: WR, LB, TE, IOL, EDGE
Washington could be tempted to make this a run on wideouts. However, even though Styles doesn't play a premium position, he'd be a rising tide for the league's 31st-ranked defense. He absolutely lit up the combine, pushing him into the top 10. Now he steps into Bobby Wagner's role alongside Frankie Luvu (well, the 2024 version of Luvu, at least) to provide a pair of versatile, blitz-capable studs in the middle of the field.
Styles is a former safety who plays like it (complimentary), using elite athleticism to create problems at every level. He has the speed to turn and run with slot receivers and the physicality to meet a running back at the line of scrimmage and leave him with nothing but regret.
Needs: CB, IOL, EDGE, LB, RB
There's plenty of room to reinforce the secondary, but New Orleans needs to know what it has in Tyler Shough. He won't reach his potential in a lineup of skill players led by Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson but with few reliable options behind them. Lemon was a bit of an enigma at the combine, but his ability to shake cornerbacks and and plant-and-go acceleration makes him a weapon who can alleviate the pressure on Olave and Johnson.
Needs: CB, EDGE, DT, RB, S, OT
Could this be a spot for Jeremiyah Love? Jordyn Tyson? Kenyon Sadiq? Absolutely. Same goes for Andy Reid's opportunity to take 2026's first cornerback off the board. Instead, Mauigoa's brief slide stops and gives Kansas City its Jawaan Taylor replacement.
Mauigoa is a rampart in pass protection, but he's truly devastating in space where his 315-pound frame flies upfield to demolish poor, poor linebackers. He's in the running with Fano to be the first tackle off the board in 2026.
Needs: EDGE, CB, S, OL
Trey Hendrickson won't be coming back, leaving the league's 25th-ranked pass rush in dire need. Maybe 2025 first round pick Shemar Stewart will get there, but he was always a project whose growth was further stunted by a truly pointless contract standoff last season.
Bailey's rise came at Cincinnati's expense, and now the team needs to make a minor reach to fill a glaring need. Faulk brings proven production (seven sacks in 2024 before this fall's down year) and the size Cincinnati covets up front (6-foot-6, 285 pounds). He's not a one-dimensional edge rusher, either; he has legitimate chops on the ground for a defense that ranked 29th in rushing EPA allowed in 2025.
Needs: CB, S, WR, TE… QB?
In theory, Jeff Hafley could use this pick to pump up his offense with another athletic marvel and make tight end Kenyon Sadiq a Dolphin. But the former Green Bay defensive coordinator badly needs to address the league's 25th-ranked defense. Lo and behold, Miami has a need at safety and Downs has slid out of the top 10.
Downs can play deep or near the line of scrimmage and line up tracking slot receivers with ease. His NFL ceiling is "Brian Branch, but better." He's a fixer, plain and simple, in a Miami defense in need of playmakers.
Needs: EDGE, LB, S, CB, RB
The board wasn't kind to Dallas' edge rusher aspirations. Fortunately, it worked out for Jerry Jones' secondary, allowing him his pick of cornerbacks to replace Trevon Diggs.
Enter Delane, who led the SEC with 11 pass breakups and hauled in a pair of interceptions in 11 games. He can be trusted in single coverage on the sideline, with fluid hips and turn-and-go speed to keep up with NFL deep threats. His trustworthiness on an island could mean more blitzes for the Cowboys, boosting the pass rush even without a star edge presence.
Needs: CB, DT, S… QB?
The Rams no longer have two first round picks after dealing for Trent McDuffie. They can still splurge on a high-upside presence who can reinforce Matthew Stafford's arsenal in his quest to earn a second Super Bowl ring before riding into the sunset. Sadiq is a ludicrous athlete who brings in-line blocking chops. He's insurance in case of a Davante Adams decline and the kind of talent who can bring Sean McVay's wildest play designs to light.
Sadiq can seal off running lanes or get out in space to deflect defensive backs. More importantly, he's got excellent speed up the seam and quick change-of-direction skills to snap off linebackers and slot corners. Pair that with solid hands and, baby, you've got a stew going.
Needs: IOL, EDGE, DL, WR, CB
General manager Eric DeCosta gets his fifth Penn State product since 2019 while fixing a major issue up front by selecting 2026's top interior lineman. Ioane is a brick wall at 330 pounds and has the quickness and aggression to create space at the second level. He'd help keep the Ravens' bruising identity intact even as the team transitions from John Harbaugh to a former assistant of John (and Jim) Harbaugh in Jesse Minter.
