Final 2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza (QB/Indiana)
The least surprising pick of this draft. Mendoza has been cemented as the No. 1 pick since Vegas clinched this selection. The Raiders have spent heavily on offensive weapons in recent years with the selections of Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, so he has the pieces in place to be an immediate contributor.
2. New York Jets - David Bailey (EDGE/Texas Tech)
Here’s where the draft really begins. Arvell Reese was long projected to go second, but Bailey has gained steam in recent weeks. New York struggled last year with a defensive-minded Aaron Glenn at head coach, so it’s easy to imagine finding upgrades with both of their draft picks will be a priority.
3. Arizona Cardinals - Jeremiyah Love (RB/Notre Dame)
Adam Schefter reported Wednesday morning that the Cardinals want to trade down, but they have been having a hard time finding a trade partner. He also said if they do stand pat, that Love makes the most sense for a team who needs to find a spark on offense.
Despite playing in a non-premier position, Love has reportedly been on the top of several draft boards, but he would join a crowded backfield in the desert that includes James Connor and the recently signed Tyler Allgeier.
4. Tennessee Titans - Arvell Reese (LB/Ohio State)
Jeremiyah Love was reportedly atop the Titans big board, but he gets taken one spot ahead of them here. Instead, they can pivot to a bigger need, which is upgrading their defense. This also makes more sense with the defensive-minded Robert Saleh at head coach.
Tennessee traded for Jermaine Johnson II earlier this year and now bring in another edge rusher to line up across from him, which will help free up Jeffrey Simmons from double teams.
5. New York Giants - Carnell Tate (WR/Ohio State)
Armed with two first-round picks opens things up for the Giants more now, who are now better positioned to snipe Carnell Tate from the Browns. The team also reportedly loves Jeremiyah Love (this is probably his floor) and Sonny Styles, but it appears the priority is adding weapons for Jaxson Dart.
6. Cleveland Browns - Francis Mauigoa (OT/Miami FL)
The Browns ownership seems to want to give Shedeur Sanders the starting quarterback job, so I would expect them to build around him in the draft. With Carnell Tate gone, I can see them pivoting to tackle if they are concerned with Jordyn Tyson’s injury history.
Mauigoa comes with tremendous upside, but may have to start his career at right tackle as he continues to develop.
7. Washington Commanders - Caleb Downs (S/Ohio State)
The Washington Commanders land a true defensive anchor in Downs, an elite safety with rare range, instincts, and ball-tracking ability. Downs provides an immediate boost to the secondary as a high-IQ playmaker capable of shifting between deep coverage and aggressive run support. His exceptional athletic profile and leadership qualities make him a foundational cornerstone for Washington’s defensive rebuild.
8. New Orleans Saints - Jordyn Tyson (WR/Arizona State)
New Orleans could be in a position to move up as well. Edge is an option here with Cameron Jordan getting long in the tooth, but ultimately, I think they focus on building around Tyler Shough, who showed a lot of promise at the end of last season.
9. Kansas City Chiefs - Mansoor Delane (CB/LSU)
The Kansas City Chiefs secure a premier secondary weapon in Delane, a fluid and highly intelligent cornerback out of LSU. Delane is an elite ballhawk who excels in zone coverage and has the sticky man-to-man chops to mirror top NFL receivers. His advanced route recognition and pro-ready instincts make him a Day 1 starter who can immediately elevate the Chiefs’ defense.
10. New York Giants - Sonny Styles (LB/Ohio State)
The Giants skip taking Styles at five and still land him. A hallmark of a John Harbaugh defense is a stud at inside linebacker and Styles will look to continue that tradition in New York.
11. Miami Dolphins - Makai Lemon (WR/USC)
Tyreek Hill was released and Jaylen Waddle was traded to Denver. Miami brought in Malik Willis to be their quarterback and now they need to surround him with weapons so he can succeed.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Rueben Bain (EDGE/Miami FL)
Arguably a top-five talent who falls because of his arm length at the combine, Bain will look to fill Micah Parsons’ shoes. I expect Dallas to prioritize the defense in this draft.
13. Los Angeles Rams - Spencer Fano (OT/Utah)
In Fano, the Rams get a highly athletic and technically sound tackle who won the Outland Trophy after a dominant final season at Utah. Fano boasts elite movement skills and quickness that allow him to mirror speed rushers and excel in the Rams’ move-based blocking schemes. Despite shorter arm length, his pristine footwork and versatility make him a high-ceiling protector for the offensive front.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Vega Ioane (IOL/Penn State)
The Baltimore Ravens secure a “plug-and-play” anchor for their interior by selecting Ioane, a bruising and technically elite guard who allowed zero sacks in his final season at Penn State. Standing 6’4″ and 330 pounds, Ioane is a quintessential “Ravens-style” mauler whose physical dominance at the point of attack is perfectly suited for a downhill rushing attack featuring Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. His combination of elite functional strength and high-IQ pass protection immediately stabilizes a critical area of need on the Baltimore offensive line.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Kenyon Sadiq (TE/Oregon)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft Sadiq, a freakishly athletic “matchup nightmare” who led all FBS tight ends with eight touchdowns in 2025. Sadiq is a converted wide receiver with 4.39 speed and a 43.5-inch vertical, allowing him to vandalize defensive seams and dominate as a high-point specialist in the red zone. While he possesses shorter arms for the position, his explosive YAC ability and high-effort blocking make him a versatile chess piece for the Buccaneers’ offense.
16. New York Jets - Jermod McCoy (CB/Tennessee)
Another defensive player and a replacement for Sauce Gardner. After failing to register a single interception in 2025, the Jets are in desperate need for a ballhawk at cornerback.
