Now that the biggest schools in the country have held their Pro Day workouts and the calendar has turned over to April, we are just days away from the 2026 NFL Draft. This will also be our penultimate mock draft for the 2026 NFL off-season. Let's take a look at the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and predict where the top prospects will go.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB, Fernando Mendoza. Indiana.
New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak had high praise for Fernando Mendoza, calling him "a winner," while adding that "he's accurate, he's tall [and] intelligent." I'm running out of ways to say that Mendoza is the quarterback of the future for Las Vegas. Just read mock drafts 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. It doesn't matter that they signed Kirk Cousins; the long-term plan is Mendoza in Vegas.
2. New York Jets: LB/EDGE, Arvell Reese. Ohio State.
Gang Green will be going after a pass-rusher with the number-two overall pick since they addressed basically all of their other needs through trades and free agency. They need a game-breaking defender to get after opposing QBs, and that will undoubtedly be David Bailey or Arvell Reese. Bailey is safer, but it feels like Reese has more upside. When drafting second overall, you have to take big swings and hope you nail your pick. If the Jets (and I) are right about Reese, he will change the franchise.
3. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE, David Bailey. Texas Tech.
By signing Elijah Wilkinson, the Cards are bringing in a right tackle who started 17 games last season for the Atlanta Falcons. Therefore, they do not address their offensive line with the number-three pick in the draft. Instead, they take the best available pass rusher off the board in Bailey. Having him play alongside Josh Sweat and Walter Nolen III gives Arizona one of the most intimidating defensive lines in the NFL.
4. Tennessee Titans: WR, Carnell Tate. Ohio State.
Tennessee lacks a true game-breaking wide receiver. Even when he was healthy, Calvin Ridley only averaged 43.3 receiving yards per game, which wasn't good enough to rank in the top 60 in the league. There's also a possibility that Ridley could be designated as a post-June 1st cut to save the team some money. Tate is not only cheaper but better than Calvin Ridley. He’ll be the WR1 needed to help quarterback Cam Ward take the next step in year two.
5. New York Giants: S, Caleb Downs. Ohio State.
By signing two new linebackers and bringing back Micah McFadden, the Giants seem squared away in the middle of their defense. After using the number-three pick in last year's draft on Abdul Carter, Big Blue needs to turn its attention to the secondary. A safety like Caleb Downs would be an immediate difference-maker on the Giants' defense and elevate the play of all members in the secondary.
6. Cleveland Browns: OT, Monroe Freeling. Georgia.
Despite completely retooling the offensive line, there are still major questions at the left tackle spot for Cleveland. The LTs currently on the roster only have 20 combined starts between the two of them. More importantly, neither Dawand Jones nor Jeremiah Byers feels like a franchise left tackle. After an insanely impressive combine performance, Monroe Freeling has the intangibles needed to be a long-term starter at the LT spot.
7. Washington Commanders: CB, Mansoor Delane. LSU.
The cornerback room has gone through a complete overhaul now that four guys from last year's team are no longer playing for the Commanders. On top of that, they don't have a true number-one cornerback since Washington released Marshon Lattimore. After recording a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, Delane appears to be worthy of a top-ten draft pick, so the Commanders choose him to be their new CB1.
8. New Orleans Saints: EDGE, Rueben Bain Jr. Miami.
The Saints need to find a replacement for Cameron Jordan, which will be incredibly difficult. Not only was he New Orleans' best pass rusher with 10.5 sacks last season, but he has also been the team's defensive leader for over a decade. Bain has some of the best tape amongst this year's pass rushers and will help fans in the Big Easy move on from Cam Jordan. Pairing Bain with Chase Young gives the Saints a formidable one-two punch.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: CB, Jermod McCoy. Tennessee.
Yes, the Chiefs desperately need to add a productive pass rusher on the edge. The good news is that the 2026 Draft is stacked at that position. They can pick up a defensive lineman later in the first round or even in the second round. After Rueben Bain was taken, there isn't another pass-rusher worthy of a top-ten pick. That's why they take McCoy, who ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, reigniting the conversation around him being a top-ten pick.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: LB, Sonny Styles. Ohio State.
The Bengals are a disaster on the defensive side of the ball. Getting Sonny Styles would be a major win for Cincy. He's an athletic freak and has the feeling of a can't-miss prospect. Styles will man the middle of the Bengals' defense for the next ten years. Cincinnati can't go wrong with this pick as long as they choose a defensive player.
11. Miami Dolphins: WR, Jordyn Tyson. Arizona State.
The 'Phins are completely devoid of talent in the wide receiver room. They don’t have a single player on their roster who is capable of being a number-one wideout. Tyson could easily fill that role. He has a great build for a WR1 (6'2", 203 lbs.). If he didn't have injury concerns, he would undoubtedly be the top wideout in this draft class. There's a reasonable argument that he projects to be a better NFL player than Carnell Tate.