Needs: EDGE, LB, TE, CB
Tampa locks in Jamel Dean's replacement with one of 2026's bigger mysteries. McCoy was a demon for the Volunteers in 2024 but missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL. He's got fluid hips and the route and ball recognition to be trusted on a island. Like Delane, his presence would help lagging pass rush add bodies with extra blitzes.
How high he climbs will depend on individual workouts and interviews after only participating in the bench press at the combine. Here, the Bucs opt for optimism and take a high ceiling player who could wind up being a steal even with a top-15 selection.
Needs: QB, WR, IOL, S, LB
Garrett Wilson finally gets a running mate who can take some double-teams off his plate. The 6-foot-2, 203 pound Tyson is a versatile player who can line up anywhere from the slot to the X and keep Aaron Glenn from ripping all the pages that didn't work in 2025 out of his playbook.
Tyson is an explosive route runner who creates separation well, though he can suffer from a lack of discipline that brings some sloppiness to his game. In the right system, he can be 2026's top rookie wideout. That's… probably not New York, but the Jets need high ceiling playmakers and this is their best option.
Needs: EDGE, IOL, CB, LB, DT
Woods isn't the edge rusher Detroit needs, but he's a force that can still make life easier for Aidan Hutchinson. The 300-pound lineman would replace DJ Reader, teaming up with Alim McNeill to give the Lions two big-bodied disruptors in the middle of the field who can shrink pockets and cut off escape routes for harried quarterbacks.
Woods didn't work out at the combine but should bolster his NFL credentials by displaying his upper crust athleticism at Clemson's pro day. If he struggles, however, Detroit could opt for guys like Miami's Akheem Mesidor or Woods' Tiger teammate TJ Parker.
Needs: LB, S, DE, RB, QB
Love's slide stops here, even if the cash-strapped Vikings have plenty of other holes to fill. JJ McCarthy's national title came as part of a Michigan offense that ran the ball nearly 60 percent of the time. Minnesota won't touch that number, but Love's presence could lighten the load considerably and set up plenty of third-and-manageable situations for a quarterback whose downfield accuracy has been a significant concern.
Love brings value as a runner (nearly seven yards per carry the last two seasons) and receiver (280 yards, three touchdowns in 12 games last fall). He'd bring the playmaking firepower to help Kevin O'Connell restore his value as one of the league's top offensive minds.
Needs: EDGE, LB, CB, S, IOL
Mesidor is one of the draft's oldest prospects at 25, but he fits with a win-now Carolina team still figuring out whether it can produce postseason success with Bryce Young at quarterback and Dave Canales at head coach. The beefy defender can play multiple roles, kicking inside to use his strength as a disruption or moving outside to bring pressure from the edge.
That culminated in 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in his Miami finale. Injuries are a concern, but his ability to add value against the pass and run give him the chance to make an immediate impact for a playoff team (albeit one that hasn't had a winning record since 2017.
Needs: EDGE, LB, S, CB, RB
Howell may not be the edge rusher Jerry Jones wanted in the first round. He can absolutely be the edge rusher Jerry Jones needs. The Texas A&M star handled the jump from Bowling Green with aplomb, racking up 11.5 sacks in 2025 to help push the Aggies to the College Football Playoff.
While he doesn't have an enormous frame at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, his versatile pass rushing attack makes him an asset from the second level. He has elite closing speed and lateral quickness, which could make him a menace even to the most mobile quarterbacks.
Needs: QB, WR, CB, S, IOL
Joey Porter gets a high-profile running mate as the Steelers opt against making Ty Simpson their first round pick. Rather than pump up the offense with a receiver -- in true Pittsburgh fashion, that waits until Day 2 -- Mike McCarthy's defense gets another layer of protection with 2026's second cornerback selected.
Terrell had 22 breakups and eight forced fumbles in his last two seasons, displaying a nose for the ball and a desire to punish quarterbacks who dare throw his way. He's an uber-productive player who should be able to make an immediate impact and sting any offensive coordinator who decides to avoid Porter and Jalen Ramsey and pick on the youngest member of the Pittsburgh secondary.
Needs: OL, LB, DL, EDGE, CB
This pick could depend on how the Chargers feel about Rashawn Slater's recovery from a torn patellar tendon. Even if he's trending upward, the 22nd pick could be a place to find a high value offensive lineman who can play inside or out. But there will be a handful of tackles with shorter arms waiting until Day 2. There's only one more off-ball linebacker with first round chops on my board.
