2026 NFL Mock Draft 5.0
1. New York Giants - Arvell Reese (LB/Ohio State)
After landing their franchise quarterback last year, the Giants are in prime position to trade down and collect draft picks, especially with a plethora of quarterback-needy teams (just imagine how chaotic New York would get if the Giants and Jets made a trade here). However, we do not predict trades in our mock draft, so the Giants stand pat here and get one of the draft’s biggest risers in Reese. He can play inside or outside and would give the Giants yet another piece to a fearsome pass rush — or provide the flexibility to trade Kayvon Thibodeaux.
2. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza (QB/Indiana)
The Geno Smith trade just hasn’t worked out for the Raiders, who instead pivot to the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner. Mendoza possesses an impressive blend of size, arm strength and a surprisingly quick release, showing accuracy on short and intermediate passes.
3. Tennessee Titans - Rueben Bain (EDGE/Miami FL)
Long desperate for a presence along the edge, Tennessee lands their guy despite beating the Browns a few weeks ago. Bain possesses elite first-step explosiveness, great bend, and a powerful speed-to-power combination, making him a disruptive presence in both the run and pass game.
4. Cleveland Browns - Dante Moore (QB/Oregon)
Shedeur Sanders has outplayed Dillon Gabriel, but the box score does not accurately reflect his on-field play.
Cleveland is armed with a high draft pick and two selections in the first round. Unless they land a veteran, I would expect them to try to land a signal caller.
5. New York Jets - Ty Simpson (QB/Alabama)
New York is in a bit of a quarterback purgatory. They signed Justin Fields last offseason, but he was benched and there is no heir to the franchise on this roster. They are arms with draft picks both this year and next year, making them a strong candidate to trade up with the Giants, but would two teams who share a stadium strike a deal?
Standing pat, they could still land Simpson, a highly polished quarterback prospect who combines advanced processing speed and high-level accuracy on rhythm throws, making him an excellent fit for a timing-based pro offense.
6. Arizona Cardinals - Spencer Fano (OT/Utah)
The Cardinals will be one of the most intriguing teams on draft night. They could swing for the fences and trade up for Mendoza to move on from Kyler Murray, add Jordan Tyson to provide more weapons on offense or bolster the offensive line. With all the quarterback prospects gone and the emergence of Michael Wilson, I think they focus on finding a blindside protector.
7. New Orleans Saints - Jordan Tyson (WR/Arizona State)
With back-to-back wins over the Buccaneers and Panthers, Tyler Shough is playing well and moving the Saints out of position to take a quarterback. Chris Olave is in the final year of his contract and the Saints traded away Rashid Shaheed, so receiver is definitely a position of need, especially if they choose to build around Shough.
8. Washington Commanders - Caleb Downs (S/Ohio State)
Downs is a rare, elite safety prospect with unmatched positional versatility, football intelligence, and refined technique. He plays like a field general, diagnosing plays instantly with excellent range and tackling consistency, projecting as an immediate plug-and-play starter.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Keldric Faulk (EDGE/Auburn)
Trey Hendrickson’s season — and likely his Bengal career — is over. The Bengals have spent first rounders on several edge rushers in recent seasons, but they should not shy away from the position early in 2026. Faulk is a physically imposing and versatile defensive lineman with an NFL-ready frame, winning with power, length, and relentless effort.
10. Los Angeles Rams - Francis Mauigoa (OT/Miami FL)
Mauigoa is a standout offensive tackle with a big, thick frame and a rare combination of athleticism and power ideal for a man or gap-blocking scheme. He excels at moving defenders in the run game and shows the footwork and anchor strength to develop into a perennial Pro Bowl-caliber tackle.
11. Miami Dolphins - Carnell Tate (WR/Ohio State)
Tyreek Hill’s time with Miami is likely over, while Jaylen Waddle was heavily rumored to be moved during the trade deadline. What could really dictate the Dolphins decision, however, is whether or not Mike McDaniel is still coaching this team.
12. Kansas City Chiefs - Jeremiyah Love (RB/Notre Dame)
The Chiefs miss the playoffs but get a game-breaking running back in Love as a consolation prize. Upgrading their run game will be especially important as Patrick Mahomes recovers from an ACL tear.
13. Minnesota Vikings - Mansoor Delane (CB/LSU)
A position perpetually in need, the Vikings are razor-thin at cornerback after Isaiah Rodgers. Byron Murphy, a Pro Bowler in 2024, is Pro Football Focus’ No. 93 corner this season. Delane, a transfer from Virginia Tech, proved the could handle the grind of an SEC schedule with the Tigers.
14. Dallas Cowboys - David Bailey (EDGE/Texas Tech)
A clear position of need after trading away Micah Parsons just before the season began and exacerbated by the death of Marshawn Kneeland, Dallas snags a twitched-up, explosive speed rusher who leads the FBS in pressures, winning with a diverse arsenal of pass-rushing moves and relentless effort.
15. Baltimore Ravens - Peter Woods (DL/Clemson)
Peter Woods is a physically dominant and technically polished defensive lineman who excels against the run, helping Clemson’s run defense improve significantly in 2025. Despite being noted as having below-average height and length, he compensates with elite athleticism, explosive twitch, and powerful hands, making him a scheme-proof defender who can align anywhere on the defensive front.
