NFL mock draft has Jeremiyah Love going top 5 to this surprise team

[ASFN Admin]

The future of theNational Football League starts here. Every year, the NFL Draft reshapes franchises, creates stars, and changes the direction of teams overnight—and the 2026 class is loaded with talent, intrigue, and plenty of uncertainty. From quarterback questions to teams looking to make aggressive moves up the board, this draft has all the ingredients for chaos. So let’s project how it could unfold. Here’s a look at a 2026 NFL mock draft, where needs, talent, and a little bit of bold thinking collide.

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1. Las Vegas Raiders–QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana​

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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (QB11) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

A no-brainer selection by a team that needs to start from the ground up with their QB of the future.

2. New York Jets–Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech​

Jets fans want freakish athlete Arvell Reese, but it seems like Aaron Glenn is sold on Bailey, who is the most pro-ready pass rusher in the draft.

3. Arizona Cardinals–LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio State​

Arizona needs all the impact players it can find on defense, and Reese is someone who has future Pro Bowler written all over him. There are rumors swirling about Kansas City wanting this pick, so expect it to be heavily in play.

4. Tennessee Titans–RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame​

Don’t be surprised if Tennessee moves down (or even out of the first round and tries to get picks in 2027 and beyond). Teams like Washington and New York both covet Love, so a deal might be had. If Tennessee stays at four, Love and Ward give the Titans two cornerstone talents on offense.

5. New York Giants–S Caleb Downs, Ohio State​

Downs is an impact talent, and the Giants need a game-changer in their secondary.


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6. Cleveland Browns–OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami​

Cleveland desperately wants to trade down, but if they stay, Mauigoa is the perfect anchor for the Browns struggling OL, and Todd Monken knows he needs to give Shadeur Sanders as much time as possible to throw.

7. Washington Commanders–LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State​

If Washington chooses not to trade down, they can stay at 7 and likely have their choice of Styles or Rueben Bain, Jr. Styles is a freakish athlete who turned heads at the combine and could be a perfect fit to replace Bobby Wagner.

8. New Orleans Saints–EDGE, Rueben Bain, Jr, Miami​

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Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (DL32) on the SiriusXM NFL Radio set during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

New Orleans improved its offense last year and added Travis Etienne as a free agent this offseason. Now, Kellen Moore knows he needs to address the defense, and Bain should be able to revive the Saints’ pass rush.

9. Kansas City Chiefs–WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State​

Carnell Tate would also be a good option, but when healthy, Tyson is the premier receiver in this year’s class.

10. New York Giants (traded from Cincinnati)–OT Spencer Fano, Utah​

Giants fans will likely be screaming for the team to take Ohio State star WR Carnell Tate, but OT is a need, and Fano is a solid pick.

11. Miami Dolphins–WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State​

With Jaylen Waddle now in Denver and Tyreek Hill likely not playing in 2026, Miami needs to find its WR1. One of Tate or Tyson should be available.

12. Dallas Cowboys–CB Mansoor Delane, LSU​

If Dallas wants to be aggressive, Jerry Jones has the firepower to move way up in the draft, and if he decides to stay, he will hope that Bain or Styles is still on the board. If they are both gone, Delane provides Dallas with a shutdown CB who can play Week 1.

13. Los Angeles Rams–WR Makai Lemon, USC​

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Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) celebrates after catching a 32-yard touchdown pass against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

When there is smoke, there is fire, and right now the smoke signals out of Los Angeles have the Rams taking the outstanding receiver from USC. Lemon can play immediately in the slot and will also provide depth if Puka Nacua and/or Davante Adams get injured.

14. Baltimore Ravens–G Vega Ioane, Penn State​

Baltimore is going to lean on its running game, and Ioane is the top Guard in the draft.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers–CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee​

McCoy missed 2025 with an injury but was thought of as one of the top cover CBs in college football in 2024. Tampa needs a shutdown CB to go up against Tetairoa McMillan and Drake London, so McCoy makes a lot of sense.


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16. New York Jets–WR Denzel Boston, Washington​

Originally, experts had Omar Cooper Jr. pegged for the Jets, but recently, Boston’s name is gaining steam. He’s a huge target and should be someone New York can use in red zone packages.

17. Detroit Lions–OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia​

Freeling is the ideal fit for Detroit as they are searching for a Left Tackle to replace Taylor Decker. He’s big, strong, and nasty–all traits that Dan Campbell loves.

18. Minnesota Vikings–S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon​

Harrison Smith’s career is coming to an end, and Thieneman would be an excellent choice to replace him.

19. Carolina Panthers–TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon​

Draft experts will likely be shouting for Carolina to take Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo, but Saddiq is a matchup nightmare and gives Bryce Young another top target on offense.

20. Dallas Cowboys–EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami​

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Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (DL51) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

He’s 25 years old, but Dallas needs impact players who can play now on defense, and Mesidor knows how to get to the QB (12.5 sacks last year).

21. Pittsburgh Steelers–WR Omar Cooper, Jr., Indiana​

Cooper and Pittman will help upgrade a Steelers offense that struggled to move the ball in 2025.

22. Los Angeles Chargers–OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama​

Jim Harbaugh knows better than anyone that you can’t have enough talent on the OL.

23. Philadelphia Eagles–WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M​

Concepcion sent a letter to all the teams telling them that he was ready to play and win in the NFL. Drafting Concepcion allows Philadelphia to move on from A.J. Brown with little regret.

24. Cleveland Browns–EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson​

Cleveland wants to trade out of this spot, but if they remain, Parker would be a nice addition to an already staunch defense.

25. Chicago Bears–S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo​

He’s got all the intangibles to be a top player in the NFC for years to come, and the Bears need a safety badly.

26. Buffalo Bills–Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF​

Buffalo needs to continue to improve its pass rush if they want to reach the Super Bowl.

27. San Francisco 49ers–OT Caleb Lomu, Utah​

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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

Lomu did not allow a sack in 2025 and should excel in Kyle Shanahan’s zone-rushing offense.

28. Houston Texans–DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State​

After signing Will Anderson to a huge deal, Houston adds McDonald, who is arguably the best run stopper in the draft.

29. Kansas City Chiefs–CB Colton Hood, Tennessee​

Hood would clearly be a need pick for Kansas City, which lost both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson in the offseason.

30. Miami Dolphins–OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State​

Miami is likely two to three years from competing, and by that time, Iheanachor will be ready to be the team’s starting LT.

31. New England Patriots–LB, C.J. Allen, Georgia​

Allen has the skills to be a tackling machine in the middle of Vrabel’s defense.

32. Seattle Seahawks–RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame​

Seattle wants to trade this pick, but if they keep it, Price fills a need as a replacement for Kenneth Walker. Had Price played anywhere else in college (except for behind Jeremiah Love), he would have had a dominant career.


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