That's Allen, who can be the trustworthy star in the middle of Jim Harbaugh's solar system. He can handle pass rushing duties as well as lock down the middle of the field in coverage or against the run. He's not huge at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, but he moves quickly and fluidity, rarely crossing himself up and sticking to receivers in coverage.
Needs: CB, OT, EDGE, DL, TE
Freeling has elite physical tools but has just one full season of starting experience under his belt. A place in Philly gives him a soft landing spot as a swing tackle behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, the latter of whom is entering his age 36 season and hasn't played a full season since 2015. The Georgia star was an absolute stud at the combine, posting some of the best all-around numbers in offensive line history.
This is a move that puts a lot of trust in Chris Kuper, the offensive line coach taking over for Jeff Stoutland. Landing an elite prospect with room to grow would be an internal vote of confidence for a franchise in dire need of good vibes.
Needs: QB, IOL, WR, CB, S
Despite Cleveland's offensive needs, there's more defensive talent on the board with this pick gleaned from the Travis Hunter trade than ready made fits at quarterback or offensive line. So those needs fall to the wayside, allowing one of the combine's biggest movers to slide into the first round.
Thieneman is an uber-athletic safety who can handle multiple roles out of the secondary. He's got the closing speed to work as an over-the-top help defender and the lateral quickness to break on slot receivers and snuff out completions near the line of scrimmage. With three years of starting experience, he'd be an immediate contributor for a playoff caliber defense (please do not ask how the offense is doing).
Needs: S, EDGE, OT, CB
Chicago's offensive line is suddenly an issue thanks to Ozzy Trapilo's injury, Drew Dalman's surprising retirement and Braxton Jones' pending free agency. Kadyn Proctor's upside here may be too much to pass up, but the Bears need someone who can contribute immediately. Lomu's higher floor in pass protection makes him the pick to pair with Darnell Wright and keep Caleb Williams' jersey clean.
Lomu is an elite athlete who needs to dial up his aggression in order to reach his potential, especially as a run blocker. Ben Johnson, hater supreme in one season with the Bears thus far, feels like the right guy to coax it out.
Needs: WR, EDGE, IOL, CB, LB
This is a rough scene for Josh Allen, who'd love a first round wideout to pair with D.J. Moore and his incumbents but found the three members of the first tier long gone by now. The receivers available look a lot like guys they have on the roster -- 6-foot shifty wideouts who may work best from the slot like Khalil Shakir or bigger targets who struggle to separate like Denzel Boston. With Moore in tow, that need is pushed to Day 2 in favor of reinforcing the pass rush.
Young looks the part of a pocket-crashing menace at 6-foot-6 and 266 pounds. He has the power and burst to win on the edge or slice through double-teams. Importantly, he's an asset in the run game for the NFL's 31st-ranked rushing defense. He had 16.5 tackles for loss last season at Missouri.
Needs: OL, EDGE, S, WR
No matter how the drama with Trent Williams unfolds, the Niners need a succession plan for their soon-to-be 38-year-old left tackle. Proctor is a misplaced fairy tale villain, slimming down to 350 pounds at the combine packed onto a 6-foot-7 frame. He's massive and powerful, and while his technique needs refinement his ceiling is as high as anyone in the draft.
San Francisco has done a great job implementing Williams and developing Colton McKivitz. Now Kyle Shanahan gets his hands on a massive, long-armed, explosive chunk of clay in hopes of finding his next blindside cornerstone.
Needs: OL, DT, RB, TE
That late-round run on offensive linemen did Houston no favors. Fortunately, there's still an opportunity for DeMeco Ryans to reinforce at least one of his trenches.
Enter the 6-foot-6, 327-pound Banks has some Deone Walker built into him as a massive presence who brings above-average production on both rush and passing downs. His size commands double-teams, which is a real problem for offensive coordinators who have to figure out what to do with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter along the edge. It's not a sexy pick, and it won't result in massive counting stats, but it's one that makes the Texans' defense a little scarier.
Needs: CB, EDGE, DT, RB, S, OT
The Chiefs reload in the secondary with a member of the MAC's DBU. McNeil-Warren is a big, rangy safety at 6-foot-4 with solid closing speed (a low 4.5-second 40) and the length to be a disruptor downfield.