16. Carolina Panthers - Jermod McCoy (CB/Tennessee)
McCoy is a fluid, explosive man-coverage corner with elite ball skills, refined technique, and quick route anticipation. He excels in press-man structures and is disruptive at the catch point, but his draft stock hinges on clearing medical evaluations following an ACL injury.
17. Detroit Lions - Kadyn Proctor (OT/Alabama)
Proctor is a dominant left tackle prospect with immense size, rare strength, and surprising nimble footwork for his frame. He is a tone-setting run blocker who consistently overpowers defenders and secures the pocket with a powerful punch in pass protection.
18. New York Jets - Makai Lemon (WR/USC)
The Colts certainly didn’t see this happening when they traded this pick for Sauce Gardner. They are now positioned outside of the playoffs and are staring 44-year-old Philip Rivers at quarterback. On the other hand, the Jets are now able to land an elite weapon for their new signal caller.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kenyon Sadiq (TE/Oregon)
With Cade Otton slated to hit free agency, the Bucs could look for a new safety valve for Baker Mayfield. Sadiq is a rare, explosive, two-phase tight end prospect who dominates as both a blocker and a pass catcher with elite athleticism and a physical temperament.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Denzel Boston (WR/Washington)
You have to imagine the Steelers regret giving up on George Pickens given the year he is having in Dallas. Quarterback is a need, but the Steelers are too talented to either be in a position to draft a rookie or want to hitch their window to one. Instead, I can see them trying to acquire a veteran like Mac Jones. Boston would fit well across from D.K. Metcalf.
21. Philadelphia Eagles - T.J. Parker (EDGE/Clemson)
The Eagles brought Brandon Graham out of retirement and traded for Jaelan Phillips, but both were short-term options. Parker is a high-floor, powerful defensive end whose elite functional strength and high motor make him a dominant run defender and versatile piece for the Eagles’ defensive front.
22. Houston Texans - Olaivavega Ioane (IOL/Penn State)
Ioane is widely regarded as one of the top interior offensive line prospects in the draft, bringing a rare combination of ideal size and elite pass-blocking technique to the guard position. He has allowed zero sacks for the past two seasons and consistently stifles interior rushers, making him an immediate upgrade for a Houston Texans line that remains a priority to protect C.J. Stroud.
23. Dallas Cowboys - Sonny Styles (LB/Ohio State)
Defense continues to be the focus for the Cowboys, who land a former safety who has dazzled at his new position.
24. Buffalo Bills - Cashius Howell (EDGE/Texas A&M)
Howell is an explosive and agile speed rusher who wins with burst, fluid movement, and a diverse set of finesse pass-rush tools. While he needs to add mass and functional strength to anchor, his quickness and ability to drop into coverage give him high-upside as a hybrid 3-4 outside linebacker.
25. Chicago Bears - Caleb Lomu (OT/Utah)
Lomu is an athletic left tackle with impressive fluidity and prototypical size, allowing him to mirror pass rushers effectively. He excels in pass protection with patient hand usage and sound technique, but he needs significant improvement in play strength and run-blocking power.
26. Los Angeles Chargers - Kayden McDonald (DL/Ohio State)
McDonald is an impressive interior defensive lineman with rare athleticism for his 320-pound size. He is strong enough to fight through double teams and possesses a good first step, allowing him to be disruptive as both a run defender and a pass rusher.
27. San Francisco 49ers - KC Concepcion (WR/Texas A&M)
Brandon Aiyuk has likely played his last snap for the 49ers, Juaun Jennings is entering free agency and Ricky Pearsall has not proven he can be the top receiver in San Francisco when healthy. Brock Purdy excels when he has adequate weapons, so getting pass catchers for him will be a priority.
28. Cleveland Browns - Trevor Goosby (OT/Texas)
Goosby is an elite upside tackle prospect who possesses the prototypical 6-foot-7 frame, plus length, and movement skills that make scouts project him as a potential blindside anchor. While he needs to gain functional strength and refine his technique to clean up penalties, he offers the high-end physical traits the Browns need to secure their tackle position long-term.
29. New England Patriots - Matayo Uigalelei (EDGE/Oregon)
Arguably the best run-defending edge in the class, Uigalelei projects as an immediate high-floor starter who can set a physical edge in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. While he is still developing a consistent pass-rush plan beyond pure speed, his physical traits and high-end production offer a high-ceiling cornerstone for the Patriots’ defense.
30. Seattle Seahawks - Avieon Terrell (CB/Clemson)
Terrell is a highly decorated two-time All-ACC cornerback who brings exceptional playmaking to the defense. His aggressive play style has allowed him to set Clemson records in career forced fumbles for a defensive back.
31. Los Angeles Rams - Brandon Cisse (CB/South Carolina)
Cisse is an ascending cornerback who showed off impressive man-coverage skills, allowing a low completion percentage in his first season at South Carolina after transferring. He is comfortable against bigger perimeter receivers, which makes him an intriguing fit for a defense looking for a boundary corner.
32. Denver Broncos - C.J. Allen (LB/Georgia)
Allen is a physical and intelligent MIKE linebacker prospect from a long line of Georgia defensive standouts. He plays with an aggressive style, using his instincts to fill gaps effectively against the run and showcasing a prowess as a blitzing linebacker.
