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One week into the NFL free agency window, league-wide needs in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft are starting to feel a whole lot clearer.
The Las Vegas Raiders are still on the clock with the No. 1 pick they'll be able to use on quarterback Fernando Mendoza on April 23. The Tennessee Titans are sitting at No. 4 and, after a free agent spending spree that brought in defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott and receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, the list of top-tier needs is shrinking but still fairly robust.
After Mendoza takes his presumed throne with the No. 1 pick, there'll be a race to pick top prospects like edge defenders Arvell Reese, David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr., offensive tackles Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano, receiver Carnell Tate and running back Jeremiyah Love.
Here's The Tennessean's post free agency NFL mock draft.
FREE AGENCY GRADES: Grading every Titans free agent signing, from the disappointing to the exciting
NEVER MISS NEWS: Subscribe to the Talkin' Titans newsletter for Titans news straight to your inbox
The only surprise here is that Mendoza might actually play his rookie year with a teammate named Maxx Crosby.
College football's most productive edge rusher from 2025 lands with Aaron Glenn's defense to join the rotation with Will McDonald IV and free agent add Joseph Ossai.
If there was a quarterback for the Cardinals to pick, they'd pick him. Otherwise, just another investment in an offense that should be pretty solid once the quarterback's in place.
The temptation to pick Jeremiyah Love is understandable. But Titans coach Robert Saleh's entire identity is built around his reliance on a formidable, fast, violent four-man rush that can get home without extra blitzers. Three of those four jobs are filled. Give Saleh his fourth rusher who, realistically, should develop into being the No. 1 option as he grows into his role. Use the second and third rounds to get help for QB Cam Ward on offense.
New coach John Harbaugh could do a lot of things here, but pairing star receiver Malik Nabers with a co-No. 1 option who can draw attention away is maybe the most immediately beneficial.
Even with all the spending on the offensive line, the Browns need even more help. Kick the can on other needs until later in the round.
Love finds his landing spot as the new copilot of the Commanders' offense alongside the uber-talented QB Jayden Daniels.
What a steal for the Saints to get the draft's most powerful and disruptive defender at No. 8.
Whoever the Chiefs trade Delane to in about four years is going to have to pay him a ton of money. Even as a projected top-10 pick, Delane might be underrated here.
The Bengals are making legitimate investment into their defense this year. So now, here's a plug-and-play starter in the middle with absurd athletic traits.
New quarterback Malik Willis isn't the league's most polished thrower, so the more safety valves he has, the better.
The Cowboys do the responsible thing and pick a player with a talent profile impressive enough that he could've gone seven or eight picks earlier.
A luxury pick for the NFL's deepest roster, maybe. But if any organization knows the value of a dominant defensive tackle, it's the Rams.
The Ravens love their tight ends, and Sadiq is the natural progression in the evolution of the position. He's the consolation prize for holding onto the pick in the Crosby trade that wasn't.
McCoy says he's healthy, and the Bucs bet on just how good McCoy looks when he's healthy.
Back-to-back Vols cornerbacks here. The Jets need to up their ball skills in the back end. Enter Hood.
Coach Dan Campbell's going to love the mean, violent, aggressive presence Mesidor brings opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
The Vikings trust defensive coordinator Brian Flores to deploy a unique talent in a disruptive way, even if he's not a perfect fit.
One Panthers cornerback is the son of a New Orleans Saints legend. Why not bookend him with the brother of an Atlanta Falcons standout and create too many conflicts of interest in the NFC South?
He's not Micah Parsons, but, hey, who is? Parker's plenty good enough to be a reliable rusher as a pro.
Nothing says a potential Mike McCarthy-Aaron Rodgers reunion like immediately starting it off with a first-round QB on the bench learning the ropes.
Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree aren't forever fixes off the edge. Faulk is Tuli Tuipulotu's eventual running mate.
What's the joke about the Eagles in the NFL draft? Just pick the best Georgia player available? Easy enough.
Maybe a bit of a gamble with Tyson's injury concerns, but the Browns' lack of talent concerns are much grander.
It's a lazy mock drafting trope, but middle linebackers just look better in Chicago.
Lose a guard in free agency, pick a guard in the first round. Fairly easy plan to implement here if Vega lasts this long.
When you've got a Hall of Fame safety as your general manager, he knows the importance of not passing on a freak athlete at the position who plays with a technical prowess beyond his years.
Find a place to put him. Keep C.J. Stroud upright. Battle test him in training camp against your all-world defensive front.
K.C. in K.C. The marketing just writes itself, doesn't it?
The Titans signed Franklin-Myers away. The Broncos draft his replacement. The machine keeps chugging along.
Let a long offseason about who should play left tackle and who should play right tackle commence. But what's important is that the Patriots get better at both spots.
Just a productive edge rusher. Maybe not the kind you'd project to be a star based off his measureables, but someone who makes a lot of sense as the Seahawks try to reload their front for another Super Bowl run.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at [email protected]. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NFL mock draft after free agency: Is it Jeremiyah Love time for Titans?
Continue reading...
The Las Vegas Raiders are still on the clock with the No. 1 pick they'll be able to use on quarterback Fernando Mendoza on April 23. The Tennessee Titans are sitting at No. 4 and, after a free agent spending spree that brought in defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott and receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, the list of top-tier needs is shrinking but still fairly robust.