12. Dallas Cowboys: S, Dillon Thieneman. Oregon.
Starting safety Malik Hooker is only under contract for one more season and just turned 30. It feels like he was given a resturctured prove-it deal after missing five games last season and having a down year. Should he not be able to "prove it," there needs to be a backup plan in place when the 'Boys choose to move on from Hooker. Thieneman can not only be the backup plan, but also an improvement over Hooker after he showed an ability to line up all over the field at Oregon.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): OT, Francis Mauigoa. Miami.
Mauigoa isn't just the best right tackle in this draft; there's a strong possibility that he is the best offensive lineman prospect in the Class of 2026. He was a three-year starter at right tackle for the Hurricanes, which proves he's durable. At the same time, Mauigoa fills an immediate need that the Rams have on the offensive side of the ball after the retirement of Rob Havenstein. This is a match made in heaven for all parties involved.
14. Baltimore Ravens: IOL, Olaivavega Ioane. Penn State.
They addressed their pass-rushing concerns with the addition of Trey Hendrickson. Now, they need to focus on revamping the offensive line. Ioane has the perfect build for a run-mauling guard. He’ll be a great fit in the Ravens' scheme, which relies heavily on the rushing attack. Ioane can start on either side of the line and maybe even be the succession plan at the center position if Baltimore's coaching staff is feeling bold.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE, Akheem Mesidor. Miami.
The Bucs need to keep making improvements to the defensive line after losing two key contributors to free agency in Logan Hall and Haason Reddick. Mesidor has more than enough talent to be a reliable number-two pass rusher for the Bucs. With Vita Vea manning the middle of the defensive line, Mesidor can focus on getting a push on the edges. He also spent four years at Miami, so he's familiar with how to play in the Florida humidity.
16. New York Jets (from IND): WR, Makai Lemon. USC.
Adonai Mitchell and Garrett Wilson have the size to be effective wide receivers on the outside. However, the Jets lack a true slot receiver. Lemon can resolve that issue. He can get open and rack up a lot of catches from the slot. After all, he had seven games last season with seven or more catches. Wilson, Mitchell, and Lemon will be a reliable set of wide receivers that should allow Gang Green to finish better than 32nd in passing yards per game next season.
17. Detroit Lions: OL, Spencer Fano. Utah.
Fano has tumbled quite a bit on our draft board, but he’s still more than capable of being a high-quality starter in the NFL. He has experience starting as both a left tackle and a right tackle, so he clearly shows a lot of versatility. Then again, if Detroit feels like he isn't working on the edges, they can kick him inside, and Fano can be a very impactful offensive guard. This is a low-risk, high-reward selection for the Lions. They'll either find a franchise left tackle or end up with a good interior offensive lineman.
18. Minnesota Vikings: RB, Jeremiyah Love. Notre Dame.
It's taking everything in my power not to have the Vikings draft a defensive tackle, but the prospect of adding Jeremiyah Love will be too tempting for an offense-minded coach like Kevin O'Connell to pass up. Running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are both going to become free agents next off-season, so Minnesota will need to address the halfback spot regardless. By taking Love, they stay ahead of the curve and add an incredibly explosive player that will make life easier for whoever the starting QB is, whether it be J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray.
19. Carolina Panthers: TE, Kenyon Sadiq. Oregon.
At 6'3" and 241 lbs, Sadiq is an athletic freak who plays tight end yet has the speed of a starting wide receiver. When you look at him on the field, you don't know how to prepare for him as a blocker or as a receiver. After taking Tet McMillan last season, Carolina now has to find another pass-catcher to take attention away from the number-eight overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sadiq can be that guy and also be a reliable safety blanket for Bryce Young, which will help him cut down on his turnovers.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): EDGE, Cashius Howell. Texas A&M.
Even though Dallas added four defensive linemen this off-season, I don't think they're done working on the pass-rush. They need to bring in one more guy to complete the revamp of their front seven, and Cashius Howell ends up being that guy. Who cares if his arms are short? He was a unanimous All-American and the 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. The Cowboys have so many starting-caliber defensive linemen that Howell won't have to be an every-down defender. He'll come in on pass-rushing downs and be a difference maker in that regard. If Howell's game translates to the pro level, this will be a steal for the Cowboys.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: EDGE, T.J. Parker. Clemson.
The Steelers might be all squared away when it comes to edge rushers, but they need to start preparing for the next iteration of their pass rush. Cameron Heyward is turning 37 next month, while T.J. Watt will be turning 32 in October. Plus, Alex Highsmith will be a 31-year-old free agent in two years when his contract expires. Parker can learn a lot from Watt and Heyward while being a key rotational piece on the defensive side of the ball. He’ll also probably be Cameron Heyward's successor when he inevitably retires soon.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: OT, Blake Miller. Clemson.
What was the Chargers' biggest issue last season? Their offensive line was depleted by injuries. Enter Blake Miller, an iron man O-lineman who started 54 games in four seasons at Clemson. He can be an excellent right tackle, which will allow a massive lineman like Joe Alt to move to the inside of the offensive line, where his gigantic frame (6'8", 322 lbs.) would help him flourish into a Pro Bowl-level player. Even if they don't move Alt inside, it doesn't hurt to have an extremely reliable backup tackle after the season that LA had.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: WR, Denzel Boston. Washington.