What shines brightest about him cannot be taught. McNeil-Warren has an innate nose for the ball. He forced eight fumbles his last three seasons and knocked down 10 passes over the last two years. Factor in steady downhill tackling and you've got a safety who can thrive in every aspect of the game. He's not a 1:1 replacement for Trent McDuffie, but he can provide a boost across the Kansas City backfield.
Needs: WR, TE, LB, EDGE
The Broncos have no shortage of shifty receivers with Marvin Mims and Pat Bryant in the lineup. Here comes another; an elusive flier with the chops to thrive as a downfield target or with massive yards-after-catch potential.
Concepcion could thrive in the slot alongside the deep sideline play of Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin, giving him an easy option to pick up big chunks of yardage with minimal risk. He's big enough to play outside, but could thrive running slants and dagger routes alongside Bo Nix -- a quarterback with tremendous short-range accuracy.
Needs: OT, S, LB, EDGE, WR
Louisville's Chris Bell may be a better option for the Patriots -- a bigger wideout with explosive traits -- but he's working through the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season and likely cost him first round status. In his place steps Cooper, architect of last year's greatest catch and a clutch player with top-line athleticism.
Cooper's hands and body control are his headlines, as he has supreme focus and the ability to contort his way into almost impossible catches. But he can play inside and out, be an asset in gadget plays and has the fight-through-traffic traits we know Drake Maye loves because he targets Kayshon Boutte all the time.
Needs: CB, EDGE, WR, OL
Cisse has the athletic traits of a star cornerback but needs to be coached to his potential. What better place than amidst the league's top defense and reigning Super Bowl champions?
The South Carolina defensive back is an eraser on breaking routes, using preternatural explosion to fight back to the ball and erase plays. But his strength in man coverage is balanced by a general rawness that leaves him with a lower floor than the other cornerbacks available at No. 32. The Seahawks have the personnel in place to take a calculated risk on a player with the talent to be 2026's top corner and the volatility to be reduced to special teams snaps.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL mock draft 2026 after combine has 3 edge rushers in top 4
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The offseason stretch that lingers from early March to the start of the draft is dominated by two things; free agent deals and draft-based smokescreens. Anonymous sources emerge to whisper rumors into the ether. Teams locked out of the top 10 selections try to find ways for their preferred prospects to slip down the pecking order and onto their rosters. Some concerns will pan out; others will be ignored for the bait they are, left to drive-time AM radio debates.
That leaves plenty of room for movement between our latest mock draft at the actual one, which begins April 23. Team needs will shrink as hundreds of millions of dollars in contract value are handed out. Players who didn't work out or tested poorly at the combine will bolster their stock with strong pro day performances. Vibes will fluctuate around certain players and picks, sometimes for legitimate reasons and other times as a result of ill intentions.
Where does that leave the first 32 picks today? Let's start with the obvious.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Needs: QB, WR, OL, LB, CB, EDGE
Mendoza's elite downfield accuracy means he'll dazzle when it comes to advanced stats like completion percentage over expected (CPOE). He balances pinpoint throws with strong, quick decision making and enough athleticism to keep defenses wary of his run game. He needs wideouts who can turn his sideline throws into first downs, but the Raiders have a boatload to spend this offseason in hopes of putting him in position to thrive.
While he lacks elite physical traits, you can't argue with his outcomes. Las Vegas needs a winner -- ideally immediately given how quickly it's cycled through head coaches. Mendoza has been wrecking shop at INDIANA.
2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
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Needs: QB, WR, IOL, S, LB, EDGE
Swapping out Jermaine Johnson for T'Vondre Sweat was a savvy move -- and one that may have tipped New York's plans for the second overall pick. Reese won't fix everything that ails the Jets, but he's a high ceiling outside linebacker who can solve a lot of problems if Aaron Glenn turns out to be the coach we assumed he was back with the Detroit Lions.
Reese's versatility can help him plug holes in a few places along the defense but most notably as a pass rusher. He had 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his All-American 2025. But his work against the run will make him a three-down presence for a team in search of new stars around which it can build.
3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
Needs: OT, WR, LB, RB, EDGE
Bailey's stock has been soaring in the pre-draft process as evaluators realize, yep, he's got the chops to bring his double-digit sack production to Sundays. He led the FBS with 14.5 sacks last fall, earning every bit of his NIL payday at Texas Tech and helping transform the Red Raiders into a College Football Playoff winner.