After Mendoza takes his presumed throne with the No. 1 pick, there'll be a race to pick top prospects like edge defenders Arvell Reese, David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr., offensive tackles Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano, receiver Carnell Tate and running back Jeremiyah Love.
Here's The Tennessean's post free agency NFL mock draft.
FREE AGENCY GRADES: Grading every Titans free agent signing, from the disappointing to the exciting
NEVER MISS NEWS: Subscribe to the Talkin' Titans newsletter for Titans news straight to your inbox
2026 NFL mock draft: First round order, projected best players available, top picks
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
The only surprise here is that Mendoza might actually play his rookie year with a teammate named Maxx Crosby.
2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
College football's most productive edge rusher from 2025 lands with Aaron Glenn's defense to join the rotation with Will McDonald IV and free agent add Joseph Ossai.
3. Arizona Cardinals: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
If there was a quarterback for the Cardinals to pick, they'd pick him. Otherwise, just another investment in an offense that should be pretty solid once the quarterback's in place.
4. Tennessee Titans: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
The temptation to pick Jeremiyah Love is understandable. But Titans coach Robert Saleh's entire identity is built around his reliance on a formidable, fast, violent four-man rush that can get home without extra blitzers. Three of those four jobs are filled. Give Saleh his fourth rusher who, realistically, should develop into being the No. 1 option as he grows into his role. Use the second and third rounds to get help for QB Cam Ward on offense.
5. New York Giants: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
New coach John Harbaugh could do a lot of things here, but pairing star receiver Malik Nabers with a co-No. 1 option who can draw attention away is maybe the most immediately beneficial.
6. Cleveland Browns: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Even with all the spending on the offensive line, the Browns need even more help. Kick the can on other needs until later in the round.
7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love finds his landing spot as the new copilot of the Commanders' offense alongside the uber-talented QB Jayden Daniels.
8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., DL/Edge, Miami
What a steal for the Saints to get the draft's most powerful and disruptive defender at No. 8.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Whoever the Chiefs trade Delane to in about four years is going to have to pay him a ton of money. Even as a projected top-10 pick, Delane might be underrated here.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Bengals are making legitimate investment into their defense this year. So now, here's a plug-and-play starter in the middle with absurd athletic traits.
11. Miami Dolphins: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
New quarterback Malik Willis isn't the league's most polished thrower, so the more safety valves he has, the better.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
The Cowboys do the responsible thing and pick a player with a talent profile impressive enough that he could've gone seven or eight picks earlier.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
A luxury pick for the NFL's deepest roster, maybe. But if any organization knows the value of a dominant defensive tackle, it's the Rams.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Ravens love their tight ends, and Sadiq is the natural progression in the evolution of the position. He's the consolation prize for holding onto the pick in the Crosby trade that wasn't.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
McCoy says he's healthy, and the Bucs bet on just how good McCoy looks when he's healthy.
16. New York Jets: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Back-to-back Vols cornerbacks here. The Jets need to up their ball skills in the back end. Enter Hood.
17. Detroit Lions: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Coach Dan Campbell's going to love the mean, violent, aggressive presence Mesidor brings opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State
The Vikings trust defensive coordinator Brian Flores to deploy a unique talent in a disruptive way, even if he's not a perfect fit.
19. Carolina Panthers: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
One Panthers cornerback is the son of a New Orleans Saints legend. Why not bookend him with the brother of an Atlanta Falcons standout and create too many conflicts of interest in the NFC South?
20. Dallas Cowboys: T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
He's not Micah Parsons, but, hey, who is? Parker's plenty good enough to be a reliable rusher as a pro.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Nothing says a potential Mike McCarthy-Aaron Rodgers reunion like immediately starting it off with a first-round QB on the bench learning the ropes.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn
Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree aren't forever fixes off the edge. Faulk is Tuli Tuipulotu's eventual running mate.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
What's the joke about the Eagles in the NFL draft? Just pick the best Georgia player available? Easy enough.
24. Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Maybe a bit of a gamble with Tyson's injury concerns, but the Browns' lack of talent concerns are much grander.
25. Chicago Bears: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
It's a lazy mock drafting trope, but middle linebackers just look better in Chicago.
26. Buffalo Bills: Vega Ioane, IOL, Penn State
Lose a guard in free agency, pick a guard in the first round. Fairly easy plan to implement here if Vega lasts this long.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Dillon Thieneman, SAF, Oregon
When you've got a Hall of Fame safety as your general manager, he knows the importance of not passing on a freak athlete at the position who plays with a technical prowess beyond his years.
28. Houston Texans: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama
Find a place to put him. Keep C.J. Stroud upright. Battle test him in training camp against your all-world defensive front.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: K.C. Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
K.C. in K.C. The marketing just writes itself, doesn't it?
30. Denver Broncos: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
The Titans signed Franklin-Myers away. The Broncos draft his replacement. The machine keeps chugging along.
31. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Let a long offseason about who should play left tackle and who should play right tackle commence. But what's important is that the Patriots get better at both spots.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Just a productive edge rusher. Maybe not the kind you'd project to be a star based off his measureables, but someone who makes a lot of sense as the Seahawks try to reload their front for another Super Bowl run.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at [email protected]. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NFL mock draft after free agency: Is it Jeremiyah Love time for Titans?
Continue reading...