17. Detroit Lions - Monroe Freeling (OT/Georgia)
With Taylor Decker gone, the Lions need to find a new blindside protector. Freeling’s strong combine helped his stock and the Rams could take him at 13 or a team like the Eagles could try to trade ahead.
18. Minnesota Vikings - Dillon Thieneman (S/Oregon)
The Vikings find the perfect heir to Harrison Smith in Thieneman, a high-IQ “eraser” safety who combined elite production at Purdue with a standout 2025 season at Oregon. Thieneman pairs a 4.35-second 40-yard dash with exceptional ball-tracking skills and versatility, allowing him to erase deep passing lanes or crash down into the box with equal effectiveness. His pro-ready instincts and relentless motor make him a Day 1 starter who immediately solidifies the back end of Brian Flores’ aggressive defense.
19. Carolina Panthers - Kadyn Proctor (OT/Alabama)
The Carolina Panthers secure a massive foundational piece for their offensive line in Proctor, a physically imposing tackle with rare power and elite size. Standing 6’7″ and 360 pounds, Proctor is a natural road-grader in the run game who excels at washing defenders out of plays and creating massive rushing lanes. His improved lateral quickness and refined hand placement during his time at Alabama have made him a highly reliable blindside protector, offering the high-ceiling potential the Panthers need to stabilize their front five for the long term.
20. Dallas Cowboys - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S/Toledo)
Dallas continues to remodel their defense after an abysmal 2025. McNeil-Warren is a rangy and highly productive playmaker who emerged as one of the most versatile safeties in the country at Toledo. Known for his elite “centerfield” range and a knack for finding the football, McNeil-Warren brings a physical presence to the back end with over 100 tackles and multiple interceptions in his breakout campaign.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Omar Cooper Jr. (WR/Indiana)
The quarterback situation is murky as Aaron Rodgers is not expected to make a decision about his career before the draft, but the Steelers are reportedly not expected to draft Ty Simpson (they apparently like Carson Beck). Instead, they continue to find offensive weapons while they wait for the quarterback situation to sort itself out.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Keldric Faulk (EDGE/Auburn)
Both Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree are getting older and both are in the final year of their contracts. The Chargers could give Faulk a year to serve as an understudy before taking the reins in 2027 and forming one of the league’s better pass rush duos across from Tuli Tuipulotu.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - K.C. Concepcion (WR/Texas A&M)
Offensive tackle is also on the table, but Concepcion gives the Eagles a slippery slot receiver while Devonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks operate from the outside. It is expected that the Eagles will trade A.J. Brown to the Patriots post-June 1.
24.Cleveland Browns - Denzel Boston (WR/Washington)
I think Cleveland does everything they can to make sure one of their draft picks nets them a wide receiver. Boston, a big-bodied wideout who has drawn comparisons to Puka Nacua, would be a difference maker in an offense lacking firepower.
25. Chicago Bears - Akheem Mesidor (EDGE/Miami FL)
The Chicago Bears bolster their pass rush with Mesidor, a versatile and powerful defensive end who provides a much-needed punch opposite Montez Sweat. Mesidor is known for his explosive first step and a relentless motor that allows him to win both as an edge burner and a situational interior penetrator.
26. Buffalo Bills - TJ Parker (EDGE/Clemson)
The Buffalo Bills add another powerful disruptor to their defensive front with Parker, a physically imposing edge defender known for his elite hand usage and technical polish. At 6’3″ and 263 pounds, Parker is a “bulldozer” of a power rusher who excels at converting speed to power and setting a violent edge against the run.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Lomu (OT/ Utah)
Trent Williams signed a two-year extension in San Francisco but I would expect the 49ers to find a replacement for the soon-to-be 38-year-old tackle who has been in the league since the first year I began writing mock drafts (we’re getting old, people).
28. Houston Texans - Kayden McDonald (DT/Ohio State)
The Houston Texans select McDonald, a massive and technically sound nose tackle from Ohio State, to anchor the interior of their defensive line. Standing 6’2″ and 326 pounds, McDonald is a dominant run-stuffer who earned Unanimous All-American honors in 2025 after leading all FBS defensive linemen with a 91.2 PFF run-defense grade.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Cashius Howell (EDGE/Texas A&M)
The Chiefs add a specialized weapon to their pass rush in Howell, a lightning-fast speed rusher who recorded 11.5 sacks in his final season at Texas A&M. Howell possesses an elite first step and exceptional bend, allowing him to scream around the edge and terrorize quarterbacks in obvious passing situations. While his lack of arm length and bulk may limit him to a situational role early on, his twitchy athleticism and refined spin move provide the Chiefs with a high-impact designated pass rusher to complement George Karlaftis.
30. Miami Dolphins - Blake Miller (OT/Clemson)
Miami selects Blake Miller, an “ironman” tackle from Clemson who brings incredible durability and experience to South Florida. Standing 6’7″ and 317 pounds, Miller holds the Clemson record for career snaps (3,778) and starts (54), having never missed a game in his four-year collegiate career.
31. New England Patriots - Zion Young (EDGE/Missouri)
The New England Patriots focus on their pass rush by selecting Young, a physically imposing edge defender who exploded for 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in the SEC last season. Standing 6’6″ and 262 pounds, Young is a prototypical “Patriot-style” defender with the size to set a firm edge against the run and the raw power to collapse pockets as a bull-rusher.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Aveion Terrell (CB/Clemson)
The younger brother of Falcons star A.J. Terrell, Avieon is an elite “mirror” defender who excels in man coverage despite being undersized at 5’11” and 180 pounds. Terrell brings a “Devon Witherspoon-esque” competitive edge to the secondary, finishing the 2025 season with a Clemson record for forced fumbles by a defensive back. His versatility to play both the boundary and the slot, combined with his high-level instincts and willingness to contribute in run support, makes him a perfect fit for Seattle’s aggressive defensive culture.