His explosive get-off and devastating closing speed means he can man the second level, but at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he's not so small he can't handle edge duties in Arizona. He's a dazzling blend of potential and production who grew explosively when presented with his last change of scenery. Now the Cardinals hope he's got another leap in him.
4. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Rueben Bain, Miami
Needs: EDGE, WR, CB, LB, IOL
Bailey's rise means the Titans get one of the shiniest stars from this year's College Football Playoff. Bain's historically short arms could push him out of the top five, 10 or somehow out of the first round altogether. That seems excessive, considering none of that stopped him from 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in an All-American 2025.
5. New York Giants: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
Needs: DT, LB, OT, IOL, WR
What's the better boost for Jaxson Dart? A high profile bookend who can pair with Andrew Thomas and protect his edges or a wideout to team with Malik Nabers to devastate secondaries? In this case, protection takes precedence even with a solid crop of second round tackles likely to languish into Day 2.
Fano combines absurd power and athleticism at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds. That athleticism boosts his recovery when beaten, which will be an asset when squaring up with rookie mistakes and elite edge rushers.
6. Cleveland Browns: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Needs: QB, IOL, WR, CB, S
Tate isn't a burner, but his ability to create separation makes him a viable WR1. It would also make Jerry Jeudy's volatility a bit easier to handle.
His precise routes and timing give whomever is winging passes for the Browns this fall a trustworthy "throw it before he's open" target who can help smooth over the rough patches endemic to the last three-plus decades of Cleveland football. He'd also help reduce the number of stacked boxes Quinshon Judkins faces, creating space for the offense to thrive even when not throwing the ball.
7. Washington Commanders: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Needs: WR, LB, TE, IOL, EDGE
Washington could be tempted to make this a run on wideouts. However, even though Styles doesn't play a premium position, he'd be a rising tide for the league's 31st-ranked defense. He absolutely lit up the combine, pushing him into the top 10. Now he steps into Bobby Wagner's role alongside Frankie Luvu (well, the 2024 version of Luvu, at least) to provide a pair of versatile, blitz-capable studs in the middle of the field.
Styles is a former safety who plays like it (complimentary), using elite athleticism to create problems at every level. He has the speed to turn and run with slot receivers and the physicality to meet a running back at the line of scrimmage and leave him with nothing but regret.
8. New Orleans Saints: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Needs: CB, IOL, EDGE, LB, RB
There's plenty of room to reinforce the secondary, but New Orleans needs to know what it has in Tyler Shough. He won't reach his potential in a lineup of skill players led by Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson but with few reliable options behind them. Lemon was a bit of an enigma at the combine, but his ability to shake cornerbacks and and plant-and-go acceleration makes him a weapon who can alleviate the pressure on Olave and Johnson.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
Needs: CB, EDGE, DT, RB, S, OT
Could this be a spot for Jeremiyah Love? Jordyn Tyson? Kenyon Sadiq? Absolutely. Same goes for Andy Reid's opportunity to take 2026's first cornerback off the board. Instead, Mauigoa's brief slide stops and gives Kansas City its Jawaan Taylor replacement.
Mauigoa is a rampart in pass protection, but he's truly devastating in space where his 315-pound frame flies upfield to demolish poor, poor linebackers. He's in the running with Fano to be the first tackle off the board in 2026.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
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Needs: EDGE, CB, S, OL
Trey Hendrickson won't be coming back, leaving the league's 25th-ranked pass rush in dire need. Maybe 2025 first round pick Shemar Stewart will get there, but he was always a project whose growth was further stunted by a truly pointless contract standoff last season.
Bailey's rise came at Cincinnati's expense, and now the team needs to make a minor reach to fill a glaring need. Faulk brings proven production (seven sacks in 2024 before this fall's down year) and the size Cincinnati covets up front (6-foot-6, 285 pounds). He's not a one-dimensional edge rusher, either; he has legitimate chops on the ground for a defense that ranked 29th in rushing EPA allowed in 2025.
11. Miami Dolphins: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Needs: CB, S, WR, TE… QB?
In theory, Jeff Hafley could use this pick to pump up his offense with another athletic marvel and make tight end Kenyon Sadiq a Dolphin. But the former Green Bay defensive coordinator badly needs to address the league's 25th-ranked defense. Lo and behold, Miami has a need at safety and Downs has slid out of the top 10.
