Here is the first edition of my 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Las Vegas Raiders- Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana: This is a slam dunk selection for the Raiders as they have themselves a possible franchise quarterback for the first time in a long time. He has a rocket arm, delivers under pressure, and has great work ethic.
2. New York Jets- Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State: Reese's draft stock rose over the past month or so that he's the consensus choice here for the two spot. He is a hybrid player, but many expect him to be a full time edge at the pro level with his athletic traits.
3. Arizona Cardinals- Francis Mauigoa, Offensive Tackle, Miami: The Cardinals have needs everywhere including quarterback, but they go with the tackle here in Mauigoa, who has some injury concerns coming in. He is a well rounded player who allowed zero sacks this past season.
4. Tennessee Titans- Jeremiyah Love, Running Back, Notre Dame: The Titans are a team that are long term on the rise and Love does make sense here to help out Cam Ward. He is arguably the most talented running back drafted this high since Saquon Barkley and is certainly a game breaker.
5. New York Giants- Sonny Styles, Linebacker, Ohio State: This pick makes so much sense as the Giants finally get a long term piece in the middle with Styles. He's a physical player that runs with tight ends and running backs and really stood out at the combine.
6. Cleveland Browns- Carnell Tate, Wide Receiver, Ohio State: The Browns are still in rebuild mode and they can use a talent like Tate regardless who's at quarterback since they lack a true WR1. He's great downfield and has a knack of making contested catches.
7. Washington Commanders- David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech: The Commanders landing Bailey here is a major steal considering he's been mocked as high as three to the Cardinals. They finally replace lost production from the likes of Montez Sweat as Bailey is a sack machine and is great with pressuring.
8. New Orleans Saints- Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State: The Saints showed some strides in the second half of the season, but they still have a lot of needs and landing the drafts best defensive back is a start. Downs can play anywhere on the field essentially and is a smart player too.
9. Kansas City Chiefs- Makai Lemon, Wide Receiver, USC: The Chiefs offense last season was erratic and Lemon here makes sense with all of the Chiefs wide receiver room uncertainty. He knows how to get open and is hard to take down and he would be a very valuable long term piece for Patrick Mahomes.
10. Cincinnati Bengals- Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami: The Bengals landing Bain at the spot is an absolute steal considering that he was mocked as high as 2 to the Jets. This is a logical Trey Hendrickson replacement as he is a pressure machine in-spite of some arm length concerns.
11. Miami Dolphins- Mansoor Delane, Cornerback, LSU: The Dolphins need talent everywhere as well as they should be happy with Delane at 11 considering they need serious defensive back help. He excels in coverage as he did not allow a touchdown all season long.
12. Dallas Cowboys- Jermod McCoy, Cornerback, Tennessee: The Cowboys are dying to trade up to get blue chippers on defense, but here they settle with the corner in McCoy. Coming off a torn ACL, he had a great pro day and has great size and ball production.
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons)- Monroe Freeling, Offensive Tackle, Georgia: This pick could be trade bait for the Rams to go acquire a big name player that's unhappy, but Monroe here also makes sense. He has a high ceiling for a left tackle and I do think he can go this high.
14. Baltimore Ravens- Olaivavega Ioane, Interior Offensive Line, Penn State: This pick would make a lot of sense with Tyler Linderbaum out of the picture. Another player that didn't allow a sack or pressure this past season is exactly what Lamar Jackson needs to keep him upright.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn: The Buccaneers are in a weird spot as they can either end up being a contender or possibly picking in the top ten of next years draft. Faulk is a polarizing prospect who is versatile and has a high ceiling.
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts)- Jordyn Tyson, Wide Receiver, Arizona State: The Jets luck out in the Sauce Gardner trade to get a mid first rounder as they take a super talent here in Tyson. He's super fast and explosive and his health is what cost him to be a higher pick.
17. Detroit Lions- Spencer Fano, Offensive Tackle, Utah: This is a slam dunk pick for the Lions considering they have the need to replace Taylor Decker and Fano could go higher than this. He could start on either tackle or at guard and is a freak athlete.
18. Minnesota Vikings- Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon: Thieneman is someone that is a fast riser in this class and he makes sense here for the Vikings with Harrison Smith possibly not returning. He is someone that can create turnovers and is a great athlete and also is great against the run.
19. Carolina Panthers- Kenyon Sediq, Tight End, Oregon: I absolutely love the fit here with Sediq going to the up and coming Panthers, who almost upset the Rams in the postseason. Sediq is an excellent versatile pass catcher and the Panthers can use that in their offense to help Bryce Young make the next step.
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers)- Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami: The Packers losing early in the playoffs helps the Cowboys here as they land an interesting prospect in Mesidor. Despite being older and having injury concerns, he plays all three downs and has good technique.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers- Omar Cooper Jr., Wide Receiver, Indiana: This is a great choice for the Steelers, whether it's Aaron Rodgers or someone else at quarterback. Cooper Jr. gets open a lot and is great after catch and would fit well with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. in the fold.
22. Los Angeles Chargers- KC Concepcion, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M: The Charges can go anywhere with this pick as they can absolutely win their division this season with the right choice. Concepcion would be a great fit with the weapons they have with his ceiling
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Blake Miller, Offensive Tackle, Clemson: The Eagles need to start thinking about post Lane Johnson life as he ages and Miller here makes sense. He played right tackle in college and is a strong and tough player who's dependable.
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars)- Avieon Terrell, Cornerback, Clemson: The Browns with their second first rounder take the defensive back in Terrell. Injuries can possibly drop him out of round one, but he is super talented with his feistiness and physicality.
25. Chicago Bears- Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Tackle, Alabama: This would be a nice pick for the Bears, who need some youth on the offensive line. He is a massive human and a great athlete who can start at either tackle or guard.
26. Buffalo Bills- Peter Woods, Defensive Lineman, Clemson: The obvious choice for the Bills here is pass rush and Woods would be a nice fit. He's a freak athlete with power and suddenness who is versatile, but he was disappointing last season compared to 2023 and 2024.
27. San Francisco 49ers- Caleb Lomu, Offensive Tackle, Utah: Wide Receiver probably makes the most sense here, but a tackle here wouldn't surprise me considering Trent Williams's situation. Even with Williams in the fold, Lomu at guard makes sense with his athleticism, patience, and movement in space.
28. Houston Texans- Max Iheanachor, Interior Offensive Line, Arizona State: The most obvious needs among contenders is the Texans and offensive line help. Iheanachor is not the most polished prospect, but he does have a high ceiling and has the athleticism, size, and strength.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams)- Zion Young, Edge, Missouri: With their second first rounder, the Chiefs go pass rush with Young. He can collapse the pocket and defend the run and would fit nicely next to Chris Jones.
30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos)- Kayden McDonald, Defensive Line, Ohio State: The Dolphins go defense again here, but this time pass rush for their second first rounder. McDonald excelled with stopping the run and would be a nice building block.
31. New England Patriots- Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker, Texas: The Patriots should be proud of the year they had, but they still have needs on the roster. Hill Jr. is a great athlete that has a high ceiling and would work well in Zak Kuhr's defense.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M: The reigning Super Bowl champions make their championship defense better with snagging Howell. He does have short arms, which could hurt his draft stock, but his aggression and versatility make up for it.