This is the third time in four mock drafts that I have predicted the Eagles will take Boston. There is truth to the rumors that A.J. Brown is unhappy with his role in the offense. Philly needs to prepare for a future where Brown isn't part of the team, so they take Boston, a wide receiver with a big frame who is actually taller than A.J. Brown. Boston will be the contested catch, intermediate route runner, while DeVonta Smith lines up as the downfield threat. His addition will make it easier to move on from A.J. Brown.
24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): WR, Omar Cooper Jr. Indiana.
With Isaiah Bond on the roster, the Browns don't need to add another speedy wide receiver. That's why they go with Cooper rather than Texas A&M's KC Concepcion, who is best known for his speed. Cooper has experience playing on the outside and in the slot, so he’s clearly versatile. Plus, Cooper has the strength you want to see from a number-two wide receiver who can make things happen after the catch. Getting Cooper to be a better run blocker will be important, but he clearly has what it takes to contribute meaningfully to an NFL offense.
25. Chicago Bears: EDGE, Keldric Faulk. Auburn.
After adding two new players in the secondary, Chicago addresses its need for another pass rusher to line up on the opposite side of Montez Sweat. Faulk is the perfect size for a 4-3 defensive end (6'6", 276 lbs.). He can use his rookie year to adapt to the NFL level before the Bears decide to cut current starting defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, whose contract expires in two years. They could even move on from him before that if they feel Faulk's progression is ahead of schedule. Even if they hold onto Odeyingbo, Faulk has the size necessary to be an important rotational player along the D-line.
26. Buffalo Bills: DT, Kayden McDonald. Ohio State.
It's not as sexy as a wide receiver, but Buffalo lacks size along the defensive line. They’re only bringing back one defensive tackle from last season (Deone Walker), who recorded 17 total tackles and one sack in his first year in the league. They need another big body who can rotate split snaps with Walker, and McDonald can be just that. Not only does he have excellent size and measurables (6'2", 326 lbs.), but he also has fantastic production for an interior defensive lineman.
27. San Francisco 49ers: OT, Caleb Lomu. Utah.
Regardless of whether or not Trent Williams will be San Fran's starting left tackle next year, the Niners need to start preparing for life once he retires. Lomu has fantastic size and athleticism. More importantly, he's a natural left tackle. Lomu is still a raw product, but with good coaching and strength training, he can become a solid starting offensive tackle at the NFL level. Sitting behind Trent Williams and learning from the future Hall of Famer will be an invaluable experience for the former Utah Ute.
28. Houston Texans: OL, Kadyn Proctor. Alabama.
The best thing the Texans can do for C.J. Stroud is build up the offensive line in front of him. Proctor may be a left tackle by trade, but his enormous frame (6'7", 352 lbs.) could make him an awesome guard. There will be a competition between Proctor and 2025 second-round draft pick Aireontae Ersery for the starting LT job. The good news is that if Proctor loses out to Ersery, he can line up inside and be an intimidating guard.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR): EDGE, Zion Young. Missouri.
After taking a cornerback with their first pick, the Chiefs address their underwhelming pass rush with their other first-round selection. KC needs more bodies along the defensive line. They lost three edge rushers in free agency after finishing the year tied for 26th in sacks (35). Young is the ideal type of player to put on the Chiefs' defensive line. Pairing him with an elite defensive mind like Steve Spagnuolo would do wonders for Young’s development at the next level.
30. Miami Dolphins (from DEN): CB, Colton Hood. Tennessee.
Since they added three defensive linemen in free agency and used their first-round pick last year on a nose tackle, the 'Phins bolster their secondary with this selection. Hood turned a lot of heads with an impressive performance at the Scouting Combine. Plus, a defensive head coach like Jeff Hafley will love the physicality that Hood plays with, especially in the run game.
31. New England Patriots: S, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Toldeo.
The Pats addressed all of their key needs through free agency, so they’ll use their first-round pick to take the best player available, which happens to be McNeill-Warren. He can become a valuable rotational defensive back in Mike Vrabel's defense. On top of that, starting safety Kevin Byard III is only on a one-year contract, so McNeil-Warren can be his successor if New England moves on from Byard next off-season.
32. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE, Malachi Lawrence. UCF.
Even with the losses of Kenneth Walker III and Riq Woolen, the defending Super Bowl champs are set at most spots on the roster, so the Seahawks take a gamble on Malachi Lawrence. Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence will be turning 32 and 34, respectively, this off-season. Seattle should prioritize adding some youth to its pass rush. After an incredibly impressive combine, Lawrence demonstrated a high upside. With his athleticism and coaching from Mike Macdonald, Malachi Lawrence could become a good pass-rush specialist for the Super Bowl LX winners.