Downs can play deep or near the line of scrimmage and line up tracking slot receivers with ease. His NFL ceiling is "Brian Branch, but better." He's a fixer, plain and simple, in a Miami defense in need of playmakers.
12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Needs: EDGE, LB, S, CB, RB
The board wasn't kind to Dallas' edge rusher aspirations. Fortunately, it worked out for Jerry Jones' secondary, allowing him his pick of cornerbacks to replace Trevon Diggs.
Enter Delane, who led the SEC with 11 pass breakups and hauled in a pair of interceptions in 11 games. He can be trusted in single coverage on the sideline, with fluid hips and turn-and-go speed to keep up with NFL deep threats. His trustworthiness on an island could mean more blitzes for the Cowboys, boosting the pass rush even without a star edge presence.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Needs: CB, DT, S… QB?
The Rams no longer have two first round picks after dealing for Trent McDuffie. They can still splurge on a high-upside presence who can reinforce Matthew Stafford's arsenal in his quest to earn a second Super Bowl ring before riding into the sunset. Sadiq is a ludicrous athlete who brings in-line blocking chops. He's insurance in case of a Davante Adams decline and the kind of talent who can bring Sean McVay's wildest play designs to light.
Sadiq can seal off running lanes or get out in space to deflect defensive backs. More importantly, he's got excellent speed up the seam and quick change-of-direction skills to snap off linebackers and slot corners. Pair that with solid hands and, baby, you've got a stew going.
14. Baltimore Ravens: IOL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Needs: IOL, EDGE, DL, WR, CB
General manager Eric DeCosta gets his fifth Penn State product since 2019 while fixing a major issue up front by selecting 2026's top interior lineman. Ioane is a brick wall at 330 pounds and has the quickness and aggression to create space at the second level. He'd help keep the Ravens' bruising identity intact even as the team transitions from John Harbaugh to a former assistant of John (and Jim) Harbaugh in Jesse Minter.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Needs: EDGE, LB, TE, CB
Tampa locks in Jamel Dean's replacement with one of 2026's bigger mysteries. McCoy was a demon for the Volunteers in 2024 but missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL. He's got fluid hips and the route and ball recognition to be trusted on a island. Like Delane, his presence would help lagging pass rush add bodies with extra blitzes.
How high he climbs will depend on individual workouts and interviews after only participating in the bench press at the combine. Here, the Bucs opt for optimism and take a high ceiling player who could wind up being a steal even with a top-15 selection.
16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Needs: QB, WR, IOL, S, LB
Garrett Wilson finally gets a running mate who can take some double-teams off his plate. The 6-foot-2, 203 pound Tyson is a versatile player who can line up anywhere from the slot to the X and keep Aaron Glenn from ripping all the pages that didn't work in 2025 out of his playbook.
Tyson is an explosive route runner who creates separation well, though he can suffer from a lack of discipline that brings some sloppiness to his game. In the right system, he can be 2026's top rookie wideout. That's… probably not New York, but the Jets need high ceiling playmakers and this is their best option.
17. Detroit Lions: DL Peter Woods, Clemson
Needs: EDGE, IOL, CB, LB, DT
Woods isn't the edge rusher Detroit needs, but he's a force that can still make life easier for Aidan Hutchinson. The 300-pound lineman would replace DJ Reader, teaming up with Alim McNeill to give the Lions two big-bodied disruptors in the middle of the field who can shrink pockets and cut off escape routes for harried quarterbacks.
Woods didn't work out at the combine but should bolster his NFL credentials by displaying his upper crust athleticism at Clemson's pro day. If he struggles, however, Detroit could opt for guys like Miami's Akheem Mesidor or Woods' Tiger teammate TJ Parker.
18. Minnesota Vikings: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
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Needs: LB, S, DE, RB, QB
Love's slide stops here, even if the cash-strapped Vikings have plenty of other holes to fill. JJ McCarthy's national title came as part of a Michigan offense that ran the ball nearly 60 percent of the time. Minnesota won't touch that number, but Love's presence could lighten the load considerably and set up plenty of third-and-manageable situations for a quarterback whose downfield accuracy has been a significant concern.
Love brings value as a runner (nearly seven yards per carry the last two seasons) and receiver (280 yards, three touchdowns in 12 games last fall). He'd bring the playmaking firepower to help Kevin O'Connell restore his value as one of the league's top offensive minds.
19. Carolina Panthers: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
Needs: EDGE, LB, CB, S, IOL
Mesidor is one of the draft's oldest prospects at 25, but he fits with a win-now Carolina team still figuring out whether it can produce postseason success with Bryce Young at quarterback and Dave Canales at head coach. The beefy defender can play multiple roles, kicking inside to use his strength as a disruption or moving outside to bring pressure from the edge.
That culminated in 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in his Miami finale. Injuries are a concern, but his ability to add value against the pass and run give him the chance to make an immediate impact for a playoff team (albeit one that hasn't had a winning record since 2017.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers): EDGE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Needs: EDGE, LB, S, CB, RB
Howell may not be the edge rusher Jerry Jones wanted in the first round. He can absolutely be the edge rusher Jerry Jones needs. The Texas A&M star handled the jump from Bowling Green with aplomb, racking up 11.5 sacks in 2025 to help push the Aggies to the College Football Playoff.
While he doesn't have an enormous frame at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, his versatile pass rushing attack makes him an asset from the second level. He has elite closing speed and lateral quickness, which could make him a menace even to the most mobile quarterbacks.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Needs: QB, WR, CB, S, IOL
Joey Porter gets a high-profile running mate as the Steelers opt against making Ty Simpson their first round pick. Rather than pump up the offense with a receiver -- in true Pittsburgh fashion, that waits until Day 2 -- Mike McCarthy's defense gets another layer of protection with 2026's second cornerback selected.
Terrell had 22 breakups and eight forced fumbles in his last two seasons, displaying a nose for the ball and a desire to punish quarterbacks who dare throw his way. He's an uber-productive player who should be able to make an immediate impact and sting any offensive coordinator who decides to avoid Porter and Jalen Ramsey and pick on the youngest member of the Pittsburgh secondary.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: LB C.J. Allen, Georgia
Needs: OL, LB, DL, EDGE, CB
This pick could depend on how the Chargers feel about Rashawn Slater's recovery from a torn patellar tendon. Even if he's trending upward, the 22nd pick could be a place to find a high value offensive lineman who can play inside or out. But there will be a handful of tackles with shorter arms waiting until Day 2. There's only one more off-ball linebacker with first round chops on my board.
That's Allen, who can be the trustworthy star in the middle of Jim Harbaugh's solar system. He can handle pass rushing duties as well as lock down the middle of the field in coverage or against the run. He's not huge at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, but he moves quickly and fluidity, rarely crossing himself up and sticking to receivers in coverage.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Needs: CB, OT, EDGE, DL, TE
Freeling has elite physical tools but has just one full season of starting experience under his belt. A place in Philly gives him a soft landing spot as a swing tackle behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, the latter of whom is entering his age 36 season and hasn't played a full season since 2015. The Georgia star was an absolute stud at the combine, posting some of the best all-around numbers in offensive line history.
This is a move that puts a lot of trust in Chris Kuper, the offensive line coach taking over for Jeff Stoutland. Landing an elite prospect with room to grow would be an internal vote of confidence for a franchise in dire need of good vibes.
24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars): S Dillon Theineman, Oregon
Needs: QB, IOL, WR, CB, S
Despite Cleveland's offensive needs, there's more defensive talent on the board with this pick gleaned from the Travis Hunter trade than ready made fits at quarterback or offensive line. So those needs fall to the wayside, allowing one of the combine's biggest movers to slide into the first round.
Thieneman is an uber-athletic safety who can handle multiple roles out of the secondary. He's got the closing speed to work as an over-the-top help defender and the lateral quickness to break on slot receivers and snuff out completions near the line of scrimmage. With three years of starting experience, he'd be an immediate contributor for a playoff caliber defense (please do not ask how the offense is doing).
25. Chicago Bears: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Needs: S, EDGE, OT, CB
Chicago's offensive line is suddenly an issue thanks to Ozzy Trapilo's injury, Drew Dalman's surprising retirement and Braxton Jones' pending free agency. Kadyn Proctor's upside here may be too much to pass up, but the Bears need someone who can contribute immediately. Lomu's higher floor in pass protection makes him the pick to pair with Darnell Wright and keep Caleb Williams' jersey clean.
Lomu is an elite athlete who needs to dial up his aggression in order to reach his potential, especially as a run blocker. Ben Johnson, hater supreme in one season with the Bears thus far, feels like the right guy to coax it out.
26. Buffalo Bills: EDGE Zion Young, Missouri
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Needs: WR, EDGE, IOL, CB, LB
This is a rough scene for Josh Allen, who'd love a first round wideout to pair with D.J. Moore and his incumbents but found the three members of the first tier long gone by now. The receivers available look a lot like guys they have on the roster -- 6-foot shifty wideouts who may work best from the slot like Khalil Shakir or bigger targets who struggle to separate like Denzel Boston. With Moore in tow, that need is pushed to Day 2 in favor of reinforcing the pass rush.
Young looks the part of a pocket-crashing menace at 6-foot-6 and 266 pounds. He has the power and burst to win on the edge or slice through double-teams. Importantly, he's an asset in the run game for the NFL's 31st-ranked rushing defense. He had 16.5 tackles for loss last season at Missouri.
27. San Francisco 49ers: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Needs: OL, EDGE, S, WR
No matter how the drama with Trent Williams unfolds, the Niners need a succession plan for their soon-to-be 38-year-old left tackle. Proctor is a misplaced fairy tale villain, slimming down to 350 pounds at the combine packed onto a 6-foot-7 frame. He's massive and powerful, and while his technique needs refinement his ceiling is as high as anyone in the draft.
San Francisco has done a great job implementing Williams and developing Colton McKivitz. Now Kyle Shanahan gets his hands on a massive, long-armed, explosive chunk of clay in hopes of finding his next blindside cornerstone.
28. Houston Texans: DL Caleb Banks, Florida
Needs: OL, DT, RB, TE
That late-round run on offensive linemen did Houston no favors. Fortunately, there's still an opportunity for DeMeco Ryans to reinforce at least one of his trenches.
Enter the 6-foot-6, 327-pound Banks has some Deone Walker built into him as a massive presence who brings above-average production on both rush and passing downs. His size commands double-teams, which is a real problem for offensive coordinators who have to figure out what to do with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter along the edge. It's not a sexy pick, and it won't result in massive counting stats, but it's one that makes the Texans' defense a little scarier.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams): S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Needs: CB, EDGE, DT, RB, S, OT
The Chiefs reload in the secondary with a member of the MAC's DBU. McNeil-Warren is a big, rangy safety at 6-foot-4 with solid closing speed (a low 4.5-second 40) and the length to be a disruptor downfield.
What shines brightest about him cannot be taught. McNeil-Warren has an innate nose for the ball. He forced eight fumbles his last three seasons and knocked down 10 passes over the last two years. Factor in steady downhill tackling and you've got a safety who can thrive in every aspect of the game. He's not a 1:1 replacement for Trent McDuffie, but he can provide a boost across the Kansas City backfield.
30. Denver Broncos: WR Kevin Concepcion, Texas A&M
Needs: WR, TE, LB, EDGE
The Broncos have no shortage of shifty receivers with Marvin Mims and Pat Bryant in the lineup. Here comes another; an elusive flier with the chops to thrive as a downfield target or with massive yards-after-catch potential.
Concepcion could thrive in the slot alongside the deep sideline play of Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin, giving him an easy option to pick up big chunks of yardage with minimal risk. He's big enough to play outside, but could thrive running slants and dagger routes alongside Bo Nix -- a quarterback with tremendous short-range accuracy.
31. New England Patriots: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Needs: OT, S, LB, EDGE, WR
Louisville's Chris Bell may be a better option for the Patriots -- a bigger wideout with explosive traits -- but he's working through the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season and likely cost him first round status. In his place steps Cooper, architect of last year's greatest catch and a clutch player with top-line athleticism.
Cooper's hands and body control are his headlines, as he has supreme focus and the ability to contort his way into almost impossible catches. But he can play inside and out, be an asset in gadget plays and has the fight-through-traffic traits we know Drake Maye loves because he targets Kayshon Boutte all the time.
32. Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
Needs: CB, EDGE, WR, OL
Cisse has the athletic traits of a star cornerback but needs to be coached to his potential. What better place than amidst the league's top defense and reigning Super Bowl champions?
The South Carolina defensive back is an eraser on breaking routes, using preternatural explosion to fight back to the ball and erase plays. But his strength in man coverage is balanced by a general rawness that leaves him with a lower floor than the other cornerbacks available at No. 32. The Seahawks have the personnel in place to take a calculated risk on a player with the talent to be 2026's top corner and the volatility to be reduced to special teams snaps.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL mock draft 2026 after combine has 3 edge rushers in top 4
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